Meet Rachael (yes another Rachael!)

1. Name
Rachael Dye, although outside of work I’m mostly Rae
2. Age
Sadly 31

3. What are you doing at StairSteady?
I’m working part time 9:30 till 3:45 most days although I do get to go on exciting trips to Glasgow and Birmingham for meetings and Exhibitions! I take care of most of the day to day office jobs and StairSteady sales as well as finding new leads for Ruth to follow up, as she is fabulous at the training, presentations and trade side of things J I’m also involved in developing a press pack and advertisments at the moment.

4. Why did you want to work at StairSteady?
I worked at StairSteady on a temporary basis after Rachel Kent left, it was only supposed to be until a replacement was found but i fell in love with my job! I wanted to work for a company that didn’t just care about making money out of people. I have a background in the NHS and wanted to do something that was working with people and as corney as it sounds making a difference to peoples lives. I also love how no one day is the same here, I can be answering phones and sending emails one day then at an exhibition and researching leads the next.

5. What do you want to get out of it?
I want to be a part of a team where each person is valued for what they bring and here at StairSteady that feels like it happens each day. I also want learn new skills, I love the challenge of doing new things. Last week i designed my first ever advert for a magazine, and although there was a fair bit of cursing my computer, I could sit back at the end of the day and see what I had acheived. I also get to meet some really genuinely interesting and nice people.

6. What are your strengths?
I think probably my dedication and perseverance are probably two of my strengths, I give 101% to everything I do. I’m also good at communicating with others and dealing with people in stressful situations.


7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I have two young children at the moment so in 10 years time i hope that they will be at an age where we can do some travelling, there is so much of the world i would like to see. Career wise i’d love to be with StairSteady having watched it transform from the small company it is now to something much larger, I know though with Ruth as a Manager and Me here too it will still keep hold of all those things we both feel are so important such as the customer focus and the ethical and moral ideals with both value. Who knows maybe we might have trade partners in the
far- flung places so i can combine my two goals! J

8. How would your friends describe you?
As someone they can turn too when they need to be heard or need a hand with something, hopefully just as a good friend.

9. Describe yourself in three words
Reliable, dedicated and caring
10. Do you like to go to the gym? (queation courtesy of Eamonn Hunt)
I’d love to have the time and energy! With two young children and work I don;t get chance any more but when i get opportunity I love to go out into beauiful places and walk or climb.
11. What do you do in your spare time
Haha see above! No seriously when i get chance I love being outdoors walking and camping etc but I also love music and creative things like making my own jewelery.

12. What is your favourite thing about Sheffield?
I love the fact that there is something for everyone, whatever you are into. The botanical gardens and various parks and green spaces are beautiful. I spent some time near Endcliffe park and Eccleshall Road and just the variety of things on offer there are fabulous, I could shop have a cup of real coffe and organic food then feel virtuous by walking through the park afterwards!

13. Do you like cheese? Which ones? (queation courtesy of Eamonn Hunt)

I have to confess that cheese isn’t my favourite food but Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Red Winsor Cheese and Stilton with apricots and cranberries.


14. Favourite Film

These days its mostly Disney with the kids, but some of them are quite good! I do like a good Murder Mystery or Cop drama though. I’m really looking forward to seeing The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo now its out.

15. Favourite food

I’m Vegetarian and I love berries, nearly all fruit and vegetables and things like cuos cous, brown rice, quinoa etc. I cook quite a lot so i often make stir fries, roast meditteranean vegetables and tagines etc.. as long as its fairly healthy then i’m happy!

16. Favourite Band

I love loads of different kinds of music, at the moment i’m listening to a lot of Pink, Florence and the Machine, Lady GaGa, My Chemical Romance.. but i’m also into the Beetles, Queen & Classical. All sorts really J

17. Favourite Shop

Oh hard choice.. I love Lush. For Clothes I have to go where they do a short range! I do like Top Shop, River Island and Next but you can’t beat Primark and New Look for a Bargin

18. Favourite Place

I fell in Love with Granada when i went out there for a relatives wedding, just to be able to walk on a deserted beach and snorkle before breakfast was amazing, it was also the one and only time I have seen the rainforest which I loved. Closer to home though i love the coast at places like Whitby, I like Manchester and Leeds for city life but nothing beats the peak district for the scenery and walking.

19. Favourite Sweets

Flying Saucers! Oh and a really high cocoa solids Dark Chocolate, Fair Trade though.

20. Tell us something that we would never think about you.
Ooh now what to tell when my boss will read this..! I have a little box full of earings as I only ever wear one of each set.. I also have Grade 5 Piano.

Rachael is our new StairSteady Co-ordinator so many of you may be speaking to her on the phone,

Hope everyone is keeping warm in this horrible weather,

R

Looking for a Job?

A good friend of mine Will is looking for a someone to joing his team. Could this be for you?

Community Manager Job Description

We seek a highly motivated individual with experience and fanatical-passion for blogging, micro-blogging and community participation leadership. Is building social community so ingrained you just can’t stop? Do you take pride in customer service excellence and fancy yourself as an entrepreneur?

We are a youth engagement company with a Crowd Community website launch in January. You’ll work directly with co-founder Emily Cummins, Barclays Woman of the Year, and be based in either our London or Leeds offices. This position is full time salaried with benefits, including attending mainstream and niche’ conferences. The successful candidate will hold an integral role, be a key marketeer and will contribute to corporate objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Take a strategic, metric based approach to achieving positive ROI.
Use data-base segmentation within your targeted strategy to grow user numbers
Interact with our customers to align unselfish service of their needs, with our corporate objectives
Be the eyes and ears of our brand as if your own reputation depended on it
Build and maintain our network by way of social media channels
Minute by minute participation in conversations that surround our content and brand, answer comments, be a mediator.
Identify threats and opportunities in user generated content surrounding our brand, report to appropriate parties.
Crisis management, extinguishing the flames of uproar
Interact with client and corporate agencies.
Create content for feeds and snippets in various social media sites.
Participate, as yourself and white hat avatars, on our behalf
Optimise tags, on our feeds, sharing sites like YouTube/Flickr and search engines through copywriting, creative & keyword optimisation.
Tag and title content, with an understanding of how the word’s chosen impact natural search traffic and rankings
Manage and track link building campaigns
Create and update daily, weekly and monthly reports


Our ideal candidate will be able to tick many of the below;
Has a degree in music, advertising, marketing, graphics, web development, communications, English, IT, theatre or anthropology.
Excel at research, possesses excellent writing skills and the ability to crank editorial and technical writing output without brooding.
Has work experience in advertising, PR, online marketing or similar
Dedicated to blogging and use of Facebook
Demonstrated creativity and documented immersion in social media
Demonstrated some ability to map out a marketing strategy and then drive that strategy proven by testing and metrics
Ability to jump from the creative side to analytical side
Ambitious
Understand organic optimization (SEO), social media optimization (SMO) and paid placement (PPC).
Understand libel, defamation and copyright infringement.
Discretion to identify threats and opportunities in user generated content
Understands social media universe including YouTube, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Flickr, Twitter, Wikis, blogs, etc…We’re looking for a social media addict who maintains a personal mix of participatory expertise from among these channels.
Knowledge of name and tagging posts
Has excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to work individually on a project or in a team environment
Is eager to meet and exceed objectives and take on more responsibility
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines
Ability to communicate results to management and in a fast paced environment

Leeds Round Foundry Media Centre, Foundry Street, Leeds LS11 5QP
London 16 Old Town, Clapham, London SW4 0JY
Surrey Lawster House, 140 South Street, Dorking, Surrey RH4 2EU

08444 774 100

Keep Smiling,
R

Inspirational Magazine

i was asked to write an article for Inspirational Magazine,

you can see it on pages 36-37 http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1oavn/InspirationalMagazin/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F185185%2FInspirational-Magazine-revised-version

and for those that cant see the link, here is the text:

You never hear a man being asked what it’s like ‘being a man in business’ and yet in interviews people always ask me what it’s like being a woman in business or engineering. I don’t mind them asking but often it’s asked as if it was a hindrance, as if because of this reason I must find everyday a struggle.
At the age of sixteen when I first started my business I found that odd. For me living with my mother, who is a true representation of all things inspiring, meant that I never experienced any sort of gender inequality. Growing up in a world where my mother could keep down a job, clean the house, cook the tea, study for a master (and then a doctorate), run us around to our various hobbies and still have time to be a pillar of the community meant that by the age of sixteen I was in no doubt that it was a woman’s world.
This all meant that when, while doing my GCSE resistant materials, I got entered into the Young Engineer For Britain competition and then won I was thrown into a world of gender stereotyping. My first experience of being treated differently came the morning after I won the award. With no sleep and a lot of adrenaline I was doing a morning of interviews (which to a sixteen year old was bizarre to say the least). My first interview was with radio5live ‘the money programme’ and as I entered the studio and realised I was not only a) the only woman, but b) the youngest by at least two decades, I should have been prepared for a little bit of gender bashing. This however did not even cross my mind, I was on a real buzz after winning the award. The question that shocked me was one of the first of my three minute interview, that went along the lines of ‘so Ruth, why engineering? You look like so many others that want to media studies’. Well! I was shocked by such blatant bit of stereotyping and after what seemed like five minutes (although when you listen back it is only a couple of seconds) I fought my corner for women in whatever field they wanted to succeed in.
After my first encounter with these opinions I encountered many more from, being too young for business banking to comments about dressing too much like a woman. However, as the years went on I learnt to embrace, as my mother had, the joys of being a women in what was perceived by outsiders and the media as a man’s world. I found I had a lot more media attention, I relished in the comment ‘you don’t look like an engineer..’ or ‘ you run your own business, at YOUR age..’
I found that in my own little way I was breaking down barriers. I make a conscious decision not to change the way I dressed to fall into step behind the men and to enjoy the fact that I was a women doing what I enjoyed. Being a women in whatever field you choose to work in does not change that fundamentally that you are a women, I find that companies run by women are often run in slightly different ways to male led organisation, and I like that, it does not mean that they are any less successful. Oh and just because I think women should embrace being women does not mean that I think we should trample and stamp out all the men, I just like it when there is a balance.
Although I am sure there will come a day when men are asked ‘How do you find it being a man in business?’.



Hope your all having a good day,
Ruth

I am a very bad blogger...

I really need to blog more... whoops

So all has been busy in the StairSteady Office:

-We have a new leaflet and logo by printing.com, read all about it

http://growyourbusinesswithprintingcom.blogspot.com/

and look how pretty it looked when we did some filming for the Manufacturing Diploma

- We have taken on another Rachael, this time on a more permanent basis, blog intro to come.

-Up to Christmas we are running a scheme that any new orders that we receive we will create a Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child on behalf of the customer.

-We had a very product logistics meeting (I love my flo diagrams).

-Next week we have a meeting with Handicare (formally Minivator) who do our fittings for us.

-Revenue and Customs are doing some filming....more to come I promise.

Here the link to the other videos
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1081994865&type=ONEOFFPAGE

and

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1084616829&type=CAMPAIGN

-I may have an announcement to make this week or next... so follow me on twitter to be the first to hear @RuthAmos

Short post I know but my aim is to blog more, it’s good for the soul.

Bloodhound SSC: Doncaster College

I am very proud to say that I am a Bloodhound Project ambassador, now ‘what is the project?’ I hear you say; well the Bloodhound Project is the engineering adventure for the 21st century. They are pushing the limits and inspiring young engineers and scientists by building incredible car, driven by Andy Green, capable of 1,000mph. That’s right the Bloodhound Project is about breaking the land speed record (sexy right?) and so it is a big honour to be one of their ambassadors.

Lead by Richard Noble the Project is all about celebrating British Engineering at its finest. The Project team consists of some of the world’s most revered engineering talent the individuals involved have been hand picked to ensure BLOODHOUND SSC is a global success, bringing together previous partnerships and fostering new talent in one of the most exciting engineering adventures that the world has seen for many years.

So where do I come in? Well Jonathon Ellis is the Ambassador Director and with Jo Finch was holding a two day education event at Doncaster College, and this is finally where I come in. The days are to encourage, inspire and inform and I go under the heading on inspire. We two days were full of talks, time to see how the car would look, look at the spec, have a go at driving it (in the driving simulator, I wish I could drive the real thing!). We even got a visit from the Mayor.

The BLOODHOUND SSC project is unique when compared to other ground breaking engineering ventures in that all the information about the research, design, build and testing of the car is available to teachers and students, and of course to anyone that wishes to visit the website

The website is full of information, ideas and videos please take a look http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/

Or drop them an email to request an education day for your school, college or group http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/education.cfm

So you’ve had the information and links, now for the pictures (and all my silly faces, the photographer told me after ‘your very ...er....expressive’)

Im not the only one who is 'expressive'

Jonathon explains the features of the car 'it goes very fast'

Jo talks about where Andy be sat


The Mayor tries the fantastic driving simulator

And Finally.... my expressive talk

.....Aspire.....

...er...surprise?....

... and explanation

Job Vacancy

We are looking for someone to join our small local company on a temporary, part time basis.
Working Hours/ 5days a week
Mon-Thur 10.00-15.00
Fri 10.00-13.00

Applicant needs:
· Excellent Phone Manner
· Office Skills including- Word, Excel, Basic Finance and Email
· Willing to work independently
· Confident in dealing with all age groups
Hourly Rate £6.00
Applications by the 30th September 2010

To Apply Please Send Your CV To:
StairSteady Ltd
Westthorpe Innovation Centre
Killamarsh
Sheffield
S21 1TZ

Or Email info@stairsteady.net

Any queries please call
08456528804

TEDx Sheffield

TEDxSheffield
Yesterday was my first, but I hope not my last TED event I spent the afternoon at the showroom Sheffield for an afternoon of ideas, thoughts and me trying to sit still.

I have used the TED website before so when I heard that TEDxSheffield was on a day I was free and a friend had a spare ticket I jumped at the chance to have the ‘TED experience’ first hand. Now any of you that hasn’t heard of TED or have heard but never explored (shame on you),
TED is:

‘TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader.’

The TED website http://www.ted.com/ is filled with days worth of talks on many subject, many that inspire and inform. I would highly recommend that you have a look.

TEDxSheffield is about:

‘the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)’

So how was TEDxSheffield?....thought provoking, exciting, generally fantatastic (apart from the fact that I don’t do the sitting sit thing very well).

Chris Anderson welcomed us and introduced us to our first speaker Cennydd Bowles who talked about the beauty of the web, or lack of beauty in the web, the potential that was there for art and beauty and how functionality doesn’t create beauty. The fact that trying to please everyone often pleases no one. Very Thought provoking and he used a gorgeous font for his text.

The next talk was a TED Talk introduced by Jonny Douglas of Jonny Douglas Design (http://www.jonnydouglas.com/) or @JonnyDouglas on twitter. This was a talk about gross national happiness, another talk to make you think.

Then on to our second live speaker Richard St John, now this guy was a professional, but not in a *yawn* he does this talk times a day, he was lively and talked on ‘success’ he had talked to over 500 successful people and he talked about the values of success (he has a book too, 8ways to be successful). The main thing about Richards talk was his obvious love to push himself and he had climbed many mountains and ran many marathons (I may wish to follow in his footsteps after seeing the photos). Here is a small extract of his talk http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html

Then it was time for a break to stretch our legs, then on with the afternoon’s entertainment.
To get us back into the swing of things they showed us ‘Terrible Terry Tate, Office Linebacker’ if you have never seen it please google it, its a good giggle.

Our next talk was from Alex Graham, CEO of Wall to Wall, a media company responsible for creating shows like, Who do you think you are, The 1900’s house and Man on Wire.
I found him interesting, it’s obviously not his day job, but he had some good stories and the pretence of, “5 ways to kill creativity” was a good framework. Being a fan of the 1900 house as a child I was very excited to hear the man who had produced one of the first TV series I remember watching as a family.

Then was my favourite speaker, Tom Scott (although his time slot was a shorter one) with his amusing and thought provoking take on social media. He was very good, funny, I was taking notes. It was more of a show than a talk and after an afternoon of trying to find it you can see a recording of his talk
http://www.tomscott.com/mob/

Then we saw a famous TED talk about not being a leader, be the first follower a short but neverless entertaining talk by Derek Sivers titled’ hoe to start a movement’
Then we went onto the penultimate speaker Andy Hanselman, who as a friend of mine was one of the main reasons I wanted to support. Having heard Andy speak before he always keeps motivating me and today was no different.

And so onto the last speaker of the day Doug Richard and with an open letter to Mr Cameron, I found it thought provoking, sensible and ...funny. I don’t know why I wasn’t expecting the humour, but I found that he made me think, question things and smile.

So as the afternoon drew to a close, I was sad it was over, looking forward to next time, loved the constant tweeting...oh and knew that I would be spending most of my free time finding other inspiring talks on the TED website.

oh an a shameless twitter plug follow me @ruthamos