Communicators Anonymous

Zany: Smorgasbord

• Pat Robertson thinks Yoga is evil. Wow. I am in deep trouble. Not only is this how I keep weight off, but how I find sanity. Oh well.
• I am not a domestic diva. I burn rice crispy treats. Seriously. Keep this Lifehacker post of Top 10 Food and Drink Hacks handy.
• My holiday shopping is complete and cards stamped. My husband will be disappointed I did not get him his most wanted present.

Finally, Jill Pyle (@jillpyle) asked communications and marketing twitter group what was on their holiday gift list...Assuming the gifts are what we are requesting? (UPDATE from Jill: Holiday Gift Guide for PR Pros) While standing in line with daughter waiting to see Santa, I pondered what is on my wish list:

1. POC 3 DVD -- gotta have my Orly! (A girl can dream.)
2. Threadless and/or Recollections (Did you know they are closing?) Gift Cards
3. Two sponsored 2008 communications conferences (Of course this is just a stocking stuffer!)

Perhaps I can score two of three! My holiday gift list for family and friends is primarily books-my favorite gift to give! I bought husband Essential Manners for Men by Peter Post. No, this gift will not be spoiled because husband is not an online geek like me.

No Kindle. My mom has accepted email, but she would never read a digital book!

Diamond in the rough

I have been sitting on this post for over a week because I wanted to capture the correct tone. I hit post today because of this post. I have purposely not commented on any Strumpette author site because this would give those people more claims to fame where none is deserved. Really, this nonsense is petty and sheds a dark light on the entire industry. WE are better than this, don't you agree?!

I am embarrassed of the conversation and I didn't even participate. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I have observed this vicious circle for two years. All of us are frustrated, but the answer is not this:

"So what do we do? Start to publicly name the folks spewing BS and blatantly pitching audiences under the veil of an 'expert speaking'?" (Josh)

YES. Why not? Embarrassment is a great motivator. Plus, then we get to point and laugh.

-Posted by: Ryan Lack November 17, 2007 10:38 AM

This sounds preachy and like a parent, but why stoop to this level? Many of us have great intentions to treat the symptoms. Unless we get to the root of the illness, a cure will not be found. The problem is not the few bad apples raving in the blogosphere (and elsewhere), but the ignorant mass population of middle managers. Do not confuse my wording as ignorant equals stupidity. Quite the contrary, pr practice is learned on the job with supervisors and peers who are still waiting on the dock. We try to stop the bleeding in the classrooms, but for those not lucky enough to have a dream assignment, students are placed in an agency environment where not even the basic pr functions are performed correctly. Practicing as shown is necessary for survival and a cup of Ramen noodles.

Issues change; challenges change, but the principles remain the same. Back to basics needs to be infused horizontally.

Don't be so quick to judge (I'm talking to me too). We are all learning, but there are some clear black and white decisions. Those crossing the line with intention will pay the price. You don't have to levy their punishment. Focus on building industry karma. Let's pick each other up and dust off...we must learn from mistrial and not embarrass another in the process...Especially those just beginning their careers.

Recently, many of us wrote posts expressing thanks to those who have influenced our paths. What made these people different and timeless? How can we emulate their teachings and become the teachers? We are professionals, so let's act like it.

The Road Less Travelled

Kami asks, "Who had a big influence on you and how did that affect the direction of your life or career?"

Like Ike, my Fourth Grade teacher was a huge influence (more positive than Ike's teacher, though). At the time I despised Mrs. Perkins. If I did not look at her when answering a question, I had to parade around the school with a large 'Eye Contact' sign around my neck. That aside, Mrs. Perkins introduced us to C.S. Lewis and Shakespeare. Our class hosted several plays and overcame public speaking fear.

I did not enter college thinking my career would be in public relations. My goal was to become a museum curator in Europe specializing in Medieval and Renaissance history. Then I took a communications elective with Dr. Terry Clark. My life path changed in one semester. I found a piece of my life puzzle.

Eight years later I find most of my mentors are virtual. As stated several times, Kami Huyse is the first person I conversed with two years ago in the Blogosphere. Her passion and knowledge has spurred me to set my bar higher. Despite her hectic schedule, Kami will pick up the phone and respond to email.

Then there is David; my former, eccentric boss. He called me (still does) "runt" because I was the smallest and feistiest in the company. I was completely off path and he was my beacon of light, illuminating a new and smoother path. Today, Dave is in Iraq as a volunteer.

I hope that I convey my thanks more than once a year to those mentioned above and the many fascinating people/teachers I meet/converse with each day. Thank you.

UPDATE: Forgot to tag! Karen, you are a fellow teacher, who influences you?

Review: Now Is Gone

Now Is Gone Book Review by Geoff Livingston with Brian Solis

As I read the book, I visualize tribes of nomads battling for survival and imagine what it might have been like to first make and see fire. I have witnessed and been part of semantic debates of whether we are in the midst of an evolution or revolution. For the record, I noted this book mentions nature/natural 15 times; evolve/evolution 37 times; and revolution 12 times. Brian Solis introduces the book content by asking, "Is the idea that PR needs to improve evolutionary or revolutionary?" Both. Solis answers it is evolutionary because technology has completely changed communication tools; and revolutionary because the concept of sociology has always been existent. The discussion online and offline is developing naturally as more people dive deep into the social media networks. "Now is gone , and it's time to engage or find a new career."

Currently, I use The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott as a teaching tool/primer of social media. Now is Gone is a natural evolution of Meerman's premise. Each book reads with a very different voice and cannot be substituted for the other. The outline,flow and parting comments of each chapter makes an easy and valuable read. The purpose statement is hidden; best described on page 91, "Now Is Gone means to provide you the information necessary for intelligent leadership, empowering champions for change by teaching you how to build your organization's community via general tactics." Complete interviews with industry leaders may be found at the end of the book and is a great resource for the person who has not followed Geoff's blog.

Closing words from Scott Baradell are still ringing in my ears; "So the geeks who think they rule the world right now are going to get a reality check from big business. The lucky few will get a cashier's check as well."

Read other reviews, go with the flow and buy the book.

Zany: Zip, Zap Zoom

My name is Lauren and I am a caffeine junkie. There has to be a twelve step program for this, right? I am rarely seen without an energy drink in my hand or drinks lined up in front of me in a meeting room. Seriously, I am trying to decrease my caffeine intake. Of course no one would know because Geoff Livingston caught me on camera with an energy drink at the Austin Social Media Conference, 6 November!

Is Live Blogging Really Stealing?

This question has been bugging me since the PRSA Conference. I followed many people as they live blogged/twittered. Of course, I was thankful for their efforts because I experienced the event from my computer in Dallas. But what about the people that paid exorbitant (to me) amounts of money to go to this conference and others similar? Do they feel cheated? Does anyone ask the presenter if it is OK to live blog/twitter? May presentation materials be shared online?

Yes, no matter what the tool, the information will be spread. In this case, I am a black/white person wanting to know the limits of my Treo powers. When does conference blogging/twittering cross the line? Or not? I am eager to hear your take...Specifically, those who I have followed live this past month: Kami Huyse, Geoff Livingston, Connie Reece, Chris Heuer and Josh Hallett.

Steve Crescenzo had an interesting experience with live blogging earlier this year. Things are not always as they appear in a blog post or 140 characters.

Beth Kanter is pro-live blogging and explains her posting methodology. "First of all, live blogging takes a certain chutzpah and fearlessness.   At last year's blogher, someone said that live bloggers need to carry around a hip flask in their tool box!  So, you have to not be afraid of making mistakes  ... publically ...."

Chime in!

Priceless

1.25 tank of gas + 6 hours drive time + seeing 'friends' face-to-face for the first time or again = PRICELESS

Yesterday started at 3am with drive from Dallas to Austin. I am a morning person, but even this early drive was a bit much. Without a GPS (only female instinct) I arrived at the Dell HQ at 7am for SMC Austin seminar. A big Thank You to host, Dell!

With an energy drink I sat at the front of the room. I took prestigious notes with pen and paper and live blogged the day event. The first half of the seminar was a social media primer. A review for me, but much needed for those surrounding me.

Locked and loaded, the morning hot topic was Shel's research on education and social media-a topic near and dear to my brain.

Chris Heuer is a great speaker. The man does not miss a beat; he can type, navigate through sites and keep the conversation going! It's exciting to see others excited.

I met Geoff Livingston for the first time. As my Twitter feed indicates I was most excited about this introduction. I hope I did not blow it looking like a babbling idiot! This man has a dynamic personality and extremely down-to-earth. It was truly a pleasure. Eagerly anticipating his new book, Now Is Gone...

Yes, Connie Reece really does have hot pink streaks in her hair and looks fabulous! Connie and the Austin SMC team did a great job organizing the event and fighting for wifi access in our conference room.

It has been way too long since I last saw Kami Huyse in person. What a treat! (Kami, I forgot to give you your baby shower present again!) She showed me the latest pics of her two gorgeous children. Kami was truly luminary yesterday! Of course I asked her for her secret...I think it is her passion radiating. Kami presented metrics after lunch. Her presentation was marvelous and packed with resources.

Live bloggers (Kami, Geoff, Connie and me) captured the key moments via Twitter. I encourage you to go into the archives and fill up your knowledge tank.

The trip home seemed much faster than the trip to Austin. Perhaps it was because I was on an emotional high, too psyched about future posts (all recorded on mp3 player during drive) and talking to Kami on the phone.

Make it a point to meet followers/friends face-to-face.

Feedback: Austin SMC was my first live twittering experience. How did I do? Too much; too little; too vague?

How to Write a Case Study II

One of my most popular posts is How to Write a Case Study. This message originated because I was crafting my portfolio and needed to archive my past successes (and not-so good campaigns with lessons learned). Resources were not abundant. Since this time, I have discovered a multitude of how-to and examples of case study writing geared to the public relations professional. A purpose-built del.icio.us page is capturing these links. I will continue to update! Of course, my favorite resource at the moment is the Now is Gone/Case Studies. Please share or add to any resources I miss.

Zany: Class is One Big Game!

Weekend courses are the hardest to teach. Eight hour days of lecture while sun and blue sky pass unnoticed is not fun. How can anyone learn? You will not hear me drone on in my weekend classes. You will most likely hear roaring laughter as students create and play their own Monopoly games.

Last semester, students (Marcom Colloquy) of my Principles course were instructed to create their own Monopoly game. The class was divided into two teams of four and each team given a create-your-own Monopoly game. The game required three elements from each chapter of their text be incorporated into play.

The first weekend was dedicated to establishing the game objective and layout. It was a rocky start for both teams. Silence permeated the first day. Three students had never played Monopoly before! Instead of forcing students to read and regurgitate outdated textbooks, the students must use the lessons in the correct context.

The second and final weekend was quite different than the first; the laughter was so loud, we could be heard throughout the building. Thank goodness it was a weekend class or we would have disturbed and angered several instructors. Teams were given one class period to play their own game and work the kinks out of instructions and game board. The second day, the teams switched games, played and graded their peers. The games were not similar. One team chose to upgrade their Monopoly game to the credit card version. One board was a specialty store and the other a big box retailer.

I was ecstatic with the enthusiasm of the class and quality of their work. The games are now on display in the student office and travel with student representatives at school expos.