tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76466689753386905632024-01-23T02:14:13.644-07:00Footprint Management Systems Inc.Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563426188867667815noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-32884846656038812192014-06-03T08:16:00.000-07:002014-06-03T08:17:35.062-07:00Twerking for DummiesOriginally published in the Alaska Highway News in my column "From the Desk of the Green Eyed Girl"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX1uw3i_glT2f-zV53SgEFVmNJAKK7lMvaXmfD63Q3wNCzzWy2c_8qZkxZ855OXq0oBla1kaKpzOjLrhghKLiFotPpFHscFBUjVzycxoNpViByVWe4U7otLbLIxCpQWwItjXl50uY68DY/s1600/TWERKING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX1uw3i_glT2f-zV53SgEFVmNJAKK7lMvaXmfD63Q3wNCzzWy2c_8qZkxZ855OXq0oBla1kaKpzOjLrhghKLiFotPpFHscFBUjVzycxoNpViByVWe4U7otLbLIxCpQWwItjXl50uY68DY/s1600/TWERKING.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week I <i>“danced like no
one was watching”</i> and I stubbed my toe so badly that it bled. You know when you
hit your foot against the corner of the wall and it separates the big toe from
the toe beside it (the no name Presidents Choice toe)? Well, that is what
happened. No one was home and that infectious song “Happy” was playing on the
television. Jumping up, I began to dance around the living room, my two dogs
(who are confused and thinking I am having a seizure) are barking and darting
in and around my legs. Sweat begins to bead onto my forehead and I wonder, “exactly
how long IS this song?”. But still I continue to dance. Abandoning my fur lined
slippers, I begin to move much like I imagine Beyonce might move. My too short,
stained pajama pants with the ragged draw-string tied into a ball of knots
float about my body and I begin to twirl like Stevie Nicks. THAT is when it
happened! Pain like the pain of a thousand childbirths shot through my foot and
I crumpled to the floor: barking dogs now panicked because they are CERTAIN
that I am seizing and probably afraid that they will not get fed. Dizzy with
the pain, I attempt to see if I have truly injured myself. I see blood…….not a
lot of blood, not enough for a band aid, but there was some blood. Wiggling my
big toe and then the no name toe beside it, I check for broken bones and am
relieved that they both move freely (note to self: make a pedicure
appointment). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What the hell is happening to
me……I used to be agile like a very short, stout Ninja and now a simple Twerk
attempt is going to be my demise?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The previous week I tripped
going “up” a flight of stairs to an aircraft. Envision my laptop case on
shoulder, purse that technically should count as a carry on over the other
shoulder and carrying a suitcase that I am going to try to coax into the
overhead bin on the aircraft. Smiling…..pleased that my flight was on schedule
and we were boarding on time, I begin to climb the stairs. On the fourth step I
tripped and because my arms were full, I pitched forward in slow motion with my
chin coming to rest on the ledge below where the Flight Attendant was standing.
Her non-reaction indicated to me that she had seen this kind of thing happen
before and she waited for me to struggle to my feet. I understand she was practicing
a type of “tough love” and that I needed to realize that perhaps I was loaded
over my maximum GVW. I did get the impression that she might have been holding
back a snort of laughter/a guffaw (her shoulders were shaking so she was either
crying or laughing).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I managed to navigate the
final steps successfully and find my seat, where I now have to put everything
away. This is where the “objects may be smaller than they appear” thing
happens. I try to force my suitcase into the overhead bin. It SHOULD fit…..I
did size it using the metal sizing device located in the boarding lounge. The
Flight Attendant no longer looks cheerful and comes up beside me, “Is it too
large?”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The look on her face was
reminiscent of the look my sister Jessie would give me when she dared me to do
something. I matched her steely look with one of my own and responded, “no…..it
will fit, I KNOW it will”. Determined, I huffed and pushed, until finally it
slid down into the bin. Embarrassed that I scuffed up the edge of the opening
on the bin of what appears to be a brand new aircraft, I saw the Flight
Attendant glaring and imagined she was thinking, “this is why we can’t have
nice things”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My point is….twice this month
I have taken a tumble and I am wondering if I need to enroll myself into one of
those “I have fallen and can’t get up” programs. Is this a slow metamorphosis
beginning to occur? Will my next order from Zappos be for Velcro closing
runners? Will I begin to wear my progressives ALL the time? Stay tuned……</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-89985629562837664232014-05-30T16:27:00.000-07:002014-05-30T16:27:12.830-07:00Even Teflon can break…...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_Hoq7mDRhgeFXkd8ncTUOw7FTD8kftB85ODPWQVIt3kpsetrQUxinN2BPCpRogRzPPp3Uf2VfTgWk7IkCpl4YFVUXiWO2juiiXEGss-5jzQJqc2StqAKKLg3VMrDx6gDi1s-O97rognX/s1600/bigstock-Cute-blue-bird-cartoon-47837717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_Hoq7mDRhgeFXkd8ncTUOw7FTD8kftB85ODPWQVIt3kpsetrQUxinN2BPCpRogRzPPp3Uf2VfTgWk7IkCpl4YFVUXiWO2juiiXEGss-5jzQJqc2StqAKKLg3VMrDx6gDi1s-O97rognX/s1600/bigstock-Cute-blue-bird-cartoon-47837717.jpg" height="200" width="185" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Originally published in the Alaska Highway News May 30, 2014</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My
hands tremble as I write this, fearing that the universe will somehow get back
at me for actually saying this…..out loud….in my column in the newspaper…and now here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Okay….here
goes, “Am I alone in my distaste/dislike/it smells funny reaction to the latest
WestJet viral video?”. Titled, “<a href="http://youtu.be/mAiXnVjNrYY" target="_blank">WestJetters read tweets</a>” and a takeoff (that
was a pun) from the late night talk show host who has a segment, “Celebrities
read mean tweets”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">WestJet
might have missed the mark this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I
realize that WestJet was voted as <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/WestJet+tops+Safeway+Alberta+brand+Survey/9846905/story.html" target="_blank">Alberta’s #1 brand,</a> and was listed in the <a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1318055/westjet-ranked-in-top-100-canadian-brands" target="_blank">top100 Canadian Brands </a>and well…....I almost feel unpatriotic writing this. (You
see…..I am truly Canadian because I am apologizing before I even begin). I am
hoping that by drinking a Tim Horton’s coffee while writing this will reverse
any “bad Canadian” karma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">On
Monday, I tossed it out into the universe (my Facebook friends) to get a
reaction to the video. This is what I said, “<span style="color: #2a313d;">I like
the direction they were going but question their use of profanity (even though
the profanity was bleeped). I think that this is one video that might backfire
on them. Unless of course their brand is so solid that it is Teflon and things bounce
off (do things bounce off Teflon or slide off?). Just an observation - I would
like to know your thoughts”. Immediately after watching it, I felt that they
had deviated from their wonderfully crafted brand. They are known for smiles,
laughter, jokes and reuniting children with stuffed animals…..that brand is
big! that brand is huge! that brand is the envy of many and does not include reading mean tweets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2a313d; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Some of my friends agreed, others admitted that they enjoyed it.
So….I took to the internet to see if there was as much buzz about this video as
there was about the Christmas Video or even the April Fools Joke Video. There
wasn’t……and I think I know why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2a313d; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">First: not every video is guaranteed to be a home run. WestJet
has a wonderful way of engaging with their guests and nine times out of ten,
they have tremendous success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2a313d; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Second: The use of profanity (even though they were reading it
and bleeping it). When you see professionals using profanity, we lose respect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2a313d; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Third: </span><span style="color: #3d4452; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Some of their guests may find this video offensive and be
offended that WestJet called out some of their detractors. A sector of the
population believes that the customer is always right. Sharing those negative
comments might be perceived as disrespectful to the client base they serve. Those
individuals showcased in the video might be extremely embarrassed, humiliated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #3d4452; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Fourth: Perhaps a better idea for a video would be showcasing
some of the amazing things that happen as a result of using Twitter as well as
Westjet does. They could have read tweets that were extraordinary or tweets
that were really unusual or funny. Would that have gone “viral”? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #3d4452; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So where do we go from here? Obviously the WestJet brand is very
solid and a misstep (in my opinion) like this will not hurt their brand in the
least. They might have lost some public respect, and in particular, those who
had a different opinion of the airline – one that equated them with Disney.
That wasn’t a video you could have shared with your children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #3d4452; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As always I am in awe of their ability to master social media
and lead the industry in online engagement. I will continue to enjoy their
witty videos and twitter responses, but I wonder……..will they do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> again?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #3d4452; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Okay……I am waiting for the lightening bolt…..I smell
smoke….wait! is my hair on fire? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-1136998211871997092014-05-27T12:08:00.001-07:002014-05-27T12:08:58.327-07:00Walking with ScottI have run marathons, half marathons and 10k's…….but you would never know it. Over the past 5 years I have been lazy, lazy, lazy and with my daughter's wedding coming up in September, I know I will regret not taking my fitness and my overall "look" a bit more seriously. I have exceeded my maximum GVW and it is GO time!<br />
<br />
So today I began walking with Scott. Just for clarification, I am not <i>actually</i> walking with Scott, rather I am listening to Scott Stratten. One would think that I would download Gaga or Katy or Kanye, but no……I am a social media junkie so I downloaded every @unmarketing podcast onto my ipod and went for a power walk.<br />
<br />
The first unpodcast I listed to? "Why Crowdsourcing Matters" - funny, insightful and sheds a light (as always) on the ridiculous in the world today.<br />
<br />
Anyway……I digress. Observations from today's walk:<br />
<br />
Self Magazine should be ashamed of themselves and will retain their spot on the "mountain" for quite a while….in fact, my next walk might be complete with a "tutu" (you have to listen to the podcast for that to make sense.<br />
<br />
I need to invest in better, sturdier "underpinnings"<br />
<br />
I didn't die….nor did I feel like I was going to die (all good things)<br />
<br />
I walked for approximately 34 minutes of an undetermined distance.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unpodcast "Why Crowdsourcing Matters"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-17824880441149776082013-11-04T13:00:00.002-07:002013-11-04T13:04:07.472-07:00Meeting Peter to Hire Paul - Leveraging LinkedIn<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Recent
statistics state that Canada is the fifth largest user of the site that boasts
over 200 million members worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Why
would you want to create a LinkedIn profile? Well…..in Canada, recruiters from
many diverse sectors are logging into the site to find talent. According to
<a href="http://www.bluerisemedia.com/linkedin-stats-demographics-of-the-professional-network-infographic/" target="_blank">sources</a>, 50% of Fortune 100 companies hire through LinkedIn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">How
does LinkedIn work? It has been described as the “professional person’s answer
to Six Degrees of Separation” (about.com). This is a perfect analogy, because
it is about leveraging your own connections to make new ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Recently,
while I was waiting to depart Calgary for Las Vegas, the aircraft I was booked
on experienced mechanical difficulties, which grounded it for the night. As the
airline located an alternate aircraft, we all waited in the holding room.
Fortunately for me (I like to think in terms of Serendipity) I sat beside a
woman heading to Las Vegas to attend a LinkedIn convention. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/kellinsofor" target="_blank">Kelli Nsofor</a>, a Recruiting Specialist for <a href="http://www.compucom.com/CompuComCanada" target="_blank">Compucom Canada Co</a>., (a national IT services
and solutions company), </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">was
attending the conference to learn more about how she can better apply and
employ all of the amazing features of LinkedIn.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">In
our short time waiting for the aircraft replacement (yes….they had an alternate
aircraft available in TEN minutes!) I asked if she might be able to provide some
pointers that I could pass along to my readers and she graciously said yes.
Thank you </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Kelli!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDT3c73BB1E3KvGaBY2MrhcxKAE-IBsJ-yPUx2CXACs2ypI0DG46qUT0YMY5Hyt-1qFB0AcRhU43WGxd7uT9LkexuJDDhc2eURngMewxgCv1mIj77NjYEbwJhKKM8OBT3gldP6jzyRry4/s1600/bigstock-Linkedin-Login-Page-41367214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDT3c73BB1E3KvGaBY2MrhcxKAE-IBsJ-yPUx2CXACs2ypI0DG46qUT0YMY5Hyt-1qFB0AcRhU43WGxd7uT9LkexuJDDhc2eURngMewxgCv1mIj77NjYEbwJhKKM8OBT3gldP6jzyRry4/s320/bigstock-Linkedin-Login-Page-41367214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">What role does a Recruiter
play in our social media world?<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The
role of recruiter has certainly changed due to social media. It used to be that you looked for candidates
by posting jobs in the paper or on the job boards and the only way you
networked with candidates was networking events in person. It was much more “word of mouth”. Now recruiters tweet about jobs, post on all
social media, and network through virtual groups. Companies have profiles on Facebook and
LinkedIn, employees tweet about the goings on etc. Recruiters have become more company/brand
ambassadors than ever before. We are
usually the first contact candidates have with the company usually through some
form of social media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">What roles does LinkedIn<b> </b>play with recruiters?:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Over
the last 2-3 years, the movement has been for recruiters to become more and
more dependent on LinkedIn as a hiring tool.
Before LinkedIn, we would search the internet and job boards looking for
candidates while we posted the roles on the various job boards and in the
papers looking for candidates. This was
time consuming and could be quite costly.
We would push hard on referrals with everyone we met and hope that through
one of these means, we found the right person. Now most of my time is spent
sourcing in LinkedIn, especially for more technical roles, and working my
network there. The ability with LinkedIn
Recruiter to work as an applicant tracking system is helpful. It allows for storing candidates in
categories making it easier to find them in the future decreasing the time it
takes to find and reach out to these individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">How
important is our LinkedIn profile?: <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Your
LinkedIn profile is very important.
Without it how do we find potential candidates? If you don’t have yourself posted on any job
boards or located on the internet somewhere, or attend any networking events,
how do recruiters find you? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">LinkedIn
is a great tool that connects you with previous and present co-workers as well
as friends and family in a more professional way than Facebook. It allows for recruiters to reach you and for
you to connect with both interest and professional groups. You can also follow companies and
professional organizations that you are interested in. You can learn more about the organizations
and what they do, as well as career opportunities and future endeavours. At any time you might be called upon as a
subject matter expert, to connect with someone in your field or for a career
opportunity. You can customize what you
want. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Kelli’s
Top 5 Tips for professionals looking to update/improve their profile</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Ensure your Profile is 100% Complete and
up-to-date.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Have a “professional” photo on your profile, not a
picture of the fish you caught last summer.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Save those pictures for Facebook</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Practice
adding value to your profile.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">One of the
best ways of adding value to your network is through LinkedIn Updates. If you
share relevant and helpful insights, articles, blog posts, presentations, links
to videos, or other content, not only are you helping your network by spreading
excellent quality information that might help them, but you’re also going to
drive traffic to your LinkedIn profile.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">No typos, spelling or
grammatical errors.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Please proof read
your profile carefully.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">It is difficult
to be looked at as an “attention to detail kind of person” when you have spelling
errors on your profile.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">It’s the first
impression someone is going to have of you – let’s make it a good one.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 18px; text-indent: -24px;">Get involved in Groups and Discussions - </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -24px;">This is essential if you want to keep a high profile. This means you will need to ask questions, answer questions, link up news articles and other relevant information (see point 2 above) and you could even moderate a group. By providing value, you will be noticed by others in your industry.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Thank you Kelli for providing such valuable
information. Remember….you never know who you might be sitting beside waiting
for a plane. If you will excuse me……I need to go and dust off my LinkedIn
profile……….<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Judy</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-88114080582182686082013-10-07T10:37:00.000-07:002013-10-07T10:41:41.190-07:00Be a Customer Service Superhero<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLJ-CVUEjIjE5De_8fWqJWZLHMus9lV0G5PkITxRQtP_YSJiZXg4WDfGA5tNh0Ushyt9pLxAYOeRxl7t4LXiERrIKo6WGUyqCfiyAyQXxkjT-4erxNGdaUyiry_NEAIpn4RQI2DO6GoxZ/s1600/bigstock-A-speedometer-with-the-words-E-20583869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLJ-CVUEjIjE5De_8fWqJWZLHMus9lV0G5PkITxRQtP_YSJiZXg4WDfGA5tNh0Ushyt9pLxAYOeRxl7t4LXiERrIKo6WGUyqCfiyAyQXxkjT-4erxNGdaUyiry_NEAIpn4RQI2DO6GoxZ/s320/bigstock-A-speedometer-with-the-words-E-20583869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was in Atlanta this
past August, I was lucky enough to meet <a href="http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Leotis-Watson/746833175" target="_blank">Leotis Watson</a>, the superstar Concierge at
the <a href="http://www.emoryconferencecenter.com/" target="_blank">Emory Conference Centre Hotel</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Leotis had a desk in the
lobby, but it was a rare moment when you would find him sitting at the desk…
instead he was constantly moving throughout the area, engaging with hotel
patrons, dazzling them with his friendly smile…..making their day a little
brighter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What struck me about Mr.
Watson is that he remembered my name from the first time we met (and we all
know that I am not <i>that</i> memorable) and used my name during each of my many
comings and going through the lobby. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The day I checked out of the
hotel, I had an opportunity to chat with Leotis and told him how impressed I
was with his superior customer service skills. His response was (I am
paraphrasing….his response was much more eloquent), “Everyone is good at
something. Everyone has something with which they excel. I am good at customer
service, it is what I was meant to do”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The key to great customer
service is to always be <i>humble”</i> said
Leotis. And with that, he spied another patron entering the hotel with an
armful of bags and dashed off to help. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reminded me of a
superhero….dressed impeccably in khaki’s, a starched button down shirt and a
knitted vest – I am sure the cape was there……it was invisible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Returning home I went online
to Trip Advisor to see if anyone else was talking about this amazing superhero
concierge. Of course they were! Comments like, “Mr. Watson at the Concierge
greets you with the warmth and fervor and amazing zest for life which is so
infectious” and “The Concierge was among the very best I’ve experienced in my
travels ……made sure if I was standing in the lobby (and everyone else too) that
I/we were being taken care of and didn’t need anything (he always called me by
name)”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leotis Watson provided me
with an <i>experience</i> during my stay at
the Emory Conference Centre Hotel. He made me feel like he appreciated my
business…..a feeling that I get very rarely these days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can anyone be a customer
service superhero? Probably not……but many can improve their customer service by
modeling Leotis’ behavior.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some of them:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Be a MacGyver!: Remember how
each week Richard Dean Anderson would get out of tense situations using only a
piece of duct tape, a toothpick and a swiss army knife? You can also become a
Customer Service MacGyver. A friend experienced such a situation recently, “I
was silly enough to let my car run out of gas, and the nearest station didn’t
have fuel cans. The lady there was so nice she called her daughter to bring one
from their home for me”. No duct tape
required…..simply the ability to think outside the box.</li>
<li>Remember my name: The first
thing we all receive when we are born is our name. When someone remembers our
name and uses it properly, it speaks volumes. </li>
<li>Eat a small piece of humble
pie: Leotis said it! The key to providing great customer service is being
humble. The customer is not there to serve you….you are there to serve the
customer and the act of doing so should be
a courteous, respectful, unpretentious exchange. </li>
</ul>
<i>(blog post was also published in October 7 edition of the Daily News - "Be a Superhero")</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Judy</div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-90992178501740705812013-08-26T09:02:00.001-07:002013-08-26T09:03:57.274-07:00The Anatomy of a Flake<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you suffer from wishy-washy behavior? Are you commitment
phobic? Are you an “it’s all about the journey, not the destination (I will
explain this one further) ” kind of person? If you answered yes……..ummmmm……sorry,
but you <i>might</i> be a Flake.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOibsL44x9ulFTXQvyE_CjC5j3V6kpz1RmT-49u8bDt2ZZkhYId-B3rV3ZnwSnE32gFnf4XQdpy4cc5wc6iaafiEsxBsAlOd8Tn86lpkSl3Zs2TC2s-HujiRAG9Klf_RFr0pgmD4SfUEGv/s1600/bigstock-Flying-to-the-bowl-corn-flakes-47736328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOibsL44x9ulFTXQvyE_CjC5j3V6kpz1RmT-49u8bDt2ZZkhYId-B3rV3ZnwSnE32gFnf4XQdpy4cc5wc6iaafiEsxBsAlOd8Tn86lpkSl3Zs2TC2s-HujiRAG9Klf_RFr0pgmD4SfUEGv/s320/bigstock-Flying-to-the-bowl-corn-flakes-47736328.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bigstock photo by Madlen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Flake is an unreliable person…….someone who agrees to do
something, but never follows through. Flakey Folk or FF’s are the bane of
anyone trying to plan an event. They are like kryptonite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alyssa Currie, a twenty-something university student and
sorority recruiter (who also suggested I write about this topic) said it best: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“If we didn’t have a ‘maybe’ culture….we would not require a ‘no refund’
clause”. </span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She is correct. We have become a <i>maybe</i> culture. Why the cultural shift?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is our fault really; we have knowingly reduced attendee
accountability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In our quest to make it easier for our attendees/guests to
say ‘YES’ to the event (online registration, Facebook event requests), we have
made it much easier for attendees to cancel at the last minute. Money does not
seem to be a deterrent…..there seem to be no effective consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Something came up”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I completely forgot”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Believe it or not, Flakey Folk have an archetype. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Born with
the Flakey Gene</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> (F2nOgO): There are those born Flakey (many of whom
required a C-section because they couldn’t even commit to a “birth” date)– they
will always say yes and rarely attend any event.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Along for
the Ride</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">These are the individuals
who will check off “maybe attending” simply so that they can be a part of the
pre-event excitement. They are all about the journey and not so much about the
destination.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Late
blooming Flakes</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">: This group will become Flakes much later in life.
Scientists are unsure if the cultural shift within this aging demographic is as
a result of global warming or the higher mercury levels in fish. Perhaps they
are simply sick and tired of always being the responsible ones.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">The Busy
Beaver: </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">This highly organized but over stimulated individual will be the
first to respond to your invitation and pay the registration fee. They really
want to attend, but once the initial registration process is over, they forget
and move on to something else. Squirrel!</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thankfully…..Flakey Folk make up a very small percentage of
attendees. The majority is an amazing group who are excited about the event and
a stampede of wild buffalo will not keep them from attending (they will
probably assume it is the event pre-show and take copious instagram pictures).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are a few tips that might assist in reducing your Flake
Factor at your next event, but warning……. they are definitely no ‘panacea’ (my
word of the day):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Continue the registration conversation: The
registration process doesn’t end when the credit card payment is received. You
need to create a relationship/connection with your guests. One way to do this
is to text, tweet or call your registered attendees to thank them for
registering and give them your contact information for any follow-up questions
they may have. This can be time consuming, but works well for small events.
Text, tweet or call AGAIN about one week prior to the event to remind them of
start time, location, etc. For both large and small events, include the
calendar feature in your online registration system, which will automatically
add the event to the attendee’s calendar.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Call your “Maybe’s”: Unfortunately you have no
choice but to call to follow-up with those who have responded as “maybe
attending”. If you are frustrated with the large number of Flakey Folk
responses on Facebook who frequently use the “maybe attending” feature……perhaps
you should refrain from using Facebook as an event RSVP system?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">RVSP Old School: There is something special
about receiving an actual letter/invitation in the mail requesting your
attendance at an event. Some say that if a guest has taken the time to respond
in writing, they are more likely to attend. Furthermore, it is more difficult
for the guest to back out at the last minute because you have removed the
instant/online/click to say no feature.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Charge them accordingly: Restaurants are
becoming so frustrated with patrons who make reservations and then no show,
that they have begun requesting credit card information when the reservations
are made. If the patron does not show at the agreed upon time……..their card is
charged.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Three strikes and you are out: Associations and
Clubs who host monthly meetings tend to have higher than average no show rates.
Would a “three strikes you are out” policy be helpful?</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let’s face it……we all have a little “Flake” inside who has
reared its noncommittal head from time to time. We rarely stop and think about
how it may affect others: namely the host or the planner. The cost is both
financial and personal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you to Alyssa for the great topic suggestion!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Judy</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-23583844748098800222013-08-02T13:40:00.000-07:002013-08-02T14:19:59.119-07:00Love Lists? You have got to check out Listly!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know when you stumble across something on twitter that
makes you pause and think, “that’s really cool”? Well……that
happened to me recently:</span></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Can't believe that I just discovered <a href="https://twitter.com/listly">@listly</a> Why did I not know about this? <a href="http://t.co/wVmL6GDzRX">http://t.co/wVmL6GDzRX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23listsabouteverything&src=hash">#listsabouteverything</a><br />
— Judy Kucharuk (@judylaine) <a href="https://twitter.com/judylaine/statuses/344111917343842304">June 10, 2013</a></blockquote>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://list.ly/">Listly</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is best described as it appears in Google Search: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I instantly wanted to know more about </span><a href="http://list.ly/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listly</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and how it might be a useful tool for blogging or for events. I tweeted this:</span></div>
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I'd love to - thanks for asking <a href="https://twitter.com/judylaine">@judylaine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKellet">@NickKellet</a> would you be interested in doing a blog interview about <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23listly&src=hash">#listly</a>?<br />
— Nick Kellet (@NickKellet) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKellet/statuses/344846780241948672">June 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hank you to Nick Kellet for the Interview!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">INTERVIEW</span></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy: Couple of things right off the top.....I love your
</span><a href="https://twitter.com/NickKellet" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">twitter avatar</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! Everything about you seems to emit a great deal of positive energy. So my first
questions are so that I can get to know more about you. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you that guy all of the time? The extrovert with tremendous energy
and passion? If yes, have you always been that way?</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great question. I took my Myers Briggs test
recently for the first time. I'm </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENFP" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ENFP</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but I was only a borderline
extrovert.<br /><br />I've always got lots of energy and passion,
that's always been there, but I can sometimes get overloaded. I'm quite happy
with my own company and that's when I work on an idea, but I love to socialize
and share ideas too. That's how you make a good idea into a great one.</span></blockquote>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy: Have you always lived in Kelowna (I am from British Columbia as well) or did you
move there to taste the delicious wine and enjoy the tremendous weather?</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I moved in 2004 from the UK and yes it was very
much a lifestyle decision. Lakes, wine and powder snow are not a bad
mix. Compared to the UK, Canada is very much an outdoor lifestyle.</span></blockquote>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy: Is the Listly team made up of yourself and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/shyamster" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shyam Subramanyan</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? I notice
that he is from the Silicon Valley – how did you connect and come up with the
concept?</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Currently it is Shyam and I, but we are hiring
for UX (User Experience) design and development. Shyam began the company. He was looking at
ways to extract more value from the mass of unstructured data on the
web. Very quickly "Numbered Lists" e.g. "10 ways
to …" , "7 things you need to …" etc became an
obvious candidate.<br /><br />It turns out, <i>numbered lists are one of the most
effective forms of marketing content.</i> 30% of content are published in the
form of numbered lists<i> simply because they work.</i> More people read and
share numbered lists.<br /><br />The problem is these lists are static HTML.
That's the Listly point of difference. We make numbered list posts interactive,
collaborative and embedable. Lists posts are good, we just make them great.<br /><br />I was exploring a similar idea and that's when I
learned of Listly and discovered Shyam. We got talking and a month later we met
in person and shook on a deal to work together - I joined as co-founder.</span></blockquote>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy: How long has Listly been in existence? What was your goal in creating
Listly?</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listly launched in June 2011.<br /><br />Our goal is to be the go-to source for Lists on the web. We see lists
as a type of media, just like videos and slides. Listly is to lists as YouTube is to videos or Slideshare to slides.<br /><br />We're used to uploading videos and slides and then
embedding them on our blog, so we all get the model. Reusability is the
cornerstone of content marketing. These are what I call </span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/nickkellet/what-makes-content-social-socialetworksvscontentnetworks/%0D" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">content networks.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />We see the same opportunity for lists
as for slides, videos etc, but there's a twist. Unlike videos and slides,
lists change after the moment of publishing. They evolve.<br /><br />The slow changing, collaborative nature of Listly
lists works great to get your content found. It also keeps your
audience coming back for more. Your audience </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">invests emotionally in
your content.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We know that is significant. We're simply a collaborative form of user generated content that brands, bloggers and publishers can own and moderate.<br /><br /><i>We think of each list as a community</i>. Only people
who care about a list's topic/content will participate and contribute.<br /><br />It becomes a collaborative effort to keep your
lists accurate and current, which in turn attracts more people. We think of
lists as a kind of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"living media".</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />We've now </span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/nickkellet/top-content-vs-video-audio-vs-slides-vs-lists-vs-graphics" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">benchmarked lists against other forms of media. </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are offering this as a free service for now. All people have to do is like
the deck on slideshare and comment with their blog URL and we'll audit their
last 25 blogs posts - it's quite revealing and highly actionable.</span></blockquote>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy: I referred to Listly as “Pinterest for Lists” - is that an appropriate
description?</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kind of - I mentioned that Listly is
slideshare for lists.<br /><br /><i>Pinterest and Listly are about collections</i>. We
happen to use the metaphor of a list, pinterest uses a board, but as I
described above we see the big difference as one of collaboration.<br /><br />Listly is built on
the premise of crowdranked and crowdsourced content. It's
not about me and my boards, it's about us and our lists.<br /><br />Some call it crowdsourcing, but I think it's much
more about <i>community forming. </i>We build participation which is ultimately what
brands want, they just don't necessarily know how to go about building it.<br /><br />You think you are building participation on
Facebook, but that's not the case - you don't own the relationship and you
don't own the content.</span></blockquote>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy: I am an Meeting Planner, can you recommend ways in which an event
professional can use Listly for an event?</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have lots of people using listly to help get more
value from events . </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've written a </span><a href="http://blog.list.ly/2013/07/02/10-strategies-to-maximize-event-participation-not-just-attendance/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blog post </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around
that topic. </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Essentially you need to think about
</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">elongating the event window in order to maximize it's value</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to you the organizer
and most importantly the participant. </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think of what value your can bring
before, during and after an event. </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think about attendees, speakers,
and content. </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let people crowdsource the attendee
list. Let people figure out who they want to network with before they
arrive at the event.</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Events are frenzied and once you
arrive, you loose the ability to plan. Blink and the event is over. So when you
think about educating the attendees / participants to extract value
before, during and after the event, they are left with a much more
positive impression and a much stronger ROI.</span></span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Nick - some great information about the value of using Listly.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you missed the links in the blog post:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can check out Listly </span><a href="http://list.ly/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HERE</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow the energetic Nick Kellet </span><a href="https://twitter.com/NickKellet" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HERE</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My blog post wouldn't be complete if I didn't begin and share a list: </span><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="122" scrolling="no" src="http://list.ly/plugin/widget?list=6VG-canadian-eventprofs-sustainability" width="600"></iframe><br />
<br />
Judy<br />
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<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-17451316179080778102013-07-29T19:41:00.000-07:002013-07-29T19:45:48.274-07:00Surprise by Design<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am addicted to <a href="http://www.ted.com/" target="_blank">TED </a>talks in
the same way some folks are addicted to <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. TED holds two annual conferences per year (one of them will now be hosted in
Vancouver next year...yay <a href="http://www.vancouverconventioncentre.com/canada-thinks-big/" target="_blank">Vancouver Convention Centre</a>) which I can dream of one day attending. In the meantime, I watch TED talks online and it was during one of these viewings, that I stumbled upon
<a href="http://www.tedxteen.com/speakers-performers/tedxteen-2013/133-tania-luna" target="_blank">Tania Luna and the concept of “Surprisology”</a> (this particular talk was on the TEDxTeen site - Tania also has talks on the TED home site)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tania speaks about gratitude
and the concept of the appreciating the moment. She also talks about the
amazing feeling that washes over us when we are surprised. You can check out
her website at <a href="http://surpriseindustries.com/">surpriseindustries.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is the best part of a
surprise?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip56EEE1aqCTmKuH6qK4za9ar7HdR4IR2rp0sKg94gbw4cR_qb-UwoK6vRnSNxWDtZcFod5-_veRIG5yKOEzQzXJXjmOuwWVLQ_1MgmADO2ARokJIe_PEJhxyA0y0BM6j-WN_PNJBM4-pa/s1600/bigstock-Surprised-baby-39792139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip56EEE1aqCTmKuH6qK4za9ar7HdR4IR2rp0sKg94gbw4cR_qb-UwoK6vRnSNxWDtZcFod5-_veRIG5yKOEzQzXJXjmOuwWVLQ_1MgmADO2ARokJIe_PEJhxyA0y0BM6j-WN_PNJBM4-pa/s320/bigstock-Surprised-baby-39792139.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is the look on the face of those involved at the point that they
realize that it is really happening. It is the “wow” moment. Luna calls it the
“freeze” effect or the “duh” face because it hijacks all of our senses and
stops us in our tracks. What about the
child who tastes lemon for the first time – think about the look on their wee face.
Shock followed by realization. It turns out that something else happens when we
are surprised…… we learn.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We habitually drive the same
route every day to go to work. The novelty has worn off and we now travel on
autopilot – not taking any notice of our surroundings. What if you decided to
change it up and go another way? Your senses would be heightened, you would be
much more aware of the turns you are making, the people you are seeing. You
would be looking at your daily drive through fresh eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The same premise can be
applied to a conference. When we surprise our attendees, they become engaged.
When they become engaged, they are much more likely to learn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some examples of where you
can add the element of surprise at your next event:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speakers: Hire speakers with
a message that is untraditional, a message that evokes an emotional response
from the audience……someone with whom the attendees may disagree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Entertainment: What about a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYWPwVpgxWo" target="_blank">music group that poses as the wait-staff </a>and then suddenly breaks into song. A wonderful surprise!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Food: introducing
non-traditional conference food can create conversation. Provide a juicing machine and a selection of fruits and
veggies - invite guests to create their own super juice. Interrupt their meal
selection with something a little different – make them go “wow”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Go from Day to Night: Have you ever considered scheduling your conference sessions in the evening and giving attendees the daytime hours to go sightseeing or to participate in a daytime team building exercise?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Room layout: what if
attendees walked into a room that had no tables or chairs? What if the room was
full of bean-bags, exercise balls and benches? Granted….this approach might not
work in many situations, but occasionally, it would be a welcome change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tahira Endean, Director - Creative & Production, Cantrav Services recently wrote in her blog post titled, "<a href="http://tahiralovesevents.blogspot.ca/2013/05/power-of-collective.html" target="_blank">Power of the Collective</a>" that "....<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">Flashmobs are another great example of bringing people together in an unexpected way". She is correct! The best part of a flashmob is looking at the faces of those watching as they begin to realize what is actually happening. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The element of surprise can
be healthy. It keeps life from becoming boring….it keeps US from becoming
boring, it keeps our brain active. Pick up a book that you would normally have
passed over in favour of another, try a food that you normally shy away from,
listen to a different type of music – embrace the concept of being surprised.
You never know…..you might learn something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I would love to hear other examples of using the element of surprise at a conference or event!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Judy</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-21583101757471743992013-07-18T13:22:00.001-07:002013-07-18T13:26:18.764-07:00Why shoot the messenger service?<!--StartFragment-->
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Do you think cities should be on social media? City of <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23princegeorge&src=hash">#princegeorge</a> deactivates Facebook and Twitter accounts <a href="http://t.co/9e9BYfCTW2">http://t.co/9e9BYfCTW2</a><br />
— CBC Daybreak North (@daybreaknorth) <a href="https://twitter.com/daybreaknorth/statuses/357849428712898560">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning I chimed in on the above twitter conversation. <a href="http://princegeorge.ca/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">The City of Prince George</a> had announced its decision to temporarily suspend or render dormant, both their Facebook and
twitter accounts. They announced that they are currently reviewing their use of
social media and during this assessment phase, they are basically unplugging from social
media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At
this point, we do not know if the severed connection will be permanent or only
temporary, but over 2000 thousand facebook fans (many of which are probably residents of Prince George) are left wondering, “why?”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What
would be the purpose of unplugging during this time of review? Certainly there
are analytics that they can use whilst still being engaged with their
community? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did
something happen? (wild speculation abounds)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am wondering…..will their evaluation delve into what the value
of the Social Media engagement was to subscribers? What the consequences of
unplugging will be?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not familiar with either of the City of Prince George social
media accounts, but certainly there would be many of the 2000+ fans who checked
the site regularly for information. Where do they go for that information now?
The city website? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck with that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
success of any social media account is tied to engagement. Engagement is not a
one-way stream of information: it is sharing information, providing feedback.
It is the realization that you need to give in order to get. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Engage.
Inform. Retweet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three
little words: so very powerful in mastering social media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook
and twitter should not be used simply as a bulletin board to announce the next
Farmer’s Market, or Town Hall budget meeting – otherwise you should abandon it in favour of a piece of
bristol board and a permanent marker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why?
Why abandon such an important conduit for communication? A system that can
assist you in:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.55pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 17.15pt; text-indent: -11.35pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Early
warning in case of local emergency <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.55pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 17.15pt; text-indent: -11.35pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local
event/tourism promotion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.55pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 17.15pt; text-indent: -11.35pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting
feedback via survey links<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.55pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 17.15pt; text-indent: -11.35pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Authentic,
real time engagement on local issues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acting
as a portal for the community<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Case
in point. Can anyone truly quantify the tremendously important and positive
role that social media played in the crisis in Southern Alberta? Mayor Nenshi and his superior command
of twitter helped facilitate a Herculean effort by his community following the
flooding.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Lots of business owners in flood-damaged neighbourhoods are still hurting. Make a plan to eat and shop there this week!<br />
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) <a href="https://twitter.com/nenshi/statuses/357596759666597889">July 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
</div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/nenshi">@nenshi</a> help High River get info out. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23abfloods&src=hash">#abfloods</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23highriver&src=hash">#highriver</a> <a href="http://t.co/QyRqMaWvkr">http://t.co/QyRqMaWvkr</a><br />
— TownOfHighRiver (@TownOfHighRiver) <a href="https://twitter.com/TownOfHighRiver/statuses/356902021166673920">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Don't forget, blue bin collection back to normal this week! Only items IN the bin will be collected, as always. Store extra or depot!<br />
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) <a href="https://twitter.com/nenshi/statuses/354048055974178817">July 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
</div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Followers
looked to him for guidance, for assistance, for information. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
informed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
engaged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
retweeted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My
question after learning of the City of Prince George decision: Why would any
community deliberately sever that important conduit of communication?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-75032321285087603012013-07-17T14:03:00.000-07:002013-07-17T14:11:40.925-07:00Bl!nk: The Rx for your Association<!--StartFragment-->
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva;">Let’s face it. Many Associations are struggling:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzzoPkMDr9Dny7_ehxKCk8HW1j-RZ_ZiJxBDuRcZUDdx455X3gtrf7hkwYS1LPXoU0OgxcxIsuo_uPWc4JRzKzrQb9SAOzy9wt6YbzDHpTXrIj2zmyn3TcvDvMMv8E3dpukutAuj2PG46/s1600/Blink+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzzoPkMDr9Dny7_ehxKCk8HW1j-RZ_ZiJxBDuRcZUDdx455X3gtrf7hkwYS1LPXoU0OgxcxIsuo_uPWc4JRzKzrQb9SAOzy9wt6YbzDHpTXrIj2zmyn3TcvDvMMv8E3dpukutAuj2PG46/s320/Blink+Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva;">Membership declining</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva;">Lagging conference
attendance</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva;">Disengaged or
disenfranchised membership</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Geneva;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><u><b>How can Bl!nk help?</b></u></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">Created
by Judy Kucharuk, Green Meeting Specialist & Sustainability Consultant with
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ArialMT;"><a href="http://www.managefootprint.com/"><span style="color: #3d751f; font-family: Geneva; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Footprint Management
Systems Inc.</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">
and Elizabeth Henderson, Sustainability Strategist with <a href="http://meetingchange.wordpress.com/our-people/" target="_blank">Meeting Change</a>, Bl!nk™ was developed as a way to engage
Association membership in an exciting new way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Geneva;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u>What is Bl!nk?</u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Geneva;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Geneva;">An
individual Bl!nk™ Presentation lasts for a minimum of 2 minutes and a
maximum of 5 minutes. These are <i>rapid-fire</i></span><span style="font-family: Geneva;"> presentations are meant to keep the audience engaged. High energy and fast
moving! There are few rules…..the presentation needs to reflect the
individuality of the person(s) presenting. It comes with no string attached: No
auto-advancing slides every 15 or 20 seconds, no specialized format. Quite
simply, Bl!nk is an “opportunity” – an opportunity to be heard, be noticed.
Designed for the new member or the member who wants to engage, but doesn’t have
enough material for a half hour presentation or the skill set the beat the
clock Pecha Kucha or Ignite style.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Geneva;">It is for the
presentation that doesn’t quite fit in the conventional “box”.<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aIGp1CvPHGlp1Nj_tbYYZhgotyFsu8BlT2l_AbXYHmbd-Y4WB6kfUK6UuJxmpHi92eGqeCPuXAjYt1MsjU19dJJxi6FpPAHZTswTW4I2W0oNc-vW_yYEHHBlHjFKQn5uc5tvJEn4NCkW/s1600/bigstock-Think-Outside-The-Box-181835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aIGp1CvPHGlp1Nj_tbYYZhgotyFsu8BlT2l_AbXYHmbd-Y4WB6kfUK6UuJxmpHi92eGqeCPuXAjYt1MsjU19dJJxi6FpPAHZTswTW4I2W0oNc-vW_yYEHHBlHjFKQn5uc5tvJEn4NCkW/s320/bigstock-Think-Outside-The-Box-181835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Geneva;">The Bl!nk™ Presentations
were “introduced so that we can get to know one another in different,
meaningful ways and as a result, find connections that we didn’t know existed.
These presentations are about what we miss, about discovering the magic among
us” and were specifically designed for a conference or congress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Geneva;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Geneva;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; line-height: 25pt; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i>Blink – To close and open one or both<br />of the eyes rapidly.</i></b></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Geneva;">A blink of an eye takes approximately 300-400 milliseconds...or about 1/3 of a second. Think about it....33 percent of that second is given over to complete blindness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Geneva;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Geneva;">We...as humans, blink an average of 15,000 times per day, which means that we have our eyes closed for approximately 5,250,000 milliseconds per day (seriously? Wow!)....which calculates to 5,250 seconds per day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Geneva;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Geneva;">Based on my mathematical calculations using an extremely sharp pencil and Google, this means that.....on average, we (humans) spend over an hour each day blinking.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">So……my question to each and every one of you is…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">“Do you ever wonder what you miss?”</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;"><i>“Through
the passage of time, Associations may become predictable with their conference
content and the membership can disengage”. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">Bl!nk™
was developed to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">· <b>
</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Geneva;"><b>Engage new members</b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Geneva;">·<b>
Curate content</b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Geneva;">·<b>
Discover connections</b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Geneva;"><b><i>Engage
New Members</i></b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">: Bl!nk™ provides
an opportunity for new members to introduce themselves in a unique manner which
may assist them with building relationships within the Association or
Organization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Geneva;"><b><i>Curate
Content:</i></b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">
A Bl!nk™ presentation can become a way to curate new content for
future conferences and education. Through the introduction of Bl!nk™ presentations,
conference organizers can see which content creates the most buzz, the most
conversation, the most “retweets”, providing valuable data when moving forward
with future conferences or planning educational opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Geneva;"><b><i>Discover
Connections:</i></b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;"> A
famous saying is, “we don’t know, what we don’t know” and Bl!nk™ presentations
can assist with discovering connections that we didn’t know were there. There
is magic among us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Is Bl!nk new?</b></span></u></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">Bl!nk
was first introduced in 2012 at the GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference in
Montreal and was also included in the 2013 GMIC Sustainable Meetings
Conference in Chicago. Poetry, music, comedy, traditional powerpoint….each presentation
was a little different, very personalized and the participants enjoyed a freedom of expression
unlike any opportunity provided before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">Are
you interested in learning more about Bl!nk or bringing the presentation style
to your next Association event? Feel free to contact me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">Judy
Kucharuk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Geneva;">(250)
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The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-7186979942329170782013-07-15T12:49:00.000-07:002013-07-15T12:49:17.338-07:00Distracted Living <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKCOVKsgAIFwpjLH4dkv_FrraZg0dMiaVKEIMfD2mkOCnMlgFlwIfC3BUVFkIppTUqUi271LWvoWXRFXjf7-VoI71mVttiJG0fRRQB9_F0cDeyd_tG9yGzuzhEPMvftSrX9XgSa3wIZGY/s1600/Forever-is-composed-of.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKCOVKsgAIFwpjLH4dkv_FrraZg0dMiaVKEIMfD2mkOCnMlgFlwIfC3BUVFkIppTUqUi271LWvoWXRFXjf7-VoI71mVttiJG0fRRQB9_F0cDeyd_tG9yGzuzhEPMvftSrX9XgSa3wIZGY/s400/Forever-is-composed-of.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quozio.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Originally published in </i><a href="http://www.dawsoncreekdailynews.ca/article/20130709/DAWSONCREEK0304/130709942/-1/dawsoncreek0304/distracted-living" target="_blank"><i>Dawson Creek Daily News</i></a><i> July 9, 2013</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If something life-changing occurs and no one takes an Instagram photo of it, did it ever </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">really</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> happen?</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If it doesn’t appear in a Facebook timeline or get announced to the world in a tweet, do we still care?</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We live in a world that measures the success or failure of a life event by the amount of “Likes” or “Retweets” that it generates [insert heavy sigh here].</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Isn’t that kind of sad?</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Instead of enjoying a memorable moment, we spend those moments taking video and pictures so that we can enjoy it later? We hide behind the camera or smartphone, looking down into our lap, tweeting, texting to prove that we were there. To whom are we proving it? Do you ever wonder what you are missing when you are looking into your lap?</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Distracted DRIVING is deadly, but what about distracted LIVING?</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have lost the ability to live in the moment – myself included.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We love to listen to a great storyteller, but instead of allowing them to create an elaborately constructed picture in our minds we insist that they compress it into short, 140 character paragraphs. We request that they make it "tweetable".</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Everything is getting shorter, faster – we are compressing life.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is the answer? How can we begin living a less distracted life?</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Turn off the phone at the end of the workday: easier said than done – I realize that (the only time my phone is off is when the battery dies). If you historically leave your phone on 24/7, ease into this concept slowly. Begin by turning it off at 9:00 p.m., and then decrease it by one hour each night. Who knows? Eventually you may be able to turn it off at 5 p.m. without feeling as though you are slacking off.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Announce your intentions: Change your voice message to something like, “If you are calling after 5 p.m., I will return your call after 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning”. Experts call this “setting boundaries”.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quit being the family videographer!: If you must capture a moment on film – have someone else do it, leaving you to enjoy the actual moment as it occurs. There is no replay button on life.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Commit to one social media free day each week: Pick a day that you unplug from social media. No Facebook updates, no chatter on Twitter.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am addicted to social media. I react like one of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_conditioning" target="_blank">Pavlov's Dogs</a> when I hear the “ding” of my blackberry. The urge to check my phone, to determine the origin of the ding (was it an email, a Facebook comment, a tweet) is so overwhelming that I disconnect from the actual moment.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This overload of technology is not making us smarter. A <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4471607.stm" target="_blank">study by the British Institute of Psychiatry</a> found that “…excessive use of technology reduced workers’ intelligence”. The IQ dropped significantly when under the influence of “infomania”.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our “infomania” combined with the urge to multi-task is unhealthy. It causes stress, anxiety and who knows? It might even begin to change our brain chemistry.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Emily Dickinson wrote, “Forever is composed of now’s”. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She was right. Let’s make memories the old fashioned way, let’s live them.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Judy</span></div>
The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-50869548223112670812013-07-08T12:03:00.000-07:002013-07-08T12:03:05.452-07:00Learning is fun!
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Posted originally in the Dawson Creek Daily News July 2nd</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am going to admit something. I don’t really know how to
use a measuring tape properly. I mean…of course I know how to physically use
the tape; it is the reading of the tape that causes me (and those around me) so
much angst.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Case in point. When I was asked to measure my front door for
my husband, who was downtown looking for a replacement door, I responded
with, “It looks like it is 31 and then
8…..no, maybe 9 little lines”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__ACAK6yYZOrfRp_M-aOTDFoaU6a-tH5x-54lRFk1y3wZ-EE203ERj0Qw-8Utj8hEzmNPWdf1AITb5fAE7f-FxtYmNno7XkHbDwHE4Zn3qLcmtsGr6EoaobH8ijsStfWv3d-4bCxFG2pt/s1600/bigstock-Measuring-Tape-4909760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__ACAK6yYZOrfRp_M-aOTDFoaU6a-tH5x-54lRFk1y3wZ-EE203ERj0Qw-8Utj8hEzmNPWdf1AITb5fAE7f-FxtYmNno7XkHbDwHE4Zn3qLcmtsGr6EoaobH8ijsStfWv3d-4bCxFG2pt/s320/bigstock-Measuring-Tape-4909760.jpg" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I think I heard a scream….probably a coyote or
something. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He didn’t pick up a door that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My feeling is that the only people who need to use
sixteenths or thirty-seconds are NASA folks and perhaps people who build
prosthetic limbs. Everyone else is just showing off. Little ol’ me has no need
to venture that far into the fraction world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It does not go unnoticed that I have not fully embraced the
metric system yet either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not math illiterate, but I am not a savant either. I am
somewhere in the middle with momentary flashes of brilliance and small gaps of
ineptitude. The measuring tape thingy falls into one of the gaps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have other strengths. As a troubleshooter, I can come up
with ways (coping mechanisms) to deal with my measuring tape issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I could use a string and take said string down to the
hardware store!</li>
<li>I could take a marker and put a little dot on the measuring
tape and then take the tape with me to the store!</li>
<li>I could take a picture of the marked up measuring tape, clearly
showing the measurement, and then show the picture to the helpful folks at the
hardware store!</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just heard another scream……..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not the only person in the world who struggles with
reading a measuring tape. I recall that my Automotive Instructor friend would
teach a “reading measuring tape” class at the beginning of the school year. I
am certain he did it to save his own sanity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Considering my shortcomings, one would think that I would be
more empathetic towards those who also have difficulty with problems involving
math.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am empathetic, unless it verges on the ridiculous………<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, a very good friend of mine relayed a story to me
and gave me permission to share it with all of you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Jane” was catering a meal for a large group of people, and
needed to pre-order some buns from a bakery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane approaches the bakery counter and is assisted by a
smiling, young bakery employee. Let’s listen in…..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane: “I need to pre-order some buns for an event next week”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bakery employee: “No problem, how many would you like to
order”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane (refers to her guest list and does some calculating in
her head): “I think I should order about 175 or 180. Let’s do 180, then I will
have some extra”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bakery employee: “We sell them by the dozen, so I will have
to figure that out”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The young bakery employee proceeds to bring out her
calculator and begin calculating while Jane looks on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12 x 6? Nope…shakes her pretty head<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12 x 7? Nope….shakes it again<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12 x ………<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
STOP!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane (baffled by what she is seeing, looking around to see
if she is on a Just for Laughs program but seeing no cameras, now begins to
speak very slowly to the young employee): “Perhaps if you take 180 and divide
it by 12, you will come up with the answer”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bakery employee (big smile on her face because she has now
learned a “trick”): “It’s 15! You need 15 dozen buns”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane: “I need half to be whole-wheat and half to be white”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bakery employee writes down 15 whole-wheat and 15 white<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane (no longer interested in continuing with the teachable
moment): “No….I don’t need 360 buns. Just give me 8 dozen whole-wheat and 8
dozen white”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I just heard some screams……..coyotes again?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Judy</div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-55868366416193274742013-07-08T10:55:00.000-07:002013-07-08T10:59:11.077-07:00No Swag Left Behind......<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, I had the
opportunity to read a blog post from a gal named Jen , author of the blog “The
Martha Project” titled, “<a href="http://www.themarthaproject.com/2013/06/24/so-youre-going-to-be-hosting-blogher-at-your-hotel/" target="_blank">So you are going to be hosting Blogher at your hotel……”</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jen penned an…….let’s call it “instructional” post for the Chicago Sheraton to assist them with catering to
the needs of the<a href="http://www.blogher.com/blogher-13" target="_blank"> 2013 Blogher Conference </a>attendees. Her post has sparked a firestorm of comments and a wee bit of a controversy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One piece of advice jumped
off the page and sadly….provoked a physical reaction that caused me to spill my
morning coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love my morning coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What could possibly have
caused such a reaction?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_doJi9Q98XAAiSOYpMRZ_HT4mFPr2MJp4L7ODXugN-Q7jc8aiLtuGgLthW9WuUZxs0YzA_Opc0IQFlEdNlHIhRwxiqU7LAwa0B90Pf3RRusnEOelnEAHV0EKlryXfnmkGhahWZ6GHrUKz/s1600/swag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_doJi9Q98XAAiSOYpMRZ_HT4mFPr2MJp4L7ODXugN-Q7jc8aiLtuGgLthW9WuUZxs0YzA_Opc0IQFlEdNlHIhRwxiqU7LAwa0B90Pf3RRusnEOelnEAHV0EKlryXfnmkGhahWZ6GHrUKz/s640/swag.png" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who knew?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had no clue that there were still conferences that did
that kind of thing. I had no clue that there were still conferences where
attendees would receive so much “swag” that they would have to leave three feet
of “stuff” stacked in their closet with a note explaining that housekeeping
could have it. If you don’t want your
crap….what makes you think that Housekeeping does? And why does it suddenly
become the responsibility of Housekeeping?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That was the comment that made me spill me precious java. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a sustainable meeting planner, swag is looked at very
carefully, very thoughtfully. I am a wee bit horrified that a high level event
such as Blogher may not have a policy in place to limit wasteful/unwanted swag.
And while we are on the subject of policy……Jen advises that the hotel should
come up “….with a policy for items left behind in the room for housekeeping”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ummmmm…..no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The <b>Blogher
conference organizers</b> should be creating the policy surrounding swag and
communicating that policy to expo or tradeshow participants. If Blogher already has a policy surround swag then.....the</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Blogher conference attendees </b>should have an </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ethical policy</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> NOT to accept items that
they will not use or items that will simply get left in their hotel room for
Housekeeping to manage or dispose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is a silver lining…..If the attendee’s of Blogher are
the “shopping powerhouse of the family”, then this conference has a <b>tremendous</b> opportunity to influence
behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">YAY!!!! OPPORTUNITY!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know many sustainable meeting planners who would LOVE the
opportunity to green the Blogher conference….myself included.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After I cleaned up my coffee and poured a fresh cup, I
immediately sent this tweet to Heidi Thorne. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3ZaLBtqMe2o73hn6dBlCA_zRCwpFbOEv66Yi1juRhSqTfCHug6qymk-8VI_s6A1c0aIsH3KB-h77KyXuHx0JBm-duRq7cYUzViOxDgj0KzaPrn1JiA5amMWf-hDYyE32Iy8MIRZRvzdC/s1600/tweet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3ZaLBtqMe2o73hn6dBlCA_zRCwpFbOEv66Yi1juRhSqTfCHug6qymk-8VI_s6A1c0aIsH3KB-h77KyXuHx0JBm-duRq7cYUzViOxDgj0KzaPrn1JiA5amMWf-hDYyE32Iy8MIRZRvzdC/s640/tweet.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heidi is<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> a promotional products marketing expert and speaker and has a background in the tradeshow and hospitality industries. She is also editor of the Promo With Purpose Today <a href="http://pwptoday.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> and author of <a href="http://booklocker.com/books/5574.html" target="_blank">SWAG: How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business.</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heidi is also a friend and I knew that she would have something to contribute to this conversation:</span></span></div>
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<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I totally agree that it is not the hotel's responsibility to deal with the overabundance of swag, it's the conference's. Being from a hotel background, I recognize that this creates a difficult scenario for the Housekeeping Department. Housekeeping personnel are instructed not to mess with guests' belongings. Say the Housekeeping Manager observes one of the staff walking out with a bunch of these items (since Jen says they were nice). Was it given to the staffer? Or stolen? It puts the Housekeeping staff in a difficult position.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Jen's defense, I understand the problem. I've been to these types of affairs myself and come home with a TON of swag that I don't know what to do with. What I usually do is donate it to our local charities. But for those who are traveling by air and have to drag the swag home, it's a problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I'd suggest is a "Share the Swag" collection bin near the exits of the conference on each day. Since it appears that many of the items were of good quality, they could be donated to a local charity, maybe a women's shelter. The charity may even agree to pick up the items in exchange for some plugs during the conference or even a donation. Otherwise, the conference could box them up and ship them to the charity. True, sponsors may be a bit unsettled by this plan. But alerting them in advance of the program may make them think twice about what they are giving away.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is also the conference's duty to guide sponsors on what is appropriate for the group. Conferences can even limit the amount and type of swag that is distributed, selling those limited items as sponsorships. For example, a conference could have a T shirt sponsor, a water bottle refreshment sponsor, etc. I've observed a couple of events over the years who have done this and I think it's the alternative to a giant bag o' swag that no one wants. It also eliminates the duplication of items. No one needs three water bottles.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks Heidi! You have provided some great tips. Thanks to Jen from "The Martha Project" for sparking so many different conversations about the importance of rethinking giveaways. The time for deciding what to do about the swag is BEFORE the event, not during.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Judy</span><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-58935173851203381732013-06-03T11:18:00.001-07:002013-06-03T11:18:49.560-07:00Greenwashing: "Putting a Bird on It"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVZJIozJqhrWfi7XIo_q8IASoC31XQm_fcz6oXVKfrCFeGUK641c6Cg2BLwgjpAJeNKJ6n3sXExrxwPyODcla3HZCh_iMe59b-kC1GH4P_K7abyHi1zyH6PxgL9YuRY9EBc086AnrCbhyphenhyphen/s1600/bigstock-twittering-bird-cartoon-30516398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVZJIozJqhrWfi7XIo_q8IASoC31XQm_fcz6oXVKfrCFeGUK641c6Cg2BLwgjpAJeNKJ6n3sXExrxwPyODcla3HZCh_iMe59b-kC1GH4P_K7abyHi1zyH6PxgL9YuRY9EBc086AnrCbhyphenhyphen/s320/bigstock-twittering-bird-cartoon-30516398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you
ever watched <a href="http://www.tv.com/shows/portlandia/" target="_blank">Portlandia?</a> I love that show! It is a laugh out loud satirical
comedy that shamelessly mocks some of our “first world issues”. Yes…..you can
understand why I like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My
favourite episode of Portlandia (second only to the “Cacao” episode) is the
episode where <span style="color: #343434;">Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein
(stars and creators of the program) mock the trend where folks put a bird on
absolutely everything: purses, glassware, clothes……and suddenly, after a little
artisanal embellishment, they are transformed into something worthy of the
spend. Owl much?<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iHmLljk2t8M" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It got me
thinking……about greenwashing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Greenwashing:
defined as “…. <span style="color: #1e1e1e;">the act of misleading consumers regarding
the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a
product or service.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So…..in essence, when a company is
guilty of greenwashing, they are simply “Putting a bird on it” and tricking
consumers into believing that they are worthy of the spend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Gosh! I
love it when a good metaphor comes together. Put a bow on this one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How can
consumers protect themselves from getting tricked? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Beware of
a sudden trend: when you begin seeing the same wording over and over on
products (yes….that damn bird again), you should be wary. The manufacturer may
be committing one of the <a href="http://sinsofgreenwashing.org/" target="_blank">“Seven Sins of Greenwashing”</a> (Terrachoice):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sin of the hidden tradeoff</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The sin of no proof</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The sin of vagueness</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sin of worshipping false
labels</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sin of irrelevance</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sin of the lesser of two evils</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The sin of fibbing</span></span></li>
</ol>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Terrachoice
warns consumers to be wary of meaningless terminology that has no scientific
basis, i.e. eco-safe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don’t
feel badly if you have been a victim of greenwashing….. believe me, we ALL have
from time to time. How can we be better at spotting the “bird” on our products?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsL6TzWFrofNzksrTYraWrxm5N8p5z5LhNkLB20HGAbvFDdaQJwcvk74dZyTvDBWEJM5M33phHuUZicdHYvxaDyRqSpFsF4ya1BHrqfqzFWMPn84c6iNTo1xNGKkRXRcBdAMnMTgZq9bZ/s1600/6237_10151527739605050_358305420_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsL6TzWFrofNzksrTYraWrxm5N8p5z5LhNkLB20HGAbvFDdaQJwcvk74dZyTvDBWEJM5M33phHuUZicdHYvxaDyRqSpFsF4ya1BHrqfqzFWMPn84c6iNTo1xNGKkRXRcBdAMnMTgZq9bZ/s320/6237_10151527739605050_358305420_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Look for
the word “green” – if you see the word “green”, it bears further investigation.
What do they mean it’s green? It might be guilty of at least 4 of the sins
(Green-Eyed Event Planner……I actually do have green eyes, so I am…errrr [cough]
guilty of perhaps one sin).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Look up
your labels in advance – find out which environmental labels are legitimate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Beware
the environmental oxymoron: safe pesticides, paperless meeting (don’t get me
started on the paperless meeting claims…paperless doesn’t mean paper-free…so
perhaps that is more of an eco-conundrum wrapped in BPA free plastic wrap,
dipped in fair-trade chocolate and surrounded by cage free chickens).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is
okay to be a little cynical about environmental claims. When manufacturers know
that the public is watching them closely, and calling them out using social
media, they will be less likely to commit a “sin”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So……the
next time you go shopping, beware the “birds” of greenwashing….and perhaps
watch a few episodes of Portlandia.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Judy</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-18881009741687401472013-05-25T10:10:00.001-07:002013-05-25T10:11:29.776-07:00Is Your Conference Like a Pair of “2 Hour Shoes”?<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me explain…..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are some shoes that I own. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYz-mLefFcdXbDtu8KHhSjNcz99c2-2obbzn8kqfIxsnGNAf-MmWqo9drKJSXaUpjoE0vQAI7PJL3tSN7DcJRuAmo8Qsez6P4ImzRdzbVoYaMrqAJ3-JqxcBIpk1eSOG4WD2F4DlS_hKc/s1600/Judyshoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYz-mLefFcdXbDtu8KHhSjNcz99c2-2obbzn8kqfIxsnGNAf-MmWqo9drKJSXaUpjoE0vQAI7PJL3tSN7DcJRuAmo8Qsez6P4ImzRdzbVoYaMrqAJ3-JqxcBIpk1eSOG4WD2F4DlS_hKc/s320/Judyshoes.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I first saw them on the shelf of the shoe store I
inhaled slightly, a little breathlessly like supermodels do – they were
spectacular…. “I was in love”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soft leather to gently cradle my feet, platform heels to bring me to a
respectable height, in a beautiful shade of milky cream to match…well to match
everything. I tried them on in the shoe store, rolling up the pant-legs of my
jeans to see how they looked in the weird little angled mirror they have
specifically designed for that purpose. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh.My.Gawd. Perfection!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They screamed, “Buy me!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I did. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The perfect opportunity to wear the shoes came soon after. I
slipped into a glittery gold dress and put my magical new shoes on. They were
exactly as I remembered….</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like Cinderella in her glass slippers…..off to the party I
went. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made my entrance in my new shoes….standing so tall in my
platforms, the high heels forcing my rear end to create a slight “booty-tooch”
which belied its age. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flash forward two hours. My feet are bare and those damn
shoes….objects of torture are abandoned in a pile under my table. I am walking
slightly hobbled now, blisters adorn my heels….my booty no longer “tooches”. I
am mad that I bought the damn shoes and feeling terribly disappointed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My closet contains one or two pair of 2 hour shoes…..shoes that I once coveted, believing that somehow they would make me look different, feel different. They didn't live up to expectations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been to conferences that remind me a little of my “2
Hour Shoes”. Events that lure me in with a fabulous website, creative marketing
and wild promises of superior education and networking opportunities. Don't get me wrong, those are all great things......but only if they deliver.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Day one – fabulous</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Day two – face palm…..disappointment….can’t get out of there
fast enough</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hobbled with disappointment….barely getting through it,
hating each and every step – looking for a way out. Fly home mad thinking about wasted time and money.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My office drawer contains one or two lanyards…..lanyards
from conferences that cost me a lot of money to attend and
unfortunately…..failed to deliver. They simply didn’t live up to the hype.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year I wrote a post called, “<a href="http://www.managefootprint.blogspot.ca/2012/10/pricing-disappointment.html" target="_blank">Pricing Disappointment”</a>
where I said, “You cannot put a price-tag on disappointment <i>especially</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> if it is a disappointing experience”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In many situations you have only one opportunity to make a
good first impression: to attendees, to sponsors, to stakeholders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a conference planner, there is only one thing worse than attending a crappy conference...and that is planning one.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are some tips:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Don’t over-promise and under-deliver</li>
<li>Promote clear goals and objectives</li>
<li>Be honest</li>
<li>Be transparent</li>
<li>Be authentic</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Judy
<!--EndFragment-->
<br />
(Stay tuned for my next blog post: "Green Meetings - Put a Bird on it!")The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-81069218105155574382013-04-30T10:42:00.000-07:002013-04-30T10:42:34.859-07:00Twombies, Twampires and Twidiots......oh my!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFuI4AJhtIZXZUaaZcnosq_2cwL7IDH1GteT69rcXY4EIq-5Dn099RREh6LkXgkzq2py8ArGZo2ZoA4Qm_2BoGtajU4m0VtZTPnRTes296RInmw8U8wTuNZy-5l8nzmv2uZ36tWhHMU8i/s1600/TWIDIOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFuI4AJhtIZXZUaaZcnosq_2cwL7IDH1GteT69rcXY4EIq-5Dn099RREh6LkXgkzq2py8ArGZo2ZoA4Qm_2BoGtajU4m0VtZTPnRTes296RInmw8U8wTuNZy-5l8nzmv2uZ36tWhHMU8i/s1600/TWIDIOT.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I feel like I am glued to an uncomfortable chair, watching a really bad movie…..as if I am an unwilling ticket holder in a theatre of hysteria featuring “Attack of the Twombies”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes….you guessed it…I am reading my twitter timeline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On a normal day it is a mixture of news from around the world, pithy comments from witty friends (and by friends I mean, mostly people I have never met but feel like I do), annoying automated tweets from jogging apps about someone’s daily jog including the time and distance (you people know who you are), blog post links…..and the occasional Kardashian reference. But recently…..my twitter timeline has been taken over by Twombies, Twampires and Twidiots!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Darnit people! You see…..this is why we can’t have nice things!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What am I talking about?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Twombies” are folks who seem normal, but as soon as they log onto Twitter, it is as if they become someone else entirely. They completely lose perspective, their sense of awareness and a will of their own. They say things on Twitter that they would never, ever say at home, at work….in their so-called real life. </span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Twampires” are humans who feed on the misfortune of others – a group primarily comprised of media types around the world. Twampires believe that the volume of information trumps the value and can spin hours worth of coverage from very little information. The recent Boston tragedy created an army of Twampires – many media outlets who forget the rules of journalism: tweeting and retweeting without fact checking, and feeding hysteria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I worry that the Twombies and the Twampires are going to take over…….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently we have witnessed first hand of just how powerful and irresponsible social media has become. Honestly…it should come with a warning: <i>Irresponsible tweeting can cause vocabulary leakage and spelling dysfunction, ill advised and misplaced finger pointing, stock market crashes, public humiliation and the loss of potential political careers.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Believe me….would I joke about leakage and dysfunction?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a self-proclaimed social media junkie, this saddens me. Experts keep telling people: “Tweet responsibly” but many still don’t seem to grasp the concept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is bad enough that we have to protect ourselves from Twombies and Twampires…..but there is no kryptonite against Twidiots and I fear they will be the downfall of western civilization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twidiots are people who don’t think before they tweet; who think they are funny when they aren’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is something so……Darwinian about Twitter. I can’t help but think that at some point, a misplaced Twidiot tweet might be responsible for the downfall of Western Civilization: that 140 characters might initiate some kind of launch sequence that could spell disaster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don’t be a Twombie, a Twampire or a Twidiot. Remember the rules:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EVERYTHING you tweet or post will remain out “there” forever and ever and ever…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NEVER tweet in anger. Think before you tweet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">REMEMBER that your personal brand can and will be affected by what is out there on social media. It is very difficult to remain anonymous on social media. Always assume that a picture, comment, or tweet will become available to everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THINK about what your mother, husband, child, employer would say if they knew what you were posting on social media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DO NOT contribute to the “theatre of hysteria”. During times of crisis, be careful about engaging on social media. It might be in your best interest to log off/turn off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">QUIT feeding the Twombies. Do not engage with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">VALUE before volume – think about each and every post or comment you make; ensure that it has value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">REMEMBER to S.M.I.L.E.<b>™ </b>because Social Media Impacts the Lives of Everyone.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Judy</span></div>
</div>
The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-13302764039723652832013-04-14T13:24:00.000-07:002013-04-14T13:28:28.801-07:00A little bit of "madness" to their method<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had no idea what to expect.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I sat in the audience the first morning of the </span></span><a href="http://www.gmicglobal.org/?page=annualconference" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2013 GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, waiting for Eric Ryan to take the stage, I simply had no
idea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Was I going to be disappointed?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Shhhhhhh.......it's starting!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here comes Eric Ryan: blonde hair, winning smile and a boy next-door
quality that is immediately endearing. No dark hoodie a la Mark Zuckerberg, no
“my generation is smarter than your generation” attitude. We all sat up a
little straighter, and leaned in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://methodhome.com/methodology/our-story/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ryan is the co-founder of method</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">®</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">,</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> a line of cleaning
products that have been created without using “dirty” ingredients and designed
so beautifully that you don’t have to “hide them under your sinks”. </span></span><i>(source www.methodhome.com)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A perfect
combination of High Design + Deep Sustainability</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The savvy method® team of Ryan and partner Adam Lowry,
understood that they needed to strike an emotional chord with consumers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They needed to understand the culture.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Culture is our only sustainable competitive advantage<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Get the culture right, get the product right” Eric Ryan</span></span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It can be said that folks were ready for method® products. In
a world filled with headlines about oil spills, global warming and other
environmental catastrophes, folks were craving a product that they knew was safe. They wanted to “do good”.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">......Weird people are the ones
that change the world</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When Ryan shared the question which is threaded throughout their company culture </span><a href="http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.inc.com/uploaded_files/image/launch-26-Eric-Ryan-Method-pan_10851.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.inc.com/magazine/201110/eric-ryan-of-method-on-company-culture.html&h=270&w=575&sz=28&tbnid=odzG42ovu6q3uM:&tbnh=55&tbnw=117&prev=/search%3Fq%3Deric%2Bryan%2Bpicture%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=eric+ryan+picture&usg=___VzNzXAFOwOcF_L-AQvIW_pcjns=&hl=en-CA&sa=X&ei=_A5rUcvDNOPliALR1IC4BA&ved=0CBwQ9QEwAA" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“How do we keep it weird”</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, everyone
laughed and then immediately tweeted it. I haven’t checked, but I am thinking
that “keep it weird” became the most tweetable three words of the conference. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
How will you help keep Method weird? Eric Ryan says they ask potential employees because they create great new innovations <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23gmicconference">#gmicconference</a><br />
— Katherine Manfredi (@KManfredi) <a href="https://twitter.com/KManfredi/status/321270203134656513">April 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was intriguing to know that there is a little bit of madness
to their method® method (yes, pun intended) . They wanted to bring the scarcity of fun
to cleaning!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Everyone within the method® organization is consistently
thinking, “what would </span></span><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=MacGyver" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MacGyver</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> do?”. It
is about resourcefulness, combined with a little weird. These folks are not
simply thinking out of the proverbial box…no…..they have used a Q-tip, some
chewing gum, an elastic band and some duct tape and created a culture of
creativity and innovation.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"Weird is a cultural value - weird people change the world." Eric Ryan, Method <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23gmicconference">#gmicconference</a><br />
— Julie A. Baylor, CHA (@JulieBaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/JulieBaylor/status/321270456688717824">April 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At method®, “everything is a beta test”</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes…apparently they are always thinking prototype,
prototype, prototype! If you dream it, then build it. What an amazing work
environment! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Sell a point of view.................</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This was a powerful statement. At method®, they sell a point
of view consistent across the organization. They always ask for
participation and it is important to keep the ego out of it. It is a culture of open collaboration and
sharing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We all laughed when Eric spoke to their hiring policies and
that they “audition” their applicants.
It is important that they identify behaviours that embody values/culture
of the organization - bringing their personal self to their professional life. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“The soul can not be outsourced”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They also train everyone within the organization how to be a
marketer - everyone is responsible for
building the brand. A brilliant use of their most important resource: the
people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.....Everything needs to be
visually shareable</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When Eric stated that “everything needs to be visually
shareable” I wasn’t sure what he meant.
He followed that statement with
“No social mission? No social media” and then it clicked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They are very strategic when it comes to social media and if
you take a look at their website it speaks volumes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Their</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><a href="http://methodhome.com/methodology/humanifesto/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">humananifesto</span></span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> is a collection of tweetable statements,
with the visual appeal of a poster that you could hang in your office. My
favourite? </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“good always prevails over stinky” </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“we exercise by running through the legs of the giant…which is even
more fun when the sprinkler is going”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Don’t those scream FUN?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Welcome to the world of cleaning happy. Come Inside” <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>(source www.methodhome.com)</i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sounds like fun right? The </span></span><a href="http://methodhome.com/cleanhappy/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">videos </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">are fun and light hearted
and an extension of the company culture. Titles like, “give your nose a hug”, “high five a rainbow”
, “clean like a mother” and “say no to jugs” immediately scream CLICK ME!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I want to work there<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I want to join their team<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At the very least…I want to buy their products.....and I will.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At the end of the day, it is about the story and the method® story is remarkable. Truly one of the best keynotes that I have been fortunate
enough to attend; creating a spark that will fuel me for a long, long time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Remember.....we are all in this together (courtesy of method® & Virgin America):</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Judy</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-77332222899840637212013-04-13T10:43:00.000-07:002013-04-13T10:50:21.282-07:00Keep Calm and Bl!nk!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYAhu6mY8jAG4LnySHvlcLtCvYzuZkoWIhPO7HQrJkIMihZFBiB4xoWp3oIWK8ulyX2K03Lih2U_uZ6-1568NVa_EXo66twtbE7bVyVonSibuwCMtgWRy3oQCJ4936jhrQ26z7JUWm3V6/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYAhu6mY8jAG4LnySHvlcLtCvYzuZkoWIhPO7HQrJkIMihZFBiB4xoWp3oIWK8ulyX2K03Lih2U_uZ6-1568NVa_EXo66twtbE7bVyVonSibuwCMtgWRy3oQCJ4936jhrQ26z7JUWm3V6/s320/Picture+4.png" width="291" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whew! Another GMIC conference has come and gone and all that remains are the gentle impressions (little tiny footprints) left behind in our consciousness.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would like to think that the 2013 Bl!nk presentations make up some of those footprints. If you don't know what Bl!nk is....click </span><a href="http://www.managefootprint.blogspot.ca/2013/02/its-baaaaack-blnk-is-back.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://managefootprint.blogspot.ca/2012/05/there-is-magic-among-uswe-just-need-to.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and perhaps </span><a href="http://www.managefootprint.blogspot.ca/2012/03/got-blnk.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would like to extend a special thank you to:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://twitter.com/JulieBaylor" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie A. Baylor, CHA</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">General Manager, </span><a href="http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/california/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-lax-el-segundo-LAXEGDT/index.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DoubleTree by Hilton LAX</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie reminds us that it is important (when implementing sustainability initiatives) to "Make it Personal, Make it Visible and Make it Possible" in her Bl!nk presentation called, "What's in it for me?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://tahiralovesevents.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tahira Endean</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, CMP</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Director, Creative and Production</span><br />
<a href="http://cantrav.com/destinations/vancouver-dmc/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cantrav</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In her presentation titled, "What roasts your onion? How we change the world one bite at a time", Tahira thoughtfully shared how food impacts her family and events through a pictorial display.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michelle Sheldon, President</span><br />
<a href="http://www.ecopromotionsonline.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eco Promotional Products Inc.</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cowgirl Michelle (she had a hat to prove it) used pictures, props and stories of near eco-promotional catastrophes and reminded us of the importance of education and leadership within the sustainability industry.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy Kucharuk (me)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dedicated blackberry devotee and sufferer of instagram envy </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Social media freak and wearer of green meeting planner cape</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sang a song....yes, a song titled, "Les GMIC: I dream a dream of meeting green". A special thank you to Sarah Brockus from United Methodist Women and coincidentally, an opera singer, for singing along - appreciate it Sarah.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ITGF63AMYDabs-3i_1TVbX3Vjm94F2sZQSeqhgKpwU2XZYbpqBetpZUG60H8qdPCDmdm4B7D6aCiaq7ouRxfymA0Ggi5679PBoKGfPdq2dcK8PHCThZ5DAixUTR6_dY3oG41p8CJ2z1H/s1600/Slide01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ITGF63AMYDabs-3i_1TVbX3Vjm94F2sZQSeqhgKpwU2XZYbpqBetpZUG60H8qdPCDmdm4B7D6aCiaq7ouRxfymA0Ggi5679PBoKGfPdq2dcK8PHCThZ5DAixUTR6_dY3oG41p8CJ2z1H/s320/Slide01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8Wv6W3GJqqTb9wUrqfpCwSyRwZ4ckLjvK1WaGZMEfkFkr2x1VloNUDw5oMcvbECrT2BM6f5fk4ENya_i5Be802IB5m43fO0ymn9JgCQaVnkNBgKaPQVYsfY3ohEzumxNcfq76ynAZ-fC/s1600/Slide19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8Wv6W3GJqqTb9wUrqfpCwSyRwZ4ckLjvK1WaGZMEfkFkr2x1VloNUDw5oMcvbECrT2BM6f5fk4ENya_i5Be802IB5m43fO0ymn9JgCQaVnkNBgKaPQVYsfY3ohEzumxNcfq76ynAZ-fC/s320/Slide19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xp7ARm2Lwdo" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are interested in bringing Bl!nk to your next event....I could be persuaded to share :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until then......</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy</span><br />
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<br />The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-28537782145486630702013-04-01T13:17:00.000-07:002013-04-01T13:22:44.723-07:00Wooing Westjet - It Just Made Sense<!--StartFragment-->
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">How one
Northern British Columbia Community’s hard work and community-sourced,
grassroots marketing campaign created magic and wooed an airline </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Written by Judy Kucharuk</span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Take one look at the video</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> produced for the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">“I<a href="http://energeticcity.ca/article/news/2012/06/06/help-fort-st-john-show-westjet-it-just-makes-sense" target="_blank">t Just Makes Sense”</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> campaign and you realize that anything is possible
as long as you have passion and commitment……and perhaps a savvy brand
awareness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.1015thebear.com/News/Story.aspx?ID=1886372" target="_blank">February 2013 announcement</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> that “It Just Made Sense” for the Canadian owned
airline <a href="http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/about/index.shtml" target="_blank">Westjet</a> to call the Northern BC Community of Fort St John its newest
base, was not surprising to those of us who had watched the evolution of the
creative marketing campaign. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fortstjohn.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=260&Itemid=39" target="_blank">Mayor Lori Ackerman</a>
believed that the time was right for Westjet to land in her community of Fort
St John.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The campaign was firmly
rooted in good data (demographics, statistics, community profiles and trends)
to support the initiative, crowd-sourcing ideas (let’s call it
community-sourcing), social media (facebook, twitter, youtube), and most importantly,
the people-energy required to carry it through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The campaign, organized at
the invitation of Mayor Ackerman, involved key members of the
community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“When
Fort St John was invited to present to Westjet, we pulled together a community
committee to put a campaign together. It was decided at that time to show
Westjet the “community” and that the infrastructure at the airport is
supportive of growth.” Mayor Lori Ackerman</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Geneva;">Intrigued with their
process and wanting to learn their secret to “community sourcing” and marketing
success, I approached both Mayor Ackerman as well as then Chamber of Commerce
President Brent Hodson, and asked if they would answer a few key questions about
“It Just Makes Sense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">Where did
the tagline, “It Just Makes Sense” originate?</span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brent Hodson:</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was one of the
executives from WestJet that actually coined the phrase after a discussion with
Mayor Ackerman. So it just made sense to use "Its Just Makes Sense"
as our campaign motto. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From there, we set out to
create a cause the entire community could get behind to improve the services to
Fort St. John.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Secret
#1: Leverage Social Media</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwq79xUmwMTpTDRfc5BoAk-sLFJ7qr3HBdIOXaBiqRt-IagPAg7zSo0VT2lTN6T3umXBWvynt4vnJcUMN2OooNctJVFuXoFey5tAxJ0onMtFvw0d3OJ17jzrcO9ggg5ymQCYIjk-u_LEX/s1600/bigstock-business-people--social-netwo-16589435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwq79xUmwMTpTDRfc5BoAk-sLFJ7qr3HBdIOXaBiqRt-IagPAg7zSo0VT2lTN6T3umXBWvynt4vnJcUMN2OooNctJVFuXoFey5tAxJ0onMtFvw0d3OJ17jzrcO9ggg5ymQCYIjk-u_LEX/s320/bigstock-business-people--social-netwo-16589435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How did
you weave a social media campaign with traditional marketing methods?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mayor Ackerman:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fort St John is British
Columbia’s youngest community.
Social Media is easy to use and a natural fit for any communication. We
also knew that Westjet, like other savvy corporations are very active on social
media. We encouraged our community
to let them know whenever possible that “it just makes sense”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How
important was the use of Social Media in the campaign? Facebook and Twitter?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brent Hodson:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Social media was very
important for the campaign. Whether it was Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and
Instagram - these tools were essential in getting the message out to the
community. We set up an email address: Business
members could send in their comments, but also send video clips of them, their
community groups, companies and others showcasing the community and that Fort
St. John just made sense. Facebook was a huge part as more people in the
region are using Facebook more. The City, Chamber of Commerce, Media and
other groups reached out to their fans to gain more support. From there,
we had comments, videos, respective travel budgets from companies and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #666666;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #666666;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 20pt;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is important to note that the campaign
did not use traditional marketing methods like television and radio. Word of
mouth and the viral nature of social media assisted with spreading the message
throughout the community.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #666666; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Secret
#2: Understand the value of Word of Mouth advertising/messaging</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV7qqqMBkk2zv_4l666bNjDkXcHHeos6qWbNFRCF-xm9uGXqK0Kf7i9DRVR_SPyxeZfyaWqMfu-U_bbljJaATRRaadarPf8dl30WZLLqoAwY1z6MI7fh6ItuC89xQWsku3saeqRO3xyG-/s1600/bigstock-A-thermometer-marked-Buzz-Mete-21036584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV7qqqMBkk2zv_4l666bNjDkXcHHeos6qWbNFRCF-xm9uGXqK0Kf7i9DRVR_SPyxeZfyaWqMfu-U_bbljJaATRRaadarPf8dl30WZLLqoAwY1z6MI7fh6ItuC89xQWsku3saeqRO3xyG-/s320/bigstock-A-thermometer-marked-Buzz-Mete-21036584.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br clear="ALL" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 21px;">What role
did Social Media Influencers have in the campaign?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brent Hodson:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Social media Influencers
were there to spread the message. Twitter is still 'new' to this region
and the people that are on it were the ones who got behind the cause from the
get go. These were the people tweeting, using Facebook and more to really
get the message out which was important in getting the comments, video clips
and more back to the group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What other
factors played into the success of the campaign?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brent Hodson: <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Other factors that played
into this campaign was the demographics of the community of Fort St. John, and
the region. The industry, the growth the area has seen and will see and
how the region is full of families who will / want to travel as well as
companies looking for that connection to Calgary which was an essential part to
the campaign. The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://npedc.ca/" target="_blank">North Peace Economic Development Commission</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> was also a huge part to the campaign as
they had the stats, figures, community profiles and trends part that we used in
our package that was given to WestJet to showcase the past, present and
potential future of the region.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How was it
received in Calgary (Westjet Headquarters) when you premiered the movie?</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brent Hodson:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The movie was showcased to
three executives in our presentation. When it was shown, their attention was
focused on the movie as they saw a broad spectrum of the community from families,
to businesses, churches, local groups, and more. This gave them the feeling
that the community was behind the initiative and how WestJet's values were
similar to those of the community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br clear="ALL" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Secret
#3: Aligning the brand and values</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q3gjok97igiJ5_h7rRa3U6PVAWVf2MKDAvtMvBcgqTvpWZ_9Ex4_QBhH_cFUDgz7YbkvX1gDcGG2dDKFNYOuUe5rz31o4sqzVeNTIFY5J7baGXnl1ljp35dWO3Yt39GT2mIkfqQzcU0a/s1600/bigstock-a-group-of-chick-13505090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q3gjok97igiJ5_h7rRa3U6PVAWVf2MKDAvtMvBcgqTvpWZ_9Ex4_QBhH_cFUDgz7YbkvX1gDcGG2dDKFNYOuUe5rz31o4sqzVeNTIFY5J7baGXnl1ljp35dWO3Yt39GT2mIkfqQzcU0a/s320/bigstock-a-group-of-chick-13505090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 21px;">Do you
think that by demonstrating that YXJ was creative and fun (much like Westjet)
that it played a role in the decision?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mayor Ackerman:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think it played a
part. I think the strong, small
airport infrastructure with room for expansion, a strong community with steady
growth and being the second
largest community north of Kamloops helped too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Would you
have done anything differently?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brent Hodson:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The campaign lead to a very
successful finish where WestJet did end up choosing Fort St. John for <a href="http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/help/encore.shtml" target="_blank">WestJet Encore</a>. I don't think I would change anything as it really was about a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">community</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> getting behind a cause and making it happen. Fort
St. John has a history of doing this, and it amazes every time the goals are
accomplished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What are
some of the comments you have heard about the campaign now that Wesjet has
confirmed that it will be traveling into YXJ?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brent Hodson:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">People were thankful that a
group came together to make this happen. It may have started as a select group
of community members but it was the community who got behind the initiative.
Social media played a huge aspect to getting the message out and it worked!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br clear="ALL" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“When WestJet came to Fort St. John, you could see
their pride talking about the company and in return you saw the pride in Fort
St. John who welcomed WestJet with open arms.” Brent Hodson</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mayor Lori Ackerman
believed that the time was right for Westjet to land in her community of Fort
St John. She and her team of “Do’ers” successfully:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Community sourced support and ideas<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Accessed relevant resources and data<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Leveraged Social Media<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Understood the value of word of mouth
messaging/advertising<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aligned the brand and values</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Congratulations!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-57325357233824995042013-03-26T08:55:00.000-07:002013-03-27T06:15:55.455-07:00Are you Fired Up?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc8zg30TagyAzvCt5gggoVk7GgZibGTD7VRpUaiRFDXspZpF4aqQWr21giZ9NyH1MOR2GXE4Fhv_ItmuIq5qCbWp-U9_gvKJzd584UoiRD2Jh_GFZMtIUqHAI5JKOe73zLuBqPbkJgl2e/s1600/bigstock-Speedometer--Fired-Up--5538468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc8zg30TagyAzvCt5gggoVk7GgZibGTD7VRpUaiRFDXspZpF4aqQWr21giZ9NyH1MOR2GXE4Fhv_ItmuIq5qCbWp-U9_gvKJzd584UoiRD2Jh_GFZMtIUqHAI5JKOe73zLuBqPbkJgl2e/s400/bigstock-Speedometer--Fired-Up--5538468.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The <a href="http://secure.lenos.com/lenos/signal/GMICSMC2013/" target="_blank">2013 GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference</a> is literally right around the corner and I have to tell you......I am fired up!<br />
<br />
I have said it before and I will say it again, the annual GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference is where I look to to receive <a href="http://www.managefootprint.blogspot.ca/2013/01/need-bit-of-vitamin-green-in-2013.html" target="_blank">my shot of Vitamin Green </a>and this year is no different.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://secure.lenos.com/lenos/signal/GMICSMC2013/speakers.htm" target="_blank">lineup of speakers </a>is is basically a "who's who" in the sustainable event industry. They even included lil ol' me on that list and for that, I am truly humbled.<br />
<br />
Excited much? Yup....you could say that. How many opportunities do we have to spend time with some of the Sustainable Meeting and Event Industry most knowledgeable and connected individuals. Folks like <a href="http://www.threesquaresinc.com/jaime-nack.php" target="_blank">Jaime Nack</a> and <a href="http://tahiralovesevents.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Tahira Endean</a> - event professionals who come with a boatload of experience.<br />
<br />
I hear we are also going to "Wake the Tiger" with Joe Oliver which isn't as scary as it sounds unless of course...someone brings a real tiger #notlikely<br />
<br />
This is big!<br />
<br />
This is massive!<br />
<br />
Maybe I should sit down before I hurt myself.<br />
<br />
My point is (when I am really excited, it takes me awhile to make it) I sense great things are going to happen at the 2013 GMIC Sustainable Meeting Conference - Look out Chicago! We are going to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Create Sparks!</i></span><br />
<br />
JudyThe Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-53194853574845197262013-03-16T14:25:00.001-07:002013-03-17T09:00:25.848-07:00I really don't need a pony. Do you?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6M1zcUPzE5j_z4QRtH9O0R1yZgQV_6DfDUmVauJYmTmS6HqnyOw-ByDwQk0M4USZsSLFEH2N9Dj1Ws8bmS2HSx23bUEWMBPXTQ32Ndzs5ffnzvUDQivC2CsCgiONxxbuE1VONdl9yz8q/s1600/bigstock-Crying-Baby-Comforted-7153884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6M1zcUPzE5j_z4QRtH9O0R1yZgQV_6DfDUmVauJYmTmS6HqnyOw-ByDwQk0M4USZsSLFEH2N9Dj1Ws8bmS2HSx23bUEWMBPXTQ32Ndzs5ffnzvUDQivC2CsCgiONxxbuE1VONdl9yz8q/s640/bigstock-Crying-Baby-Comforted-7153884.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bigstock photo www.bigstock.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last weekend while browsing one of my favourite shops in
Edmonton, the </span></span><a href="http://www.goodwill.ab.ca/location/?type=shopping" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Southside Goodwill Store</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, I found myself thinking a lot about my
</span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">wants versus my needs. </span></u></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I walked out of the store after purchasing 4 pairs of almost
new jeans, a jacket, and 5 tops for the low, low price of $77.00 – it was a
steal of a deal and I was thrilled with my purchase. I saved a ton of
money……but did I really </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">need</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> any of it? </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No….not really. I have plenty of clothing at home, so I
definitely didn’t need any of it. I rationalized the purchases with, “you can’t
beat that price!” and “I would be crazy to pass up deals like that!” and the most important, "my tush didn't look too horrible (which is difficult to accomplish) in those jeans".</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Returning home, my feeling of melancholy continued to plague
me………</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here I was, writing about sustainability and the “less
versus more” mode of thinking and what do I do? I am out there spending more, buying
more, filling my closets with more. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I know, I know….purchasing from a second hand store is a great way to extend the life of an item, keeping it out of the waste stream; thrift/second-hand/Goodwill store's also provide a valuable service to the community. BUT! I still didn’t NEED any of it.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I began to consider what I really DID need and the list was
extremely short. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I need:</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Family</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Food</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fresh water</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A roof over my head</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Clean air to breathe</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I do not need more jeans or jackets or tops.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sustainability is about balancing and prioritizing our needs
and wants. It is about making smart choices, taking circumstances into
consideration. It is about remembering that every action has a consequence worth thinking about.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My light bulb moment? Something that I am going to try my best to remember in my personal and work life?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">"Sometimes when we satisfy a 'want', we make it more difficult to fulfill a need"</span></span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Judy</span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-39721245418977452472013-02-27T08:43:00.003-07:002013-02-27T08:51:10.582-07:00It's baaaaack! Bl!nk is Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqYfGb0cQqv76TGbl_JtkBsHujlIxwWwQ7dP7UXwZADRfEITmKpVRMNyIBC9WneShlY7CPsx9uc60-j-yi7oG9EHVatBk3C7kzfIR9ioCXwLZF-_xAHsdEr_n5n-7GH2DvQoJ5GN7-HCO/s1600/Blink-Logo691px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqYfGb0cQqv76TGbl_JtkBsHujlIxwWwQ7dP7UXwZADRfEITmKpVRMNyIBC9WneShlY7CPsx9uc60-j-yi7oG9EHVatBk3C7kzfIR9ioCXwLZF-_xAHsdEr_n5n-7GH2DvQoJ5GN7-HCO/s320/Blink-Logo691px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year at the 2012 GMIC Conference in Montreal, we introduced a brand, spankin' new presentation method called Bl!nk. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you who don't know what Bl!nk is or what occurred in Montreal, you can get caught up <a href="http://managefootprint.blogspot.ca/2012/05/there-is-magic-among-uswe-just-need-to.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.managefootprint.blogspot.ca/2012/03/got-blnk.html" target="_blank">here</a> and perhaps <a href="http://gregrubyconsulting.com/2012/04/30/are-reusable-water-bottles-the-new-tote-bags-at-conferences/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are soooooo excited to tell everyone that Bl!nk is back for the 2013 GMIC Conference in Chicago and we are looking for submissions from registered delegates.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't have time to put something together? Remember.....Bl!nk presentations are between 2 and 5 minutes in length and you can choose to use music, video, or powerpoint or just simply talk! Last year, Elizabeth Henderson, Chief Sustainability Strategist from Meeting Change (and co-developer of Bl!nk) wrote a poem! It was excellent and you can read it <a href="http://meetingchange.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/ode-on-a-bedbug/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an opportunity to share something about yourself, what you are passionate about. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you better.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDSK-Z3XyrVFVPmKoGEmB6q3PLrDFZ6hGaZmXqOyc18JIvx9KWVVmKzKJo23xe0uvhsuT7_YfMlmVIb3eEPhFkp-CxzG7ABu4w2qPPOWKZgPZSsSJ9EuZ8Lam_EwUXRooctyWfj8taHi1/s1600/bigstock-Do-You-Stand-Out-From-The-Crow-414869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDSK-Z3XyrVFVPmKoGEmB6q3PLrDFZ6hGaZmXqOyc18JIvx9KWVVmKzKJo23xe0uvhsuT7_YfMlmVIb3eEPhFkp-CxzG7ABu4w2qPPOWKZgPZSsSJ9EuZ8Lam_EwUXRooctyWfj8taHi1/s320/bigstock-Do-You-Stand-Out-From-The-Crow-414869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bl!nk presentations will be held on April 9th (Tuesday) between 1:30 and 2:15</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are limited Bl!nk opportunities available this year!</span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Submission information can be found on the <a href="http://secure.lenos.com/lenos/signal/GMICSMC2013/agenda.htm#9" target="_blank">GMIC Conference Website</a> - just scroll down to the Bl!nk logo on the agenda and click!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got questions? You can email me at judy@managefootprint.com, tweet me @judylaine or simply comment on this post with your question.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy</span><br />
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<br />The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-61231845762037445652013-02-20T09:37:00.003-07:002013-02-20T09:38:21.000-07:00Darned if you do? Inexcusable if you don't<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFiGvK2sHx_zQ75H8AcWazi1pMJDNn0nL194gnCrjjdaiqM4XftKh-IJh-DZesVnxj5hFr5zrybkr3mP68Y7XX6S5uk0v6EkcFGD-hr_n4IRXr4Bj-Xlt02nbeJgSZsaKM6ddkLC590s6/s1600/bigstock-stop-hunger-suffering-malnutri-42061900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFiGvK2sHx_zQ75H8AcWazi1pMJDNn0nL194gnCrjjdaiqM4XftKh-IJh-DZesVnxj5hFr5zrybkr3mP68Y7XX6S5uk0v6EkcFGD-hr_n4IRXr4Bj-Xlt02nbeJgSZsaKM6ddkLC590s6/s320/bigstock-stop-hunger-suffering-malnutri-42061900.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few days ago, I clicked through to a link tweeted by </span><a href="http://nsb.com/speakers/view/marc-stoiber" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marc Stoiber</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (I knew that if Marc was saying he loved something, then it was worth checking out). The link took me to a wonderful </span><a href="http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/waste_not/flashfood-mobile-app-diverts-restaurant-food-waste-feed-hungry" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">article </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">written by Park Howell on the </span><a href="http://www.sustainablebrands.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sustainable Brands</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> site. The article was about a new mobile app called "</span><a href="http://flashfoodrecovery.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FlashFood</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" which was designed to help divert restaurant food waste to feed those going hungry.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click to read the entire article </span><a href="http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/waste_not/flashfood-mobile-app-diverts-restaurant-food-waste-feed-hungry" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"FlashFood Mobile App Diverts Restaurant Food Waste to Feed the Hungry"</i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A brilliant idea. I loved it as well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The article went on to explain that adoption of the program was slowed by the fact that business owners were concerned about potential liability if someone were to get sick from the donated food and that not every business owner is aware of the <a href="http://www.foodtodonate.com/Fdcmain/LegalLiabilities.aspx" target="_blank">Good Samaritan Food Donation Act</a> that provides protection to those donors participating in projects such as FlashFood. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liability......yes, that old chestnut.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I retweeted the article and then sent a message to those tagged in the post saying that it was:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"A gr8t idea limited by misplaced fear of foodsafe liability. Aren't we liable if we DON'T do it? </span></span></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes.....aren't we liable if we DON'T do it? When we don't do something that will possibly save a life and most definitely improve a life</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What about our moral and ethical obligations? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What type of world do we live in that we would deliberately sidestep a starving human being? Because that is what we are doing when we allow ourselves to be limited by misplaced fear. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I applaud those involved with this project and I look forward to hearing more about FlashFood. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to read more great stuff by Park Howell, you can find his blog </span><a href="http://parkhowell.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or at www.parkhowell.com</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<br />The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-58668065896411235132013-02-15T13:21:00.000-07:002013-02-15T13:23:04.501-07:00Feeling/looking like a jackass in 140 characters or less......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMVN4H-JtREthFdq0EWXGASj_RC1CMnipoiIitiNliA0ocP4qXYYXzr1A05QzITNhhC0pucIh3f_qrccD1wc5B_WzCpE-u-hABLdbPpRsJk8Rfn-DCONJHXqwkjJUlO0z9_WmHO_HWqQC/s1600/bigstock-Donkey-150023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMVN4H-JtREthFdq0EWXGASj_RC1CMnipoiIitiNliA0ocP4qXYYXzr1A05QzITNhhC0pucIh3f_qrccD1wc5B_WzCpE-u-hABLdbPpRsJk8Rfn-DCONJHXqwkjJUlO0z9_WmHO_HWqQC/s320/bigstock-Donkey-150023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sometimes 140 characters is not enough to get your point across. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sometimes 140 characters is 120 characters too much.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My point is........when you have a "conversation" on twitter, you are doing so by carefully parsing (right word?) your words to fit into a 140 character tweet adding #hashtags in order to give it impact, feeling and sometimes to help it to make sense.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Today, I had something unusual happen on twitter. Perhaps I am just being oversensitive. Perhaps I am suffering from the post Valentine Day sugar crash. But.....I kind of was made to feel, well......a little like a jackass and it didn't feel very good.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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I am certain that the individual involved did so innocently and without knowledge of how she/he/it made me feel (this is what I choose to believe as I stick my fingers into my ears, and say la-la-la-la-la). I am also fairly certain that to the individual involved, I was simply 1 of 11,000 followers responding pleasantly to a tweet that (knowing what I know now), was crafted and cast out into the twittersphere like a fishing lure waiting and wishing for someone to respond.</div>
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I got a response moments later with the hashtag #sucker and you know what? It made me feel a little bad.</div>
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I know that it might seem silly.......to feel badly about a #hashtag. She could have chosen to use a different hashtag, one that was a little less mocking. #Sucker just made me feel silly.</div>
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Then a flashbulb went off and I realized that I had run into my first "twitter troll". I don't think she meant to be a troll, but she became one as soon as she began the practice of baiting her followers into responding in a certain way....one that she could then retweet with the #sucker hashtag.<br />
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I realized that this was someone who could only feel larger, by making others feel smaller. </div>
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So, I did the only thing I could do. I "unfollowed" her and then wrote this post.</div>
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You know what?</div>
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I feel better now.</div>
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Judy</div>
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The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7646668975338690563.post-75964668408428920112013-02-11T12:43:00.000-07:002013-02-11T20:01:19.422-07:00Dear Tim Hortons.......<!--StartFragment-->
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Disclaimer: I love <a href="http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/index.html" target="_blank">Tim Hortons</a> coffee. In fact, I brew it
every morning at home in my Tim Hortons home brewer and drink it out of my Tim
Hortons reusable mug. It is the beginning of my day….every day. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5UlmJy0V-gJ57q5p9335aJarDy4LBkXukLqjKRBC2BoVneWAowLsYF2yfwq7gGgwS02_2f2fc62Z9QsQQqrAb8-9QaNEhSfOvABcUaV-8RxqvOvOoHidoRYNv_wUZsYN8MF81VD_NoJr/s1600/bigstock-Tim-Hortons-37376647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5UlmJy0V-gJ57q5p9335aJarDy4LBkXukLqjKRBC2BoVneWAowLsYF2yfwq7gGgwS02_2f2fc62Z9QsQQqrAb8-9QaNEhSfOvABcUaV-8RxqvOvOoHidoRYNv_wUZsYN8MF81VD_NoJr/s320/bigstock-Tim-Hortons-37376647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5UlmJy0V-gJ57q5p9335aJarDy4LBkXukLqjKRBC2BoVneWAowLsYF2yfwq7gGgwS02_2f2fc62Z9QsQQqrAb8-9QaNEhSfOvABcUaV-8RxqvOvOoHidoRYNv_wUZsYN8MF81VD_NoJr/s1600/bigstock-Tim-Hortons-37376647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">February 18</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, Tim Hortons will be launching its
2013 “<a href="http://www.rolluptherimtowin.com/en/" target="_blank">Roll Up the Rim To Win”</a> Contest (the link is to the 2012 contest - I will change it once the new one is launched). For my non-Canadian readers, the contest
involves specially created disposable cups that have a “rollable” rim. After
drinking your java you roll up the rim to reveal if you have won a freebie. Prizes
include: coffee, food prizes, camping packages, televisions, gift cards,
cameras and even a new vehicle.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ya….it’s a big deal in Canada</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As a result, Tim Hortons disposable cups with the rollable
rim become a valued commodity (there have been <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2006/03/10/hortons060310.html" target="_blank">court cases</a> because of the cups). Why is this contest so popular? I think it is
because the Roll up the Rim contest is the great Canadian equalizer. Anyone
with enough money in their change purse to purchase a coffee has the chance to
win a brand new vehicle or…..in most cases a free doughnut. It crosses all economic
boundaries and demographics. We are being rewarded for being good customers.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is a down side……..</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The contest can only be played </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">on</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> disposable cups. Result? Contest = more people
buying coffee = more cups in the garbage.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But….I have my own reusable cup…what happens then? During
the contest, if you present your reusable cup at the coffee counter, they will
graciously fill your cup, but will hand you </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a disposable cup as well</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, so that you can play the game.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another scenario is sometimes near the end of the contest
they run out of medium/large/extra large coffee cups with the game playing
rollable rim. In this case, you are given your coffee in “normal” disposable
cup AND given a game-playing cup in a different size.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It just seems wrong and there has to be a better way to run
this contest…one that is less wasteful.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Is this a case where the marketed and branded “Roll up the
Rim” contest is so recognizable that any deviation would frustrate and alienate
the customer? I don’t think so. I think they could slowly introduce another
option….another way for folks to play the game that creates less waste.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Are you listening Tim Hortons? Please don’t make me feel bad
about drinking your coffee……I really like your coffee and I want to feel good about the choice I am making.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The contest is successful, the brand is established....now it is time to move forward - improve it by embracing a more sustainable strategy.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What do you think?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Update*** After posting a tweet about this blog post, I had a response from Brett Pickering (@BrettP65) who had this to say:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
@<a href="https://twitter.com/judylaine">judylaine</a> this year you are able to play on the Tim hortons website. You can even play without purchasing anything online. They're trying.<br />
— Brett Pickering (@BrettP65) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettP65/status/301143858455134208">February 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
Thank you for the information Brett. The link for the 2012 game can be found <a href="http://www.rolluptherimtowin.com/en/fun.php?winnercalendar" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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The will no doubt play a similar game for the 2013 campaign. They also have a few other cool social media links on their site <a href="http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/tools/index.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Judy</span></span></div>
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The Green-Eyed Event Plannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520054022311918532noreply@blogger.com3