Healthy discussion about Social Networking - how some companies are jumping on a bandwagon they don't completely understand, while some organizations are missing the boat and the added opportunities to extend their brands.
One company in Seattle that is getting very active: Spring Creek Group
In fact, two of their principals, Clay McDaniel and Andy Boyer, will be teaching two courses on the subject at the School of Visual Concepts.
As I check my Twitter page, update this Blog, see who's connecting on LinkedIn, and log in to Facebook... I'm thinking the timing is right.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
NOTES from Meeting #22, June 19th @ SVC
WELCOME to 4 new members:
- Steve Andrews, creative director/art director - most recently with R&R Partners (Las Vegas)
(see one of Steve's most recent TV spots)
- Christine Goetz, marketing communications - most recently with Safeco
- DF Hobbs, marketing advisor - currently freelancing w/ Andrews/Hobbs Design Co.
- Wendy Noritake, marketing communications - most recently with Wyndham Vacation Ownership
CONGRATS to Marci Servizi, who has accepted a job with Seattle's Union Gospel Mission as their Direct Response Manager. Good luck, Marci!!
LAST WEEK we saw a spike in attendance. Was it the weather??
Great conversations regarding a multitude of subjects:
- salary discussions/negotiations, and how they are difficult in certain situations - when folks are too qualified, or when companies are trying to lowball compensations given the current economy.
- career changes. Now is a good time, but now is when a lot of other people are thinking the same thing.
- current flurry of companies that appear to be hiring. (although there is still some skepticism that some places may still be just posting positions to appear healthy.)
WE HAVE A WINNER
- Thanks to those who voted for an OCA logo. See above for the winner.
- Steve Andrews, creative director/art director - most recently with R&R Partners (Las Vegas)
(see one of Steve's most recent TV spots)
- Christine Goetz, marketing communications - most recently with Safeco
- DF Hobbs, marketing advisor - currently freelancing w/ Andrews/Hobbs Design Co.
- Wendy Noritake, marketing communications - most recently with Wyndham Vacation Ownership
CONGRATS to Marci Servizi, who has accepted a job with Seattle's Union Gospel Mission as their Direct Response Manager. Good luck, Marci!!
LAST WEEK we saw a spike in attendance. Was it the weather??
Great conversations regarding a multitude of subjects:
- salary discussions/negotiations, and how they are difficult in certain situations - when folks are too qualified, or when companies are trying to lowball compensations given the current economy.
- career changes. Now is a good time, but now is when a lot of other people are thinking the same thing.
- current flurry of companies that appear to be hiring. (although there is still some skepticism that some places may still be just posting positions to appear healthy.)
WE HAVE A WINNER
- Thanks to those who voted for an OCA logo. See above for the winner.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
NOTES from Meeting #21 - June 12th @SVC
WELCOME to new member, Scott Bower - most recently with Microsoft as a Pricing and Promotions Director.
ITEMS OF DISCUSSION:
- Interview do's and don'ts. There's a very interesting web site out there with 'hidden camera' footage of local folks interviewing for a Marketing Coordinator position. I'd publish, but we may know some of these people.
- LinkedIn vs. Facebook.
- Thoughts on cover letters and not including a resume, forcing the recipient to engage by asking for a copy - if they're compelled by the introduction.
- Companies that seem to be active: Microsoft, Clearwire, Starbucks
ITEMS OF DISCUSSION:
- Interview do's and don'ts. There's a very interesting web site out there with 'hidden camera' footage of local folks interviewing for a Marketing Coordinator position. I'd publish, but we may know some of these people.
- LinkedIn vs. Facebook.
- Thoughts on cover letters and not including a resume, forcing the recipient to engage by asking for a copy - if they're compelled by the introduction.
- Companies that seem to be active: Microsoft, Clearwire, Starbucks
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
OCA Logo - Vote Now!
A while back, I challenged the designers in the group to develop a logo for One Connection Away. After several submissions, a creative review, and subsequent design enhancements, we have two finalists:
Use the POLL to the right to vote, and we'll reveal the winner at next week's meeting (June 19th).
Use the POLL to the right to vote, and we'll reveal the winner at next week's meeting (June 19th).
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
NOTES from Meeting #20, June 5th @ SVC
PEOPLE ARE BUSY.
As we battle the perfect Spring/Summer weather, we've had a bit of a drop-off in attendance lately. However, from the amount of people in the group who are freelancing, consulting, and interviewing, that's a great thing.
DOES ANYONE have a reliable contact in the VC community?
After a discussion during our last OCA meeting, it occurred to a couple of us that the VC arena could be ripe with opportunities. Start-ups always need people, smart people, and my guess is that they're usually found through friends and networking. If VC firms are meeting with companies with great ideas, why not point them in the direction of great people, too?
As we battle the perfect Spring/Summer weather, we've had a bit of a drop-off in attendance lately. However, from the amount of people in the group who are freelancing, consulting, and interviewing, that's a great thing.
DOES ANYONE have a reliable contact in the VC community?
After a discussion during our last OCA meeting, it occurred to a couple of us that the VC arena could be ripe with opportunities. Start-ups always need people, smart people, and my guess is that they're usually found through friends and networking. If VC firms are meeting with companies with great ideas, why not point them in the direction of great people, too?
Friday, June 5, 2009
A Brave New World - further thoughts, examples
A while back, I jotted down some thoughts on how people are not sitting idly by, bemoaning the economy, but rather are getting off their keisters and doing something - anything, to keep active and to continue to drive business forward.
As a result, paradigms are shifting and people are approaching things in a new way.
One such example within the ad industry is Agency Nil, which has radically turned things on its ear. This group of talented advertising professionals (sound familiar??) has decided that it doesn't make sense for them to decide how much they're worth, but rather let the work, itself, determine the value of what they can do. "When our assignment is done, you decide what it is worth and you pay us that amount."
Interesting concept, to say the least. Although when I've mentioned it to other such talented advertising professionals, I've gotten some interesting looks. One person's reaction: "Hmmm... risky."
Is it? It's a new approach, and if anything, they're making noise - which is always a good thing. They've even taken on powerhouse agency, Crispin Porter, challenging CP+B's own publicity stunt of "selling" off its interns for the summer on eBay.
Regardless, it will be interesting to see if a lot of these types of 'new ways' of doing business and any resulting start-ups continue to keep going once the economy turns around, or if these are people simply biding their time... waiting to jump back into the old ways of doing things, like a warm blanket on a chilly day.
I hope not. I'm hoping things are just starting to heat up.
As a result, paradigms are shifting and people are approaching things in a new way.
One such example within the ad industry is Agency Nil, which has radically turned things on its ear. This group of talented advertising professionals (sound familiar??) has decided that it doesn't make sense for them to decide how much they're worth, but rather let the work, itself, determine the value of what they can do. "When our assignment is done, you decide what it is worth and you pay us that amount."
Interesting concept, to say the least. Although when I've mentioned it to other such talented advertising professionals, I've gotten some interesting looks. One person's reaction: "Hmmm... risky."
Is it? It's a new approach, and if anything, they're making noise - which is always a good thing. They've even taken on powerhouse agency, Crispin Porter, challenging CP+B's own publicity stunt of "selling" off its interns for the summer on eBay.
Regardless, it will be interesting to see if a lot of these types of 'new ways' of doing business and any resulting start-ups continue to keep going once the economy turns around, or if these are people simply biding their time... waiting to jump back into the old ways of doing things, like a warm blanket on a chilly day.
I hope not. I'm hoping things are just starting to heat up.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
NOTES from Meeting #19, May 29 @SVC
WELCOME to 3 new members (from the previous week):
* Kenny Paddock - creative designer, project manager
* Mark Jovan - news producer
* Greg Caminzind - sustainability and Web 2.0 strategist
Smaller meeting this past week, battling the fantastic weather Seattle has been experiencing over the last month. And folks are busy... interviews, project work, freelancing, etc. - which is great. Nevertheless, we had a good turnout, and great conversation.
NOTES:
* OCA site (see to your right) has been updated with links to all active members' LinkedIn profile pages. If I give you a 'title' you don't agree with, let me know.
* Discussed networking and recent / upcoming socials (AdClub/HL2 industry social, Aquent's networking breakfast, etc.). These are crucial to getting your face in the minds of people who might not be hiring right now, but may be at some point.
* Reviewed OCA logo designs by Lisa Ball and Alyson Burns. Narrowed the candidates down to two, with changes to make. Will determine a winner over the next few days - and may put to a vote. Stay Tuned.
* Discussed volunteer opportunities, and how they can exercise your brain as well as lead to job connections. They are an easy way to keep busy and can also provide a talking point for future interviews.
* Talked business cards. To have or have not. Not always needed (and an added expense in current economic times), but when given a chance to exchange cards with a card-carrying job holder, why not As the old saying goes: Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
* Kenny Paddock - creative designer, project manager
* Mark Jovan - news producer
* Greg Caminzind - sustainability and Web 2.0 strategist
Smaller meeting this past week, battling the fantastic weather Seattle has been experiencing over the last month. And folks are busy... interviews, project work, freelancing, etc. - which is great. Nevertheless, we had a good turnout, and great conversation.
NOTES:
* OCA site (see to your right) has been updated with links to all active members' LinkedIn profile pages. If I give you a 'title' you don't agree with, let me know.
* Discussed networking and recent / upcoming socials (AdClub/HL2 industry social, Aquent's networking breakfast, etc.). These are crucial to getting your face in the minds of people who might not be hiring right now, but may be at some point.
* Reviewed OCA logo designs by Lisa Ball and Alyson Burns. Narrowed the candidates down to two, with changes to make. Will determine a winner over the next few days - and may put to a vote. Stay Tuned.
* Discussed volunteer opportunities, and how they can exercise your brain as well as lead to job connections. They are an easy way to keep busy and can also provide a talking point for future interviews.
* Talked business cards. To have or have not. Not always needed (and an added expense in current economic times), but when given a chance to exchange cards with a card-carrying job holder, why not As the old saying goes: Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
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