Week 13: Social Media (Clear)

Social networking is extremely important to today's society and how we communicate on a more intimate level.  Without social networking, it is obvious that it is harder to communicate on a global scale.  I have to say, it's fascinating that people 30 years ago didn't even have cellphones and were able to be as successful as they were.  I think that social media is perfect when used correctly and it's important to recognize that just because you have a good social networking page/site, it doesn't make the company successful overnight.  A lot of passion and creativity has to go into funding, creating and maintaining these sites and keep it as personalized as possible is ideal.  No one likes to speak to a computer.  When we receive telemarketer calls, how annoying is that?  People will become engaged when they want to become  engaged.  Giving them the power and time to invest in your product is ideal.  Most people that want to talk good about your product will do so.

As a Public Relations major, I have had a lot of experience with social media.  I use it on a daily basis to communicate effectively with clients and noticed that it's almost the easiest ways to do business.  When building a social media page, it's important to not be pushy, but get your name out there.  Even if the comments are somewhat negative, you can still turn this into a positive.  For example, when BP had their recent crisis with the oil spill, everyone wanted to hate them.  Now I am not saying what they did and how they handled the situation was ideal, but if you have noticed lately, they have done a lot with their twitter, Facebook and overall communication efforts through new media.  They have ways that you can donate to help fund small town people effected by the disaster and keep you updated 24 hours on how they have made a difference.  Eventually, BP will generate enough corporate social responsibility to improve their image and in the long run, gain back the business from those who were effected by their disastrous situation.

I enjoyed professor Means breaking down all the different types of social media and providing a background of their importance and strengths.  It's amazing that the richest companies and professionals in the world use social media so extensively and that should be a sign of how the world will be in the future.

Here is a really cool video on ways that you can improve your social media and get people to take your company or brand more seriously.  It's full of motivating texts and really makes you take social media seriously.  Let me know what you think.

Avatar: Extra Credit

So I had the pleasure of creating my own avatar.  I have to say, this is an interesting feature that you can easily do for a little fun.  I think that avatars were a great way to keep things "secretive" and not give away your full identity.  What do you guys think?  Is this a decent portrayal of myself?  I was a little disappointed with the accessories and types of clothing options, but it's a free site, so i appreciated the simplicity of the creation process.  I used the site, DoppelMe, considering I have heard so many positive things about the site.  

I think the coolest part of creating an avatar, is being able to change your appearance by your moods and what's going on in your life.  Obviously, if i was more engaged with using avatars, i would have a cast on my foot at the moment.  I broke my foot this week and would have updated the avatar with crutches and a cast on my left foot.  Being that this is a free site, it gives you the limited use of clothing and accessories and gets the job done, so there is not too much to argue with.  

I enjoyed this process, considering i have not made an avatar for myself since obtaining an Xbox a few years back.  I wish that avatars were used more frequently.  They are definitely a lot of fun!

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 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.