SMCC10- A Student's Perspective

So as I mentioned earlier I attended a Social Media in Context conference run by Communicate Magazine. I sat, I listened, I Tweeted, I Facebooked (I love how just like Google, Facebook has become a verb-but for a net worth of 25billion you wouldn’t expect much less!) and now I’m blogging!!

Due to University commitments, I missed the first group of presentations but was lucky enough to see a number of incredibly insightful ones after the lunch break; and as wonderful as they all were, I am only going to talk about the two that really stuck out in my mind!!

“Why I Use Nokia-a very personal word of mouth case study” James Whately (Engagement Director, 1000Heads)

This short, yet effective presentation taught us that we should not be afraid to embrace the extreme and that actually engaging with your audience will have a greater effect than just trying to hit your targets.

Now, this blog is from a students perspective and coming from a lecture theatre where all the presentation slides are covered in black ink and the lecturer isn’t showing much enthusiasm, this presentation was a breath of fresh air. Whately was upbeat and engaging and his slides were not filled with boring black ink. Oh no! Some had pictures, some had charts and others had Post-it notes!!

(OK so it isn’t a fab picture but you get the point I’m trying to make)

If Mr. Whately would like to give my class members a lesson in how to present, that would be amazing (not that I’m saying you need it guys, but every little helps).

“Crisis Communications” Leesa Fogarty (vice president industry, Augure)

The words that stood out the most during her speech were “information can be around for a long time”. I had always been aware of this concept but had never really thought about it. What you say and do now will be there for a very long time, if not forever.

Her talk was based on a case study about an un-named client (although I have a sneaky suspicion who it might be due to another case study I analysed in Market-Led Management) and how they overcame a certain market.

Her company, which was established 8 years ago, has a focus on reputation management and has represented a number of luxury brands.

After Leesa Fogarty’s talk, I took a look at the Augure website and have since developed a keen interest in reputation management and the software that they have developed.

I’m really grateful that I had to opportunity to come to this conference as I was able to see the industry in which I want to work through the eyes of those who are experiencing it now and through real life case studies, making everything I have learnt in a classroom seem all the more real.

One last thing I would like to mention is Marc Campam’s (managing director, Webjam) top 10 tips for staying in control amid the chaos

1. Markets are conversations.
2. Enabling powerful new forms of social organisations and knowledge.
3. There are two conversations going on: one inside the company, one with the market.
4. These 2 conversations want to talk to each other & are speaking the same language.
5. We wonder why you’re not listening. You seem to be speaking a different language.
6. The inflated self-important jargon you sling around-what’s that got to do with us?
7. We like this new marketplace much better. In fact, we are treating it.
8. You’re not invited, but it’s our world
9. Companies that do not belong to a community of discourse will die.
10. Talk is cheap but silence is fatal!

These will stay with me for the rest of my life!!

To view Twitter feed from the conference search #SMCC10

I wonder what event I will attend next…xo

 

Social Media in Context

 

I think I may have mentioned it before but I am a student of PR-although now a slightly progressed one as I am now on a Masters course.

During my first month on said course my peers and myself have been provided with a number of amazing opportunities. One such opportunity is been able to attend Communicate Magazines conference “Social Media in Context” at the wonderful Palace Hotel, Manchester.

The day consists of a number of talks by industry professionals about how social media has made an impact on their businesses and/or lives.

Due to morning lectures I was unable to attend the first half but when I did arrive, with my wonderful class mate Matt Horwood, we were greeted with a smiley face and a wonderful buffet.

In the conference room, circular tables are occupied by laptops, iPhones, Blackberrys and of course people, all at the ready to post their latest tweets, updates and blogs.

More blogs to follow…xoxo

Why Does it Always Rain on Me?

Dear The Heavens That Be,

 

Last week I walked from one end of Deansgate to the other in my brand new £200 shoe boots. It was the first time I wore them and just as I got to the Great Northern, you let it rain.

The rain made the ground wet and my shoes slippery (they are leather soles you see), as a result I slipped a little down a broken cobble and it removed half the leather from my heel! This upset me somewhat.

Once in a dry location it became clear that I will need professional help to fix them. The cost of this will be about £50!!

I understand that you need to rain from time to time, but I would greatly appreciate that if in the future you could maybe not rain when I’m walking in new shoes…or without an umbrella…or a jacket…or on my way to somewhere…

or at all when I’m outside.

 

Thank you Heavens That Be for your time and consideration.

 

Kind regards,

Sweet Lolita xoxo

Woe and Behold!!

 

Guys and Dolls I have done it!! It took me months to pluck up the courage to do and there was a lot of travelling back and forth to relevant source but I am proud to say that I can now KNIT!!

 

I mean, I wouldn’t hurry with your orders. I still have a long way to go and a lot more things to explore but non the less I actually learnt it!!

 

I wonder how it would look on my C.V?? Not that great?? No, I didn’t think so…oh well back to my essay!!!

 

xoxo