The conversation with a co-worker was simple enough. Knowing that I’m more than a digital-dabbler, she posed the question, “where do you go to keep up to date on the latest in digital”. I rattled off a few resources then said I’ll send you a list.

When I really started pondering it, the list [...]]]>

The conversation with a co-worker was simple enough. Knowing that I’m more than a digital-dabbler, she posed the question, “where do you go to keep up to date on the latest in digital”. I rattled off a few resources then said I’ll send you a list.

When I really started pondering it, the list just kept growing and growing.

It includes online publications, websites, blogs, people. I’ll detail a number of them here in a future post for your reference.

But, the more I thought about it, the more I kept coming back to the simplest of answers. When asked the question “where do you go to keep up to date on the latest in digital?” What I should have said then and am definitely saying now is, “I go to the latest in digital.”

You can read and intellectually digest all you want around the latest digital developments (and I certainly encourage you to do so), but the real learning, the intimate knowledge, the true understanding comes from actually using these tools.  Trying them on for size, going through the growing pains of determining what they can and can’t do, seeing how they connect, what happens in the background, coming up with your own ideas on how to improve them or finding new uses for them is where the real learning happens.

I wholeheartedly believe that to gain a real understanding (and vast appreciation for) digital tools you have to jump in, roll up your sleeves, observe a little, play a lot and learn even more. Like most things in life, you can only learn so much from sitting on the sidelines.

So, if you want to learn the digital basics on through to the latest in digital developments, you’re going to have to “do digital”.

Questions of the day:

What digital tools have you tried lately? What have been your observations? What would you recommend trying and why?

For more than a year now I’ve been working in Credit Union land. My responsibilities include managing a team of marketing and communications, design and digital professionals.

Given I didn’t inherit a full team, I’ve spent a great deal of the past year recruiting and interviewing for various roles. Of these, [...]]]>

Walk the walk

For more than a year now I’ve been working in Credit Union land. My responsibilities include managing a team of marketing and communications, design and digital professionals.

Given I didn’t inherit a full team, I’ve spent a great deal of the past year recruiting and interviewing for various roles. Of these, three of the eight hires were for digital roles.

I cannot begin to tell you how astounded I was when I’d receive a candidate’s resume for a digital role, I’d read it then immediately turn to Google, type in their name and find….nothing. I’d add more descriptive information gleaned from their resume, and still come up empty.

Where was the digital footprint? Where were the blogs, the tweets, the websites, the YouTube videos or flickr photos? Where were the micro sites? the podcasts? the comments on others’ blogs? Where were the examples of their own personal SEO? I pondered how it was that candidates could claim to understand and guide the development of tools they themselves did not use, let alone demonstrate mastery of?

There were countless times when I received CV’s for these digital roles with not a hyperlink to be found? Where were the digital resumes? Where were YouTube videos instead of cover letters? Where were the LinkedIn profiles for heaven’s sake? So often they just weren’t there.

But, in a few rare cases, they did make a refreshing appearance. They stood out. They allowed me, the hiring manager, to take a glimpse into how the candidate thought, how they approached the challenges of sharing or organising information, to see what they created or the possibilities that they identified.

A good communications person learns early that what you do screams so loud that it often drowns out what you say. You learn the incredible power of show over tell.

So, here’s a little tip for those pursuing digital roles – use the tools you purport to be expert in – make them part of your job search. Don’t be afraid to be innovative and try something new in presenting your skills and experience. Show how these new digital tools can be used to challenge the job hunt status quo – consider how they can be the springboard for change – ask yourself how your digital skills might be able to add another dimension to the CV, cover letter, portfolio and the interview discussions.

I can tell you that these efforts do get noticed. Walking the walk, does give you a competitive advantage.

Not sure whether to believe me? Just ask those digital folks who made it on to my team. I’ll let you in on a little something – some even had the job before I had ever met them in person!

Questions of the day?

What interesting tools, techniques, approaches have you seen used by applicants? What was the most creative job search technique you’ve employed?

Facebook is promising improvements to Pages that include: better communication, more opportunities for expression, improved relevancy…and it’s not even Christmas!

Want the official Facebook explanation? Here  you can also preview the changes and get started using them.

For all the details around Facebook pages, take a peek here

Questions of the day

Will these [...]]]>

Facebook is promising improvements to Pages that include: better communication, more opportunities for expression, improved relevancy…and it’s not even Christmas!

Want the official Facebook explanation? Here  you can also preview the changes and get started using them.

For all the details around Facebook pages, take a peek here

Questions of the day

Will these changes change how you use pages? If so, how?

Happy 2011 everyone!

This is the time of year when many of us make promises, set goals, create that list of resolutions for the year to come. As leaders, what we do and how we do it influences so many. During this time of reflection we have a new opportunity to take the [...]]]>

Happy 2011 everyone!

This is the time of year when many of us make promises, set goals, create that list of resolutions for the year to come. As leaders, what we do and how we do it influences so many. During this time of reflection we have a new opportunity to take the first steps in creating lasting change. Now’s the time to reflect, look ahead and create a plan that plays to our strengths, minimizes or overcomes our weaknesses and sets us, and our organizations, up for a great year ahead.

How many of these are on your list or resolutions for 2011?

1.      I will work less.
2.      I will work more.
3.      I will spend more time with family and friends.
4.      I will delegate more.
5.      I will develop a succession plan.
6.      I will try new things.
7.      I will take risks.
8.      I will experiment.
9.      I will examine what we do, how we do it and why.
10.    I will work harder.
11.    I will work smarter
12.    I will take vacation time.
13.    I will trust those I work with.
14.    I will clearly communicate my expectations.
15.    I will empower people to do their jobs.
16.    I will reward and recognize jobs well done.
17.    I will say “please” and “thank you”.
18.    I will encourage ongoing quality improvements.
19.    I will invest in my own professional development.
20.    I will promote ongoing learning and development for staff at all levels.
21.    I will encourage a culture of innovation and creativity.
22.    I will respect the power of ideas.
23.    I will celebrate both small and large successes.
24.    I will learn lessons from the failures and missed opportunities.
25.    I will encourage constant improvements in all that we do.
26.    I will embrace new technology and social media and the possibilities they present.
27.    I will be a better time manager.
28.    I will support some time for play in our work day.
29.    I will develop and participate in a personal learning network.
30.    I will be a better communicator through the use of new tools, better listening, greater transparency and improved strategic focus.
31.    I will be more approachable.
32.    I will be honest and respectful in my dealings.
33.    I will call people on inappropriate actions or behaviors.
34.    I will learn more about the people I work with.
35.    I will rediscover my passions both in and outside of work.
36.    I will improve my fitness/health and wellness.
37.    I will give back to the community and encourage staff to do the same.
38.    I will be watchful of our competition and learn what I can from them.
39.    I will ensure the company’s history is communicated and revered.
40.    I will be customer centric and ensure our people, processes and systems are too.
41.    I will develop better ways of listening to our staff, our customers and our partners.
42.    I will do my best to meet the needs of all our stakeholders.
43.    I will actively promote a sense of community within these stakeholder groups.
44.    I will make public appearances and be the face of the organization where required.
45.    I will maximize the return on all of our investments, including our people.
46.    I will take my role seriously and do it to the very best of my ability.
47.    I will be open to feedback, criticism and suggestions for improvement.
48.    I will make the tough decisions as fairly as I can.
49.    I will teach, coach, and cheer lead.
50.    I will move on if it is in the best interest of the company for me to do so.

Photo credit
happy new year 2011 by 1suisse – used under creative commons attribution

Questions of the day

Have you attended an unconference? [...]]]> TorontoTalks is grateful to Shel Holz for this recent blog post and podcast that explains a little more about how the UNconference came to be and what you can expect. Christopher Swan and I were interviewed by Shel just yesterday. Have a peek and a listen!

Questions of the day

Have you attended an unconference? Where? When?