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Pete Collins
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Environmental Scientist, Atkins
Engineering
Fans (27)
Groups (31)

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Ryan Paugh What are your favorite cooking/food related shows? My personal favorite these days is Man vs. Food. Also, No Reservations will always have a special place in my heart. What do you watch?

93 weeks ago from I Love to Cook!, Brazen Foodies and Television (Couch Potatoes)1 more

Pete Collins: Anything with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Very big on local and WILD food.
93 weeks ago
Breanne Potter- Harris: You can't beat "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Love that show! I also like the "Cupcake Wars" and "Best Thing I Ever Ate"
93 weeks ago
 
Pete Collins Do you delete any of your blog posts? My blogging is quite variable in terms of quality, so should I get rid of some older ones that I don't really like, don't link to, and have hardly got any views? It would increase the average quality of my posts, but decrease the quantity. What do you do?

69 weeks ago from Blogging Ideas, Brazen Bloggers, European Bloggers and Wordpress Bloggers2 more

seanlsyy: delete old post,good idea
28 weeks ago
Page: I think it is a good idea to go back and review your posts periodically, and update them to reflect your blog's focus. Perhaps you didn't have a ...MoreI think it is a good idea to go back and review your posts periodically, and update them to reflect your blog's focus. Perhaps you didn't have a clear goal in mind when you started blogging? Go back and re-focus those old posts, clean up the writing and add some SEO into them to bring them up to speed.
18 weeks ago
 
Pete Collins The company I work for is trialling social networking. I'm one of the early adopter "connectors" and think that it is really promising but not enough people are engaging with it. Have you had any experience with this where you work? http://wp.me/puFgS-7l

81 weeks ago from Engineers, Consultants R US, London, UK, London Brazen Careerists and Brazen Bloggers3 more

 
Mehnaz Thawer Do you read books more than once? It's really difficult for me to read something again, unless it's really really good.

80 weeks ago from Book Shelf

Kristen Creager: Fiction yes, nonfiction no. I've read Gone With The Wind probably 20 times...sad but true
65 weeks ago
Jennifer Liu: I've re-read books that are short and sweet like 'Le Petit Prince' and 'The Giving Tree' and 'the Alchemist'. All short, but profound. I agree ...MoreI've re-read books that are short and sweet like 'Le Petit Prince' and 'The Giving Tree' and 'the Alchemist'. All short, but profound. I agree with someone who mentioned spiritual books like the Bible.
63 weeks ago
 

74 weeks ago

 
Pete Collins LinkedIn has listed the top 10 buzzwords in people's profiles. http://wp.me/puFgS-8I Do you think these are legitimate phrases or just cliches? If the latter, how do you avoid them?

74 weeks ago from Blogging Ideas, Brazen Bloggers, European Bloggers, Wordpress Bloggers and UK3 more

 
Kristine Fetalco What are some tips to accelerate your career when you have to start over again at an entry-level position?

75 weeks ago from Ask A Coach

Tracy Brisson: @Kristine- is this a career change or ??? I am reading what @Caroline and @La Donna have written and it got me thinking. My answer was targeted ...More@Kristine- is this a career change or ??? I am reading what @Caroline and @La Donna have written and it got me thinking. My answer was targeted towards you as a career changer starting fresh in a new industry where you had to start from the bottom. When I was head of a large recruiting department, about 29% of our entry level employees came from another career. Hiring managers loved career changers because they brought so much to the table. It's definitely a balance of aiming to please in the new position and not forgetting your edge. Context matters a lot.
75 weeks ago
Bob McCarty: I believe that accelerating your career at any level requires taking initiative (also some risk) to 'see' what is needed, develop an opinion (and ...MoreI believe that accelerating your career at any level requires taking initiative (also some risk) to 'see' what is needed, develop an opinion (and implementation plan) to realize it...sort of a 'build it and they will promote' kind of approach.
75 weeks ago
 
Mehnaz Thawer Who is your favourite literary character (like, if this person existed, you'd do anything to meet them), and why?

79 weeks ago from Book Shelf

Cooper: Moll Flanders, what a ride her life was.
78 weeks ago
ken: Francisco from Atlas Shrugged.
75 weeks ago
 
TOP IDEA: Pete Collins What do I wish I knew about the Real World before I started working? - http://www.brazencareerist/2010/11/23/what-do-i-wish-i-knew-about-the-re...

78 weeks ago

seo: thanks for post orjin krem
77 weeks ago
 
Andrei Hancu Along with two other colleagues, we're currently shaping a solid mission statement for my company. Since I haven't done this before and all my inspiration comes from online research I thought I'd ask for some input on which steps are necessary to take in ensuring one creates a valuable and representative corporate mission statement. Looking forward to gaining valuable feedback/insights on the matter.

79 weeks ago from Brand Managers

Andrei Hancu: Thank you for the input!
79 weeks ago
Kate Hutchinson: @Sara That is such a wonderful definition. Thanks for sharing that!
79 weeks ago
 
Kate Davids This is probably some of the most innovative advertising I've see yet. Playstation Gatecrashes birthday parties in Norway. Organized by the agency Suddenly, I think this is a wonderful way to create authentic brand experiences that people will remember and talk about. Just one question: Why wont they come visit my party? http://www.contagiousmagazine.com/2010/10/playstation_1.php

79 weeks ago from Advertising Professionals

Pete Collins: Hey Kate. I would happily turn them away because if one thing could ruin a party - talking, socialising, general spontaneity - it's a games ...MoreHey Kate. I would happily turn them away because if one thing could ruin a party - talking, socialising, general spontaneity - it's a games console! I'd accept a crate of beer or wine though!
79 weeks ago
Jamie Nacht Farrell: I like the idea - think the demographic was a bit old. Good call on the innovation tho
79 weeks ago
 
Brett Kunsch What are your thoughts on "Catfish"?

79 weeks ago from Film

Andrew Hoobin: I haven't yet seen the movie but, what can one say? Except, that it seems rather scary, a bit unnerving, and also intriguing as to (the ...MoreI haven't yet seen the movie but, what can one say? Except, that it seems rather scary, a bit unnerving, and also intriguing as to (the beginnings) of just how truly weird online social networking can be.

Example: I got a Facebook Friend Request the other day; the person had no photo or avatar; they only had one other friend listed; and they never sent me a message, when I requested more information, just posted a profile shot which (I'm sure) was a filched identity, just like the personal information. Conclusion? Run away!!

79 weeks ago
Brett Kunsch: Yes, run away! Catfish most certainly explores the darker side of social networking. I say no more.
79 weeks ago
 
Sarah Peck In this world of instant information and extended networks, is having too much choice ever a bad thing? Sheena Iyengar talks about choice heuristics and how we make decisions in her latest book, "The Art of Choosing." http://bit.ly/97dpsI

80 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs

Jeremy Tadman: I actually liked the post he links to more: MoreI actually liked the post he links to more: http://andrewmcafee.org/2009/07/silencing-the-bells-and-whistles/ but both are quite good.

I just hope this idea isn't taken too far. The idea of fewer options at once is a sound one. But fewer options overall could hurt us in the long run.

80 weeks ago
Brett Kunsch: Perhaps the number of choices will continue to increase, but the filters we create will improve. I just think of how user reviews have greatly ...MorePerhaps the number of choices will continue to increase, but the filters we create will improve. I just think of how user reviews have greatly helped my decisions in purchasing an item on Amazon.com.

Loads of choices passing through a good filter = happy customer.

79 weeks ago
 
Megan Blankenship I recently read an article that suggested including hyperlinks in a resume when sending via email. Do you think this looks professional? What information would be appropriate to hyperlink?

81 weeks ago from Resume Feedback

Stefan Bielski: This isn't recent. I've done this at least since 2001 (just Googled myself to confirm), probably a couple years earlier and I surely picked it up ...MoreThis isn't recent. I've done this at least since 2001 (just Googled myself to confirm), probably a couple years earlier and I surely picked it up from someone else. I did it (blue links and all in both PDFs and in print) to provide context especially for smaller organizations not at all familiar to readers.
80 weeks ago
Linda A. Hamilton: In my research I found that it wasn't recommended. The resume should be snappy and focus on what YOU bring to the table. If it's a writing job and ...MoreIn my research I found that it wasn't recommended. The resume should be snappy and focus on what YOU bring to the table. If it's a writing job and the hiring manager asks for writing samples, providing the link can easily address that request without adding multiple pages. If it's for sales or other areas, I would hesitate using a link, but would add the information within context as an option if the hiring manager is interested enough to want more information about you.
80 weeks ago
 
Dain What was been the hardest part of life after graduating from college? Mine was the transition from college to the real world. I walked across the stage and thought: "now what?" What was the hardest thing for you?

80 weeks ago from Ask Penelope Trunk!

Benjamin Paul Schuman: @Pete- Ahh yes, that's a pretty common phenomenon that I'd forgotten about. In this country, at least, there are so many BA holders with jobs they ...More@Pete- Ahh yes, that's a pretty common phenomenon that I'd forgotten about. In this country, at least, there are so many BA holders with jobs they could've gotten straight out of primary school and MA holders with jobs they could've gotten with a BA that a lot of the time we just don't even mention it. :-)
80 weeks ago
Candice Horn: @Benjamin I hate to say it but...I guess you're right about BA & MA...oh job woes
80 weeks ago
 
Riley Carson Do you ever get the feeling that people disagree with you just for the sake of disagreeing with you?

80 weeks ago from Blogging Ideas

JRandom42: Of course they do. Many relish a sharp exchange of ideas and opinions, because nothing sharpen and clarifys your view than an intelligent, ...MoreOf course they do. Many relish a sharp exchange of ideas and opinions, because nothing sharpen and clarifys your view than an intelligent, forceful, logical, coherent objection or repudiation. Don't believe me? Just check out Slashdot.Org
80 weeks ago
Grace Boyle: All the time. I think those kind of people will always be like that. I don't like agreeable people...in fact, I think agreeable people are more ...MoreAll the time. I think those kind of people will always be like that. I don't like agreeable people...in fact, I think agreeable people are more annoying but have a healthy dose of each. Don't stir up an argument just to do so, just to cause a rise, just to hear yourself speak. It is pretty frustrating and to be honest, I remove myself from those people because it tends to turn negative.

I will say that I love my friends who aren't afraid to state their opinion and disagree - that's different than disagree for the sake of disagreeing.

80 weeks ago
 
TOP IDEA: Hannah Kane When I tell people about my daily commute-- usually about an hour on the bus and the metro-- they wince. But I love using public transportation because I have time to prepare for an interview, read a book, check the news, and generally use that time efficiently. Actually, I've really come to depend on it! Plus, what with urban sprawl and traffic making everyone's commutes longer, isn't an hour on the metro more useful than an hour in stop and go traffic?

102 weeks ago

Pete Collins: I don't have a car so driving was never an option so until recently I got the bus. I convinced myself I liked this (for the reasons described - ...MoreI don't have a car so driving was never an option so until recently I got the bus. I convinced myself I liked this (for the reasons described - time to think, do etc) but then I started cycling to work and I now resent getting on a bus! Not an option for everyone, of course.
81 weeks ago
Hannah Kane: I've been seriously thinking about starting to bike to work, but now the cold weather might delay those plans for a couple of months. And ...MoreI've been seriously thinking about starting to bike to work, but now the cold weather might delay those plans for a couple of months. And generally I'm still a huge fan of public transit, but when, like last night, you end up waiting 25 minutes for a bus at 1:30am then it loses a bit of its allure...
80 weeks ago
 
Danielle Bullen This article talks about getting feedback from your boss.http://bit.ly/afsai4 How do you guys go about it? I went from a job where I had weekly one-on-ones with my boss to a job where I don't. Do you have scheduled times for feedback? Do you find it productive or would you rather do you own thing and check in when necessary?

81 weeks ago from u30pro, The Boss-Employee Relationship and Career Rocketeer1 more

Pete Collins: As a consultant writing reports all my work is reviewed by my line manager, who I also sit next to, so we have a continual dialogue. Don't have ...MoreAs a consultant writing reports all my work is reviewed by my line manager, who I also sit next to, so we have a continual dialogue. Don't have much time for a sit-down ask-for-a-raise but my appraisal is at the end of this month. 20% pay rise anyone??
81 weeks ago
Jennifer Liu: My boss is super busy so there aren't scheduled meetings where I get feedback about performance. I agree with the article though, if you feel like ...MoreMy boss is super busy so there aren't scheduled meetings where I get feedback about performance. I agree with the article though, if you feel like you need some insight from your boss, you have to be your own advocate, be honest and ask your boss directly. Don't leave it up for your boss to help you out. Sometimes I might ask a trusted coworker to get a second opinion or to get some reassurance before talking to the big boss.
80 weeks ago
 

81 weeks ago

 
Pete Collins I've cut my CV in half and its now only one page, and I try to focus on achievements rather than a litany of job titles and courses. I have found it much easier to write meaningful cover letters because it used to be that I was repeating myself in both CV and letter - now I have the bare bones in the CV and use the letter to focus more specifically on the role. I have also put hyperlinks in for more information! Any thoughts on either of these strategies? http://tinyurl.com/2vxw82q

82 weeks ago

 
Josh Ploch Can you help me brainstorm? I have a friend who wants to start a cookie business, she does incredible product (the cookies) but I want to help her brainstorm some other options other then traditional brick and mortar (things with a smaller start up cost) Any thoughts? Some we came up with are: Delivery Farmers Market/ Fairs Catering business meetings (lighter fare then full lunches)

83 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs

Josh Ploch: I agree Joe. I have seen people do that a few times with bagel shops first, then Mom and Pop type places. Some of the family owned places that ...MoreI agree Joe. I have seen people do that a few times with bagel shops first, then Mom and Pop type places. Some of the family owned places that have been around for a while are closed a day a week if you can group your baking I have seen that work, or the bagel/ breakfast style place
82 weeks ago
Joe Osborne: Thanks guys, good suggestions. I'll start searching in that direction.
82 weeks ago
 
Mehnaz Thawer What do you think of the Quarter-Life Crisis? Is it another excuse? Do you think it really spurs people onward? have you experienced it?

83 weeks ago

Brett Kunsch: Aiden, good point. We are always looking towards the future and fearing regret. But I do think that puts us in a huge predicament, making us ...MoreAiden, good point. We are always looking towards the future and fearing regret. But I do think that puts us in a huge predicament, making us fearful of taking risks and trying things. I think we are becoming hyper-aware of choices we've made and choices we've yet to make.

And, @Spencer, absolutely! Personal freedom and the choice paradox totally are making us nuts! Check out Barry Schwartz on the subject at TED - brilliantly captures why choice is paralyzing us: http://bit.ly/cSnFWC

82 weeks ago
Edward Antrobus: I see the mid-life crisis as the stage where you regret the decisions and compromises you've made and the things you haven't done when you see ...MoreI see the mid-life crisis as the stage where you regret the decisions and compromises you've made and the things you haven't done when you see that you've passed a good chunk of your productive years.

The quarter-life crisis is when you wonder if you are going to regret the decisions and compromises you are now making later in life.

I also don't see QLC as being particularly new. My mother once admitted that she dreaded her 25th birthday more than any other than her 40th. I had mine as a I approached my 28th. All the sudden I was "almost 30" instead of "mid-twenties." I was approaching an age where you are expected to have produced results and I hadn't.

82 weeks ago
 
Kenji Crosland I'm 27, and have prematurely gray hair. I just started working at a web startup where it's not unusual for CEOs to be younger than I am. My parents suggested that I should dye my hair to get rid of all the gray and "look more my age." Not for vanity reasons, but for professional reasons. If I dyed my hair I could look at least five years younger if not more, which could be an advantage in a young industry. Do you think it even matters?

83 weeks ago from Upstarts!, Web Startups, Office Politics, Entry-Level Young Professionals and Company Culture3 more

Aiden Schade: People generally don't make judgments based on things that are out of your control like balding, greying, the shape of your face, etc. If you have ...MorePeople generally don't make judgments based on things that are out of your control like balding, greying, the shape of your face, etc. If you have grey hair and don't want to dye it, then don't.

Once you start dying your hair you have to deal with your roots as the dyed hair grows out. As you get more grey, you'll look funny. Best to just accept it now.

83 weeks ago
L.J. Acker: Two words for hot grayness: Anderson Cooper
83 weeks ago
 
Pete Collins Hello all, I just wondered if any of you have used or deliberately not used the Demand Media Blog Distribution Network, or any similar distribution network. http://www.demandstudios.com/freelance-work/bloggers.html Worth it? Not worth it? Limiting on what you can write? Any thoughts welcome!

83 weeks ago from Blogging Ideas, Brazen Bloggers, European Bloggers, Wordpress Bloggers and Freelancing3 more

Erica Ruedas: I've used Demand. It's good for a quick buck, but the biggest complaint I've seen is the difference between editors. Some editors will be fine ...MoreI've used Demand. It's good for a quick buck, but the biggest complaint I've seen is the difference between editors. Some editors will be fine with a particular format, and other will reject your article in that same format. There's no consistency. It's also difficult to search for titles because their organization is terrible.
83 weeks ago
Pete Collins: Thanks both. I do write some articles for DS; I was more specifically wondering about their blog distribution network than the article writing though.
83 weeks ago
 
Alicia Blain I wanted to ask all Gen Yers who have been working for a Fortune 500 company for more than 3 years to weigh in on these questions. 1. What keeps you excited about working in corporate America? 2. What 3 things frustrate you about corporate America? 3. If you were Boss for A Day what one thing would you change asap? Appreciate any insights on this. I work with corp. execs to stop criticizing & start leveraging the talents of Gen Yers & your answers will help bring home the point.

84 weeks ago from I am Gen Y and GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals

Kelly Seiler: 1 - I second the large projects comment. They have good educational benifits if you can tolerate all the red tape to use them.

2 - I work for a ...More
1 - I second the large projects comment. They have good educational benifits if you can tolerate all the red tape to use them.

2 - I work for a defense contractor that has tons of incentives to be inefficent built into the way they work. There is a lot of the kill the messenger mentality going on. Problems don't surface until they are major problems because no one wants to get yelled at over it. It is easier for managers not to make decisions than to make them. The same meetings (often on conference call) happen week after week... same material is rehashed and no decisions made.

3 - Boss for a day. I would overhaul the budget system. Right now when the budget gets distributed for a major project ~15% of it gets held in reserve. Then when groups run out of money they ask for it out of the reserve. I would change to system where all the money was given out up front and when groups run out of money they horse trade to get more from other departments. This would force major problems (presumably the cause of the overrun) into the team sphere instead of being isolated in one department.

Boss for a day Part 2. I'd like some time to work on pet projects at work. There is stuff I'd like to spend some time on that just isn't in the budget for our group. I have no idea how they'd fit this into the charge hours to the goverment scheme, but I'm sure what came out of it would benifit the program tremendously.

83 weeks ago
Pete Collins: Alicia, I work for an engineering consultancy based in the UK which is a FTSE 250 company so I am assuming it is comparable to a Fortune 500. I'll ...MoreAlicia, I work for an engineering consultancy based in the UK which is a FTSE 250 company so I am assuming it is comparable to a Fortune 500. I'll also be a bit negative and only answer question 2 - the things that frustrate me...

Being large, it carries a significant overhead of support people. Of course you need people to administer internal functions, but I sometimes wonder if they are aware of the world that we, the consultants doing work for clients, actually inhabit. Archaic systems that we "have" to follow that add nothing to our work but come up once in a blue moon in the guise of an audit or a poorly-run "training course". I could go on but I won't!

Being large, internal communication is very difficult. There are teams in completely different departments that do almost exactly the same work my team does, but we are barely aware of each other's existence, because it is (a) very easy to get in the rut of only dealing with a few people and (b) very difficult to bust out of your niche and see what else is out there. A fellow graduate in an ergonomics team once told me that they keep missing out on internal work because other teams do not they exist, so they sub-contract out the work! The intranet is awful, in the way that only something run by a committee can be cf. the internet which is really useful and organised by no-one at all! There are some tentative moves to fix this with some internal social networking apps being trialled soon, so that you can get a feel for who else is out there and what they do.

Rant over, I feel better now!

83 weeks ago

Groups (31)

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Fans (27)

Ben Donahower
Adam Piplica
Ryan Paugh
Kate Wiseman
Rebecca Thorman
Jeremiah Bourque
Leigh Steele
Lindsey Sparks
Michael E Cantone
Clare Herbert

Following (31)

Kate Davids
Adam Piplica
Rebecca Thorman
Janavi
Jamie Nacht Farrell
James Thomas
Sarah Peck
Alicia Blain
Kelly Seiler
Julie Bush