Top Stories

Stories in Journal that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.

When Age Is a Problem at Work
A friend of mine had finally gotten into a comfortable groove with her boss who was an executive at the company where she worked. The both of them were close in age and had an understanding of how each other worked. Her boss retired and was quickly replaced by a man a couple of decades younger. Rumors rumbled that middle-aged and senior employees may be let go. My friend didn’t believe what she was hearing. Many of the co-workers, including herself, had been with the company for several years. Surely their experience and longevity would mean something. Then the new boss appeared to not warm up to her, and her co-workers were laid-off. She was one of the last to be let go.
By Hillari Hunter8 years ago in Journal
Vocal for Beginners
Vocal basics are easy to learn, even as a newbie. My advice, by the way, comes from someone new at this as well, but I have had to figure it out for myself. I am hoping to save you time and effort in getting your words read. First of all, read the resource section at Vocal. It is full of information about writing and how Vocal works. Don't be wreaked if a posting is turned down. Fix it until it is accepted. When I first started at Vocal, I read postings to see what type of stuff they published, but I didn't go far enough. Most of what I saw was a walk-down-memory-lane type stuff. I rewrote some stuff I had on a website I made up for my children full of memories of our good times and bad. They were schmaltzy, but they got published. However, nobody was reading them. So I got daring and started posting articles on the sciences I love. I got a few more people reading my words. I have never been on social media of any kind; no Facebook or tweeting at all. I joined both. But I have to say, I am still getting a handle on Twitter. The easiest one suggested by Vocal is StumbleUpon. Go to the site first and learn how to stumble before you post. There are many different categories under which to put your post. You want to determine which category will get you the most views. For instance, I posted an article on evolution. I could have put it under evolution or the more general topic of science. I chose the more general topic. Then, several weeks later, I posted it in evolution. Repostings like this can drive up your readership. I post articles from my science magazines and make sure I stumble other articles every day. It is painless, and I've read some really good stuff. Reddit is a lot more difficult for me because they have so many rules! Their family category doesn't allow any pictures, which leaves out anything suitable for Vocal because pictures are big on this site. The science category only accepts peer-reviewed articles, so that's a dead end for me. The rules are tough to work around and I get hundreds of more reads from StumbleUpon than I do at Reddit. Reddit readers also contact you, and they are not always kind. So your skin must be tough.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Journal
Interview with We Sway's Founder, Danny Tirmizi
Have you ever wondered how brands were able to get major pop icons and local celebrities to tout their products? In the past, it actually used to be very difficult. Entire agencies would need to be employed in order to get the right person with the right business. Now that people are increasingly interested in keeping up with social media influencers, one group has created an app that promises to change the way businesses do social media.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Journal
Dear Customer...
Dear Customer, I’m sorry, but I don’t wish to smell your shoe. Let it be known that if you tell me that your shoe smells, I will always take your good word for it. I understand that you managed to get the shoes wet whilst walking in the rain, and now sadly one of the shoes has an unpleasant smell. I also understand, that because only one shoe has become foul smelling, and not both, you are now questioning whether there is a fault with the shoes? Let me explain, rain is a damp liquid that often falls from the sky, like magic. The shoes you bought are not made out of bread, but of a fabric material that is not waterproof. Therefore, if you go out wearing the shoes in all the damp rain, there is a high likelihood that they will get wet. This could also contribute to the smelly state we now find you in. Or it could be a foot-related medical issue, to which I can offer no advice, as surprisingly I am not a fully qualified doctor who prefers to sell discount outdoor clothing. Sadly, I cannot offer you any refund on the item at this point, as getting your money back on an item you bought a year ago, with no proof of purchase, because you made half of it smell, is not a thing.
By B H M8 years ago in Journal
How to Gain More Followers on Your Company Twitter
With 330 million active users monthly, Twitter is a great place for companies to advertise their business. By gaining followers, you increase your brand awareness and the number of customers you have. So, how can you up your Twitter following?
By Chloe Walton8 years ago in Journal
A Quick Look at Amazon FBA Program
Fulfillment by Amazon is a program that allows businesses to sell their products with ease. This program allows you to set up your own store while Amazon handles all the logistics such as delivering the product, packaging, and providing customer service for the product. Amazon charges a certain amount to the business owner in return for the services that Amazon provides. This program has gained a plethora of acceptance because businesses are continuously moving towards utilizing this program. Since 2016, Amazon has seen an increase in the utilization of this program by 70 percent. This program allows sellers to just focus on the manufacturing of their product while all the logistics are handled by Amazon.
By Maheen Farhan8 years ago in Journal
The Art of Great Coaching
Many managers seem to cringe at the thought of coaching their employees when performance comes up short. I mean, after all, don’t they already know their jobs? Why in the world would they need coaching? I feel like I’m a teacher, counselor, career guru, and sometimes a baby-sitter! I just want them to do their jobs!
By Glenn Harriman8 years ago in Journal
The Top 9 Best Excuses for the Absentee Client
Wake up 5 AM sharp, your carefully macro balanced breakfast has been polished off, your meals for the day are prepped. On the way to work you pick up your Double Shot Starbucks already waiting, slotted perfectly into the cardboard sleeve and your favourite non de clurme (because your real name is far too boring) scrawled accross its anodyne corporate surface.
By Paul Yates8 years ago in Journal
Email From Hell
I moved to Chicago in January 2017 after having already been unemployed for a little over four months. I quit my old job in New York City in August 2016 while I planned to move back to the Midwest. I lived with different family members while I job hunted—a process that took a lot longer than I thought it would. Needless to say, those four months were really tough.
By Brittany K. King8 years ago in Journal
Corporate Swag Products Every Startup Should Give Away
Ah, corporate swag. Whether people want to admit it or not, corporate swag products are a great way to get your company's name out—and a great way to establish a rapport with the very people you want to buy your products.
By Successories8 years ago in Journal
How To Actually Be Productive Working from Home
Slowly but surely, a lot of jobs are moving to the "remote" world. This not only saves companies on office space costs but also allows for more flexibility in where their staff are located. With the technology these days, it's easy to still communicate with colleagues and clients on a regular and professional basis.
By Alex8 years ago in Journal
Leaving London
I moved to the capital when I was 18—young, full to the brim with anticipation for the adventure of starting my acting training at drama school. Blinded by the stunning views of the River Thames at night, the LED lights of the West End showed posters that begged me to buy a ticket; that endless fizzle of noise and energy... oh, London. The rush; the heaving, sweaty, smog-filled streets of your centre. You really had me. I felt home. I felt free. I wanted to explore every part of you and gorge myself on your sights. I was ready to become the city-wise, bohemian artist I felt I was destined to be. I could, and I would, write my story here.
By Rachael Garnett8 years ago in Journal