Monday, March 23, 2009

Talking on the bus

It still amazes me how much some people can just, well, talk.

This morning on the bus going to work, a pretty young girl entertained the whole back half of the bus for the full 45 minutes journey. First, it was talking to another young girl, who could hardly get a word in edgewise. The subjects ranged from her boyfriend, to her part-time job babysitting, and to her prospective purchase of a new car. After we had heard at 80% volume that her man is inattentive, her little charges are just gorgeous, and that she is intimidated test-driving cars that are equipped with a manual transmission, her no doubt partially-deafened friend exited the bus at the first city stop. She immediately took out her mobile phone and, at 75% volume, regaled the rest of us and her lucky callee with her hopes and expectations for her upcoming trip to Byron Bay.

Although this may sound strange coming from a man who blogs to the world, which is in itself a form of loud talking on the bus, I wonder whether this girl finds time to herself to just think rather than talk. One of the things she perhaps may think about, if she ever found the time, is how utterly ridiculous she sounds.

After alighting from the bus, I passed her in the street. I was surprised to see that she wasn't still on the phone. Her think-time, perhaps?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

A Revelation

I read this stunningly informative article yesterday on the Sydney Morning Herald website, which reports on the results of a study. Feel free to read it yourself, but don't read it standing up or if you have heart complaints because the shock may cause you to faint to the floor.

Employees wary, unmotivated after sacking 
(http://www.smh.com.au/national/employees-wary-unmotivated-after-sackings-20090308-8sh5.html)

My stars, how insightful! Who on earth would have guessed, that after there have been sackings at a company, the remaining employees are less motivated. It is a complete revelation.

I have heard that the Sydney Morning Herald are running these related stories:
  • Study confirms reducing staff reduces employee costs
  • Poll results: workers prefer not to be retrenched
  • Happy staff are more productive

The only, and I mean the ONLY slightly surprising information provided by this "news" item, is the last paragraph, which states that nearly 50% of companies that sack staff need to rehire soon. And being one of those people that was retrenched and then re-hired quite soon after by the same company, it is not nearly so much of a surprise to me. Actually, what is a suprise is that these nearly 50% of companies are willing to admit their incompetence.

What is the greatest surprise is that:
  • People got paid for the results of the study; and
  • Someone got paid to write that article.