Walking back to our car on a recent shopping trip into Loughborough we noticed this shop window pictured on the right.
Over the last few weeks, when summer arrived and restrictions eased, I have noticed a number of such appeals for Staff Wanted. This got me thinking on a broader level about how things are changing and have changed since this darned pandemic infected our world twenty or so months ago. It was a bit like getting out of jail in the Monopoly game…
But, this summer has felt more like being out on parole than the promised getยญ-outยญ-ofยญ-jailยญ-free. The weather was British (reliably unreliable, with just one week of somebody trotting out โbit warm for you?โ) and going overseas was just too confusing for most of us to risk. If you were caught by the pingdemic, test and trace or even worse, actually caught the virus, it was an immediate go to jail, do not collect ยฃ200.
Still, Iโm sure most of us managed at some point to catch up with friends and family without sticking to the distant waves and virtual hugs that social distancing mandated (ugh, putitng your arms around yourself in a representation of a hug never was quite right).
Mary and I and our families and friends realised that the last year has created a black hole in our memories. We found ourselves reminiscing about that occasion when we got together last year. We didnโt, it was the year before. We talked about it having been about two years since something happened…it was four years.
But โ sanitised fingers crossed โ letโs hope further incarceration is off the cards (I think youโve got the message. We didnโt enjoy lockdown). We are just really grateful weโre still running our magazine business, mainly through the support of all you lovely readers and adver๔ฐsers, and to be able to return to printing details of offers, promotions, new adverts and news . Keep it coming!
Back to the shop window above… Before Covid 19 most businesses had a computer and a printer, and used them where ever they could to present the most stylish and effective communication their talents could muster to fit the platform being used. A shop window notice might have a little cartoon figure, with a question something like โIs This You?โ or that time worn sepia image of Lord Kitchener pointing his finger demanding โWE NEED YOU!โ
But now, in these abnormal normal days, we donโt need any of that fancy packaging, and clichรฉd images ยญ a simple, hand written, with a Sharpie ยญ โSTAFF WANTEDโ will definitely do!
Iโd like to say weโve returned to a simpler world; one where the fringe dressing, the over emphasis, the patronising attempt to win you over has been removed, and we are now in a more straightforward world of plainer speaking, more to the point way of interacting with each other.
Certainly, it is human nature, when we need something and we need it now, often the quickest way to get it is to ask for it straight out, or at least get an answer fast; think of a hungry child; it doesnโt produce fancy drawings, with cartoon symbols, It bellows โI AM HUNGRY!โ
Here at Soar Valley Life, in these new normal times we find ourselves in need as we continue to survive and prosper.
So, straight out, here goes:
โNew team member wanted here at Soar Valley Life to shout out our simple message on the phone, on email, by letter and good old fashioned face to face visit, that we are here to bellow loud and clear your business message to more than 40,000 Charnwood households every two months!โ
If this interests you please see our little โShop Windowโ advert on page 59 and email us forthwith. There, simple!
Steve and Mary
