#kpis are important

[visualcontenting]

Most Important PPC KPIs You Should Be Tracking: A Guide for Newbies

Advertising is crucial for every business. Spending sleepless nights and working relentlessly to create a path-breaking product could turn out to be futile if people never get to know about it. There are several advertising options available for marketers to choose from, including pay-per-click (PPC) marketing. PPC is an advertising model that allows you to display ads on web pages. It can be a…

[mushimatsu]

I found the full versions of the job apps from this post! This was a collab with the restaurant chain Sukiya, so that's where the job app is for! Pictures from this blog post here!

Translation under the cut

Osomatsu:

Academic background/work experience (include relevant experience):

(dates left blank) NEET, factory job, Chinese food restaurant, etc Anyway I have experience with a lotta stuff! And more

About yourself:

Gyuudon! I can eat a lot of it! Beer! (something crossed out) I can drink a lot of it! 

Hobbies/Skills:

Horse racing, pachinko, all kinds of gambling!

Reason for your application:

Because I think I could eat a lot of gyuudon. And because I think a pork bowl made with a brand new model of charcoal grill would be tasty! 

Working hours (for example 9 ~ 17): (he left this blank and just put an x through Monday, Saturday, and Sunday)

Other requests:

I’d like to immediately take off days where a machine is being replaced, store remodeling days, and horse race days! 

What days would you prefer to work?: (left blank)

How many hours would you like to work a day?: (left blank) How long can you work for?: (left blank)

Karamatsu:

(in the furigana section where you're supposed to write the pronunciation of your name he wrote it in English instead of hiragana)

Phone Number: Secret (it's so important to tell you that he wrote "secret" as the English word in katakana, and not the Japanese word for secret)

Academic Background/Work Experience:

Theater Completed curriculum at Hybrid Oden cart (Hybrid misspelled as Hybrit) And more

About yourself:

When I take the stage called Sukiya... After that... Who knows...

(sorry if this is incorrect idk how the fuck to translate what he said. hate his ass /j)

Hobbies/Skills:

I can sing while playing guitar, and more...

Reason for your application:

Gyuudon, butadon, curry... Because your menu calls to me...

Working hours (for example 9 ~ 17): (left blank)

Other requests:

I'm not tied down to anyone...

What days would you prefer to work?:

What a foolish question...

How many hours would you like to work a day?:

I'm not tied down to any time...

How long can you work for?:

How many times do I have to tell you...

Choromatsu:

Academic Background/Work Experience:

Totoko-chan's manager Worked at father's friend's company And more

About yourself:

Personally, I would benefit from your company's management policy, so I think I can achieve results while working remotely. The other day, all my brothers caught a cold, but I was busy making content as a small influencer!*

Hobbies/Skills:

Kanji certification level 6, English certification level 6. Thank you very much.

Reason for your application:

Sukiya would benefit from an entrepreneur and marketing and advertising specialist with a concise plan to make KPIs a priority activity. Boosting conversions** can create solutions for Sukiya through engagement. Gyuudon benefits will surely create profit. Assign buffers and launch. Thank you very much.* ** like click through rate

Working hours (for example 9 ~ 17): (left blank)

Other requests:

Frankly, a pension plan is a must, with a minimum of 200,000 yen fixed and committed per month. Thank you very much.

What days would you prefer to work?:

I will send you the agenda for today's activities afterwards. Thank you very much.

How many hours would you like to work a day?: (left blank)

How long can you work for?: (left blank)

*(struggled so much with him and his business buzzwords if anyone has corrections please tell me)

Ichimatsu:

Academic Background/Work Experience:

Honored Squad Leader for Life at Factory Worked at Cat Cafe, as a cat And more

About yourself:

I want to gather some cats at the restaurant, but not like it would be a cat cafe, and make a "Cat Sukiya"...

Hobbies/Skills:

Cat certification level 2

Reason for your application:

I want to surround the restaurant with a lot of cats.

Working hours (for example 9 ~ 17): (left blank)

Other requests:

How many cats am I allowed to bring to the restaurant?

What days would you prefer to work?:

No particular preference

How many hours would you like to work a day?:

No particular preference

How long can you work for?:

As long as there's cats

Jyushimatsu:

Academic Background/Work Experience:

PRACTICE SWINGS

About yourself:

78 METER THROW

Hobbies/Skills:

BASEBALL

Reason for your application:

I WANT TO EAT LOTS OF GYUUDON!

(All the questions about when you're available to work):

I WANT TO EAT GYUUDON EVERY DAY!!

Todomatsu:

Academic Background/Work Experience:

Currently attending a very prestigious college Part time job at a trendy coffee shop And more

About yourself:

My brothers are all stupid, so I'm the best choice <3

Hobbies/Skills:

English and Japanese certified

Reason for your application:

The new menu item avocado gyuudon is my favorite, so you're going to release it, right? That is to say, you'll hire me, right? Right? Thanks <3

Working hours (for example 9 ~ 17): (left blank)

Other requests:

Rather than just beer, I want to sell kalua milk and cassis orange too ⭐

What days would you prefer to work?: (left blank)

How many hours would you like to work a day?: (left blank)

How long can you work for?:

Depends on if the customers are cute girls <3

thank you @totmatsu for ur help

[gabrielsbubblegumbitch]

PLZ MORE SILLY VEES HEADCANONS THE LAST ONES MADE MY DAYYYYY

Okay okay I'll try to squeeze a little bit more silly of me, just for you, Anon <333 Because I love making people happy uwu

Velvette and Valentino sometimes end up doing lines of coke off Vox's screen when they're out of flat surfaces. It usually goes something like this:

Vox, look, what's that on the ceiling?! Okay, wait, now don't move... OH FOR FUCK'S SAKE! Chill, it's not like you don't use my body for your pleasure. Yeah, God gave you this flat face for a reason. We all have our purpose

Valentino is kinda like that friend who went to therapy once and only remembered the part where his feelings and boundaries are super important.

Stop being mean to me! I'm not being mean, I just told you not to kill that waiter. I have FEELINGS. *sigh* We know, Val. AND YOU ARE MAKING THEM S A D. We know, Val.

Valentino once came up with the idea that Vox's pornstar name should be voXXXy. He keeps bringing it up every once in a while, still hoping Vox will agree to have a cameo in one of his movies.

Vox once surprised Valentino with this cheeky red lingerie set. When Val caught on it was basically a Sexy Alastor Costume, Vox ended up couch-surfing for a week.

Whenever Vox doesn't pay enough attention to him, Valentino messes with his Excel sheets, inserting random '69' or '420' here and there, or pasting some of his sexy photos in Vox's Very Important PowerPoint About KPIs.

When Velvette is bored, she comes up with the dumbest ways to die and then asks her succubi friends (since succubi are some of the demons legally allowed to travel to the mortal realm) to start them on TikTok. She's incredibly proud whenever she learns that some soul ended up in hell because of her challenges.

This one time, stumbling home after a party, Vox was like:

Val, Vel, you guys can draw, right? How 'bout I pay you hundred bucks for a big-ass graffiti? What graffiti BIG! Saying what? FUCK ALASTOR AHAHAHAHAHA *hick*

They were cackling like evil children while painting it. It is still there somewhere in Pentagram City, absolutely beautiful.

Vox likes to come up with silly names for his products that are almost cartoonishly evil, because he's a silly evil guy. So, he will market those Cereal Killers to the kids in hell.

[ariadne-mouse]

Ludinus talking to the Unseelie like a boss trying to give scathing feedback to a supporting department but he's talking to an intern.

Ludinus: Where was Customer Engagement when we needed you? You have been notably absent from our KPI tracking meetings and missed several important pitches.

Unseelie: Yeah I'll let my boss know. You're sending us too many emails btw. Like we believe in the project but like. chill. [exits, eating a bag of doritos]

Ludinus: I HATE talking to Customer Engagement. They're ALL over the place. Operating on "vibes", not following the schedule. Leaving me on read all the time. Fucking creatives. This is why I work in Strategic Policy.

[queenlua]

it's extremely important to cultivate the kinds of friends who get REALLY HYPE when you're like "ok this show i was watching last night is pretty based, they spend like 1/3rd of an episode in a boardroom discussing fascism!KPIs and another 1/3rd at a terrible dinner party"

[atomictavernwyvern]

"Everyone has that one hero at work who ignores "Reply All." Now you can be that hero. Here's a cat who doesn't give a damn about anything—even email. He sleeps on his laptop, drinks coffee, and teaches us the most important KPI: sleep above all else.

[aylen-san]

Welcome to my reality. No, not the one where I tower in horror over Middle-earth with the last armies of orcs and a darkness that envelops all life. Today's reality is far more... modern. If someone had told me thousands of years ago that I would one day be in an ordinary apartment with a cup of coffee in hand, surrounded by the blue-white glow of monitors, I would have laughed. But now? Now this is my life.

Morning, as it is: a debrief with coffee Oh, that sweet awakening. The alarm clock rings. My eternal wrath could destroy it, but why? It's all part of the modern routine. I, Sauron, the great lord of evil, now wake up not to an army but to the sound of a smartphone alarm, so I can sit at the kitchen table and pour myself a coffee—strong, black, like my view of the world.

Ah, coffee. Perhaps in the modern era, it's the bitterness that I find appealing. Every morning, it's a ritual: I sit in front of the computer, scrolling through social media and the news. The design here is actually quite inspiring: black screens, white letters. It all feels so office-cold that I involuntarily smile. "News from Mordor" could be a popular blog.

Remote work, same old job: Zoom meetings and evil schemes How times have changed, haven't they? In my past, I led armies in person, standing at the front lines. And now... now I spend most of my day in Zoom meetings. Yes, even the Dark Lord has to deal with modern bureaucracy. Orcs need management, tasks need assigning, KPIs are sacred. Technology has made my dark work more sustainable.

— "Urgash, what’s going on with the weapon shipment? Why don’t we have the third-quarter report on the allocation of eastern lands?" I ask with cold resolve, looking into the camera, only to hear confused muttering in response.

Orcs, of course, can’t handle Google Sheets. But what can you do? Routine.

Office equipment and old habits My workspace is a modern masterpiece. Cold-lit lamps, an ultramodern laptop with a keyboard glowing with a faint, almost infernal light. All this allows me to devise new plans to conquer Middle-earth with high efficiency. Software? Oh, trust me, even a palantír would envy the power of my server.

But some habits remain unchanged. A glance at a smoldering notepad reminds me of runes and ancient spells. I wonder if I could code the way I once cast curses—would I be able to create a virus to take over the entire internet? Then again... no, we’ve seen where that leads. And if the system crashes, I’m not ready to lose my bookmarks.

Lunch breaks: yes, even dark lords need to eat Ah, lunch breaks. They’ve become part of modern Sauron’s life. Don’t think I’ve lost my taste for brutal bloodshed. No, that’s in the past. Now my lunch consists of something more grounded. A cold salad, maybe a couple of sandwiches, and, of course, another cup of coffee. Only the grim taste of dark bread reminds me of the old days.

— “Delivery for Mr. Sauron?” — a knock at the door. Naturally, food delivery. Even cuisine today has become a sort of twisted pleasure. Strange. The once elegant culinary masterpiece—roasted flesh—is now replaced by avocado toast. Though, to be honest, they’re quite good.

Fitness by the call of darkness Of course, physical fitness is as important for a Dark Lord as for any modern mortal. A treadmill awaits me in the bathroom. No, I don’t go outside. Mordor is still a long way from glamorous park trails. Still, if I must exist in this new, modern world, I can at least maintain my strength. Cardio is power, they say. Power? Ha! Let them know power when I’m in full battle form.

After the run—a few minutes on the punching bag. No, I haven’t lost my skills! Even in a world where leaders rule through screens, old methods still work. Deep down, I’m still ready to crush anyone who dares stand in my way.

Evening leisure: shows and dark conspiracies What else to do in the evening, when the office lights dim? Of course, watch shows. Oh, how elegantly modern shows portray power dynamics. My streaming subscriptions are quite diverse: from Game of Thrones to dark detective stories. In these tales, I see myself—though in a much less epic form, it’s still satisfying to watch others make mistakes.

— "Seriously? Did you really think that conspiracy would work?" — I whisper as I watch yet another villain's plan fall apart. Perhaps, if they’d hired me as a consultant...

Reflections before sleep: what went wrong? When night falls and my monitors dim, I sit on the windowsill and look at the sky. No stars, of course—the city lights drown them out. Even in such a world, illusions of power and light don’t add true strength. I ponder how the world might have changed if my plans had worked out sooner. But then I realize that even in this new world, I can still become its lord.

Only now, my army will consist not of orcs but of fans, liking my posts and retweeting each of my new brilliant plans.

End of the day: Darkness will always find a way So, there you have it, a day in the life of Sauron in the modern world. Not so terrifying, you’d say? Oh, but what do you know? Even in this modern world, Darkness will always find its way. And while you think I’ve become but a shadow of the past, remember: I’m always watching you. Through your screens, through your reflection in darkened windows.

And who knows, maybe tomorrow, your alarm will ring just a bit too loudly...

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

On July 14, I'm giving the closing keynote for the fifteenth HACKERS ON PLANET EARTH, in QUEENS, NY. Happy Bastille Day! On July 20, I'm appearing in CHICAGO at Exile in Bookville.

#15yrsago Myths about Canadian healthcare https://www.denverpost.com/2009/06/04/debunking-canadian-health-care-myths/

#15yrsago Abstinence doesn’t work for IT or for teens https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jun/16/computer-security-abstinence

#15yrsago Scam artists con Apple into killing app that tells you when the bus is due in San Francisco https://web.archive.org/web/20090627161346/http://sfappeal.com/news/2009/06/who-owns-sfmta-arrival-data.php

#10yrsago US inches towards decriminalizing phone unlocking https://www.techdirt.com/2014/06/25/year-half-later-unlocking-your-phone-one-step-closer-to-being-legal/

#10yrsago North Korea threatens “merciless” war against the US over Seth Rogen movie https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28014069

#10yrsago Copyfraud, uncertainty and doubt: the vanishing online public domain https://medium.com/@xor/houston-we-have-a-public-domain-problem-bd971c57dfdc

#10yrsago Charlie Stross on the stop/go nature of technological change https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2014/06/yapcna-2014-keynote-programmin.html

#10yrsago Lurking inside Obama’s secret drone law: another secret drone law https://www.techdirt.com/2014/06/25/enough-secret-law-newly-released-doj-drone-killing-justification-memo-points-to-another-secret-drone-memo/

#10yrsago Kleargear must pay $306,750 for trashing a complaining customer’s credit https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/06/kleargear-must-pay-306750-to-couple-that-left-negative-review/

#5yrsago Podcast number 300: “Adversarial Interoperability: Reviving an Elegant Weapon From a More Civilized Age to Slay Today’s Monopolies” https://ia903004.us.archive.org/11/items/Cory_Doctorow_Podcast_300/Cory_Doctorow_Podcast_300_-_Adversarial_Interoperability.mp3

#5yrsago How China ingests and adapts western culture https://aeon.co/essays/how-china-remakes-its-cultural-imports-from-the-west

#5yrsago Prosecutors and federal judges collaborate with corporations to seal evidence of public safety risks, sentencing hundreds of thousands of Americans to death https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-courts-secrecy-judges/

#5yrsago EU expert panel calls for a ban on AI-based risk-scoring and limits on mass surveillance https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/26/18759447/eu-ai-ethical-policy-recommendations-ban-mass-scoring-surveillance

#5yrsago You treasure what you measure: how KPIs make software dystopias https://web.archive.org/web/20190622092434/https://datascience.columbia.edu/ethical-principles-okrs-and-kpis-what-youtube-and-facebook-could-learn-tukey#.XRMxf5DB5eg.twitter

#5yrsato Dieselgate 2.0: 42,000 Mercedes diesels recalled for “illegal software” https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/06/german-regulator-says-it-discovered-new-illegal-software-on-daimler-diesels/

#5yrsago Insulin: why the price of a 100-year-old drug has tripled in a decade https://prospect.org/health/insulin-racket/

Support me this summer on the Clarion Write-A-Thon and help raise money for the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop!

[accio-victuuri]

I don’t need paparazzi to tell me that and refute a rumor. It’s common sense. I’m sad for this pap cause they wasted their resources in “following” WYB and the other person cause anyone with one brain cell will know there’s nothing and it was a business/drama cooperation. This being so high up and #4 on HS goes to show why paps do this tho. Probably met their year end KPI for this post alone.

Who is so nervous again lol. Yesterday WYB was the only one “confirmed” for Starlight Awards that went on HS. Please stop bringing up irrelevant news. The more important thing is he is nominated for Best Newcomer @ Macau International Film Festival. Please look forward to Actor WYB.

[realinspirations]

Maximizing Efficiency: How to Streamline Workflow for Teams and Businesses

 In now a days speedy-paced business surroundings, efficiency is prime to staying competitive. Streamlining workflow is a critical method that enables groups optimize productivity, lessen inefficiencies, and beautify overall performance. By figuring out bottlenecks, leveraging generation, and imposing powerful strategies, businesses can acquire better results with less effort. This article explores diverse methods to streamline workflow and beautify operational performance.

Best tools to streamline workflow for small businesses free 

Understanding Workflow Streamlining

Workflow streamlining involves simplifying and optimizing tasks, approaches, and conversation within an organization to make certain smooth operations. The purpose is to dispose of needless steps, lessen redundancies, and enhance usual workflow performance. By streamlining workflow, organizations can limit errors, beautify employee productivity, and enhance customer delight.

Steps to Streamline Workflow

1. Analyze Current Processes

The first step in streamlining workflow is to investigate the contemporary strategies. Understanding how duties are currently being finished permits corporations to become aware of inefficiencies, redundancies, and regions that need improvement.

Conduct technique audits to map out workflows.

Identify bottlenecks that slow down operations.

Seek remarks from personnel worried within the workflow.

2. Define Clear Goals and Objectives

Setting clean objectives allows make certain that every one workflow optimization efforts align with the company’s dreams. Whether the intention is to lessen processing time, growth accuracy, or improve customer service, defining specific and measurable goals is important.

Establish key overall performance signs (KPIs) to degree achievement.

Ensure all crew participants apprehend the anticipated outcomes.

3. Automate Repetitive Tasks

Automation is a recreation-changer in terms of streamlining workflows. Leveraging generation to deal with repetitive tasks reduces human mistakes, saves time, and improves performance.

Use undertaking control tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.Com.

Implement customer relationship control (CRM) software program to streamline purchaser interactions.

Utilize automation tools including Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate.

Four. Improve Communication and Collaboration

Ineffective verbal exchange can reason delays and misunderstandings. Streamlining conversation ensures that employees have get right of entry to to the records they need after they need it.

Establish clear verbal exchange protocols.

Encourage regular group conferences and check-ins.

5. Standardize Procedures

Having standardized techniques ensures consistency and reduces confusion. Clearly defined approaches assist personnel understand their roles and responsibilities, leading to extra performance.

Create fashionable operating approaches (SOPs) for ordinary obligations.

Train personnel on excellent practices and pointers.

Regularly evaluate and update procedures to preserve them applicable.

6. Eliminate Unnecessary Steps

Many workflows consist of redundant or needless steps that upload no fee. By eliminating those steps, organizations can improve efficiency.

Identify and take away non-critical obligations.

Optimize approval tactics to reduce delays.

Use lean control concepts to streamline operations.

7. Leverage Data and Analytics

Data-driven selection-making helps corporations optimize workflows by offering insights into performance metrics and ability regions for improvement.

Use analytics gear to music workflow efficiency.

Identify developments and patterns in operational performance.

Adjust techniques based totally on facts insights.

8 Delegate and Outsource When Necessary

Delegating duties ensures that the right humans manage the right duties, preventing overload and improving efficiency.

Assign duties primarily based on worker strengths and understanding.

Outsource non-center sports to 0.33-birthday celebration carrier carriers.

Encourage personnel to focus on excessive-fee duties.

9. Encourage a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Workflow optimization is an ongoing manner. Encouraging a way of life of continuous development guarantees that companies adapt to converting wishes and stay competitive.

Solicit worker comments on workflow upgrades.

Conduct ordinary schooling and improvement programs.

Stay updated with enterprise tendencies and excellent practices.

10. Monitor and Adjust Workflow Regularly

Even the maximum nicely-optimized workflow desires continuous tracking and modifications to maintain efficiency.

Use overall performance monitoring tools to assess workflow effectiveness.

Conduct periodic opinions to identify new challenges.

Make essential changes to improve operations.

Benefits of Streamlining Workflow

1. Increased Productivity

By casting off inefficiencies and automating repetitive responsibilities, personnel can awareness on extra valuable activities, leading to higher productivity.

2. Cost Savings

Streamlining workflow reduces wasted assets, minimizes mistakes, and improves performance, resulting in substantial cost savings for agencies.

3. Improved Employee Satisfaction

Simplified methods and clean suggestions reduce frustration and stress amongst employees, improving process delight and engagement.

4. Better Customer Experience

Efficient workflows permit agencies to respond to client wishes faster and with better accuracy, leading to stepped forward consumer satisfaction and loyalty.

5 Enhanced Decision-Making

With higher facts collection and evaluation, organizations can make informed decisions that power achievement.

[businessglobalworld]

The Ultimate Guide to Selecting a PPC Advertising Agency

Pay-per-click advertisements are increasingly gaining popularity as one of the means of enhancing a brand's presence and connecting to the target audiences. Partnering with the correct PPC agency impacts the success rate of marketing in the business arena. Since multiple agencies are found, there is a need for some factors before selecting an appropriate agency.

Selection Factors of Choosing a PPC Ads Agency

Experience with PPC Advertising Experience and results are the main factors when a firm chooses a PPC agency. Choose an agency with successful campaigns on all different platforms. Ask for case studies and client reviews to ensure they have experience working with business models similar to yours.

Industry Knowledge and Expertise A leading PPC agency should be able to outshine others in PPC advertising while also understanding industry-specific challenges. Their digital marketing expertise, which includes SaaS and local advertising, helps ensure that the ads they create are highly targeted and effective.

Customized Marketing Strategies Every business is unique in marketing needs. A good PPC agency will tailor their strategies to work with your company's goals and industry requirements. Make sure that they take their time to know your objectives and come up with personalized solutions for maximum ROI.

Translucent Collaboration and Communication A good PPC agency maintains transparency with its process and considers the involvement of the client. A smooth running partnership will be ensured by updating, clear communication channels, and constant goal and performance discussions. Choose a listening agency that keeps you posted on any development throughout the campaign.

Budget Management and Cost Transparency Effective budget management is the success of PPC. Some agencies charge a flat fee, while others work on commission. Make sure you understand how they charge and how your budget will be split between different campaigns. A reliable agency will make sure you spend your ad money wisely and keep you within your budget.

Continuous Optimization of Strategies The digital landscape is constantly changing. PPC strategies, therefore, must change to be effective. A good PPC agency will monitor the KPIs, analyze results, and make adjustments to align with the current market trends. Ask them how they approach constant improvement and changes in campaigns.

Final Thoughts

A PPC ads agency can be the most important choice for your business. Not all agencies will align with your goals and budget, so consider their expertise, industry knowledge, transparency, communication, budget management, and optimization strategies. A strong partnership with a reliable PPC agency will help you achieve long-term success and maximize your marketing efforts.

[ineffable-opinions]

Love in the Air: Koi no Yokan (2024)

Japanese adaptation of MAME’s BL novels Love Sky and Love Storm and their Thai live-action adaptation was titled Love in the Air: Koi no Yokan (2024). In my anticipation post I had mentioned that I was expecting it to be a fan-driven project which would deliver odo (royal road narrative progression) to push up KPI and to manage a decent ROI towards the end of the year.

In terms of being an adaptation, I did not enjoy it as much. This was mainly because what made the original so appealing to me was missing from the Japanese adaptation. The obvious reason is cultural difference.

Japan has a very different university culture where clubs and other activities are a lot different from how it is in Thailand. The reason why characters felt so refreshing to watch was because of how rooted they were in their respective settings. The characters in the source material were embedded in their circumstances and did not feel like caricatures made just for selling sweet moments.

Consider the first couple, the reason why Sky and Phayu get involved is directly tied to their relationship as student and alumnus connected through shared student code link. Because of this their love story is entangled with their relationship with their immediate surrounding and the people around them, in the campus and work place respectively.

When it comes to the second couple, a lot of things are missing from the source in the Japanese adaptation. One of the most important details I think is how Sky had actually managed to live through the after-math of his ill-fated relationship that went up in flames very early on in his youth, how it is tied to his displacement - migration into the metropolis from a province (this is the bit that gave the original an ethnographic touch since what Sky had to face is a well-documented struggle that many in Thailand [and elsewhere] faces and exposes the social realities of the experience of migration and associated loss of support systems) and how lack of family cohesion affected his relationships including that with his father.

Sky in Love in the Air whose sexual debut and exploitation are tied to his migration to urban landscape. Sky’s backstory too read like ethnography and his vulnerability a reflection of the many others’ in his society.

source

Sky’s coping strategy gets mentioned in the Thai live action to be tied to his (future) uncle-in-law, Frost Patheera (in a serendipitous turn of events). His interviews were Sky’s resource of hope.  

The Japanese adaptation retained the romantic bits and removed all the things that went deeper than the surface level. This type of Slice of Life romances actually needs to be embedded, imo. Otherwise, it feels very untethered, like a nicely edited together montage of events that join together romantic moments.

I could see reflections of earlier BL such as Double Mints and Boys Love (2006) in how abuse was filmed, however failed to be as effective, most probably as a conscious decision as this is a series and not a movie.

One thing that Japanese adaptation did that I enjoyed immensely were their special episodes.

[bradschnickel1]

How to Balance Work and Travel as a Digital Nomad

By Brad Schnickel

The digital nomad lifestyle—a dream for many, blending work and travel seamlessly—has gained immense popularity in recent years. With advancements in technology, countless professionals are embracing the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. However, as glamorous as it sounds, balancing work responsibilities with the joys of travel can be challenging. It requires a mix of discipline, planning, and adaptability. In this guide, we will explore actionable strategies to help digital nomads achieve the perfect balance.

1. Set Clear Goals and Priorities

Balancing work and travel starts with understanding your personal and professional priorities.

Define Your Purpose: Ask yourself why you’re choosing the digital nomad lifestyle. Is it to explore the world, grow your career, or both? Knowing your “why” will help you allocate time effectively.

Set Work Goals: Establish clear, measurable goals for your work. Whether it’s completing a project, meeting deadlines, or achieving specific KPIs, having goals ensures you stay focused.

Travel Priorities: Decide what’s important for your travels. Are you exploring cultural landmarks, indulging in local cuisines, or seeking adventure? Plan your travels around these priorities.

2. Choose the Right Destinations

Where you travel can significantly impact your ability to work efficiently. Consider these factors:

Time Zones: Opt for destinations with time zones compatible with your clients or team. This minimizes scheduling conflicts and makes collaboration easier.

Reliable Internet: A stable and fast internet connection is non-negotiable. Research destinations known for their digital nomad-friendly infrastructure.

Cost of Living: Budget-friendly destinations allow you to stretch your resources further, giving you peace of mind.

Work-Friendly Spaces: Look for locations with coworking spaces, coffee shops, or accommodations designed for remote workers.

Examples of digital nomad hotspots include Bali, Chiang Mai, Lisbon, Medellín, and Tbilisi. These destinations offer excellent internet, affordable living costs, and vibrant communities of like-minded individuals.

3. Establish a Consistent Routine

Traveling to new places can disrupt your schedule, but maintaining a routine is crucial for productivity.

Designate Work Hours: Set specific hours for work and stick to them. Whether you prefer working early in the morning or late at night, consistency is key.

Plan Around Your Energy Levels: Schedule demanding tasks during your most productive hours. Use less productive times for lighter work or exploring.

Incorporate Breaks: Include regular breaks in your routine to prevent burnout and recharge your creativity.

Using tools like Google Calendar or time-blocking apps can help you stay organized.

4. Leverage Technology and Tools

As a digital nomad, the right tools can make or break your productivity. Here are some essentials:

Project Management Tools: Platforms like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com help you manage tasks and collaborate with teams.

Communication Tools: Stay connected with clients and colleagues through Zoom, Slack, or Microsoft Teams.

Cloud Storage: Use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to access files from anywhere.

Time Management Apps: Apps like Toggl or RescueTime help you track work hours and identify productivity trends.

VPN: Protect your data and access restricted content securely with a reliable VPN.

5. Practice Effective Time Management

Time management is critical when juggling work and travel. Here’s how to optimize it:

Prioritize Tasks: Use frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix to identify urgent and important tasks.

Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar activities together to minimize context-switching.

Set Deadlines: Establish realistic deadlines to keep yourself accountable.

Minimize Distractions: Use apps like Focus@Will or Freedom to block distractions while working.

When planning travel activities, allocate specific time slots for sightseeing, relaxation, and adventure to avoid overlaps with work commitments.

6. Embrace Flexibility

One of the biggest perks of being a digital nomad is flexibility, but it can also be a double-edged sword. Embrace it wisely:

Adapt to Changes: Weather, internet outages, or unexpected events can disrupt plans. Have a backup plan and stay adaptable.

Flexible Work Locations: Be prepared to work from various settings, whether it’s a coworking space, a coffee shop, or your accommodation.

Balance Workload: Avoid overcommitting to projects. Leave room for spontaneity in your travel schedule.

7. Build a Support Network

Traveling solo can be isolating, but connecting with others can make your journey enriching and enjoyable.

Join Digital Nomad Communities: Platforms like Nomad List, Meetup, or Facebook groups help you find like-minded individuals.

Attend Networking Events: Participate in coworking space meetups, conferences, or local events.

Collaborate with Locals: Engaging with locals enriches your cultural experience and might even open up new opportunities.

Building a network of friends, mentors, and fellow travelers can provide support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging.

8. Take Care of Your Health

Your physical and mental well-being are vital to sustaining a balanced digital nomad lifestyle.

Stay Active: Incorporate exercise into your routine. Explore local yoga classes, hiking trails, or gyms.

Eat Well: Prioritize nutritious meals and try local cuisines in moderation.

Sleep: Ensure you get adequate rest, even if your schedule varies.

Mental Health: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or journaling to maintain emotional balance.

Travel insurance is essential to protect yourself in case of medical emergencies.

9. Manage Finances Wisely

Financial stability is crucial for enjoying the digital nomad lifestyle.

Create a Budget: Track your expenses and set a budget for work and travel activities.

Emergency Fund: Maintain a safety net for unforeseen expenses.

Optimize Income: Diversify your income streams through freelancing, consulting, or passive income sources.

Use the Right Payment Tools: Rely on international banking solutions like TransferWise or Revolut to save on currency conversion fees.

10. Balance Work and Exploration

Achieving harmony between work and travel means finding time to immerse yourself in the culture of your destination.

Plan Ahead: Research must-see attractions, cultural experiences, and local events before arriving.

Set Boundaries: Communicate work hours to clients and colleagues to avoid interruptions during personal time.

Quality Over Quantity: Spend more time in fewer destinations to explore them thoroughly without rushing.

11. Reflect and Adjust

Regularly assess your work-travel balance to ensure it aligns with your goals and well-being.

Review Progress: Reflect on your accomplishments and challenges every few weeks.

Seek Feedback: Ask clients, colleagues, or travel companions for constructive input.

Make Adjustments: Tweak your routine, tools, or destinations as needed to maintain a healthy balance.

Conclusion

Balancing work and travel as a digital nomad is a rewarding yet demanding lifestyle. It requires careful planning, disciplined execution, and a willingness to adapt. By setting clear priorities, leveraging technology, and embracing flexibility, you can create a fulfilling experience that blends productivity with adventure. Remember to take care of your health, finances, and relationships along the way to make the most of this unique journey.

Embark on your digital nomad adventure with confidence and let the world be your office. As Brad Schnickel says, “The key to balancing work and travel is not perfection but finding what works for you.”

[doonarose]

I'm rather exhausted you guys. And that's after having two days off mildly sick but mostly just dodging a couple of meetings I knew were high risk for bursting into tears. And before that a three day weekend. And I've achieved very, very little because I just keep piling burnout onto burnout with my job. And my job is all I have, like I put all the eggs into my career basket back when I decided to do a PhD because I'm an anti-social, unlovable loser on the best of days and I was so sure I could be a great academic and that that would be enough.

But I'm just kneecapped in this place. We haven't really had operational labs for two and a half years and before that was covid. Right when I'd just kind of got a bit of momentum going, it all shut down and then I came back and was told the building I was in was condemned but that was good because they were gonna build me brand new labs and it was all gonna happen fast and we are still not in those new labs. It's just been limbo for years. I have students and staff who think it's funny that I warned them about an imminent lab move interrupting their honours/phd/first year and they're now three years down the line and we still haven't moved!

And at the same time, I have to play the optics game, convince all the external players and higher ups that things are good, that I'm still somehow on this amazing academic trajectory when, really, everything is in freefall, it just takes a few years for publications and income and shit to slip. And that time is almost up.

So late in 2022, when I hit rock bottom, I managed to give up on my academic dreams which was good for me. I keep playing the optics because if I can squeeze one more promotion in this year than I can kind of just coast on that for two decades, moneywise anyhow. But now it's almost two years after that and I am a lot better, for sure. But I still don't have any new purpose, and I'm still burnt out because just maintaining the optics is an effort (and everyone in academia is burnt out).

And anyhow I just needed to have a vent because one of the Very Important Clueless people who I dodged meeting on Tuesday just emailed with a list of (quite fair) demands to know a bunch of kpis and I just want to respond with 'Actually, this place is a hellhole, and no amount of effort or talent on my part can make things happen'. But I can't, because promotion.

I'm fine and just needed to vent and at least without any teaching on my plate, I can just spend the rest of this rotten Friday reading or (maybe) writing and then go home and get trashed.

[enterprisechronicles]

Quality Control Processes: Ensuring Excellence in Every Step

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Source: DuxX from Getty Images

Quality control (QC) processes are integral to any business striving for excellence. They serve as the backbone of product development and manufacturing, ensuring that every item meets specific standards before it reaches the customer. In today’s competitive landscape, the importance of quality cannot be overstated. This article delves into the significance of quality control processes, their components, and how businesses can implement them effectively.

Understanding Quality Control Processes

Quality control processes encompass a set of procedures and activities designed to monitor, verify, and maintain the quality of products or services throughout the production cycle. These processes aim to identify defects, reduce variability, and ensure that the final output meets the desired specifications.

In various industries, from manufacturing to service delivery, it helps minimize waste, enhance customer satisfaction, and build a strong brand reputation. By focusing on these processes, organizations can not only improve their operational efficiency but also foster a culture of continuous improvement.

The Importance of Quality Control Processes

Consistency and Reliability: One of the primary objectives of quality control processes is to ensure that products and services are consistent in quality. This consistency builds trust among customers, as they can expect the same high standard with every purchase.

Cost Efficiency: Implementing effective quality control processes can lead to significant cost savings. By identifying defects early in the production cycle, businesses can reduce waste and avoid costly recalls. Additionally, fewer defects mean less time spent on rework and repairs, allowing resources to be allocated more efficiently.

Regulatory Compliance: Many industries are subject to stringent regulations regarding product quality and safety. Quality control processes help organizations comply with these regulations, minimizing the risk of legal issues and potential fines.

Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: In today’s market, customers have high expectations. Quality control procedures ensure that products not only meet but exceed customer expectations. Satisfied customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and brand advocates, ultimately driving sales and profitability.

Continuous Improvement: Quality control processes encourage a culture of continuous improvement within organizations. By regularly analyzing performance data and feedback, businesses can identify areas for enhancement, fostering innovation and growth.

Key Components of Quality Control Processes

1. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Developing clear and concise SOPs is essential for quality control. These documents outline the specific steps that must be followed during production, ensuring consistency and adherence to quality standards. SOPs should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in processes or regulations.

2. Quality Metrics and KPIs

Establishing measurable quality metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) allows organizations to track their performance over time. Common quality metrics include defect rates, customer complaints, and product returns. Regularly monitoring these metrics helps identify trends and areas that require improvement.

3. Training and Development

Investing in employee training is crucial for effective quality control processes. Employees should be well-versed in quality standards and procedures, as they play a vital role in maintaining product quality. Regular training sessions can help keep staff updated on best practices and emerging industry trends.

4. Quality Audits

Conducting regular quality audits is an essential part of any quality control process. Audits involve systematic evaluations of production processes and products to ensure compliance with quality standards. These evaluations can help identify weaknesses in the system and provide opportunities for improvement.

5. Feedback Mechanisms

Implementing robust feedback mechanisms allows organizations to gather insights from customers and employees alike. This feedback is invaluable for identifying quality issues and making necessary adjustments to processes. Surveys, focus groups, and direct customer feedback can all provide valuable information for continuous improvement.

Implementing Quality Control Processes in Your Organization

1. Assess Current Practices

Begin by evaluating your current quality control practices. Identify strengths and weaknesses, and gather input from employees and customers. This assessment will provide a foundation for developing a more effective quality control system.

2. Define Quality Standards

Clearly define the quality standards your organization aims to achieve. These standards should align with customer expectations and industry regulations. Communicate these standards to all employees to ensure everyone is on the same page.

3. Create a Quality Control Plan

Develop a comprehensive quality control plan that outlines the processes, procedures, and responsibilities for maintaining product quality. This plan should be flexible enough to accommodate changes as your business evolves.

4. Invest in Technology

Utilizing technology can enhance your quality control procedures significantly. Automated systems can help monitor production in real-time, allowing for the immediate detection of defects or inconsistencies. Additionally, data analytics tools can provide insights into performance trends, enabling informed decision-making.

5. Foster a Quality Culture

Encourage a culture of quality within your organization. This can be achieved by recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions to maintaining product quality. Regular communication about the importance of quality control processes will help reinforce this culture.

Conclusion

Quality control processes are vital for any organization aiming to deliver exceptional products and services. By prioritizing these processes, businesses can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. As industries evolve, the need for effective quality control processes will only become more critical. Organizations that embrace these practices will not only survive but thrive in the competitive landscape. Investing in quality control is an investment in the future of your business—ensuring excellence in every step of the journey.

Found this article valuable? Explore more insights in our Enterprise Chronicles.

[simublade1]

Important cybersecurity KPIs for businesses

In cyber security context, KPIs are effective ways to measure the success of cybersecurity programs by offering the necessary data to understand if any business or organization is exposed to risk. Lets see a few ways regarding how to measure cybersecurity KPIs.