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4 - Glass Half Full 'comment from the USA'
A former drinks PR's optimistic guide to life after redundancy.
Days since redundancy: stopped counting
Best purchase: fingerless gloves
Offers of paid work: 2
'Out of the blue' leads: 2
THE FIRST snowfall of the year induced a slight sense of panic at Shiel Comms HQ last week.
There's no denying that Christmas and the end of the year really are just round the corner and, despite some new expressions of interest and a growing list of leads, I'm unlikely to find a juicy contract in my stocking next month.
It's been a good week, though. Having my blog published on the County Times website (www.wscountytimes.co.uk) earns me a grudging acknowledgement from my sons that I'm "not a complete loser", despite being out of work and therefore lacking the necessary funds for their X-Box games and gig tickets.
I send the link to just about everyone I know in Horsham. Which includes a friend in a marketing role locally who, as chance would have it, is reviewing her PR spend and might just need a freelance.
As previously blogged, you don't know where the leads will come from, so be sure to cast your net far and wide.
Spurred by this local media coup, I investigate local business opportunities more closely.
After years of commuting to London, I feel a little unconnected to 'my' town, but why wouldn't I want clients on my doorstep, if they can offer interesting work and a decent day rate?
And if there's work to be had in the current climate, I should find it more easily in Horsham, recently billed as "the UK's eighth most recession-proof town" than anywhere else.
Attracting smaller, local businesses will mean presenting myself in a different way, as a communications expert with transferable skills rather than a specialist in the drinks industry.
Having said that, the town is home to a couple of brewers. I move 'local research' up several places on my 'to do' list.
One of the nicest things about the drinks business – apart from the drink – is the people.
I've known this for a while, and yet I've been pleasantly surprised by the kindness shown me by many industry friends and contacts over the last month.
Busy people have taken time out of their day to meet me, suggest avenues to explore for work and generously share their contacts. You all know who you are. And I know I owe you a drink once the business starts to come in.
In an idle moment, I google 'glass half full'. Thrillingly, my MA blog appears at the top of page 3.
More popular items include the Cadbury's website, a poetry anthology and, more relevant, a debate on the Guardian website about off-trade beer prices.
It's interesting to read the posts from these 'beer advocate consumers'. And heartening to see such passion for beer, as readers recommend their favourite beer pub or specialist off-license.
It's not all positive though; there is criticism of the limited selection of beers available, particularly in the on-trade, and a view that the way beer is presented in the average British pub still lags behind the way it is served across much of Europe.
I'm still thinking about this article when I walk into town at the weekend, to meet a friend in one of the clutch of coffee shops that have sprung up over the past five years.
I ask myself why I'm not meeting her for a beer in the pub instead. It can't be the price differential that's putting us off, as we're clearly prepared to spend 3 on a coffee that would cost, what, 10p to make at home.
What is it about the coffee shops that makes them more appealing, despite the queues and inflated prices?
The range of coffees – but so many pubs can offer equal now? The comfy sofas? The newspapers?
I resolve to suggest an alternative, licensed venue next time. There might even be a blog in it, 'Shoppers Half Cut', perhaps?
Ros Shiel was public relations manager for Beautiful Beer, a campaign funded by the UK's brewers and pub companies to improve the image of beer. She was made redundant in October after brewers slashed funding and is now working as a freelance PR consultant and copywriter. Ros lives in Horsham and spends her free time running round the park, writing blogs and drinking beer in the Black Jug.
The following comment has been received:
As an American who has visited UK on three occasions, I find your regular ruminations quite fascinating.
They help me in recalling a few jovial encounters in London pubs. Those visits, taken while our daughter was studying in London for one semester, have yielded fond reminders of golden Pilsners and those ubiquitous green peas.
As a result of your postings, I am now looking for Horsham on the map; it's great to learn about the mother country and all. Merry old England!
Regarding your predicament, Ros, I do suggest broadening your horizons. The coffee connection could surely be one to explore. Admittedly, as an American I'm biased in the coffee direction.
That way you cover both ends of the day. You wouldn't want to be hangin' about in the pubs all day now would you?
It appears that you are adjusting well to redundancy. Maybe you should write a book; that's what I did when redundancy rearranged my life. Cheerio!
Carey Rowland , author of Glass half-Full.
Boone, North Carolina, USA
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Weather for Horsham
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
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