Magic Satchel, Inc. » inspiration

Twitter + Overstock= Social Media Win

Kim — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:47:22 +0000

Watching companies having to interact with customers and potential customers or run the risk of being internet hated-on has been interesting. Sites like Consumerist make it so one bad interaction with the public can be forever etched into Google Search Results.

One of my favorite things is when companies are really nice without having to be. I started following Overstock.com’s twitter feed because I like shopping and secret deals, and I got a DM from them. Confession: I almost never read DMs because they’re all generally copy-pasted. I don’t mind them or hate them or what have you, I just ignore them. This one caught my eye.

Thanks for following us! Best of luck with Magic Satchel!

Okay, that might not seem like a big deal. But in that short sentence, Overstock communicated to me that they’d taken the time to check out my Twitter feed, and crafted a personal reply.

Have I ever bought anything from Overstock? Not yet. Will I now? Like, as soon as possible.

Tweet This Post

Inspiration, Incoming

Kim — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:42:42 +0000

Virtual assistants, virtual workers, home office pioneers- your space is really your space, and these are some inspirational home-work spaces. Check it out!

WebWorkerDaily » Archive 5 Inspirational Workspaces «.

Tweet This Post

Everyone, pack it in with the business cards- Lego wins

Kim — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:24:06 +0000

I just got my new business cards from Moo this week, and I was very happy. They are all black, made of lovely partially matte paper, and alternate colorful backgrounds you might find draped in fine coated cotton across provencal-style farmhouse kitchen tables in the visual merchandising at Anthropologie. They come with sleek little deck of cards holders that coordinate with your card color. The printing was gorgeous, the logo crisp, the modern fonts clean and bright in white against the rich black background. These were the cooooolest business cards I’ve ever seen!

But no. Enough of my life is not consumed by Lego as it is, Lego had to go and totally steal my hot new business card thunder by trumpeting the coolest business cards of all time. And what’s worse, they are.

Getting under my bare feet every time I step away from the computer is one thing, Lego, but now you’ve gone too far. In fact, due to you, I have a new tag- “enviable innovations.”

Tweet This Post

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.

Kim — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:31:16 +0000

Another CNN piece on the economic crisitunity.

Professionals are realizing the prescribed path of a college degree leading to a lucrative job may no longer exist, as the volatile economy takes a toll on some of the soundest professions, such as banking and law. Almost every day Fortune 500 companies announce more layoffs, leaving remaining workers left to fear they may be next.

Some small businesses owners say launching a new venture in tough times is better than doing nothing.

“It may not be as glamorous or as prestigious as what you had been doing before you lost your job, but it may well save you.”

via Bad economy? Do what you love – CNN.com.

Tweet This Post

The Essential Mobile Office

Kim — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:13:18 +0000

From Laptop Hobo, a list of basics to do business any time, anywhere. Just in case you were feeling your office was underequipped.

Hardware:

Laptop (preferably “ultra-portable”)

Back-up medium (external drive or disks)

Power-surge protector

Mobile/cell (tri-band) phone w/Bluetooth

Bluetooth, Wlan capabilities

External mouse or trackball

Headset (for telephony access)

Carrying case (preferably a hard-shell case)

Non-Hardware:

Dial-up access (Access the Internet via standard telephone line or mobile phone.)

Telephony account (Computer to computer/land-line service, such as Skype.)

Hi-speed Internet access (Know where the cyber cafes are, or order it for your flat.)

Your laptop’s original back-up program disks.

Tweet This Post

From Web Worker Daily: The Value of a Mentor

Kim — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:12:02 +0000

Interesting thing about mentor-types, in my experience. They are more than willing to share knowledge and experience merely because it moves them. While the position of consultant is necessary and worthy, the experienced entrepreneur who enlightens the young upstart is an amazing resource. I’ve learned things through various means, but no lessons were as practical, useful and comprehensive as those I learned working alongside or consulting with those who had been where I was and moved forward. Even the knowledge gleaned in off-hand comments about what doesn’t work (don’t bother with that, what a waste of time!) has come back to help me personally time and time again.

A not-too-far in the past co-worker used to admonish me sometimes for my tendency to sort things out alone, always reminding me ask the question. But sometimes it is that simple, and everyone starting out should think about adding a few seasoned contacts to their address book or Twitter feed.

If you don’t already have such a network, don’t despair. The great thing about the Internet these days is that you have unprecedented access to experts in your field, and chances are good that you’ll find some who are generous enough to share. You may find the info you need just by reading their blogs, but you can also establish relationships with these virtual strangers by subscribing to their blogs and actively participating in the conversation.

via WebWorkerDaily » Archive Web Work 101: New Web Worker? Who’s Got Your Back? «.

Tweet This Post

Workspace inspiration: Cool Cubicals

Kim — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:50:53 +0000

Spending days on the cubefarm getting you down? Via Lifehacker, this stunning cubical (yes, cubical) is much less soul-sucking than any I’ve seen. Cute lamps and darker walls create a soothing, un-Office Space like environment, and a small selection of nice personal pics replaces the usual mishmash of random photos.

Like most cubicles across the land, Brad’s cubicle was a bland affair of generic speckled-gray modular panels. He tacked black fabric over the paneling—easy to do, since the walls of most cubicles are essentially giant bulletin boards—and added two small accent lamps with bold red shades. The black fabric does enough to dampen the overhead lighting, so the lamps have a chance to really add a visual punch to the workspace. Originally supplied with only a laptop, Brad further tweaked his workspace for comfort by bringing an LCD monitor from home and adding an ergonomic keyboard.

Featured Workspace: The Noir Cubicle.

Tweet This Post

Tools of the trade: Netbooks?

Kim — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:49:07 +0000

Ever since I first laid eyes on a white Asus netbook earlier this year, I fell in love with the concept of using a smaller laptop in exchange for fuss-free travel.

Me too. While my beloved white iBook is fantastic when it works, it breaks when you look at it funny and feels like a brick in my bag. I’ve been back and forth with Netbooks because of the tiny screen, but I’m more and more convinced I need one of these things sooner rather than later.

Further selling points for me are that so many Netbooks run on Linux (I wish more laptops would come customizable with that option) and they come in a rainbow of colors you can match to your wardrobe palette. Sweet.

Click the link below to read a quick rundown on which common netbooks sport which features.

An Introduction To Popular Netbooks.

Tweet This Post

Virtual Valentine’s Day ‘09

Kim — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:30:35 +0000

Your Virtual Assistant is on moderated assisting duty whilst I spend a long weekend celebrating Virtual Valentine’s Day.

I don’t want you to get bored, so please:

Make a baby with anyone via VW;

Stay hype on the stimulus situation and just say no to coffer looting!

Become an expert on Artisinal Ice Cream.

Add some steampunk cred to your desktop with these cool icons!

And bring chapstick.

Tweet This Post

Organize your Inspiration with Polyvore

Kim — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:31:54 +0000

Polyvore is a site that can suck hours from you with its sheer possibility. Above and beyond the fun of compiling infinite cool outfits is a neat little quick and dirty tool for short and long term planning.

Personally, I’ve used it to visualize a room before I change it around or decorate. I’ve also used it to create ideal rooms and workspaces as an incentive or as a tool to clarify inspiration. Use it to make a visual for your most important short and long term goals- a position, a place… and of course, what you’ll be wearing. Polyvore can also be used to pull together visual elements for a presentation, much like a sketchpad or collaged storyboard. (Click the pic to try it out!)

Polyvore.com

Tweet This Post