According to Google, “Fresh” is the new black. Google made a couple more tweaks to its search algorithm to ensure that they always deliver the latest, relevant content.

Here is a snippet from their blog post: “If I search for [olympics], I probably want information about next summer’s upcoming Olympics, not the 1900 Summer Olympics (the only time my favorite sport, cricket, was played). Google Search uses a freshness algorithm, designed to give you the most up-to-date results, so even when I just type [olympics] without specifying 2012, I still find what I’m looking for.”

What does this mean for you? Fresh content is key! We can no longer rely on keyword stuffed pages to get great results. Users are looking for content that is relevant and up to date, and the easiest way to do this is to incorporate a blog or a newsroom on your site and post articles to it regularly.

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What a big week for social media! Google+ made its public launch. Facebook made all kinds of drastic changes to its user interface. I think I saw more status updates bashing Facebook for messing with people’s comfort zone than angry Colts posts from the season opener game! The way I see it, Facebook is an incredible technology that keeps me connected with my family, friends and organizations that I love…for free!

So what about Google+? Some are saying that it will change the world of social networking (see article here). I mean, after all, it is a Google product. I wouldn’t expect anything less!

So what do you think about all of the recent changes in social media? What would you like to see change next?

One of the most difficult things to deal with is saying goodbye and letting go. Recently it seems as if there have been quite a few goodbyes going around. Goodbye to beloved Summer, goodbye to my dear flip-flops and finally goodbye to two spirited Willow shrubs who have recently moved on to new opportunities. (Spain isn’t that great… okay, maybe it is.) Same thing goes for trends, they come and they go. (I state this as I eaves drop a conversation at the coffee bar about the hyped up “planking” and the little paper clip helper, Clippy, in Windows ‘98.)

This leads me to the thought that there is a time and a place for a brand overhaul. My question to you is when? What determines when to scratch the existing material, say goodbye and move on?

An article found on Ragan.com stated what they thought. If you have the time to read up on it, do you agree/disagree? Do any of the points hit home? Let us know your thoughts. If you want, you can also throw in some things that you’ve been saying goodbye to and we’ll offer a hug, if you’d like.

When I was three-years-old my mom walked into my playroom to find me sitting at my Play School table getting ready to color. But not just sitting. Sitting with my chair at a 45-degree angle from the table and my legs propped up on the table, crossed ankles resting on the corner. When my mom asked what I was doing, I replied, “Mommy, this is how I think the best,” as if it was obvious.

She snapped a picture of me that morning, which has remained framed and infamous primarily because that is still “how I think the best.” Throughout high school, college and even here at Willow, when I have a difficult task to complete I push my chair back a bit, turn to the side and clear a space on the corner of my desk to rest my ankles.

I also have noticed that my fellow shrubs have their own habits to help optimize their productivity. Some like to get here early, crossing jobs off the To Do list while the office is still quiet. Others prefer to stay later wrapping up projects after the dust of the day has settled. Headphones, used to listen to music and disappear into one’s own world of thought, are an utter necessity for some shrubs while others enjoy sitting at the coffee bar brainstorming and bouncing ideas off those that pass by. For some, this “productive pose” changes from project to project, but for others it’s a life-long habit that never fails.

So what’s your secret recipe for success? Are you particularly productive in the evening, or do you do your best thinking when the sun is coming up? Does standing on your head while eating a bologna and pickle sandwich help you focus? Tell us what works for you so we can give it a try. (But if it’s that upside-down pickle sandwich thing, we want to see photographic proof first…)

Today concludes Kelsey’s travels around the Willow office. We really enjoyed having her here and we’re excited to see how she uses her new found knowledge of marketing in her art classes at school. Have you missed the first two parts of Kelsey’s adventures? Be sure to click here for Part 1 and here for Part 2.

Friday then came and I was going to work with Doug. I was really interested in what he does because one of my teachers at school loves video projects but I don’t really know that much about video. In the morning we sat at his desk while he ate his English muffin and showed me different programs that he uses when he makes videos for clients. I’ve never used a Mac to create a video so the programs he showed me were brand new.

After he finished his breakfast he showed me his camera and how it operates. He even let me tape while he interviewed Andrew and Kelly. Using the camera made me nervous because I’d never used a big camera that has so many buttons and cords and such.

Also on Friday, Kim gave me two papers that I had to type up for her and Uncle Brad let me sit in on a client meeting where we unveiled their new website which I thought was very interesting because I’ve never been in a meeting before.

My week at Willow was the most impressive learning experience I have ever had. I wish I could write everything I learned but I’m afraid that I would write too much. I did learn one very important thing that I will take with me for the rest of my life. When it comes to running a business like Willow, teamwork is vital. Everyone has to work together to get what needs to be done, done. Everyone here at Willow works so nicely together and I wish all employees the best of luck in their careers. Thanks to everyone who worked with me and also thank you to my Uncle Brad for giving me this opportunity.