Probably the WORST employee handbook in the world…..!

Following my post on July 19th ‘ Probably the best employee handbook in the world…..’   a kind reader, aka ShoesieQ’s main squeeze (thank you Dr Swain), kindly decided to seek out the opposite, ie the worst Handbook in the world.  And I think he may have succeeded.! It’s topical too, as it belongs to none other than News Corp, better known here in the UK as News International.

So why is it so bad? Well, the first thing that’s a bit odd is its title. Most companies stick with the admittedly not very original ‘Employee handbook’ – or perhaps ‘Staff handbook’ for less pc organisations. But not good ol Rupes – he gave his version the rather grandiose ’Standards of Business Conduct’ which, with the benefits of hindsight, raises a rye grin at the very least. But the biscuit is well and truly taken by Mr M’s introduction to said tome on Page 3. For it is a true Page 3 Stunna, in the parlance of one of his other notorious UK publications as you can see below:

Dear Colleagues:

For more than a half century, News Corporation has shaped global media by ensuring the public’s needs are met and that our offerings are of the highest caliber. Today, hundreds of millions of people around the world trust us for the best quality and choice in news, sports and entertainment.

This public trust is our Company’s most valuable asset: one earned every day through our scrupulous adherence to the principles of integrity and fair dealing.

We have revised this Standards of Business Conduct to make it easier to read and use, and to clearly outline what we should all expect of ourselves as colleagues. Each of us has the power to influence the way our Company is viewed, simply through the judgments and decisions we each make in the course of an ordinary day.

It’s an important responsibility and I’m honored to share it with you.

Rupert Murdoch

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FYI this document was updated in May 2011

For some reason the words, bolted, horse and stable door are flitting through ShoesieQ’s mind at the moment…….can’t think why!

Tags: Business Advice, Cambridge, Employee handbook, Employee Relations, HR, Modish, new business, News Corp, News International, Rules, Rupert Murdoch, shoe shop, Staff handbook

Introducing the fabulous ‘Fab at Any Age’

Today’s post is just a quickie as ShoesieQ frantically re-arranges the shop to get all her most summery sandals out, to celebrate the fact that the big orange thing in the sky has finally made a re-appearance ;o)

Anyway, on her day off yesterday ShoesieQ caught a glance at the frankly rather shocking state of her tootsies, and decided that SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. Lacking the time for a full on beauticians trip she scoured the internet for a good DIY pedi.  And the fates were certainly smiling in her as she stumbled across the rather wonderful ‘Fab at Any Age’

This little gem of a blog is written by Sharron, a 40 something mum of 4 who, in her words, writes for those of us who “didn’t want to dress like their daughters or even worse, their mothers!” We like!

And she has also written the ultimate guide to a DIY pedi:

http://lookingfabinyourforties.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/beauty-on-budget-perfect-diy-pedi.html#comment-form_466411168874997364

And here are the results – featuring ShoesieQ’s feet (sorry,they’re the only ones I’ve got!) and the rather fabulous Charm Jelly Flat sandals by Holster (£29.95, in case you were wondering).  The is without doubt the best pedi I’ve ever given myself, so if you fancy pampering your feet or are looking for some great fashion tips you really do need to check out Fab at any Age.

Tags: beauty blog, beauty treatment, blog, Cambridge, holster, pamper, pedi, pedicure, sandals

The Ultimate Shoe challenge – ShoesieQ v 5 inch heels!

5 inch skyscraper heels by Calvin Klein

As regular readers of this blog will know, a  couple of weeks ago ShoesieQ found herself starring as one of the, ahem, ‘models’ in the Saffron Walden Fashion Show (‘Modish shoes hit the catwalk again’ – Apr 28). And one of the pairs she popped on her tootsies to sashay down the runway were these gorgeous babies by Calvin Klein.

And they really were AMAZINGLY comfortable, despite the fact that the heels are a good 5 inches. In fact ShoesieQ was so enamoured by them that they made their way into her personal collection ;o)

So last week, on yet another rainy old day in Cambridge, ShoesieQ decided to set herself a little fashion challenge involving said CKs – which was to see just how long she could wear them for in one sitting. Or, more accurately, one standing, as working in a shop means spending a lot of time on one’s feet ;o)

Here’s a diary  of how she got on

8.30 am Drives 30 odd miles from home to the Park & Ride in Cambridge  with no problem, despite the fact I usual take off my heels to drive. But I did need to move my seat back a few inches ;o) No scuff marks either – RESULT!

9.15 am Cycles the 3 miles to my shop, Modish, in the centre of Cambridge. Only problem with this is my bike seat is now too low! But feet stay on pedals, shoes stay on feet and I feel safe. In fact I  discover that I can tuck my jeans into the elastic straps so no need for cycle clips! Though perhaps as well that I didn’t bump into the fashion police………not my best look ;o)

9.30 am – 5.30 pm Working in the shop. Am on my feet all the time with perhaps 5 mins sitting down to eat my lunch and another 5 mins off my feet to go through some paperwork. Other than that am up and down stairs all day, even at one point up a 5 foot ladder to get some boots down for a customer from the top shelf in my stockroom. Again, feel perfectly safe – not even a wobble.

6pm Cycles across to fellow Cambridge retailer Boudoir Femme who are having a Style evening. Drink a cocktail (courtesy of those lovely people from 12a) and admire their fabulous new Spring collection )

7.30pm Pop across to the Jolly Sailor with a friend for a bite to eat.

9.30 pm Cycle back in the pouring rain  to the Park n Ride. Shoes still look amazing despite being soaking wet.

9.45 pm – Drives home, still wearing these shoes

10.30 pm – Gets home and DOESN’T EVEN KICK SHOES OFF THEN, but admires how utterly gorgeous they are, how pretty my feet look in them etc.

For those of you who don’t know ShoesieQ, well, amongst many other things (!) she’s a gal who loves fabulous heels but is more than a little averse to the suffering that often seems to be part of the deal. So she is particularly delighted to have discovered just how wearable these are.

In fact they’re so  impressive that said friend,who doesn’t really do heels, came in on Saturday bought herself a pair too.

If you fancy trying a pair to see if they really are THAT good, we have a few left at Modish’s Cambridge branch (3 Green Street)  -  call us on 01223 354436 and we’ll even hold them for a few days if you can’t get here straight away.

Tags: Calvin Klein, Cambridge, CK, gorgeous shoes, High Heels, Modish, Platforms, saffron walden, sandals, Sculptural shoes, shoe shop, Shoes, wedges, Yvette

Modish at the Saffron Walden Fashion Show – Part II

As promised here’s Modish’s contribution to the second half of the Saffron Walden Fashion Show.

This time we were strutting our stuff to that 1980′s classic Adam Ant’s Goody Two Shoes.

And although this was a bit before our first model’s time, Hannah tackles this musical challenge with her usual grace – firstly in a pair of mid heel sandals by Lunar (£45) followed by some skyscrapers by Iron Fist (£69.99)

Penny came next and sashayed down the catwalk in a pair of Black patent courts (Tamaris, £55) and some mad patent kitten heels in fire-engine-stop-the-traffic red by Bronx (£75).

Last but not least was ShoesieQ. I too opted for some red kitten heels,but this time by Lunar (£45), and then what are perhaps the most comfortable pair of evening shoes I’ve had the pleasure to pop onto my delighted tootsies by Audley. Not cheap at £175 – but worth every penny.

Mind you I’m not sure anyone was really studying my shoes at this point – they were too busy looking at my prop! You’ll see what I mean if you click on the link to the vid below.

Finally I’d just like to make a special mention to our camerawoman Susan Harvey who did a great job filming us without laughing (too) much, and my dear friend Mark for travelling the length of the country (almost!) so he could take the mick in person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F8PNvyovI8

 

Tags: Cambridge, catwalk, designer shoes, fashion, fashion show, fly london, Green Street, High Heels, Modish, saffron walden, sandals, shoe shop, Shoes, Stilettos, wallace cancer care

Modish shoes hit the catwalk again!

I know, I know! Anyone who saw my attempts at,errrrrrmmmmmm, modelling 18 months ago  would think that, perhaps, it would be best to let sleeping dogs lie. Or at least stick to the Airfix variety rather than the catwalk version.  And if you don’t believe me, just check out my blog post ‘Naomi, Kate, Agyness, Cindy. Meet Karen, Hannah, Penny & Kathryn’ from Oct 28th 2010. See what I mean?!

But ShoesieQ is made of stern stuff. She also has shoes to sell! So when we were invited back by Wallace Cancer Care she jumped at the chance. But who would join me?

Up to the plate stepped Hannah and Penny. Hannah provided the star turn last time: elegant, composed and stylish. Which took some doing. Especially as she was 7 months pregnant at the time. And then there was Penny, who manages my Saffron Walden shop. Penny turned me down flat last time, so I didn’t hold out much hope. But I was wrong!

So, we roll up to Saffron Walden Town Hall fuelled by a bottle of Prosecco and some nibbles. But all of us surprisingly calm. Even the rookie Penny was taking it all in her stride. Despite the fact that with just 3 models it meant we’d each take 2 trips up the runway ie 4 in total per ‘model’ -  firstly in our day shoes, and then rocking more of an evening look.

So Hannah’s out first, wearing a rather gorgeous 50′s inspired dress. We thought we’d go for the ‘festival look’ with her, so she starts off wearing a pair of the utterly fabulous-yet-a-bit-bonkers Wedge Wellys (£45) followed by the cutest flip flops by Mel (£18)

Penny was up second. She starts off with some mid heeled nude slingbacks by Spanish designer Pedro Miralles (£89.99) but then throws caution to the wind with the maddest 6 inch heels ever – featuring a sparkly union jack (£79.99) by Californians Iron Fist.

Lastly it’s the turn of yours truly. I too opt for the relative safety of a pair of plum coloured sandals by Fly London to start (£84.99), followed by a pair of cut-away wedges by Calvin Klein (at just £85 – a designer barg!).

Mind you I almost didn’t make it out for round 2. As I’d forgotten quite how short the first track I’d chosen was – Elvis’s Blue suede shoes – which clocks in at about 2 mins 30 seconds. So I was in the middle of changing into my CKs when the sound man calmly informed me that we had 35 secs of music left! Hence the rather undignified scramble at the end.

Btw one thing I will say  – those CK wedges are stupidly comfortable – despite them having a good 5 inch heel. So much so that when I was wearing them around the shop earlier that day I managed to shin up a 5 foot high step ladder to get some shoes from the top shelf of my stockroom without incident. NB Don’t try that at home kids ;o) So thank you Mr Calvin Klein for those ones – much appreciated. In fact appreciated so much that they now have a hallowed space in ShoesieQ’s private collection………….

Anyway, if my blow-by-blow account hasn’t completely put you off here’s a clip of our antics during the first half of the show. Part II to follow shortly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eESPA4JjLjs&feature=plcp

Tags: Cambridge, catwalk, fashion, fashion show, Modish, saffron walden, sandals, shoe shop, Shoes, wallace cancer care

The Z list beckons!

Firstly apologies for the prolonged radio silence are due to the regular reader(s?) of this blog.  In case you are wondering I’m afraid it’s due to an almost lethal combination of new season shoe-i-tis and the reappearance of my tendancies to chronic laziness.

‘So’, I fondly imagine I can hear you asking, ‘what’s been going on in Ms Q’s world that’s meant she’s finally got her finger out of whatever it was in (!) and onto a keyboard, the feckless cow?’ Ok, perhaps that’s not quite so fond as it might be. Although it’s probably pretty accurate.

Anyway I digress. What’s inspired me to put pen to paper this week is that it seems that I have finally made it! But don’t just take my word for it – these are the views of one of Saffron Walden’s most esteemed newspapers, namely The Saffron Walden Weekly. Who very sweetly called me up a couple of weeks ago to ask if I, as a local celebrity, would like to appear in their regular column ‘Two Minutes with….’.  Flattered to the nth degree, I of course agreed immediately.

MISTAKE!  Well, mistake-ish. What I should have done (hindsight is a wonderful thing, don’t you think?) was to find out what sort of things they’d be asking first! So the paper emails me a questionnaire, I pour myself a coffee, and get on with the task in hand. Reckon it would take a quarter hour tops.

They’re not stupid, these newspaper people. They throw in a few easy ones to start with, namely name (!), age, place of birth and town you live in. ‘Blimmey, I think to myself, ‘maybe I’ll bang this out in 10 minutes after all!’

So, lulled into a suitable sense of security I come to the next question. ‘When are you happiest?’ Errrrmmmmmmm. Ok, next one ‘How do you relax?’ Find myself thinking ‘Definitely not by completing questionnaires for a newspaper. Oh god, please make the next one easy’. The next question is ‘Pet hates’. Phew – that’s easy – I can’t abide people who are always complaining. But the next one is possibly the worst one so far – namely to share with Saffron Walden and it’s surrounds my ‘Guilty pleasures’!

And after that they get harder! Maybe it’s just me – and everyone else knows what their Superpower would be. Or indeed who their hero is. And what they would do if they ruled the country for a day. But I certainly did not. And it took all weekend to work it out!

Anyway, if you’re interested in what my addled mind finally came up with, you can read all about it here. And all I can add is Jamie Oliver – watch your back – there’s a new celeb in town!Ha!

Two minutes with SD

Tags: Celebrity, Jamie Oliver, Newspaper, saffron walden, Shoes, Weekly

Bag yourself last min tickets to Saffron Walden’s BIGGEST networking event EVER!

It’s not often that ShoesieQ gets excited about a networking event. For I’ve spent more time than I care to remember munching greasy sausages and cold toast in a room full of other business people hoping against hope that somehow it will do my business some good. But this particular event promises to be a bit special. And that’s mainly down to the star guest – namely acclaimed entrepreneur, business woman and dragon Rachel Elnaugh! Yep, those clever sorts at The Business Studio have managed to bag Rachel off of Dragon’s Den (in the days when it was good!).

So if you fancy finding out a bit more about what it’s like to be a dragon from the, ermmm, horse’s mouth – not to mention how she manages to run a highly successful business and be a great mother to five sons you need to get yourself to The Eight Bells, Saffron Walden TOMORROW ie Tuesday 27th at 7pm.

Tickets cost £40 each, but the rather wonderful Wendy Howell has persuaded the Business Studio to donate a pair to a Twitter raffle in aid of a charity close both our hearts, namely The Alzheimer’s Society.

So if you fancy listening to the inspirational Rachel and meeting fellow entrepreneurs, business owners and investors, not to mention tuck into some top notch wine and canapés, you need to:

• Log on to your twitter account
• Make a bid TONIGHT between 6 and 9pm. Just put the amount followed by #AlzheimersBid
• Be able to pay before 10pm if you win!

The lucky winner will be contacted by lovely Wendy via twitter (look out for her username – @Wendyh1) just after 9pm to sort out payment and answer any qus about the event. If she can’t get hold of the highest bidder before 10pm she’ll try the next highest etc until she finds someone who can cough up!!

But don’t fret if you’re either outbid, or not on twitter. For there are still a couple of tickets left that you can buy from The Business Studio’s website

www.thebusinessstudio.co.uk/networking_evening

And finally a BIG THANK YOU to the lovely Amanda Farren & Laura Rigney at Mumpreneur UK who’ll be promoting the auction this evening.  If you’re on twitter may I suggest a #FollowMonday @MumpreneurUK

Tags: Dragons Den, Entrepreneurs, Networking, Rachel Elnaugh, saffron walden, The Business Studio, The Eight Bells

Shoe joke of the Day

Q: How do you spot an extrovert accountant?

A: When he talks he looks at your shoes rather than his own!

Tags: funny, humour, laugh, shoe joke, Shoes