Should I stay or should I go now?

I came across this article on The Painted Drawer about outgrowing your home, which is something that has been playing around in my mind lately.

The kids are getting bigger, and we purchased a bigger a few years ago to accommodate, but now our house is starting to feel a little on the small side.

they are a growing family and need a house that will be closer to schools
YES! That's exactly it. It would make life a lot simpler for us.

It also got me thinking about this song:


I LOVE the Clash!

Anyways the post had some interesting ideas about adding a "garden house" to get a little of that new home feeling. I think that might be American for "Granny flat"? Either way, it's not a bad idea.

UPDATE: we have decided to stay since we have worked out additions we can make to make it a bit more palatable, thanks to these guys

I'll have to consider that. But the real question is...

So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

I'm watching you alll (with heatmaps)

I recently read an article about heatmapping apps that could help me improve the user sexperience of my websit. It was quite informative, so I decided to give it a try!

Heatmap software is great because it can show you where users click, how far they scroll, where their mouse moves...
Basically I can see exactly how you interact with the website.

I have only used heatmap software briefly, but I have already learned a lot in terms of usability issues on my website. I found this video particularly useful:


So be on the look out for changes to my website soon!

My first order on Amazon Australia

amazon box

The greatest words in the English language: "your oder has shipped" 💖

Amazon are making a huge push in the Australian market and I just recently made my first order. "Amazon has been the talk of the entire Australian retail industry after it confirmed its plans to expand down under." (source: ordermomentum.com)

I hosted my website for a while on Amazon Web Services but this is my first retail order with the e-commerce giant, from a recommendation from a friend. The process was as good as I've had online.

I'll update this blog when it arrives so I can share all the awesome goodies I ordered with you all


Is a marketing degree worth it?



I recently came across an article that asks a very important question: are marketing degrees worth it?

Do you need marketing qualifications to work in marketing?
Source: https://trafficjammedia.co/do-you-need-marketing-qualifications-and-degrees/

Learning to spreadsheet

I'm currently learning (well, re-learning to be more precise) how to use Microsoft Excel.

I've found my daily tasks, both professional and at home, could benefit from being a bit more proficient in everyone's favourite spreadsheet software, Microsoft Excel.

Also, here's the current sitch in the workplace:

image

This journey started when I found myself watching several YouTube videos after searching for "how to *insert intermediate MS Excel task*"and came across this one:


But I quickly discovered I'm somewhere between a beginner and intermediate, so i need a but more of a customised training solution to get me where I want to be.

Insert: Excel Dimensions. Excel Dimensions is an onsite Microsoft Excel training provider that offers Australia wide training in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, and Hobart.  

I contacted them and explained my predicament.

Thankfully (oh god I'm so grateful), they explained that they offer customised courses for beginners, intermediates users and advanced Excel gurus. So I was able to pick out the topics we needed to cover beforehand and learn exactly what I needed and nothing I didn't

Does this mean I'm now a Microsoft Excel expert?

image

But it does make my life a lot easier! I no longer sit at my desk Googling "how to x in Excel" because its imprinted into my brain :D

My surprising shoe shopping adventure

One of my closest friends (Jill) is getting married in August, and I’m one of her bridesmaids!

Although I think the world of Jill, I did hesitate for a split second when she asked me. I’ve been a bridesmaid a few other times and it can be stressful! Especially if you have small children and you’re trying to juggle work and study at the same time.

But so far, so good - since we’ve already found the perfect shoes.

This is no small feat, considering there are three other bridesmaids and we’re all different shapes and sizes!

Billini in Parramatta was the first store we walked into and the last. We found everything we wanted there. This is my dream come true, since I actually loathe shoe shopping with a violent passion. But we had so much time to spare; I even found a pair of gorgeous suede boots. I plan to wear these with two cute dresses I purchased from Fresh Soul Clothing (also in Parramatta, conveniently).

Jill told us all we could choose different shoes (as long as they’re a nude colour) but we ended up going for the same shoe that suited us all perfectly. It has an open-toe and isn’t ridiculously high. I felt comfortable walking around the store, although I could probably use some more practise, since I don’t often wear heels. The last thing I want is to trip down the aisle!

How to choose the perfect high heel:


I’m no expert on shoe shopping, which ironically makes me the perfect person to tell you what to look out for, since I love to feel comfortable.

If you’re buying heels for a special occasion, chances are you’re looking for shoes that compliment an outfit you already have in mind.

A pair of simple black or nude coloured heels works best with clothes that have a lot of colour or embellishment, so that your outfit stands out, instead of competing with your shoes. But if you're wearing all black, or something simple, you have more freedom to choose bright colours and patterns.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and buy a vibrant heel that you wouldn’t normally choose. Having said this, it’s always handy to know how to match different colours to your outfits.

A good tip is to bring a photo (or even the outfit) into the store, so you can see how the colours work together.



Practise makes perfect


High heels may elongate your legs and add the final touch to your outfit, but there’s no point buying a pair if you look like a baby giraffe learning how to walk while wearing them.

It’s important to make sure you can actually walk (and stand) in your heels, before making the commitment.

There are a few tricks to finding the perfect fit:

  • Assess how your toes feel in the shoes - is there enough wriggle room or are they squashed? If it’s a bit cramped in there, go up a size or opt for a different style (unless you don’t mind blisters!).
  • Cushioning in the shoe will lower the pressure on the ball of your foot.
  • Choose a pair of heels with a platform under the toe area to minimise the angle and reduce pressure.
  • Go for chunkier heels if you know you’ll be doing a lot of walking or dancing, since they give you more stability.
  • Heels between 3 cm and 9 cm tend to be most comfortable to walk in.

Practice walking around the store while wearing the heels. Close your eyes and focus on how your feet feel. Can you feel slight pinches or any discomfort? If so, these are not the pair for you.

Look for quality


If you’re planning on getting a lot of wear out of your new heels, you may want to spend more on options that last longer. Shoes made out of leather or high-quality vegan materials last for years and mould to your foot shape (which prevents chafing), while synthetic materials (like nylon and plastic) fall apart a lot quicker.

Other tips:


Wear your new pair of heels around the house before taking them out for the day, so you can break them in.

If the soles of your new shoes are smooth, then rub them against sandpaper or rough surfaces to boost traction and reduce the chances of slipping and falling.

You can get insoles to reduce the pressure on the ball of your feet, if your shoes don’t have enough cushioning.

Other things I need to do before the wedding:


Organise the hen’s night!!!

This will be in July, but we can’t decide what to do. Tiffany (maid of “honour”) is pushing for male strippers and novelty straws that make grandmothers blush. I’m going to suggest a night of Latin dancing at a Sydney club instead.

Personal grooming

Going to the beauty salon is pretty expensive! The bridesmaids and I are organising a “spa treatment” day at one of our houses. We’re going to have facials and paint each other’s nails. I’ve also ordered a wax kit, so we’re going to have a go at waxing our legs from home. I hesitate to do this, because it seems messy, but Catherine (one of the other bridesmaids) swears that you can’t go wrong with the Auswax kit.



Prepare my body for a night of dancing

I recently injured my lower back while shovelling mulch in the garden (nothing major, but still). My friend swears by her physio. Considering I’m going to be in Sydney so much over the next few months, I’m planning on having a few sessions before the big day. Hopefully I’ll be able to dance the night away, without worrying about making my back worse!

Go for our final fittings

Jill found an awesome dressmaker to design our dresses and we have two more fittings to make sure everything is looks perfect. I can’t wait to see the final results!

How I Managed to Start Blogging as a Mum of 2

What's more, you don't need to be a specialist on your topic in order to have a successful blog. For instance, readers of a cooking blog would prefer not to read a textbook from a food scientist, they need to hear the experiences of individuals who have really cooked some genuine suppers, and had slip-ups.
Furthermore, what keeps you going as a blogger is your passion. To become successful as a blogger, there is really just one requirement that is enthusiasm for your niche.

What is a Blog, anyway?

A blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group that is composed of a casual or conversational style. To make it clearer, a blog is a kind of site that focuses mainly on written content, also known as blog posts. Generally, we often hear about news blogs or celebrity blog sites, but as you’ll see in this guide, you can begin an effective blog on pretty much any theme possible. There's literally a blog about businesses cash flow at cashflowing.com.au. You can start one on any topic!

Examples of Great Blogs I've Found

When I was starting my blog, I researched the blogs and websites businesses that I've worked with or used in the past. This helped me learn how to format my content nicely and make it as engaging as possible. Here's some that I recommend:

How to Start a Blog in Six Steps

  1. Pick a blog name

The initial step to finding a good blog name is choosing your topic. In cases where you don't know what to blog about, there are a couple of approaches to having a decent blog subject. Pick a name that is simple, catchy and memorable. A good domain name for your blog name should be descriptive so that potential readers can instantly tell what your blog is all about just from the name. blogclarity.com has a great resource on how to choose a name.

  • Get your blog online
  • Getting your blog online is pretty simple. All you do is register the blog, and get hosting. To get your blog up and running you require two things: a hosting package and software. Fortunately, they normally come together. There are a lot of companies that would do this for you online with any hassle. I recommend Crucial as a great hosting company in Australia.

  • Customize your blog
  • To customize your blog, you would need to follow the instructions on your host. Choose a free template and tweak it. Wordpress and Blogger offer a bunch of great, free themes to get you started. If you need help, check out a company like Digital Burst to give you a hand.

  • Compose your first post
  • This is the fun part! Since your blog is up and running, it's an ideal opportunity to really do some blogging, take a pen and paper, or in this case, your keyboard, and create something extraordinary.

  • Promote your blog
  • Creating a very much composed blog and composing great content is only the beginning. In order to get readers to your blog, you will need to invest some time into promoting it and getting people to read it, especially when you first start.

  • Make money blogging
  • When you have invested the exertion of making awesome blog content and advancing your blog, profiting from your blog is simply easy. There are several ways you can make money blogging, from selling your own products or services, to getting paid to write reviews of products on your blog. But the easiest way to make money from your blog is to sell advertising space.

     You can earn from ‘Google Adsense,’ and choose from several options to monetize your blog.
    For more useful and informative content visit on Corel Mag for daily update that covers various niches from lifestyle, fashion, entertainment and a lot more.

    My experience with staff surveys

    For any organization to be successful, it needs to be realized that the backbone of a business is its workforce.

    The driving force behind all operations and the smooth running of the organization are the employees and it is very crucial for the management to realize the importance of keeping employees motivated.

    While there are many widely used methods of motivating employees, such as bonuses or fringe benefits, there is one method that is frequently overlooked; keeping the employees involved.

    Taking feedback from workers and encouraging two-communication is one of the most effective measure a company can take to ensure the satisfaction and motivation of their employees because when they are asked for their opinions on certain business decisions, it makes them feel valued and thus, instills a sense of belonging towards the organization.

    Having employees that feel a sense of belonging towards an organization reduces employee turnover and makes it easier for firms to retain experienced employees that are an asset to the firm. Having a good employee retention rate also leads to the improvement of the company’s image in the market and industry and allows for greater opportunities for growth and the greater development of ideas as the employees treat the whole organization as their own.

    There are numerous ways in which a company can be more engaged with their employees and how they’re feeling; one that I experimented with recently is a pulse survey.

    A Pulse survey is a quicker and simpler version of an engagement survey. As their name suggests, pulse surveys give the management regular, quick check-ins in the health of the workforce. They help emphasize on the aspects that need improvement and measure the level of employee satisfaction. Additionally, they also helped me in evaluating work-relationships and the environment around the organization.

    As compared to engagement surveys, I found that pulse surveys are quick and to the point. They not require detailed answers to a wide variety of questions; the ones used in my organization have just under 10 questions. Moreover, they are also conducted more frequently than engagement surveys which allowed the management to recognize and solve arising issues promptly. The small number of questions facilitated the identification of the issue quickly and enabled the management to focus on a particular current goal or target that needs feedback.

    Furthermore, employee feedback was more frequently received and appreciated through pulse surveys and they allowed for quicker and more accurate comparisons to be made. They are faster and more comprehensive to complete which is a source of convenience for the employees as well.

    Additionally, I found that they can be used to spread awareness about certain issues around the organization which can prove extremely beneficial for the management and the organization as a whole. Pulse surveys are a great way to target a certain group of employees; whether it is for special tasks or for a special localized audit. They make sure that everyone is involved in the business and promote effective communication. However, it is also crucial to have the entire organization on board when it comes to understanding the purpose, requirement, and benefits of using Pulse surveys.

    Hiring your first marketing team


    I thoroughly enjoyed this article by Blake Smith on startupgrowth.com titled "Startup’s Guide to Hiring First Marketing Staff"

    I found this section to be particularly interesting:

    Different audiences make purchasing decisions based on different appealing factors and criteria, and it is essential to work with marketers who understand your audience (example) and their needs. 
    They don’t need to be an absolute expert in your sector, but they should demonstrate the ability to identify your target audience and develop innovate means of growing it.
    It should also go without saying that marketers with experience in your field will find it easier to create comprehensive marketing materials for you – your business’s domain comes naturally to them and their efforts are thereby less contrived.
    This was a timely message for me and something I 100% agree with. I have recently been working on more projects that align with my personal interests, and found that the "work" is much more enjoyable and the finished product was great!