Facebook Helps Make Social Ties Stronger

My cousin lives in Seattle and, if not for Facebook, I would have little contact with her. I’m also in touch with my high school journalism teacher. He continues to teach me all these years later, but if it weren’t for Facebook we’d have no contact.

By hanspoldoja

Thanks to Facebook my social connections are stronger than ever. Yet there are those who questioned whether social networking sites would isolate people.

The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project examined social networking sites in a survey that explored people’s overall social networks and how use of these technologies is related to trust, tolerance, social support, and community and political engagement.

The report is the first national survey of how the use of social networking sites (SNS) by adults is related to people’s overall social networks. The findings suggests that there is little validity to concerns  that people who use SNS experience smaller social networks, less closeness or are exposed to less diversity.

Here’s what they learned about Facebook users:

  • Facebook users are more trusting than others
  • Facebook users are more trusting than others.
  • Facebook users have more close relationships.
  • Facebook users get more social support than other people.
  • Facebook users are much more politically engaged than most people.
  • Facebook revives “dormant” relationships.

Are you more social because of social networking sites?

Conference Bag of Tricks

During a presentation to a large group of communicators, I was tethered to the laptop. The organizers had said they would have everything I needed, including a remote mouse. But they didn’t. Lesson learned. I now bring my own remote mouse.

If you’re speaking or organizing a conference, there are several items you should always have with you so that you are prepared for last minute hiccups.

Teri Ehresman, who is communications lead for the Idaho National Laboratory, has a big black box on wheels that she uses for events she organizes or when she is staffing a booth. What does it contain?

  • Roll of clear tape: “It comes in handy for a variety of unexpected tasks,” she says.
  • Roll of duct tape
  • Scissors
  • Box cutters
  • Power strip
  • Surge protector
  • Speakers for a laptop
  • Notebook
  • Sheets of white and color paper
  • Pens
  • Highlighters
  • Black marker
  • Business cards in a business card holder
  • Extra Fed-Ex forms (for shipping after hours)
  • Band-Aids

Corinne Geller with the Virginia State Police recommends carrying extra white board markers and AA batteries, as well as a Shout or Wisk stain stick. “There is nothing worse than something being dribbled or flicked on your shirt or coat just before getting up in front of a large audience!”

Finally, bring copies of your presentation in case the computer can’t load the PowerPoint presentation, the projector crashes, the laptop’s not compatible with the hotel equipment or the screen breaks.

What’s in your bag?

Upon Rising, 1 in 3 Check Email

I confess. I succumbed and now have a smart phone. It’s addictive. When the alarm on it wakes me, I can’t help but look at my emails.

Apparently I’m not alone. About one in three (35%) global mobile workers checks their email first thing in the morning before they do anything else, according to an April 2011 report from iPass.

Data from the “iPass Global Mobile Workforce Report” indicates another 17% check their email after getting dressed, 13.5% check it after having morning tea or coffee, 10% check it after breakfast and 8% check it when they start their commute.

That translates to more than 80 percent checking their email before they start the work day.

When do you check your email?

 

4 Steps for Putting Together a Successful Conference

The 2011 NFPW Conference is just around the corner. The conference organizers are hard at work putting the finishing touches on it. The NFPW board is meeting with other affiliates to identify future conference hosts.

NFPW members having fun in Chicago.

One thing that holds affiliates back from making a bid to host is the unknown – how much work is it going to take to put together a conference? Where does one even start?

As co-chairman for the 2007 conference in Richmond, I can tell you that it’s both a lot of fun and a lot of work. But with a bit of planning you, too, can put together a successful meeting or conference.  To do so, focus on 4 key areas:

1)      Location

2)      Budget

3)      Speakers

4)      Food

Location: NFPW members are looking for good value for their money. We seldom hold our meetings in big cities because the cost of hotel rooms is too expensive. We find good value in mid-size or smaller cities. If you’re seeking a location for your state affiliate meeting, why not ask your members if their employers could host the group. In Virginia, we’ve met at the Virginia State Police, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Virginia Press Association headquarters. All offered us space at no cost, which means that we can offer an affordable rate to members.

Budget: List all of your expenses and then determine how many members you expect to attend. That will determine the registration fee you need to charge. Do you have sponsors that can underwrite any expenses? At the end of the conference you want to break even – or even better, make a profit to help with your affiliate’s coffer. One way to keep costs down is to bring your own laptop and projector.

Speakers: Are you planning a theme for the conference? That will help narrow your focus as you reach out to speakers. Ask early and let speakers know what you will provide. NFPW and most affiliates do not pay honorariums because the funds simply don’t exist. However, most speakers are more than willing to speak if you are able to cover travel expenses. It’s also good to promote the speaker and her work. If she is an author, allow her to sell copies of her books. It’s also good to have a back-up speaker  — just in case. Ask the speaker early for her bio and photo to use in the program and anywhere else that the conference will be promoted.

Food: Members aren’t expecting a four-star meal, but they do want quality. When selecting options, consider the set-up of the room. Is it better to offer a buffet  so that members can get their food quickly? Or would a plated meal work better? If members are traveling a distance to get to the meeting, and it starts in the morning, be sure to offer coffee and some fruit and pastries.

To include more members in the conference planning, assign a member to each of the key areas. You’ll have more ideas and no one member will be overwhelmed.

What are your best conference planning tips?

Business Book Club Increases Earning Potential

I recently helped start a business book club – The 230 Club.

The name derives from a U.S. Labor Department statistic that says business people who read at least seven books per year earn more than 230 percent more than people who read just one book per year. The statistic was part of the first book we read, Tuesday Morning Coaching by David Cottrell.

I may not be earning 230 percent more, but I am confident that the business books I am reading are keeping my skills sharp. I’m also aware of trends and new ways of approaching issues. I try to share some of the books and articles through this blog. For example, one article we read focused on the value of checklists. Another book, Switch, focused on managing change.

The book club, which meets during the noon hour, is small. We discuss the book or article and then we connect it to our work environment. I’ve had several good ideas for improving work processes come out of the discussions. Even if I don’t have enough time to finish the book, the other members fill me in on the key aspects of the book.

Do you have any recommendations? Have you ever thought of starting a business book club?