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e-Newsletter: Social Media, Teleseminars and More
6/2009
Welcome to the official newsletter of the Greater Spokane PRSA Chapter. Past issues can be found by going to www.prsaspokane.org and clicking on the "Newsletters" link.
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Recession Proof Communicating Teleseminar Well Attended
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On May 28th your local PRSA chapter ended the busy work day on a productive, yet relaxing note with a late afternoon "wine down" and teleseminar. The event, held at Associated Industries in Spokane, featured a teleseminar presentation from a leading industry expert and discussed how connectively communicating in a down market can set you and your company apart from the competition to help you get what you want. John Guarisco, owner of Marjoni Marketing and Cher Merrill, Vice President of Associated Industries moderated a discussion on recession-proof communicating after the teleseminar and answered questions from participants, making the Recession-Proof Communicating Teleseminar a success!
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Social Media Boot Camp a Huge Success
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On May 15, your Greater Spokane PRSA chapter organized its first ever Social Media Bootcamp. This half-day, hands-on "boot-camp," which was held at IT Lifeline in Liberty Lake, featured seminars from local social media experts. Brett Atwood from Washington State University’s Pullman Campus introduced workshop attendees to the concept of social media and how it can be of value in business development. Peter Imbres, from Hill and Knowlton (Portland) demonstrated what it takes to set up and manage a blog. Barb Chamberlain from WSU Spokane spoke of her experience using Twitter as a quick and effective communication tool and Lance Kissler, Pacific University, presented the ins and outs of Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace. The Social Media Boot-camp was so popular that PRSA Spokane may hold another session of this boot-camp in the coming months. Check for updates on www.prsaspokane.org.
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Integrating Social Media into Crisis Planning Teleseminar a Major Professional Attraction
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On May 7, Desautel Hege Communications joined the Greater Spokane PRSA chapter for a late afternoon teleseminar and roundtable discussion on the integration of social media into crisis planning. While at the event, held at the Inland Northwest Blood Center in Spokane, participants snacked on appetizers, networked with other professionals and learned about how to use social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, and our own company Web sites to communicate to our publics during crisis situations. Thank you to Cher Desautel and Nick Lawhead, both from Desautel Hege Communications, for helping us to facilitate this fun and informative event!
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Message from the Greater Spokane PRSA President
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There are many things happening at the national level to tell you about in regard to membership and professional development. Following is more information on how you can save money through PRSA members-only offers and group memberships for your employees, and information on a free webinar for PRSA members.
MEMBERSHIP
Save with Members-Only Offers
PRSA members can take advantage of preferred insurance rates for themselves, their families and businesses. Members receive complimentary access to a financial planning e-mail hotline, monthly personal finance articles and complimentary guest speakers for educational seminars on financial planning. In addition, members receive discounts on select FedEx® shipping services, Office Depot products, and Budget and Avis rental car rates. They can also support the valuable work of the PRSA Foundation by using their Bank of America credit card.
Additional information can be foundby copying the following link into your browser: http://auth.iweb.prsa.org/xmembernet/main/index.cfm?ReturnPage=http://auth.iweb.prsa.org/xmembernet/main/benefits.cfm&CFID=391619&CFTOKEN=69317f2218bc57ef-1FCDA7E6-E21E-1A4F-4F8ABB5DC1572834. For a summary of “members only” benefits copy the following link into you browser:
http://www.prsa.org/membership/documents/PRSA%20Member%20Benefit%20Compilation.pdffor Group Membership — Who's New?
Groups of eight or more employees can receive special rates on membership dues for the first year, along with other benefits, including the ability to transfer membership to another employee. Incentive awards are given to chapters that bring in a group. For more information, contact Malia Moore, Membership Development Manager at malia.moore@prsa.org.
Update Your Member Profile and You Could Be a Winner
Take a few minutes to help PRSA serve you better. Tell us your job title, organizational setting, industry and area(s) of specialization. Each month, May through August, National will randomly select five members who update their demographics information to receive gifts, including a $100 Amazon gift card and items from the PRSA Store. I just filled mine out – it literally took only three minutes!
Update your demographics information on MemberNet today. If you are renewing your membership by mail or fax, you also can update your demographics on the back of the dues invoice. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Free PRSA Webinar on Using Social Media for Disaster Response and Recovery
In January 2009, the Obama Administration issued the now famous “transparency in government memo” that called on federal agencies to adopt practices and technologies that would enable a higher level of citizen participation in, and collaboration with, government. This PRSA free Webinar on social media offers a comprehensive view into how federal agencies successfully overcame institutional barriers to adopt social media and the benefits of engaging constituents through these tools.
Webcasted on June 16, 3–4 p.m., the seminar will highlight the experiences of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and discuss the successful ways in which FEMA uses social media to engage and inform emergency management partners and the public to be better prepared for disaster response and recovery. Participants will learn: • The role of social media in government transparency.
• How to use YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Google Maps as public education tools.
• The ins and outs of legal and IT security issues associated with new media.
• Best practices for successful social media implementation.
• The benefits of social media to your organization's brand and reputation.
To find out more information and to register, visit http://www.prsa.org/PD/events/UsingSocialMediaforDisasterResponse.html
Again, have a wonderful summer. And, as always, please let me know of any suggestions you may have to make our Greater Spokane Chapter even stronger. You can contact me at mmgaley@msn.com.
Michelle Galey
President – Greater Spokane Chapter
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Guest Editorial - Job Search Survival 2009
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1. Keep your career goal realistic.
This is not the time to strike out in a risky career direction. Following your heart toward a career in which you have little qualifications could yield months of frustration as you find yourself competing against legions of candidates far more qualified. Unless you are in the position to hold out for a very long job search, concentrate on positions where you are best qualified. 2. Realize it will take longer to land your next position.
If you've never experienced a lengthy job search, set your expectations out several months and practice patience. You will apply for many positions as the perfect candidate, and get no response. Expect that. You will conduct perfect interviews and hear nothing back. Expect that as well. Just remember that eventually the right company with the right job at the right time will come your way if you stay calm and focused and don't let discouragement keep you from moving forward. Just keep with it. 3. Write a better resume than your competition.
Less jobs and more applicants equals extremely high competition. The quality of your resume has never been more important. For the best possible resume keep these guidelines in mind:
• Focus your resume. Avoid a one-size-fits-all resume.
• Showcase your best information in the top half of page one.
• Include accomplishments that illustrate your ability to solve today's business challenges. 4. Sharpen your interview skills.
With employers interviewing only the best of the best, when you are chosen to interview be sure you are your competitive best. You CANNOT “just wing” an interview and expect to be called back for a second. Today it takes solid interview strategy to earn a second round of interviews. Interview books are helpful, but they usually fall short of teaching you how to read the interviewer's mind to understand his/her hiring motivations. A study in the art of selling is more effective to achieve great interview performance. A few basic selling strategies include:
• Asking the right questions to understand the interviewer's “hot button” motivations.
• Formulate answers around the interviewer's motivations.
• Know your accomplishments well enough to weave them effectively through your interview to achieve top candidate status. Throughout 2009, the best jobs will go to those who persevere and stay focused. Keeping your expectations and goals realistic will help prevent the emotional ups and downs. Prepare for your job search as if you were competing in a marathon. With patience, endurance and skill you will win your next job. Deborah Walker, CCMC is a career coach helping job seekers compete in the toughest job markets. Her clients gain top performing skills in resume writing, interview preparation and salary negotiation. Learn more about Deborah Walker, career coach at:
http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com
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