Working Mums

I have to admit that i was one of "those people" You know, the ones that think Facebook, twitter, blogging, and oh golly, You Tube were for mindless entertainment - for people who have too much time on their hands. I simply just did not get it.

My initial perceptions of social networking, really stemmed from the use of the word "social". The Australian culture tends to use the term social to refer to leisure pursuits, such as gatherings with friends over a weekend BBQ, as opposed to the development of communities of like minded people. So to me social networking was something you would do with your time off work - entertainment at best.

Interactions with classic Gen Y went on to validate this perception. It seemed the art of holding a conversation was replaced with the unique ability of biting one another with their Vampire Alto-Ego on the virtually attached FaceBook. OK.......... Not for me.......

After the birth of my third child, I commenced working from home more often. A work benefit I appreciated and enjoyed, a benefit that enabled me to work productively whilst being accessible to my children. But slowly I became all to familiar with the isolation and lack of community that was being created in my world.

By chance, the opportunity to work on a project arose, which would require me to better understand social networking. And so began my journey - a journey I thought that I would, well, blog about.

I began by looking at my social networks. I did have a LinkedIn connection, but whilst I had some connections added, they were left to collect dust, rather like my childhood collections of smurfs and strawberry shortcake dolls. Time to dust off those connections and make them work for me.

So began my learning.

I started by looking at my professional networks. So I can use LinkedIn to build my network. OK got it. Now what. With caution I stepped into the world of blogging. Initially I simply added comments to existing blogs - I stopped just being a silent observer and began participating in online conversations. Soon this was not enough. I needed a creative outlet and found that I had something to say. With trepidation, I commenced my own blog. And over time realised I could promote and market my blog through links in my social network. 
 

So Now time to look at Facebook - reluctantly I created an account ............. and well have become a Facebook Fan. I can build my personal network, I can join groups of interest and meet new people with common interests in marketing, branding, innovation, parenting - and these contacts just maybe will become part of my professional network in the future................ Wow, who would have thought.

I have mentioned @Wonderwebby in previous blogs. I met @Wonderwebby via instant messaging and she has since become someone I respect and admire. Sensing my relunctance WonderWebby has gently provided me with some suggestions on tools to consider as part of my social network strategy - as and when I have been ready. She encouraged me to take a look at Twitter. At first glance it looks like a, well, time waster - entering in what you were doing... now really, who has time to write about what they are doing - I do not have enough time living life. Then I discovered a world of thought provocation - access to people who would challenge me to rethink my opinions - who would allow me to understand how others are using their internet and social networking strategy, the latest in branding and innovation across the globe, and also have a little bit of fun------- wow, so I am not the only parent still awake at 1am with kids who are determined to keep waking up on the hour. Thank goodness I am not alone. Sanity retrieved!

So now I can tweet a thought, generate ideas and a greater understanding of common dilemmas and information requirements, and participate and lead blog conversations.

The evolution of my journey has seen me recently create my very own aviator on Second Life. Now I have not graduated from the Smurfs on Atari so please appreciate this is BIG, HUGE, MAJOR step for me. For a few hours (or more) I wondered around aimless in this new virtual world. It took me forever to work out that I could leave Orientation Island. Then this new world of collaboration and learning emerged. A world where marketing, HR and Learning Strategies could be executed, a world that I should have explored before. Whilst my aviator skills are still poor at best, I have some great incentives to learn - a number of upcoming virtual events and education courses that I would like to participate in. Shell Zamora - watch out for my aviator and if she looks a little lost - please be patient - I am still very much on my aviator Learner Plates!

Where to now? I recently subscribed to Chris Brogan's Newsletter - Social Networking Elite - check it out and subscribe! In his Friday blog, he mentioned four key social networking tools to check out, with clear value propositions for getting involved. There is an ever evolving stream of new social networking tools to use - at the end of the day it is not about the tools you elect to use but how you use the tools you choose, to collaborate and learn. This newsletter will help you to look at some current social networking software and help you consider whether or not these will add benefit to your life, or simply clutter your already busy network.

So what do I now think of social networking.

Social networking. It is simply a way to collaborate with people on a global scale, with the tools you chose to use. I can do that.

Oh and those dusty childhood collections of Smurfs and Strawberry Shortcake Dolls have been dusted off and networked with my kids - to find new and innovative games to play with the exciting new toys!

Happy dusting!

Michelle

xx

“The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions, strategies or opinions."

With four days to enjoy spending with my family over Easter, I spent the time relaxing and recharging. I was given the opportunity to think - Is Work Life Balance Achievable?

I met @Wonderwebby via Instant Messaging recently, and she commented on my last blog - do we achieve balance or do we simply put in 110% to everything we do.

I think both. For me balance is about being able to make choices and being able to throw myself into everything I chose to do with commitment and dedication. This means a choice to protect the happiness and well being of my family and to pursue a career that inspires and challenges me to grow and develop. The passion I have for my family, converts to enthusiasm and energy in the work force - the enjoyment and reward I take out of my career converts to sheer joy that I bring back into my household - integration at last!

When I returned to work after my third little bambino, I returned five days and have to say I was finding it difficult to keep a smile on my face - something seemed to be missing and I felt that the pendulum of life ever so gently tipped in favour of work instead of my family. So I reviewed my options and my divine and understanding manager agreed to enable me to commence a compressed working week, with the option of flexible hours.

Huh? I hear you all asking. OK I am using this blog to try and explain this as simply as possible.

Rather than 5 days I work 4 days and have a 3 day weekend every weekend. I am able to do this because I work 4 long days each week, from 7.30am each day to 6.30pm and then again from 9.30pm onwards. I say onwards because the time I finishes depends on whether I have taken off some time during the day to for instance pick up my daughter from school, go to the gym (sorry I am not one of those mums who bounced back to pre high school weight.......... I have to work on my weight, my health and well have me time to be honest!), or attend a swimming carnival or concert for instance...........
So I have compressed my working week from 5 days into 4 days, and the four days I work have a flexible end time so that I can still meet my family commitments. Get it?

Here is what I like about a compressed working week
1. I feel more involved with my children's life
2. I am happier
3. If I am working on a "meaty" project I can throw myself into it whilst my energy levels and excitement about the project are high
4. I am available to reach colleagues across the globe  - in the morning I can be talking to my US contacts, throughout the day my contacts across most of Asia Pacific, and in the evening my contacts in India and Europe. Great when you need an urgent response to a particular issue!!
5. I have a three day weekend every week!
6. I was working the hours anyway - now I have more time to recharge so I am more productive and energised each week!
7. Reduced child care costs - 4 days instead of 5. And you can structure to work more hours once the kids are in bed (with admission, you do need the support of a fabulous partner here! I am lucky!)

Here is what can be difficult
1. They are long hours every week
2. Like all parents - if you have been up all night with a sick baby, the thought of a long working day can be daunting ........... and quite frankly it is tough (I am writing this after 1 hour of sleep for the night ! Ouch!)
3. When you log on again after 3 days, your email can be out of control.............. I do tend to log on over the weekend just to clear the basic requirements and avoid fatigue on Monday morning!

Here is what you need
1. the ability to work responsibly and manage your hours, work and family commitments
2. Supportive family
3. Supportive management and team
4. A desire to want this to work - fueled by a commitment to integrate your work and family life in such a way that the end result is happiness all round.

Aristotle once said "Nothing is so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals".

Isn't it grand not to be boxed into the confines of equal treatment for all!

See you again soon,

Michelle
xx


“The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions, strategies or opinions.”