PPB March 2015

MARCH 2015 •

PPB

• 77

3. Limit distractions.

Many creative profes-

sionals find inspiration from browsing blogs,

websites and social media. To maximize pro-

ductivity without cutting off sources of creative stimuli,

set designated periods to surf the web in the afternoon

or after you’ve completed a major to-do. Also, turn off

email and app notifications so you’re not tempted to

review messages as they arrive.

4. Don’t delay.

Even peak performers occa-

sionally put off working on unpleasant or over-

whelming assignments. One effective way to

overcome procrastination is to break a project into

smaller tasks.

5. Recharge.

Taking short breaks can help you

replenish your energy and fight fatigue.

Work-Approved Facebook

Tests are progressing for Facebook’s anticipated

FB@Work,

project that lets employers create company-based social networks

using Facebook’s well-known platform for personal pages. Still in

beta with a limited number of companies, the service is expected

to help employees communicate with each other, pass on news,

plan meetings and share documents. It’s too soon to know if the

service will be paid or supported by advertising.

>>WEARABLE

ICE BREAKER

Mikko Jarvenpaa,

founder of the Tic

Tac Toe Tee,

believes his creation

is the perfect con-

versation starter.

Currently seeking

funding on

Kickstarter, the tees

offer a no-tech game

board of specially

made light-weight

Velcro® with match-

ing play pieces

affixed to a t-shirt.

Poor Little Lamb

Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations are

big events for marketers, but brands are

reluctant to invest too much in 2015—the

year of the sheep. Because the animal is

seen as weak and easily pushed around,

i.e., herded, it’s a symbol with which few

Chinese want to be associated. Instead,

advertisers are leaving mentions of the

New Year out of ads until a more auspicious

symbol comes back around.