Does Curbside advertsing matter?

Recently I have seen several CTA busses with new digital advertisements on the side. Being a rather curious person I checked the original press release from the CTA. It promises that the advertisements will only appear on the curb side of the buss. This seems like it will limit the issues that bright digital advertisements will present on the surface. However, Chicago buses often appear to the left of a driver. This means that the LED billboard will appear right in the driver’s window.

I have noticed these advertisements at night.  I find them distracting. When you are stopped at an intersection and a bus crosses in front of you the ad seems incredibly bright. The ads can be seen from more than a block away. I can’t imagine that is good for a driver’s night vision.

There are some great potential uses for the LED boards including displaying CTA updates or Amber Alerts.  I understand that this contract will bring the CTA a good stream of advertising revenue, but I do wonder about the safety issues they present.

 

Hey! Now what do I do?

 

How many times have you received an email (personal or work) with a one word subject line (like HEY!)? One of the easiest ways to improve communication with friends and coworkers is by paying attention to the subject line.

I can be incredibly lax about filling in a meaningful subject line. After reading “Information Overload: We have met the enemy and he is us” I have tried to follow two suggestions: Make sure that the subject line conveys the topic of the message, Make sure the subject line reflects the urgency of the message.

I have found that by writing a clear subject line that people are much more likely to respond in a positive manner. If you provide context and direction people are much more likely to feel that they have what they need to act. A simple sentence in a subject line can make a big difference.  

 

Less is More or Less is Less?

Everyone has heard the phrase “Less is more” countless times. There are several times when this just not the case. I recently read Kerry Patterson’s article The Secrets of Creativity . I printed out the takeaway 5 steps at the end of the article. 

For the last week I have been carrying around this print out and neglecting the first point . Generate More Because Less is Less. (Notice I have neglected to post for a while). However, I have started taking more notes on what I observe in hopes of generating more potential topics.

Patterson points out that “The best predictor of who is viewed by others as creative is the sheer volume of their output.” When you create more you have more opportunities to pull out key ideas, nuggets of information that need to be developed further. 

Not many people will argue that creativity is a bad thing, or that creativity will not help you in everyday life. Patterson’s five takeaway points (Generate More Because Less is Less; If it Ain’t Broke, Do Fix it; Seek the Common; Try, Try, Again; Swallow your Pride) are applicable to most every job.  A creative approach to problem solving can help whether you are in Sales, Technology, or Management. Everyone faces problems the most obvious solution will not always produce the best results. Don’t be afraid to be creative.

What have you done today to exercise your creativity? 

 

Does twitter have a place in formal education?

Yesterday I came across an article in the Guardian that shed light on a new proposed curriculum in the UK that would include having primary students study “…handwriting and keyboard skills, and learn how to use a spellchecker alongside how to spell.” They would be required to master twitter and Wikipedia, as well as blogging and podcasting.

There are six key areas outlined in the proposed curriculum: understanding English, communication and languages, mathematical understanding, human, social and environmental understanding, understanding physical health and wellbeing, and understanding arts and design.  The goal is to balance traditional education with the latest trends in digital and social media. There is also a push to allow schools greater flexibility in what they are including in their curriculum.

Many articles you read, and books such as Bowling Alone, suggest that our current educational systems are not adequately preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow, jobs of tomorrow being those that don’t exist yet. While this curriculum will address technological trends and emerging uses of existing technology I fear that it can fall victim to fad. While exposing students to important skills such as online search, teachers could easily drill into areas of the web that will change before the students ever have a chance to engage them in meaningful ways in their adult lives.

Twitter is undoubtedly a trend that cannot be ignored at this point. However, many parents would feel cheated if their students spent time studying MySpace and other sites that have faded from their former position in the collective conscience.

While it is important to study technology and equip students with the skills to not only survive, but thrive, in the digital age I do not believe that Twitter has a formal place in primary education.  The dangers of online predators, the risk of cyber-bullying, and the chance of teaching to a fad seem to outweigh the benefits. I believe that students need to be exposed to the concepts between online sites such as twitter, and Wikipedia (both mentioned in the original article) but this needs to be done in a controlled way that protects both the students and their futures. Classroom projects that teach the core principals of social media, online collaboration, and information sharing are one thing. Writing reports and spending class time on twitter are another.

 

Building Social Capital in a Digital Age

In his book Bowling Alone Robert D. Putnam talks at length about how technology (especially TV) can lead to disengaged community members. With a 2000 copyright date, and data that only reaches into the mid-nineties, Putnam’s research ends before the rise of Web 2.0 and social media.

Social media can lead people to believe they are building Social Capital (connections between and within social networks). One can easily look to the number of friends on Facebook, or followers on Twitter, and proclaim that they are engaging with their community. However, it is easy to post to a thought to a social media website and feel that something has been accomplished. In this digital world there is no guarantee that your message is received on the other end.  This means that the little effort that was exerted may not have built any social capital at all.

Some social media types, like Chris Brogan, actively try to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds. Chris frequently posts his whereabouts to both his blog and twitter account. He encourages people ot get out and meet with him. He also engages in various charitable inniatives like the pledge to end hunger. 

It takes effort to build social capital. The digital age offers us several new ways to engage others and build social capital and just as many ways to retreat into our own world.

 

How do you use the web to connect with others and make the world a better place?

 

How do you use Google?

I have seen several people asking about how Google is used. People are debating the best way to type in your search: “How do you” vs. “How do I” and every creative variation from there. The most creative use I have seen for Google’s search so far is spell check. Too tired of waiting for Word to open? Just click over to your browser (which is always open) and see if Google returns the “Did you mean:” link.

I am not a good speller. However, I don’t know that I would trust Google to spell check anything I am writing for others to see.

 

Avoid Compulsively Making Things Worse

 

From Cobrasoft on sxc.hu

The title for this post came from a fortune cookie. I am not sure what that really means, but it is something I have been thinking about quite a bit. I thought this was great advice with the current state of the economy. Often it is easier to ignore little responsibilities (making things worse) than to take five minutes to get something accomplished.

As I mentioned in a previous post I have read David Allen’s Getting Things Done recently. I am not suggesting this is the only way to go, but I do believe it is a great starting point for organizing your life. Simple organization will help you from compulsively making things worse. You will remember the little things that need to be done. Your mind will be liberated from so much of the clutter you carry around. I have found that having a system for staying organized has made me a happier person.

Try to get organized to avoid compulsively making things worse.

Good luck!

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

from ipole on sxc.hu

 

 

Free compliments

I recently found the site http://rayogram.com/news which shows the front page of 14 major newspapers. Near the bottom of the Chicago Tribune was an article about two Purdue students who stand outside for two hours every Wednesday giving free compliments to all who pass by.

 

I have to say the story and accompanying video made me smile. 

 

Free Compliments

 

“There are only two problems in life…”

I recently finished reading David Allen’s Getting Things Done. There was a section at the end of the book that caught my attention. It was a quote from Steven Snyder and a follow up comment from David Allen.

“’There are only two problems in life: (1) you know what you want and you don’t know how to get it; and/or (2) you don’t know what you want.’ If that’s true (and I think it is) then there are only two solutions: (1) Make it up (2) Make it happen.”

While this seems overly simplistic at first I think it is a good, basic, way to approach things. Too often it is easier to give up when you don’t know what you want or are not sure of the next steps. If you are willing to make up an answer, or chose between several options, you are able to find a next step (or a next action as David Allen calls them). After identifying a next step it is easier to take action.