Replace achievements with direction

Replace achievements with a direction you’d like to move in. A healthier, outdoor lifestyle, for example. So, when you think of how to spend a free weekend, travel in the new direction. Or, if you’ve a choice of holiday with friends, choose the more active option, rather than denying yourself altogether.

Replace tasks with goals

Ditch your list of tasks. Think instead of goals. Then, filter each day’s action through the goal. And, filter the goal through the direction.  Is this goal aligned with the general direction in which you want to steer your life, work and relationships? If not, is it even a valid one? Be careful to assess honestly whether some of your goals have been set by others. And, remember, one goal is probably sufficient for January. Small successes breed confidence.

Replace being with doing

Many people talk of wanting to BE a better person. Try DOING intead. It takes alot of effort to BE something you’re not. Work towards being by doing. That way, it is more likely to become a natural inclinication after some weeks of effort. (This will help those of you who really want a list to tick something off!) Again, ensure the doing is aligned to the particular goal you have set yourself. This is a gentle word of warning to those who tend to stray into doing lots but not reaching any particular goal. And, procrastinators will need to filter the doing through the goal, to chop off all that is simply random activity.

Think Direction, Goals and Doing

As the meercats would say, Simples!

Have you set resolutions for 2012? Might you benefit from reshaping them according to these three points? I’d love to hear your thoughts on my thoughts. Let me know if you found it helpful.

Image credit: Keith Williamson

First, a definition of the options, listed roughly in increasing order of cost.

Hot-desking

Hot-desking is the option of paying (on demand, or monthly) for use of a desk on an hourly, daily or ad-hoc throughout the month basis. Only rarely will you be able to make the desk your own, as it will be used by others inbetween your visits. (Larger organisations, typically in the IT industry, may keep some hot-desking space free for visitors, or where a large portion of the workforce works mostly from home.)

Hot-desking is best for those who are only rarely in the office. Alternatively, those who work from home, and want to avoid distractions, or enjoy a little company may also benefit.

Co-working

Co-working is the option of renting  desk for 1-5 days a week, usually in an open office. Often, you will be able to make the space your own, as it is more common to rent the desk all week.

Co-working is suitable for those who enjoy the vibe engendered by a busy office.

Virtual Office

A virtual office is a service provided by (usually) a provider of office space, for those who prefer to work from home, are on the road more often than not, or who cannot yet afford office space. The option is used by those who have a headquarters in one location, but who may wish to establish a presence in another, without committing to the initial cost.

The services include provision of an office address, and telephone number. Inclusive services may involve answering your calls, storing your post, conducting administrative tasks, setting appointments, and hosting meetings.

Dedicated Desk or Office

Renting a dedicated desk is the best option for those who need an office, but without the large premium that city-centre locations bring.It may, or may not, be in a shared office.

The advantage of a dedicated office over a mere desk, is that clients may visit and conversations will be private. In either case, meeting rooms are usually available for use (often free to residents, or, if charged, at a discounted rate).

Industrial Unit

Many Enterprise Agencies and business centres will have industrial units for rent.

They are suitable for manufacturers, those who need a workshop, or anyone else who needs lots of space. Some units on offer would need to be modified to incorporate suitable office space.

Business Incubation

In venues that offer co-working, you will often find business incubation mentioned. This can refer to an ad-hoc, supportive, ask-us-anything-and-we’ll-help, atmosphere, to a more structured coaching arrangement, and may or may not be included in the price.

Where Can I Find these Options in NI?

This is a list of the providers who supply a combination of some of the options listed. If you’d recommend we add other options here, click on Contact and send us details via the form. 

Belfast Business Centre

http://www.belfastbusinesscentre.com/

Blick Shared Studios (Belfast)

http://www.blickstudios.org/

CIDO Innovation Centre (Craigavon)

http://www.cido.co.uk/index.aspx

Emerald Valley

http://www.emerald-valley.com/

Glandore (Belfast and Dublin)

http://www.glandore.ie/arthurHouse.asp

Greenshots Newry

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenshoots-Newry-Ltd/190193324364525?sk=info

Magazine Studios (Derry)

http://www.magazinestudios.com/

Midtown Business Centre

http://www.midtown-center.com/

Newry Property Office

http://www.newrypropertyoffice.co.uk/pages/virtualOffices

Northern Ireland Science Park (Belfast)

http://www.nisp.co.uk/

Regus (Belfast)

http://www.regusdirect.co.uk/regus-shop/hot-desk-for-a-day

The HatcheryNI (Antrim)

http://www.antrimenterprise.com/index.php/news/289-the-hatchery-ni.html

Last night, I attended the second meeting of the Social Media Association for Business, at UUB.  Here are my thoughts on the evening.

What is the Social Media Association for Business?

The SMAB is a grassroots organisation that spontaneously germinated in the mind of our very own Martin Gilchrist of Gilchrist & Co Accountants, to bring together those who are interested in, knowledgeable about using social media tools, to assist organisations in Northern Ireland with their understanding and employment of social media as a marketing and networking tool.

Who was there?

Come along to the next one and meet them all!  I’m currently wracking my brain to see if I can remember all the new people I met.  Watch out, I’ll be trying to make contact next!

Social Media Association for Business Facebook Page

What is the current format?

1. Registration/Free Networking over tea/coffee
2. Welcome
3. Speaker
4. Questions to a Panel
5. Open Mic
6. Free Networking

Who spoke?

Tim McKane from Navajo Talk

Who sat on the panel?

Jon Paul Bruce from BizNet IIS

Nichola Bates from Grow Sales Online

And, me.

What did I learn?

I need to get rid of one Facebook Profile I had retained for personal friends and family, as really, something I’ve known for a long time, is that it’s not really kosher to have two.  Thing is, personal friends and family have slowing been adding me as a Friend on my other professional Profile for a while, so it won’t be that difficult to close it down.  Many thanks to Jill Culbertson from Navajo Talk for pointing this out again.

Join me on Facebook

I share stuff I’m doing, things I’m interested in, what I’m reading, people I find useful, and the odd opinion or rant.

“Like” Sensei Learning and Performance on Facebook

We share tips and hints for SMEs who are interested in maximising the web for their business.  You’ll also be kept informed of new blogs and upcoming events, ones we’re running, and other useful business events across Northern Ireland.

Is there any grub?

Tea, coffee and delicious traybakes.

Vibe?

Relaxed, but structured (due to Niall McKeown‘s no doubt renowned meeting management skills) and informed.

Where can I get further information?

Ask the organisers:

Martin Gilchrist

Nichola Bates

Niall McKeown

Image credit: webtreatsetc.

Here are my top resources for those of you making a living out of technical writing.  Some are also of use to anyone who writes in any style for a living.  First though…

What Is a Technical Writer?

I’ve always written my own training content, workbooks, manuals, user guides, procedures and policies.  I was a Technical Writer long before I realised it.  And, my personality type is tailor-made for the role.  Simply put, a Technical Writer is someone who writes technical documentation.  Non-writers often make the mistake of reading IT into the technical bit of the job title.  However, while many technical writers deal with information technology, many don’t.  There are many fields that come under the heading of “technical”: Medicine; Engineering and Construction; Food; Health; Research; or Education for example.

Sometimes, Technical Writers are also referred to as Technical Authors or Technical Communicators.

What Do Technical Writers Do?

Technical Writing often involves a great deal of jargon or specialised language.  It is the task joy of the Technical Communicator to become familiar, often very quickly with new concepts, technology, jargon and environments, in order to produce a guide, manual or handbook that will illuminate the topic for newbies, or provide a useful resource for the more experienced.

What Online Resources Are Available?

There are some online resources that I simply cannot do without.  Some are human in form.

I’d Rather Be Writing

Tom Johnston is a Technical Writer from Utah.  He writes a blog entitled, I’d Rather be Writing, about “The Latest Trends in Technical Communication” and is never too busy to answer a query, or recommend some useful online resources via Twitter.  Each blog post is mighty useful.  Add it to your RSS reader now!

Merriam -Webster

An Encyclopedia Britannica company, Merriam Webster operates an online dictionary and thesaurus, a delight to anyone into who wishes they’d studied semantics or etymology at university.  This website is a resource for all those who need to know the precise origin, old and modern meanings of words, and pronunciation guidelines.

The Plain English Campaign

It’s not too great a strain to say that this may just be my favourite concept in the writing domain: Plain English.  It prompted the style of the strapline we use for our Coaching Service: No Fuss; No Jargon; No Crystals: Only Results.

Strunk and Whyte

If you’re looking for an old, reliable guide to how English should be written, then this is what you have been waiting for.  Strunk and Whyte is a plain English reference guide from the early 1900s, highlighting and explaining those English rules that are so often contravened.

Cherryleaf Technical Authors Blog

This is a highly useful blog, combining video, links and how-tos.  The man himself, Ellis Pratt is on Twitter and is always helpful, even to the point of sourcing local technical writers for me.

The Chicago Manual of Style

“With state-of-the-art recommendations on editorial style and publishing practices in the digital age, The Chicago Manual of Style is the must-have reference for everyone who works with words.”  Sign up for the immensely compact and useful Q&A Alerts.  They’re also on Facebook.

The Grouchy Grammarian

If you just cannot bear to take English seriously, then I’d suggest Thomas Parrish’s The Grouchy Grammarian, as a humourous starting point.  Once you begin to laugh while learning the rules, you’ll be pedantically hooked forever!

If you need a Technical Communicator, contact me to discuss your project.  And, if you are a Technical Communicator working in Ireland or the UK, get in touch, I’d love to meet you online or offline!

Image credit: nirak (main image).  All other images are taken from the resources’ websites.

Allen at BookCamp

“How do you keep up to date with things?”, someone asked on Facebook this week. Here is how I keep up to date with business events at least…

SYNC NI

Technology, Science and Innovation events in Northern Ireland.  Email them and they will supply a login so you can add your own.

NI Business Info

This is the main page, with all events displayed (174 at time of writing).  However, you can also filter by keyword, location, date, topic and type.  Subscribe to event alert emails here.

Addictive Creatives

News and events for creative addicts in NI.

BookCamp

Book club for businesspeople, enterpreneurs and professionals, run by Allen Baird (seen in photo above).

Belfast Entrepreneurs Network

Register to receive event alert emails.

WhatsOnNI

Quickly becoming Northern Ireland’s go-to site, for finding out anything that’s happening in NI.  I think it’s so successful, as content is user-generated!  This link leads to the Business/Coaching/Training section.  Set up an account and add your own events, free, here.

Business Events Hub on Facebook

Intended for sharing, you can write on the Wall and it’s all moderated by Tracy Gilpin.

Eventbrite

This is the Northern Ireland eventspage – see categories for business and conferences.

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce

Some events are free, some are free for members, and some are charged.  If you email them details, they will add your event for free.

ScribeTribe

Business and professional writers’ network, run by Dawn Baird.

Women on the Move

Networking and business events, normally based in Ballymena.  They’re also on Facebook.

Women in Business

Events for women in business.

QUB Short Courses Programmes

Take a look a the PDF, which contains a list of CPD workshops run by QUB’s School of Education.  Allen and I both deliver several workshops a year for CPD.

QUB

Open lectures, performances and courses.

Social Media Association for Business

Business association for all those keen to use social media to promote and manage their business.

Digital Circle

For technology-focused events.  You can add your own.

Refresh Belfast

“Refresh is a monthly event for designers, developers, geeks & nerds to get together to discuss design, debate emerging technologies, share ideas and meet new people from the local creative industries. Every third Monday of the month we organise a couple of presentations from local industry experts to be enjoyed over a few beers in the The Black Box.”

Northern Ireland Microsoft Technologies Group

Loads and loads of events for geeks.

Open Coffee Mid-Ulster

Monthly networking event in the Magherafelt district.  There are other locally-organised groups who meet in Lisburn, Newry, Ballyclare Derry and Coleraine.

Belfast City Council

Belfast events and programmes.

B4B

Events happening mainly around Belfast.  As a member, you have an account and can add your own events, lsited under Other Events.

MLN

Includes Champion events and Management Month.

Additional Ideas

• Twitter and Facebook users share freely.  Pay attention to your News Feed.
• Set up a Google account and add RSS feeds to Google Reader.
• Add Events pages to your IE Favourites or Bookmarks.
• Sign up for email events alerts.

I’d be delighted to hear about any others.  Please add your suggestions in a comment.