Boost your memory

Now what was I going to write about... ah yes, improving your memory! According to the Guardian, it consists of 5 easy steps:

1) Use memory techniques
If you're introduced to someone called Kate, who looks a bit like a gate, put these ideas together in your mind and hey presto; no more embarrassingly tapping people on the shoulder because you can't remember their name.

2) Develop new mental skills
No, not telepathy or using the Force. Learn a language, play chess or practise saying everything backwards. ekil tahT.

3) Eat clever
The school dinner ladies were right. Eat fish and you'll be bright. (And maybe a poet too, if you eat as clever as me.)

4) Reduce stress
You know when you're stressed, you just can't find the toothpaste and the measuring tape? Me too. Just chill and they magically appear. Seriously.

5) Meditate
Something to do with 'cerebral', 'cortex' and 'thickening'. Exactly.

So, if you see me chilling on the sofa at work, speaking hcnerF, eating fish fingers and sitting in lotus position, I am NOT just skiving, ok?

Great Places to Work

Google has recently been voted number one in the USA's Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For survey. So what's it like there? Brainwashing? Free chocolate on the hour, every hour? Personal attendants to fan you down when you get too hot? Well, maybe that's my personal fantasy but Google's working environment isn't far off. Employees get free gourmet meals, gym, swimming pool and on site doctors and masseurs. The report says that:

Google's leaders have figured out the formula that works for them by treating people with respect, supporting their creative endeavors, and working hard to adhere to their motto of "Don't be evil".

It's not rocket science, really.

And everyone wants to work there. They apparently receive 1,300 CVs a day. I might be tempted to slip mine in the electronic mail if I didn't work at Happy. In 2006 Happy was number 11 in the FT's Best Workplaces in the UK. Not bad for a company with only 59 employees. We're hoping to do even better this year to reflect our Happy culture: flexible working patterns; no blame culture; free food and ice creams; ₤100 a year to spend on keeping ourselves well; job ownership; transparent salaries...

Mr Happy, aka Henry explains:

Our approach isn't complicated, we believe people work best when they feel good about themselves.

Hmm... I sense a theme here. Time for other companies to follow suit?