The Idea Factory
25. January 2012
admin
This post all began with a tweet.
This morning, I’m drinking (OK–downing) my coffee while I was getting ready for work. (Yes, you guessed correctly–I’m not a morning person. At all.) Then, I looked at my chompers in the mirror. To reach for the Crest White Strip, or not?
I decided not. Since I was still drinking my coffee.
But then, I tweeted that the Starbucks people needed to get together and go bowling with the Crest White Strip (P&G) people. Why? Because with every cup o’ Starbucks – they should be offering us a white strip so we can smack that sucker on when we’re DONE with the coffee.
Bam. The following email hits my inbox later today. Cool. At least the Starbuckers were listening on Twitter. In fact, they’ve got an entire program of listening in their company by their customers. They’ve got dedicated headcount to LISTENING to their customers and hearing their solutions to problems, and then a feedback mechanism to show what ideas they officially tried.
Now, I’m of course using 2 of my favorite products to illustrate a really important point when it comes to your career – both now, and in the future. Here it is: I really don’t care what your professional title is–mechanic, baker, chef, accountant, lawyer, doctor, or something else. I’m here to tell you that why you’re getting paid what you’re getting paid correlates with your ability to solve your boss’s problems.
Yes, my friends. We’re all problem solvers.
To what degree varies from job to job–but those who rock their jobs? They don’t just bring problems. They bring SOLUTIONS to their companies, their customers and their bosses. If you’re just complaining, but not providing any ideas on how to fix the problem…? You’re only creating one more headache for your day job and your boss, period.
NOT. GOOD.
So, whether you solve e=mc squared at your day job, or how to cure cancer, or how to keep the paperwork moving along in your office, you really must get good at solving problems. Be an idea factory. That’s why and how the people making the big (and bigger) bucks get them, along with prestige over time. They just take on bigger, wider and more complex problems.
Now, if I can just get my crest white strip on the side of my venti mild brew of the day, I’d not only have whiter teeth, but I’d be solving the problem of being a coffee addict at least with a whiter grill….
Don’t worry Starbucks and P&G – that idea is on the house. No charge!
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
Top Ten Tech companies for Young Indy Professionals
23. January 2012
admin
(Today is a guest blog post Stacie Grissom. Her bio is below. Best part? She totally emailed us and wanted to write a guest blog post on her own. Dig! Do you have a good story to share with Indy YPs? Then what are you waiting for? Email us about it – and thanks again to Stacie! And of course, her opinions are her own here…not ours. (We can’t even find the on button on most computers anyway, let alone talk about stuff like SEO and coding!)
As a recent college grad and a workforce newbie, I’ve spent a significant amount of time checking out the companies around Indianapolis. This past summer I spent the sweltering Indiana months indoors with my nose to the computer screen sending out cover letter after cover letter. One thing I realized throughout my job search is that while many older, more traditional companies try to understand all these new young pups entering the work force, the tech companies have it figured out. With their relaxed hours, casual dress code, and fast pace, it is obvious that the technology and web-based workplaces are the place to be for young professionals– especially in a growing tech community like Indianapolis.
I am fortunate enough to work at one of these places. I work as an Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist for One Click Ventures on the south side. As an SEO, my job is to help One Click’s stores rise in the search engine results. Whether that is through blog posts, technical website maintenance, link building, writing, or social media– SEO is a growing industry and imperative to One Click’s business success.
I know my job sounds technical and a bit dry, but in reality it is not at all. The SEOs at One Click have so much room to have fun and be creative. For example, one of my favorite SEO tactics is to create content that I hope people will share. Whether that is a graphic on 12 Ways to Wear a Scarf, how to make a camera case out of any handbag, or the sisterhood of the traveling scarf, creating shareable content is a way to build authority as a website and a store.
After I did more research on the other tech-related companies in Indianapolis, it was clear to me that these were the places to work as a young person. While many companies still feel battered after the recession, these companies thrive and grow. (And presented below are the top 10 in random order!)
Top Ten Tech Companies for Young Indy Professionals
-One Click Ventures: One Click Ventures is a network of online stores including: Sunglass Warehouse, Reading Glasses Shopper, Handbag Heaven, and Scarves Dot Net.
Why One Click Ventures is a good place to work for young professionals: Creative bunch of hardworking people, very young and eager crowd, very little red tape, enthusiastic and caring management, freedom to take on a specialty, you can see the results of your work, opportunities for mobility. (Of course I am a bit biased, but I love my ever-evolving job at One Click. There is never any time for work to become stagnant or boring.)
-Exact Target: Exact Target is a global Software as a Service company that uses cross-channel interactive marketing, “pairing the strength of email with emerging channels like social, mobile, and the web.”
Why ExactTarget is a good place to work for young professionals: Unique culture, (from their ORANGE mentality to their orange walls), well-designed space, awesome location on the circle, relocation opportunities, lots of perks.
-Apparatus: Apparatus provides advanced information technology consultation and specializes in the design, build and support of IT infrastructure for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Why Apparatus is a good place to work for young professionals: New building just north of downtown, basketball court in the office, cool spin on network solutions—stuff that is usually pretty dry.
-Interactive Intelligence: Interactive Intelligence is a leading provider of call center software solutions and technology to help with business process automation.
Why Interactive Intelligence is a good place to work for young professionals: Well-established, flexible work hours, office on a lake, gyms, health clinics, perks (ie: bagel Fridays), good work community.
-Slingshot SEO: Slingshot SEO is a search engine optimization firm that provides strategies for increasing organic search traffic for its clients.
Why Slingshot is a good place to work for young professionals: Employees have a strong work-ethic with a passion for fun, four-day work week, Slingshot (with Angie’s List) hosts fun networking events with free drinks, lots of other young people.
-Bidpal: BidPal brings the excitement of online bidding to real-world auctions with its handheld gadget. People can use the electronic BidPal to bid on items at auctions for charitable and fundraising events.
Why BidPal is a good place to work for young professionals: Ability to travel, opportunity to work with a lot of people in the community, charitable, exciting and fun product.
-Formstack: Formstack is a company that makes easy-to-use forms for collecting survey responses, event registration, contact information and other important data.
Why Formstack is a good place to work for young professionals: Involved in Indianapolis community, hosts fun and charitable events like a ping pong tournament to help raise awareness for ALS.
-Smallbox: Smallbox is a web design and marketing firm that builds websites, large and small, then gives their clients the tools to use it. With Smallbox, you can manage and update your website and also know how to market it for real ROI.
Why Smallbox is a good place to work for young professionals: Fast-paced, small, charitable, well-respected in the community and beyond. Their culture video is also really cool.
-iGoDigital: iGoDigital helps some of the world’s biggest online retailers make their digital storefronts better for shoppers. Their tools, including product recommendations and guided selling, help customize the online shopping experience.
Why iGoDigital is a good place to work for young professionals: Young employees and management, good leadership, at the forefront of technology.
-Angie’s List: Angie’s List is a review site, especially popular for finding doctors and contractors. Because its revenue comes from subscribers who pay to access the data, and never from the services and companies being reviewed, you can be assured that the reviews and ratings are fair and unbiased.
Why Angie’s List is a good place to work for young professionals: Indianapolis behemoth, unique culture, cool building, value employees well-being, health initiative.
Stacie Grissom is recent graduate from DePauw University and an SEO Specialist for One Click Ventures. When she is not reading up on the latest change in Google’s algorithm, she is writing crafty blog posts and blogging about loop scarves and clutch handbags. In her free time, Stacie loves to hunt for treasure in the antique stores around Indianapolis.
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
Hunks & Kisses
22. January 2012
admin
We can’t get enough of Pinterest, we’re not going to lie. But, of late, when we logged in early this morning, we saw a lot of postings that were…curious.
Someone put together a grouping of “Disney Hunks” and “Disney Kisses.” What was curious was that the animated men and women juxtaposed in one visual image all looked together somewhat…like a formula.
If you saw the film, Miss Representation, with us back in November, you’ll also think this is curious. And we’ll just ask the question: what is the primary goal of animated female protagonists in films vs. the male protagonists? There’s a formula there too, but we’ll let you try and figure out what that is…
Curious….
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
3 Important Matters
21. January 2012
admin
1. We’re cleanin’ up the site for ya – we’ll be prettier soon!
2. Seriously. Last call on the freebie for the Super Bowl. Sign up for our newsletters over to the right – that’s the only way you’re gonna get it. —–>
3. Last but not least, I ran across two other interesting Plan Cers today. One is a nurse by night, wedding planner by day. The other runs an international association for part time entrepreneurs–The International Alliance for Motivated Part-Time Entrepreneurs, which you can join here. They’ve got nominations open for the 40 best part-time entrepreneurs in the world. Nominate your own PlanCer – ok? It’s interesting that the more PT ‘treps I’m finding, the more that also have professional and technical day-time gigs. Hmmm….fascinating.
You’ve officially been updated!
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
Who Pays…On a Date?
18. January 2012
admin
So, one of our friends, Pete The Planner, is posting tomorrow at his blog on who pays when on a business lunch. Of course, we had to chime in on his post about a general “date” instead–removing the business portion of his post. Then he asked us to ‘xplain, so we posted over at the faceplace, but we thought we’d roll with it here. So – 3 scenarios below, Miss Manners Style, on who should pay when on a date.
Ready? Go!
OK – scenario 1: first date: who should pay? Well, the first question to begin with inevitably is – who asked whom to go out on the date? (Or is it who asked who? We digress. You get the point.) Who was the party that instigated the aforementioned said date?
Who(m)ever that is should honestly pay, frankly. If you set it up – dude or gal, YOU should be paying for it, because YOU instigated it.
Scenario 2: OK – let’s say it was mutual. Or maybe not. But let’s say, hypothetically, that the date was awful (we know this is a stretch, because you’re fabulous, and you never have bad dates, right? Right. Just work with us here.) HYPOTHETICALLY–it was a bad date–for whatever reason. He was mean, she was rude to the waiter, gaped at every other wo/man in the room, etc. It. Was. Epically. Bad.
Who should pay then?
Easy answer! The aggrieved party should pay – the person who was utterly embarrassed by the other’s actions SHOULD PAY. Here’s why: if there’s no chance in hell that s/he’s ever going to get another date with you, ladies or gents, leave NOTHING on the table – ZERO obligation for future activity…by paying. That removes all obligation and indebtedness in the ‘relationship,’ or lack thereof. That also sends Ivan(ka) the Terrible a message: that you’re a. independent, b. classy and c. you don’t think enough of her or him to LET them pay and then owe some obligation towards you. (And yes, we’ve personally been there, done that. Check, please! #datefail)
Scenario 3: Let’s say he asked you out, ladies, you both had an awesome time, and you’d like to see him again (or vice versa for that matter.) Who should pay then? Theoretically, we go back to scenario 1. But it if was mutual ascension, it gets a little tougher. BUT–let us be clear here – if he asked, he should pay. If she asked, SHE should pay. If s/he offers to split the check AFTER s/he asked you out? 1. PAY THE WHOLE THING and 2. RUN! Get away from this cheapskate as QUICKLY as you can! Because if the person who asked wants to split the bill right out of the gate–when everyone is supposed to be on their best behavior–that’s the sign of the insanely cheap, and borderline immoral. If they’re cheap at their very best, what are they going to be like at their very worst? RUN. SERIOUSLY!
(But guys–any GENTLEMAN would refuse to let a woman pay…if he really wanted to go out with her and agreed in the first place.) I know. This makes things a little confusing–but gentlemen are gentlemen, and being a gentleman is pretty easy. Pay. And if she’s whipping out her wallet? Dude, you’re in trouble.
I don’t know if there’s any double standards in here or not. We’re just saying–this is how we roll. We don’t want you obligated, our fabulous readers–to any ingrates, dullards, or just entirely classless people. Keep it classy out there! We fully realize that as awesome as you are you’ll most likely never have to follow these guidelines…but just in case….
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
Last Call!
16. January 2012
admin
Did you sign up over to the right for our super secret Super Bowl give away yet? Well…uhm…this is awkward…but this is last call. It’s going out once to everyone on our email list, ONCE. SOON.
Don’t miss out!
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
Friends, DnD and War Games
15. January 2012
admin
First off, if you have no idea what items #2 and #3 mean in terms of leveling on this post title, please look away.
Second, if you do get it – I’ve been thinking about an interesting post one of my cyber homie Facebook friends had online the other day. He said something about: “I lost a friend today. But it’s not a real friend – it’s a Facebook friend.”
This is haunting me.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of friendship this new year, as making sure I pay close attention to the needs of my true friends as a priority for me in my own set of new year’s resolutions.
But who truly are my true friends?
I keep thinking of the levels in DnD of the past. Or the War Games Defcon levels. The irony of using war and battle to describe my friends aside, there are different pockets of friends I have too – from different settings, different schools, different passions, different jobs, etc. So, looking towards the collective wisdom of the internet, I did a google search on levels of friendship and found some decent descriptions, like this, this and this. Other friends of mine describe their friends in rings or circles.
I’m not quite sure I buy that one’s facebook friends can’t be their real friends, because I have a lot of different friends on my facebook list. I have friends in the first space (real life) who are also my facebook friends, and I have others on the opposite end of the spectrum who I’ve never met in the first space but I do consider them my cyber homies. (I didn’t see “cyber homie” as one of the descriptions in the lists above.) By cyber homie – I mean a person that I’ve only met online, but who I think I could honestly have a drink with and a decent conversation with in the first life, if I ever had the chance. I also have professional friends that I only connect with at professional sites, and try not to cross the line into pure friend mode (due to TMI consequences).
I also know that friends come and go from time to time. And I’ve had to fire my fair share of real first space friends and even faceplace friends (you know who you are). One thing I’ve learned over time is the surefire way to be miserable is to get everyone to like me. I no longer have the energy for that. But in retrospect, some of my friends came and went for various reasons, but they taught me valuable lessons along the way as well…namely, to make sure that a true friendship has balance–that both parties are looking out for each other, and not have the relationship (or any relationship for that matter) too one-sided. Or, worse yet, discovering a total disconnect between the friendship online vs. in the first life–they were just not connected in the same way at all.
And while I don’t have very many super close “BFF” defcon-1, 75th level type friends (def: those who you could call to bail you out of jail, or if you were really in trouble and they wouldn’t judge you–as I’m careful about who I let into that level–Jim Rohn taught me that), I can say that having a variety of friends in a variety of settings is one of the best ways for a person to get through this life, methinks.
Or maybe I shouldn’t be categorizing my friends into levels and groups. Maybe I should just be happy they’re here…? I don’t know. But to my defcon-1, 75th level BFFers: I’ll take the 3 am bail out of jail call for ya..and I won’t even judge–if you ever need it, although I hope you don’t.
Besides, helping you is part of my NY resolution package!
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
Chicken Soup for the Vintage/Antique Soul
14. January 2012
admin
I’ve got a nasty cold. When I get sick, I typically crave the usual–chicken noodle soup, a warm bed, a ginormous box o’ Kleenex and sleep.
Every once in awhile, I also crave old. When that happens, the remedy is typically a lot like the remedy for having a cold: I go to my old standards of: vintage, antique stores, and second hand. They satisfy my appetite for the nostalgic. So, when I have the need for old, I usually head to the following spots, and I thought I’d share them with you in case you needed a little Chicken Soup for the Vintage Soul this morning too:
Locally in and around Indy:
1. Southport Antique Mall - One of my favorite local haunts, I have a friend that lives very close to this spot, and whenever I get down to visit her, I also try to hit this mall. They have everything I can think of, and lately–had a lot of 50s furniture (a la Mad Men) that I just can’t get enough of. Avocado and burnt orange? Yes. Please!
2. Goodwill – believe it or not, some of the most amazing vintage accessories and dresses I’ve ever found came from Goodwill! Right now, they’re running a 50% off sale on…the color yellow! I love that they do good things for the community and sell awesome vintage treasures…you just have to be willing and able to dig for them. Last time I hit the store in Fishers, I found a vintage sweater dress…from Australia. Price? $5.95. Style? One-of-a-kind!
3. Minx Vintage and Home – This lovely shop is in the Penn Arts Building – which is being rehabbed and you just can’t get any better than vintage within vintage! LOVE. IT. Go there, buy things!
Road Trip-py Outside of Indy:
1. Points North – South Bend – There are a lot of great antique malls up 31 north in South Bend. My favorites are Unique Antique Mall and Antique Avenue Mall. It’s going to be an almost 3 hour drive up north, but it’s good to get away. Keep heading north to Niles, MI and there’s even more awesome malls. Double dig!
2. Points East – I-70 – If you’re hard core and only want the best of the best, go east to Springfield, OH. There, you’ll see literally 2 antique malls right from I-70: 1. The AAA Antique Mall, and the Heart of Ohio mall. I love them both.
3. Points South – I-65 – If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Outlet Mall anyway, you might as well check out Exit 76 Antique Mall too before you leave. It’s awesome. There is at least one other smaller break out antique store off exit 76 too. So that way, you can get old with the new. There’s a TON of antiques down in Louisville, and that my friends is quite frankly beyond the realm of my knowledge of awesomeness. Of course, if you know specifics, feel free to share with the rest of the class.
There you have it! I was kind of hoping that by writing this post, I could calm my burning desire to get around old things today. Unfortunately, I think my cold is going to do that for me. But if you too have the flavor for the nostalgic – get out there and show up for the rest of us! And tell them we sent you!
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
The N Word
12. January 2012
admin
First off – thanks for all the support on the Super Secret Super Bowl Giveaway! Wanna be part? All you have to do is sign up for our newsletter feed over to the right of the page with your email address. That’s the ONLY way you’re gonna get our gift without purchase!
Second, I’d like to respectfully request that we all collectively as a city give up the “N” word when it comes to describing our fair city during the Super Bowl–i.e. that of “Naptown.” I personally detest that description of our city. It came from the fact that in the early 1900s we were a “boring” city. I think that day has come and gone, hopefully. Thus, I’d like to dump that awful nickname for Indy. Just thought I’d put that out there so we can keep it good in our (awesome) hood for at least the next month, if not indefinitely.
Thanks, dear Universe. And we’re looking good for the SB! Zipline tickets are apparently sold out, and there’s all kinds of buzz around IDADA’s TURF exhibition coming. LOVE IT!
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
More on Plan C, and…the Yuspie!
8. January 2012
admin
Thanks to WISH-TV this morning for having us on to talk about the new book, Plan C and just what the heck yuspie is all about anyway. We are grateful to Zlatko over at WISH, along with our friends at Historic Indianapolis – where he discovered us! Best advertising bang for our buck – EVER!
Oh – and if you want in on that super secret Super Bowl giveaway – you’d better sign up for the newsletter feed over to the right of the screen…just. Sayin!
Uncategorized | 0 Comments »
