Communicators Anonymous

APR Process: Calling for a mulligan

Thank you for the support all of you showed me last week in anticipation of my APR exam Sunday, 28 June. The unofficial results were instantaneous...did not pass again...and by the same number of percentage points as times past. It was not any area in particular where I came up short, but a mixed bag of scores and a total mental block when it comes to standardized tests.

Yesterday, my disappointment took hold and I vowed I would not take the exam again. Well, I can't hold that vow. It is not who I am. I have never backed down from a challenge. I am extremely frustrated that I have been unable to pass the exam when I have always excelled in education, other certifications and challenging tasks. I have a tendency to over think the case/answers and don't necessarily agree that the test best response is the best response in the real world. Well, I will need to get over that line of thought to pass this exam.

Now that I have taken and failed the test three times, I must start the APR process from the beginning. I do not regret the process nor will I talk badly about the exam. It is what it is. I am a better communicator for going through the process and by reestablishing self with the founding principles of public relations. I am a better educator. I will move on...and I will succeed. Just not today.

UPDATE: (6/30) PRSA National just called my mobile to tell me they became aware of this post after a UAB member brought it to their attention. They called to tell me, I do not have to start process over completely (i.e. Readiness Review). Once in "advanced" status, I remain there. However, I do have to pay $385 fee again and reschedule test. Wicked cool they called me.

APR: Study Time!

Have you been following the #accredchat Twitter discussions each Friday at 1pm EST? Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last week's chat about best study practices. I encourage you to go online and check out the fabulous tips offered by those who have been there and successfully passed the APR exam.

This Sunday, 28 June, I sit down to complete my APR exam. Here is to hoping that third time is the charm! What have I done differently to study this time around?

• Enlisted the help of a Study Fairy (fancy phrase for Study Buddy). Thanks to Sherry Carr Smith (@prcarrs), who has quizzed me on elements of the Study Guide two-to-three times a week for the last two months.
• Use flash cards! The black and white of the Study Guide blurs to gray after combing through the material for a long time. Your eyes skip the key points and you relax without digesting the study material because you feel you already know what is being highlighted. Stop the laziness and keep yourself on your toes! I used Cobocards because I could create my flash cards and share them with my Study Fairy. Subscribe to the RSS feed of my flash cards and use them to help you prepare. (I have some more decks to publish...getting around to that!)
• Set a target. I set my test date, then working backwards from that date, created a Google Calendar of dedicated study days/times. I mapped out which sections I would study and when my Study Fairy would quiz me on competence of each topic.

Here are some great tips I selected from the #accredchat conversation 19 June:

• @KrisTK: The more senses you use while studying helps get info into diff parts of brain -- read it, speak it aloud, write it down.
• @ljstarnes: My prep: APR study guide, supplemented by Cutlip textbook. Made copious notes, which helped engrain info into my brain.
• @ljstarnes: When studying, focus on the KSAs that will be most of test-theory, ethics, research, crisis comm etc.
• @vanhoosier: Concur it is helpful to review theoretical concepts. Talking through communication models w/peer is crucial.
• @ljstarnes: re study groups, ask your APR chair to help start one. Chair has access to supplemental study mat'l thru PRSA.
• @Samjb: Finding a study buddy and an accredited mentor are absolutely essential. Then set deadlines & a schedule and stick to it!
• @Samjb: Spend time with people who have become accredited recently--they can give you a fresh and accurate perspective on the exam.
• @Samjb: as Dallas APR Chair, I hear good things about the PRSA online course. Not a boring online thing, meaningful interaction w/peers.

Should a community manager go native?

I have been tossing this question around in my mind for some time because I am a community manager with a public relations background. I am constantly balancing my roles as an active listener and organization liaison with being a participant and engaging the community without being a pr megaphone. The question first took form with the anthropologist angle after watching The Nanny Diaries.

Please do not judge me for my movie taste...truly, I was bored and needed to chill in front of the TV without thinking and this movie was all that was on television.

In case you haven't seen the flick, it is about a girl (Annie) graduating from college as an anthropology major and freezes during the interview for an internship at a big corporation. To find herself, she takes a job as a nanny in Manhattan's Upper East Side, and moves in with the X family - a cheating husband, a control-freak wife, and Grayer, a lad of five. Annie puts her anthropology skills to use to save her sanity. She classifies all participants and documents their interactions while trying to maintain a level of separation because a good nanny cannot "go native" and fall in love with the family/child or begin to make excuses for their behavior.

Didn't I say I watched that movie so I wouldn't be thinking?

I know, but I couldn't help but think of the nanny role being similar to the role of a community manager. We keep a safe distance and do not become too emotionally attached as not to negatively alter our job performance. We allow our kids (community members) to foster their own thoughts and beliefs and we act only as guides and facilitators with their parents (organizations). Like a good nanny, should we as community managers reject the invitation to go native?

As the title of community manager becomes more mainstream in organizations, the question of what defines this role is a hot topic of conversation. Is it better for the community manager to be a member of the established community or take the role of an anthropologist? I am sure there is no black and white answer...we seem to live in shades of gray. However, when I ask this question, I am yearning for a b/w answer from a measurement approach.

While a community manager, unlike an anthropologist, is not meant to be an invisible insider, going native may lead to ethical problems involved in participating in some of the community/tribe customs. Undoubtedly, field work, in an attempt to develop relationships with community/tribe members, works best when the researcher becomes wholly accepted as members of the group. The community manager goes native. What happens to perspective? Objective? Any less or more objective than the role as organization liaison?

Another crucial problem is that describing what people believe and how they act may be neither valid or reliable. Data is not likely to be exact or replicable. Yes, trends may be identified and participation requested, but if the community manager is not native and remains an outsider, the community manager is denied the opportunity to truly understand the world view of those studied. Do you agree with this?

The discussion surrounding community management is awesome. More voices are discussing the role and future of consumer tribalism then ever before. It is fascinating to watch and learn. I encourage you to join in the weekly Twitter discussion, #CmtyChat, Fridays at 1pm EST and read the newest community initiative, The Community Roundtable. Also, check out the Blue Sky Factory TV Episode from IMS Dallas, where Amber Naslund discusses the role of community manager.

(Image courtesy law_keven.)

Zany: Brazilian Valentine's Day is 12 June

You may not know, but my beau is Brazilian. As we learn more about each other and deepen our relationship, we are also expanding our knowledge about each other's cultures.

Valentines Day in Brazil is not celebrated in the way as it is celebrated in other parts of the world and is commemorated on June 12th. This day celebrates St. Anthony of Padua who is believed to bring good fortune on marriages.

Leo (my fiance) sent me my Valentine's Day present early because I was scheduled to be in DC on 12 June. He wanted me to enjoy my present and card before I left for the conference. So, I, in turn got a card and present ready to mail to Leo to arrive on 12 June.

I received my gift yesterday.

A beautiful card reminding me that this weekend is not just a holiday but the anniversary of the weekend we first met face-to-face in Montreal. AND the June 2009 issue of my favorite magazine, WIRED.

What is so special about the magazine as a present?

The magazine is filled with sticky notes of commentary made by Leo. What I love so much about this man is that we intellectually challenge each other, don't always agree, but always have dynamic conversations. The sticky notes are sparks of future and meaningful conversations where we will learn more about each other.

So...what did I get for Leo?

(Hold on, I cannot stop laughing.)

Of course, I got a sentimental card with a receipt for a year subscription to WIRED.

I am thinking we were made for each other.

Take a moment and tell the person you love how much they mean to you. Sit down and really talk and actively listen to each other. It is an amazing experience.

(Info from My Dear Valentine.)

In lieu of Valentines Day, the people of Brazil celebrates "Dia dos Namorados", that is, Boyfriend's/Girlfriend's Day on 12th June. Receiving and giving of gifts between girlfriends and boyfriends, husbands and wives is the most important tradition that is associated with this day in Brazil. The gifts include, flower, cards, chocolates, and various other gift items. These gifts differ from one another in their shapes, sizes, and color combinations.

Various shows, concerts and musical events are organized in the state of Brazil on this day, that are attended by the citizens of Brazil in large numbers and these shows and concerts are very popular among the people of Brazil. The hotels of Brazil offer special packages for the occasion of "Dia dos Namorados".

The citizens of Brazil spent this day with their friends, family and relatives. The activities that are related with this day are, cooking of special meals at home, arranging for a party for friends or taking part in the party celebration, which has been arranged by close associates or family members, spending the day with a special person or making a tour of the local areas or sites to catch a glimpse of the celebrations associated with the occasion "Dia dos Namorados."

Dance and music are an integral part of the occasion of "Dia dos Namorados". Learn more about the occasion that takes place instead of Valentines Day in Brazil from My Dear Valentine.

Our Twitter Love Story:

My version.

Leo's version.

(Image courtesy stinkypony.)

WhooHoo! CA is getting a makeover!

I am stoked. My blog/site is getting a much-needed makeover after three years and still using standard Typepad template and zero customization. I know what my wish list for redesign contains, but what do YOU want? How do you surf site content in the days of RSS readers...or do you?

For example, do you find value in a blogroll? What snackable content from your top ten sites do you find valuable? What comment tracking applications are best for the reader/participant?

Big changes are happening and this site will finally reveal the media vixen that lies beneath...

(Image courtesy cloudz.)

Setting expectations: Beware of Jedi mind tricks

Who is giving the public relations industry a bad rep? Other public relations agencies and individual practitioners! Why? There are many reasons, but one very big reason is because they are setting false expectations.

Too often, I see other pr practitioners do an Obi-Wan Kenobi routine on clients.

(Wave hand) This is not the ROI/measurement you are seek… This is…

Beware of those Jedi mind tricks.

It is very easy for a pr practitioner to fall into an enabling role instead of a strategic counseling role requiring honesty and integrity. That is why I am turning to a more modern movie, He’s Just Not That Into You, to help you curve your impulse to steer clear of SMART objectives.

It is important to remind clients (and even yourself) that sometimes the consumer is just not into the client. Your role as a pr practitioner is not to be the supportive girlfriend telling your client everything they want to hear, but the role of “Alex.”

Who is “Alex”? He (you, the pr practitioner) is the guy interpreting the signals of the consumer for the client. He is not overly sensitive and is not afraid to tell the emperor (client) he has no clothes.

Do not be the “girlfriend” practitioner telling the client what they want to hear and thriving off drama. Let go of anxiety and fear…do not feed the beast.

Set reasonable expectations between you, the practitioner, and client.

1. Set the tone before the work begins. Your job as a pr practitioner is to guide the client in trusted counsel. If you begin the relationship with a dog-and-pony show, this will be the tone of relationship to the end. Use honesty and integrity as your guide.
2. Set limits. Accurately define what communications strategies and tactics can accomplish. Maintain the integrity of communication channels.
3. Fire the client. And what if, despite your best efforts, the client continues to demand more than is realistic? Then it may be time to fire the client. You should fire a client if you decide the client is not a good fit and that a long-term relationship will not be successful for both parties. But, when you do fire a client, do it nicely. It never pays to burn bridges.
4. Don’t over-promise. Many pr practitioners, eager to please their clients, fall into the trap of promising too much. You do yourself, client and the ultimate consumer a disservice by being dishonest in setting unrealistic objectives.

Even with the best laid expectations, things will not always come to fruition in the way it was intended. There are exceptions to every rule and that is why you want to be “Alex” and admit when you are wrong and move on with those lessons learned.

Zany: You CAN be a conservative and care about the environment…Tweet for Trees!

No, really…it’s true. You CAN be a conservative and care about the environment. I don’t trot out my political views on this blog or other social networks. You know how passionate I am about communication? Times that by ten and you have me and how I react talking about politics. Needless to say, I keep a safe distance between professional life/friendships and political views. Tends to be a bit dicey when I start talking red, white and blue.

With that being said, I wanted to set the record straight. I care very much about the environment…and I am a conservative. I think my love of “green” came from a Sesame Street segment. (Putting together pieces from memory…) I remember a girl watching as a landfill became bigger and bigger and blocked out all her favorite play places…then the sun. I remember crying to see the destruction of Mother Earth. (Yes, I just said “Mother Earth”…did I mention you CAN also be a conservative and a flower child born in the wrong era?)

Friday, June 5 is World Environment Day and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is celebrating this year’s event with the Twitter for Trees campaign.

UNEP will plant one tree for every new Twitter follower of the between now and June 5, so follow UNEPandYou now!

The ultimate goal of the campaign is to plant 100,000 trees for 100,000 followers (although more trees will be planted if more people follow). It’s part of UNEP’s larger Billion Tree Campaign, the goal of which is to plant one tree for every person on the planet - about 7 billion - by the end of the year.

So far the organization has about 3,000 followers so we have plenty of work to do to reach the immediate goal of 10,000. Click here to begin following UNEP on Twitter and help get 10,000 new trees planted.

Get a widget - when clicked it will set you up to tweet "Tweet for trees! Follow @UNEPandYou; a tree planted for each new follower. 100k trees by World Env Day! Pls RT #t4t"

Join the conversation #accredchat 6/5 at 1pm EST

My incredibly talented pals Kami Huyse (@kamichat), Beth Harte (@BethHarte), Shonali Burke (@shonali) and Arik Hanson (@ArikHanson) will be hosting #accredchat on 5 June at 1pm EST. There have been continuous debates about whether accreditation is needed and/or appropriate for the communications industry. (I was going to link to the APR conversation on The Flacker blog last week, but apparently the blog has since been deep sixed.)

Tomorrow, I think will be great, real time conversation delving into this controversial issue with communication industry leaders. As I have stated in the past, I was not always fond of accreditation, but have since changed some of my opinions since being an APR candidate. You cannot change something unless you have experienced it or understand the processes that made it so.

Please join me and other communicators as we tackle this tough issue. New to twitter chat? Kami has some great tips to filter the noise, follow and engage in the discussion.

Never Eat Alone - My Boston Challenge

Let me just put this out there...I am not a people person. Networking does not come easy for me, at least not in my native environment.

Working with clients as a community relations manager and/or public relations counselor, I view my position as an anthropologist and study the origins and social relationships among human beings. It is easier to engage in these (client) communities because I am familiar, yet hold certain boundaries. In those communities where I am a native, immersed in the environment and there by personal choice, I revert to being a wallflower. This is not helpful when you work in the public relations industry.

Last spring, I sought change in my work environment. I needed new challenges, but found myself stuck in old ruts and trapped inside a wallflower persona. When I expressed my frustrations, trusted and wise friends gave me the ammunition needed to fuel my personal growth.

Tim Walker suggested I read the book, Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazi. This book is a game changer and I encourage you to read ASAP. (Don't have time to read? Do what I did and download the audiobook from iTunes and give your morning commute value!)

Ferrazzi discusses mastering the "deep bump" (networking at conferences/business meetings to form a genuine connection), turning cold calls warm and how to build strong and authentic relationships before you need them. Many of the tips Ferazzi suggests are common sense, however, common sense is anything but common! Ferazzi demonstrates how to make these tips successful for you. There are so many examples of how to put these processes into action and relate them to your networking weaknesses. Reform your attitude.

There is no better time to put my skills into action pre and post move to Boston! Therefore, I am issuing a challenge to myself. Beginning 2 September, I will be having lunch with a different person in my new city every Wednesday for 20 weeks! I am already prepping my list of people to contact. Will you join me? Suggestions of people for me to meet? (Not limited to PR/Marketing folks.)

So, I won't keep you from your reading. Start now. If you have already read the book, leave a comment below about the best tip you took from the book and how you put this tip into action. I am already reading Ferrazzi's latest book, Who's Got Your Back, and will post review here soon...

Our table awaits...

 

(Image courtesy tuffblond66.)