Flink12

            I never really thought my blogs for this class would go beyond the eyes of my classmates, professor, guest speakers, and well, my parents (but only because I wanted to prove to them I was actually ‘blogging’). I was wrong.  Brenda McEwan, a representative for Flink12, contacted me a couple weeks ago because she stumbled upon my Blog! Whoa, this goes to show, if it’s out there, and if its public, it can be found!

McEwan suggested that I take a look at Flink12, a brand new, Playful, easy, private sharing social media site that encourages its users to Focus on the people who are the most important in their life. Flink12 is a new and completely different social network that encourages private sharing in small groups. It is not like every other larger social networking site because it prioritizes the serious issues around privacy, security, and a dilution of the meaning of "friends," first and foremost. Flink12 is the first of its kind to focus solely on the connections that are the most important in your life in a simple and fun way.

A few weeks ago, I touched on the concept of ‘over-sharing’ in our social media lives and how I think it is important that we think twice and be careful about what we are making public about out private lives. McEwan found my ideas to be very similar to the founding reasons for Flink12! So, I encourage you all to take a look at it too- you never know, this could be the next “big thing,” and you could be one of the first to know about it. She included the link to a micro-site that has more info, images, videos, banners and more: http://flink12news.com... Check it out!

The reason why I am now blogging about this, is because I believe this is an effective and appropriate use of social media and networking. I applaud the Flink12 team for really appealing to the route of the social networking overload. McEwan and Flink12 are strategic and appropriately affective in their drive to encourage the importance of privacy, in this increasingly public world!

Brenda McEwan gave me permission to post her contact information if any of you would like to contact her to learn more about Flink12!

Brenda McEwan
Flink12.com
facebook.com/Flink12
twitter.com/Flink12

Best of luck to you all at Flink12!

Communication, Technology & Globalization Short Film

I made this video for my Technology & Globalization class. In short, the assignment was to create a short film about a topic we are passionate about that we think will be of interest to our peers. I hope you enjoy it!

http://youtu.be/y-BMUvTJZSU

There Is Always Time To Do One More Great Thing In Life

How many times have you found yourself back-pedaling when you are trying to explain something that seems so simple to you, yet the receiver just doesn’t quite understand? It’s frustrating, and I will be the first to admit that. Frank Roby has mastered the art of communications and has a pristine way of conveying a message that will be acknowledged and understood by both himself and the receiver. For 35 years, Roby worked in traditional business roles, but a few years ago, he decided it was time for a change. He has done so many great things in his life time and he has seen the good and the bad of communications. As a result, Roby admits that “I have found some things I feel very strongly about.” Mr. Roby asked our class what we thought information was, and more importantly, what we thought its purpose was. He continued to expand upon the notion that how we understand and receive information helps us to communicate.

Most of the time, we focus more on the message we are sending and there is an inherent problem with this. What is important to us and our message may not be important or received the same way by others. Roby encouraged our class to focus “less about what we want to send, and more about what others will receive.” Mr. Roby’s message really hit home with me because it is so relatable, on so many levels. When you think about it, this lesson can be applied to just about every communications scenario. We all understand things differently and if we apply this lesson, our efforts for effective communications can be more thorough and precise.  

Roby credits his communication skills for saving him from sticky situations; “I’ve always relied on my ability to communicate to work my way out of problems.” Roby basically helps people communicate more effectively for a living. Not too shabby if you ask me. There is one other obstacle Roby mentioned about information and communicating the message. Roby insists that “our skills are our bias; our answers are what we tend to be best at.” Consequently, we must strive to find a balance in the spectrum. In order to be a communicator, it means we must make balance without going to either side. If you are able to send a message that someone can receive, the better chances you are that your message will resonate and be acted upon.

Frank Roby has mastered this skill of balance and strives to be the voice of reason. Since his change in career path, Roby has recognized and embraced the special gift he has for communications. When Roby embarked on this new career path, he was just trying to compliment what he has always done with his life; do great things. Roby admits that “My life came together in kind of a backwards way” but now, he has found his passion and his calling, which in the end, is a reward in itself.

Political Experience in Communications: The "It" Factor

Matt Gobush, Manager of corporate communication for Exxon Mobil visited with our class this past Wednesday and brought a whole new perspective of the communications field. Prior to his time at Exxon, Gobush was an avid government official. His communications experience grew during his years in the Clinton administration and for the U.S. Department of Defense.  He told our class the lessons and experience he gained from these years are the reason he is still in communications. In addition, he added that there is a real need for people with political experience in the communications field.

Why?- You may ask. Well, partly because the lessons you will learn working in politics will serve you well the rest of your life, and in addition, there is a transparency that politics bring to communications. For elected officials, communications is a big part of their job and they are constantly under a microscope. This attention pressures communications experts to fine tune their skills in a way that no other field can really say the same for.

Gobush also introduced some very interesting statistics to our class about elected officials and their participation in this new wave of technological communications. Did you know that over 50% of key congressional aides regularly read blogs? This is a drastic change from 5, 10 years ago when “blogs” were almost non-existent. The words we put out in the digital world can be found and read by almost anyone. If you blog about a government official or something related to their cause, chances are, someone working with or for them will find it. Don’t let this scare you, just make sure you are being precise and direct with your words.

Here is a cool statistic: Did you know over 70 members of Congress have Twitter and use it on the floor. This is a direct communication link between our representatives and the general public. This virtually allows the general public to basically be a part of our Congressional experience in a way that has never been available to the public before. A representative in congress could tweet about something going on, and I could be learning about it in real time. Now that’s a digital revolution, I mean, can you imagine what some of our founding fathers would say about that one?

In conclusion, Gobush believes the experience and knowledge he gained working in politics has allowed him to stand out and hold a higher regard in the communications world. Politics not only created a strong foundation for Gobush’s work, but also a sense of reliability, trust, and confidence in those who he works with. The integrity and passion for communications he established during his time working in politics will reign true for the rest of his career and time in the communications field.