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Armageddon And It's Your Fault

Shane Hodge • November 30, 2016
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Two versions of Armageddon – there is the biblical version which is all about the last big fight between the Good Guys (God and Angels) and the Bad Guys (Devil and his mob), huge big nasty brawl erupts, but in the end the Good Guys win.

The second version? Is a Movie where a huge asteroid is on a collision course to earth, if it hits, there will be Global Destruction (Armageddon). But like the Godly version, yippee there is a happy ending. Bruce Willis presses the button, nuclear bomb explodes and the asteroid is blown up and the earth is saved. All of this happens whilst Aerosmith sings in the background. Wow, what an ending!

Now, why are we talking about Armageddon? Well, this week we had the worst of the worst technical disaster with one of our hosting companies. It was Technical Armageddon for them. The good was attacked by evil and next thing you know, all their servers were blown up by a nuclear explosion and nothing was left to salvage (All files gone!).

What did this do? Well, it killed all our emails plus a few of our clients, lots of our of painstakingly created online forms disappeared. It was an issue. For us, we had a back-up plan and quickly were up and running with good old Gmail. For the clients, however? Well, we fell into the Godly version of Armageddon, that being Good versus Evil, and sorry it’s your (Ours) fault.

I say Good versus Evil as when things go wrong, good people can very quickly turn evil. Yep, you mess with the emails of a lovely old couple running a florist shop, you disconnect their e-commerce gateway in anyway and they will turn into fire breathing dragons quicker than you can say “Law Suit”! And hello, I don’t care what happened “It’s your fault” will be the signature of every text message/Facebook posting/Twitter tweet, heck, they will even screen shot the issue and post it on Instagram.

Now, regardless of the fact that it’s a supplier that had the Armageddon moment, that lightning had struck the building where the server was held or even an asteroid (keeping with the movie theme) had demolished the entire city, regardless of what the soon to be poor supplier is telling you about ETA of the issue being rectified, the mature age florist gives you the same sentence each time you chat….It’s your fault and get it fixed now.

It’s a terrible thing times like this. Customers are yelling at you, all you’re hearing is, “When will it be fixed?” “You’re ruining my business” “I will sue you” and you’re also harassing the poor server guy who is trying to rebuild life amongst the rubble of melted hard disks.

So, what are my pearls of wisdom for these Armageddon moments? Keep people informed.

Yes, regardless of how much abuse you will get, tell your customers what’s going on before they ask you, keep emailing them, post messages on your Facebook page, good news bad news anything is better than NO news.

And remember, either the Godly Armageddon, the Bruce Willis movie or your technical meltdown?

There will be a happy ending.

Hugs from TheCamel.co™

By Shane Hodge December 3, 2024
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By Shane Hodge November 1, 2024
Ah, the digital agency dream! The freedom to set your own hours, the thrill of building something from scratch, and the joy of staying in bed all day because your motivation decided to take a vacation. We've all been there. One moment you're ready to conquer the world, and the next, you're contemplating if you can run your business from under the covers. Fear not, fellow business warriors! Here’s a guide to reigniting that spark when your get up and go has got up and gone. 1. The Snooze Button Tango First things first, let's address the elephant in the room: the snooze button. It's tempting, isn't it? Just one more tap and you can dream a little longer about that tropical island getaway. But here's a tip: place your alarm clock across the room. This way, you'll have to physically get out of bed to turn it off. By the time you've stumbled across the room, you're halfway to being a functioning human. Plus, it's a great way to practice your morning dance moves! 2. Coffee: The Elixir of Life If motivation had a flavor, it would undoubtedly be coffee. There's something magical about that first sip that transforms you from a groggy zombie into a semi-alert human. So, brew yourself a cup of your favorite blend and let the caffeine work its wonders. If you're not a coffee person, tea or a refreshing smoothie can do the trick too. The key is to find your personal elixir that kickstarts your day. 3. Dress for Success (Even if No One Will See You) Working from home has its perks, like wearing pajamas all day. But sometimes, a lack of motivation stems from feeling too comfortable. Try dressing up as if you're heading to an important meeting. It might sound silly, but putting on your "power outfit" can boost your confidence and productivity. Plus, you never know when an impromptu video call might happen! 4. The To-Do List: Your New Best Friend When you're feeling overwhelmed, a to-do list can be your savior. Start with small, manageable tasks and gradually work your way up to the big ones. There's nothing more satisfying than crossing items off your list. It's like a mini celebration each time you do it. And if you're feeling extra adventurous, add "make a to-do list" to your list just so you can cross it off immediately. Instant success! 5. Dance Like Nobody's Watching Sometimes, all you need is a little music to lift your spirits. Create a playlist of your favorite upbeat songs and have a dance party in your living room. Not only will it boost your mood, but it's also a fun way to get some exercise. Remember, the goal is to have fun, so let loose and dance like nobody's watching (because they probably aren't). 6. Phone a Friend When motivation is low, reach out to a fellow entrepreneur or a friend who understands the struggle. A quick chat can provide a fresh perspective and remind you that you're not alone. Plus, sharing a laugh or two can work wonders for your mood. Just make sure the conversation doesn't turn into a marathon gossip session! 7. Reward Yourself Set small goals throughout the day and reward yourself when you achieve them. Whether it's a piece of chocolate, a short walk outside, or a few minutes of scrolling through your favorite social media, having something to look forward to can keep you motivated. Just be careful not to let the rewards overshadow the work! 8. Watch TheCamel.co Live Stream Replays Shameless Promotion, LOL, at least you can have a laugh rather than be miserable. In conclusion, when your get up and go has got up and gone, remember that it's perfectly normal to have off days. The key is to find what works for you and embrace the journey with a sense of humor. After all, laughter is the best motivator. So, get up, get moving, and show the world what you're made of! Hugs from TheCamel
By Shane Hodge September 27, 2024
Yes we have to pay humans (How dare they ask for money some ask) But Folks In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing, it's easy to imagine a future where robots are designing our logos, creating our advertisements, and even picking out the perfect shade of blue for our websites. But before we hand over our graphic design tools to our silicon-based friends, let's take a moment to appreciate why humans are still the reigning champions of creativity in the design world. Spoiler alert: it’s not just because we can appreciate a good cup of coffee while working! The Human Touch : More Than Just Opposable Thumbs AI might be able to churn out designs faster than you can say "Helvetica," but it lacks the human touch. There's something about the way a human designer can capture emotion, tell a story, and connect with an audience that AI just can't replicate. It's like comparing a hand-knitted sweater from grandma to a mass-produced one from a factory. Sure, they both keep you warm, but only one comes with a side of love and a hint of mothballs. Creativity : The Unpredictable Muse AI is great at following patterns and algorithms, but creativity often thrives on breaking the rules. Human designers have the ability to think outside the box, color outside the lines, and occasionally spill coffee on the canvas, creating a masterpiece by accident. AI, on the other hand, would probably just short-circuit at the sight of a coffee stain. Humor : The Secret Ingredient Let's face it, AI doesn't have a sense of humor. It might be able to generate a pun or two, but it doesn't understand the nuances of wit and sarcasm. Human designers can infuse humor into their work, making it relatable and memorable. After all, who doesn't love a good visual pun? Just imagine an AI trying to design a funny cat meme—it would probably end up with a picture of a toaster. Empathy : Designing with Heart Graphic design is not just about making things look pretty; it's about understanding the audience and designing with empathy. Humans have the ability to put themselves in others' shoes (or flip-flops, if that's your thing) and create designs that resonate on a deeper level. AI might be able to analyze data, but it can't feel the joy of a child seeing their favorite cartoon character or the nostalgia of a retro design. The Happy Accidents Some of the best designs come from happy accidents—those unexpected moments of brilliance that occur when a designer is experimenting and playing around. AI is programmed to avoid mistakes, but humans know that sometimes, a little chaos can lead to something extraordinary. It's like the time you accidentally added too much chili to your soup and discovered a new favorite dish. The Human Connection At the end of the day, design is about connecting with people. Human designers have the ability to build relationships, understand client needs, and collaborate in ways that AI simply can't. Plus, humans are much better at handling client feedback without overheating or needing a reboot. In conclusion, while AI is a fantastic tool that can assist in the design process, it lacks the creativity, empathy, and humor that make human designers truly exceptional. So, the next time you're admiring a beautifully crafted logo or a cleverly designed ad, remember to thank the human behind the screen. After all, we're the ones who can appreciate the finer things in life—like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee and a well-timed joke. Love & Hugs from TheCamel
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