Mediaboss Marketing

In previous articles, we have discussed the importance of social media as a networking tool. In the business world, professional sites such as LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook and others provide useful platforms for networking and engaging substantively online with peers, recruiters and (hopefully) hiring managers.

A recent article in Forbes discussed the opportunities for networking from a business perspective. While the focus of the story is business to business, the principles are relevant to career- and job-search strategies. With so many people involved with social media for both professional and social reasons, the whole idea of social media as a viable, or even essential, career tool is quickly gaining credibility.

In this age of Facebook, Twitter and a plethora of other social-media sites, there has been an explosion of use by business and individuals whose interests are professional as well as social. A recent survey of workplace usage noted that more than half of respondents claimed to engage a social-networking site at work, while a smaller number admitted to using these sites on a daily basis while at work.

With a growing number of firms developing employee policies and engaging in business activity through these sites, the opportunities for both positive and negative interaction with such a network is huge.

For example, other surveys have confirmed the importance of sensitivity to content on the Web. In one survey, almost a third of the

Be careful, too, about what you say about previous employers or colleagues. One in five hiring managers told a CareerBuilder survey that they took exception to candidates badmouthing their previous company or fellow employees while 15 percent of candidates shot themselves in the foot by sharing confidential information from previous employers.

I counsel my clients to ensure they are up to date on what type or information about them is on the Internet, and to be extremely cautious when posting any potentially damaging or embarrassing material that may find its way around cyberspace. In addition, recruiters, hiring managers and HR professionals are doing a growing volume of Internet checks on candidates.

Once you're sure your personal data is up to date, totally appropriate and positioned to reflect a viable career strategy, the use of social networking can be a powerful aid.

Consultants sometimes make it appear a campaign launched on social media is rocket science. If they show you how you could do much of it yourself, why would you hire them? But it's not complex.

Go to Google and type the following keywords: (your product or industry keyword) "social network" (or instead of "social network," type "social media" or "forum"). See how many people are registered, are currently online or are replying to conversation threads. Read and gauge the quality of the conversations. Post a question to the forum or article, and use the responses to create useful content for that community. Link to your own website and to sites of the people or entities who inspired your own posts. Give others credit and they will be more likely to thank you by sharing your content with their networks.

The rest is here:
Using social media as a networking tool

Philadelphia Phillies' Hunter Pence is safe stealing second as New York Yankees second baseman Doug Bernier fields the throw during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game at Brighthouse Field in Clearwater, Fla., Friday, March 23, 2012.

Kathy Willens, Associated Press

CLEARWATER, Fla. Hunter Pence's piercing blue eyes grow even wider when he hears the word playoffs.

Reaching the postseason is no longer a dream for Pence. It's an expectation.

When the Philadelphia Phillies acquired the two-time All-Star right fielder from Houston last July, Pence jumped from one of the worst teams in the majors to one of the best. He got his first taste of pennant fever, and wants more.

"Words can't describe how amazing it was," Pence said. "Losing in the first round was pretty painful, but it was one of the greatest experiences of my life."

Despite a franchise-record and major league-leading 102 wins, the Phillies lost in five games to eventual World Series champion St. Louis in the NL division series. It was a bitter disappointment for fans and everyone in the organization.

Winning five straight division titles and the 2008 World Series raised expectations to enormous levels in Philadelphia. Now, anything less than another championship isn't considered a success.

For some, that's pressure. For Pence, it's an adrenaline rush.

"It's very exciting," he said. "It's a great time to be a part of this organization. It's great from the top down. The fans are incredible and in this clubhouse, the expectations are to win a World Series. You couldn't ask for more."

Original post:
Pence excited about Phils' expectations

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Soul singer Erykah Badu said Wednesday she holds no grudge against Malaysia's government for barring her from performing after a photograph of her body art offended some Muslims.

More than 1,500 people had bought tickets to watch the Grammy-winning American singer at a Kuala Lumpur auditorium Wednesday, but Malaysia's information minister announced on the eve of the concert that it could not proceed because a promotional photo of Badu with the Arabic word for Allah painted on her bare shoulders was "an insult to Islam."

"It's sad, because we traveled a long way," Badu told a news conference. "But I'm totally understanding of (the minister's) protection of the laws and its people. He doesn't want anything to happen. I'm good with that."

The photograph ignited criticism from some politicians and religious groups in Muslim-majority Malaysia after a newspaper published it Monday in a feature to promote Badu's show. The daily has since apologized for what it called an "oversight" that led to the photo's publication.

Badu, 41, said the photo was inspired by images from "The Holy Mountain," a 1973 surrealist movie by Chilean-French filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky.

"I think art is often misunderstood in the realm of religion, and it's OK," she said. "In America, it's a lot different. Art is also misunderstood but it is not such a harsh gesture to promote the names of God. I am learning and understanding about Islam in other countries more as we travel."

Information Minister Rais Yatim said Malaysia's Cabinet endorsed the ban Wednesday. Police feared that if the concert went ahead, it could cause "various situations that may lead to social excitement, and quarrels may break out due to religious sensitivities," the national news agency, Bernama, quoted the minister as saying.

Public reaction to the concert ban has been divided. On Twitter, many Malaysians, including Muslims, accused the government of intolerance, but others praised authorities for being firm about defending religious principles.

Badu said she would "absolutely" welcome another chance to perform in Malaysia someday. She is scheduled to sing at a jazz festival this weekend in Jakarta, the capital of neighboring Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Link:
Erykah Badu sad but not angry over Malaysian ban

By HAROLD HECKLE Associated Press

MADRID (AP) - Spanish carrier Iberia on Friday launched a new low-cost airline, Iberia Express, which aims to claim a stake in the highly competitive no-frills sector of the European market.

The new airline is part of a plan by parent company International Consolidated Airlines Group to increase profitability after the merger of its component parts, British Airways and Iberia.

Iberia Express will initially cover Vigo, Santiago and Granada on Spain's mainland and its island destinations of Menorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma. It will expand internationally to Ireland, Italy, Greece, Latvia and Netherlands, chief executive Luis Gallego said at a press conference.

"The containment of costs will allow Iberia Express to grow and compete with the low-cost operators," said Gallego, adding that although the new airline will be managed independently, it will employ Iberia's maintenance and other services.

Inaugural flights will take off Sunday, although the company's website was not up and running Friday afternoon. Prices begin at 25 ($33) one-way with a surcharge for checking in luggage and booking seats in advance.

The new company employs 500 staff and has a fleet of four Airbus 320 planes, although there are plans to increase this to 14 aircraft by the end of the year and up 40 by 2015.

The airline is the subject of a protracted labor dispute between Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA and Spain's main pilots' union, Sepla - which held 12 days of work stoppages in December and January to protest the low-cost airline.

Sepla pilots argue Iberia Express would mean job losses among the 1,600 pilots who work for the main airline - a claim disputed by Iberia.

Sepla had announced nine days of strikes in April and May but called them off following government mediation and has agreed to negotiate further with Iberia.

Excerpt from:
Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather SportsSpain's Iberia unveils low cost Iberia Express

23-03-2012 16:11 Sell like a pro and close like you've never closed before with this one of a kind sales tool.

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