Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Mystery of Poetry in Multimedia


mystery

Poetry may seem obtuse or quizzical to some. That is because it dares to probe below the floorboards, look behind closed doors, and follow the shadows we hardly notice.  

That's what I wrote in What poetry is... to me, an article in one of my blogs for Dr. Ron Art.  It is one of my more popular ones:

Poetry in Multimedia

Monday, April 28, 2014

Kate Cole in Leadership People Results


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Kat Cole: From Hooters Girl to Cinnabon President is an article in one of my blogs for Ron Villejo Consulting (below).  Her personal journey is a more compelling story than her executive position, so have a read.

Leadership People Results

Friday, April 18, 2014

T'ai Chi Empower on Pinterest


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T'ai Chi Empower is one of my key projects, and I had Pinterest firmly on my radar with its online rollout.  I knew that it drew predominantly women, so I chose pins that could be of interest to them.  While I have just a few followers for now, this profile has garnered one of the most consistent and frequent responses, among my many profiles, from, yes, you guessed it, women.  So I am pleased and thankful.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Key ways to engage on Twitter


The 10 Rules That Every Business Needs To Know Before Tweeting On Twitter - infographic
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I had been on Twitter a year or two, when I committed to making a more active effort with it.  It took a while to figure it out, but I feel that I have found its sweet spot.

Let's focus on #1 above, shall we.  There are three specific means by which I have engaged others and in turn others have engaged me.
  1. I joined a Tweetchat with @LeadWithGiants.  It's about leadership, broadly speaking, right in line with my interest and  my firm.  It's a brisk pace, and brevity is the parameter, but it's highly engaging.  Anyone can join in, and participate in a Twitter Q&A.
  2. Sporting events is another key means for me.  I hashtag key word like so #Blackhawks when I tweet about a game, for example.  I search with that same hashtag key word, and retweet what I like and comment accordingly.  It's loads of fun, and again quite engaging.
  3. Finally, as a result of 1. and 2., I often get included in a small group tweet.  We encourage each other, and show thanks, not only with words but with retweets.  I've been more proactive myself, that is, by pulling together my own small group and tweeting about the week or weekend.
It took several years for me to reach 1000 connections on LinkedIn, mainly by letting others find me and invite me.  It took about four years for me to reach that 1000 friends plateau on ASW Inner Circle, a small social site.  It took me well under two years to gain 1000 followers on Twitter with my RonVillejoConsulting profile.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Keeping things positive on Facebook


The 10 Rules That Every Business Needs To Know Before Posting Content On Facebook - infographic
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Keep it positive is truly a key rule for me.  But it doesn't mean I ought to post on, and respond to, only motivational, endearing or happy things.  Rather, I ought to keep a constructive, respectful frame of mind on social media.  I may disagree, and I may criticize, but I avoid demeaning, vulgar personal comments.  In brief, even if your subject or topic is negative, do frame it in a positive manner.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Pantene Philippines finds universal appeal


Does gender bias still exist? If the answer is no, then why is it that women who take charge tend to be called bossy, whereas men who do the same is just doing his job as a boss? Or why is it that when mothers are passionate about their career, they tend to be seen as selfish, while working dads are dedicated? It is also quite startling that a recent study said 70% of men feel that women need to downplay their personality in order to be accepted. 
According to the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report, the Philippines ranks number 5 in gender equality. But a survey by the social news network, Rappler, revealed that gender bias is still very much prevalent. One thought-provoking statistic showed that 77% of males and 66% of females believe that men deserve employment more than women -- clearly reinforcing that bias exists in the workplace. Research findings show that both genders have prejudices and are prejudiced against. 
Pantene, a brand that stands for empowering women to shine boldly, highlighted the issue of double standards and the culture of inequality that people have come to accept as the norm. Although initially approached from a local standpoint, the campaign resonated to the global market, recognizing an idea that was inspired by a hard-hitting reality that every woman faces. 
Thus, #WhipIt was created. Urging women to leave labels behind, and be strong and shine.
 With over 46 million views, this video from Pantene Philippines clearly finds a universal appeal.  But it isn't just a matter of women being strong and shining, but it also has to do with others - men and women, alike - avoiding such biased labeling.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Forevermark makes her your Center


The new Forevermark advert celebrates the beautiful, unique woman who is the central force in your life. She holds together and keeps in motion the many different aspects of the universe you share - she is your everything.
There is not only love and romance in this promo video, but also marriage and family.  In its simplicity, Forevermark strikes an emotional chord with any man who cherishes the woman in his life.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Hong Leong Bank does non-Newtonian fluid


Running, jumping and biking on 8,000 litres of non-Newtonian fluid in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Brought to you by Mach by Hong Leong Bank together with We are KIX.
 If I understand correctly, the flow properties of non-Newtonian fluids (e.g., toothpaste) differ from that of Newtonian fluids (e.g., water):  Their viscosity is time-dependent, and there is no constant coefficient for it.  In other words, run quickly over its surface, and a non-Newtonian fluid will hold you up.

That, plus toss in a sexy girl and loads of fun, and you have the making of a viral promotional video: nearly 20 million views.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Paradox and avenues for blogging


Importance of blogging lawyers in America
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Kevin O'Keefe takes a chiding tone with his blog - Real Lawyers Have Blogs.  In Are American Lawyers Taking Blogging for Granted?, for example, he calls upon the lack of freedom of speech in such countries as Ethiopia and Russia to goad his fellow lawyers in the US to exercise that freedom via blogging.

The paradox of that freedom, to me, is that choosing not to speak, or to blog, is exercising that very freedom, which is actually that of choice.  While millions and millions blog, on all sorts of subjects and for all sorts of reasons, blogging simply isn't for everyone.

Another thing about blogging is that it isn't just one form or format.  O'Keefe's blog, or my blog here, is just an example.  But social media can be, and often is, a forum for blogging.  If we define blogging as voicing our point of view, then we clearly have multiple platforms or avenues at our disposal to do so.  

They say, for instance, that Twitter is a micro-blogging site.  140 characters are all you're allowed per tweet.  For those busy or reluctant colleagues of O'Keefe, tweeting may be the perfect remedy:  It's easy as pie and takes a matter of seconds.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Best online colleges for web design



With the ubiquity of the internet, companies and institutions across virtually all fields need a strong online presence in order to remain relevant. As well as the push for traditional brick and mortar business to grow their online commerce, web designers will increasingly play an indispensable role in any successful business. Job-seekers possessing experience with web design are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web design jobs will increase by a robust 20 percent in the next decade.
Reference: Best Online Colleges Announces 2014’s Best Online Web Design Schools.

The beauty of these online colleges, of course, is that you're not bound by proximity or access.  So have a look, research them, learn and design, design!