Categories
Social Media

Elon’s Twitter

Ok, I know it’s been a while – a lot has been going on, however – I knew for a fact, that you’d be thinking, hope Bal writes something about Elon buying Twitter! And yes, here it is… a quick blog post about Elon and Twitter.

For those who don’t know what Twitter is – Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as “tweets”. Registered users can post, like, and retweet tweets, but unregistered users can only read those that are publicly available.

Twitter Is Making Its Platform Safer With This New Feature

There’s millions, if not billions of people who use Twitter. And if you’re on there and not following me… I am @balbansal

Now, to the story in hand. Elon, who we all know from SpaceX, Tesla, etc… has gone and bought it for a cool $44bn.

Elon Musk's Twitter profile displayed on a computer screen and Twitter logo displayed on a phone screen are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on April 9, 2022.

Elon (who is worth $273bn) said…

“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,”.

“I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans,” he added.

“Twitter has tremendous potential – I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it.”

The move comes as Twitter faces growing pressure from politicians and regulators over the content that appears on its platform. It has drawn critics from left and right over its efforts to mediate misinformation on the platform.

In one of its most high-profile moves, last year it banned former US President Donald Trump, perhaps its most powerful user, citing the risk of “incitement of violence” – remember that?

At the time Mr Musk observed: “A lot of people are going to be super unhappy with West Coast high tech as the de facto arbiter of free speech.”

So there you go… Elon has bought Twitter, will enable a number of changes and as he loves ‘free speech’, it will be very interesting to see how the platform develops. Obviously he’ll be looking for a return on his investment but moreso… what is interesting is, he’d promised the World Health Organization, that if that could show a detailed plan on how to solve world hunger, he’d donate $6bn to the cause… they showed him the plan, but I’ve not heard about the $6bn being donated. Maybe he’ll tweet it soon….

So, what features do you think he should introduce first?

Categories
Social Media

Sunday Self Care

We know, in today’s world, there’s a lot of information.

We only have to open any social media platform, and there’s so much content available for us to consume… it’s crazy!

For example, you could stumble on various YouTube videos if you were looking to buy a new tumble dryer and were not sure which one to go for! Clearly explaining the benefits of a heat pump version as opposed a normal condenser one (real life example!).

With so much information, data and content – we need to ensure, that we take time for ourselves and disconnect.

Daily activities, such as work, home, family, friends, social media, other items will take their toll. Make sure, you are able to give what you can. And every day, it won’t be 100%.

We think, showing up daily is 100%. But is it really? What it actually means is that there’ll be various levels… not everyday, each day is the same.

Like anything in life, there’ll be ups and downs (smiles and frowns). What is important is you realise this. Not everyday, when you show up – means you do 100%. There’s so many external factors that can effect how you operate, how you do things.

Therefore, on Sunday… before the week ahead – make a list of things you want to accomplish. Things you want to achieve and things you’d like to do.

This way, you have goals, and know what you need to do. Yes, external factors might prevent you or slow you down, but if you’re focused, if you know what you want… chances of you getting it are higher.

Self-care, we speak alot about it, and it is important.

Technology can help.

I’ve said this before.

Technology is not to blame. It’s the users who are to blame.

Users should know when to stop. (I’m included in this as a user)

Or at least slow down. Or use it when required.

So take every Sunday to look after yourself.

Sunday Self Care – to prepare you for the week ahead.

Categories
Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

First and foremost – apologies.

I know a few of you have reached out to me, asking – where’s my blog posts, where’s my Friday Thought… can I share an update on particular tech, what do I think of the latest gadgets, etc…

I’ll be honest. It’s not that I had too much going on. It’s just someone, made a few comments, that seemed to suggest, I shouldn’t be posting as much.

I started this blog several years ago. I know I don’t have millions of readers – and you know what, that’s absolutely fine. Because, what I do know… is there are some readers. And they engage with me. And I know I’m making a difference.

So, I had to re-collect my thoughts. Think about, the purpose of this blog – and then do what I want to do.

And with that, I give you my Friday Thought… I’ve been following Steven for a while, and really do like his perspective on life…

Categories
Uncategorized

Home Office or Office Office…?

As ‘normality’ kicks in, with covid-19 restrictions lifting, many folk have started to go back into the office. And is this the right thing to do?

You remember the office right? – the commute to the office, the sitting around, the coffees, etc.. oh, and yes – don’t forget the work.

For the office-based folk – homeworking enabled them to the work they could from an office – but at home. Now… couple of things when you’re working from home (many would’ve realised…)

  1. There’s no commute. I’m not counting you coming down the stairs. That’s not a commute.
  2. The coffee breaks. Well, you can have a coffee break, but who will you talk to?
  3. Just looking up and talking to someone – unless your kids are there – it’s not going to happen.

The whole social aspect is kind of lost at home. You can try a zoom beer hour, it’s not the same thing.

Now saying all the above. I’m not saying you have to go into the office. What I’m actually saying is, you need a model that works for you. What is best for you, home working might be best for your personality – you might enjoy it, maybe you hated the commute, maybe you never took those coffee breaks, maybe you didn’t enjoy talking to other – and just loved the excel file your head was buried in all day.

Everyone is different.

Telling people to go back into the office is not the right thing.

Everyone should be able to make their own decision.

I’m going back into the office a day or two a week.

Why?

  1. Collaboration. Ideas come better and problems are solved quicker when you can talk to someone face to face. You can see their body language, their facial expressions and get more done when you are with someone.
  2. Communication. Yes, we can communicate over the phone and talk about things but when in person – you can use the softer sills that are needed for particular communications – such as changes to the organisation, new and upcoming events, etc…
  3. Consideration. Let’s be honest, a lot has happened in the past few years. Alot. and we need to be considerate to everyone. You just don’t know what they are going through. And if you know a little, and you are present… it may give them an opportunity to talk to someone. It’s good to talk.

One size does not fit all.

It’s what works best for you.

And with today’s technology enabling us to work from anywhere… do we really need offices?

Categories
Tech Tuesday

Too Good To Be True…?

I remember the old days… vaguely… when hard cash was used to purchase items. And if you didn’t have the money, then guess what… you couldn’t really buy it. Yes, you could go ahead and borrow money… but it came down to knowing what you had.

Technology has and has not…. helped.

Fast forward… we had debit/credit cards… now, we can pay via phone/watch and in some instances, we have repeat orders (where we get items delivered and automatically charged to our account!)

The issue here is… with this happening, we become a little lazy.

Not checking accounts. Not doing the due diligence required.

I’ve just been reading an article on the BBC News website – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60464668

Online subscription scams, many using bogus celebrity endorsements, are costing victims tens of millions of pounds a year, 

A fake MailOnline article

And it’s easy to fall victim.

The ‘fraudsters’ have become more clever. Making websites, apps, letters, etc… all look real and authentic!

But there’s some good advice available to help you but be careful when…

  1. It seems too good to be true – for example, a holiday that’s much cheaper than you’d expect. Honestly, you’ll get some good deals but if it’s way cheaper than everyone else… ask yourself, why?! What could be happening here…
  2. Someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly – what would you do? – I was always told, don’t speak to strangers (when I was a child)- same rules apply online. Today. As an adult.
  3. When you suspect you’re not dealing with a real company – for example, if there’s no postal address…. Everyone should have an address. Everyone should have an office/unit/etc… search online get some details. Do some research first!
  4. You’ve been asked to transfer money quickly – old trick in the book. Don’t lose out… this offer won’t last long… please, take the time to understanding what and who you are dealing with.
  5. You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way – for example, by iTunes vouchers or through a transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union… if this happens, remember the old days of hard cold cash!
  6. You’ve been asked to give away personal information like passwords or PINs… Alarm bells please. Under no circumstances, even if it’s the bank calling you on the phone – NEVER GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ANYONE! Especially passwords and PIN’s. And Especially if they’ve called you. Now if you ring a bank or a company, find their telephone on their legitimate website – and then they’ll only ask for verification details – they will not ask for your whole personal details!

There’s some great advice available regarding scams, phishing, etc.. – https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-spot-a-scam-alFiz5h8mnJ9

If you’re not sure – ask someone you trust.

Categories
Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

In this day and age, with so much information, so much happening on social media, tv, youtube, etc… do not underestimate the value of Doing Nothing.

Categories
YCO

253% Increase!

It’s been a few weeks, since I shared that I was on the local Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) committee, as the Youth and Community Officer. I’ll still be honest, not something I wanted to do, but once I said yes… it was full steam ahead. And I’ll be sharing my progress here – I’ll put it under the category YCO!

So… with the mindset I have, I asked the sangat (folk who attend the Gurdwara), if they had any ideas to increase community engagement and/or help with the youth who attend. Lots of great ideas… but also, comments and ‘things’ they want fixed.

It’s great – looking forward, but sometimes, you need to fix what you have before you can move forward.

Let me give you an example. There’s a projector and screen in the main hall. And it’s not worked for several years. Many want it to work. They want to read the hymns. It’s these small things. So, I enquired. It’s all run from a laptop (so this is on my list of ‘things to do’ – get the laptop running, make sure the screen works and hook it all back up!)

BAU – Business As Usual. (in the below Horizon 1)

Mapping innovation across the three horizons – Paul4innovating's Innovation Views

(Yes – I did have to put a technology spin on this).

So whilst we are on the Horizon 1 (BAU), there’s an element of the Horizon 2 and 3 – looking to the future, and more importantly being aware of the disruption points.

And bringing this back to the Gurdwara.

So I’ve started doing some basics… such as, taking over their social media.

I started an Instagram Account and started to post more on their Facebook account.

The results…

253% Increase in Post Reach!

189% Increase in Post engagements.

19% Increase in New Page Likes.

It’s all about the engagement. More photo’s. More videos.

Instagram is growing also – with 182 accounts reached in the past 30 days!

You have to start somewhere.

Next up… (my recommendations) are… a website. Whilst I face many challenges to digitise the ways of working – we are definitely headed in the right direction. I’d also like to say Thank You – to all those who reached out to me, supported me, offered me advice and shared contacts of those who’ve been on a similar journey. It’s much appreciated.

So in summary, there’s 2 things…

  1. Get Started – I took over the social media and had an impact. It’s great talking… it’s better doing!
  2. Remember the 3 Horizons… and make sure you’re not on the H1 Trajectory for a long time, because H2 and H3 will take over…. It’s important to fix the basics but then move onto more innovative solutions, where possible.
Categories
RSN

The only way is up…

I don’t really share a lot on here, what else I do… Well, I kind of do with the football – but this blog mainly focuses on technology, new things that can help in life and a few motivational quotes to get you thinking about life.

So, I’m going to do something here – which may, or may not work. I’m going to share, (on a regular basis), success (however limited it may be), within a new volunteer role I’ve recently accepted.

The local Sikh Temple, had some ‘openings’ for local volunteers… so they could be part of the ‘management committee’. Every two years, the Sikh Temple holds elections – but this time, they had enough people to go ahead without elections. One of those people, who had their name put forward… was me! So, cut long story short… I’m the Youth and Community Liaison Officer for the Ramgarhia Sikh Temple, Nottingham.

Now… let’s be honest. Many of you will go to Google, and type it in to understand a bit more about what Bal has got himself into…

And so… you’ll quickly notice, they have a presence on Facebook… (who doesn’t!), and a few other websites share some information. But no website of their own….

Online presence is so important. For an organization. To communicate.

And I’ll be honest, there is soooooo much to communicate. In addition, your website provides the organisation with so much more….

6 Reasons Why a Website is Important for your Business - Web Developist

So… as I mentioned as the start of this blog post, I’ll be sharing more on this journey of mine with you. First things first, is to understand the current landscape and the Sikh Temple’s Online presence. Then it’s about enhancing those channels and communicating more, providing options and most importantly… being clear what the Sikh Temple provides.

We often do over look the basics. Because we don’t know how to go about it. Because we don’t know where to start. Because we don’t understand the importance of it. Because…. there’s so many reasons. But the key thing here is, this is a journey and we are all going to be on it – yes, you included! As you’re reading this… I’ll ask you to be part of the journey!

So, I’m armed with my 30/60/90 Day plan.

And I’ll keep you updated!

(Once I’ve shared my plan with the Management Committee – I’ll for sure share it back here, and share the feedback I get!)

Categories
Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Here we are. In 2022. Hoping, I suppose, that’s all we can do, is a better year than some of the previous years we’ve had.

Let’s be honest. We just want a bit of normality. We just want it to be stable, no drama – and letting us enjoy time with friends and family.

So, my Friday Thought, is in line with ‘The Out and Abouter’ who recently tweeted – let 2022 be like a Toyota Corolla.

Categories
Old Tech

Bye Bye BlackBerry

Who remembers the BlackBerry phone?

My earliest memory of it was, when I newly into a role… and the manager (GM) had a blackberry. We were on the shop floor (manufacturing company) and he asked me if I’d seen a particular note from another senior person. I said, no. He instantly, pulled his blackberry out – and said, it’s in your inbox, have a look and walked off.

Wow. The power in his hands at that moment!

I rushed up a flight of stairs, to the office, and put the laptop on and had a look for the email – and rightly so, it was there! Read the email and replied and knew what was happening.

It was rather ground-breaking.

Having the power to do your emails on the go. Not having to get to the laptop. Not having to run up a flight of stairs. Nope… none of that. In the palm of your hands – you could be quicker, simpler and empowered (to a certain extent) to make decisions and get work done!

What was your first memory of the BlackBerry phone? (if you’re old enough to remember them!)

But… we know what happened to the trusted BlackBerry device. Don’t we?

What Happened to BlackBerry | Toptal

You’ll have heard, it’s the End of the Road for them.

Sales have been plummeting for a while. Every since Apple and other devices didn’t use physical buttons, every since other devices had better integrations with other applications and then the whole eco-system between devices (laptops, phones, tablets, etc…)

BlackBerry stuck with their unique selling point – the physical buttons. And to be honest, there were some die-hard fans that loved them. But the problem was, technology moved on so much… that honestly, there were other features that were more important than having the physical buttons. And on top of that, we all got used to the simplicity.

Simplicity of the screen.

Unfortunately, BlackBerry didn’t advance. They didn’t innovate. They stayed as they are.

And the other strand to this is… people aren’t sending as many emails as they used to previously.

We have more chat functionality. (Yes you had that on blackberry – but it was limited).

We have MS Teams. We have Slack. We have Whatsapp. We have all the social media platforms – Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, etc…

Let’s be honest, who has the time today to read long emails. It’s quicker and easier to send a quick message.

I think this only proves one point. It’s not the strongest of the species that survive…

Blackberry/RIM’s revenue from fiscal year 2004 to 2021 (in million U.S. dollars)

… it’s those, who are most adaptable to change.

Unfortunately, BlackBerry, like Blockbuster, like Kodak… just didn’t adapt to the change. Didn’t innovate. We know companies like Apple have that innovative spirit built within…

iPhone sales by year | Statista

Look at the two graphs from 2011 to 2013. Blackberry’s huge decline and Apple’s huge increase in sales.

I’m sure there’ll be many who are emotional about BlackBerry being no more… and I’m sure they’ll tweet/share their sorrows via their Apple or Android device. Basically, their non-BlackBerry device.