How far is too far?

On my way into work from Nottingham this morning I was reading The Metro (apparently it is the law in London that if you are on any form of public transport you have to be reading something - especially The Metro) and came across this story.

For me this was a bit of a wake up call because I will happily admit to being one of those annoying people who forward jokes, pictures, funny stories, etc. I enjoy receiving these emails and do often send them to my colleagues and friends. My Inbox at work is often jammed with these type of emails.

This article got me thinking however, just becuase I find these emails funny and humorous...does the recipient?

And that is the key word I think......recipient! What could be funny to one person can be taken as offensive by another, especially in the work envrionment.

In a year when I am working for a major airline company with the intention to learn and show case my talents as an individual trying to make a good impression, I don't think I will be forwarding too many emails around work - now matter how funny they may be!

I'm Back!

Ladies and Gentlemen have no fear, I have returned!

It has been nearly a year since I have exposed my random thoughts to you all and I thought it was about time I returned to the world of blogging.

Since I last posted I have started my placement year with British Airways and have been there now for nearly 8 months and I am loving it.

I must say I have learnt an awful lot in my time so far at BA and continue to learn daily. I'm not afriad to say I have made some mistakes, but I like to think I have learnt from these mistakes.

Well the world is a very different place than it was when I last posted, however as you can see Robert Mugabe still seems to hold those in Zimbabwe captive to his tyranical ways.

The world (well most of it anyway) has embraced the new US President Barack Obama - what a weight that man must feel on his shoulders!!!!!

I will leave it there for the time being and I assure you I will be back!!!

Give the people what they want!

Picture this……it’s the general elections and you go to your local polling station to cast your democratic vote. You make your vote and leave the polling station full of hope and the feeling that you have contributed to the process of democracy. However a month later no official results have been released and you’re stuck with a leader who is desperate to cling on to power despite evidence showing the majority have cast their votes elsewhere and the current leader has lost.

You may by now recognise the situation I am talking about. It’s been over four weeks since the people of Zimbabwe took to the polling stations and cast their vote, the majority (as it is widely believed) for the MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Despite this Mugabe, leader since 1980 refuses to leave, doing everything he can to stay in power, despite the fact his people want him out.

Now I don’t need to go into all the detail about the situation because I’m sure you’re aware of the goings on, but I feel this story is very relevant at a time when many Britons will be taking to the polling stations to cast their votes in the Local and London Mayoral Elections. Just take a moment when you’re casting your vote to remember just how lucky we are to live in a fair democratic society like ours and thank God when we vote a politician out they actually listen (not a well known trait in politicians) and go…!

Question...

Why doesn’t Microsoft word, or any other Microsoft application not recognise the word “blog” or “blogging”?

Come on Mr Gates, get with the times!

Portfolio Pending

PORTFOLIO DEADLINE…

25th April 2008 – Yes its that time again when every P.R student at Leeds Metropolitan University panics and counts up how many pieces they have for their portfolio and (more importantly) how many they still need!

This is my first experience of “the portfolio” (yes I call it The Portfolio, because I think it carry’s a certain reputation) and I must say it’s been an experience. To date I have 7 solid pieces after a weekend of cutting and sticking.

What about you my fellow P.R students, tell me of your portfolio progress (it might make me feel better)……

The Media Machine

As you may know in July I will be starting work with British Airways and as you will also be aware Terminal 5 opened its doors to the public on Thursday. Now I’m not going to go into detail about the opening, because I don’t think it would be appropriate or respectful to my future employers, also I’m sure you’ve had you fill from the media.

But the media are the people I want to talk about. I was lucky enough (or not, depending on your view) to be present at the opening of T5 (as it’s affectionately known) and the following 3 days after. I witnessed first hand how the media “get their story” and I must say it opened my eyes. Far from being the spoon-fed, lackeys of PR people as one Nick Davies would have you believe, the reality as I saw it was a ruthless, self assured media machine ready to pounce.

Now I’m not writing this from a bias point of view, it is clear to see whether you were at the opening of T5 or not that “this was not our finest hour”, as Willie Walsh put it. However the ludicrous stories I have read over the last week make me wince. I have read stories regarding mass brawls breaking out and staff walking out in the middle of their shift, I would like to know where this information comes from. I was also shocked to discover that the Evening Standards (not a favourite of mine) headline on Friday was "Day 2 and T5 is even worse”. What a load of rubbish, don’t get me wrong things were still not great but to make that claim was ludicrous.

Despite my feelings I have to agree with Willie Walsh, this was not B.A’s finest hour and they will have a lot of work to do to rectify the problems, and I believe they can do so. Roll on July...

P.S. T5 is an amazing piece of British design…

An Ideal Advert for PR

It’s been clear to see this week just how much the media have lapped up the McCartney-Mills divorce case. Now I don’t normally comment on “celebrity” issues, but one view that took my notice was along the lines of…

“Isn’t it refreshing to see someone (Heather Mills) not using a PR person and representing herself?”

This was then followed by…

“Well don’t you think this is an ideal advert for a PR person?”

Well I have to say I think it is. Heather Mills has lost both millions and respect by representing herself, both in terms of legal and media advice. Her appearances on T.V or in the newspapers always appeared to me to be the act of a desperate woman with little or no experience at handling the media, despite her profile. It was stupid to think she could take on both the media and the legal system single handed and there is no doubt her reputation has been damaged for it.

Still I’m sure the £24.3 million now stashed in her back pocket will go someway to helping her overcome this!