eBiz Tomorrow by Chris Salazar

You would think that me out of all people would like the idea of a TV in a refrigerator since I am a techy.  Yet, I have some experience with actually fixing household appliances, my father owns his own business, and we have found that the more bells and bistles on an appliance the more likely you will have problems.

These refrigerators are NICE and expensive, but does this really matter?

Here's my analysis of what consumers think about from the initial research to the repair phases:

During the research phase people are looking for an appliance and have no clue what they want. So they find a range of refrigerators that are both cheap and expensive, but decide on visiting the nearest store.

During the buying or "selling" phase consumers are pursuaded into buying the more expensive refrigerator because the sales rep paints a nice picture. "With this, you have a built in TV for your convenience, your food will keep cool, and you can save space.  This is a must have for all kitchens!"

During the problem phase you are relatively happy with your appliance until it breaks down!  Your TV breaks and shorts out your whole refrigerator.  The repair will cost you $600, wow this is a lot! But remember you paid $2,500 for it…now you are stuck!

Here's my recommendation: leave the computer technology to your computers. A refrigerator should only be used to keep your food cool/frozen…LEAVE IT AS IS. If not, you will face problems and regret your decision! 

*All info here is based on my experience as an appliance technician*

Out of curiosity I browsed through the job search in Craigslist and found an interesting post as a marketing intern for a silicon valley company.  As I looked further, this intern will have face to face communication with the VP of marketing and assist in a variety of projects.  WOW, what an ideal position for a marketing major currently in college.

Now, let's move to the "Nice to have."  One of the characteristics is BLOG WRITING!  Of course my eyes sparkled as I read this.  Lately, I have been reaching out to intern bloggers around the globe, but to see this "skill" embraced by a company makes me excited. 

Jeremiah talks a lot about the MySpace generation moving to the workforce and it looks like some companies are already on the hunt!

This is something to keep an eye out for and for all you interns out there…keep up your blog as it may become a big part of the interview process!

As an intern who has started working in Corporate America, I understand how difficult it can be to manage work, school, and life. The transition is not easy, which is why I am reaching out to ALL interns and NEW hires to form a network.

As of late, intern bloggers have raised the question on whether or not they should be allowed to blog. I believe there is no question, every intern should be allowed and ENCOURAGED to blog!

However, there are certain things an intern SHOULD not do…which is why I think a network can help! Furthermore, interns need guidance from others who are experiencing the same things, which is when the network would step in.

If you know of anyone, or if you are an intern please respond!

Here is a list that I have compiled of other interns

(it is short, but it will grow):

• Matt Sokoloff - New York Intern
• Leslie - Kansas Intern
• George Woods - Virginia Intern
• …

Please let me know if you find any other interns. Also, you may want to visit the blogs above, they have interesting posts!

The New York Times posted an interesting article about the rise in interns and their innocence about workplace rules and corporate culture.  The NYT adds, interns are facing the problem of moving from a "like-minded" generation to the diversity of corporate america.  Interns mistankingly talk about their company, which has made several corporations impose several restrictions.  (this is not a bad idea)

The moral of the story: interns use blogs as a way to transition from "MySpace" to the corporate world, so there is no need to be alarmed. Instead provide awareness about the "Do's and Dont's" of blogging.  (Perhaps that will my next post!)

I make this statement with caution, but I will hold to it 100%:

I WILL NOT WORK AT A COMPANY THAT SAYS I CAN'T BLOG

(note: I never have nor will I ever talk about my employer and/or talk about confidential information)

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HERE's WHY:

I believe blogging has helped me grow as an individual, scholar, and business professional.  Here's a glimpse of what I have learned throughout my internship and how blogging has played an important role:

• I have learned how to become a successful intern
• I am learning the strategies of becoming a successful blogger
• I learned how to make the best out of a business trip
• I have learned how to keep a well-balanced blog
• And, I have learned the 10 steps of becoming a successful entrepreneur

Blogging has enabled me to keep a "safe" of everything I have learned while sharing it with the public.  New generations of interns will have the same questions I have, and my hope is to provide them with resources to excel in the workforce. 

This is my tool to help others.  Why block us from it?

As an intern, I did not expect to ever go on a business trip, so when I first heard about the opportunity I was excited.

Yet, the excitement was soon overcome by nervousness. What was I going to do? How would I act? What would I say? I will no longer be in my comfort zone, instead I will be far away at another company working.

Now that I look back at the experience, I am very thankful not just for the opportunity but for everything that I learned. Every new intern and new hire will experience the same feelings I did, but my goal here is to help that person make the best out of the trip.

How To Make The Best out of a Business Trip:

• Do the most you can to prepare before hand
  • It is very important to know what is going on, even if your role is small
  • Prepare like you are the one presenting just in case you are needed…you never know
  • Ask questions before the trip so you are well prepared
• Listen and Observe
  • Pay attention to what is going on, do not wonder off b/c one day that will be you
  • Take good notes to reflect on after the meetings
• Participate
  • Even if you have a small role, the experience of presenting is important
  • Ask questions when needed so you can understand what is going on
  • Show others that you are part of the conversation
• Act as if you are the one presenting
  • When questions are asked, answer them to yourself, and compare your answers to what is actually said
  • Learn what the best way is to answer questions, even if you do not know the answer
• Reflection
  • Reflect by yourself or with your partner about the meeting and the outcome
  • Ask the following questions:
    • “What were the concerns from the meeting?”
    • “What are the key points from the meeting?”
    • “What needs more work?”
    • “What are the next steps?”
    • “Was the meeting a success? Why or why not?”
• Get to work!
  • Use the new knowledge from the meeting and add value to the project
  • Contribute and start preparing now for the next meeting
  • Keep in contact with the other company/partners, show the progress, and ask for their input

My business experience was a complete success as I learned important lessons that will help me contribute even more next time. This is important, especially as an intern, since I will soon graduate and work full time in the corporate world. I am thankful for this opportunity as an intern, and I look forward to future opportunities.

I would love to hear your experiences as well. I am sure that I will learn from you as well.

This is definately an interesting find since it illustrats how blogging is changing and NOT just a fad. Although, blogging is not for everyone, I believe the LAPD can really benefit.

Just like any company, the LAPD now has the opportunity to connect with millions of people online and start a community. I wonder how many other police departments will join in?

Whenever I think of the police, I do not think internet.  Either way, police departments can easily harness the internet and use it to their advantage.  Especially since blogging could eventually become the prefered method of finding information (it already is for me).   

What are the implications of the LAPD blogging?

• Blogging is now a new form of communication and is accepted
• The LAPD wants to form relationships with their online audience
• The blog can be used to post new "most wanted lists" or special news alerts
• Time is changing…I predict that other police departments with join in

This is definately an interesting find. Blogging is almost mainstream, this is really a big jump.

Visit the LAPD here

What could be Second Life's competitor, Doppelganger, is launching the PCD Music Lounge aimed at providing teens with the ultimate experience of looking cool, dancing like a star, and making new friends ONLINE in a PG environment.

Named, the PCD lounge, it will first be opened to some of the Pussycat Dolls fans, then it will open its doors to the rest of the public.I recently had a podcast about Second Life talking about how I think its AWESOME, but here comes another awesome aimed at teens. Some view Second Life as an online threat to young audiences as some parts are NC-17, but the PCD lounge is strictly PG. Obviously aimed towards young teens, this may be the new hot spot.

Robert Scoble has discussed problems with him and his son using Second Life. Although Second Life is taking measures to filter the "bad" content, perhaps his son would like to try the PCD lounge. What is his favorite band/artist? What if his favorite artist had a lounge, would he join?

Here's why I think the PCD lounge is attractive:

1. AOL Instant Messanger is embetted in the lounge. How many teens use AIM? My point exactly. The PCD lounge is marketed at arguably the most used program by teens. GENIOUS!

2. New and Hip Music. Nightclubs will feature today's hottest songs and users will have a chance to buy the CD right there on the spot. Artists like the Black Eyed Peas and Gwen Stefani will make periodic appearances, which is very cool. Who knows maybe you can even get an autograph!

3. Cool clothes. Instead of charging a subscription to join, the PCD lounge will allow users to buy clothes to make their avatar cool. Face it, who is NOT going to "makeover" their avatar? The business model is simple, provide an online virtual world that is safe and allow users to buy "real" stuff. I can see it now, "Mom, Can I get a gift card to the PCD lounge for my bday?"

4. Virtual body guards. The virtual lounges are equipped with bouncers who you can run to if a user is getting out of hand. Let the bouncer know that a user is harassing you and he will do the rest.

Here's some feedback I found about the PCD lounge:

"It's Awesome, Wonderful Graphics, Great Music, Lots To Do, Fantastic Staff!! The Best Thing I've Seen And Experienced Since The Advent Of PC's…Now That's Saying Something…TY, Gidget"

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"Firstly, I wanna say what a great idea the PCD Lounge is! This could be somewhat of a 'virtual revloution' - hahaha!! Ok so I thought I'd post a couple of ideas:1) There should be a room/rest room with mirrors so you can 'check yourself out' - this feature will come in handy especially when you change clothes/face etc

2) When you first log in there's a world map, as this is a U.S. Club - I thought it would be very cool for example every so often the club moves location. Every club will have a slightly different look. So the set locations could be: Miami,LA, New York, San Fransisco."

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I love how the PCD lounge creators are so open to user feedback. That is VERY important! . You can find more information about the lounge at the PCD forum. >>
Seems to me that Doppelganger did a lot of research and really did find out what their target market needs. If I was a teen, I would join the lounge…get to listen to FREE music (buy the CD if I want), I can meet celebrities, my friends can join me, I can dance, and my parents wont be upset.

 

What are your thoughts?

UPDATE:  Robyn Tippins just added her own characteristics of a successful blogger that are worth reading.  With her list and my list combined, I think we have something here.  I encourage you to read her list on how to become a successful (business) blogger as well! 

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I recently wrote about how to become a successful intern, since I am an INROADS intern, but Robyn Tippins thought it would be a good idea to write about being a successful blogger.

I will give this my best shot, but these are characteristics that I currently working towards since they seem to be prominent in most successful bloggers.

How To Become A Successful Blogger

• Think PASSION, not numbers
  •  Some bloggers start off or eventually participate in the popularity/number contest–AKA your technorati rank
  • Numbers and Ranks are a distraction, instead write about your passion
  • Blogs written with passion are much more powerful, resourceful, and interesting 
• Join the CONVERSATION
  • Shel Israel, author of Naked Conversations, said we should join the conversation by listening FIRST–excellent advice!
  • Listen to what others have to say, start writing your own thoughts, comment on other blogs, and invite them to talk with you
  • Be a good listener and a good contributor
• Exhibit THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
  • Keep your posts unique and resourceful
  • Add value to what has already been said and introduce new ideas and questions
  • Make your posts thought provoking, not just a summary of what's going on
• Create TRUST
  • Shel Israel said blogging should be like:
    • "Two neighbors leaning on a fence talking about their interests"
  • Create trust by creating an informal and open global conversation
  • Invite others to agree and disagree with you
• Enable comments
  • Comments are an important feature of blogs, enable them and help keep the conversation going
  • Positive and negative feedback are both good, don't worry
  • The best thoughts, perhaps some you did not think of, come from comments
• Become the starting and ending point for all conversations
  • You want the conversation to start and end with you
  • First, keep up to date with global trends, news, and innovations and provide your honest opinions
  • Be enthusiastic and raise eyebrows
• Network with other bloggers
  • Build relationships, do not just sit back and hope things will happen
  • Venture out in the blogosphere, meet new people, and build friendships
  • Commend bloggers for a job well done and help them become thought leaders as well

This is an on-going list that I will continue to update with YOUR COMMENTS!  I would really like your feedback for making this list the resource for all bloggers!

YOUR COMMENTS ARE NEEDED!

 

Blogging has opened up another world for us and it is expected that some people will try to put provisions on blogging.  Yet, how much is too much?

In a recent article from ABC NEWS, there seems to be some laws that could prevent us from blogging.  Even if we do not talk about our companies, some still want to make sure that we do not blog even in our private homes. 

However, is this fair?  From my point of view, I do not think so since I never mention my employer–why would I?  I use blogging to express my interests in other areas not related to my employer. 

Here are some of the reasons why I feel your boss SHOULD NOT ban you from blogging:

• Increases our network
• Keeps us engaged with the corporate world
• Enhances our ability to criticaly analyze situations
• Serves as a "therapy" for some since blogs are like diaries
• Rebecca Blood has more to say about why you should blog

Although I do not agree with being banned from blogging, I do believe that a blogger should not disclose confidential information about their company and/or position with an employer.

But, how many of us do that?  In fact, I suspect that many of us blog about things we are passionate about and want to connect with others who share the same passion.  This is what makes a successful blogger.

Am I right?  Should bloggers be governed?

Web 2.0 is bringing the blogosphere together and forming online communities.  Blogs have been great at forming communities and now we can share our OPMLs (RSS subscription lists). 

"Share My OPML" allows the online community to share feeds with anyone else.  Want to know what Robert Scoble, TechCrunch, Engadget, Tech.Memeorandum, and Techdirt are reading?  Just go to Share My OPML and view the Top 100 feeds, click on the XML link and subscribe. 

This seems like a great idea, but I still have some questions:

• Who controls the Top 100 list?
• Will users have the ability to pre-select or customize their Top 100?
• Who will monitor for spammers?
• Will this be seen as a value-add or just creating more work?

Here's a snapshot of the homepage on Share My OPML.  Notice who is in the top 5…will this turn into a competition?

What are your thoughts?