by Mary Kate Smither, VOLLMER Dallas
Ever feel like you’re tweeting your day away, spending more time online answering the question "What Are You Doing?" and trying to absorb what everyone you’re following is doing too? If you’ve answered yes, it’s worth checking out one of Twitter’s desktop applications that can make viewing and participating in one of today’s fastest-growing social media tools much easier and more efficient. While there are several to choose from, both Tweetdeck, created by Iain Dodsworth, and Twhirl, developed by Seesmic, offer users a quick start-up and easy use.
A small collapsible desktop window, Twhirl will run on both Windows and Mac systems, spell checks your entries, allows you to post pictures via Twitpic, provides notifications for newly-received messages and searches for tweets referencing your user name as well as filtering by your own designated terms. Twhirl also allows for the cross-posting of tweets to Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn as well as a variety of other sites.
Tweetdeck, a column-view format, is a public beta application that offers users the ability to group fellow tweeters however you’d like – by work, personal, interest groups, etc. – allowing you to view each column and separately. It also allows for searching across the Twittersphere, enhancing the capability to keep tabs on any subject that is tweeted about. Finally, Tweetdeck can be sized on your desktop from a single column to full screen, provides stored overnight global tweets so you won’t miss a single tweet and can be filtered according to text, username source or time.
Both applications run on the Adobe Air platform and can be viewed and downloaded at http://twitter.com/downloads.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Annuals Vs Perennials
by Allen Caudle, VOLLMER COO
Every year about this time, we look at the landscaping in front of the house and discuss what to plant. We have several perennials that we can count on to provide color throughout our long growing season but we always feel the need to buy a few annuals to spice things up for a few months.
I recently came to the startling realization that what often leads clients to hire PR and advertising firms is that same urge to add a little splash of color or interest to differentiate themselves from their neighbors (. . . er, competitors). This realization came as I prepared to speak at the 4th Annual Emergency Preparedness & Service Restoration for Utilities Summit. In particular, my topic covered what’s new in communication to customers and employees. This gathering of engineers was looking for a new device they could take back to their companies to help them look better in the eyes of their customers, their employees and public officials.
I wrote my speech highlighting all the great new social media devices that are available and how they could use them to keep customers up-to-date on repairs post-crisis event. I gave them details on how they could use push technologies to reach their customers and inform them of outages and repairs. I added to that a list of amazing software and technologies available they could use. I knew these engineers would appreciate the "cool" factor of what they could do even when faced with the reality that their company would not invest the dollars or the people to take advantage of some of the tools.
I listened to a day’s worth of speakers talking about all the things they do every year to prepare for the possible natural disaster that would impact their ability to deliver electricity to America. I was astonished to learn that this industry is second only to the U.S. Army in its ability to mobilize thousands of individuals and their equipment. On a moment’s notice they are prepared to field whatever it takes to restore power to their area.
And then it hit me. This industry never tells anybody the amazing work they do every year to be prepared. They don’t need a splash of color. They need to trim up those perennials, give them a sprinkle of fertilizer and call attention to how amazing they already are based on what they already do.
I went home that evening and rewrote my speech. I gave them what they were looking for--all the latest communication tools. But, I wrapped it around the message they were missing: here’s what we do, America, to be prepared on your behalf. The splash of color they needed wasn’t a new device; it was simply learning how to take credit for what they have always done. And you know what? They can tell that story every year.
My speech was a huge success. My ideas and thoughts were quoted by the three subsequent speakers. Attendees came up to me at the breaks to admit they have done this work for so long they forget how amazing it really is and it’s time to take credit for their hard work.
What’s my point? We all have basic skills that we have honed over the years. These basics were new to us once upon a time and now we take them for granted. In these challenging economic times we need to take a good hard look at the fundamentals and remind ourselves and our customers that by continually taking care of the basics, we are perennially good at what we do.
Year in and year out . . .
Every year about this time, we look at the landscaping in front of the house and discuss what to plant. We have several perennials that we can count on to provide color throughout our long growing season but we always feel the need to buy a few annuals to spice things up for a few months.
I recently came to the startling realization that what often leads clients to hire PR and advertising firms is that same urge to add a little splash of color or interest to differentiate themselves from their neighbors (. . . er, competitors). This realization came as I prepared to speak at the 4th Annual Emergency Preparedness & Service Restoration for Utilities Summit. In particular, my topic covered what’s new in communication to customers and employees. This gathering of engineers was looking for a new device they could take back to their companies to help them look better in the eyes of their customers, their employees and public officials.
I wrote my speech highlighting all the great new social media devices that are available and how they could use them to keep customers up-to-date on repairs post-crisis event. I gave them details on how they could use push technologies to reach their customers and inform them of outages and repairs. I added to that a list of amazing software and technologies available they could use. I knew these engineers would appreciate the "cool" factor of what they could do even when faced with the reality that their company would not invest the dollars or the people to take advantage of some of the tools.
I listened to a day’s worth of speakers talking about all the things they do every year to prepare for the possible natural disaster that would impact their ability to deliver electricity to America. I was astonished to learn that this industry is second only to the U.S. Army in its ability to mobilize thousands of individuals and their equipment. On a moment’s notice they are prepared to field whatever it takes to restore power to their area.
And then it hit me. This industry never tells anybody the amazing work they do every year to be prepared. They don’t need a splash of color. They need to trim up those perennials, give them a sprinkle of fertilizer and call attention to how amazing they already are based on what they already do.
I went home that evening and rewrote my speech. I gave them what they were looking for--all the latest communication tools. But, I wrapped it around the message they were missing: here’s what we do, America, to be prepared on your behalf. The splash of color they needed wasn’t a new device; it was simply learning how to take credit for what they have always done. And you know what? They can tell that story every year.
My speech was a huge success. My ideas and thoughts were quoted by the three subsequent speakers. Attendees came up to me at the breaks to admit they have done this work for so long they forget how amazing it really is and it’s time to take credit for their hard work.
What’s my point? We all have basic skills that we have honed over the years. These basics were new to us once upon a time and now we take them for granted. In these challenging economic times we need to take a good hard look at the fundamentals and remind ourselves and our customers that by continually taking care of the basics, we are perennially good at what we do.
Year in and year out . . .
Don't Be A Twit
by Carolyn Mayo, VOLLMER President
Remember when the word "twit" was an insult?
If you called someone a twit you were seriously questioning his or her judgment, common sense and general lack of manners. Now the word is almost immediately identified with Twitter – the social networking site that has exploded on the scene, now with more than 6 million users. (http://www.twitter.com/)
These days, the term twit could easily apply to generations of business executives that are otherwise known as "digital immigrants." This is in contrast to the "digital natives" that practically came out of the womb with an MP3 player in hand. Those are the people who can program your VCR that’s been blinking red 12:00 for years. The terms were coined by writer Marc Prensky (http://www.marcprensky.com/) back in 2001 and referred to a new breed of students who learned in a different way. Now, the "immigrant" moniker has been taken up as a gentle put down for those who still just don’t get social and digital media.
Yes, I can hear you now. "Why do I care?" "My secretary handles all my e-mail." "Do you mean social media as in high society? What’s that got to do with my business?" "It’s just a fluke." Oh, ye skeptics – gather ‘round the warm glow of your computer monitor.
Why You Need to Care: First and foremost – it’s not going away. Hiding or thinking you’ll just wait it out just isn’t going to cut it. In fact, it’s escalating and competitors who are more tech-savvy will quickly leave you and your business in the dust. Digital tools and channels already are communication lifelines. Remember when people actually wrote letters on their IBM Selectric typewriter and sent them through the mail? Then there was this crazy thing called a fax? And then email hit the scene. Get the picture? Digital communication and networking is critical in both a crisis and when you are throwing a party. Most recently when US Airways flight 1549 landed in the Hudson River, it was only minutes before hundreds of messages cell phone photos were posted. During the Mumbai terrorist attack, the examples of real-time citizen reporting was almost as newsworthy as the well-orchestrated attacks. On the flip side, for South by Southwest, the Texas-based music and media festival (http://www.sxsw.com/) held last month, digital networking was the way visitors found tickets, heard about hot parties and critiqued performances.
Just a Fluke, You Say?: The 2008 U.S. Presidential Election will go down in history books as the first digital campaign, with Barack Obama raising millions in contributions and reaching out to followers directly through online channels. Think it’s a fluke? Wrong – for the President’s first online town hall meeting, March 26, 2009, that was shown on YouTube, nearly 93,000 people logged on to the official White House web site and posted 104,000 questions (www.whitehouse.gov/openforquestions/). More than 3.6 million votes were cast to determine which of those questions would make the cut.
According to http://www.twitterholic.com/, the number one site on the Twitter feed is CNN Breaking News (http://www.cnn.com/) with 600,000 followers. With tongue firmly in cheek, I must also report it lists the number two site as http://www.britneyspears.com/. Just seems wrong, doesn’t it?
It’s All About Relationships: While the social and digital phenomena may have started with those 20-somethings sharing the trivia of everyday lives on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/) and (http://www.myspace.com/), the networking sites have come a long way. Now, companies, organizations, not for profit causes, individuals and more are members of the two sites. These two networking giants have been joined by site for professionals, LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/), which boasts more than 36 million members in 200 countries and represents 170 industries. Connections that at one time might have taken you weeks or months, now can be made in just a few clicks of the mouse. Jobs can be found, references given, introductions made and business done.
What Does it Mean For You? If you think you are one of those hopeless digital immigrants in a foreign land who doesn’t understand the language and is wandering without a roadmap (much less a GPS), don’t despair. It’s never too late to get your bearings. It does, however, require an open mind, a willingness to experiment, a commitment to stick with it and maybe even more than a touch of courage to step out there. If you are sitting in the C-suite, pull in your communicators or consultants. Find out what your competitors are doing. Think strategically about your audiences and stakeholders and how they get their information. Take control of your own message and reputation. Think about a policy for employees who might be online and talking about your company and/or their jobs.
If you need some help, VOLLMER can step in and facilitate, from the basics to fully executed digital campaigns. In fact, we have a formalized practice area that specializes in digital and social media. Just call. Or write. Or text. Or tweet.
Follow us on Twitter @vollmertweet
Become a fan on Facebook
RSS The Vollmer Voice feed
Remember when the word "twit" was an insult?
If you called someone a twit you were seriously questioning his or her judgment, common sense and general lack of manners. Now the word is almost immediately identified with Twitter – the social networking site that has exploded on the scene, now with more than 6 million users. (http://www.twitter.com/)
These days, the term twit could easily apply to generations of business executives that are otherwise known as "digital immigrants." This is in contrast to the "digital natives" that practically came out of the womb with an MP3 player in hand. Those are the people who can program your VCR that’s been blinking red 12:00 for years. The terms were coined by writer Marc Prensky (http://www.marcprensky.com/) back in 2001 and referred to a new breed of students who learned in a different way. Now, the "immigrant" moniker has been taken up as a gentle put down for those who still just don’t get social and digital media.
Yes, I can hear you now. "Why do I care?" "My secretary handles all my e-mail." "Do you mean social media as in high society? What’s that got to do with my business?" "It’s just a fluke." Oh, ye skeptics – gather ‘round the warm glow of your computer monitor.
Why You Need to Care: First and foremost – it’s not going away. Hiding or thinking you’ll just wait it out just isn’t going to cut it. In fact, it’s escalating and competitors who are more tech-savvy will quickly leave you and your business in the dust. Digital tools and channels already are communication lifelines. Remember when people actually wrote letters on their IBM Selectric typewriter and sent them through the mail? Then there was this crazy thing called a fax? And then email hit the scene. Get the picture? Digital communication and networking is critical in both a crisis and when you are throwing a party. Most recently when US Airways flight 1549 landed in the Hudson River, it was only minutes before hundreds of messages cell phone photos were posted. During the Mumbai terrorist attack, the examples of real-time citizen reporting was almost as newsworthy as the well-orchestrated attacks. On the flip side, for South by Southwest, the Texas-based music and media festival (http://www.sxsw.com/) held last month, digital networking was the way visitors found tickets, heard about hot parties and critiqued performances.
Just a Fluke, You Say?: The 2008 U.S. Presidential Election will go down in history books as the first digital campaign, with Barack Obama raising millions in contributions and reaching out to followers directly through online channels. Think it’s a fluke? Wrong – for the President’s first online town hall meeting, March 26, 2009, that was shown on YouTube, nearly 93,000 people logged on to the official White House web site and posted 104,000 questions (www.whitehouse.gov/openforquestions/). More than 3.6 million votes were cast to determine which of those questions would make the cut.
According to http://www.twitterholic.com/, the number one site on the Twitter feed is CNN Breaking News (http://www.cnn.com/) with 600,000 followers. With tongue firmly in cheek, I must also report it lists the number two site as http://www.britneyspears.com/. Just seems wrong, doesn’t it?
It’s All About Relationships: While the social and digital phenomena may have started with those 20-somethings sharing the trivia of everyday lives on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/) and (http://www.myspace.com/), the networking sites have come a long way. Now, companies, organizations, not for profit causes, individuals and more are members of the two sites. These two networking giants have been joined by site for professionals, LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/), which boasts more than 36 million members in 200 countries and represents 170 industries. Connections that at one time might have taken you weeks or months, now can be made in just a few clicks of the mouse. Jobs can be found, references given, introductions made and business done.
What Does it Mean For You? If you think you are one of those hopeless digital immigrants in a foreign land who doesn’t understand the language and is wandering without a roadmap (much less a GPS), don’t despair. It’s never too late to get your bearings. It does, however, require an open mind, a willingness to experiment, a commitment to stick with it and maybe even more than a touch of courage to step out there. If you are sitting in the C-suite, pull in your communicators or consultants. Find out what your competitors are doing. Think strategically about your audiences and stakeholders and how they get their information. Take control of your own message and reputation. Think about a policy for employees who might be online and talking about your company and/or their jobs.
If you need some help, VOLLMER can step in and facilitate, from the basics to fully executed digital campaigns. In fact, we have a formalized practice area that specializes in digital and social media. Just call. Or write. Or text. Or tweet.
Follow us on Twitter @vollmertweet
Become a fan on Facebook
RSS The Vollmer Voice feed
Are You Stimulated Yet?
by Peggy Hubble, VOLLMER Austin
An e-mail came in from a colleague at VOLLMER who puts together our monthly e-newsletter:
April 2009 Vollocity assignment – Tax stimulus… is it a good thing… public advocacy. April 15 is tax day. Where are the dollars going? "Why I Love Tax Day."
Hmmmmm. As one who enjoys writing, who has an opinion on almost everything, and who has been involved with public affairs clients and public advocacy issues for VOLLMER and throughout much of my career, I can usually pound out an article with relative ease.
This one stumped me. I did some additional research and reading – the New York Times, NPR, local newspapers, blogs, blogs and more blogs. Dinners with friends to "relax" turned into frustrating conversations about how the current economic crisis has affected us, our friends, our families, our neighbors.
My level of angst about the entire economic situation continued to rise as I kept procrastinating.
Let me backup a moment.
During the election, I certainly believed it was time for change. I heard Barack Obama speak at the Texas Book Festival in 2006, just as he was hinting at running for President. I was more inspired than I had been in a very long time. Like many of us, I believed we were NOT "better off today" than we were eight years ago. Eight years ago, we were not at war, we were not in debt, we were not in a recession, we did not have a housing crisis, and we were not on the verge of economic collapse.
On inauguration day, I was glued to the television. I shared the overwhelming feeling of hope, enthusiasm, and energy that the crowd of almost two million people on the National Mall exuded. I thought back to my first job out of college as a researcher and writer in Washington, DC at the Commission on Civil Rights. Other than my vote, did I play some small part in this moment? Can it really be? Can he really do it? Can he move our society from one that has been dominated in large part by "greed" to one of honesty and concern for our fellow "man"? Can he get our country and its people back on track?
The stimulus package.
Back to the stimulus package, named the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009." And back to my angst. If the best and brightest minds in the country can’t agree on what the solutions are, what can I add to the dialogue that hasn’t already been dissected and debated?
I decided to see what some friends and colleagues had to say. I sent out an "informal" e-mail questionnaire to a few dozen people (thanks to those who took the time to respond.)
My "findings" – have been about as diverse as you might expect.
Others believe that it will "take a village" and are willing to do whatever it takes..
The current situation has given whole new meaning to "the trickle down theory." Hundreds of thousands of hard working people have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. (Time magazine says our job is currently our most valuable asset.) Who hasn’t’ seen their retirement investment funds take a nose dive – 35%, 50%, and 100% for those who trusted the likes of Bernie Madoff? Why do we have to watch our homes lose considerable value because of the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street and the real estate brokers who knowingly made loans that people could not repay in the long run?
I wish I had some answers – some words of wisdom – about where we are and where we’re going.
What I do know is that I have decided to join the optimists. It is in difficult times that we see the best come out in people. Families spending more time together. People having friends over to their homes for pot luck dinners to avoid the cost of eating out. Even celebrities are spreading the good vibe. I just read an article - "Michigan’s high unemployment is no laughing matter, but Jay Leno will offer a little comic relief with a free show next month in Detroit for anybody out of work in Detroit."
As for tax day? Almost everyone agrees about that. As one friend said, "I love tax day because I can feel resolved of the IRS for one more year."
As do I.
So. Are you stimulated yet? Please comment below. We'd like to know what YOU think.
An e-mail came in from a colleague at VOLLMER who puts together our monthly e-newsletter:
April 2009 Vollocity assignment – Tax stimulus… is it a good thing… public advocacy. April 15 is tax day. Where are the dollars going? "Why I Love Tax Day."
Hmmmmm. As one who enjoys writing, who has an opinion on almost everything, and who has been involved with public affairs clients and public advocacy issues for VOLLMER and throughout much of my career, I can usually pound out an article with relative ease.
This one stumped me. I did some additional research and reading – the New York Times, NPR, local newspapers, blogs, blogs and more blogs. Dinners with friends to "relax" turned into frustrating conversations about how the current economic crisis has affected us, our friends, our families, our neighbors.
My level of angst about the entire economic situation continued to rise as I kept procrastinating.
Let me backup a moment.
During the election, I certainly believed it was time for change. I heard Barack Obama speak at the Texas Book Festival in 2006, just as he was hinting at running for President. I was more inspired than I had been in a very long time. Like many of us, I believed we were NOT "better off today" than we were eight years ago. Eight years ago, we were not at war, we were not in debt, we were not in a recession, we did not have a housing crisis, and we were not on the verge of economic collapse.
On inauguration day, I was glued to the television. I shared the overwhelming feeling of hope, enthusiasm, and energy that the crowd of almost two million people on the National Mall exuded. I thought back to my first job out of college as a researcher and writer in Washington, DC at the Commission on Civil Rights. Other than my vote, did I play some small part in this moment? Can it really be? Can he really do it? Can he move our society from one that has been dominated in large part by "greed" to one of honesty and concern for our fellow "man"? Can he get our country and its people back on track?
The stimulus package.
Back to the stimulus package, named the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009." And back to my angst. If the best and brightest minds in the country can’t agree on what the solutions are, what can I add to the dialogue that hasn’t already been dissected and debated?
I decided to see what some friends and colleagues had to say. I sent out an "informal" e-mail questionnaire to a few dozen people (thanks to those who took the time to respond.)
My "findings" – have been about as diverse as you might expect.
- Most of those who responded I think represent most Americans, who believe something has to be done. As do I. There seems to be a consensus that we must find financial solutions for education, transportation, job creation, health insurance, sustainable energy, and many of the other needs addressed in the package.
- Many are "hopeful" and "optimistic." As am I. One person noted the new stimulus package "is not without its flaws, but is the best attempt at fixing this mess that is coming down the pike," while another said it will "provide many Americans some much-needed economic relief."
- Some are ambivalent. As am I, about parts of it. One young man replied that the new stimulus package is… "less than stimulating." Another respondent stated, "It’s not likely to impact our economy to the great extent anticipated by the general public." One expressed my sentiments exactly, noting that the new stimulus package is "hurting my head."
- Many are indeed angry, describing the plan as:
"...a dressed up spending bill that will not transform the issues that are the root of this crisis."
"…bailouts which will delay improvements in our nation’s economic balance."
"…mirroring the societal trend of spending recklessly and hastily…without first cutting waste and ineffectiveness."
"…a ridiculous amount of money that I believe those who voted for didn’t read or understand."
Others believe that it will "take a village" and are willing to do whatever it takes..
The current situation has given whole new meaning to "the trickle down theory." Hundreds of thousands of hard working people have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. (Time magazine says our job is currently our most valuable asset.) Who hasn’t’ seen their retirement investment funds take a nose dive – 35%, 50%, and 100% for those who trusted the likes of Bernie Madoff? Why do we have to watch our homes lose considerable value because of the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street and the real estate brokers who knowingly made loans that people could not repay in the long run?
I wish I had some answers – some words of wisdom – about where we are and where we’re going.
What I do know is that I have decided to join the optimists. It is in difficult times that we see the best come out in people. Families spending more time together. People having friends over to their homes for pot luck dinners to avoid the cost of eating out. Even celebrities are spreading the good vibe. I just read an article - "Michigan’s high unemployment is no laughing matter, but Jay Leno will offer a little comic relief with a free show next month in Detroit for anybody out of work in Detroit."
As for tax day? Almost everyone agrees about that. As one friend said, "I love tax day because I can feel resolved of the IRS for one more year."
As do I.
So. Are you stimulated yet? Please comment below. We'd like to know what YOU think.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Card That Keeps On Giving
This past holiday season, VOLLMER released our annual e-holiday greeting with a twist – be an angel and click on the charity of your choice. As our holiday gift to you, we would make a donation to that charity. The card was a great success, not only as a wonderful way to get everyone involved in the season but to also help out several organizations. Here’s a letter from the Houston Grand Opera as well as another nice note from Camp For All. And just in case you missed it, here’s the e-holiday greeting.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Green is Good!
Who has the greenest company of them all? You? A client? A friend? Get the recognition you deserve. Fill out the Clean Air Champions and Best Workplaces for Commuters application!
In order to qualify as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters, your organization must offer at least one of the following primary benefits:
❑ At least $30 per month towards a transit pass or vanpool pass (or the full cost of a pass if it is less than $30) to each employee who commutes using transit or a vanpool.
❑ A significant telework program that reduces by at least 6 percent the number of commuting trips employees make.
❑ At least $30 per month (in lieu of providing a parking spot) to each employee who leaves their car at home and commutes another way.
❑ An equivalent benefit that provides similar value to employees, reduces traffic and air pollution, and is agreed to by the Center for Urban Transportation Research.
Your organization must also offer access to an Emergency Ride Home program and 3 supporting benefits, such as carpool matching, shuttles and on-site amenities (e.g., cafeteria, dry cleaners). If you have fewer than 20 employees, you need only provide one supporting benefit.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council seeks to further recognize the Best Workplaces for Commuters by designating them as Clean Air Champions and documenting their emission reductions as part of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Green is good!
In order to qualify as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters, your organization must offer at least one of the following primary benefits:
❑ At least $30 per month towards a transit pass or vanpool pass (or the full cost of a pass if it is less than $30) to each employee who commutes using transit or a vanpool.
❑ A significant telework program that reduces by at least 6 percent the number of commuting trips employees make.
❑ At least $30 per month (in lieu of providing a parking spot) to each employee who leaves their car at home and commutes another way.
❑ An equivalent benefit that provides similar value to employees, reduces traffic and air pollution, and is agreed to by the Center for Urban Transportation Research.
Your organization must also offer access to an Emergency Ride Home program and 3 supporting benefits, such as carpool matching, shuttles and on-site amenities (e.g., cafeteria, dry cleaners). If you have fewer than 20 employees, you need only provide one supporting benefit.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council seeks to further recognize the Best Workplaces for Commuters by designating them as Clean Air Champions and documenting their emission reductions as part of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Green is good!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
March 2009 Vollocity
The March 2009 issue of Vollocity is now available online at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs094/1102149892691/archive/1102452568284.html.
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