eBiz Tomorrow by Chris Salazar

My good friend Julio sent me a link to the Top 10 Intern Goofs.  The stuff in the article is pretty funny, yet come to think of it I know a few people like that! 

As we all know, an internship is VERY important.  It is not just a summer job, but it can shape one's career in just a few short months–look what it has done for me.  My career path has definately been carved and now its up to my determination for success. 

Although, the article has some good "goofs"

I would like to offer my own "No, Nos"

1. MySpace - It is difficult to resist, I know!  But, at try to wait until EARLY in the morning or during off hours!  Keep in mind, if someone sees you on MySpace…big "uh oh!"
2. Personal phone calls - Your boss does not want to hear about the cool party last night, or how much you think him/her is cute!  Go outside, or wait until lunch. 
3. Instant Message - I am 50/50 on this one. I use yahoo/google to talk with other co-workers, but AIM…I am scared.  Try http://www.meebo.com/  it combines all 3 plus MSN.
4. Surfing the net - It is so easy to get distracted and look at the latest gossip, but this is definately a sign of laziness and manager's dont like that. You are wasting their dollars
5. Too much of a social butterfly - Networking is good, but talking to someone every other minute is NOT!  Again, your intern is for you to work, not socialize.
6. Drinking too much - Yes, sometimes you may go to dinner with co-workers, you will have a drink, but do not get drunk!  They are testing you, even if they say its okay, dont listen.  Have your drink and use the "I have to drive home" excuse
7. Dressing to casual - It does not matter if everyone else is wearing ripped up jeans, still dress to impress.  Here's my rule:  Dress 15% better than anyone else.  So what if you get teased, at least they recognize you!  No shorts, no short skirts, no sleevless shirts, no sandals, etc
8. Think before you speak - I have done this way too many times.  I get excited or forget who I am talking to and actually say what I am thinking.  NOT GOOD!  Think before you speak because it will save you embarassment.
9. Getting too personal with anyone at work - Sometimes it is inevitable, but try to refrain from dating a co-worker.  This will make things complicated…what happens if you have a fight?
10. Do not talk salary or wages - Yes, this was my first rookie mistake:  "How much do you make an hour"…don't ask anyone how much they make.  That is confidential information…again dont get too personal. Keep it business!

These really apply to anyone who works in corporate.  Although everyone knows not to do it, we still do!  So keep these in mind at work, print them out and tape them to your board. 

Now you are wondering how to I become a successful intern or employee?  Here's how!

So did I miss any "goofs"  feel free to talk back.  What have you seen in the office that is an absolute NO NO?

Wikipedia, probably one of the first successful wikis to hit the internet, is cutting down on community involvement! Wikipedia now focuses "revises its anyone can edit" policy and laying down some ground rules.

Is this a bad thing? Well, it does limit our involvement with wikipedia and it no longer is the same wiki it started off as. It was very successful, despite reports that some information is biased or not factual, and it will continue to spread throughout the internet.

Who is the biggest participant (i.e editors)? Experts!

Who is (IMO) the biggest user? COLLEGE STUDENTS

I am not sure about schools outside of the Bay Area, but wikipedia is highly used by colleges and universities (especially Santa Clara University). AND, these new rules and guidelines will limit the expert's subjective opinion, and instead become more objective, which will benefit them in the long run!

Wikipedia needs to establish its credibility in academia, once this is achieved, there is no stopping it. I use wikipedia first when starting a research paper, then I might Google the subject matter. But, honestly, I do not really like googling subjects, TOO MUCH INFO!

Advantages of these new guidelines and revised policy:

• Wikipedia will "earn" credibility first with academia
  • Once academia embraces wikipedia, it will be used by everyone (like Google)
• Experts who edit wikipedia will be focused on providing usable and factual info
• College students with have a one-stop resource center
  • Perhaps competition for Google
    • I type in wikipedia FIRST, before going to Google
  • Or perhaps an alliance between Google and Wikipedia
• Wikipedia will continue to pave the way for this new form of communication
  • Its only a matter of time

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Read more about what others are saying about wikipedia:

• Social Freeloaders: Is there a collective wisdom and can the web obtain it?
• The Media, Bloggers, and Wikipedia
• The Five W's of Wikipedia
• Who Decides, Who Decides the Wikipedia Problem
• NY Times Reports Wikipedia

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I invite your opinion on the road for wikipedia…

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is there life ahead for wikipedia?

This is a snapshot of MySpace's homepage that millions of users will see each day! This appeal is definately attractive and probably effective.

This is just the beginning as several other businesses will start using MySpace for these opportunities. What does MySpace get in return? MONEY $$$

I admit that I wanted to see Superman since the first preview of the movie, BUT this MySpace advertising makes me even more curious.  It makes the movie almost worth it to wait in line 2-3 hours before the movie just to get a good seat.

But, what a great way to reach millions of viewers all at once.  Is there any ROI for this type of advertising?  How much does it cost?

To the left is a picture of ME at the blogging dinner. I am in the black shirt…

Take a look at all the fun we had at the blogging dinner! By the way, thanks Jeremiah for the picture!

Earlier, I posted my expectations and hopes for the blogging dinner. I went into the dinner with a strategic mindframe and being my first experience I was not sure what to expect. However, things changed and my game plan was a bit skewed.

Driving up to San Francisco I was picturing a fancy dinner in a big restaurant, yet it was nothing like this. Instead it was at a bar/lounge restaurant with very little room to sit down and have a "calm" conversation. Everyone was excited, standing up, shouting, and of course podcasting (Jeremiah).

I made some GREAT relationships with several people and the next time I will have some blogger friends. Here's all the interesting people that I met:

• Martin McKeay who blogs at a few different places including the Podcast Roundtable and Computer World
• Les Chui, a Marketing Chiropractor, is setting the stage for his industry! I am impressed with his progression in just a few short weeks! Great job!
• Kristie Wells who works for BrainJams, a startup that "connects people, ideas, and resources." People, especially bloggers, are always looking for opportunities to collabortate and meet new people…excellent idea.
• Mario Sundar who works for Navajo Advertising and Public Relations. Mario has some very interesting perspectives on Marketing that is worth reading. Although a relatively new blogger, he will take blogging to another level. Welcome!
• Gregory Narain who works for Social Roots. Social Roots helps people take control of their writings and even offers some compensation in return.
• Lastly, I met Robert M. Halper, who works for Johnson & Johnson. He did not necessarily have a blog, but his company would like to implement a blogging platform for their employees. I hope he was able to gather some information and/or resources.

The blogging dinner was FUN and SUCCESSFUL! I was able to mingle with other people and expand my own network. Thanks Jeremiah for the invitation, keep me updated with future events!

Also, my fellow intern buddy may start a blog as well. She is still figuring out what the purpose of her blog will be, but at least she is thinking about a BLOG. Many thanks to Mario for the Marketing…I mean encouragement! =)

Here's my goal for every blogging event I attend: Meet new people!

I realized thats really what is important. These are social events and I need to MEET NEW PEOPLE!

Interns are facing some problems for blogging and even attracting some negative press.  But this does not mean that interns should not blog!  Blogging fosters several important characteristics that make a successful intern, scholar, professional, and person.  

Yet, like everything else, there is a wrong way and a right way to intern blogging.  Fortunately, I have not had to learn the hard way, but from the "bad" example of others.  

The Do's and Dont's of Intern Blogging

DONT's

• NEVER talk about confidential information from your work
• Refrain from office gossip
• Keep co-worker names out of the blogging conversation
• Be careful about disclosing where you work, your department and/or who you work with
• Have a public disclosure on your blog, something like this: "Please Note: All thoughts and ideas presented in this blog share no connection with my employer"

DO's

• Talk about important lessons you learned:  "How To Make the Best Out of a Business Trip"
• Network with other people in the blogosphere
• Use your blog to express your interests and critically analyze what is going on
• Seek others like you to use as a resource: "Reaching Out New Interns Wanted"
• Recap your internship with important lessons you learned and others can use:  "How To Become A Successful Intern"

These are some important lessons that I have learned throughout my blogging experience.

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER, please comment!   

I have not been blogging lately, mostly due to a swarm of work in school. Finals are starting next week, but what a good way to celebrate the completion of finals with a Blogging Dinner!

This will be my first blogger dinner, so I do not know what to expect. Of course, I am a bit nervous to step out of my little bubble in Santa Clara, but I am looking forward to it.

Here is a list of what I hope to learn and/or achieve from the blogging dinner:

• Network with other bloggers
  • This is important to me as an intern blogger starting my career
  • From my internship, I learned that networking is a KEY to success
  • I hope to meet some of Jeremiah's and Shel's friends including: Adriana, Mario, Jackie, Brian, James, Will, Jeremy, Jeff, Juan, Mike, Jenn
  • THATS A LOT OF PEOPLE…look out for me!
• Learn how to become a more efficient blogger
  • I admire those who have not only created an audience for their blog, but ADD VALUE
  • Everyone can improve their blog and I am open to new ideas
• Make myself known to the blogosphere (at least in the Bay Area)
  • I want others to know that interns can contribute to blogging in a good way since we have a lot to offer (new incites)
  • I will be bringing along a fellow intern buddy too
• I would like to represent ALL INTERNS
  • Interns all over the world are entering in the workforce and want to start the way
  • Interns will soon become full-time working professionals, and these opportunities help the transition
• Have fun!
  • Being done with Finals is always a reason to treat yourself out!

I hope to see all of you there! If you can make it, look out for me. I will probably be one of the youngest there.

I will follow up after the dinner and give a full recap. I AM EXCITED!