A proper day's work

Agricola

He means anyone who's ability to turn up and their performance in the job has a direct impact on their pay I'd imagine. Unlike the bloated bureaucrats who clutter the corridors of power in Brussels or indeed any national parliament. Fat salary, come and go as you like, incredible benefits and the ability to retire in your mid 40's on a king's ransom of a pension.

Lyaiera

thegreatgonzo wrote: »

Is that different to technical writing?

Commercial writing (also known as copywriting) is mostly used in marketing and advertising, everything from writing massive documents explaining things to big players in the industry, to press releases, text for a business' website, to the text and occasionally language that appears in various types of ad in different media, and even the slogans products use. If you can think of a slogan for a major product you use, that's part of their advertising campaign, or product branding then chances are that was written by someone in an extremely prestigious marketing agency who specialises in or has experience in copywriting/commercial writing.

The stuff I was doing wasn't really used in advertising, but for websites explaining things about the business, or the products. Not short descriptions of what the product is, but going into what makes one thing more suitable than the other, what the logic behind its use was, advice on how to get the most out of products, how to choose the right version of something for you, things to look out for when judging quality, why a higher or lower priced model might be more suitable, when you don't need certain products, if you're just beginning an endeavour utilisng one of the products what the common pitfalls might be, that kind of thing. Sometimes I'd write about developments within the industry, or related industries that had significance for people using the products. This is general stuff that I would do for every business/product I wrote about/for, and the text would appear in various material and places. Sometimes certain businesses would have more niche concerns.

Technical writing is more about writing logical and easily understood documents (or easily understood for the level it's aimed at) such as end-user manuals, security procedure documents that explain processes to follow, repair manuals, technical manuals for experts, project guides, etc. It's usual some form of documentation, procedure or guide.

Commercial writing is probably more creative, technical writing is probably more analytical, both involve clarity and the ability to get your idea or the information across. Both can lead to extremely good careers with some of the most important businesses in the world, or you can end up writing for pennies for turd businesses and products.

boobar

Maybe it's because my father was a labourer and when he came home from work you knew that he was exhausted and had been grafting.....I work in IT and although stressful sometimes, I find it hard to describe it as hard work.

It's not like breaking stones.

Shelga

For me, it's when I'm on my way home and ask myself, did I earn my money today? Did I use my brain?

If the answers to those two are yes, then I've done a proper day's work, for me. When I'm in a period of constant busy-ness in work, overall I actually think I feel more energised in other areas. When I'm not as busy I get demotivated and sluggish.

I do think there can be wastage in how companies plan their manpower resource for various projects; too often I've felt insanely busy for 3 months, followed by a 3 month lull.

cbyrd

21 years of men's hairdressing, reckon I have done about 100800 haircuts . . In the boom times I worked 5 days 9.30 - 6 no proper lunch break and 2 evenings I worked til 8pm. When my 2 eldest girls were little they came to work with me. So in between haircuts I was mammy.. ( it was a family business front of house ) 6 employees, 2 part-time weren't family. Due to a car accident I can't work hairdressing anymore, I can't stand for long periods...

I cut smelly hair, old hair , wriggly giggly child hair, kids crying their heads off hair, autistic hair, posh hair, teenage hair, chemotherapy hair, footballer hair, teachers hair, all the trades hair (great for diy tips)
I've listened to funny stories and heartbreaking ones. Learned more about football than I'll ever need to know. I've been part of 6 generations of hairdressers in my family. I've made people feel like a million dollars and I've watched them stand a little taller going out the door.
I've had lots of coffin hair ( someone who died shortly after they got a haircut) I've cut hair of family members of suicide victims getting ready for the funeral, I've known a lot of suicide victims, There are very few professional jobs that you get so up close and personal for 20 or so minutes. To be on form, smiling conversing about every subject under the sun.
Then go home and be mammy.
I've had many many hard day's work, I miss it like hell.

Permabear

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