Dining at the Social Media Table-Storify Paper (Draft)

Storify Me Capt'n!

Hey there everyone!
 
I just wanted to post this short Storify tutorial in case you, like me, have never used this application before. It gives you a little overview of what this site can do. Hope it helps a little you when creating your Digital Papers this coming week.

Remember to post your papers revisions by tomorrow (Friday- March 7th) to allow enough time for more feedback!

Have a great weekend COMI610!!

UPDATE

Here are links to my teams Storify papers-

Brianna Rendine

Saurav Ghosh

Ana Murphy

Rhiana Sanchez

Helpful and courteous comments and critiques are welcome. Let's help each other make our papers the best they can be!

Protecting Yourself Amidst The Social Media Revolution

What it Means to Protect Yourself in the Virtual World

As we all have continued to integrate social media into our everyday lives to connect, ‘plug-in’, and search for each other, we have made ourselves vulnerable in ways that pose serious threats to more than our virtual well-being. It is important that we understand the term over-share and what this means when setting up, updating and continuing to use social networks. While social networks have been a successful “way to connect online with the people you know offline, you may end up sharing more — and with more strangers — than you might realize.” (Pegoraro, 2014) It is important to be aware of what you share, how you share and where you share it. For example, as I am sure many of you have noticed, Facebook asks many questions about your life and life events, while this may seem like intriguing information to share with friends, it is important to understand that “you’re under no obligation to provide most of it,” and probably should not. (Pegoraro, 2014)

 

Social Media in the Workplace

Many of us use social media as an outlet for expression but it is important to properly gauge what content is appropriate to share, especially if you are working for a government organization. It is imperative that even your personal sites remain free of discriminatory, illegal, abusive and obscene content. Understanding that all companies are prone to implementing different policies for social media use, stay current on your company’s policies to avoid any misunderstandings or violations. This helps to ensure that working conditions are not affected and that you remain within the protected guidelines of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). It is vital that you remember to keep your emotion in check. As an employer it is better to “resolve work complaints by speaking directly to co-workers or using the company’s open door policy “than by posting complaints to a social media outlet.” (Stevens, 2012)

Who is watching you? (http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=10505)

Six Factors You Need to Consider When Developing and Maintaining Your Online Presence

Make all of accounts private—Only give people, you absolutely know, the ability to view your account/site.

Keep in mind:  The more people you add the more vulnerable your are, not all people are who they may seem to be.

Do not provide too much information—This includes, middle names, pet names, phone numbers, email addresses, and any information that could be used to steal your identity.

Keep in mind: Once you post something on the internet, it is there forever and you cannot ever get it back. 

Location, Location, Location—You know where you are, but the whole world doesn’t need to. While it may be fun to post where you are, just realize that someone may be looking at your account and tracking your location.

Keep in mind: Your phone does not always ask you if you want “allow location services,” meaning that even when you don’t realize it, you are updating your location. Check your application settings to avoid this.  

You are not alone in this world—Your friends have the ability to tag, post and repost your information with the click of a button. Remember that while your account may be private, theirs may not be.

Keep in mind: This can include pictures, conversations, and posts that can contain indecent materials. Ask your friends to respect your privacy. 

Password protect—While remembering passwords may be a challenge we all face from time to time, it is sometimes better to forget and reset than have the same password for everything (including your bank information!) This makes your account for vulnerable to hackers and can lead to potentially irreparable damage. 

Keep in mind: Do not use any information you might be able to find on your social networks to create your password—pet names, hobbies, etc. Make sure your password is complex! 

Public places mean public spaces—Wi-Fi hotspots are great for doing your ‘surfing’ on-the-go, but it is important to remember that while you are uploading, someone may be downloading (your information.) Public computers (i.e. school, work, library, etc.) are also a great way for people to gather information about your identity. Beware of keyloggers and malware!

Keep in mind: That when you use public computers you should disable the “remember me” feature for your passwords, if not you could be granting access to your information to the next person if you forget to log out.

Social media is a great tool for both business and pleasure and if used appropriately can be an effective way to communicate with larger audiences in smaller crowds. Utilizing social media is a near necessity if your business is to succeed nowadays, which makes it even more important to protect yourself and your business from people who might want to harm it. 

References: 

Pegoraro, R. (2014, January 6). You Better Watch Out: How to Set Up Your Facebook the Secure Way. Retrieved from Yahoo! Tech: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/you-better-watch-out-how-to-set-up-your-facebook-70505754667.html

Stevens, A. (2012, June 20). NLRB’S General Counsel Releases New Social Media Report Containing Much Needed Guidance on Lawful Social Media Policies. Retrieved from Social Media Law Brief: http://blogs.haynesboone.com/index.php/2012/06/firm/some/nlrbs-general-counsel-releases-new-social-media-report-containing-much-needed-guidance-on-lawful-social-media-policies/

Social Media Changes the Political Landscape

 

This week I will be discussing my findings in Chapter 4, What We Can Learn From Politics, in Erik Qualman's book Socialnomics. I will be touching on how social media changed politics as we know it, particularly the run for presidency. Not only did social media change politics in a big way, it changed the way younger audiences were engaged in the political process.

How Social Media Won the Presidency

We all know in order to run for President of the United States the one thing you need more than a grand vision for the future is none other than the good old-fashion dollar. Money, whether in the form of personal funds or financial backing, is necessary in order to appropriately market yourself and connect with the national audience.

Back in 2008 there was a presidential candidate that was considered the underdog for these same reasons. Starting out with little to no financial foundation, he realized early into his campaign that traditional marketing would not be in his budget, instead Barack Obama utilized another communication avenue "to his advantage in both the Democratic primary and the national race to become president," that had never before been used in such a capacity: social media. He understood that the "blueprint for success will constantly evolve, but its important for us to recognize recurring old constructs that we can utilize to apply to the latest shifts in society and technology." (pg.59) The strategy for his campaign was to be the voice of CHANGE but it was more than his ideals that won him the presidency, it was how he 'plugged-in' to his audience that changed the way many viewed and connected with politics.

Pitchonnet.com, Chandrakanth B N

Obama's campaign team soon realized that they had struck metaphoric gold with their campaign efforts because in "utilizing social networks to reach people" (pg.61) rather than traditional campaigning they were able to give the viewers "timely information they [could] relate to" (pg.60) and feel personally connected with. In connecting with the national audience and "engaging constituents directly, he was able to raise a staggering $660 million in campaign contributions." (pg.62) The majority of Obama's campaign contributions were made in denominations lower than $100, which "disrupted the old model of getting giant donations from a handful of donors."     

Connecting to the National Audience Like Never Before

Beyond campaign contributions, Obama's 2008 Presidential Campaign sparked viral coverage, the likes no other national race has seen. From YouTube to Twitter, Obama was planting the idea of change in the minds of the nation from a position that many younger Americans could understand. Touching on difficult issues such as war, economic decline and the housing crisis palatable to a younger audience.

Navigating the social networks had created a domino effect when election day came. A staggering "65 percent of the American population voted in the 2008 election," which was the "highest turnout since 1908." (pg.62)

This video was used during the campaign and is a parody of the successful Budweiser "Wasssup?" commerical used during the 2000 Super Bowl. "Its a great juxaposition of the original ads [and] shows how the lives of these characters have dramatically changed in the past eight years --going from carefree... to being confronted by a shift in global dynamics." (pg.63)   Not only was the video humorous enough to go viral easily but it also had a greater sociopolitical point that helped get across Obama's message without being preachy and speaking to the youth audience in their own vernacular.

What do you think other politicians could take away from this campaign? Do you think a campaign of this magnitude can be re-created? How do you think the Obama campaign could have sustained this momentum throughout his second re-election?


References:

Qualman, E. (2013). Socialnomics (2nd Edition). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. .

Social Media-Stirring The Communications Pot

After reading the MIT Sloan Management Review, I would have to agree with the assessment made by Argenti, Howell and Beck’s characterization of communication as a defining and key aspect in an organizations comprehensive strategy. After researching, questioning and analyzing the responses of many company leaders, they found “the companies most likely to recognize the strategic communication imperative are those in which the CEO has an inherent understanding of how communication can be a differentiator for a business and drive strategy.” (Argenti, Howell, & Beck, 2005) Meaning, those are the companies that view communications professionals as an asset to their company that, when utilized appropriately, “reinforce and help implement the company’s strategy by communicating with key constituencies [and] interpret [their] responses in ways that inform strategy going forward.” (Argenti, Howell, & Beck, 2005) Allowing for communication practitioners to be an integral part at the management table allows the company to tailor their products and/or services to best fit the needs of their markets and execute a strategy that is in-line with all aspects of the organization. Furthermore, this allows the organization to confidently communicate a message that is consistent across all avenues of communication, including social media. 

When all facets of communication within an organization are aligned, (i.e. marketing, advertising, public relations, social media practices, etc.) the company is allowing for two-way communication to flow freely. If internal and external factors are taken into consideration, the organization opens doors, enabling the exploration of different message delivery options. The most effective option might not be the most obvious which can be said for the integration of social media into a company’s communication strategy. Direct contact with the public allows for a natural dialogue between company and audience that is unimpeded by a misdirected third party. While “mass transparency”can be an issue (Argenti, Howell, & Beck, 2005), social media can be used as a preventative measure which , in the case of Comcast, allowed the company to respond quickly to a customer’s complaints via Twitter. (Qualman, 2013)

“The great thing about (microblogging) for businesses is that this is a tool that enables a company to search for a brand like Hershey or Prada and see what millions of people are talking about. Good companies do this, but savvy companies take it one step further.” (Qualman, 2013)

Utilizing these and other communication tools, in a consistent manner, can provide a company with a well-rounded and researched view of their consumer base and provide insight that can be used to acknowledge problems and capitalize on strengths as the organization moves forward. 

Works Cited

Argenti, P. A., Howell, R. A., & Beck, K. A. (2005). The Strategic Communication Imperative. MIT Sloan Management Review.

Qualman, E. (2013). Socialnomics (2nd Edition). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. .

Winter Time Blues (or Green)

SNOW ALERT! 

I've been working all day long (at Starbucks) and what never ceases to amaze me is the amount of cold drinks we sell on days like today. It's snowing out? Okay! It's below 20 degrees? Even better! Right now I would much rather be bundled up with a (very) large cup of coffee than frolicking in the frigid snowy weather pouring an ice cold beverage down my frost-biten esophagus. That being said, if I am all tucked away indoors and have my heat blasting at a perfect 70+ degrees, I would certainly enjoy the company of a delicious green tea frappuccino.

My weakness (The Green Monster) is made as follows:
1.5 pumps of hazelnut syrup- no classic syrup
1 scoop of vanilla bean powder
2 scoops of java chips
2 extra scoops of matcha powder
whipped cream blended inside

Oh how I yearn for the sunshine, warm weather and obnoxious tan lines. During the hot summer days you'll find me delighting in this monster, getting my fix of earthly matcha goodness and chocolate with a hint of sassy hazelnut.  I'm always making weird drinks at work--like a fruity pebbles frappuccino--and can always use feedback! If you're adventurous enough, give it a go and tell me what you think!

   

Amuse-Bouche

Calling all food lovers! 

As you might have already grasped, my name is Rhiana (pronounced like the singer but in no way does a similar name pronunciation mean I can sing a single note.) The gods have failed to grant me the voice of an angel, instead they bestowed upon me a nail curling belt and glorious cackle; which I'm perfectly happy with.

To introduce myself a little, let me start by saying (if you have not already figured out) I love food, but more importantly, I love the food industry. Having gone to school for Baking and Pastry and then continuing on to learn about marketing, I have had my eyes opened to a wide variety of jobs within this industry that are more than what they seem, hence why I called my blog:  'Food for Thought- What's outside the box?'

I chose this quirky little (long) name because it encompasses a wide variety of passions. Meaning, when you look at food, what catches your attention? Is it the compilation of eye-catching adornments with interesting shaped vessels that hold the sustenance you crave? Even further beyond that, do you ever stop to think of where the delicious little morsel you are about to ingest originated? Was it grown or was it created? I don't know about you but I have never seen cardboard boxes or shiny plastic wrapping grown from the soil beneath our feet. For me, all of this is important. At times one wins out over the other, but in the end its like choosing between peanut butter or jelly; you can't really have one without the other. 

But enough with my silly ramblings, I am here to say welcome and Bon Appétit!