Are you Ready for the Dreadful Experience of Performance Appraisal?
Who doesn’t want to be appraised? Of course, we all do! Very rarely do people appraise you or even if they do, we remember their abuses more than their praises. You can surely bribe someone to praise you and if they agree, you will probably be so elated that you wouldn’t want them to stop because of the ripples of the euphoria the applied adjectives would create in you.
Corporate appraisals are just the opposite. Although they are called appraisals, lethal attempts are made to belittle your achievements. Rather, your sins and crimes that you committed during the last year would be enlarged under a microscope to make you look like a veritable worm. Quite often, during the appraisal process, we feel like pulling the hairs of the appraisers or hitting them below the belt for their deliberate attempt to assault our self-esteem. Our survival instincts increase the secretion of unhappy hormones in our brains and our adrenal glands stop functioning during the session.
You come out of the room after the appraisal process, dejected and doomed with a strong urge to do something drastic. Alas! In the end, you must control all your toxic and pent-up emotions and pump in some artificial optimism in your psyche for survival reasons and continued commitments! You tell yourself “Be cool! Relax! Take it easy!”.
Laugh more : Laughing Through Appraisals: Unveiling the Paradox of Performance Appraisals
You come to your desk gasping your emotions in the ether consoling yourself and sink into your chair equating your income with the impending rise of expenses. You cling to the most intimate of your colleagues to vent your frustrations like the first whistle of a pressure cooker on full flame. You ask him to look for jobs as he empathizes with you like a master trying to calm down a restless dog. As the day passes by, your agitations and emotions ebb away. A year also passes by and again you are appraised only to remind you that blessed are the meek for there is the kingdom of heaven.
In theory, the performance appraisal process is looked upon as a productive interaction between the appraiser and the appraisee working in tandem to achieve optimum performance. In reality, the appraiser acts as an appointed broker of the authorities to apportion the salary increment budget within the number of employees. To meet their set targets, the appraisers literalize the achievements of employees to make them look like dwarfs and grant them the bare minimum of scores. In this, the appraisal process seems to be an ordeal that the management can’t avoid, and the employees can’t accept. In this tug-of-war of conflict of interests, it seems to be like finding a dead rat in your backyard and realizing the best solution is to fling it to your neighbor’s compound. Subsequently, your neighbor, disgusted by its obnoxious smell sends it back to you as if it falls under his human rights.
Leaving aside the theory, your manager’s real objective for the performance appraisal is to make you work like a medieval slave and obtain a signed confession of your sins against productivity. In doing so the appraiser could justify your low salary. In sharp contrast, the employee’s objective is to bilk as much unearned money as possible out of the life-sucking force, the employer.
But, don’t worry! Luckily, I am on your side. I hope my conception of performance appraisal was able to gain your confidence. In the next edition, I will attempt to teach you how to bulldoze your appraiser and fill your pockets with the money that rightfully belongs to you. You better not send these editions to your employer because if they get to know, it may backfire! Be optimistic! Good days are sure to come, and your pockets will be full of dough.
Food for more laughter: Corporate Humor: The Food for Soul in Your Workplace
That’s it for this edition! If you have any questions, you can write to me directly at comics@normanandozi.com. Keep in touch! Browse my posts and go through my corporate jokes and office cartoons to keep you healthy. Share my office jokes to keep the people around you happy! See Ya!
Chucklingly Yours,
Norman & Ozi
15 Best Platforms for Reading Digital Comics
Comics have always been one of the most dynamic forms of storytelling that engage both the visual and the literary senses. This enables creators to do a lot with very little. With comics, creative professionals communicate complex narratives, emotions, and ideas that are not only concise but are presented in an impactful manner.
Thus, comics hold a special place in the hearts of readers, captivating audiences with their unique blend of storytelling and visual artistry. Back in the day, we’d have to stand in lines at comic stores, only to find out that the limited copies had been sold out. But with the advent of digital platforms, accessing web comics has become more convenient and diverse than ever before.
In this article, let us delve into 15 of the best platforms for reading digital comics, covering a wide range of genres, pricing models, and features.
ComiXology
ComiXology stands out as one of the premier destinations for digital comics. This platform boasts an extensive library of titles from major publishers such as Marvel, DC, Image Comics, and more. On December 4, 2023, ComiXology merged with Kindle applications on iOS, Android, and Fire OS, and the Comixology app will no longer be available for use. With Kindle’s user-friendly interface, ComiXology provides an immersive reading experience!
DC Universe Infinite
If Marvel Unlimited is for Marvel Comics fans, the DC Universe Infinite is the ultimate destination for DC Comics fans. With a vast selection of titles, including series on the most beloved DC heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, subscribers can gain access to the very expansive DC universe. The platform also offers exclusive digital-first comics and access to the ever-growing library of DC’s animated movies and TV shows.
Read more: Office Olympics – Total Quality Management & Business Reengineering
Crunchyroll
Although known as an anime streaming service, Crunchyroll additionally features a diverse collection of digital manga – popular shonen titles like Naruto and One Piece and critically acclaimed works such as Attack on Titan and Death Note! Crunchyroll offers something for every manga fan, including quizzes and exclusive interviews with the most extraordinary creators.
Webtoon
If you’re tired of reading comics about the same superheroes, this one is for you!
Webtoon has revolutionized the way comics are consumed! Webtoon is home to a wide range of original comics spanning various genres, including romance, fantasy, and sci-fi. Also, if you’re an aspiring creator, Webtoon is for you! This platform also provides opportunities to showcase your work and build a dedicated fanbase.
Tapas
Similar to Webtoon, Tapas is a platform that caters to creators and readers of web comics. Focussing on bite-sized episodes and a vibrant community, Tapas features an array of genres, from slice-of-life to horror. Readers can support their favorite creators through tips and subscriptions, unlocking exclusive content and perks in the process.
Read more : The Office Therapist: Using Laughter as the Best Medicine for Workplace Woes
Dark Horse Digital
If you want to know how seriously Dark Horse Digital takes comics through its webpage design. Even their website, which offers a curated selection of comics and graphic novels from Dark Horse Comics, looks like comics! You can even avail of different purchasing options – you could either buy individual issues or subscribe to the series you love!
Manga Plus by Shueisha
Manga Plus, launched by Shueisha, one of Japan’s largest manga publishers, is one of the best legal and free ways to read manga online! With popular pieces like One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer, Manga Plus provides immediate releases in Japan, ensuring that fans from all over the world can stay up to date with the latest chapters.
Viz Media
They have everything from Dragon Ball to Naruto to Boruto to even newer releases like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. A leading publisher of manga and anime content, VIZ is at the forefront of America’s Japanese pop-culture phenomenon, reaching one in four millennials and half of all GenZ manga readers!
Hoopla Digital
Hoopla Digital is a digital media service that is basically an all-rounder. They partner with public libraries to bring us a wide selection of comics, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and music to library cardholders. In fact, it is one of the most budget-friendly options out there – you can borrow digital comics for free, with no waiting lists or even late fees!
Read More : How to Use Post-It Notes for Passive-Aggressive Office Communication
Izneo
If you’re looking for a digital comics platform specializing in European comics, manga, and graphic novels Izneo is the one for you! Izneo appeals to audiences from around the world, seeking diverse storytelling perspectives. For example, on Izneo, titles are available in multiple languages. You can either avail of their subscription service or browse through their à la carte purchasing options, it’s your choice.
DriveThruComics
DriveThruComics is a digital storefront that supports independent and small-press comics. They have various genres and creators, offering readers an opportunity to discover hidden gems and check out indie artists, eventually supporting them directly with their purchases.
LINE Webtoon Discover
If you’re a creator looking to reach a global audience with your cartoons, LINE Webtoon Discover is where you can get started. It is the best platform out there for creators to publish and share their web comics. LINE Webtoon Discover has already launched the careers of many comic creators, maybe you can be one of them!
Gumroad
Gumroad is another platform where you can sell your digital comics directly to fans! Many independent artists and small press publishers are already at it, distributing their work in a DRM-free format. By directly supporting creators, Gumroad is the best platform option for independent artists to reach a wider audience and monetize their creative journeys!
Read more: The Art of Crafting Hilarious Memes for the Workplace
Norman and Ozi
If you are tired of reading web comics about fantasy worlds or characters with superpowers put in extraordinary situations and are looking for something down-to-earth and relatable for once, Norman & Ozi is the comic series you need! With corporate comics and office humor as their niche, they cater to corporate employees everywhere, making content they can laugh at and relate to!
It is safe to say that people with diverse tastes and preferences will all find comics to cherish. Whether you’re a fan of superhero epics, manga adventures, or indie office cartoons and corporate comics, there’s a platform out there tailored to your interests. So, choose your platform, grab your phone/tablet (Or just your screen at work), and enjoy these corporate tales & stories!
