Ah, the Internet.

The ability to uncover anyone of any technical ability IF…you knew the secrets of Internet sourcing.

I came across one fascinating account over at ERE - Forgotten Fun. To wit:

I’d forgotten the fun of Internet search.

I had a job come in during January. The position was for a senior-level manager in the R&D software group of a major storage business. The customer told me in the specifications that the person we were looking for was “an uber-geek who has the capacity and the desire to talk business to customers.” Further clarification pointed out that most qualified candidates “have blogs, or they’re named on the Web because they are conference speakers, award winners, or as with ____, have a brief profile of their background.” They were also likely to have been awarded patents.

It was apparent we weren’t looking for the average software engineer; what we needed was someone with many (in the range of 20) years of experience and the ability to be a spokesperson for a company or, in the least, a product line. “Chief Technologist” was one of the titles they were allowed to carry.

An “evangelist” type. We haven’t seen that word much lately. The word “evangelist,” according to many online dictionaries, points to a religious perspective. According to Wikipedia, a “Technical Evangelist” is “a person whose job or role is to promote technologies. This may be, officially or unofficially, on behalf of a company or organization or on a personal basis; for instance, open source evangelism. An evangelist promotes the use of a particular product or technology through talks, articles, blogging, user demonstrations, recorded demonstrations, or the creation of sample projects. The word evangelism is taken from the context of religious evangelism because of the similar recruitment of converts and the spreading of the product information through the ideological or committed.”

I noticed that the definition included the word “blogging” and this reminded me, humorously, that five years ago that concept would probably not have been included. How things change. Recognizing that this was a job that would require a sizable amount of Internet research on the front end, I got to work over the weekend. The following is my experience….MORE….

It’s definitely an eyeopening experierence! If you’re in the employment market, do yourself a favor and check it out - Maureen is one of the top experts in this field.

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - and if you need employment marketplace style, consider:

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Coffee lovers

of the US, don’t panic! Yes, it’s true - all Starbucks will be closed tonight from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. I think one of the best articles about this hails from Australia:

NEW YORK: Americans had to cope without blended frappuccino and blueberry coffee cake for a few hours yesterday as Starbucks shut its 7100 company-owned stores for a nationwide barista training session.

The chairman, Howard Schultz, ordered the unprecedented three-hour afternoon closure in an effort to improve the service and revive the chain’s flagging fortunes.

It prompted frenzied action by competitors hoping to snatch Starbucks customers. Dunkin’ Donuts made the day a cut-price coffee day with prices slashed to 99c a cup so that “no coffee lover [was] denied a delicious espresso-based beverage”.

During the session, Starbucks baristas were given a “hands-on espresso training experience”. Mr Schultz promised his staff an “opportunity to connect and deepen their passion for coffee with the ultimate goal of transforming the customer experience”……MORE….

Excellent marketing move by Dunkin Donuts! To wit:

…Coincidentally, Dunkin’ Donuts has planned a special promotion offering 99-cent small lattes, cappuccinos and espresso drinks that overlaps with the event….

“We never want any customers to ever be denied access to their specialty drinks,” said Frances Allen, Dunkin’ Donuts’ brand marketing officer. “It’s definitely a fortuitous time for us.”

Dunkin’ Donuts representatives insist that the promotion — which is between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. — is really a celebration of last week’s announcement that the company had taken first place in the coffee category of Brand Keys’ Annual Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. This was the second year in a row that Dunkin’ Donuts took the top spot in the New York consulting firm’s survey.

“It’s a way of saying, ‘thank you,’ and giving back and recognizing the value of our customers and giving them something back,” Allen said. “We think we will have a lot of participation. We may even introduce some new people to Dunkin’ Donuts’.”…MORE….

Need to find a local Dunkin Donuts? Click here!

Want instead to discover new independent coffee shops? Click here!

And don’t forget about Delocator, the search engine to locate independent cafes, bookstores and theaters.

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - looking for a nifty coffee machine?

Stovetop Coffee Machine w Pressure Gauge! BNIB Bellman

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Saeco Italia Espresso Coffee Machine- Starbucks

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DeLonghi EC140B Espresso Machine & Coffee Maker

Have you heard of webisodes?

Episodes of, ahem, things, that preview on the Web?

Well, one coffee manufacturer, Tassimo, has taken the concept beyond mere mortal sanity and produce the utterly hilarious:

Who Hired Bob?

series. Here’s a snippet below:

This is sooooo corporate-humor it had me falling off my chair. Kudos to Tassimo for a brilliant idea!

And here’s some background of the concept:

…Hoping to generate awareness and interest in its Tassimo hot beverage system, Kraft has partnered with Ogilvy Entertainment to create a series of humorous, interactive “Webisodes” featuring actors from NewYork’s “The Upright Citizens Brigade” comedy troupe.

The videos focus on the goofy antics of an oddball named “Bob,” who is supposed to be a coffee addict and the type of guy who finds a thousand things to do at work besides doing work. The first two Webisodes in the “Who Hired Bob?” series are already on the site. Interactivity comes in the form of giving viewers the opportunity to pick different endings to the zany episodes. They’re also being asked to think about any “Bob-like” people at their own places of work and submit stories. The best stories will become new “Bobisodes.” …MORE…

Want some more information about Tassimo? Check out:

Anybody using a Tassimo or similiar beverage machine?

Okay, Tassimo Users…. Oh Terrry!!, (it’s a coffee machine) LOL

Tassimo machine…LOVE IT

What’s that, more reviews? Okay:

Braun Tassimo TA1200 Single-Serve Hot-Beverage System

Feature: … Hot-beverage system brews drinks at the touch of a button in about a minute; Patented T-Disc system with barcode technology; customizable strength settings; Beverages pour directly from T-Disc into cup; no measuring, no fuss, and virtually no cleanup; 50-ounce water reservoir; dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup; Measures approximately 10 by 15 by 16 inches; 2-year limited warranty …more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 4 Date: 2008-06-21 Summary: So far I like it … I did a lot of research on the machines & discs/pods, & read most of the reviews, good & bad, on the Braun Tassimo, Keurig & Senseo machines, plus a few cheap ones. The only thing that held me off was the few bad reviews/complaints. But I finally ended up getting this Tassimo, even though it was more expensive, for the reason that it does everything. The other machines I looked at mainly do only coffee or coffee & tea, while this unit does coffee, latte, cappuccino, tea & hot chocolate. I didn’t get it to make coffee, …more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-06-04 Summary: Bravissimo, Tassimo! … Hard to imagine a cleaner, faster, easier way to make a great cup of coffee! 1 …more
Editorial Reviews — … Product Description | Tassimo is not just another coffee maker. It’s a whole new way to prepare a variety of delicious hot drinks perfectly, in the comfort of your own home, and it’s so simple. With the Tassimo machine and the Tassimo Discs (T-Discs) you can make the hot drink you want, when you want it - no fuss, no bother. The same machine that makes a real espresso and freshly brewed filter coffee from some of your favorite U.S. and European brands, also makes real milk-based latte and cappuccino, cafe crema,…more

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - and of course, you can always get them at eBay:

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LNEW Tassimo One Cup Coffee Espresso Hot Beverage Sys

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Braun Tassimo Coffee Maker With Oversized Water Tank

62 Tassimo T-Discs Tassamo Big Cup coffee assortment

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TASSIMO CARTE NOIRE PETIT DEJEUNER T DISCS 16 NEW

Are you a techorator?

I didn’t think so. But check out this interesting article:

…New consumer research shows that when people first unwrap and plug in new consumer electronics, 70 percent don’t know how to make these sleek pieces of technology fit into their home décor.[1]

Celebrity interior designer Doug Wilson is working with LG Electronics to help consumers by offering tips and ideas on how to “techorate” their homes by melding innovative consumer electronics with interior design. Techorate is a term coined by LG Electronics that refers to the integration of technology into the overall decorative theme of a home.

Wilson, perhaps best known for showcasing his design expertise on TLC’s “Trading Spaces,” is working with LG Electronics as the first official “Techorator” to develop consumer tips and tricks to guide them through the techorating process.

“The television has become the hearth of the 21st Century, but I’ve seen people struggle with the basics…. MORE….

I wonder how NYC designers will react.

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - and if 1080p TVs float your boat….

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Samsung LNT4661F 46 inch 1080p LCD HDTV- Refurbished

Now how cool

would this be?

…For several years people have been talking about the idea of miniaturizing a projector so that it’s small enough to fit inside a cell phone or digital camera. Now it’s finally been done.

The mobile projector is about a centimeter thick and about 4 centimeters tall by 3 centimeters wide — small enough to fit inside portable devices like cell phones, PDAs, or a digital still camera, said Todd Rutherford, product development specialist with 3M’s optical systems division.

It uses an LED as the light source and can project a VGA resolution (640 pixels by 480 pixels) image through a lens that’s about a centimeter in diameter.

3M is demonstrating the projector at CES built into a small handheld device that runs video from flash memory. The image projected onto walls or other light surfaces was good enough and easy enough to see over a distance of about half a meter, although it suffered over greater distances due to the bright lights of the show floor.

The demo attracted a lot of attention and a constant stream of show attendees, many of whom had badges identifying them as employees of mobile phone makers or network operators….MORE….

Can’t imagine the havoc this would wreak in school, mind you….. :/

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - looking for other cellphone goodies?

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Sometimes you really want

to make a splash with your executive client first impressions, right? If so, what better way can you achieve this goal than by having the following in your waiting room?

Available in England,

…The Clear-Seal coffee table aquarium comes with a toughened glass top that has polished rounded edges. It has either a reproduction or mirror corner section that covers the filter and lighting system. All of the coffee table aquariums come complete with light diffuser (the one in the corner to illuminate the tank, the one under the tank is optional), fine and coarse biological sponges, plastic filter cover and acrylic table top support blocks which are designed to minimize sound vibration coming into the tank. To avoid a stressful situation for your fish we do recommend using coasters. The corner section is available in any of these reproduction colours: Dark Oak, Light Oak, Limed Oak, Medium Oak, Yew, Mahogany or Mirrored glass.

The Clear-Seal Coffee Table Fish Tank is suitable for the following coldwater fish: Black Moors, Bubble Eye, Chocolate Pom Pom’s, Comets, Fan Tails, Orandas, Shubunkin or small Koi.

The Clear-Seal Aquarium Coffee Table forms a stunning blend between the practicality of a piece of furniture and the peaceful world of a natural aquatic environment. Here is some useful information and advice to help you maintain you Aquarium Coffee Table and maximise the benefits of this tranquil aquatic display that you can bring into your home or place of work……MORE….

It takes Koi (goldfish, for the naive)! Talk about making a unique first impression. If you get one, do send me a picture and I’ll put it up. And if you need help with your office aquarium, check out:

• OfficeTalk - Aquariums
• All Things Fishy - Office Aquariums
• Journal of Office Aquarium

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - and if live fish are troublesome, consider:

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You know, I really love marketing

and putting out words that become industry buzzwords.

Long long ago, back before the earth’s crust cooled, I was one of the original pioneers of Internet Recruiting. My book, The Internet Recruiting Edge, was the only 5 star resource reviewed at Inc Magazine; I was in the right place at the right time and taught thousands of individuals. It was quite the wild ride.

Back then, there was another company, AIRS. They also taught Internet recruiting but had the smarts to create buzzwords like “peeling back” and “flipping” and “x-raying” (Ah, hindsight is 2020, if only I knew that marketing trick back then!).

Well, AIRS is now being acquired! To wit:

… AIRS, the recruitment technology and training company that introduced “peeling back” “flipping” and “x-raying” to the recruiting lexicon, has been acquired by RPO servicer TheRightThing.

The deal was finalized last week and will be announced this morning.

Speaking with ERE in advance of the announcement the CEOs of the two companies were ebullient over the deal.

“We’re giddy about this,” Terry Terhark, CEO of TheRightThing declared early in the conversation, followed by AIRS CEO Chris Forman pronouncing the deal “A great thing for both companies.”

A pioneer in online sourcing, AIRS will continue as an independent brand; its headquarters staying in the 200-year-old barn in Wilder, VT. Terhark and Forman, whose new title will be president of AIRS, said there will no layoffs and, in fact, both are looking to increase the 62 person staff as TheRightThing begins to market the AIRS product line….

So. What will this mean for HR and the recruiting industry? I shall eagerly await and see. But as all of us trainers know, nowadays there are tons of free/cost-conscious resources online that teach Internet recruiting, such as

• Sourcers Unleashed
• CyberSleuthing
• Recruiting Online
• RISE Internet Recruiting eSeminars
• Free for Recruiters

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - Are you hiring?

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If you write

(and write and write and …. and write and write and ….) your hand probably starts to feel like it’s been crushed by 12 overweight elephants after while.

But not to fear! Easily doubling as a suave stylish spaceship, you can check out (at 60% off too!) the rather coolio-looking Ergo Sof Pen (I can imagine my kids using it as a spaceship prop)!

Apparently people really like them! Witness:

PACIFIC WRITING INSTRUMENTS PA-014111 ERGO SOF PENAGAIN PENS BLUE

Feature: … Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.; Top Quality Children’s Item. …more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-03-07 Summary: Ergo sof penagain … For those who have problems with arthritis this pen works wonders. When you first try it, it seems a bit difficult to master because we have all used the old style pen, but, once you have mastered it, you will never want to go back to the old pen. …more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2007-09-05 Summary: Smooth writing machine … After a bicycle accident left my writing hand permanently stiff and without feeling, it was impossible to hold skinny pens and difficult to write with the chubby ones. My sister bought me the PenAgain and now it’s so nice to have my own penmanship back again! I love the way the ink flows so smoothly and the pen is so natural to hold. …more
[3] Rating: 5 Date: 2007-06-14 Summary: Now I can pen again! … I am a RSI victim and this pen definately helps uncramp my style while I work on strengthening and unswelling my hand. I have tried all those little rubber things you put on pens/pencils and have found nothing satisfactory, this pen is definately like it is allmost not even there, I love it so much that I bought an extra one for my parents to try. …more
Editorial Reviews — … Product Description | ORIGINAL PENAGAINThe original PenAgain. Includes the new enhancements such as a pocket clip, retractable cap, easier refill replacement along with more streamlined ergonomics. Comes in four fun colors with a translucent top and clear bottom. Order in purple, pink, blue and green.…more

Black Ergo-Sof PenAgain Pens

Feature: … The most comfortable writing instrument in the world!; Proprietary Ergo-Sof rubber coating feels like soft silk; Tension free writing with “No Grip” design; Works for “Righties” and “Lefties”; Retractable and refillable …more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-04-05 Summary: “A #1″ pen to use!!!! … I would never recommend any other pen to use other than the ‘PenAgain’. Many people I know, have remarked on how nice this is! For those who have artheritis it really makes a difference!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! If I could give it 10 stars I would!! …more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-02-05 Summary: Great product… a real lifesaver! … If you do a lot of writing, these pens sure are worth the extra money. My handwriting is more legible, and my hand cramps up much less. I do a lot of writing for my job and I honestly don’t know how I ever did it without this pen! This is all I use… My only complaint is that the refills don’t last very long. …more
[3] Rating: 5 Date: 2007-08-15 Summary: Best thing since sliced bread!! … I have parkinson’s and was introduced to this pen by another PWP. It’s great! It’s the only pen I ever use anymore and my writing is legible! …more
Editorial Reviews — … Product Description | The patented line of PenAgain pens are ergonomically designed to adapt to the contour of the hand, thus alleviating stresses normally observed with a standard pen. The natural weight of the writer’s hand provides sufficient pressure to apply ink to the paper. This eliminates the need to grip the pen allowing the thumb and forefinger to serve merely as guides. The PenAgain may help alleviate the symptoms of Writers Cramp, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Calluses, RSI, and Arthritis.…more

Red Ergo-Sof PenAgain Pens

Feature: … The most comfortable writing instrument in the world!; Proprietary Ergo-Sof rubber coating feels like soft silk; Tension free writing with “No Grip” design; Works for “Righties” and “Lefties”; Retractable and refillable …more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 4 Date: 2007-11-01 Summary: penagain … Nice pen - gets a lot of interesting comments, it lost a star because the ink cartridge seems to quit while writing. …more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2007-07-14 Summary: fantastic … The arthritis in my hands are beginning to become worse. I am a nurse and I do alot of writing, which meant pain. With this pen, just using the index finger saves alot of discomfort. The pen fits comfortably and my hand does not stiff up. Thankyou for a wonderful product. …more
[3] Rating: 5 Date: 2007-05-25 Summary: Return to good handwriting … I almost never handwrite anything anymore. When I recently began a self-development course requiring vast swaths of handwritten exercises, I realized that I had nearly forgotten how! My hand got sore and my writing was a mess. I discovered PenAgain and thought I’d give it a try. It took a page or so of getting used to, but now it’s the first writing tool I reach for. My hand doesn’t cramp up, and my handwriting looks great because it takes so little energy to control the pen. As a left-hander, I’m always on the lookout …more
Editorial Reviews — … Product Description | The patented line of PenAgain pens are ergonomically designed to adapt to the contour of the hand, thus alleviating stresses normally observed with a standard pen. The natural weight of the writer’s hand provides sufficient pressure to apply ink to the paper. This eliminates the need to grip the pen allowing the thumb and forefinger to serve merely as guides. The PenAgain may help alleviate the symptoms of Writers Cramp, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Calluses, RSI, and Arthritis.…more

Want some other ergonomic ideas? Devour:

• Hack together your own ergonomic office chair
• Do-It-Yourself Aeron Ergonomic Chair
• Ergonomic Workspace on the Cheap

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - here some other ergonomic pen office goodies:

Cordless Wireless Ergonomic Optical Computer Pen Mouse

Cordless Wireless Ergonomic Optical Computer Pen Mouse

Cordless Wireless Ergonomic Optical Computer Pen Mouse

Ergonomic USB Optical Pen Mouse Computer Laptop RSI Aid

Salient VM 101 Ergonomic Optical Pen Mouse V Mouse

New Sanford PhD Multi Ergonomic Black Ball Point Pen

Ergonomic USB Optical Pen Mouse Computer Laptop RSI Aid

Cordless Wireless Ergonomic Optical Computer Pen Mouse

Personalized Sure-Grip Ergonomic Pen- FREE ENGRAVING!

Exercise is good

and excellent posture is better! Add to that mix ergonomic considerations, and what do you have?

Why the Ball Chair Ergonomic Office Chair of course!

As described:

…The Ball Chair is a new and exciting ergonomic chair for the office was designed by a group of physicians, health practitioners and engineers in Switzerland to promote correct posture, to help strengthen the muscles in the abdominal area and the spine, and to take stress off the back and neck. The egg-shaped ball chair does not compress discs in the spine, like a regular chair. Most people who sit in front of a computer or at a desk for prolonged time periods with a regular office chair assume poor posture. It results in flattening of the lumbar spine and altered head carriage. This can result in chronic lower back pain, weak abdominal muscles, and neck problems that often lead to headaches. Prolonged sitting can also cause poor circulation in the legs resulting in painful leg cramps or the sensation of the legs falling asleep. The Ball Chair ergonomic chair for the office enables individuals to achieve proper posture….MORE….

If anything, it certainly would be a conversation piece! If you install them for your office, do let me know how they work out. Perhaps multiple orders will get a discount.

And if you’d like so balance ball tips, enjoy:

• Swiss Ball Exercises
• AskMen Top 10 Balance Ball Exercises
• Exercise Ball Stability Exercises

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - looking for ergonomic office chairs?

Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Office Chair w Reclining Back

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Milano Office Footrest Ergonomic NEW Relieves Fatigue