Networking...of the job variety

In case you had not heard yet, 7 out of 10 jobs are landed through networking (according to this article in Boston.com). It isn't that hard to believe when you think of it... we always trust people more than paper, and in this situation our friends and fellow employees are more trustworthy than a random resume.

So if you do care a tiny bit about getting a job, or if your parents care enough for both of you, well then it is time to start Networking! The article in Boston.com gives some helpful steps:

Step 1 – Define yourself and what you’re looking for
Step 2 – Define your initial network (friends, family, etc.)
Step 3 - Start in your comfort zone (the people you are closest to)
Step 4 - Expand your network beyond campus
Step 5 - Keep track and keep in touch (thank you notes are always a plus)

The point of networking is to think outside of the box. You may find connections to jobs from people you never thought you would. This is especially important given the current slow economy. Take advantage of all your opportunities.

http://jayderagon.com

Our generation is so used to using the computer that it seems a little scary to get out there and *gasp* speak to people, but whether we are ready or not... networking is the key to securing a job.

Forewarning: Terms like LOL, TTYL, and thanx won't fly in business networking. Remember to always act professional!

P.D.I. (Public Display of Interneting)

So let's say I am at a party and across the room are two happy kids who I am sure have been dating for years and didn't at all just get together that night under the pretenses of alcohol.. but anyways back to the party... so these two kids are making out in the middle of the room. Do I watch? Heck yes I do! And why? Because my theory is that what is done in public is my right to see.

Using that same theory then, what is done over the internet is there for the public right? Well not always. The internet can be another way of communicating amongst friends, and just because someone has a scandalous picture or two doesn't mean they would be a bad employee or anything else.

This blog on switched.com references being able to put up a sort of "do not trespass sign" warning employers that certain things are meant to be private. I think this is a good idea. There are places on the internet that are meant for everybody, and there are places that are just meant for good fun, and shouldn't be subjected to the cross-room party hook up judgment of people like me.

Get job training, and never even go to work? Sign me up! No it is not your fantasy of getting paid to do nothing, it is one of the many practical uses for the online program, Second Life.


According to this article in fastcompany.com, IBM has been using Second Life as a means for training new employees as well as bringing them together with other employees across the world.

In the United States, we're using Second Life to create a mentoring community. So if you're interested in talking to somebody who has 25 years in the business, we've built a connection environment--a social-networking tool where you profile yourself, then meet in Second Life.
~Chuck Hamilton. Director, Center for Advanced Learning, IBM

I think this is one of those good parts of the internet, you know using it for good, not evil. Using Second Life this way is an amazing opportunity for people around the world to not only meet each other, but also to grow and learn from each other. It provides a forum for interaction in a situation where physical space is impossible.

Of course, as with all things, there are risks and downsides. There are questions of security and validity. But in IBM's case, they have found a way to control those risks and use Second Life to their advantage. And that's exactly the way I think the internet should be used.

Internet Brain Drain

Normally I associate the phrase "Nobel Prize Winner" with other phrases like intelligent, innovative, and inspiring. However, when Doris Lessing (new Nobel prize winner) makes a statement that the internet makes us dumb, I question my original associations.

According to this article in TechCrunch, Lessing believes that our generation of internet users is fragmented culturally and stunted mentally. With the use of the internet, we certainly no longer read, and we obviously have no idea what's going on in the world.

WRONG! Personally, the internet has enhanced my mind. For example, I may not have the time to sit down and read the paper, but I can pop onto cnn.com to check the latest news. Or maybe I have just heard about something I am not familiar with, well then there is a remedy for that called wikipedia. The internet has increased my knowledge, not limited it.

Whatever Lessing's intentions were in this speech, whether or not she was really trying to demean a generation, the reality is that the internet, like any form of communication, can be used for both good and evil. But the internet itself is not capable of making us dumb, and if used correctly it can open up a whole new world of knowledge for us.

A Little Shout Out

You may have noticed my blog circle (the people with creative alliteration associated with their names). The people in my blog circle are also in my class and write almost as valuable posts as I do! If you want to check out a blogger with nearly as much sass as me, check out David's Blog. For more fabulous blogging, click on the other members of my blog circle over to the right!

Nike Used Me...And I Liked It

Purple laces, blue sole, red swoosh... whatever my little mind can think of! That is the beauty of Nikeid, the customer can design their own shoe. Customization is an important quality to many consumers, and Nike smartly brought customization to the consumer by creating their Nikeid website.

Now, according to this article in BusinessWeek, Nike is incorporating Nikeid into their stores. The virtual world is an important part of the shopping experience. Many customers shop or pre-shop online. By adding this feature to their stores, Nike is likely to increase customer satisfaction.

Let's just say I want to buy a shoe to match my bright pink exercise pants, but then I go into the store and alas there is no such shoe. Instead of turning around and leaving with money in hand, I can just log onto Nikeid and create the perfect shoe.

There are several reasons why this was an excellent play for Nike. Of course, they have the chance of gaining more purchasing (and happy) customers, but also the nikeid is a great way for customers to interact with the brand. It creates buzz around Nike.. "Johnny have you seen this wicked sweet shoe I created at Nikeid? Check it out!" Not only that, but Nike can gain market research just from seeing what their customers like on Nikeid. Also, Nike creates limited editions of their best customer designs. What a perfect way to find hot new designs without having to search for hot new designers.

Other stores should really take a hint from Nike. This is a great way to enhance a brand's product, increase sales, and allow customer's to feel more fulfilled. Wow, now that I think of all the benefits Nike gains from bringing the virtual world into their store... I feel so used.

Move Aside Corporations... Bloggers Coming Through

Who knew that when blogs first came into being that they would become such a powerful force in our society? I always thought blogs were just a place for people to write their feelings and experiences, much like an online diary. Well apparently, blogs are about much more.

According to this article, what would have once been just a few dissatisfied customers has turned into a full on lawsuit for Verizon Wireless. It all started with only one angry customer blogging about his disappointments with his mobile phone. However, that one blogger turned into hundreds of other disgruntled bloggers with similar problems. Until finally, that blogging turned into action...a class action lawsuit to be exact. Blogs have the ability to give consumers a united voice as well as a place to begin waging their wars.

What is important to note from this story is the power blogs have to influence businesses, not only in negative ways, but also in positive ways. The article mentions how blogging technology, such as search engines, make it much easier for the word to spread. Every good marketer should know that word of mouth advertising is some of the most effective out there.

Now (if not before) is the time for corporations to understand and utilize blogging for their benefit. Corporations can use blogs to create buzz around new products or to revive old ones. They can make their own blogs as well as have employees reading blogs for relevant information.

"If companies don't understand that and don't learn how to track what people are saying, they are going to be hit violently with PR problems that they don't understand or know where they are coming from" says Robert Scoble.

Not getting involved in blogging can cause corporations to lose out on advertising and promoting opportunities. Blogging is a popular way of communicating, and if a company isn't looking for ways to infiltrate the blogosphere they are ignoring an entire potential new market. Moreover, just because they aren't using blogs doesn't mean their competitors aren't.

But corporations beware, blogs are not just another medium for marketing. Bloggers have minds of their own and when they are scorned or disappointed, someone or maybe hundreds of someones are going to read all about it.