As reliable as Boxing Day sales ads at this time of year are the newspaper columns decrying some aspect of Christmas.
And yet, there are many wonderful things about Christmas. It is one of the few times of year that I actually socialize, write letters and emails without asking for anything. I feel good to have friends and to tell them that. I spend time with family members even when the travel effort involved feels tiresome at times.
It is also a time of year when I spend more time talking to other customers in stores. People are actually friendlier, at least before the crowds become oppressing. There is a good feeling.
And yet other things just don't feel right. I have been trying to express it for the last weeks as I see the crowds, the displays, go to at least a few stores, hear the music and feel the nervous energy. I have passed by street people and felt that I am too rushed to acknowledge them or much less stop and give them something. So what's wrong? The essence of my unease is that as everything we do in the modern world, we have to overdo it and change it into a great competition.
Expectations for a 'perfect' Christmas are so high that we pressure ourselves into a frenzy, even leading to a bizarre bragging ritual about how much last minute shopping or preparation we need to do. Why do we need more when less would be more satisfying for ourselves and everyone else?
So my resolution is to try to spend just a few more minutes talking to people. Stop the rush, move back into a human mode - and smile. There is still a lot of positive in the Christmas spirit, we just have to slow down and focus on it. Let's have a human Christmas rather than a perfect one.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Scratching my head over Social Media
Almost every communications job listing these days includes a request for experience with social media. This vast and ever-changing landscape includes everything from video, podcasts, e-newsletters right up to the more wow-factor of Facebook groups, YouTube videos and Twitter. I imagine there are other social media channels that I am missing. I feel relatively up to date, but it sure is hard keeping track of everything!
The inclusion of social media in the communications tool kit is certainly one of the major changes in the PR/communications world in the last few years. The reality is, there are a few huge successes and untold numbers of other atttempts that are not getting traction (including this blog! But that's OK).
So why the rush to include social media in the skill set of a communicator? I think it makes sense that any organization wants their communications team to be up to date with the latest developments. But do those developments make sense for every organization? Clearly, organizations that are looking for the youth demo, like McD's, are into social media in a big way, and rightly so. It's a great way to engage with their audience.
But what about B2B companies, or those who cater to an audience that may not have Facebook accounts or be able to watch videos on their wireless device during business hours? The big question is what makes sense for your audience and how do you start and maintain a dialogue that interests them. That's a tough nut to crack and at the end of the day, we all want a dialogue that touches us in variety of ways, including face-to-face whenever appropriate or possible.
What will be interesting will be to see how I change my views on social media in the coming months and years - and how they will figure on job postings in the years to come.
The inclusion of social media in the communications tool kit is certainly one of the major changes in the PR/communications world in the last few years. The reality is, there are a few huge successes and untold numbers of other atttempts that are not getting traction (including this blog! But that's OK).
So why the rush to include social media in the skill set of a communicator? I think it makes sense that any organization wants their communications team to be up to date with the latest developments. But do those developments make sense for every organization? Clearly, organizations that are looking for the youth demo, like McD's, are into social media in a big way, and rightly so. It's a great way to engage with their audience.
But what about B2B companies, or those who cater to an audience that may not have Facebook accounts or be able to watch videos on their wireless device during business hours? The big question is what makes sense for your audience and how do you start and maintain a dialogue that interests them. That's a tough nut to crack and at the end of the day, we all want a dialogue that touches us in variety of ways, including face-to-face whenever appropriate or possible.
What will be interesting will be to see how I change my views on social media in the coming months and years - and how they will figure on job postings in the years to come.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
How Starbucks Saved My Life
I have just finished racing through How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill. It's the story of a high-flying ad exec who was let go and spiralled down the next ten years to basically being one rent payment from homelessness.
Sitting in a Starbucks, he was offered a job and surprising himself, he took it. It transformed him, as the title implies - saving his life. I can certainly relate to Mike's experience, what he calls be shoved off the escalator and then making it worse himself. He was a workaholic who gave too much of his life for his company and was summarily rejected. He would never scale the corporate heights again, and now has no interest whatsoever in doing so.
What is most interesting is the self-analysis of work, pay, class, race and professional prestige in his life. He learned that serving others, even in what is considered a menial job, is a path to great dignity. He continues to work at Starbucks to this day as the best job he ever had.
Would I do that? I have to say I am not quite that desperate yet, although it is very lonely when the phone never rings for job interview requests...
I appreciate the book as what is best about American society, the opportunity to try again and at least have a genuine chance to start over through hard work.
I was very moved by this book, likely because I can identify with his situation, emotions and anxiety. I also hope it will help me on my journey as well.
Sitting in a Starbucks, he was offered a job and surprising himself, he took it. It transformed him, as the title implies - saving his life. I can certainly relate to Mike's experience, what he calls be shoved off the escalator and then making it worse himself. He was a workaholic who gave too much of his life for his company and was summarily rejected. He would never scale the corporate heights again, and now has no interest whatsoever in doing so.
What is most interesting is the self-analysis of work, pay, class, race and professional prestige in his life. He learned that serving others, even in what is considered a menial job, is a path to great dignity. He continues to work at Starbucks to this day as the best job he ever had.
Would I do that? I have to say I am not quite that desperate yet, although it is very lonely when the phone never rings for job interview requests...
I appreciate the book as what is best about American society, the opportunity to try again and at least have a genuine chance to start over through hard work.
I was very moved by this book, likely because I can identify with his situation, emotions and anxiety. I also hope it will help me on my journey as well.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Six months and counting
I have now passed six months since my last job. It is the longest I have ever been without work, usually it has taken me five months between jobs.
I would be lying if I said this is not something that gets me down or weighs on me. Like everyone else in this situation, I have good days and more difficult ones. It is a test of many qualities, such as patience, cheerfulness and hope. I have learned over the years the importance of having a network and felt that I had done some work to develop one. And I do have one, but nothing has come in through that path that has worked out for me.
I know I need to keep on working at it, but the effort to do so feels like more than I can do at times, it is just easier to stay within my cocoon of not risking being ignored or being told 'no' one more time. As I have learned every time I have had to look for work, you become invisible when you are not in the mainstream of the world of work. I really have nothing to offer to anyone who is working, so there is little incentive for them to take notice of me. Certainly, friends and former colleagues have been helpful, along with many other people to whom I have been referred. Nevertheless, it is challenging to exist on people's radar.
This is not the first time I have had to learn life's hard lessons when looking for work, but I had hoped it would not be this long. So there are new and tough lessons for me this time around. I hope I remember them and put them to good use.
I would be lying if I said this is not something that gets me down or weighs on me. Like everyone else in this situation, I have good days and more difficult ones. It is a test of many qualities, such as patience, cheerfulness and hope. I have learned over the years the importance of having a network and felt that I had done some work to develop one. And I do have one, but nothing has come in through that path that has worked out for me.
I know I need to keep on working at it, but the effort to do so feels like more than I can do at times, it is just easier to stay within my cocoon of not risking being ignored or being told 'no' one more time. As I have learned every time I have had to look for work, you become invisible when you are not in the mainstream of the world of work. I really have nothing to offer to anyone who is working, so there is little incentive for them to take notice of me. Certainly, friends and former colleagues have been helpful, along with many other people to whom I have been referred. Nevertheless, it is challenging to exist on people's radar.
This is not the first time I have had to learn life's hard lessons when looking for work, but I had hoped it would not be this long. So there are new and tough lessons for me this time around. I hope I remember them and put them to good use.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Here comes the auditor
Wednesday, October 7 will be a day of reckoning for eHealth Ontario as the Provincial Auditor will issue a report, about which the leaks have already told us quite a bit. It won't be pretty.
As a former employee, I am following the news quite closely. It has been a rough four months for the agency with senior departures, microscopic scrutiny and now what should be the nadir in reputation for the organization.
Is there anything that can be done for the embattled agency's reputation and communications? I imagine people are hoping this will blow away as soon as possible. It will blow away eventually, but the question is what can be done about its communications at this point?
Likely not too much in the immediate term. The provincial government is too involved to leave the agency to communicate on its own at this point as the problems have affected them in many unhappy ways.
The bottom line is that trust has been broken and needs to be re-established. This is going to take a long time. But the place to start now is to build alliances with other eHealth organizations and leaders. This will have to be an under the radar effort for some time, but it is the place to build the new reputational foundation for the future.
Of course, if management decisions keep being made that will embarrass the organization in future, then there is not much that any communications program can achieve. Let's hope that fundamental change is the first order of business.
As a former employee, I am following the news quite closely. It has been a rough four months for the agency with senior departures, microscopic scrutiny and now what should be the nadir in reputation for the organization.
Is there anything that can be done for the embattled agency's reputation and communications? I imagine people are hoping this will blow away as soon as possible. It will blow away eventually, but the question is what can be done about its communications at this point?
Likely not too much in the immediate term. The provincial government is too involved to leave the agency to communicate on its own at this point as the problems have affected them in many unhappy ways.
The bottom line is that trust has been broken and needs to be re-established. This is going to take a long time. But the place to start now is to build alliances with other eHealth organizations and leaders. This will have to be an under the radar effort for some time, but it is the place to build the new reputational foundation for the future.
Of course, if management decisions keep being made that will embarrass the organization in future, then there is not much that any communications program can achieve. Let's hope that fundamental change is the first order of business.
Monday, September 21, 2009
PR and Celebrities
Since I live downtown, I have passed by the memorial of Darcy Allan Sheppard on Bloor St. several times. One of the sub-plots of this ongoing tragedy is the role of PR in Michael Bryant's defense tactics.
Personally, Navigator is not what I would call a PR firm and one that operates largely in the shadows unlike most others. Certainly in this case they are acting more like a publicist for a Hollywood star. In addition, given the political backgrounds of their principals, they certainly move in spheres that would put them into the Government Relations area of activity. I am sure they could mount a full defense of their PR credentials, but then they would have to talk about some of their clients a bit more openly!
So what is PR then? I have worked in the public, private and non-profit communications and PR areas. Clearly, regardless of the type of organization, there is a lot of overlap and common purpose. We work to ensure that our organization's messages are heard and that our organization is well perceived.
So is it fair to call it being a publicist when you do it for an individual but PR when you do it for an organization? My heart tells me yes although my head does not fully agree. Building a brand for an organization is a larger and more complex task than for an individual.
Certainly, in this case, given Mr. Sheppard's death, the association of PR with Mr. Bryant's overall defense strategy has understandably raised a negative backlash. He may be fully entitled to it, but the optics of it look and feel all wrong.
Personally, Navigator is not what I would call a PR firm and one that operates largely in the shadows unlike most others. Certainly in this case they are acting more like a publicist for a Hollywood star. In addition, given the political backgrounds of their principals, they certainly move in spheres that would put them into the Government Relations area of activity. I am sure they could mount a full defense of their PR credentials, but then they would have to talk about some of their clients a bit more openly!
So what is PR then? I have worked in the public, private and non-profit communications and PR areas. Clearly, regardless of the type of organization, there is a lot of overlap and common purpose. We work to ensure that our organization's messages are heard and that our organization is well perceived.
So is it fair to call it being a publicist when you do it for an individual but PR when you do it for an organization? My heart tells me yes although my head does not fully agree. Building a brand for an organization is a larger and more complex task than for an individual.
Certainly, in this case, given Mr. Sheppard's death, the association of PR with Mr. Bryant's overall defense strategy has understandably raised a negative backlash. He may be fully entitled to it, but the optics of it look and feel all wrong.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Why is it so hard to change anything?
One of the things I learned over the last few years is just how difficult it is to change anything.
I don't think my organization was unique in that its shortcomings were obvious, but it was hard to do anything about them. And the times that I succeeded in making any change (never alone in any success but always as part of a team), I always felt that it was harder and took longer than it should have.
Not being the most patient of persons, this always bothered me. I realize now I need to get used to it. Everywhere I look and everyone I talk to drives this message home. I have taken courses on change management, been involved in change initiatives and tried to be a 'change champion', but it just boils down to an incredible amount of work to succeed at changing anything - for the better that is! And how fragile those gains are, it's amazing how quickly any progress can be lost.
I guess realizing how much work it takes to succeed at anything - big or small - is part of the maturing process. Knowing it theoretically and feeling it every day as you slog up the hill are two different ways of knowledge.
I hope that one of the learnings I can take from these last few months of my work transition - that I really don't want to forget - is just how much time, effort, helping others along and patience it takes to achieve any change. What looks easy is usually not!
I don't think my organization was unique in that its shortcomings were obvious, but it was hard to do anything about them. And the times that I succeeded in making any change (never alone in any success but always as part of a team), I always felt that it was harder and took longer than it should have.
Not being the most patient of persons, this always bothered me. I realize now I need to get used to it. Everywhere I look and everyone I talk to drives this message home. I have taken courses on change management, been involved in change initiatives and tried to be a 'change champion', but it just boils down to an incredible amount of work to succeed at changing anything - for the better that is! And how fragile those gains are, it's amazing how quickly any progress can be lost.
I guess realizing how much work it takes to succeed at anything - big or small - is part of the maturing process. Knowing it theoretically and feeling it every day as you slog up the hill are two different ways of knowledge.
I hope that one of the learnings I can take from these last few months of my work transition - that I really don't want to forget - is just how much time, effort, helping others along and patience it takes to achieve any change. What looks easy is usually not!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Audiences and Content - the Magic Formula
Communications is all about the audience. While I know that theoretically, I also know that I have forgotten this basic fact more times than I care to mention because doing all the tactical work takes up so much time that I have lost my focus. All of a sudden, the audience has been lost.
Then there is the question of content. Having been in PR for many years, it is also easy to forget that audiences may not want to hear what I have to say. Or even worse, they may not believe it, I or my organization lack credibility. That's a brutal place to be.
What social media is showing me is that there are some sweet spots where audience and content align. Unfortunately for the PR folks, it is usually not our new releases or websites that bring in the crowds, but the viral attacks on big organizations. I have been following the United Breaks Guitars song and story and find it fascinating. One poor service incident that has generated tens of millions of negative impressions for United and they appear powerless to respond effectively.
So what's a PR guy to do?
Well it boils down to the hard work of my profession - distilling the story down to its most understandable parts and getting those out in a way that generates interest. Unfortunately, sometimes what I have to work with will not generate interest. Or what does generate interest is the negative news.
Well, that's what makes this profession an art rather than a science. But if I can keep my eye on the audience and the content and then work at making those pieces fit, wonderful things do happen - sometimes!
Then there is the question of content. Having been in PR for many years, it is also easy to forget that audiences may not want to hear what I have to say. Or even worse, they may not believe it, I or my organization lack credibility. That's a brutal place to be.
What social media is showing me is that there are some sweet spots where audience and content align. Unfortunately for the PR folks, it is usually not our new releases or websites that bring in the crowds, but the viral attacks on big organizations. I have been following the United Breaks Guitars song and story and find it fascinating. One poor service incident that has generated tens of millions of negative impressions for United and they appear powerless to respond effectively.
So what's a PR guy to do?
Well it boils down to the hard work of my profession - distilling the story down to its most understandable parts and getting those out in a way that generates interest. Unfortunately, sometimes what I have to work with will not generate interest. Or what does generate interest is the negative news.
Well, that's what makes this profession an art rather than a science. But if I can keep my eye on the audience and the content and then work at making those pieces fit, wonderful things do happen - sometimes!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Building by the Lake - Photos of my Art Exhibit
Check out photos of the reception and my artwork at http://www.flickr.com/photos/pk2k/sets/72157621379513739/
The show was called Building By the Lake. I was at the foot of Spadina drawing everything around me during the few hours this summer when the weather has been good!
This was one of the high points of my summer and my transition so far! I never expected to have an art show and now I have done it!
The show was called Building By the Lake. I was at the foot of Spadina drawing everything around me during the few hours this summer when the weather has been good!
This was one of the high points of my summer and my transition so far! I never expected to have an art show and now I have done it!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Job Search - on the lighter side
One of the realities of networking is the inevitable time between meetings that needs to be filled.
I have had a number of days with meetings stacked up in the downtown core. There has been time to kill between meetings. I have accomplished two goals as a result of having to do something in those breaks.
First, after 20 years in Toronto, I have finally learned my way around the underground maze. Since I never had a job in the downtown towers, I never had a chance to figure out that incredibly confusing city under the city. But now, I have had time to wander and consider myself much better at finding my way around. In the past, I just had to give up and go up to the street to figure out where I was. Now I am almost confident that I am going in the right direction!
Second, I have found the BEST spot to spend time between meetings. Food courts and coffee shops are fine, but that's often where I meet people, so it is a bit repetitive. They can also be loud and busy - music, TV, lunch leftovers... I now know the perfect place downtown is the lobby of the CIBC building at Bay and King. It has high ceilings, windows on all sides and comfortable chairs that are pretty much always available. And it is quiet enough to be able to make phone calls without sounding like you are in a crowd waiting to enter a UFC event. Try it some time and you will start your next meeting with a smile on your face.
Coming soon - photos from my art exhibit!
I have had a number of days with meetings stacked up in the downtown core. There has been time to kill between meetings. I have accomplished two goals as a result of having to do something in those breaks.
First, after 20 years in Toronto, I have finally learned my way around the underground maze. Since I never had a job in the downtown towers, I never had a chance to figure out that incredibly confusing city under the city. But now, I have had time to wander and consider myself much better at finding my way around. In the past, I just had to give up and go up to the street to figure out where I was. Now I am almost confident that I am going in the right direction!
Second, I have found the BEST spot to spend time between meetings. Food courts and coffee shops are fine, but that's often where I meet people, so it is a bit repetitive. They can also be loud and busy - music, TV, lunch leftovers... I now know the perfect place downtown is the lobby of the CIBC building at Bay and King. It has high ceilings, windows on all sides and comfortable chairs that are pretty much always available. And it is quiet enough to be able to make phone calls without sounding like you are in a crowd waiting to enter a UFC event. Try it some time and you will start your next meeting with a smile on your face.
Coming soon - photos from my art exhibit!
Friday, July 3, 2009
More to Life than Job Search
Many people have told me to take advantage of my job transition downtime to enjoy the summer.
I have taken that advice to heart and so now I am inviting you to:
BUILDING BY THE LAKE
Ink drawings of the Toronto skyline from the foot of Spadina Street
They are quick, uncontrolled, rough drawings - and hopefully full of life. I painted them on park benches, retaining walls and even the ground. Lots of wind too!
While I loved taking it all in, what I saw was the crowding out of public spaces by the lake. I worked at the edge of the marina, which is a concrete wasteland beside the crown jewel of Toronto - our lakefront. Given all the building going on - the crowding is only going to get worse.
SHOW DETAILS
The show will run from July 5 - July 9 at
The Toronto School of Art
410 Adelaide St. West, 3rd floor (just west of Spadina)
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
The gallery is just to the right as you exit the elevator - you can't miss it!
RECEPTION
Come between 5:30 - 7:30 on Wednesday, July 8 for the reception - refreshments included!
Please let me know if you plan to come so I can plan for the drinks and food.
Thanks for reading, PK2K
I have taken that advice to heart and so now I am inviting you to:
BUILDING BY THE LAKE
Ink drawings of the Toronto skyline from the foot of Spadina Street
They are quick, uncontrolled, rough drawings - and hopefully full of life. I painted them on park benches, retaining walls and even the ground. Lots of wind too!
While I loved taking it all in, what I saw was the crowding out of public spaces by the lake. I worked at the edge of the marina, which is a concrete wasteland beside the crown jewel of Toronto - our lakefront. Given all the building going on - the crowding is only going to get worse.
SHOW DETAILS
The show will run from July 5 - July 9 at
The Toronto School of Art
410 Adelaide St. West, 3rd floor (just west of Spadina)
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
The gallery is just to the right as you exit the elevator - you can't miss it!
RECEPTION
Come between 5:30 - 7:30 on Wednesday, July 8 for the reception - refreshments included!
Please let me know if you plan to come so I can plan for the drinks and food.
Thanks for reading, PK2K
Monday, June 29, 2009
Two months of networking
For the last two months, I have been searching for work. I have met with dozens of people, reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones.
I have been amazed and moved by the generosity of so many people who have made time for me, encouraged me and built up my flagging confidence. There are so many good people in the world who are trying to help me. So the first lesson is - reach out and help people who want to network with you. They will remember your help, and perhaps someday it will be you who is reaching out!
WHAT ABOUT WEB 1.5?
As my field is communications, I have been meeting many others in this field and Web 2.0 is often a topic of discussion - Twitter, Facebook, etc. It is clear that nobody really knows where social networking is going yet and how to use it for organizational communications.
Even so, I think we should be talking about Web 1.5 - leveraging everything that is out there right now - blogs (now getting a bit retro), video and podcasts. How about some good old fashioned but high quality e-newsletters.
Thanks for reading, PK2K
I have been amazed and moved by the generosity of so many people who have made time for me, encouraged me and built up my flagging confidence. There are so many good people in the world who are trying to help me. So the first lesson is - reach out and help people who want to network with you. They will remember your help, and perhaps someday it will be you who is reaching out!
WHAT ABOUT WEB 1.5?
As my field is communications, I have been meeting many others in this field and Web 2.0 is often a topic of discussion - Twitter, Facebook, etc. It is clear that nobody really knows where social networking is going yet and how to use it for organizational communications.
Even so, I think we should be talking about Web 1.5 - leveraging everything that is out there right now - blogs (now getting a bit retro), video and podcasts. How about some good old fashioned but high quality e-newsletters.
Thanks for reading, PK2K
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