I'm In Charge

a. Theme-Web 2.0
b. Questions for the Disscusion:
-Where do you see Web 2.0 technologies going 3 years down the road?
-Besides all the Web 2.0 SHM is currently using, what other ways do you think we can reach out to members and prospects?
-What Web 2.0 technology do you think has the most value to SHM?
-If you were to create one technology that would benefit SHM to the fullest what do you think it would be (use your imagination)?
-Are there any cons to using Web 2.0 technology to market SHM?
c. Goals:
-Brainstorm ideas for the future
-See how valuable Web 2.0 technology is to SHM
-Explore what other options are out there

"Pretend you were in charge of this blog for a month. As part of being in charge you need to a) decide on a theme for the discussion during the month and b) generate 4-6 questions for everyone to react to and c) what do you hope comes out of your month (thoughts generated, discussions initiated, lessons reinforced)" -TVD

A.
About a week ago, I traveled to Nashville, TN for a convention for campus activities boards (student-run organizations that plan events on campuses nationwide). While I was there, I went to a session and learned about branding, which brings me to my theme: SHM as a brand.

B.
What makes SHM a brand?
What would you do to improve the SHM brand?
What is the most beneficial part of the SHM brand, in your opinion?
How would you describe SHM to members vs. non-members vs. the media vs. competition?

C.
I would hope those involved would gain more knowledge of the SHM brand and what it means to not only our company internally, but externally as well. I would also hope to gain ideas for re-branding SHM that would be implemented in the future.

You're in Charge for a Month

Here's this week's question - everyone needs to reply by Wednesday - no skipping out Alex (x2)

Pretend you were in charge of this blog for a month. As part of being in charge you need to a) decide on a theme for the discussion during the month and b) generate 4-6 questions for everyone to react to and c) what do you hope comes out of your month (thoughts generated, discussions initiated, lessons reinforced)

First stop by my office and tell me the theme for your month...once I've ok'd it (basically told you that no one else got to me with that idea before you)...then you can post the theme, your questions and your goals.

Good Luck

"As we go into our next co-op or future job what are you expectations? What else would you like to do (be in a different industry, get a feel for the corporate environment, etc)? Also, from what you have learned here at SHM what is the biggest thing you will take away and bring to your next job?" -JP

Jill poses a great question, and a difficult one to answer. I don't really think I am going to have any expectations of the employer until I go into an interview and decide that I would like the job. As far as what I would like to do, I'm really not sure. I have to wait and see what opportunities arise. I like being in a small office, and I really like not having to dress up in a suit every day. I think I would like to stay in marketing for now and hopefully get a second marketing co-op.

As far as what I've learned here and will take with me to future jobs, I've learned how to co-manage, to lead and to not be afraid to ask questions. I will bring with me knowledge of marketing different campaigns, I will bring with me knowledge on how to keep a department close-knit. The list is endless, and I am glad that I will be able to take away so much. The only things I took away from my first co-op were simple things such as better multi-tasking skills. What I will be taking away from SHM digs much deeper.

Next Co-op/Future Job

We're leaving in a little over a month and almost all of us have another co-op to look forward to and if not than a job in the future. Personally, this co-op has exceeded my expectations as being one of my first co-ops. As we go into our next co-op or future job what are you expectations? What else would you like to do (be in a different industry, get a feel for the corporate environment, etc)? Also, from what you have learned here at SHM what is the biggest thing you will take away and bring to your next job?

"We're now into February, which means that there are about 6 weeks left in your co-op.

What's your biggest/proudest accomplishment to date?
What one thing do you want to make sure you do before your last day?"

While this may not come as much of a surprise my proudest accomplishment at SHM to date is being part of the creation of the Core Values and implementing them. This accomplishment is one that I am particularly proud of because I am able to see it working everyday that I come into the office. This task is also important to me because it taught me a great deal about organizing and managing an office. Through the program I learned one huge lesson - managing is not about being on top of everyone at all times but rather it is about setting people up to be the most successful that they can be. It appears to me now that a great manager will hardly ever have to actually "manage" people as long as they create a system that fosters success and they are transparent with their goals.

One aspect that I do not formally know a lot about is PR. I have never done a press release, and as I am starting to develop more of a sense of what I would like to do when I grow up (hopefully about 50 years from now) I realizing that the broader the understanding I have about how a company is run the more successful I can be.

Pride & Joy

While walking to work this morning I started thinking about, siiiiiiiike, here's my answer.

I think my biggest accomplishment is probably the HM09 Brochure. I've done a decent bit of print design but never anything as large. It's a significant piece going out to a large audience and I think that is the kind of work nearly every designer enjoys to do. I also dedicated a lot of my time working on it, so I was proud to see the results. Though much smaller of a project, I was also pretty proud of the Hawaii eSig. Any time you can go from concept to approval without ANY edits is extremely rare and everybody seemed to like it when Dettmer set it up.

Before I leave I want to put out a large scale piece that I love everything about. Don't get me wrong, I loved the HM09 Brochure, but there were a few things I wasn't in love with. I'm not saying I'd change them or someone did something wrong, sometimes you just aren't able to do everything you want based on size constraints or other factors. I want to make a portfolio centerpiece.

Oh, and something with a spot varnish or a die-cut would be nice too.

It's like this and like that and like this

"What's your biggest/proudest accomplishment to date?
What one thing do you want to make sure you do before your last day?" -TVD

Ever since I interviewed for this position, I knew that SHM was looking to work more with Facebook. I was pretty excited to hear about this because what college student doesn't like Facebook?

Since working here, I have had the chance to do not only one, but two things that I am very proud of as it relates to Facebook. Recently, I sat in on an interview for the next round of MA's and began wondering how many of our current Facebook Group members are actually a member of SHM? I also wondered out of all of our members, were any of them students? I know only 3% of our members are students but a much larger percent of Facebook users are students. Once I did some research, I decided to update this information monthly with how much our group has grown, how many members of the group are also members of SHM, etc. Shockingly, I found out that absolutely none of our members were students. Doing all of this research, and actually given the freedom to do this research has been very rewarding to me because I have been able to draw some conclusions from it and know that it will be useful to many of us when it comes to marketing certain events, etc.

Another accomplishment (that I even got the Yahoo award for) was creating an e-mail that was sent out to over 10,000 people, promoting our Facebook group. After the email was sent out, the numbers in our Facebook group more than doubled. Knowing that the e-mail I created helped our group grow made me very proud to know that I was impacting SHM in a positive way.

As far as having something that I want to do before my last day here, I don't think I could name anything in particular. I just hope to continue to make a lasting impact on my co-workers as well as the company.

6 weeks

What's your biggest/proudest accomplishment to date?
What one thing do you want to make sure you do before your last day?

To date I have accomplished a lot here at SHM. I think my biggest accomplishment would be the SWOT Analysis. After completing Business 101 and 102 freshman year I never really thought I would have to create another SWOT Analysis. I actually learned so much, not only about SHM but it's competitors. By researching each one, I learned but how the organizations market and are portrayed through their website.

I would say that's my proudest accomplishment so far. And the important part of doing the SWOT is that it always has to stay up to date, every organization is competing to stay the best so things will surely change. I am not completely done the project but am waiting on Todd to send me some feedback (hint hint)!

Lately I have been working with George so I am looking forward to doing more with the Career Center. I have completed a few small tasks already but am looking forward to getting even more involved in the process.

6 Weeks (or so) Left

Here's this week's question...

We're now into February, which means that there are about 6 weeks left in your co-op.

What's your biggest/proudest accomplishment to date?
What one thing do you want to make sure you do before your last day?

As always, your answers by Friday please :-> Alex - hopefully you'll have some thoughts on the question this week, in addition to your musings?