Integrity in Social Media

  I am no different from the next person. I enjoy spending time on the internet for personal reasons. We know that there are some really awesome things on the internet and then there are sites and fan pages that are truly disgusting.
  Late last night, through a Facebook friends' post, I discovered that the students from a local college had created a completely immature and possibly hurtful fan page. This page allows people to make their feelings known, anonymously about each other. While it may look like fun, there are several issues with this kind of blatant irresponsibility.

• Ethical Issues
• By naming a person someone has a crush on may seem innocent, it can make the recipient extremely uncomfortable with the feeling that anyone they come across may have emotions for them on a certain level that they are not willing to reciprocate. 
• The College's name is in the title of the fan page, linking them to this kind of internet activity that the administration may find "unbecoming."
• It show lack of maturity and understanding of the use of social media on the internet.
• Legal Issues
• Libel and Slander: It may not seem obvious, at first, but whether or not something is meant as a compliment can be misconstrued. 
• Sexual Harassment: This is a big one that will get any company or institution in trouble. In a way, these are unwanted advances and very public. I have seen cases go to trial over smaller issues or very innocent circumstances. 

While it may seem like fun, these young adults lack the "netiquette" that comes with experience. I hope colleges are paying attention! You need to monitor this kind of activity closely!

Chasing Mediocrity.

  

 We send a number of mixed messages to our youth. We tell them to shoot for the sky but to remember their limitations. We guide them to be an individual as long as they fit in. We encourage them to take risks but not too risky or too many. If all those messages are not confusing enough, we tell them to think for themselves and then tell them what to think. Support the originality in your kids and yourselves. -Dr. Kevin

  I know, what a title! I cannot help but think about the future of our commerce when we are not teaching children to strive for excellence.
  Some of you may disagree. However, with No Child Left Behind and the dumbing down of America through corporate standardized testing, I am aware of how this will effect the future workforce. As a matter of fact, we are already beginning to see the effects.
  Mind you, there are some shining star youth who are very fortunate to escape this mediocrity loophole but the window of opportunity is narrowing. Why am I calling it a chase for mediocrity? Because this chase for mediocrity is pervading our business practices, ethics, and potential.
  We should be striving for excellence, not just test scores. Those of us who have lived in the real world understand that test scores are useless. However, all corporate America does is chase down numbers. Things like sales numbers, budget numbers, cost effectiveness numbers. Corporate culture has forgotten that there are real people behind these numbers. They have bought out full-time, loyal workers in favor of saving costs which forces them to take a severance package for the short term or drop to part-time employment. The jobs are fewer because many people have had to take at least two part time positions and still not make the money to maintain their quality of life before the layoff.
  Then you have people, like me, who refuse to play the corporate game and strike it out on their own. While I would not mind being hired as a subcontractor, I don't want to be pinned to one corporate's culture. Many of us are building small businesses like our forefathers did many moons and seasons ago. We may not have a lot of money behind us, but we are, for the most part, happy. You really cannot put a price on happiness.
  So what does this have to do with chasing mediocrity? What I fear is creating a culture of drones. People without imagination or creativity. This does not move America's commerce. What used to put us at the forefront was innovation. We are innovators. But if we are not teaching creativity or innovation, will we stay number one in the world? Bad news folks, we have already slipped. And you can see it in the education system.
  When I first began working for an office supply store giant years ago, my boss and our department was always chasing down numbers. However, we were always striving for excellence at the same time. This may have had something to do with the awesome District Manager we had who also strove for excellence. When DM's had changed hands, the game changed. Under this particular leadership, we learned that we were better off flying under the radar. Don't be the top dog and don't be the bottom dog, get in the middle of the pack because there is safety in numbers.That is when I knew I was done with that version of retail forever.
  This same mentality is robbing our school systems of truly embracing excellence. Granted, there are some superintendents that are all about excellence. However, the larger the school system, the more about numbers it becomes. Race to the Top/NCLB has become the worst kind of game ever, a game of numbers in school systems, it is the incorporation of school systems.
  The point I am trying to make is this, that you, the small business owner, need to be involved. Tutor one afternoon a month, attend school board and town council meetings, become a mentor, or sponsor events that allows you to open up the eyes of the children in your community. I have friends that are already heavily involved and invested in the local culture. They introduce kids to entrepreneurship and they plan arts events open to the public.
  The above quote says it all. Teach excellence in all things and strive for excellence in yourself!

Social Media Pet Peeves

  I have been known to be the "grammar police" on the internet. I try to do it as little as possible. But there are two things that drive me crazy from the marketing perspective that everyone should go take a look at. Right now. These two tips are game changers in the value of your business and creating a good rapport with future clients.

 1. The No Picture Profile. I see a lot of accounts on LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, and even Facebook without profile pictures. My question is, why are you setting up an account and not attending to it? Especially LinkedIn! I have seen several accounts that have not uploaded a profile pic. I will tell you what this may have clients, other business, and future employers saying about your profile!

• I'm unattractive. Uhm, no, you're not. I want to know what you look like should I decide to meet with you! It is rather difficult to keep this image in my head and look for The Shadow in the crowd. Even if you don't like photographs, at least put up an avatar!
• You don't take yourself seriously. That is bad from the get-go. No profile pic is an alert to me that you don't spend enough time on your marketing campaign. Heck, do you even have one??? 
• Lack of self-confidence. If you are showcasing yourself anywhere on the internet, be proud of who you are and what you stand for! 

2. The 80/20 Rule. I don't see enough businesses following this rule enough. So, what is it? Promote others 80% of the time, promote yourself 20% of the time. This is how you build a reputation, by reaching out to others, and promoting their best content that is valuable to your audience. If you have a business that supports healthy living through a product that you sell, why not share content on exercising? Or healthy eating habits? When you constantly barrage your followers with ads, people start hiding your news feed (bad!) or stop following altogether (even worse!). You want to build an audience that makes you relevant. Not just by likes or comments, but by shares. If people are sharing your content, it deepens your reach to people who would never see your business otherwise! 

Maybe I am beating a dead horse here. But the whole point of marketing your business is to build relationships. Think about it!