Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I'm looking for experts who can discuss trends and issues around hiring a recruiter as an entrepreneurial business. I can't give away too much here, so drop me a note if you'd like to find out more.
In other news, my site has just been revamped and I'm pretty happy about it. We've updated the "about me" section, too.
I'm working on a book idea and yesterday our three-year-old daughter suggested I call it "Do Your Business". At her age, she doesn't see the humor in it. My husband and I, on the other hand, had quite a laugh over it at the dinner table. More soon...
Posted by Chris @ 03:27 PM
Monday, May 12, 2008
I'm seeking entrepreneurs and experts (consultants, professors, etc.) to interview for a story about "green" practices. Please drop me a note if it's up your alley.
I was intrigued by an article in the most recent issue of Fortune about large companies like Lehman Brothers that are hiring their own in-house meteorologists to provide global weather forecasts that their traders rely on to hedge investment risks and make better business decisions. These companies claim long-range weather forecasts are helping the bottom line.
It's got me wondering how weather can impact the everyday business decisions business people are making, and whether more companies, particularly smaller and more financially-vulnerable ones, should start factoring extended weather forecasts into their business forecasting, and how to do it. I'd sure be interested to hear from someone who could tell me more. I think there's a story here; it's just how to frame it for a broad business audience.
In other news, I'm gearing up to revamp my website very soon. It's been a long time coming, but there hasn't been much time between story deadlines, kids and home renovation projects. Stay tuned. Cheers, Chris
Posted by Chris @ 02:34 PM
Monday, March 3, 2008
I'm seeking experts who can talk about disaster planning for small businesses. I'm also looking for a few small business owners willing to share their views and experiences in this area. Recent studies and statistics are also welcome. Time is tight with this story: I will need to interview these people by the end of the day Friday. Thanks...
Posted by Chris @ 10:46 AM
Monday, February 4, 2008
I'm seeking a small business owner to interview for a June assignment. I don't want to share the details here, so please drop me a note for more information. P.S. --- I've interviewed the experts (professors, attorneys, etc.) and found some statistics, so those bases are covered. Now I just need to find a small business owner, maybe even two if I'm lucky. FYI.
Posted by Chris @ 02:45 PM
Friday, January 18, 2008
Happy new year 2008. I'm seeking experts and entrepreneurs for an upcoming piece related to supply chains. Please contact me for additional information. Thanks!
Posted by Chris @ 01:38 PM
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Today in the South we're welcoming a long lost friend: rain. We've had a few refreshing (and much needed) thunderstorms here in Chapel Hill this morning --- the first storms in many months. It's warm and muggy here, and it feels more like June than late October. The leaves are changing color at the same time the air is thick with humidity. It's a very strange combination. I'm not sure how much of a dent the rain will make in our huge rain deficit. I think it would need to rain --- and I mean RAIN --- for a few weeks at least to make up for the drought we're experiencing.
This week I'm seeking a few small business owners who can talk about how they're managing employee stress on the job. I'm also seeking "green" entrepreneurs --- i.e., entrepreneurs who are working on sustainability and environmental issues inside their small companies. I'm also looking for story ideas to pitch various editors, so feel free to contact me with ideas. It might take me awhile to get back to you but I do read all my email. Really.
Posted by Chris @ 01:02 PM
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
I had an interesting experience standing in a store line recently with my preschool-age daughter in tow. We were there in the early afternoon on a weekday when I was off the clock (and looked decidedly off the clock). A man and a woman got in line behind us, and the woman tapped me on the shoulder soon after. "Could we go ahead of you? *WE* have to get back to work." Translation: You're obviously a stay-at-home mom with all the time in the world, so could you step aside for those of us who actually DO something with our day? I stared at her in amazement for a few seconds --- a bemused smile on my face, wide eyes, eyebrows arched --- until the man with her proposed getting in another line, to which she replied, "Okay, whatever, she's just looking at me strange anyway." Translation: She obviously doesn't get it and understand what it's like to work for a living.
Now I would have been more than willing to accommodate her if she'd simply said, "Excuse me, we're late getting back to work...could we please go ahead of you?" But in her tone of voice she made assumptions she shouldn't have, and it's always dangerous to make assumptions about anyone. Who knows --- that "stay-at-home mom" could be a CEO. You just don't know. Which brings me to the point of this entry: have any of you ever felt assumptions have been made about you in the workplace, or about your work status when you're not at work? How did you handle it? I'd be interested in your thoughts. It's on my mind.
Posted by Chris @ 02:46 PM
email: chris@sitting-duck.com
