Presentation Project: To Write Love on Her Arms

So this week I finished up my presentation on the organization "To Write Love on Her Arms" (TWLOHA).  I have to say that this presentation was something new to me.  As a Public Relations major, I usually have a lot more time to present and it was quite the challenge to engage an audience, but it was a fun challenge.  I used no bullet points and wanted to focus on the dark beauty of the organization.

If you haven't actually had a chance to check out this organization, I highly suggest that you do so.  I've been involved with their message and story since I was in high school and love the way that a small non-profit like TWLOHA is becoming so global.

The main focus I wanted to get across in my presentation was that this organization isn't just doing things that are beneficial to people and society, but their branding and overall message creates a solid business structure.  They have a trendy, cool aspect about them and that's one of the main reasons I wanted to get involved with this organization.  A successful organization or business should be able to sell itself on a daily basis.  TWLOHA focuses more on the younger generation and forces people to get involved with what they are doing.

When evaluating myself, I think that I met the requirements necessary in getting the message across through the usage of images and video media.  I think that music, if not used properly, adds way to much noise to a presentation, so I wanted to focus on that aspect.  I related the presentation to a company and demonstrated, very quickly, the importance of what the organization was doing and how a company should look at that message and run with it.  It's not stealing, it's an influence.

As the great Steven Tyler, frontman of Aerosmith, once said "Everyone steals from one another.  You just have to learn how to make it your own, so that person who you stole from wants to steal from you."

I also had the pleasure of viewing Samantha Mauder's powerpoint presentation on Disney.  She didn't really present it from a business standpoint, but I appreciated learning more about a company's diversity and how it branded itself as "a place where a kid, can be a kid."  If you think about it, Disney made being a kid okay at any age.  I personally think that Disney rips off the working class, but that is the business of making money I guess.  But we're getting off topic...

In conclusion,  I feel that my presentation was enjoyable and presented in a newer, modern approach.  It's definitely not to the standards of a TED performance, but I always look at myself as an improving character in the presentation world.

Here is the link to my presentation.  I hope you enjoy and I look forward to hearing from you.
TWLOHA Presentation

Best,

David Cole

The Cloud: Blog 7 (Clear)

I have to say it's rather fascinating how computing has evolved in the past 40 years.  How did we go from a computer taking up an entire room, to being able to communicate and access information in our hands.  I found this week's set of lectures to be extremely entertaining and awarding.  I think that cloud computing is the best way to improve the economy.  Not only can small businesses begin competing with larger corporations, it just simply puts a little more power into the people of youth.

Google and Gmail has been a substantial part of my learning and managing time.  Without the use of "Google Docs" I would have to constantly go back to writing e-mails with group members and edit large research reports.  With the development of cloud computing, I can now do this important communication at my own time, allowing me more time to accomplish other tasks.

I think it's really important that we the people of today's society, not forget to communicate face-to-face, but it's also important to utilize today's technology to the fullest extent.  My favorite part of this weeks lectures was when we focused on Platforms as a service, Desktops as a service, and Software as a service.  I think it's important that you notice that Saas is beneficial because you can everything at your fingertips with a monthly purchase.  One of the most annoying things about previous software, in my opinion, were the constant updates.  I hated having to get expansion packs or buy another $50 software, for a simple update.  I also liked how every 10 years, we have a substantial increase in computer technology.  As Professor Olson stated in his lecture, every 10 years there has been a computing cycle that requires a new platform.


o   1960’s--- mainframe computing
o   1970’s---mini computing
o   1980’s—client/server computing
o   1990’s—Desktop Cloud computing
o   2000’s—mobile cloud computing
o   2010’s—social revolution…based on the cloud! (Post PC Era)


I also really enjoyed how small 27-person companies are making a difference in the way they compete in the market by using cloud-based technology.  I really want to explore more options in improving a companies branding and I think that having great, easy-to-use software for you customers is extremely beneficial, considering most people in today's society are beginning to migrate to that type of communication and interface.  


This was also a really cool cloud-based software that I found interesting and made me understand cloud computing a little better.  Let me know what you think!

Software (clear): Blog 6

I have to say that Software programmers have to be some of the most underrated people in the world...well the ones that are extremely successful (Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerburg) really make up for it.  I couldn't believe how much effort and code needs to be organized in order to perform at a quick and successful rate.

One part of this week's lectures that I really enjoyed was the part where professor Olson spoke about the "layer cake".  I thought it was cool how the four parts, consisting of user, application, operating software, and hardware worked together on an independent level to be a well-oiled machine.  It was also amazing to look into how software reacts effectively with computers and how interfaces are becoming more similar in order to keep up with competition.

One of the things I love about Apple products, are their simplicity.  I grew up, like a majority of others probably taking this class, on a window's interface.  In the old days of "macintosh" I couldn't understand how people could actually enjoy that style of computer software.  Windows was quicker, sexier and to some extent, better.  Now, Apple is way ahead of its game.  They have a lot more efficiency and are a lot easier to use.  I really enjoy that Apple and Windows are on the same playing field, and this does a lot for competition.  The better the competition, the more expansive and creative your company and brand becomes.  Having a computer that is comfortable to your lifestyle, will not only make you work better, but it improves your way of life.  When I first got my Macbook Pro, I fell in love with how simple it was to organize my files, and how much "easier" college became.  I took notes at a more effective rate, organized my contacts and schedules, and have a vaster amount of storage data than I ever had on a Windows platform.  But we're getting of topic.  :)

One of the most fascinating aspects of the new age of software is how global it is becoming.  Having various programmers work on software like Facebook, Twitter and even Foursquare is beyond me.  How do people learn to become so expansive and creative in giving people in today's society, what they want and somehow, need?

It seems that these software programmers are constantly pushing the envelope, and I found it really funny how in this weeks lessons, we go straight into various types of licensing.  But in this video, are programmers who wish to work for Facebook, being ethical and "respectful" to fellow programmers?  Every year, the company hosts "Hackathons" where various programmers compete and build unique forms of codes to produce a different style of program or "computer art" to prove themselves to the company in hopes for a job.  How is what they are doing ethical and how can we as americans still be following the law, in order to achieve the next technological advance?  I guess that is something that we will just leave to the politicians.  Let me know what you think?  Do you think the greats of the past 20 years would have been more expansive if they pushed the envelope illegally?

Blog 5: Presentations(Clear)

As a Public Relations major, I have given approximately 8,000,000 presentations.  Although, I have to say that the thing that is most exciting about presentations, is there is always room for improvement.

The Heath Brothers, are some of the most influential presenters I have ever got the pleasure of listening too, and their book, Made to Stick (which I described in my previous blog), was one of the better books i've read in my lifetime.  I think that powerpoint is beginning to be a tad out of date, but there are explosive ways to capture more attention.

In professor Means videos, I liked how she broke down the issue with bullet points.  It seems that everyone I come in contact with, only knows how to present in this mindset.  I really enjoyed the presentation/comedy routine that Don Mcmillan provided.  People were laughing hysterically, but as a current college student, I see these mistakes all the time.  The saddest part is, i've been a victim to committing these "crimes", time and time again.

Some other aspects of the videos that I liked was the usages of typology.  That is something that I've never really payed a lot of attention to, but I will definitely take it more into consideration in my future endeavors.  Nancy Duarte is also a great influence on today's society with her imaginative presentations and books.  I actually own two of her books and recommend that anyone wanting to improve the visual aspects of their presentations, to read her books.  All of them are essential and important.

Here is a link to one of my favorite presenters of all time, Jason Sadler, who I had the pleasure of seeing and meeting here at UF last year.  He is the Owner and creator of the company "I Wear Your Shirt."  The company uses various sources of blogs/presentations to give an "emotional image" to a brand.  He really puts a face on many company's brands and his presentations are hilarious, hip and extremely smart.

www.iwearyourshirt.com


Thanks for reading this week.  If you have any links to cool presenters that are possible similar to Sadler, or have someone that is explosive in your opinion, please post a link here.

Best,

David Cole

Blog 4 Clear: Porter's five Forces/Challenging society

I really enjoyed the video portion on Michael E. Porter's five competitive forces that shape strategy.  I think it's interesting that there is a broken down analysis on competition and it makes sense that competitive forces from rivalry within an industry effects the overall outcome of the forces.

It's also interesting how attractiveness and "sexiness" is the overall reason industries seem to profit.  An unattractive industry is when all 5 of the forces act to decrease overall income.  An industry that is extremely unattractive would be an organization that is thriving on pure competition, which makes other profits for organizations propelled to normal profit.

I think that it's important to recognize competition and it is a driving "force" that allows the mind to expand and become more involved with profit and overall outcomes of ideas.  It's also extremely intense, which is the importance of competitive rivalries.  Being innovative and competing with companies via the internet and in human form, are the most important aspects of competition.

Organizing, to some extent, is important but many companies find that they cannot be as innovative or competitive if they don't have the best financial investment.  Becoming a powerful member of competitive strategy is essential to a company's growth and improvement of branding.  Without a substantial brand, a company cannot prosper, and that's why it's so important to stay on top of rival competition.

A book, that professors Means and Olson recommended "Made to Stick" is actually one of my favorite books i've read focusing on a business perspective of improving an image and presenting yourself to be larger than you are.

Following a guideline of "SUCCES" is essential in improving a brand and being "memorable".

• Simple--  Being simple captures attention.  I like to view society as simple, and the more simple you are when presenting, the more communication and attraction you obtain.  
• Unexpected-  Taking risks is important when evaluating a brand and making it more available to society.  As Bill Gates and Steve Jobs illustrated in their video, taking risks and challenging competitors was the main reason they were so successful at what they did in the building of the computer business.  
• Concrete--  Being concrete is important because you need to get the point across.  
• Credible-- Credible comes with the improvement of your brand and being truthful and honest is the best way to improve your credibility to society.  
• Emotional-- capturing a consumer or target public can be easily obtained with helping them relate to your product or brand.  Make them feel like your brand is more important, because you have a face (charity etc) that you want to improve the future for.  
• Stories-- Like emotional, get them engaged and inspired.  Tell stories of how your brand has improved and focus on individuals within the company that strive to make that difference.  

I find that the more involved you are with your company/brand the more other's will get involved.  Providing positive forms of Corporate Social Responsibility and leadership are important variables that can help a company  improve and prosper.  Just doing it successfully, is a whole new outlook.