Tag: fun

Breaking news or ketchup on your face?

Posted on March 25, 2015 by

I can’t help but think that as the ‘breaking news’ is announced that Jezza (Jeremy Clarkson) has been dropped from the BBC *please insert sarcastic shocked face here* causing Twitter to go into meltdown and every media group in the country to fight for the front page scoop, the world is missing the bigger picture. 

You see, at the same time as this announcement was made it was also released that two of the world’s largest and most iconic brands will combine. Heinz and Kraft are coming together to create a portfolio that few pantries in the country can live without.

I have to admit that I like Jeremy, I think he is funny but intelligent, aloof but aware – however he has gone more than one step too far over recent years and enough is enough. I’m sure this isn’t the end so why the drama?

On the other hand two massive companies have come together to create a powerhouse that will inevitably have an impact not by country but on a global scale. Think about the possibilities; chocolate ketchup (Philadelphia got there first but it seemed to be a winner), Kraft slices on beans and salad cream with your Lunchables – and that’s just the start!

The business talks of ‘integrating these two companies’, which may sound simple but with hundreds of products to consider, along with two huge global teams, will be no mean feat.  The results however are almost certain to lead to one of the world’s largest food production and distribution companies and I cannot believe that this is not breaking news.

After a quick google search Jeremy is everywhere, hitting every headline, appearing already on many a blog (ahem, yes, this one included) but the news about Kraft and Heinz is relatively low key, featuring on a few trade titles but interspersed with general news from each company.

Now don’t get me wrong, I work in PR, so understand the principles of having to make an announcement but doing it in such a way that you actually avoid wide scale headlines – but the news is out there now, it’s ready for sharing.

The media should be all over this not least as it ticks all the boxes; business, consumer, trade and fun. Imagine the fun you could have with this story and the images you could create with taste tests of combined products from each range. It is perfect for print and broadcast, a dream for daytime and headline.

My biggest worry is that the way the news today has been reported is actually a true and accurate reflection of society; no focus on business or real interest for future strategies in relation to the global economy but a bun fight over the first pictures of a man that makes headlines through singing nursery rhymes!

And this is why I ask us all to take a step back and to think this through – again, a man who has behaved badly (according to media reports) is rightly punished for his actions OR a global business is launched? I know what headlines I want to read about and in this instance Jezza you’re just not my top gear.

Have we all gone a tribunal too far?

Posted on June 6, 2013 by

 

It was one of those really worrying situations where you’re not sure if you’re watching a comedy, a spoof or a real life documentary. Yes people, on Tuesday evening we sat down to ‘The Call Centre’ and I am SO pleased that we did.

Firstly this is car crash TV at its very best but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be watched and enjoyed – just be warned, if you or your other half work in HR you may need a stiff drink to get you through.

For those of you who have not had the absolute pleasure, The Call Centre is real life business based in Swansea. As the name would suggest, it is a call centre employing hundreds of staff from the local area.

As you would imagine from an office of this size, there are more than your average number of characters – as if this alone wasn’t a recipe for TV documentary success, enter stage left, the owner, ‘uncle’ Nev.

We watched this programme for half an hour still debating if it was in fact real or if it was one of those strange programmes we now get where half of it is made up and half of it is ‘kind of’ realish’. As I never watch programmes that can’t make up their mind what they want to be, I was considering turning over when we ‘Googled’ (because Google is the fountain of all knowledge) and realised, despite our absolute horror and amazement, it is in fact real – every last comedy gold part of it.

So, anyway, here’s the thing. Nev clearly doesn’t go by the book. He tells his staff to shut up, throws things at them and screams ‘GET OUT’ at the top of his voice to those he has just interviewed – better still, they are the poor individuals that got the job! He also engages in conversations that in any normal office environment would be an absolute NO GO!

As an example, one of his staff was feeling particularly down after being dumped (it happens to us all), so Nev says ‘You’ve been a right miserable b*stard for the last month and we all know why’. As if this wasn’t bad enough he then parades this poor girl around the office asking anyone if they want to take her out on a date.

It doesn’t even stop there… he then sets up a speed dating event, yes an arranged function with hundreds of people, just to get this girl a date. He then sends her home with ‘said match’ and makes them bake cakes!

Then we move on to the recently appointed tea lady. Having tried to work in the call centre this young girl realises it’s just not for her but rather than get rid, Nev decides there is a role for her to make tea and coffee for everyone. What was astounding and heart-warming was that this girl takes this job really seriously. It’s apparent if she’s going to be a tea lady she is clearly going to be the best tea lady.

When her delightful co-workers decide to hide her tea bags and teaspoons all hell breaks loose and there are tears, tantrums and warnings – I kid you not, you couldn’t make it up!

What was amazing about this programme was that although there must have been at least 20 scenarios where we turned to each other and said ‘He can’t do that’, ‘You can’t say that’, ‘He is going to end up in a tribunal’, surprisingly I think there’s a lot that we can all learn from Nev.

He has a happy workforce for a start and people who are committed to his business. Ok, they know he’s nuts and openly admit that he is one-of-a-kind but that’s no bad thing. As a result of Nev and his attitude (his team meetings are called a s*it sandwich because you have a sandwich and he gives you s*it) people respect and to some degree appreciate him and his straight forward and no nonsense style.

Move over Sir Alan Sugar, Nev is in town and as far as the Davies’ household goes, he’s leaps and bounds in front of any car crash TV that you can produce and after the most recent series of The Unemployable – sorry I mean Apprentice – I didn’t think I would be saying that.

At the very least you can have some sympathy, empathy and dare I add respect for these people. They are real and perhaps we all need a Nev in our lives to remind us of what ‘being yourself’ can achieve. There are definite lessons I’m taking from Nev and perhaps we need to stop looking for reasons to criticise employers and employees. May be what we need to do instead is get some personality back to the workplace and god forbid have some fun!  

I don’t think we will be throwing things at people in Open any time soon or screaming at the top of our lungs but we just may think more about how we can inject some of Nevs better ideas into the agency.

Anyone for a s*it sandwich?

Annual pumpkin competition

Posted on October 30, 2012 by

So, it’s that time of year again when the ghouls and ghosts come out to play and witches and wizards take to the streets to ask the question that reminds us all of that one task we were supposed to do – go out and buy a box full of sweets to give to the local children when they come trick or treating!

It’s also around this time that Open Communications has its annual pumpkin carving competition; so get your pens, pencils, stencils, knives, spoons and candles at the ready…

For all those that want to take part, all you have to do is submit a picture of your creation tomorrow morning and we will upload to our blog and let the competition commence. The winning entry will be the picture that receives the greatest number of positive comments.

Beware, the competition is usually pretty fierce but all in the spirit of good fun (honest!).