Author: Dave Folkens

Enough with the Hate

Life, Social Media

After playing in social media for a couple of years now I have to ask: why so angry folks?  Isn’t social media built on the premise of social connection?  Over the past couple week I’ve been fortunate to spend time with a number very smart social media supporters.  In chatting, it’s funny how often a post or tweet comes up in conversation that is instantly recognized.  The hater post.  

Photo courtesy *_Abhi_* via Creative Commons

Every so often it becomes trendy to bash people who have become well-recognized in the social media industry.  You’ll see these kinds of posts all over if you keep an eye out for them.  Chris Brogan this and Guy Kawasaki that.  Perhaps concern that Mashable did, or didn’t, pick up on a certain story? 

But why?  If someone is producing content you don’t feel is quality, sharing ideas you don’t like,  or hitting the same points repeatedly then just ignore them.  Rather than fixate on them and try to tear them down maybe there is something more productive you can do to positively influence the industry? 

  • Don’t sit and say nobody is coming up with unique ideas- go create a new program.
  • Don’t heckle big names who are successful- spend time figuring what unmet need you can fill.
  • If it seems too simple to you, don’t dwell on it- go help someone who needs it or take it up a level for advanced users.

Now, this isn’t to say that we shouldn’t be able to have credible discussions around social media and question assumptions that currently exist.  (The fear to do that will be covered in the next post here.  Shameless, subtle hint right?)  However, I think there is too often an undercurrent of envy or resentment that seems to lie below the surface of the collaborative spirit that is a foundation of social media.  I’d like to see social media continue to grow and evolve and I believe the only way that will happen is if the community is able to put personal issues aside and support those that are driving innovation, whomever it is.

Good+Good+Good=Great

Business Communications, Public Relations

It’s fun to win. There’s no arguing the fact really that being the best at something is cool. Certainly in the United States, winning is a big part of our overall culture.  It feels good to win and to know you achieved something special. 

However, I’ve been thinking a great deal about what does “winning” really mean in the PR/communications industry. Is it about being the best at some piece of the puzzle? Is it creating the next shiny new tool or platform?  Financial success?

I think it’s more. I think about many of the truly great PR practitioners I’ve been fortunate enough to meet, and what stands out in my mind is not a singular point but the fact that they are able to walk into any situation and quickly assess an issue and provide insight.  That level of skill and value isn’t built by being the best in one area of the industry but rather a dedication to being good in every aspect of the industry. Media relations- check.  Engaging writer- check. Business acumen- check. Strong leader- check.

When looking to build your own skill set, think about how you can really provide value to your clients or employer…and make yourself indispensible.  It’s a natural desire to be the best at something but if that focus is at the expense of depth overall it’s a trade that may hold you back from being truly great.

The Miracle of Teamwork

Leadership

Today, the United States Olympic hockey team will try to win its first gold medal since the legendary Miracle on Ice team of 1980.  A lot has changed in the last 30 years as this team is made up of NHL players and veterans that are far from the college team filled with kids who captivated the country, and many all over the world, decades ago.  However, the game today got me thinking about that team of kids and their accomplishment and in particular about the coach of that team, the legendary Herb Brooks.  The way he built that team is an example of outstanding leadership on so many levels.  One of the keys to their collective success was Brooks belief in teamwork.  It’s been well documented, most visibly in the motion picture Miracle by Disney, that Brooks took a unique approach to creating a team that he believed could achieve more than anyone thought possible. 

How did he do it?  There are a few specific areas that I believe are key.

  • The Right Players- One of the quotes that has always stayed with me since first hearing it was “I’m not looking for the best players, I’m lookin’ for the right ones.”  In creating a high performing team, no matter what the situation, an essential element is getting everyone to buy into the goal and to be willing to fit a role that will best support the team.  I’ve been part of some really great teams and some that probably didn’t really reach their full potential.  When you can get the “right” mix, it’s truly awe-inspiring to see how the efforts of many come together to produce more than the sum of their parts.

 

  • Egos Are Checked- Another common pitfall for teams, which ties back to understanding roles, is the interference of ego.  Let’s face it, we have them.  We all like to be recognized and viewed as good at what we do.  And, there’s nothing wrong with wanting recognition for good work; but if it becomes the source of jealousy or any member of the team focuses more on their own glory than team it can become a distraction or downright cancer to the success of the team. 

 

  • Heart- This is one of the elements that you can’t just preach or teach.  Feeling personally connected to a team has to come from each member and it has to be genuine.  For the highest performing teams, in sports or in a professional environment, you have to care about others on the team.  You won’t always be best friends, or even close with everyone, but you have to support them.  You must accept both the strengths and weaknesses of the team members and find ways to succeed together.  Brooks understood this and created a tremendously demanding environment for the team and intentionally kept them at a distance, which was unusual for him versus other coaching efforts, but it strengthened the team.  The team joined together, put differences aside, and became as it worked to reach a far greater goal.

As the United States and Canada meet today, I know that nothing will ever top the 1980 team in my eyes.  I also recognize that the reason that team was so special to me has a lot more to do with teamwork, pride, and courage than just hockey.  It’s about the miracle of teams.

Resources:

If you want to check out more about Herb Brooks and his work, you can visit http://www.herbbrooksfoundation.com

PRSA Progression

Business Communications, Leadership, Public Relations, Social Media

Let me get this out-of-the-way right at the beginning.  I am a huge PRSA supporter.  I’ve been a PRSSA and PRSA member for roughly 15 years now.  This could be construed as negative but I want to make sure that everyone understands it is meant only as a valid question in the hopes of continuing to consistently improve the offerings provided to the organization’s membership.

When I began as a recent graduate, I recall attending monthly meetings featuring some of the best and brightest in the Twin Cities.  I was honestly in awe of what many of these professionals had accomplished as I was starting my career.  Over the next decade, I was able to build relationships and connections that helped me along as I learned how to stand on my own.  PRSA played a valuable role in enhancing my career.

However, in today’s environment when so many senior communications professionals are only a Tweet or webinar away, I”m wondering if PRSA needs to alter its traditional approach to delivering value to its membership.  Access that was stunning to me years ago is now commonplace, and expected.  As professionals continue to shell out a few hundred dollars each year to be a member, what can the organization do that really delivers a significant benefit to those of you out there that support it?  What methods of programming are you interested in? Should there be a greater emphasis on webinars or perhaps more focus on a regional set of programming versus strictly local?  Or does the price point need to change to more frequent but targeted lower cost events?

As more and more professionals are struggling with justifying the cost of professional development to their employers (or paying it on their own during a tough economy) what’s the mix you’d like to see?

HAPPO to Introduce James Lockwood

Uncategorized

There are sure a lot of talented folks here in the Twin Cities.  Another introduction on this #HAPPO (Help A PR Pro Out) Friday for you.  Meet James Lockwood, a senior communicator that has a diverse background that could be well suited to a corporate or agency environment. 

My name is James Lockwood, a communications professional with a Master’s degree in public affairs who is obsessed with cycling, loves cooking, and enjoys live music.

In between those activities, I find interest in all things social and political, from the sustainable foods movement to education reform and energy innovation to the latest episode of Mad Men. I have worked media relations for the Republican National Convention; created and executed the communications plan for the launch of a new pediatric clinic; written proposals for an architectural firm looking to build multimillion dollar facilities; and engaged residents and fans alike about city services through social media (yes, snow plowing can be fan friendly).

In a world where media is a loosely defined term, I bring my experience in print, broadcast, and speech writing to give the proper voice in each medium to reach targeted audiences. I want to bring this experience to an organization that aims to create community, build fans, and move the needle more in its direction.