My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
Monday, August 17, 2020
We Are Now At A Time Where We Can Ask The Provocative Question: "Who's Zoomin' Who?"
The album cover you see above is one that I actually owned in the 80's.
In fact, at one time, I had every album/8-track/cassette tape/CD that Aretha Franklin ever released. I freaking LOVED that women! What a soulful voice she had.
But her voice will live on forever; particularly now.
And I can't help but wonder if she ever imagined when she recorded the song, Who's Zoomin' Who?, that it would be associated with technology that wasn't invented (or even thought of) back then.
Yet it's funny, because that's the first thing that popped into my head when I heard about ZOOM over a year ago. I immediately thought of that song.
In fact, at one time, I had every album/8-track/cassette tape/CD that Aretha Franklin ever released. I freaking LOVED that women! What a soulful voice she had.
But her voice will live on forever; particularly now.
And I can't help but wonder if she ever imagined when she recorded the song, Who's Zoomin' Who?, that it would be associated with technology that wasn't invented (or even thought of) back then.
Yet it's funny, because that's the first thing that popped into my head when I heard about ZOOM over a year ago. I immediately thought of that song.
And even more so over the past month because I recently got a freelance job with a new online beauty consulting company that hired me as a virtual beauty advisor to assist their customers. The company officially launches in September. And I'm very excited because it's a whole new concept for the beauty industry. With the way many retail stores are closing due to COVID-19, this concept is ideal because companies are realizing that it can be much more cost-effective to do business online, rather than a brick and mortar store.
Listen, I'm all for working face to face (in the flesh) with customers, however, that has dramatically changed over the past six months. In the retail beauty industry, we are no longer permitted to apply makeup or skincare on customers. We can explain to them how to use the products, but all applications must be done by themselves when they get home. Additionally, customers are no longer offered testers, handmade samples, or even disposable mascara, eye shadow or lip wands for sanitary reasons. Therefore, their only option is to purchase the products and then return them if they don't work out. But they are not permitted to test them first. So, if this is going to be the new way for the retail beauty industry (even if it's only temporary), then I need to change with the times and start working online because there are no longer any advantages to working in a store.
The company I'm working for is using ZOOM to conduct their product knowledge training classes for the various makeup and skincare lines that they will be offering to their customers. And I have to say, I've been loving it. And not only because I enjoy learning about new products, but I've also enjoyed being able to stay at home and train with everyone from all over the United States, via my computer.
Admittedly, it felt strange at first. But after only a few meetings, I got the hang of it. Now it seems second nature. In the first week, I attended 12 ZOOM meetings, which were about an hour to an hour and a half in length.
Before I started my training, I went online and did a lot of research on how ZOOM works (technically) and how to make the most of the meetings. Being a photographer, I also investigated how to adjust the lighting and computer monitor. I finally figured out the perfect angle to position my computer so that the light from my apartment windows would allow me to be seen in the most natural light. I also figured out how to use artificial light behind my monitor, whenever I need to attend meetings later in the evening. And a really great perk about using ZOOM is that I don't have to wear pants because no one can see me from the waist down. I just wear a nice shirt and my undies. HA!
So yeah, ZOOM has been such an awesome learning tool...
In conclusion, I would like to take a moment to thank Aretha for not only recording a terrific song, but for also projecting into the future what would eventually become a way for us to communicate.
And to ask the provocative question:
Listen, I'm all for working face to face (in the flesh) with customers, however, that has dramatically changed over the past six months. In the retail beauty industry, we are no longer permitted to apply makeup or skincare on customers. We can explain to them how to use the products, but all applications must be done by themselves when they get home. Additionally, customers are no longer offered testers, handmade samples, or even disposable mascara, eye shadow or lip wands for sanitary reasons. Therefore, their only option is to purchase the products and then return them if they don't work out. But they are not permitted to test them first. So, if this is going to be the new way for the retail beauty industry (even if it's only temporary), then I need to change with the times and start working online because there are no longer any advantages to working in a store.
The company I'm working for is using ZOOM to conduct their product knowledge training classes for the various makeup and skincare lines that they will be offering to their customers. And I have to say, I've been loving it. And not only because I enjoy learning about new products, but I've also enjoyed being able to stay at home and train with everyone from all over the United States, via my computer.
Admittedly, it felt strange at first. But after only a few meetings, I got the hang of it. Now it seems second nature. In the first week, I attended 12 ZOOM meetings, which were about an hour to an hour and a half in length.
Before I started my training, I went online and did a lot of research on how ZOOM works (technically) and how to make the most of the meetings. Being a photographer, I also investigated how to adjust the lighting and computer monitor. I finally figured out the perfect angle to position my computer so that the light from my apartment windows would allow me to be seen in the most natural light. I also figured out how to use artificial light behind my monitor, whenever I need to attend meetings later in the evening. And a really great perk about using ZOOM is that I don't have to wear pants because no one can see me from the waist down. I just wear a nice shirt and my undies. HA!
So yeah, ZOOM has been such an awesome learning tool...
In conclusion, I would like to take a moment to thank Aretha for not only recording a terrific song, but for also projecting into the future what would eventually become a way for us to communicate.
And to ask the provocative question:
Oh, and just in case you're in the mood to hear some Aretha Franklin the next time you're on a ZOOM call, I'll leave you with this tune...
Have a ZOOMIN' week, y'all!
💗
P.S. My very favorite Aretha Franklin song is...R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Whenever I hear that song, I have the urge to get up; lip sync and dance, while snapping my fingers and gyrating my hips.
Ooooo, yeah!
P.S. My very favorite Aretha Franklin song is...R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Whenever I hear that song, I have the urge to get up; lip sync and dance, while snapping my fingers and gyrating my hips.
Ooooo, yeah!
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