The Middles

Edition Sixteen: It’s in the handbook.

Kim Bui

I’ve been writing a guide lately, so I went on this search for how to structure them well. Here’s a few I came across. These are mostly employee handbooks, but they showcase how to write a newsroom guide to XYZ pretty well, too.

18F Handbook: 18F has always been committed to transparency. I tend to watch a lot of their moves and their handbook is full of gems, like how to do one-on-ones effectively.

Basecamp Handbook: Basecamp has  a wonderful idea for having people get to know each other, which they call 5x12s.

Gitlab Handbook: Gitlab has lovely tips on how to work remotely.

Valve Handbook: Valve (a game company) has illustrations!  It’s actually pretty old and some people hated it, but I appreciate that it seeks to answer some simple questions.

Atlassian Handbook: And a tip from a friend, Atlassian has a great handbook, with a section on “the source of your misery” at work and how to tackle it.

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A favor and some good news

I do this newsletter in my spare time, which yes, explains the fact that I sometimes miss a week or am sending this week’s a day late. I’d love for you to share it with someone, or forward a cool edition to a friend. There’s a subscribe link on our web site.

I should also mention that this newsletter is now syndicated through a friend’s amazing publication for female entrepreneurs, Lioness Magazine. I don’t make any cash off of that. If I ever make money from this community, I will tell you. I promise.

Recommendations

Ever wonder how to make all those delicious things you see on TV? I don’t watch a ton of Youtube, but my fiancé and I watch a lot of Binging With Babish, who makes things from any TV show you can think of. Here’s a recipe for Pasta Carbonara from Master of None, which we’ve already established I love as a show.

Great things I’ve read lately
Five emails to send this week. (Time) Mobile Photo tips from the amazing Maya Sugarman (Google Drive). A fantastic quick guide to writing your bio. (FinePoint)

Jobs jobs jobs 
Digital Art Director, Mother Jones. Deputy Managing Editor, Recode. On Air fundraising assistant director, WAMU. Editorial Director, Orb. Technical Project Manager, Reaction Commerce.

Adorableness