You're a Social Media Expert?

As marketers and future MBA's, we all want to find ways to differentiate ourselves, don't we?

But look out for the pitfalls!  While you're selling your strengths, be sure you know your stuff!

For instance, do you call yourself a social media expert?  Yes?  Then be sure to check out this commentary - short, sweet and a bit of levity!  The article itself is from 2009, so, as a neophyte, I can safely say, in 2012, I have a lot of catching up to do!

One commentator, JP, had a few additional thoughts which revved my motivation to raise my social media savvy:

• Their twitter feeds are primarily RT’s & tiny url’s.
• The last time they’ve updated their blog was in 2008.
• They advertise numbers of followers but can’t measure engagement. **Heads up, Marketers!
• They talk about content as if it’s a thing to be had and not a conversation.
• They talk to you about behavioral targeting, but cannot list more than two inherent social network behaviors. ** 
• They can't name a single market vertical based social network.

If you Google "how to become a social media expert," you will be intrigued by the industry insights into the perceived value, the legitimacy and the controversy over the relevancy of being a quote-unquote Expert in Social Media.  Some of the commentaries, for this post especially, are of great interest!

What are your thoughts?

GO, THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING YOU! Tips for Career Growth from HLN's SCOT SAFON!

In case you are not aware, Mr. Scot Safon is Executive Vice President, CNN Worldwide/General Manager, HLN (Headline News), where he is responsible for the management of the HLN television network. Not only is he a distinguished business leader locally and globally, but he is renowned for being a dynamic, engaging, spellbinding speaker, and he did not disappoint!

Recently, Mr. Safon spoke at the 2012 AMA Collegiate Conference, and both his persona and presentation were captivating! He shared the remarkable story of his career path, which started with a dream of creating movie posters! Through the twists and turns, Mr. Safon stayed true to himself, his goals, his passion and just went for it - one wild opportunity after another! No one, not even the Long Island Native himself, could ever have imagined that the pursuit of his passions and his curiosity for life would lead him towards an illustrious career at a news network in Atlanta, GA!

As he wove the unusual story of how his career unfolded for the attendees, here is the advice he shared:

Know How To Write.
Whether it's technical, persuasive or trade writings, know how to write. Be concise and well-rounded. Familiarize yourself with all sorts of media and be able to decipher what is appropriate for each specific medium. Consider your audience and know how to communicate effectively. Know when to use industry lingo and when to "just talk."

Be Curious!
Listen to everyone and anyone's career story. You will learn many things from many people in many stations of life. Accept you don't know everything! The path can be weird, scary and unpredictable, and you may be asked to do things you don't want to do. You will not be handed your dream leadership role right away, and these experiences may be stepping stones in your career path. See them with a curious mind, and learn all that you can.

Stay a Student.
Don't be afraid or intimidated to learn new things. Always take stock of yourself and consider what you may have learned from your past as you look towards your future. Enjoy being a member of a team as much as you like being, or want to be, a leader. You can learn from sitting on both sides of the table. Ask questions, and be both enthusiastic and open to where your journey may take you.

Know What You're Talking About.
When you feel passionately, consider "why do I like or dislike this?" When you see something that works, ask yourself "why is this successful?" Have an opinion and be able to articulate it. Even if your idea is "off," it's best to at least have an idea. Voice that well-formed, passionate opinion and engage!

Bring Your Passion to Your Profession!
Whether your passion is serving others, or you're energized by an outside activity, like yoga (Scot's passion), let it waft into your professional life. Find a job that fufills your passion, or find a passion that propels you through every day. Passion is key!

DREAM B*I*G!
If you think you know what you want to do, DO IT! You can work in whatever you want to! But, again, know what you're talking about; have intensive and extensive knowledge of that industry, company, or role. Then GO! If you can dream it, you can do it!

Be True to Yourself!
Know what motivates you and know where you want to go. Pursue your goals and be comfortable saying no to an opportunity if it just doesn't feel "right." Be true to who you are and who you want to become!

As you forge ahead to carve out your own career to serve as a dynamic, enthusiastic, ebullient leader, consider these words from the wise. Be authentic, curious and open to possibility! Then just GO! There's nothing stopping you!

What I Learned Wednesday For February 15th, 2012

Preface : Here's a new segment! Every Wednesday, keep a look out for wisdom and hints from current grad students, graduates and business leaders.

This week's What I Learned is brought to you by Steve.  He is not only Vice President of Marketing for a MNC Telecommunications Company in Latin American, but also a Georgia State University MBA! On top of that, Steve manages his own Sports and Entertainment Firm, has a successful marriage and lovely children, coaches a soccer team, plays soccer himself in a rec league, and every week, tackles the adventures of international business & travel.  

How the man manages to sleep, we'll never know!

When asked to share his thoughts on lessons he learned at Georgia State's B-School that he would like to pass on to other Robinson College of Business students, he said:

It is best to go to grad school after you have gained some real world experience.  It puts academics into perspective, and you can better relate to case studies. 

It is far better to focus on learning versus grades.  

Few employers look at grades, and they never do after you have experience. After grad school, learning is secondary to productivity.  (Good news to those Recovering Perfectionists out there!)

In group work, it is better to be in a leadership role versus rely on someone you don't know. 

Take advantage of professors' knowledge by meeting outside the classroom from time to time.

For those of you studying international business, do an international internship if possible.  

You will gain relevant experience, as well as differentiate yourself among your peers.

Short, sweet and significant!  How will YOU infuse some of Steve's wisdom into your own B-school days?  


Feel free to share your own sage advice!  Your knowledge will benefit other students, faculty and graduates, as well!

Kindness Around Every Corner

Lily Tomlin once said, "I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework."

Yesterday, my International Trade professor gave me quite a gift to take home with me: kindness.

I am grappling with an Identity Theft situation, but last night was my International Trade exam.  As a Recovering Perfectionist, I had, of course, studied myself silly and was anxious over the exam.

As Murphy's Law would have it, the ID Theft incident escalated yesterday afternoon; after that, I was a frazzled mess with high blood pressure barely remembering my own name, let alone Ricardian Theory and mercantilism, but I was still determined to pull myself together for the exam.

I am a firm believer in open-ish communication with professors - or bosses - always letting them know of extenuating circumstances.  So, in that spirit, I told the professor what was going on, just in case I did not seem like myself or needed to step outside during the exam. 

I was stunned when - without pause - he graciously offered to postpone an exam for me. In fact, he empathetically convinced me it was my better alternative. Can you imagine? He did not stick to the letter of the syllabus law: "No make-up exams." Nor did he objectify me as simply a student who was in a pickle.

I was in awe.

As I walked out of Aderhold, I was physically moved by such an immediate reaction of kindness and understanding, and I was certainly sent home with more to think about than homework, or Economics, but with an example of how to treat others with thoughtfulness, empathy, kindness and understanding.  (Particularly when in a position of authority or leadership.)

That is the kind of professor I want standing in front of me in a classroom, and, as it turned out, standing behind me, too.

Perfectionists Anonymous

I met a gentleman yesterday who dreams of having a special gift: to have a "Pause" button for one day a month, where the world halts for 24 hours, but he carries on, using those moments for whatever he pleases.  After those 24 hours, the world resumes its normality, but unbeknownst to anyone, he has had those secret 24 hours to himself!  What a brilliant idea!  Why, oh why, can we not hit pause for a brief moment when things get a little rocky?! 

For instance, I have had my identity stolen and it is being ridden around the country like the proverbial "village bicycle."  (Please note: I avoid the phrase "Victim of Identity Theft" because it rings with powerlessness, and I will not feel defeated by this thing!)

Needless to say, moments of disheartened frustration (along with bouts of tears and shortness of breath) are inevitable, but they have forced me to take pause.  

Finally, exhausted, I tried to remove myself emotionally and recognize what I could learn from this and what I had the power to change.  

Aha!  The only thing I can really change is my attitude or myself, and it hit me!  Throughout this entire minor disaster, I still expected perfection from myself in every other undertaking!  But I think I've finally gotten the message!  Perfection is both fleeting and overrated!  

On that note, this is where you come in because I realize I am not the only graduate student (or human being) who struggles with such Perfection Affliction.  (We really should have our own support group... "Perfectionists Anonymous...")

Each of us is driven to put forth effort and energy towards the things we care about, and perhaps we may get carried away.  I mean, let's think about this. You are not motivated to do just enough to get a C on a test!  You study yourself silly!  You want the A!  It is simply not in our nature to go half-way... in anything.  But how can we give 100% of ourselves, 100% of the time?

With that said, I would like to encourage you to consider two things that have helped me cope, and I hope they offer you some value:

Recognize you are good enough.  

Have faith in yourself, your talent and all that you have to offer. You have experienced so many successes already! Personal, professional, academic, athletic... Large or small, you have succeeded! Rely on that past performance and on your natural intellect and insightfulness.

Don't minimize who you are or what you can do!
You do not have to be perfect to be your fantastic, perfect-as-you-are self! You will succeed in whatever you choose.  It is just part of who have become. Let go of any self-imposed pressure to be perfect. You are already good enough!

Along these same lines, I would also like to share this simple, yet significant "doodle with dialogue" in which I have found reassurance.  

As business school students, as human beings, we struggle to manage all that we demand of ourselves, and we often demand perfection with each and every hat we may don.  Not to burst anyone's bubble, friends, but it is impossible to be perfect in every endeavor!  You are enough!