Saturday, January 25, 2020

FEEDBACK: the genius of today's world; where opinions matter and disruptions are where holes are found

If you think of a senior citizen 
what comes to your imagination or thoughts?



Most would conjure cranky old farts
well, if you watch "The Laundromat" with an
incredible cast, Rob's favorite actor:  Gary Oldman (most unappreciated acting brilliance); with his
role sidekick, A.Bonderes (sp?).

SIDEBAR:  & related.  It used to be that an actress was washed up when she hit middle age.  Why, 
that is so far from the truth today.  I'm sure a lot of 
the aging former beauty sirens would give their eye
and all their teeth (get implants, dear, lol).  But all
the best roles are being swallowed up by Ms. Streepe.  It's not uncanny she would be the most decorated Oscar actor (fact check both or for women). 

IF you watch The Laundromat, it will be a test.

Do you understand or can you empathize with each plot and sub plot.
If you can't, then you have to watch it again.
And AGAIN until you can get why senior
citizens get to be "cranky old farts".

It's a passage in age.
All the issues the characters are 
facing in this movie, are typical
of issues many people manage
to move to the other side of life.

I don't recall seeing who the
Director was, male or female.
Whoever it was, they see the angle from
the side of the characters.  You can't help
but be designated on their behalf.  



Not surprising Merle Streepe 
was in this movie, who was able to 
transcend as so believable, you are
wrapped up in the character, the makeup
and the acting, you forget it is Merle
Streepe.

Oldman and Banderes' parts narrate and
host the audience.  With banter, humor
and under-reactive to the matter they're
explaining away.  

Or attempting to.
That's the pure genius part.
The characters or the actors
are interchangeable, gell
and make it an enjoyably
human-esque movie that
can be watched from 8 to 108.

xo jm


FEEDBACK:
I sent this off today and and sharing the experience along the way.  So often, feedback explodes online when someone is really angry, the average person, non celebrity, politician.  Sometimes it gets traction and takes off.

Other times, it is a quiet hummer dulled to the back- ground, barely discernible.  The army of CYA (cover your ass) suckers are drowning out the originality or misrepresenting the numbers or characters as they take credit for being the choreographers.  

Rumours are usually the first symptom that not is all well.  Tremours of bad PR, has more rippling effects, lost of customer confidence is like a tidal wave YET it's when the rats start jumping from the ship (shareholders) before it goes down, it isn't until a controversy or corruption is uncovered does it shoot to the front of the line in attention and addiction.

Thanks Jessica. 

Kyle was amazing - really nice young man, pleasant to deal with.  Polite, friendly while focused on his task. In fact, I will probably do up a GOOGLE REVIEW accordingly. 

He was a raving fan of PROPERLY.  I asked him, looking him in the eye:  "If I were your mom, would you recommend PROPERLY?" - without hesitation or reservation, he politely said:  "absolutely, I tell all my friends about PROPERLY."

 I would guess he's smack dab in the Millennial age group, as I would guess, so are you.  If you could exude more warmth naturally, let people see that side of you - which is why and how you got the job.   

Since your side of the business is 150% customer service:  who the customer or client thinks of when they think of a brand, they will associate it with an experience.  

Most companies don't pay as much attention tothis client base.  Nor do they recognize that the glue that sticks a company's brand is from their customer facing or speaking first hand customer service group.   Very few companies can be as impeccable as the APPLE brand. All companies should aspire to be as GREAT as APPLE one day. PROPERLY fits a great need.  A growing need based on the aging population.  When someone like me talks about a wonderful experience, I have an established audience and age group.  I call them YUPPIES BABY BOOMERS, and now the tipping point of GEN X.  

Yet my #Millennials readers are loyal and some friendsof my daughters in that age group:  the one finishing university, starting to buy homes and boosting the brand. They're as finicky as their parents, which I happen to be one.I hope that this will work out as planned so we can downsize and starting living life.

My breast cancer prognosis is very favorable.  Compared to my mother's 30 years ago, in the 1980s, when I was in my 20s, before kids.  Exactly where my kids are in their lives.  Post Secondary University, "killin'it" at work or rockin' as a new mom for the girls; my son will be 31 next month, just 6 months behind his brother-in-law who is married to our daughter, his sister.  Cherry is a grandson not quite a year and a half.

Whirly whirl. Sorry.  I get on tangents.  Forgot I was not writing a blog. Well, the good news, I can post it as the beginning of sharing my experience with my blog audience that usually waves out to up to 2 million impressions a month. PROPERLY may end up wanting to use it as a testimonial.  Or pay me to post as their blog post.  With my own art graphics.  I have to find a way to have a career while I recover and am full time Caregiver for my brain injured spouse. jm
__________________________




Done are the days of blowing CLOUD up your smoke.  Now it's about PRIVACY has given a lot of power for organizations to say NO.

Unfortunately, we're unable to )))))) because of our PRIVACY policy.

If you go to a website, they blow DATA at you to confuse you enough to forget what you were asking them about when it said you are giving them permission to collect your data.  Distract from what really is at stake:  a bunch of information forms a Tornado that is then put through computer simulators which have now been called "algorithms" because the simulators are using predictive behavior science to send back out information that is silo'd and sorted according to your habits and what they think is your taste.

THAT'S WHY on detective shows, it alludes to the fingerprints that are left on any computer hardware.

POLICE FORENSICS can pick up those fingerprints which evolve into red flags on even an old piece of hardware.

THEN the convenience of not having to buy a bigger computer every time a new version came out:  we've become more APP (application) dependent which has opened a whole new way of generating money.

NERDS who could code could essentially build platforms that go on to big influencers (like FACEBOOK & TWITTER) but not money generators like APPLE or MICROSOFT .... we're still trained 
like robots to want, need, go get the next version.  I'm guilty.  I have an iPx.  

That, however, is from genuine circumstances.  First I cancelled my cell phone that I'd had for 30 years.  Drive all my calls to our house/home phone.  Tried 
going with out a cell phone for 3 months.  Felt the experience of being out at a job interview and Rob unable to reach me should he have a medical episode.

So, that is why I did get a new cell phone.  I changed providers too.  I already miss my previous provider because I know they have really quality customer service.  Their awards and recognition shows.  I don't need to mention them.

jm


Thursday, January 23, 2020

Sometimes BIG STEPS allow us to go onto BIGGER THINGS

Original art by Jeannette Marshall #CalgaryBlogger (c) optioneerJM


I have butterflies in my belly.

Done. I am nervous.

We just signed away our house at the same time as submitted an offer on a new place - seems like one swift sweep.

There's a lot of things up in the air at the same time.
Its a big step after living where we are for 25 years for me, and 13 years as a couple.


Sure hoping there's nothing other major that happens.  I seem to be squeezing my eyes mentally constantly, waiting for the next bombshell in our lives.


Reading the Bible has been meditative for me.  It sheds light from understanding the reasons Christians have such strong faith.  Similarly, for others, the Q'ran or HINDU or Buddhists I'm sure.  



I have had to really work on faith and putting my trust in the hands of the lord.


On my knees begging for help and apologizing and asking forgiveness.


Taught by my sister that I am not being punished.  My mother keeps telling me to stop being so hard on myself.  My best friend says that I'm stronger than I think.  She's helping us make everything happen on the move.  A real true authentic angel.  I'm lucky I've known her 40 years.  That's a test of time.

I'm going to make a living from social media.  I've said that in the beginning in 2007 - March.  13 years ago.  It took me 10 years to build a following on Twitter, only for them to chop it away.  I have all the details and communications chain to create a separate blog - just another on my blog and other to do list.  

That seems to be mushrooming as my procrastination nature is being put to the test.  I can't put things off any more.  The sad part being that Rob is a much worse procrastinator than me, and we feed off each other.  Ironically, when we first met and were married we had a great deal of energy.  Blending 4 teenagers, 3 of them girls into a family of 6 over night.  That did expel a bit of energy, not going to lie.

(c) Jeannette Marshall

I've assessed, reviewed, asked questions a great deal.  Bored my daughter to bits re-iterating every detail to her and the hubby as well.  Separately, together, so they've heard the same things at least three times.  That's before the other daughters come for a visit and it's shared again.


They'd love to turn off the taps to the churn I'm under.  Recovering from breast cancer has been a bit more of an uphill climb than my delusional self ignored.  Be strong for everyone for so many years and being able to react under pressure has been my norm for most of my adult life.  Finishing college in 1981, starting a career in 1981, getting married at 21 in 1982, having a child in 1989, 2 more in the 1990s while my career took off.

I think the amount of stress you've lived under, your habits like smoking and or drinking all impact whether you'll get ill, especially with cancer.


Cutting back on my stress is most likely what the doctor should order.  

We'll be able to really cut back our living expenses as we currently live in a place where two salaries made things work and now one LTD only meant a lot of tightening up the hatches.  Cut back on to needs instead of wants.


I'm going to still continue writing and posting on social media as I continue to develop my art (per examples) but more importantly am looking to launch my own postcard business with my art images for blogs, profiles, advertising, social media posts since the feedback is that it was worth noticing and inquiring whether I could do animation (from instagram:  
https://www.instagram.com/optioneerjm/
I do not own this nor did I create this image.



You can check it out just search my name Jeannette Marshall and go to my other blog on leadership, sales and social media -- I'm offering so that others can  either pay to use my content or pay me to place your tasteful ad inserted within a post (see content on right to highest views) on the pages (sidebars) or within the content inserted like the images on this post.  Cutting out the middle man.

A social media friend started a GO FUND ME campaign on Facebook - it got $18.  Unfortunately, inaccessible because it was set up on the US.  I don't really like asking for money from friends.  It's bad for business, friendships, families, relationships.  Period.  Then again, it is a very long term friend who is helping is move on to the next phase of our lives:  survival.

Perhaps one door ALWAYS OPENS when one closes.
I'm active on LINKED IN - I'd suggest you follow me there minimum so you see my posts regularly and set up your professional profile and reputation management control... and jump on board.


Jeannette



Tuesday, January 21, 2020

U GOTTA WATCH this .......

Original art by Jeannette Marshall (c) Copyright #CalgaryBlogger


I've had a sidebar for years called U GOTTA WATCH THIS I haven't updated it for a couple of years -- i.e. I'm recommending SPLIT and we've already seen SPLIT II last year.

Since WordPress hijacked my optioneerjm blog because I hadn't renewed the domain, I simply couldn't afford to, I've come to realize how much I like blogging on Google's Blogspot.  It IS where I put my energy into for the most a lot in the past.

When my optioneerJM blogspot evolved from sales to leadership the numbers showed that the audience was evolving into social media articles and responding accordingly.

When I was trying to blog all under one umbrella at optioneerjm on WordPress, I got comments to the effect that readers were concerned with my well being all over the map.

The more I take on, the more I exorcise what needs to be exhausted.

MeanderingsABOUT was just after optioneerJM because sometimes I wanted to write about being a mother to four Millennial kids.  Besides blogging and social media being a hobby, I'd had a love affair with demographics and numbers since the 1980s when I went into magazine advertising and was guided to understanding how number silo'd into demographics can predict the likelihood of participating in, liking, or part of the tribe.  

Now I've already realized I've neglected this blog.  I apologize.

Yet I see the need is there to just blog about whatever is on my mind or what I'm dealing with.  Whether you're one of my daughters' drunk friends or someone who is in the battle of their 50s, I've appreciated the loyalty.

I will write a bit more about what I have found enjoyable to watch or read and then post on the side bar.  In other words, get a little more organized.

Eventually, I will get sponsorship by adding images that are really links to websites or social media sites for compensation.  An alternative to third party ca-ching services that carve off a piece of the pie.  Skip the middle man.

I've never had income or received services or product of any kind.  I hope that will change.

I will be transparent if that happens.  It will be more of a celebration of the smartness of planting your seeds in the right place will harvest.

For example, Tiffany's no less.

Class, quality and good taste.

A fashionista fighting her fifties ... until the bitter end.

Surviving breast cancer, helping her afflicted spouse, the love of her life.

jm


I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU BINGE WATCH the Good Girls to catch up before the new season starts in February:

Good Girls



The series follows three suburban Michigan mothers, two of whom are sisters, who are having a hard time trying to make ends meet. They are tired of having everything taken away from them so they decide to pull off an unlikely heist by robbing a supermarket, only to discover that they're in for more than they bargained. Their successful robbery attracts the attention of the store manager after he recognizes one of the women, but for a different reason altogether than just the money.

Monday, January 20, 2020

REALITY bites some times

Original art (c) Jeannette Marshall
No reproduction permitted.
Sharing allowed by tagging the artist.

The following is an email to someone who I'd been in touch with to review finances and see if there were any fine tunes I'd missed from a fresh set of eyes.

I'm posting it, however jumbled it may sound because perhaps by sharing our challenges, we can learn something new or shed light for others yet to encounter the same things.


Thanks Dallin,

If anything, going through this helps every time.

It allows me to assess our current situation and speak to those in the know, it allows me to communicate the scenario, the situation that we're in and the options that I've looked into.

As mentioned, I had been going through this with Sarah Hollingsworth, Social Worker with Tom Baker Cancer Center October, November 2019.

We approached Alberta Works twice - once they were exceptionally awesome, our second experience horrible - the supervisor stopped getting back to me back in December with a time for us to meet with her - I'd confirmed a response to her that we'd be willing to meet to review our feedback based on our unique experience.
I have it on my "TO DO" as far as taking it up the chain to hold her accountable for not getting back to me, never mind schedule as email chain.

In December, The Tom Baker Cancer Clinic's SocioPhychoOnchology department nominated me for "Gift of Hope".  I got a number of gift cards, the grocery one from Loblaws was used up immediately since Christmas was soon upon us.

A few months ago I cancelled cable TV, renegotiated unlimited data to $50 a month from $85 per month -- if you don't ask, they won't tell you.  I quoted, at the time, Freedom's cell for UNLTD data and ULTD Canada calling for $50 a month.  Going without a cell phone was a hardship, especially when I went for Radiation Treatment or Job Interviews:  which included one job interview within a couple of hours of finishing treatment.  I can't say I was looking my best at 58 years old, but my optimism wanted to believe that people would amazed at that.  I only told one interviewer.  Probably frightened her because I have excess energy when I was trying to be at my best.

We had our basement flood a year ago this time because the home builder, Cardel Homes, only put in plastic tubing from the outside tap to the inside walls in the 1990s when it was built.  If this were the US, we'd be in court already behind a class action suit of consumers holding corporations or companies accountable.

I quit Telus after being let go, after following the proper protocol of reporting sexually harassment from a supervisor.  The following harassment in the form of bullying from department supervisors and managers was a cultural toxicity in a call center environment.  As I mentioned, at that time, I had just come from being a senior project manager at HP (Hewlett-Packard) being responsible for up to 15 projects a month, one equaling $14 million just as an example.  Before that, I was a branch operations manager for a local business that is run by a pretty boy who inherited the business from daddy.  He decided he didn't need me when the CEO of TransCanada Pipelines asked him to hire his brother, who had been laid off as a GM of a car dealership.  That's a long story.

I got a year of unemployment benefits from paying into Unemployment Insurance for years, not including employers' contributions.

Then my husband had a brain aneurysm in February 2018 and the whole world stood still.

He was saved by Foothills Center having the preeminent neurosurgeons in the world!  Dr. Midtha

An example of how our country has been built on the backs of immigrants like our parents and our kids friend's parents, colleagues, associates.

After about 6-8 weeks coma, he graduated to the 2nd level recovery unit.  From there he was accepted into the recovery care of Dr. Li Pi Chan, who is a highly regarded recoverist.  We saw him just a week ago.  They like following Rob because his amazing recovery strength is something they can make an impact with so that others benefit.

While he was at this unit, the Social Worker assisted me with filling out the application for Caregiver Benefits from the Canadian Government.

Rejection.  Six or 8 weeks later:  Caregiver Benefits is not an extension of Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

PLAINLY:  as I had just received the year's worth of UIC benefits, and even though one situation (Caregiver) and another (unemployed) were completely different circumstances, it overlaps in the bureaucracy of government.

After going through a whole bunch of advice and making dozens of calls, I put the call into you.

As far as the tax clinic goes, already signed up and heard back that we were next on the waiting list based on a cancellation and someone before us has to decline.

That's a lot of information to swallow, I know.

It is going to be a testament of your magic to see us at the other end of the long, dark tunnel.

Sincerely,
Jeannette

Reading this myself I'm wondering why the government hasn't seen this glitch?  Surely, someone knows that there is such a glitch?

Monday, December 23, 2019

Square pegs don't belong in round holes




ref:  article from HBR 

"A clean desk
is the sign of
a sick mind."
~Albert Einstein
Fact check

My commentary on the following article from HBR 

When I was at my peak performance in sales:  winning awards ..... my desk was a big huge blob of paper.

When I became a leader, I kept my desk sparse and turned off all devices when someone came to me with a problem.

When I took a job to pay the bills:  I ensured I was surrounded by art:  art of beaches, boats or light- hearted sayings to keep me motivated.

People need to stop trying to be a square peg in a round hole.  You are you and your desk habits are your own: 

* pristine (conveys no nonsense efficiency)
* cluttered paper bomb (disorganized scatter head)
* lively & personal (keeping things light & disassociate from surroundings)

When, in fact:

* spotless can mean you are organized and efficient
* a MESS says: whatever you're doing is more important
* tasteful art and super slogans means you are balanced

NOTE:  I am not a doctor, educated in human behavior, nor am I a psychologist.  This is my own take.

Art by Jeannette Marshall (c) 2019
Michael McCool - the sales guy