WHAT'S THE STORY by GREG MILLARD

ENJOY THE VIEW - LOOKING FOR A JOB IN BAHRAIN

2009-08-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

LET''S SQUASH THE RUMOURS NOW - There is a rumour going around that I have secretly taken a position as marketing manager for the Bussatein Corniche. This is not true - however, if the post is available, I'll put my hands up for it. As far as attractive locations in Bahrain go, this really does have to win. There are walking tracks, water views, Manama views, it has cleaners, security guards, lighting, trash cans and an incredible mix of people enjoying it every night. You can by food and drinks and last night I was stopped by a Bahraini gentleman who gave me an oyster shell with a pearl in it and said, "give to madam." I mean wow, how can you beat that......and there is no charge to get in.

AND LET'S LOOK BELOW AT SOME TALENTED BAHRAINI BREAK DANCERS AT BUSSATEIN - Have a look at the short video. It shows some talented local boys really working the moves. Not on a soft mat or shiny floor, but Bahrain's not-so-forgiving tundra - spinning on their head as well. Have a look at the little guy in the front who keeps coming into frame somersaulting and trying to emulate his bigger brothers.

AND THIS IS WHAT I DID LAST WEEK - Yes, my modeling career is finally starting to take off. No not Milan, but a studio in Adliya requested my services. Tastylemon is a soon to be launched funky, royalty-free, internet photo stock community. Browse, buy and sell photos, vector illustrations and video that will captivate your audience and instantly take your projects from big, bored yawns to board room tables. More info on this exciting creative community soon. Photographers, designers and models look out for this, or contact me for more information.

AND BEFORE I GET ONTO THE JOB FRONT.....you must watch this short humorous video below - It is very funny, but as an ad for a chocolate bar, I don't think the chocolate bar really ends up the hero. What are your thoughts? Good ad or Bad?

AND ON THE ALL IMPORTANT JOB FRONT - The online job sites are providing minimal joy. There are two opportunities in Saudi which I am waiting to see how interviews will be arranged as my Saudi visa has expired. One has come from a contact in Saudi who put me forward for an excellent position in a large Saudi conglomerate and this is sounding good. It is based in Jeddah, so will require some logistical strategizing. The role in Qatar is still on hold. I caught up with some Greg Millard Followers (GMF) today and they provided some great leads. One of those roles is quite warm and would be an excellent Bahrain organisation to be working for. Forgive me for not mentioning names, I am trying to protect the innocent...I'm sure you understand. But when the job happens, I will tell all...and those that helped will be rewarded. Each of these opportunities keep my spirits alive during this obvious quiet time. I believe I am generating interest in a variety of companies, but patience has to prevail.

AND ONE OTHER THING……
Burglars have reportedly raided the Italian hotel suite of a Saudi Arabian Princess and escaped with over EUR 10 million in cash and jewelry. The thieves used a master key to gain entry to the hotel room before removing the safe from a wall to which it had only been fixed with silicon. The robbery apparently only took ten minutes. So make sure your safe is safe.

I can see that some of you have been eagerly logging on to see this weeks update. I do apologize that it’s late coming. Thanks for reading and remember to spread the word that the best man for the job is but a blog away.

Regards,
Greg Millard
+973 3946 4123

IT'S A NUMBERS GAME, INSHALLAH

2009-08-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

Time - Your friend or enemy?
Time is going so fast. Without the demands of a daily job and the ensuing routine, you would think time may appear to go slower. But it doesn’t. The pursuit of a new job, especially in this depressed market requires persistence, dedication and a fair amount of self motivation. The maintenance of a positive mental attitude helps too. A sense of humour and the ability to stay relaxed and make sure there is a sense of fun is also imperative. That is why I have spent so much time in previous blogs talking about my exersise regime in the mornings and walking in the evenings.

Left: Spotted at the you-know-which corniche. If you like motorbikes or unusual paint jobs, this one is fairly snappy. The paint job was so impressive, I couldn't even tell you what sort of bike it was. I have some great video of Bahraini boys break-dancing on the corniche, but blogger is having some problems uploading video today. So will have to get it to you later. Also, I have found another very funny ad. Not so much a good ad, but a funny video that is an ad. I'll try and share that with you next time.

Not just blogging myself to a new job
We are fast approaching the end of Summer and this should bring added opportunities on the job front. So even though a lot of people are away, it has been important to be getting out and about. After hearing a whisper that the loveable Jim Lawless was back at Jim's Restaurant Adliya, I couldn’t resist popping in for a quick bite of dinner and a wander around the Adliya café belt on Saturday night. Jim's is a homely and secluded spot for an end of weekend meal in a nice casual and relaxed atmosphere. Right: Jim Lawless & Greg Millard. I'm busy most days reviewing the multitude of on-line job sites which I am registered on. Some applications show the hiring company, and if they are a recruitment company, I have started phoning them, advising that I have just applied for a particular position. This starts to establish a relationship with the recruitment company and hopefully get them on my side. Many of these sites are just portals used to package jobs from other places. Often the jobs are duplicated from other sites. Here is a list of the one’s I am using:
Bayt.com
Monster.com
Al Jazeera.com (you have to pay a 12 month subscription for this. I think it was BD.25)
Gulf Talent
Naukri
A new word - non-offer / NON-OFFER - Opposite to: of·fer (ôf′ər, äf′-) transitive verb - to present for approval or acceptance; proffer; tender to offer services
Unfortunately, I had a ‘non offer’ (do you like that word – I just made it up) from one of the recent Bahrain interviews. It seems as if their meaning of bi-lingual is different to mine. I can make it down in an elevator from the 12th floor to the ground floor, speaking Arabic, with only a few pauses and maybe one too many ‘inshallahs’ This was very disappointing as the recruitment company were surprised they didn’t make me the offer. Oh well…not to be. The Qatar position is still on the boil, but the client is focusing their recruitment drive in other areas and the marketing roles are now a non-urgent priority. I had an excellent list of warm prospects sent to me from one of my blog readers and this will formulate my tact this week; direct contact with selected organizations who may benefit from the Greg M> touch. We’ll see how that goes and you know I will be keeping you updated.

Number crunching

Over the last week I have installed a much more sophisticated tool that provides instantaneous data on site activity. I can see which IP address is on and when; from which country; for how long they stay on and which pages they view . Although my audience is specifically in Bahrain and the greater GCC, so far I have had visits from Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, England, Canada, USA, Portugal, Egypt, Switzerland and good old Australia. Visitors to the site have doubled over the last two weeks and an additional 5 followers have joined. Now I have had between 320 and 365 visitors depending on which counter I use (there has been a migration issue) and currently 24 Followers. This week the targeting becomes a little more refined, And whilst still wanting to get my message to as many people in Bahrain and GCC that I am looking, I will now start becoming selective and directly approach prospective companies as well as trying to grow my blog audience.

Above: Tired and it's getting late. Reviewing job apps, preparing the blog and reviewing the stats.

Sorry things are a little unexciting again this week, but I can see much excitement and action not too far away. Please continue to forward the link to anyone you think may appreciate it or who may be needing some serious marketing assistance.

And remember, become a Follower and give me feedback or comments.

Regards,
Greg Millard
+973 3946 4123

I WON'T BORE YOU WITH THE NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS

2009-07-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Please start by viewing this delightful
commercial by our beloved Berlitz
language services. Whilst this one promotes
English, there are others in the campaign
that promote other languages.

BAHRAIN'S BEAUTIFUL OUTDOORS
Whilst looking for work, regular walking helps maintain routine,
motivation and health. The 4 images below, taken on some of these
walks between Muharraq, Bussatein and Kharbabad is why I always
carry a small camera.

ON THE JOB FRONT
Ok, so the above might be seen as avoiding the reality of finding a suitable job, but they certainly make the drudgery of not having that monthly injection into the bank account more tolerable. While Bahrain's weather has yet to overheat, the outdoors are still a nice place to be. Especially when you are staying confident that you'll be office and desk bound again before too long.
Really appreciating the support of family and friends at the moment and I'd like to thank all those who are keeping me posted on job offerings and regular calls and emails.

Basically, no firm offers just yet, keeping fingers crossed for some good news this week. In an ideal world (which we certainly are not in), I was hoping to secure something by July end, then have a short 2 week trip back home to Australia.

GETTING THE WORD OUT
If I can ask you all to forward the blog (including the email intro) to others in the business world, I would really appreciate it. I have just installed a Stats application which will be interesting to see who is reading my blog, when and from which countries. Total views are now up to 260 with 21 Followers. Please let me know if you have any difficulties logging on, commenting or becoming a Follower.

Thanks again all, and I'll blog you next week (maybe earlier if there is any good news)

Greg Millard
+973 3946 4123

Bahrain beckons but Qatar is calling

2009-07-19T05:49:00.000-07:00

STAYING MOTIVATED
I have returned to morning squash and swimming (as busying schedule permits) and really felt like last week was a success. The blog is working for me (I have now had 130 people view it and 19 Followers.) Watching these figures grow is very motivating.

LEFT: Staying on the front foot - a morning solo squash session. I won!

On weekends I've enjoyed several walks along the Bussattein corniche. If you haven't walked it, give it a go. You can walk along the paved walking track, then continue through the boat sheds and all the way to the very end, and walk back. It takes about 40 minutes. At 5.30 in the evening it is very pleasant.
LEFT: Views from Bussattein corniche show Bahrain's humble fishing beginnings and our burgeoning cityscapes

BAHRAIN JOBS
It has been a busy week. I left you all dangling last week after a call came in from Clarendon Parker just before I pushed the 'publish button' on last weeks blog. Well, Cara and James at CP have been looking after me and after a screening interview on Monday I had a meeting with the client on Wednesday. It went well and the fit would be excellent. An Arabic speaking contender is my only stumbling block. It is a premium job, premium company and will have its premium headaches in the short to mid term.....but a challenging and satisfying role none-the-less. CP placed me in my last position and they are very confident in pushing me for this role. I should hear something by mid this week.

LEFT: Going in for the interview. Tell 'em how good you are Greg!

Daniel at Talent Partners International has been helping me with some leads and advice and he is following up for me on another job in Qatar which is being handled by his Dubai office. I am registered with Bayt.com, Monster.com, GulfTalent.com and Al Jazeerajobs.com - I have a couple of suitable opportunities a week come in, but often find little success on cold applications on-line.

QATAR JOBS

I had a very funny phone interview for a position in Qatar this morning. The client had the MD and 2 people from HR on the line and they couldn't quite agree what questions to ask. They were all firing questions. I talked them through my CV, focusing on my most recent 4 years Bahrain experience and after that they had no more questions. The HR head was basically asking how soon I could start. It also seems like a great job, but I am concerned living in Qatar will not provide the same sense of community and freedoms that Bahrain offers. I am flying there tomorrow to meet with them and gauge the cost of living etc as an acceptable package will be determined by this.

LEFT: Dress rehearsal for tomorrow. Unsure of the custom in Qatar, but believe a more relaxed male business dress is acceptable

Both jobs look excellent, both quality companies, although each has a slightly different marketing timeline and priority focus, so in the short term they will each have quite different agendas until we get through this unsettling economic downturn

ON THE SOCIAL FRONT
Had a great night out at Bambu on Thursday night with Cindy Lee and co. We kicked on until pretty late. I think we drained Bambu of both food and liquid as we were the last to leave. Lots of fun though.

LEFT: It was a hot and we were thirsty. Good job by the Bambu team

SERENDIPITOUS OCCURRENCES

They say strange things happen - well I had 2 this week. Apart from a couple of job opportunities, I had 2 different people contact me to see if I was interested in getting involved in some creative projects. One is to write a song and conceptualise a corporate video and the other is to play in a band. The band offer came from an email that had gone around Bahrain and back and eventually landed in my Inbox. These are certainly the fun things that make the hard times much bearable. I think there are some stars in alignment at the moment. Thanks for the invitations guys. The band may fizzle out as these days, the acoustic guitar has replaced the feedback and drones of the old electric.

SIGNING OFF

Slightly differnt format this edition. I hope it is keeping you interested. I may do a mid week update if there is any news on the job front. So until then......bye for now.

Remember to forward this blog to anyone you think could help me get my next marketing communications, business development, advertising role.

I sent a small gift to all my 'Followers', so become a 'Follower'....it does pay. The 'Guess the Beach Competition' from my last entry is still open, so have go at winning the dinner for two.

Regards,

Greg Millard

+973 3946 4123

IS 8 HOURS TOO LONG A DAY FOR THE UNEMPLOYED?

2009-07-12T00:27:00.000-07:00

FILLING IN THE DAYS
The photo to the left shows me entertaining my old work mates at our sales gallery in Seef last week . The property market is still slow, so a chance for a coffee and a tune with Greg was well received. Oh yeah, I had to finally hand my lap top back.

I bought a new lap top during the week. It is so amazing how quickly you can arrive home with a computer these days and be on-line so quickly; 15 minutes I think it took.

JOB HOAXES
If your are applying for jobs on-line, beware of the hoaxes. After receiving an on-line interview questionairre from one of the sites about 10 days ago. I answered the questions with great clarity, confidence and professionalism. Last weekend I received a job offer letter. The company had a web site, I spoke with the HR guy when I rang their office in Abu Dhabi, the offer was very good...start date, travel arrangements..............HOAX

MOTIVATION
After the high of a lucrative job offer, the let down when you confirm that it was all a hoax is quite immense. So last week, the early morning squash and swimming seemed to get later and less regular. I also started getting into the habit of staying up later, watching movies, checking emails etc. I plan on bringing this back into a more regimented structure this week.

MY BLOG
The blogging experience is full of learning, frustration and love. I have sent out about 75 invitations to view the blog via email and yesterday placed it on my facebook page. I now have 12 followers, 4 comments and 44 people have viewed it. I think a few of those views might be me) I have had one early notification of a new Bahrain job opening (thanks P). Some people think it is unprofessional, some are in 2 minds and others think it is sensational. It is like a micro web site, and reviewing the stats is always an exciting task and part of the appeal to new media vehicles.

This week I plan on sending it to numerous other contacts from my social and business network. I believe those that have become 'followers' will get an automated notification once I post the new blog. Please let me know if this is the case.

JOB PROPSPECTS

QATAR & ABU DHABI
Most of the jobs that are coming up to apply for on-line seem to be in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. So if you are looking for work in the region, these two places seem to be fairly active. I have some friends that have already moved over with better job prospects. It would be ashame to leave Bahrain though.

BAHRAIN
Unfortunately, not a lot of openings in Bahrain and sadly will diminish further over the next 2 months of summer. As mentioned previously, one early alert has been kindly sent to me about a future opening. I am hoping this blog will continue to unearth these early and as yet unadvertised jobs...so come on, there has to be more out there you can be telling me about - this blog is a two way street.

I am meeting Daniel from Talent Partners tomorrow morning for a chat and see what they have on the books that might be needing the Greg M> touch.

I am in talks with the most lovely of Bahrain business families about a part time partnership with a new business venture. This is very exciting and will hopefully lead to revenue and profits some time down the track. At the moment it is still at refinement of the business plan stage.

SOCIAL
I had a great afternoon yesterday with some freinds. He a photographer, she is a modelling, talent and events director who studied fashion in London. I mention this because it has aroused in me, one of my grand plan ideas to re-invent the male dress code. That's another story, but I think males are so limited with what they can wear compared to women. So I would love to instigate an exciting collection of male fashion concepts. Anybody interested in working with me on this? Yes I know I currently have too much time on my hands - but from little things, big things grow.

Jane and I watched the moon shimmer on Bahrain's calming waters while having dinner on a beach in Bahrain on Friday night. If anyone can guess which beach, they win a dinner for two with Greg and Jane. POST A COMMENT OR RING ME TO WIN. (RAYNER, you cannot enter this competition, you already get enough free meals)

So keep the word out, that Greg Millard is looking, become a 'follower' by clicking the 'follow blog' button and post comments if you have got something to say.

Thanks and bye for now
Greg M>
+ 973 3946 4123

PS = Just had a call from Clarendon Parker for an interview tomorrow. So more on that next time.

NOT TAKING THIS UNEMPLOYMENT THING LAYING DOWN

2009-07-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

This is my second blog and still at the testing stage. My initial blog on the 1st of July had some problems. The photo I added didn't appear, so I have uploaded another one here which I think will work once published. It's of a recent trip I did with some friends to Jaradah Island...let's wait and see. Still at the testing stage, so the picture is not relevant in any way to the purpose of the blog. There were also some spelling errors - more care this time.

If you didn't read the previous blog where I outlined the purpose of my blogging adventure, you are probably wondering why I have invited you to read this one. I will progressively invite more people once the structure and content is more in line with the objective. What is the objective you may well be asking yourself? It is to share my period of unemployment in Bahrain(which recently came about when my contract was not renewed last month) with friends, industry players, family, colleagues, contacts, potential employers, decision makers and influencers. So if you have been invited to subscribe to my blog, congratulations - you are indeed an important person.

I hope to provide you a light hearted and fun documentary of what Greg Millard is doing to move from unemployed to employed (or at least again, to an income producing being). I will be sharing a warts-and-all account of the trials and tribulations of the journey. At some point, I am confident that my attempts to entertain you with this blog will be seen as a fun, creative and hopefully engaging pursuit of communication and will lead to the next big job offer. I will be sharing photos, poems, summaries of attended interviews, songs I may write from time to time and daily activities I am utilising to maintain drive, motivation and creativity.

If you think you could use a marketing communications and advertising professional to enhance your market share, profitability and brand management or know someone who is looking, I'm hoping you feel confident in pointing them in my direction.

I will always appreciate comments from you, so please make them.

Greg Millard
+973 3946 4123

Blog Test for Greg Millard Newsletter sort of thing

2009-07-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is. The first tinkerings from Greg Millard using the newest media of them all - blogging.

I want to be able to insert pictures and have some control as to page layout. I want to be able to customise the header of the blog into a magazine style masthead. I want to be able to have an audio file play when they first open the blog...like an intro theme song.

I will be inviting people to read it on a weekly basis. I am wanting to engage potentail employers, influencers and people who could help me land the next big gig.

This blog will be used to showcase the creative attributes of Greg Millard and to create a Top of Mind Awreness of Greg Millard by following his journey from unemployment to landing a job.

I will be using creative licence and some story telling techniques to engage the reader. Photos by Greg (some staged) , poems, cartoons, jokes, news and reviews will be included