Job-Hunting Do’s And Don’ts. Mostly Don’ts.

By francis-adminArticles, brand marketing, BUSINESS, Communications, General Biz, Humor, Miscellaneous, Rants

My agency has an opening for an art director, and I’ve placed an online Help Wanted ad which includes one non-negotiable prerequisite: “Previous Ad Agency experience absolutely required.” Here’s a very brief (and verbatim) sampling of the responses I’ve received: “I am a graduating senior in college that is looking for a part time career … Read More

When Clients Won’t Listen

By FrancisBUSINESS, Communications, General Biz

Several years ago, I was at lunch with a buddy who posed a question I’d stopped asking in the late-80’s. Namely, “Why is radio in Birmingham so bad?” The broad answer is, “Because radio everywhere is bad.” That said, this is not a Bash-Birmingham-Radio column. There are plenty of good people working in commercial radio. And … Read More

Choose Your Associates Wisely.

By FrancisBUSINESS, CULTURE, General Biz

Our web programmer Richard Thomas recently removed himself from consideration for a significant new business opportunity—after receiving a series of abrasive communiqués from the organization’s top executive (a physician). The last of which concluded with a direct order: “From now on, you will refer to me as Dr. [Whatever].” Shortly after that decision, Richard’s partner … Read More

First, Do No Harm.

By FrancisBUSINESS, FUN, General Biz, Rants, Uncategorized

(Theodorick Of York, Medieval Barber, bleeds a patient suffering from “an imbalance of bodily humors”.) A couple of weeks ago (after years of stubborn resistance) I replaced Outlook Express and Microsoft Schedule for Office 97 with the full version of Outlook. Much as I dreaded it, my initial reaction was unexpectedly optimistic. I was pleasantly … Read More