TMo's Garage

Why I Really Dislike Value Judgments

2009-10-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

"People with opinions just go around bothering one another." The Buddha

There has been a discussion(mostly for fun) going on over the last few months about whether or not Facebook should add a Dislike button aside its popular Like option on status/news/etc. updates. I do see where this could often be harmless fun if people are arguing about baseball or TV or something trivial. But...I regularly see wires crossed in the world of the social web. As people(this person included), it's pretty normal operation to put your foot in your mouth or accidentally offend a friend. Do we need Facebook's help in straining our relationships? As an example...

How is a person to decode a simple "Dislike" status on something they said?

Or, how to decode if a large number of your friends Dislike something you say?

Many people walk away from social media because they tire of the negative forces in action. Facebook has done a good job of encouraging members to stay positive. Granted, users can do whatever they want with a status update or a comment box, but a Dislike button seems very impersonal and too easy to misunderstand.

One of the most common bits of advice about the social web is to stay positive. I see this play out in my own interactions, as I tend to steer clear of the bile. True misery plays okay("My car is in the shop, again!"), but political, religious, or just plain grumpy posts should stay in your head("The current/past/future President is a big, dumb jerk!"). So, I contend that life can be miserable enough without a negativity engine running on Facebook.

Who's with me? I'm accepting all Likes/Dislikes via comments below.

Why I fell out of love with social media, but we're still good friends...

2009-08-07T06:29:00.000-07:00

"Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing." Goethe

You know that guy that when he first discovers a new band he likes, he goes nuts and has to play their music for everyone? The minute you walk into his house, he sits you down for a short speech followed by a reverent listening of a new favorite group. Fill in the blank with anything people are passionate about...food, motorcycles, shoes(for the ladies!).

Well, time to fess up. I was that guy with social media. Thanks to a dynamic, passionate presentation by Geoff Livingston over a year ago, I was instantly hooked. I couldn't wait to sign up for every site that was out there. I couldn't wait to tell co-workers, friends, family and the guy at the bus stop about how Twitter and Facebook were going to absolutely change their life, absolutely. As laid out in Geoff's book Now is Gone, the world of communication had changed forever - especially in the areas of public relations and corporate communications. Geoff was right, and I'm really glad I was able to be exposed to the shift in thought, but...

The mistake I made was in becoming that guy, the over-excited guy. That excitement led to some great opportunities for speaking, meeting great new people, and a complete 180 in how I view the job of public relations. Plenty of good came of it.

So, where am I know? Per the title of this post, I am still "good friends" with social media. For a time, I'd considered jettisoning my various social media outlets. Following evaluation, I realized this was a bit strong, and instead chose to re-evaluate my usage and goals for each tool. As a metaphor, I needed to make sure I wasn't using my house key to try to start my car.

I see social media as an incredibly valuable tool for organizations, if used correctly. The tools are not the answer, in and of themselves. Companies used to desperately need a web site, but they weren't sure why. Today, companies want a social media presence, but they aren't sure why. It's up to the experts and the willing individuals with an organization's leadership to take the next step.

There's no denying, the use of these tools can be great fun. It's fun in the same way that any great social gathering can be. So, dig in, have fun. But be careful not to become that guy. Social media is a new, great thing, but it will soon find it's place among the other tools of the trade.

What's your take?

Photo Gracias: That's me fist-bumping my computer. Har-har.

5 Reasons to Ditch Your Professional Organization

2009-08-06T14:12:00.001-07:00

I've spent the week thinking about professional organizations. If you missed it the first time around, take a look at Are Professional Organizations Old School? and 5 Reasons to Join a Professional Organization. Everything seems to come packaged as a trilogy these days (even Fast & the Furious movies), so here's part 3 in the series...

5 Reasons to Ditch Your Professional Organization

1. You're Bored: If you are not engaged in what is going on, then get out. It would likely be better for you to visit a favorite spot, or to spend some time reading a great book, than frowning at the members of an organization you are not excited about.

2. Stagnant: It's the same 15 people every meeting, and you can't stand 14 of them.

3. Zero return: I'm not suggesting you look at every activity of your life in this results-only mode, but you should evaluate how you are spending your time. Most professionals complain about how they don't have enough time. If you can think of something that is much better for you professionally than attending another meeting of Brand X Organization, then move on.

4. The Pinch: In some way, every family/individual or company is feeling a pinch of the current economic situation. Most professional organizations are not cheap. There's typically an annual membership and then related costs like meals, transportation to get there, etc. It might simply be too expensive to play along right now.

5. It's for My Resume: Professional organizations are nice additions to an already great resume, but I'd hedge it will likely not be the single thing that sways a hiring manager. This can even work against you. I have spoken to several managers who will turn a critical eye to job candidates who seem to spend most of their time on professional organizations. It begs the question, "How much real work did they have time for?"

That closes out the week. Feel free to comment, sneer, etc., below.

Photo Gracias: Flickr user Chad Horwedel

5 Reasons to Join a Professional Organization

2009-08-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

My recent post, "Are Professional Organizations Old School?," led to some great foll0w-up discussions. Below is a list of five reasons to participate in a professional organization. Special thanks to @LindaJacobson, @dquack, @vedo, @kristen_okla and Craig(comments) for weighing in online or off.

5 Reasons to Join a Professional Organization

1. Face-to-Face: There is still immense value in meeting with people face-to-face. Online tools like Twitter, Facebook, Skype, etc., have drawn us all a bit closer online, but it is still no substitute for real live interaction. Online social interaction saps non-verbal cues and much of the human element out of everyday communication.
2. Get Out: Almost all of us are guilty of being chained to our routines. Whether you sit at a desk or have a more active job, it's easy to get in a rut. By attending a professional meeting/happy hour/etc., you are getting out of the office and into the world. Anything can happen out there.
3. Meet New People: Whether you are an independent practitioner who mostly talks to your cat or an office worker who mostly interacts with the same small group of people, there's real value in branching out and having a few new conversations. Also, you learn pretty quick about which areas you(or your organization) are ahead or behind the curve.
4. Jobs: A bit of a no-brainer here, but there are still college students being churned out every day that think they'll be handed a job based on their amazing promise and college accomplishments. I can gig them a little because I was one of those graduates. I could not understand why employers were not as excited about me as I was about me. Even if you are not looking for a job, the connections you make today could help you down the line. Good people hire good people, not resumes.
5. Leadership Experience: Every organization I have been involved with is looking for people to head up committees and perform other functions like updating a web site, managing a LinkedIn group, lining up speakers, etc. Perhaps you are a person who needs to prove to your managers that you are leadership material. Or perhaps you simply want the valuable experience of working within a leadership group. You will also gain insight into financial aspects, politics, and other areas that are possibly not part of your regular experience.

So there's my five, do you have any to add?

Are Professional Organizations Old School?

2009-08-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

In my professional life, I have been a member of several organizations. Some of these have been very rewarding, and some very questionable. In recent interactions, many young professionals are telling me they get what they need from online sources. They are skipping the traditional lunch and happy hour circuit for online networking sources like LinkedIn and Facebook. There's no question that it's more economical, both time and cost-wise, to invest in online groups - but is this pocket of professionals missing something?
I am not picking on recent grads, by the way, I have known many professionals who preferred not to join organizations and had long and successful careers.
So there's the question - Are the non-joiners missing out, or are they really the enlightened crowd?

Photo gracias: Flickr user Binkixxx.

Twitter Rocks: Twitter is Your Favorite Hometown Band That Made it Big.

2009-04-17T07:30:00.001-07:00

I've always thought that some of the best albums are second albums. Bands that were once obscure and working hard just to get gigs now have the confidence, time, and financial support to really crank out some magic. So I pose the question:

Is Twitter now your favorite hometown band that's made it big?

1. There are many rumors of the "second act" for Twitter. Will it be fully integrated(or swallowed) by another established service like Facebook. Will it lose its identity in the process?
Anybody remember when Garth Brooks decided he was now pop star Chris Gaines. It was just weird.
Which brings me to...

2. Will Twitter sell out? In music circles, true fans can point to the exact minute their favorite band sold out. Some would say Twitter has already done this? I don't agree. It's become a cultural phenomenon, partly due to all the press about how Twitter is getting lots of press.
"Selling out" has almost become a term for elderly music fans, as most fans get that marketing integration is one of the best ways to get your music heard these days. (Thx @TomOKeefe1 for the thought.)

3. Does the new stuff sound like the old stuff? When bands get big, fans can forgive them if they don't start dressing too funny and their music still sounds like them. The important thing with Twitter is that it keep to the spirit of what has made it successful. It's going to change and evolve, but will it keep the elements that brought us all there in the first place. We'll have to wait and see.
Incubus and Good Charlotte used to be hard rock bands. Now they're pop bands. Some people stayed along for the ride, some ditched them. Artists like U2, Madonna and Bob Dylan took their image and music in 100 different directions all while increasing their fan base and holding onto the majority of their true fans.

4. Can they survive major changes in personnel? So far, all is well on that front. In the spirit of Twitter, their "execs" are right out front in the community. The wrong leadership could be deadly for the service. Unlike many corporations, they are built on personality - and like music(see how I brought that home), the people and personalities really matter.
Van Halen was great with David Lee Roth, good with Sammy Hagar, Gary Cherone anyone?

So, fans and critics, will Twitter's second album rock?

More Twitter Rocks: Twitter desktop apps in guitar terms.

Social Media 101 Presentation

2009-03-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

Presented "Social Media for School Foundations" yesterday at the National School Foundation Association Conference in Westlake, TX. (If you're trying to find Westlake, it's just NW of Southlake, TX. No joke.) I heard from conference planners that it was one of the best attended breakout sessions of the conference. I'm not saying this to congratulate myself, I'm saying this to say that social media continues to loom large as a topic of discussion and interest.

Social Media for Foundations

View more presentations from Terry Morawski.

Here's the breakdown from yesterday:

SPEAKERS/TRAINERS:
If you are speaker, I strongly encourage you to stick to one product(or one category of social media) for a presentation. I have done several of these now and I feel they've been much better for me(and the audience) when they focus on one product. I did an introduction and then focused on the four(IMO) best social media "products" for development/fundraising.

TOPICS:
1. LinkedIn: To my surprise(from prior experience), 3/4 of the audience were using LinkedIn. From my impression, many had signed up and not done much more with the account. This is very common in social media. I've done this with several products, but I think LinkedIn is worth a little time. The majority of the group "got it" and a few seemed to content to continue to network via the phone and business cards.
2. Blog: This topic is best suited to 2 to 3 hours. I focused on two of the most powerful elements of blogging: active listening and telling stories. The group seemed to relax a little, and really like the idea, of turning over some of the writing duties to their passionate stakeholders(i.e. grant winners, board members, etc.). I recommended getting started via blogspot.com or wordpress.com. I also argued that a blog could even replace a Foundation Web site, and even do a better job in many cases.
3. Facebook: Facebook seemed to have the most interest. The group was surprised to hear that the majority of FB users are out of college already and the fastest growing demographic of users are over 30. One attendee said she likes the use of the Causes group for foundation activities. There still seemed to be a lingering discomfort with crossing business and family/friend relationships on FB. At the least, I encouraged individuals to (sparingly, smartly and naturally) to include information about what they are doing professionally in their FB status.
4. Twitter: By the time I got to Twitter, I had roughly two minutes to finish. But, everyone hung around and agreed they "really, really" wanted to know that this Twitter thingy was they had heard so much about. By then, we really had reached critical mass. Several stuck around and asked questions about Twitter, though. Twitter remains a SM201 tool, primarily because there is really no roadmap for use of the service. I recently presented a full hour on Twitter with colleague Richie Escovedo - that post and pres are here.
**IF YOU WERE THERE: Feel free to let me know about the pres, ask further questions, etc., below in the comment section. Overall, I hope it convinced you to at least try something new. And thanks again, the discussion and interaction was great (esp. for a 3 p.m. crowd).
Links from the presentation are here - http://delicious.com/morate/NSFA09 .

The Nuts and Bolts of Twitter

2009-03-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

I presented yesterday on The Nuts and Bolts of Twitter at the Best of the Southwest Communicators Conference, sponsored by the Texas Public Relations Association and the PRSA Southwest District. My co-presenter Richie Escovedo and I opened the presentation by signing up a Twitter newbie(welcome @mayday08). It was a fun presentation, and judging from the attendance and the bulk of questions - Twitter continues to loom large in the PR world.
Most questions centered on:
1. How can I monitor a brand?
2. How do you find time to use Twitter?
3. What are the best apps, especially for mobile devices?
4. What should I include in my bio?

(Thanks to Richie for posting our pres on Slideshare. Enjoy.)

The Nuts and Bolts of Twitter

View more presentations from Richie Escovedo. (tags: twitter social)

Watch This: David Merrill on Siftables

2009-02-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

If you're not well acquainted with the TED site, click over and enjoy. Below is a great video from David Merrill on what he calls "siftables." It's really amazing stuff. (Thanks to @paisano and @vedo for directing me to the video.)

Social Media for School PR.

2009-02-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

Richie Escovedo and I presented the below Social Media Tools for School PR presentation this week at the Texas School Public Relations Association Conference in San Antonio. It is always interesting to see where questions will lead. I've been part of presentations on this topic quite a bit in the last year, as well as many conversations. There's been a positive trend that the majority of PR professionals are beginning to shift from a slight resistance to social media to a healthy curiosity.
The majority of questions centered on these topics:
1. Promoting social media when many social media sites are blocked at schools and school facilities
2. Facebook - Good? Bad? (special interest in photos & tagging)
3. Blogging - How often? How does one find time?
4. Security issues with social media related to students, staff, and PR initiatives

This presentation is also available on Slideshare.

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Twitter Rocks: Desktop apps in guitar terms

2009-01-21T10:45:00.000-08:00

People are always asking, "How can I really use this Twitter thing?" If you are only using the basic interface(see first example below), then you are missing out on the full experience. I could go on and on about all the cool instruments that are out there, but why not explain it in human terms. I'm a fan of rock, so here's a few desktop Twitter apps in guitar terms. Enjoy!

Classic Twitterfeed via Twitter.com: Once upon a time, this was the only feed available. There are updates made to the interface, but currently the Twitterfolk are more focused on keeping their product alive than adding features.(Plus, why do this when independents are working hard to create killer apps?)
Rocking: It's the original. You can say you've been Tweeting there since @The_Real_Shaq was playing for the Lakers. Still a good way to add people. You also get the benefit of the person's full profile.
Lame: Pretty slow to bounce around on this site. Currently not a quick interface for direct messaging, re-tweeting, etc.
Guitarspeak: It's like Stevie Ray's old Strat. It's old and basic, but if you know what you're doing, it can definitely get the job done.

One-liner update via Twhirl: This is great, as you get a regularly refreshed stream from your Twitter friends. There's a handy window to add updates, and you can click on someone's avatar to send a reply, direct message, add as fav, or re-tweet. This is the most similar experience to Twitter apps available for iPhone and Storm.
Rocking: Speed is generally good. Nice look, and not much desktop real estate required.
Lame: It does not allow for management of multiple Twitter accounts, or searches. Even w ith a giant monitor, you're held to about 12 of your most recent Tweets on-screen.
Guitarspeak: Les Paul. Great look and pretty easy to maneuver. It's good enough to not need anything else, unless you are looking to be a guitar god. Then you need more, read on.

Twitter overload via Tweetdeck: Tweetdeck allows you to watch your own regular Twitterstream - plus streams for searches and groups of your friends. Several people I have bumped into use an app like this to follow subjects and do not worry much with following people via the standard Twitter workflow.
Rocking: This is great for those of you that are ADD, or if you are using Twitter for professional means. For example, if you are a reporter - you could use Tweetdeck to follow trending topics or to see what people are saying about your beat. You can also use it just like Twhirl through the magic of maximizing and minimizing the window. (Extra rock props for the black bird logo!)
Lame: It has been known to crash, but just think of this as when your favorite band plays that one awful song and you get to take a restroom break. Use it as a break and go outside, see if the sun is shining. Then, get right back on there.
Guitarspeak: Rick Nielsen(from Cheap Trick) had the chops to play a five neck guitar. It didn't stress him out, he made it rock.

Photo gracias: Flickr user Miki and Steve, stevieray.com, Flickr user Brett Wilde , Hamer Guitars .

More Twitter Rocks: Twitter is Your Favorite Hometown Band That Made It Big

Just for Fun: Morph Thing.

2009-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

For those of you that are fans of Conan O'Brien's face morphing, you can now do your own thanks to Morph Thing. Above is one I did of Shia LeBeouf and Queen Elizabeth II. Dig it!

Watch This: Fifty People, One Question.

2009-01-07T16:57:00.000-08:00

Came across this great video by Crush and Lovely. There's a second here, if you like the first. Great stuff. Enjoy.

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Crush & Lovely on Vimeo.

Why run a marathon?

2008-12-14T07:31:00.000-08:00

When people hear that I have run several marathons, they consistently ask, "Why would you do that?" It's a decent question. I wonder the same thing when I see trapeze artists, high-rise window washers and attorneys at work. So, here's the list.

Why run a marathon?

1. It's difficult.
2. It's a true test of your discipline. You can't cheat. To do it correctly, it takes at least six months of training to prepare. By "training," this means running shorter runs several times a week and gradually ramped-up long runs(I preferred Sundays.) By long run, some prefer to run the full distance before a race, some run up to 20 miles.
3. There's a whole strange and wonderful community built around running.
4. It's just you, your body, your mind, and the road. (And your mp3 player, if you're me. Some prefer the solitude of their environment.)
5. There's real peace out there. (Not just the chemical thing that happens around Mile 14 for me, but that's pretty fantastic too.)
6. It forces you to get outside and see the world.
7. If you travel, it's a really unique way to sight see.
8. You start to see food as fuel, and (hopefully) get smart about what you're tossing down your gullet.
9. It's a cheap hobby. Some decent shoes(go to a store where they know what they're talking about), some moisture-wicking gear, mp3 player(optional), watch with a timer(GPS running watches available for gearheads) and a target marathon. Typical marathon entry fees will cost between $75-150. Of course, if you choose to run one out of your area, add travel cost. When all is said and done, it could likely cost you less than that gym membership you never use.
10. It's inspiring. No joke. For all three experiences, there were points in my training where I wanted to quit, but I persisted. There are points where you are in pain, but you go on. I have called on what I learned about myself on the road when times get tough.

Feeling inspired? Here's a great place to start with free training tools, as well as great videos and articles. Runner's World: Beginners.

Photo gracias: Flickr user jjan9.

Seven Things You Don't Know About Me.

2008-12-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

So, I've been tagged by Lauren Vargas, Linda Jacobson, and Lauren Turner to take part in the Seven Things You Don't Know About Me blogging fun. Geoff Livingston originally tagged Lauren Vargas and my bud Richie Escovedo. This idea is a great representation of why I love the social Interwebs. Here goes:

1. For several years, I played guitar in a heavy metal band, Cain. Don't try to look us up or buy our stuff on iTunes because your search will be fruitless. We weren't the big hair variety, either, we were more of the Pantera/Metallica ilk. I still listen to metal regularly and go to the occasional show. I also still play guitar, but more of the Zeppelin/blues speed now(I'm old!).
2. My wife and I give out informal Parent of the Year awards. My most recent Father of the Year honor came when we got home late from an event. I told my kids(3&5) to be quiet because I thought I heard monkeys upstairs. The 3 yr old ended up crying and not sleeping much that
night, afraid of the monkeys in our house.
3. I write all the time. I've written four full length novels(one I'm finalizing to try to sell). I wrote a play, The Mercy Street Boys, that was produced by a local theater in 2001. I've always had more story ideas than time. I hope to balance that ratio someday. I also write non-fiction. I'm currently working on a non-fiction book with a friend centered on the relationship between love and self-respect.
4. I'd list my favorite kinds of music as rock, jazz and opera. Wait, what was that last one? Yup. Opera. I attended a performance about 8 years ago just from curiosity and found out I really like it. My favorite is Puccini's Turandot. Nessun Dorma is one of the most beautiful things ever written, in my opinion. Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez is a close second, but that's not opera, and I'm getting off topic.
5. I played ice hockey, badly, for a few seasons recently. I am a rabid hockey fan and thought my love for the game would translate. The NHL players make it look easy. Skating is hard enough. Trying to play hockey and skate for me, near impossible.
6. I've run three marathons. My favorite, so far, being New York. Running through that great city was amazing. The countless people lining the streets in every neighborhood was amazing. And, of course, finishing in Central Park is nice.
7. Despite my love of all things literary, I read everything Stephen King and Chuck Palahniuk write. One of my fav recent blog posts references Palahniuk's Fight Club.

I hereby tag these friends: Leo Bottary, Dan Keeney, Chelsea Moser, Rob Barra, Jenn Schooley,
Patrick Evans, and Simon Salt.

The rules(courtesy of Vedo):

Link your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post.
Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
Let them know they’ve been tagged
(Hat tip to Beth Harte for the rules.)

Photo gracias: Flickr user no vacancy.

Personal Branding is Your Interview Suit

2008-11-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

You know that suit (or "outfit") that hangs in the corner of your closet, anxiously awaiting its next interview adventure with you. It's a beauty, right? It's crisp and clean and is probably one of the best cared-for items you own.
Lately, especially in the current market, I've had calls from several good friends who are looking to market themselves. Most understand that a paper resume is not the full picture anymore. As I've attempted to explain the modern job hunt as I see it, I always end up discussing personal branding. There are many differing opinions of what personal branding is, but my short definition is that it is your online profile. It is the services you use and how you choose to use them.
Many think this is just another buzzword...another one of those items a shady "executive search" firm can charge you untold thousands for. (If you're listening bogus exec search firms, we're on to you.) This "branding" is actually what you are doing all the time. The job hunt is everywhere. People are watching you and your work all the time to see if you're a good fit for their company. Maybe they'll need you five years from now.
A friend recently told me they didn't see the point in keeping up a blog. It's easy for most to see how networking services like LinkedIn and Facebook can help(or hurt) a job search, but blogs are often tougher wrap your mind around. Blogs are for talking about why Star Wars is better than Star Trek, right?
Even slow futurists will tell you that knowledge brokers and empathetic communicators will be the United States' greatest export in future years. By proving your ability to communicate, interact and present yourself on a daily basis, you are only increasing your ultimate value. So, does your online profile provide you the same benefits as your interview suit? Think about it.

Photo gracias: Paul Goyette

Ten Years Gone?

2008-11-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

Spurred on by some of my recent work on my Master's Degree, I am shopping around the following question. I will post answers below. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

What is the most important work skill for managers to develop in the next 10 years?

@kenthompson007(via Twitter) "...losing the ego at work and refraining from abuse of power."

SMTOI - Scribblar

2008-10-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly evangelizing for the fun tools that I enjoy checking out, so I decided I'd throw one on the blog every so often. I'm calling it The Social Media Tool of Interest. SMTOI, you know - like "toy," but spelled "TOI." I'm trying to get into the act of goofy social media spelling. So, anyway, let me introduce Scribblar.

Scribblar is a free utility(also avail in a $99 Pro version) that allows you to manage multiple whiteboards in real time. You can use all the pictures, text, etc., that you want. You can chat off to the side, if needed. This is a nice tool for an impromptu explanation, or a quick presentation, a graphic edit among co-workers, etc. If you have a minute, take a look. It's fun stuff.

Above is my Superfantastic example of a few minutes play on Scribblar....

Six Challenges for Journalists

2008-10-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this post by saying that I have 10 years in Public Relations, a degree in Journalism and some experience as a newspaper reporter. In other words, I've got the cred to have an opinion.
So, since I have devoted what will likely be a fourth of my work life to working with the media and I truly have a heart for the work journalists do every day, here we go. Read on...

Six Challenges for Journalists

1. Be Honest. You expect the truth from sources. Be upfront with what you know and where you get your information from(if possible). PR people have a bad rap for being dishonest and so do journalists. We both need to reflect on why the public feels this way and work to gain back their trust.

2. Be Professional. If you use foul language or are abusive to members of a source's staff, they do not have to accept this behavior. The media are the first to shine a light on any public figure behaving unprofessionally, but I have encountered much of the same behavior from reporters. It is just embarrassing for the profession. Those in charge should correct, and not encourage, this type of behavior. Please don't give people more ammo to justify the negative stereotype of reporters.

3. Be Respectful of the Other Person's Schedule. Many reporters have told me that any individual should drop whatever they are doing to talk to the media. To say this is to say that communicating via the media is everyone's most important duty. I do not want my local Fire Chief to have the media as his first priority. Sorry, I just don't. To be clear, I am not advocating dodging of media. This is bad practice, as well.

4. Admit You are Part of the Conversation. Television news viewership and newspaper readership is down and dropping. Consumers are rapidly turning to other sources for their information. The attitude that an organization needs to cater to the media is waning. The media simply does not hold all the cards anymore. The information environment is extremely diverse and complex. Figure out how you fit in and play that role.

5. Embrace Change. Meet Rick Sanchez, CNN anchor. He's fully embraced Twitter (@ricksanchezcnn). The remarkable thing about Rick's interaction is that he actively references user comments on his daily show and most recently from the beach during Hurricane Ike. Also, and I would say most importantly, he is not afraid to insert his personality into the news. This does not mean a surrender of impartiality, but it does mean to keep it interesting. Why do most regular people get their news from each other or entertainment-oriented sources like Limbaugh, Stewart or Letterman?

6. Add to the Conversation. Our country is currently bankrupt - economically sure, but also of ideas and inspiration. Journalists have a voice. Use that voice to be an agent for the common good. Exposing corruption is just part of your job as I see it, but is not the entire picture. What about adding fuel to fires that will benefit society as a whole?

Photo gracias: ShutterCat7.

SNL Greatness

2008-10-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

I can't really explain why this makes me laugh so much, but it does. Enjoy.

Not enough green = Broccoli

2008-10-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

I read this article from the New York Times this morning
(Thanks @thopeross).

The article explores the premise that bad economic times are actually good for an individual's health. Why? Well, tough economic times lead to less fatty restaurant meals, less nights out drinking with friends, and less consumption of entertainment where food plays an important supporting role(ballpark frank anyone?).

I recognize this trend in my own family. As times get leaner, gas prices remain high, etc., we have cooked more at home. We have gone out less. When we do go out, we often share an entree. We consider whether the kid's meal is really worth the extra few bucks. Is any of this reflection or focus negative? It's hard to argue that this type of reflection is bad.

How has the downturn positively affected your life? Comment below.

(Bonus: For any of you dieters/health nuts/gym rats out there who had to cancel a club membership to buy gas, check out the free Sparkpeople.com. Sure there's advertising, but you can ignore that if you want.)

Photo gracias: amayu.

Why Old Star Wars is Better

2008-10-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

Why do I prefer the older Star Wars movies?

I think it boils down to the Millennium Falcon.
It didn't work most of the time.
It sputtered.
It smoked.
Chewbacca was working on the ship about as much as he was kicking butt in the first three movies. (One of his action figures even came outfitted with tools and goggles.)
Much of the dramatic tension revolved around whether they could get it working in time to escape from whatever danger they were in at the time.

There's a business lesson in this. It was harder to root for the heroes of the newer, glossier Star Wars pics for me. New communication is as much about showing your scars, as much as it is about sharing your successes. After all, we can all see the smoke and hear the gears grinding, don't be afraid to talk about it.

Photo gracias: GABURU & spiritwalkersg.

Is Facebook Good for My Job?

2008-10-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

I noticed an interesting phenomenon around my office. Several of our group participate in Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media. There was no "type" represented in the way this group spread. They represented a real cross-section of early adopters/non-techie, male/female, all ages, different job functions. Often when I discuss social media, people are quick to say the tools are natural for a certain generation, those under 30, etc. It's easy to compartmentalize people and say that social media naturally exempts some individuals. The only group with a real exemption are those without regular access to a computer or mobile phone, which is a relatively small percentage in the professional/student areas.

The phenomenon I picked up on was that those who chose not to participate were missing out on quite a bit. Most people would not hesitate to point out the importance of attending office parties, talking to people casually in the break room, etc. These informal relationships are the same within online communities, although they run much deeper. I know a great deal more about most people I interface with via social media than I ever would from casual conversation.
On that same note, you are getting "face time" with a boss or supervisor every time they interact with you, view your profile, see your updates, etc., on Facebook or other services.

Too much emphasis has been placed on the negative aspects of social media. If you use these tools in a smart and social way, they can and will actually help you in your work life*.

*I realize also that many of your companies may block social media as a category(they are wrong to do this, btw), but don't let that be your personal excuse. Participate anyway. It only takes a few minutes a day to update a profile and see what your friends are up to. Most likely you will appreciate the extra layer this adds to your life.

Photo gracias: Hallie M.

Books I've Read & Recommended.

2008-10-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

When I get together with friends, family, and business contacts, it seems we always end up swapping titles of books we are reading. I thought it would be fun (and also a good crib sheet for me) to keep a list of my favorite books. These are in the order that I read them. There's no links to buy them here because this is just about sharing. You know where to find them, if you're interested. I'll also do my best to link to blogs and other info related to the books. If someone interesting, say Tiger Woods or William Shatner, recommended the book - I'll let you know that too. That's all for now. Enjoy.

Made to Stick (2007: Non-fiction)
by Chip and Dan Heath

My thoughts: This was a great reminder of concepts that you think you know already. Basically, keep to the simple and memorable.

I read it in Summer 2008.

now is g one (2007: Non-fiction)
by Geoff Livington with Brian Solis

My thoughts: This was the launching point for me with social media, especially its relationship with PR. Geoff's blog and influence in the PR community are well-known for good reason.

I read it in Spring 2008.

Freakonomics (2005: Non-fiction)
by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

My thoughts: This is a fascinating look at the invisible lines that connect variables in life from the perspective of a "rogue economist." I am interested in economics, but not unusually so, and this made for a very interesting read.

I read it in Spring 2006.

Why I loaf Jott

2008-09-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

Chris Brogan posted a Jott goof this morning, and I realized that our mis-Jotts have gotten to be a fun thing around our house. I'm beginning to think maybe my wife uses Jott half the time just to see what it enters on her Google calendar. (If you're not familiar with Jott, it's a great tool, especially for commuters or people with old school cell phones. Basically, Jott adds items to your calendars, sends messages, etc., from voice cues. It does not always get things right, but that's a little charming at this stage of technology.)

So just for fun, because I'm in that kind of mood today - I'm collecting Jott mistakes. I'll repost my favs via my Twitter account @morate. So, send me your most mangled Jott messages. Here's a few of my personal favs. (Voice msg = Jott post)

Kleiman Eye Center = Climbing Ice center (@vedo)
Swim lessons = Tin license(@morate)
Winestyles = Juan's house(@morate)

Online tab, now I'm happy.

2008-08-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

The Internet Machine has really outdone itself this time. As someone who spent hours working away at songs in guitar Tab books, I am glad to come across the above site. Songsterr.com provides standard tab, but also keeps time and gives you an audio cue of individual notes and chords. It's also got an option to play a song at half-speed, just in case it's your first go round with...let's say ...the Chili Peppers' Under the Bridge. I also have to thank Stumbleupon for helping me to find this site. If you haven't signed up for Stumbleupon, do it, do it now!

Are you an info pusher?

2008-08-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

I was trying to figure out why I migrate to certain people on Twitter over others today, and I settled on this...there's info pushers and then there's citizens(call them Twitizens, if you need a catchy new word. Take it, it's free.)
Some of of us sign up (on purpose) for info push on Twitter, via email, etc., to get sports scores, tech news, beard trimming tips, and the like. This is fine when we've made a mutual agreement that we want someone to shout news or information in our general direction. But what of the shouters on Twitter? Personally, I find them annoying and I'll tell you why.
Twitter is basically a venue for a large conversation. I describe it to the uninitiated as if I am sitting around a giant table with some good friends, some content experts, some jokesters and a few advertising wonks. They all add to my day, and hopefully I add to theirs. Accepting the premise that it is a conversational medium, why all the shouting. We all have those friends who incessantly pepper us with news every time we see them. As they give you their verbal news feed, you're really thinking "Can we just have a real conversation here?"
Twitter's for real conversation. Use it that way. And if you're just now realizing you are an info pusher, make a clean break. Start out by doing some quality listening. Follow some interesting people and then follow their lead.

The only object in life is to grow

2008-08-10T06:21:00.000-07:00

The only object in life is to grow.

"Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow." - Margaret Fuller

Every once in a while, I come across a quote that I can't let go of. Such is the case with the above quote from Margaret Fuller, a writer from the early 1800's. It's not hard to apply this thought to your own life, as this simple thought can take on various meanings.
I think this quote is very applicable to social media in PR/Communications. When discussed, many people regard the social media phenomenon as a passing fad or worse, a trivial waste of time. The early adopters are upset because they can't exactly explain why this new world is so important for others to discover. I offer this simple plea to those who are still skeptical - social media is personal growth.
For me, every step of the way has been very challenging and very exciting. Sure, it's fun to tell your friends that you have a blog - but guess what? It's hard work. It requires a shift in your thinking and the way you process information. But, for me as a writer at heart, it has been a wonderful revelation. Also, when I worked for a newspaper, I felt very constrained by style and editors - but there's no editor in the blog world. Your readers decide if they like your style and content.
I've also ventured into other avenues, including social bookmarking(Delicious, Digg), network creation/management(Ning), microblogging(Twitter,Plurk), social media aggregation (FriendFeed) and unique animals like Jott and Mosio, to name a few. Each adventure has been just that, and each has exposed me to a world of new people and new ideas that I never would have been exposed to under normal circumstances.
So, dear reader. Why do you read books? Why do you have dinner with interesting friends? Why do you go to professional conferences? Why do you engage with the arts? You do all of these things to learn, and to grow. So, if you're not out there, get out there. If you are, you have one more reason to give those who doubt the value of this new medium.

Why Tony Robbins Loves Bean Soup.

2008-07-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

Let me start out by saying that it's not every day I nod along approvingly to a Tony Robbins interview, but the below interview from the Today show last week struck me.
Robbins' basic point was that the economic downturn we are experiencing could actually create a mentally healthier population. As a nation obsessed with things, the downturn has become downright depressing. Robbins suggests this cultural reflection is a good thing.
After all, was it good strategy that we were all overspending on credit and real estate?
Was it good that we don't have a next step plan for our economy?

What do you think?

Let's Start with the Universe.

2008-07-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

Richie and I began our presentation today about social media to the Fort Worth PRSA crew. It went well, I felt. The discussion was real. The questions were all over the map(a good sign). People generally nodded their heads. Even when we went over time and gave everyone the go ahead to bolt, the majority stayed and continued to ask questions.
But after all that, there was something holding us back today, and I realized it after getting back to the office. It was the universe.
Trying to explain social media, as a concept, is a little like trying to explain life, starting out with a brief discussion on the universe as a whole. Basically what I'm saying is, it is a BIG subject. And discussing this BIG subject with a group of nearly 60 professionals from different companies, with different interests, etc., is also BIG.
There's also the slight problem that asking Richie and I questions about SM, is a little like asking a Trekkie, "Hey, what's the big deal with all this Star Trek stuff?"...or asking a jazz fan if Miles or Monk is better? Anyway, you get the picture.
If you were there, I'd be interested to hear your comments.
If you've presented SM to a group of "non-tech" types, I'd also love to hear your feedback and experiences.

America's Heart Problem.

2008-06-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

Vedo and I were discussing the Cohen/McClellan situation this morning and something struck me. Let's call it Jerry Maguire's disease. Forget all the "you complete me" side of that movie, I remember my incredible shock at the beginning as Jerry composed his treatise on everything that was wrong with his business. He was unceremoniously canned, spiraling his life into a somewhat inspiring romantic comedy. We should all have such luck, right?
The first act of that movie laid out an all-too-familiar scenario in America. Just a few weeks ago, I witnessed a candidate whipped by Tim Russert for changing their mind about major issues. Why, in America, are public people unable to change their minds on issues. New information comes to light. The world changes. For example, the way both parties talk about the environment has vastly changed in just the last 10 years.
So, I know there is more to this story. Those of us who weren't there can never truly understand the pressure McClellan was under. We can also not understand his heart now, in this situation. I venture to say that every person has the right to have a change of heart, and even to be disgusted by some of their own actions in looking back at their life. Isn't this what we call wisdom?

Pic courtesy - http://www.dvd.net.au/movies

A Hard Look in the Mirror.

2008-06-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

Andrew Cohen of CBS News took a shot at PR professionals as liars. Many in the profession took incredible offense at the comment. Were they wrong to be offended? I say no, but conditionally. When I tell people at a party what I do, they crack a joke about me being a flack, putting "lipstick on a pig", etc. Any attempt at further explanation and they just get bored. The general public has opinions about lawyers, politicians, and yes...PR people.
That said, Cohen was fundamentally wrong about PR pros as paid liars. It reminded me of a story...
Early in my career, a colleague told me a story of being asked by his boss to lie on behalf of the organization. He took a long look in the mirror and decided no career was worth compromising himself. He did not lie. The person that asked him to lie was later arrested and he remained with the organization. Trust me, dear reader, this is not the only example like this.
I venture that all professionals are faced with some type of ethical dilemma within the scope of their career, whether it be cooking the books, lying, etc. The true measure of a professional is how they react. PR people are not able to simply ignore ethics as part of their job description. The issue is human, not job specific. So Cohen(a member of a traditionally picked-on profession) took a shot at PR, we can withstand it, BUT better - let's do our best to educate our co-workers, friends and clients of our true purpose.