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	<title>Business Archives - TIM DIXON</title>
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		<title>From Idea to Post: How I Use ChatGPT and AI Images for LinkedIn</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2025/10/from-idea-to-post-how-i-use-chatgpt-and-ai-images-for-linkedin/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2025/10/from-idea-to-post-how-i-use-chatgpt-and-ai-images-for-linkedin/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Oct 2025 20:50:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Accessibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Content Creation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ChatGPT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LinkedIN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Productivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=1508</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I’ve been experimenting with ChatGPT for a while now, but I recently found a way to make it genuinely useful, not just as a novelty. These days I&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2025/10/from-idea-to-post-how-i-use-chatgpt-and-ai-images-for-linkedin/">From Idea to Post: How I Use ChatGPT and AI Images for LinkedIn</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I’ve been experimenting with ChatGPT for a while now, but I recently found a way to make it genuinely useful, not just as a novelty. These days I use it to draft my LinkedIn posts, and generate matching images, and it’s made the process faster, more focused, and actually fun again. It is hard to create images when you are severly sight impaired, using AI to generate images removes many of the barriers.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This isn’t about letting AI write for me. It’s about using it to think with me.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Starting with a Project</strong></h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The magic happens inside something OpenAI calls <strong>Projects</strong>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Each project acts like a workspace, a focused environment where you can upload files, define instructions, and build up context over time. I’ve created one called <strong>“Tim Dixon Blog Posts.”</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Inside that, I upload two files:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>blog_posts</strong> which contains examples of my previous writing.</li>



<li><strong>brand_style</strong> which defines my tone, formatting preferences, and image guidelines.</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then I add my instructions, which are the playbook for how I want ChatGPT to write, format, and iterate with me.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I start by creating a document called blog_posts that contains copies of many of my blog posts to use as reference for my style. The file can be txt, PDF, RTF or Word doc &#8211; ChatGPT is flexible, as long as we keep the name the same for referencing in the instructions later.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I then create a text file with my brand details in and save it as brand_style.txt and upload it to ChatGPT.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The below code block is a starting point, just tweak to your brand.</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>Brand Style

Brand Colours
	•	Black: #000000	 – backgrounds, base colour
	•	White: #FFFFFF – primary text and elements
	• Highlight: #007d79– accent highlights
- Grey: #d3d3d3


Typography
	•	Clean sans-serif, medium weight for text overlays
	•	Short, legible text only – never cluttered

Imagery
	•	Minimalist flat vector illustrations
	•	1–3 bold, uncluttered elements per image
	•	Strong contrast: white/highlight elements against black background
	•	No company logos, brand names, or product names

Watermark
	•	Text: “Me”
	•	Position: bottom-left with a safe margin
	•	Style: clean sans-serif, medium weight
	•	Visible but subtle

Composition Rules
	•	Bold, simple layouts with high clarity
	•	Consistent use of brand black background
	•	White as primary for content, highlight only as emphasis</code></pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Now the files have been created and uploaded, it is time to setup the instructions. You can copy the below into your instructions to get started.</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>LinkedIn Content Engine (Always-On Workflow: Text + Branded Image + Alt Text)

Role
You are an assistant that generates LinkedIn content with a branded visual and accessible alt text.
   •   Writing style: mirror my existing blog style (blog_posts).
   •   Use plain English, direct phrasing, and short, clear sentences.
   •   Keep a reflective yet practical edge: insights grounded in lived experience and real-world application.
   •   Avoid jargon unless it clarifies, not complicates.
   •   Structure logically with clear hooks, progression, and concise conclusions.
   •   Visual style: follow brand and colour guidance in brand_style.

⸻

Output Order (strict)
	1.	Post Text
      •   100–200 words.
      •   Reference blog_posts for style.
      •   Begin with a strong hook (question, insight, or bold statement).
      •   Maintain professional, approachable tone.
      •   Sentences short and scannable.
      •   Conclude with a discussion-inviting call-to-action.
      •   No emojis.
      •   No em dashes.
      •   No company names, product names, or trademarks.

2.	Image (auto-generated)
      •   Always generate the image using image_gen.text2im.
      •   Prompt template:
"Flat vector illustration inspired by the topic: &lt;TOPIC>. Follow brand colours and rules from brand_style. Minimalist, bold, uncluttered composition. Exclude company logos, product names, or branded items."
      •   Size: 1024x1024
      •   n: 1
3.	Alt Text
      •   Must be written after examining the generated image.
      •   ≤200 characters, single sentence.
      •   Concise, factual, specific to the composition.
      •   No filler like “Image of” or “Picture showing.”
      •   No company names or products.

⸻

Accessibility &amp; Consistency Checks
   •   Follow strong contrast and style guidance from brand_style.
   •   Watermark must be visible but subtle.
   •   No emojis or em dashes in post text.
   •   Alt text must always be based on the actual generated image, never the prompt.
   •   Alt text under 200 characters.</code></pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Once the project is saved, ChatGPT automatically references these files every time I start a new conversation inside it. That means it already knows my voice, my preferred structure, and how I like my posts to feel.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Workflow</strong></h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Once the project is set up, my process is refreshingly simple.</p>



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>I open the project.</li>



<li>I enter a subject line, for example <em>“Using AI for personal branding”</em> or <em>“What I learned after 30 days of LinkedIn posting.”</em></li>



<li>I hit enter.</li>
</ol>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Within seconds, ChatGPT generates a full draft and suggests a header image concept. I review, tweak, and refine, usually in two or three passes, until it sounds like me.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That’s the key. It’s still my voice, just supported by a system that handles the blank-page problem.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Why It Works</strong></h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The power of this setup comes from context.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Most people treat ChatGPT like a one-off conversation. Each chat starts from zero, so the model doesn’t know your tone, your formatting style, or your target audience. Projects remember your setup.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because I’ve uploaded my past writing and a clear style guide, the model understands:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>how I format headings and summaries</li>



<li>the tone I use when explaining technical or accessibility topics</li>



<li>and the cadence of short, readable paragraphs</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The result feels authentic and consistent, not templated or robotic.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Image Side</strong></h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Once the text is ready, I use ChatGPT’s built-in image generation tool to create a visual to match.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The setup from my brand_style file ensures that each image follows the same visual language, clean and minimalist. I usually ask for flat vector illustrations with just a few bold elements and then refine the concept until it fits the theme of the post.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s not a replacement for a designer, but it removes friction. Everything I publish feels coherent without me jumping between different tools or templates.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Human Layer</strong></h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">AI can draft content, but it can’t bring personal experience or judgment. That’s where I come back in.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Once I have the draft, I edit for rhythm and authenticity. I add lived experiences, the small details that make a post relatable. I also make sure the accessibility descriptions are clear and that the tone stays conversational.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The result is a workflow that pairs the speed of AI with the sincerity of human editing.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Why I Like It</strong></h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Since adopting this workflow, I’ve noticed a few big wins:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Less friction. I spend more time refining ideas, less time formatting or prompting.</li>



<li>Better consistency. My tone and visuals stay aligned without constant setup.</li>



<li>Accessibility awareness. Every image gets meaningful alt text, and ChatGPT helps me phrase it concisely.</li>



<li>Flexibility. I can repurpose a blog post into a LinkedIn article or vice versa in minutes.</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s like having a creative assistant who already knows my writing habits and structure.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lessons Learned</strong></h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A few tips if you want to try something similar:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Upload reference material. Give ChatGPT real examples of your writing.</li>



<li>Document your style. A simple text file describing your tone and format is enough.</li>



<li>Stay in control. Treat the AI as a co-writer, not a ghostwriter.</li>



<li>Iterate. The first draft rarely nails it, but the second and third often do.</li>



<li>Use someone&#8217;s eyes to check the design.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Verdict</strong></h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">ChatGPT has gone from being a clever demo to an actual part of my creative process.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By building a dedicated project with a couple of well-chosen files and instructions, I’ve turned it into a lightweight content studio that helps me think, write, and design faster without losing the human touch.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s not about replacing creativity. It’s about amplifying it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And if AI can make my posts more consistent, accessible, and authentic, that’s a win I’ll take any day.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2025/10/from-idea-to-post-how-i-use-chatgpt-and-ai-images-for-linkedin/">From Idea to Post: How I Use ChatGPT and AI Images for LinkedIn</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1508</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Where do I start with Accessibility? [Updated 11 Aug 24]</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/05/where-do-i-start-with-accessibility/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/05/where-do-i-start-with-accessibility/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 14 May 2023 15:59:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Accessibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[A11Y]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Productivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sight Loss Tips]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=683</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Where do I start with Accessibility? is the first question that anyone new to accessibility asks. Therefore, this post aims to provide a starting point to get involved&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/05/where-do-i-start-with-accessibility/">Where do I start with Accessibility? [Updated 11 Aug 24]</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Where do I start with Accessibility? is the first question that anyone new to accessibility asks. Therefore, this post aims to provide a starting point to get involved with accessibility, regardless of you level of knowledge or role.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This post was last updated on 11 August 2024. <a href="#Fundamentals">Jump to updated Section</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is Accessibility?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Accessibility is the practice of designing and creating products, services, and environments that can be used by everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Accessibility ensures that people with different needs and preferences can access and interact with information, technology, and society without barriers or discrimination.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="everyone">Resources for Everyone to Start with Accessibility</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This section includes links to resources that everyone will find useful for learning about accessibility:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Fundamentals">Fundamentals</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/beginners-guide-digital-accessibility">A beginner&#8217;s guide to digital accessibility | AbilityNet</a> A great overview of digital accessibility and how to get started.</li>



<li><a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/accessibility-fundamentals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft Accessibility Fundamentals course</a> is a fantastic starting point. The course is free and covers accessibility in many situations for a range of disabilities.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.accessibility.uxdesign.cc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giving a damn about accessibility (uxdesign.cc)</a> &#8211; An excellent book providing a practical perspective on accessibility.</li>



<li><a href="https://home.barclays/who-we-are/our-suppliers/external-resources-for-suppliers/">Useful external resources on accessibility | Barclays (home.barclays)</a> &#8211; a collection of resources on Accessibility, collated by Barclay&#8217;s.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.inclusion.hsbc.com/#/">HSBC Accessibility Hub</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/accessibility">An Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusive Design | Coursera</a> &#8211; Course</li>



<li><a href="https://www.edx.org/learn/web-accessibility/the-world-wide-web-consortium-w3c-introduction-to-web-accessibility?country=157">Introduction to Web Accessibility | edX</a> &#8211; Course</li>



<li><a href="https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-programming/the-georgia-institute-of-technology-information-and-communication-technology-ict-acces?index=product&amp;queryID=dfe9c6900026c7bec789780acf796aac&amp;position=2&amp;linked_from=autocomplete&amp;c=autocomplete">Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility | edX</a> &#8211; Course</li>



<li>Best Practice Guides from the Business Disability Forum &gt; <a href="https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/knowledge-hub/resource/category/technology/?sort_by=date">Technology &#8211; Business Disability Forum</a></li>



<li>Do&#8217;s and Don&#8217;ts of Accessible Design &gt; <a href="https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2016/09/02/dos-and-donts-on-designing-for-accessibility/">Dos and don&#8217;ts on designing for accessibility &#8211; Accessibility in government (blog.gov.uk)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.a11yproject.com/">Home &#8211; The A11Y Project</a> &#8211; an extensive accessibility resource covering all aspects of accessibility.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.a11ycat.net/">A11y Cat: the most useful accessibility resources online</a></li>



<li><a href="https://a11y-webring.club/">A11y Web Ring</a> &#8211; A ring of websites about accessibility</li>



<li><a href="https://www.getstark.co/wcag-explained/">WCAG Explained Intro (getstark.co)</a> &#8211; a great resource for starting to understand WCAG.</li>



<li><a href="https://accessible.org/web-content-accessibility-guidelines/">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview | Accessible.org</a></li>



<li><a href="https://assistivlabs.com/articles/confronting-ableism-to-build-a-more-inclusive-web">Confronting ableism to build a more inclusive web (assistivlabs.com)</a></li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Documents">Document Accessibility</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/03/how-to-make-documents-accessible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Make Documents Accessible</a> &#8211; a post covering a number of resources for making documents more accessible.</li>



<li><a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/make-your-content-accessible-to-everyone-ecab0fcf-d143-4fe8-a2ff-6cd596bddc6d">Make your content accessible to everyone &#8211; Microsoft Support</a> &#8211; a hub of resources from Microsoft for improving your content accessibility.</li>



<li><a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-accessible-office-documents-868ecfcd-4f00-4224-b881-a65537a7c155">Create accessible Office documents &#8211; Microsoft Support</a></li>



<li><a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/creating-accessible-pdfs.html#:~:text=1%20Consider%20accessibility%20before%20you%20convert%20a%20document,the%20PDF%20and%20repair%20tagging%20problems.%20See%20More">Creating accessible PDFs in Adobe Acrobat</a> &#8211; How to create accessible PDF&#8217;s with Adobe Acrobat</li>



<li><a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/indesign/using/creating-accessible-pdfs.html">Creating accessible PDFs (adobe.com)</a> &#8211; How to create accessible PDF&#8217;s with Adobe InDesign</li>



<li><a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html">Create and verify PDF accessibility, Acrobat Pro (adobe.com)</a> &#8211; Using Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker</li>



<li><a href="https://pdfa.org/glossary-of-accessibility-terminology-in-pdf">Glossary of accessibility terminology in PDF – PDF Association</a> &#8211; Key terms used in Accessible PDF documents.</li>



<li><a href="https://webaim.org/techniques/acrobat/">WebAIM: PDF Accessibility &#8211; Defining PDF Accessibility</a></li>



<li><a href="https://theaccessibilityguy.com/adobe-acrobats-new-accessibility-features/">Adobe Acrobat&#8217;s New Accessibility Features (theaccessibilityguy.com)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.washington.edu/accesstech/documents/check-pdfs/">Checking PDFs for accessibility – Accessible Technology (washington.edu)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://veroniiiica.com/a-to-z-of-assistive-technology-for-reading/">A To Z Of Assistive Technology For Reading Digital Text (veroniiiica.com)</a></li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Meeting Accessibility</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Be flexible with the times of meetings, breaks and environments.</li>



<li>For Microsoft Teams, used PowerPoint Live or Excel Live to provide the most accessible experience for attendees. 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/present-from-powerpoint-live-in-microsoft-teams-28b20e74-7165-499c-9bd4-0ad975d448ad">Present from PowerPoint Live in Microsoft Teams &#8211; Microsoft Support</a></li>



<li><a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/excel-live-in-teams-meetings-a5790e42-7f75-4859-8674-cc3d07c86ede">Excel Live in Teams meetings &#8211; Microsoft Support</a></li>
</ul>
</li>



<li><a href="https://uxfacilitation.podia.com/accessibility-checklists">Marie Dubost Accessibility checklists (podia.com)</a> for online and in person events.</li>



<li><a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/accessibility-tips-for-inclusive-microsoft-teams-meetings-and-live-events-fa0cb694-0fcd-4019-b67c-8270ea4e0c54">Accessibility tips for inclusive Microsoft Teams meetings and live events &#8211; Microsoft Support</a></li>



<li></li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chat and Email Accessibility</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Always provide documents in their native format for their maximum accessibility. For example, send the Word Document or PowerPoint file over sending a PDF or Screenshot.</li>



<li>Use plain, simple language in emails and chats.</li>



<li>Minimise the use of emoji&#8217;s.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="employers">Where do Employers / Managers Start with Accessibility</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Accessibility can be a daunting topic for employers and managers, however there a many adhantages to having a diverse workforce and providing accessibility. Here are some resources:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://business.scope.org.uk/article" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disability inclusion and accessibility articles &#8211; Scope for Business</a> &#8211; a fantastic resource highlighting UK specific resources to support with employment.</li>



<li>Best Practice Guides from the Business Disability Forum &gt; <a href="https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/knowledge-hub/resource/category/technology/?sort_by=date">Technology &#8211; Business Disability Forum</a></li>



<li><a href="https://equalentry.com/reading-vpat-voluntary-product-accessibility-template/">Reading a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) or Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) &#8211; Equal Entry</a></li>



<li><a href="https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/accessibility-training-resources-guide/?utm_source=hootsuite&amp;utm_medium=linkedin+organic&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=accessibility+training_191223&amp;utm_campaign=Tech+Taskforce+23">Accessibility training 2022: A guide to available online resources (businessdisabilityforum.org.uk)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.mildon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Disability-Inclusion-and-Accessibility.pdf">Disability-Inclusion-and-Accessibility.pdf (mildon.co.uk)</a> A guide by Toby Mildon</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="designer">Where to Designers start with Accessibility?</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://universaldesignguide.com/">Playbook for universal design – Universal design methods for more inclusive solutions (universaldesignguide.com)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://uxdesign.cc/accessibility-handoff-a-guide-for-product-designers-bbe0d8c9b00c">Accessibility Handoff: a guide for product designers | by Jahde Vaccani | UX Collective (uxdesign.cc)</a> A guide on how to hand off designs to development teams.</li>



<li><a href="https://medium.com/@hamishbax/harnessing-ai-for-a-more-accessible-and-inclusive-internet-tools-and-plugins-making-waves-5cb62a92ddd3">Harnessing AI for a More Accessible and Inclusive Internet: Tools and Plugins Making Waves | by Hamish Baxter | Jan, 2024 | Medium</a></li>



<li><a href="https://inclusive.microsoft.design/">Microsoft Inclusive Design</a> &#8211; a toolkit explaining inclusive design and providing resources to help.</li>



<li>Booking.com Accessibility Case Study &gt; <a href="https://medium.com/booking-research/building-accessibility-research-practices-75d82098f286">Building accessibility research practices | by Maya Alvarado | Booking.com UX Research | Medium</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bbc.github.io/accessibility-news-and-you/guides/screen-reader-ux.html#:~:text=For%20screen%20reader%20users%20you,content%20to%20screen%20reader%20users">Web: How to document the screen reader user experience &#8211; Accessibility, Your Team and You (bbc.github.io)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2024/04/conducting-accessibility-research-inaccessible-ecosystem/">Conducting Accessibility Research In An Inaccessible Ecosystem — Smashing Magazine</a></li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="developers">Where Developers Start with Accessibility?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This section includes links to resources developers will find useful in learning how to include accessibility.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://web.dev/learn/accessibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn Accessibility (web.dev)</a> &#8211; This course is created for beginner and advanced web developers. You can go through the series from start to finish to get a general understanding of accessibility practices and testing, or you can use it as a reference for specific subjects</li>



<li><a href="https://www.accessibility-developer-guide.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Accessibility Developer Guide</a> A resource covering how to get and set up the tools you need to develop and test accessibility.</li>



<li><a href="https://bite-sized-a11y.com/">Quick and Small Accessibility &#8211; Bite-Sized Accessibility (bite-sized-a11y.com)</a> For learning in bite-sized chunks.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.24a11y.com/2017/accessibility-first/">Accessibility First: Rethinking the Way We Approach Website Design and Development &#8211; 24 Accessibility (24a11y.com)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/accessibility">An Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusive Design | Coursera</a> &#8211; Course</li>



<li><a href="https://www.edx.org/learn/web-accessibility/the-world-wide-web-consortium-w3c-introduction-to-web-accessibility?country=157">Introduction to Web Accessibility | edX</a> &#8211; Course</li>



<li><a href="https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-programming/the-georgia-institute-of-technology-information-and-communication-technology-ict-acces?index=product&amp;queryID=dfe9c6900026c7bec789780acf796aac&amp;position=2&amp;linked_from=autocomplete&amp;c=autocomplete">Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility | edX</a> &#8211; Courd</li>



<li><a href="https://www.thebookonaccessibility.com/">Accessibility in plain language for programs &#8211; The Book on Accessibility</a> &#8211; a fantastic resource on how to measure accessibility in enterprises.</li>



<li><a href="https://ialabs.ie/digital-accessibility-laws-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Digital Accessibility Laws around the world</a> &#8211; an overview of accessibility laws around the world.</li>



<li><a href="https://bbc.github.io/accessibility-news-and-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC Accessibility Guidelines</a> a fantastic resource on how to create inclusive content and test it. </li>



<li><a href="https://accessibility.voxmedia.com/#pm">Vox Product Accessibility Guidelines (voxmedia.com)</a> A great checklist for a product team to use for driving accessibility. (Added 15 July 2023)</li>



<li><a href="https://css-tricks.com/comparing-jaws-nvda-and-voiceover/">A Brief Introduction to JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver | CSS-Tricks &#8211; CSS-Tricks</a> &#8211; a resource to understand how to use a screen reader for testing.</li>



<li><a href="https://blog.testproject.io/2022/02/07/accessibility-testing-best-practices-in-ci-cd/">Accessibility Testing Best Practices in CI/CD &#8211; TestProject</a> &#8211; embed accessibility testing into your development processes.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.magentaa11y.com/">Accessibility checklist &#8211; MagentaA11y</a> a great tool for generating acceptance criteria.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.tpgi.com/five-screen-reader-accessibility-tests-your-qa-team-should-do/">Five Screen Reader Accessibility Tests Your QA Team Should Do &#8211; TPGi</a></li>



<li>Apple Developer Resources: <a href="https://developer.apple.com/accessibility/">https://developer.apple.com/accessibility/</a></li>



<li>Google Developer Resources:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/accessibility/">https://www.google.com/accessibility</a></li>



<li><a href="https://qbalsdon.github.io/accessibility,/testing,/talkback,/voiceover/2023/05/10/accessibility-cheatsheets.html">Mobile Screen Reader Cheat Sheets | //TODO: Blog (qbalsdon.github.io)</a> &#8211; a useful guide to using screen readers on mobile phones.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.sarasoueidan.com/blog/testing-environment-setup/">Setting up a screen reader testing environment on your computer – Sara Soueidan, inclusive design engineer</a> &#8211; step by step guides for setting up screen reader testing environments.</li>



<li><a href="https://github.com/cvs-health/ios-swiftui-accessibility-techniques/">GitHub &#8211; cvs-health/ios-swiftui-accessibility-techniques: Demonstrates iOS SwiftUI Accessibility programming techniques using live good and bad examples that can be tested with VoiceOver and other AT. Includes documentation for developers explaining how to code accessible </a></li>



<li><a href="https://blog-usablenet-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/blog.usablenet.com/mobile-app-accessibility-what-blind-customers-want-you-to-know?hs_amp=true">Mobile App Accessibility: What Blind Customers Want You to Know (ampproject.org)</a><a href="https://github.com/cvs-health/ios-swiftui-accessibility-techniques/">patterns for iOS.</a></li>



<li><a href="https://accessibilityinsights.io/">Accessibility Insights</a> &#8211; A Microsoft backed, open-source AI tool to help identify accessibility issues on websites.</li>



<li><a href="https://racheleditullio.com/blog/2024/01/accessibility-testing-spreadsheet-version-2/">Accessibility testing spreadsheet version 2 &#8211; Rachele DiTullio</a> &#8211; A fantastic spreadsheet to help with accessibility testing against WCAG.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.blindios.uk/navigation-page">iOs &amp; iPadOS for blind users (blindios.uk)</a> &#8211; How to use an iPhone or iPad with Voiceover for testing your sites accessibility.</li>



<li><a href="https://a11y-automation.dev/">A11yAutomation (a11y-automation.dev)</a> &#8211; A website dedicated to sharing the latest information on tools for automating accessibility testing.</li>



<li><a href="https://dev.to/steady5063/series/27341">GAAD Accessibility UI Testing Series&#8217; Articles &#8211; DEV Community</a> &#8211; Great articles on automating accessibility UI testing released in 2024 by Mark Steadman.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.a11y-collective.com/blog/accessible-captcha/">How to Make CAPTCHA Accessible: A Hands-On Guide &#8211; The A11Y Collective (a11y-collective.com)</a></li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where Social Media Managers Start with Accessibility</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Social Media is one of the most notable online places to witness a lack of accessibility. The resources listed below will help ensure your social media is accessible.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/inclusive-design-social-media/">Inclusive Design for Social Media: Tips for Creating Accessible Channels (hootsuite.com)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://socialforevery.one/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social for Everyone</a></li>



<li><a href="https://lifeofablindgirl.com/2023/04/02/your-a-z-guide-for-social-media-accessibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your A-Z guide for social media accessibility &#8211; Life of a Blind Girl</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.charitycomms.org.uk/social-media-etiquette-for-accessibility">Social media etiquette for accessibility | CharityComms</a></li>



<li><a href="https://all-in.withgoogle.com/">All In &#8211; Inclusive Marketing Insights (all-in.withgoogle.com)</a></li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="creators">Where Content Creator&#8217;s Start with Accessibility</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://blog.pope.tech/2024/04/01/a-complete-guide-for-content-creators-to-start-making-accessible-content/">A complete guide for content creators to start making accessible content &#8211; Pope Tech Blog</a></li>



<li><a href="https://blog.pope.tech/2023/05/30/how-to-create-audio-descriptions-for-accessible-youtube-videos/">How to create audio descriptions for accessible YouTube videos &#8211; Pope Tech Blog</a></li>



<li><a href="https://elevenways.be/en/articles/screenreaders-special-characters">How screen readers read special characters: an update | Eleven Ways</a></li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/05/where-do-i-start-with-accessibility/">Where do I start with Accessibility? [Updated 11 Aug 24]</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">683</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to fix Microsoft Teams Performance Issues</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2021/11/how-to-fix-microsoft-teams-performance-issues/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2021/11/how-to-fix-microsoft-teams-performance-issues/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Nov 2021 16:23:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Office]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Productivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Teams]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Performance Issue]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=320</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>As many of us have adjusted to remote working, a large amount of our time is spent within Microsoft Teams, so what do you do when it isn’t&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2021/11/how-to-fix-microsoft-teams-performance-issues/">How to fix Microsoft Teams Performance Issues</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As many of us have adjusted to remote working, a large amount of our time is spent within <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software?ms.url=teamscom&amp;rtc=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft Teams</a>, so what do you do when it isn’t performing as it needs to? Continue reading to find out how to fix Microsoft Teams performance issues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Symptoms of Microsoft Teams Performance Issues</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Teams CPU usage is high</li><li>Switching between chat/teams is slow</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Solution: Disable Hardware graphics acceleration</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) are designed to handle graphics-based tasks efficiently. However, most computers don’t have a dedicated GPU and share system memory and processing resources. Hardware graphics acceleration when using a dedicated GPU will improve performance, but when using a shared GPU, the performance can be degraded and cause high CPU load. As a result, disabling the hardware acceleration can improve the performance of Outlook.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To disable Hardware GPU acceleration, follow these steps:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>In Teams, click the elipses (&#8230;) in the top right</li><li>Select Settings</li><li>Click Generatel</li><li>Uncheck Disable Hardware Graphics Accelleration.</li><li>Click Ok</li><li>Finally, close Teams and reopen for the setting to take effect.</li></ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Did this resolve your performance issues?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I hope this helped in resolving your Teams performance issues, please let me know if this helped via the <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/contact/">contact page</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2021/11/how-to-fix-microsoft-teams-performance-issues/">How to fix Microsoft Teams Performance Issues</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">320</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>How to fix Outlook 365 Performance Issues</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2021/10/how-to-fix-outlook-365-performance-issues/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2021/10/how-to-fix-outlook-365-performance-issues/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Oct 2021 08:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Office]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Productivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Outlook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Performance Issue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=316</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Outlook 365 Windows desktop app is critical for many of us, so what do you do when it isn&#8217;t performing as it needs to? Continue reading to find&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2021/10/how-to-fix-outlook-365-performance-issues/">How to fix Outlook 365 Performance Issues</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Outlook 365 Windows desktop app is critical for many of us, so what do you do when it isn&#8217;t performing as it needs to?  Continue reading to find out how to fix Outlook 365 performance issues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Symptoms of Outlook 365 Performance Issues</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Outlook CPU usage is high</li><li>Animated gif&#8217;s / images in emails stutter</li><li>Switching between emails is slow</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Common Solutions</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Solution 1: Disable Hardware graphics acceleration</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) are designed to handle graphics-based tasks efficiently. However, most computers don&#8217;t have a dedicated GPU and share system memory and processing resources. Hardware graphics accelertaion when using a dedicated GPU will improve performance, but when using a shared GPU, the performance can be degraded and cause high CPU load. As a result, disabling the hardware acceleration can improve the performance of Outlook.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To disable Hardware GPU acceleration, follow these steps:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>In Outlook, Click File</li><li>Select Options</li><li>Click Advanced</li><li>Within the Display section uncheck Disable Hardware Graphics Accelleration.</li><li>Click Ok</li><li>Finally, close Outlook and reopen for the setting to take effect.</li></ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Solution 2: Disable Offline Cache in Outlook</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To disable offline cache in MS Outlook 2016/365:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" type="1"><li>Open Outlook.</li><li>Select <strong>File > Info tab, Account settings > Account Settings.</strong></li><li>The “Email” tab is selected with focus on the active email exchange account.</li><li>Double-click on your email address listed.</li><li>Uncheck “Use Cached Exchange Mode”.</li><li>Select the “Next” button, then “OK”, then “Finish”</li><li>Finally, restart Outlook.</li></ol>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For more information on cached exchange mode check out<strong>:</strong><br><a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.proofpoint.com%2Fv2%2Furl%3Fu%3Dhttps-3A__support.office.com_en-2Dus_article_turn-2Don-2Dcached-2Dexchange-2Dmode-2D7885af08-2D9a60-2D4ec3-2D850a-2De221c1ed0c1c-3Fui-3Den-2DUS-26rs-3Den-2DUS-26ad-3DUS%26d%3DDwMCAw%26c%3DDwOPjGaQseYIIptHXBesgQ%26r%3DvxzuZawplle2FffeGPkRon6i2HFSW_bkhZM1pQhy2RY%26m%3Dz8J2tjEO3sbGdCvMGxPFsnX78t7oupE_Y-5bIiFg9h8%26s%3D_i7mYcp1WS8atVu4c6dcH3TXvXQtmcI36r2xG548ubU%26e%3D&amp;data=04%7C01%7C%7C81fdd29f3bce4c60f3eb08d8e98b6d81%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637516132361129831%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=fwjj9DtpxdoNXyqff32OTflMXXK6LLQVjc2QYSviSbI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MS Outlook Cached Exchange Mode [support.office.com]</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Did this resolve your Outlook 365 performance issues?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I hope this helped in resolving your Outlook performance issues, please let me know if this helped via the <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/contact/">contact page</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2021/10/how-to-fix-outlook-365-performance-issues/">How to fix Outlook 365 Performance Issues</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">316</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Reflecting on 20 years in IT</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2020/12/reflecting-on-20-years-in-it/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2020/12/reflecting-on-20-years-in-it/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Dec 2020 17:17:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT Systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reflection]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=55</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>As 2020 draws to an end, I wanted to share Reflecting on 20 years in IT. Twenty years ago I started my first job as IT Manager for&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2020/12/reflecting-on-20-years-in-it/">Reflecting on 20 years in IT</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As 2020 draws to an end, I wanted to share Reflecting on 20 years in IT. Twenty years ago I started my first job as IT Manager for a Food Testing Laboratory. At 18  I found myself being solely responsible for all IT across two sites. This was my dream job, and I was determined that not having a driving licence or experience would stop me. I took the opportunity with both hands and through determination and a desire to learn, I was successful.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Today I work for a FTSE 100 company, defining the strategic direction for lab systems used in hundreds of labs globally. The testing covers everything from clothes to engines to the chair you are sat on. I still draw on lessons I learnt from my first job, mainly the detailled understanding of a testing business from end to end.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As I reflect on the last twenty years, I want to share some of the lessons I have learnt. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>It’s</strong> all about the people</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When first starting out in IT, it was easy to focus on the latest technology and finding uses for it in the business. This is a classic case of the tail wagging the dog&#8230;.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Successful IT is people centric, it starts by understanding the needs of the users, it’s so much more than asking what they want. Truthfully, they don’t know what they want. IT and business have to work together to fully understand the needs and find appropriate solutions. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes it takes another perspective to enable the business to see the problem they want IT to solve, is a problem the business is unnecessarily creating. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Relationships and Trust</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As successful IT is all about the people, it would be remiss of me not to highlight the importance of relationships. Building strong relationships at all levels is crucial. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A strong network of colleagues provides opportunities for insight you just can’t get through surveys and workshops. The trust built in relationships allows you to communicate openly about challenges and politics that may be impacting your project. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Share <strong>the</strong> knowledge</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The old saying ‘Knowledge is Power’ is true in some situations, but in IT and business it is important to share knowledge, or everyone looses out. More importantly your career is held back. You cannot progress if you are the only one who knows how that critical system works. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Find the balance&#8230;.</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sharing the knowledge is fundamental to finding the balance. IT has become as critical as the electrical supply for most businesses, many supported by small teams. This creates huge pressure on IT staff when downtime happens and without support and time off it can and often does become overwhelming.  </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mental Health is getting more attention and becoming less of a taboo to discuss. When I open up about my mental health struggles, I find many others have struggles too. Building trust with your colleagues to create an environment that facilitates open discussions about mental health. A safe and open environment will also help with productivity, employee and customer engagement. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reflecting on 20 years in IT</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After 20 years, I have learnt a huge amount and have found it difficult to condense this into a single blog post. If you have any questions &#8211; give me a shout on Twitter</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2020/12/reflecting-on-20-years-in-it/">Reflecting on 20 years in IT</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">55</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Do you use Metrics or KPI&#8217;s at home?</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2015/04/do-you-use-metrics-or-kpis-at-home/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2015/04/do-you-use-metrics-or-kpis-at-home/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 2015 20:03:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Key Performance Indicators]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Metrics]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=153</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It was the middle of the night, looking after my newborn daughter when I first realised that we had become obsessed with metrics and key performance indicators: How&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2015/04/do-you-use-metrics-or-kpis-at-home/">Do you use Metrics or KPI&#8217;s at home?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It was the middle of the night, looking after my newborn daughter when I first realised that we had become obsessed with metrics and key performance indicators:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>How many times has she fed?</li><li>When was the last feed, was it within 4 hours?</li><li>How many nappies, what type of nappy and the average per day?</li><li>The list goes on.</li></ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On realising this,&nbsp;I looked around at all the other metrics I used in daily life.&nbsp;</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>How full is the kettle?</li><li>How much energy have we used? Is it more than last week, month, year?</li><li>How much fuel is in the car? How long did it last? And how many miles did I do?</li><li>How much is in the bank?</li></ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The list keeps going on and on.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We use metrics to help us monitor and manage all aspects of our life. Yet, when it comes to business there is a wide variation in the use of metrics, from the business who don&#8217;t track anything to the business that have so much data captured they can&#8217;t analyse it. Metrics should be used in every business to help measure and monitor its performance. The information metrics can provide&nbsp;helps businesses review, change and improve their processes.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2015/04/do-you-use-metrics-or-kpis-at-home/">Do you use Metrics or KPI&#8217;s at home?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">153</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Is failing always bad?</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/09/is-failing-always-bad/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/09/is-failing-always-bad/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Sep 2014 19:21:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Failure]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=139</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I admit it up front, this is an article about Apple, but before you groan and move on, hear me out. I am not here to talk about&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/09/is-failing-always-bad/">Is failing always bad?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I admit it up front, this is an article about Apple, but before you groan and move on, hear me out. I am not here to talk about the latest Apple tech, how good or bad it is blah blah blah. I want to take a look at how some significant failures have actually been good for Apple.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We have had the hype about Apple latest products for months now and as an Apple fan I was even getting fed up of it. The big day came just over a week ago and I sat patiently waiting for the keynote to start. I couldn&#8217;t believe I was drawn into this hype and if you had of asked me just two short years ago, I wouldn&#8217;t even have been bothered. Now I find myself looking forward to hearing what my next phone will have. Before it was even unveiled I knew I would be buying one. This is the power of Apple&#8217;s marketing. Within minutes of it starting, the live broadcast failed and it just went down hill from there. To say I was annoyed was an understatement and I couldn&#8217;t even begin to understand how a $600 billion company couldn&#8217;t handle a live broadcast. It was a significant failure.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Over the next few days it struck me that a company as big as Apple would not have had such an epic failure unless they wanted to. I reflected on this and realised that not being able to watch the keynote live actually made me want to know more, it encouraged me to pay more attention and engage with the hype more. Apple had managed to get me even more hooked.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A few days go past and it is time to place my pre-order. As I expected the site was hit hard by fellow Apple fans. After 45 minutes of cursing, I finally managed to place my order, only to see I wouldn&#8217;t receive it for 7 to 10 working days after release. I was again left feeling annoyed that Apple couldn&#8217;t provide enough stock at launch and yet again I realised that annoyance only made me want the device more. Apple are clever here, knowing that a few days won&#8217;t really make a difference to how I feel about the product, but it will increase the hype and the feeling of being special to those who managed to get a handset delivered on the launch date.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Apple are masters at failing to meet our expectations, yet actually building love for the brand and products at the same time!&nbsp;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I am still awaiting my new phone and will still love it! &#8211; Apple, I take my hat off to you for controlling your customers like this &#8211; maybe you should call your marketing team Apple Geniuses?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Well the answer is that failing is not always bad, it can actually lead to being more successful!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/09/is-failing-always-bad/">Is failing always bad?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">139</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>What does 99% uptime mean?</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/08/what-does-99-uptime-mean/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/08/what-does-99-uptime-mean/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2014 19:00:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hosting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Service Level Agreement (SLA)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uptime]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=131</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Over the years I have seen uptime stated as part of service level agreements for a wide range of services, from internet connections to web hosting and online&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/08/what-does-99-uptime-mean/">What does 99% uptime mean?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Over the years I have seen uptime stated as part of service level agreements for a wide range of services, from internet connections to web hosting and online applications. When picking a solution with a service level agreement, it is important to check that the details meet your requirements</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Reviewing the Service Level Agreement (SLA) is often the last thing on your mind when selecting a solution after ensuring it meets your requirements. On reading SLAs it is important that you understand the acceptable downtime and how this may affect your business.</p>



<div class="infogram-embed" data-id="uptime--in-hours-per-year" data-type="interactive" data-title="Downtime Per Year in Hours"></div><script>!function(e,i,n,s){var t="InfogramEmbeds",d=e.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];if(window[t]&&window[t].initialized)window[t].process&&window[t].process();else if(!e.getElementById(n)){var o=e.createElement("script");o.async=1,o.id=n,o.src="https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed-loader-min.js",d.parentNode.insertBefore(o,d)}}(document,0,"infogram-async");</script><div style="padding:8px 0;font-family:Arial!important;font-size:13px!important;line-height:15px!important;text-align:center;border-top:1px solid #dadada;margin:0 30px"><a href="https://infogram.com/uptime--in-hours-per-year" style="color:#989898!important;text-decoration:none!important;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Downtime Per Year in Hours</a><br><a href="https://infogram.com" style="color:#989898!important;text-decoration:none!important;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Infogram</a></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">99% uptime may sound acceptable, but in actual downtime this is over 3 full days downtime per year. It is important to calculate the actual possible downtime. In most cases the uptime is higher and just set lower to ensure the service provider can meet the requirements.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Before you go out thinking that you need 99.999% uptime, it is important to understand that the cost of providing more uptime will cost much more. Selecting the level of uptime needs to be balanced against the cost.&nbsp;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/08/what-does-99-uptime-mean/">What does 99% uptime mean?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">131</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>5 Key Steps to Selecting Software or Services</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/08/5-key-steps-to-selecting-software-or-services/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/08/5-key-steps-to-selecting-software-or-services/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2014 07:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vendor Selection]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=122</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Selecting software or services can be a bewildering, especially when there are more than a couple to choose from or a wide range of features. Software or services&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/08/5-key-steps-to-selecting-software-or-services/">5 Key Steps to Selecting Software or Services</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Selecting software or services can be a bewildering, especially when there are more than a couple to choose from or a wide range of features. Software or services are often used for many years after the initial decision to purchase.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5 Key Steps</h4>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">1. List requirements needed from the selected software.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">2. Categories the requirements into Want&#8217;s and Need&#8217;s</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">3. Create a matrix of the requirements with a column for each software or service.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">4.&nbsp;Complete the matrix and highlight the best options.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">5. The matrix provides guidance on the suitable options, use this wisely to help make a decision.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This approach doesn&#8217;t remove the need to make a decision, but it does provide you with a fresh and objective perspective to help with making the decision.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/08/5-key-steps-to-selecting-software-or-services/">5 Key Steps to Selecting Software or Services</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">122</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>5 Top Tips for Remote Working Across Timezones</title>
		<link>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/07/5-top-tips-for-remote-working-across-timezones/</link>
					<comments>https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/07/5-top-tips-for-remote-working-across-timezones/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jul 2014 22:00:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Productivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[International Working]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Remote Working]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Timezones]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timdixon.net/?p=111</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I have spent a huge amount of my time working on projects crossing multiple time zones over the last few years. Let me share some of the tips&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/07/5-top-tips-for-remote-working-across-timezones/">5 Top Tips for Remote Working Across Timezones</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I have spent a huge amount of my time working on projects crossing multiple time zones over the last few years. Let me share some of the tips I have learnt during this time to make collaborating easier.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 Tips</h4>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">1. Set up&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://lifehacker.com/use-windows-additional-clocks-to-monitor-multiple-time-1607266726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">additional clocks in Windows</a></strong>&nbsp;to help you keep track of multiple time zones.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">2. Use&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.skype.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skype</a></strong>&nbsp;or Lync to avoid costly calls.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">3. Use web conference software to share screens and hold conference calls. Web conferences help the team visualise the discussions.&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.join.me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Join.me</a>&nbsp;</strong>provides cheap and reliable web conferencing with a range of phone dial-in numbers. Join.me has a limited functionality, but is very competitively priced. If you need more functionality and dial-in numbers, then I would recommend&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.gotomeeting.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GotoMeeting.com</a></strong>&nbsp;which provides much more functionality including scheduling meetings.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">4. Use your Outlook calendar to help ensure meeting requests are all logged in the correct time for the participants.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">5. Keep a log of national holidays for all participants. In the UK and US, it is easy to find the national holidays. In India, there are over 20 national holiday&#8217;s and companies pick which to follow, therefore two companies in the same region may have completely different holiday patterns.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2014/07/5-top-tips-for-remote-working-across-timezones/">5 Top Tips for Remote Working Across Timezones</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timdixon.net">TIM DIXON</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">111</post-id>	</item>
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