Has #social #media found its true potential in the uprising of countries as we are witnessing in #egypt ?

February 4, 2011February 4, 2011 / John Ayers / Leave a comment

When Twitter co-founders @ev and @BIZ developed the 140 character communication, did they or anyone else for that matter – have any sense that it could be a critical tool for those looking to reach out to the world for peace?

Did Facebook founder Matt Z know what his dorm-room idea may be in the realm of the historic global issues unfolding before us?

Social media as powerful as it is in business and commerce – is nothing compared to the sharing of information that is happening.

The gravity that comes with the communication occurring via youtube, twitter, facebook, blogs, and internet news sources is powerful to say the least.

When a mobile phone held by a supporter of a movement can report from their personal perspective, and their image, or ‘voice’ is multiplied many times over, across the globe, it is revolutionary on many levels.

To the degree that communication was shut down… and has become part of the story.

Social media in some ways is leading the story, not by bringing the origin of the thought or emotion, but by spreading those thoughts and emotions. And by its very nature, it is social, it is media, it is real time and it is global.

Has social media made it easier or more difficult for some organizations to help?

Will governments around the globe utilize social media tools in the communications?

Will further unrest build because of the communication flow occurring?

and will there be new tools developed because of the events we are witnessing?

One thing is for certain, social media or the tools that have become synonymous with it has roared onto the western landscape and is making its way across the globe in these very tense times.

I am a strong believer of shared information, and the activists who are putting their lives on the line are changing the way communication, political policy, internet use, news cycles and life itself is unfolding. And in the process are finding a voice they may never otherwise had and are changing the course of history.

Why you should #Unsubscribe. Make your 2011 on-line connections more about quality not quantity.

December 9, 2010December 9, 2010 / John Ayers / Leave a comment

The fact of the matter is years ago, it was tough to have too much information, we had to seek it out. But then, eventually it migrated to us and many would eventually over-subscribe to publications getting several magazines, newspapers, and dozens of junk mail items because we were on a ‘list’. This behavior is one that we have all grown up with for the past several years, well, nearly a half a century if you really think about it.

A few newspapers turned into dozens per city, with smaller publications for communities, newsletters for this or for that. And then a few major magazines several decades ago grew into an incredible volume of niche publications for everything from monthly magazines on ‘growing yellow daisies’ to ‘cooking with olive oil’.

We have seen over this past decade that we are a society that is moving or has already moved to the digital/mobile space and if you are anything like me, you have subscribed and oversubscribed to blogs, emails, digital publications, follow Twitter accounts you’re not sure why, friend people on Facebook who aren’t really friends, and have accepted Foursquare requests from people you don’t know and the list goes on. You wake up with 143 emails in the morning and 135 of them aren’t important.

Lets see what WIKI has to say about UNSUBSCRIBE… which is often called ‘opt-out’ .

As the year comes to an end… and we step into a new decade, I am suggesting that this is a great time to consider the quality of your on-line relationships. Your Facebook friends, your Twitter account(s), your digital ‘subscriptions’, the blogs your read, the social networks you’re in or on. Be careful of the unsubscribe ‘bait n switch’ where you click to unsubscribe only to find you have just subscribed to something else because you didn’t uncheck a box. Rather than quantity, consider the quality, go for the content that is really helpful and meaningful to you.

You will enter the new year with a cleaner slate of valuable information, quality friend connections and relevant content that you can manage, rather than the content managing you. A little insider speak, but marketers (in all honesty) love you for this. It is often referred to as permissive marketing. Which is a fancy way for us to see that you really want the information to come to you. You are permitting someone to tell you something, and that is golden to an advertiser.

I apologize in advance if I purge you from my list, but no hard feelings. :•)

Here’s to 2011 and a simpler, more meaningful on-line experience.

John

I have taken an interest in helping public schools. It didn’t just happen it was an evolution. One that echoes the film “Waiting for Superman” which I saw opening weekend.

When I walked up to the theater and saw “sold out” at 8pm on a Sunday Night, I thought WOW this film is really making a fantastic impact. I actually was able to get the last seat, middle of the theater. The reality was that it was playing in a small (screener sized/30-40 seat) theater here in Los Angeles. Which was amazing, because it came with comfy big black leather chairs.

The theater was full, but I was curious who was going to this movie on a Sunday night, so I asked. The couple next to me came, because she was a teacher and had worked at one of the schools mentioned in the film. Another gentlemen was the same. He use to teach at one of the schools mentioned in the film. There was a mix, and I didn’t ask all attendees, but my guess is that people will see this movie for one of two reasons.

They are an angry and frustrated parent or they are an angry and frustrated teacher. The problem is that: the inefficiency of some bureaucrats that mess up the system, the segment of bad teachers that don’t give a 100% and the irresponsible parents who probably shouldn’t be raising children in the first place – all of these – will most likely not see this film, and they should.

So, let me get back to how I got here. over 6 years ago, I sat in a room at a Los Angeles area school as little slips of paper were pulled out of a cardboard box to see if my son was going to go to our selected “good” school. It was my first lottery experience, and it was mind shattering that my pride and joy would come down to a lottery game to see if he would be allowed to what I had researched and perceived to be a good school in our community. With over 90 people and just a limited number of spots open for students, our son did not get in. This is the exact story that is told a number of times in the documentary by Davis Guggenheim. We turned to our local home school just 3 block away as did several other families that we new from our pre-school the year before.

What was a moment of anger several years ago, turned into a new (volunteer) career of child, community and educational advocacy. Since that moment nearly 7 years ago, I have taken to task the system. I have fought to better our home-school and in so doing try to inspire others including a generation of new parents to make their own world a better place.

Believe me, I am not pollyanna about this at all. I know all too well the various black holes that our children fall through; including Unions, State Legislatures, Local Beauracrats, Financial issues, weak Politicians, Parental inadequacies, personal egos and the list goes on. Some teachers get a bad wrap, while others shouldn’t be teaching. The same can be said for parents, administrators, etc.

You want a better school? Get off your backside and challenge – support – help – change – advise – communicate with and make better the school in your neighborhood – And do it NOW. If it is a dead end, realize that and move to an alternative option. Charter, Parochial/Private or other alternatives.

The point in the movie, I suppose is my point. Stop waiting! In fact, many have stopped a long time ago and in those areas, they have created some say forced change – this is where Superman is Real. Superman is all of us, each of us, together… which adds a tremendous value in and of itself to the teaching of the next generation. Personally, we did not run to a private school at $30,000 a year for kindergarten thinking it would give our kids a better environment to raise a child.

Finally, what prompted me to post this?

I don’t want to throw a wet towel on the film. It makes an important statement… but I am a bit cynical perhaps because of my personal experience and first-hand knowledge. When I received this email… (below) – I think my first instinct when watching the film may have been confirmed. I ask you… Is #waitingforsuperman documentary filmaking at its finest, or abuse of a serious national need veiled in cause marketing?

The other issue is CHOICE. If you have two shoe repair shops on the same block – they compete for your business. If poor performing public schools, parents, teachers, administrators, politicians continue (as they have in some areas) then a new school is going to set up on the same block. That is what charters are. Charters saw a need, or actually responded and developed from a need. Are they better than public? That 100% depends on the community you are in.

A must read on Charters can be found here in the article “A’s and F’s for Charter Schools” – http://tinyurl.com/29ga8mm

Within this article there are several additional links to studies, info, research that I suggest you check out as well.

The key here is (in my opinion) choice – and being a fully engaged parent to identify and understand what your goals are for your child and be certain that you navigate the process to your best ability.

Why is the process so painful?

It’s personal (these are our children) and our future leaders.

It’s financial (this is our tax money) and someone’s job.

John

“dad”

Begin forwarded message:

[ Vote Now! ] Do you currently use social media marketing for your business?

September 22, 2010September 22, 2010 / John Ayers / Leave a comment

Do you currently use social media marketing for your business?

Never- What is social media?

Rarely-Once a month.

Sometimes-Once a week.

Often-Once a day.

Always-I live and breathe social media.

Vote now!

http://polls.linkedin.com/poll-results/59317/glqys

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Do you currently use social media marketing for your business? Never- What is social media? Rarely-Once a month. Sometimes-Once a week. Often-Once a day. Always-I live and breathe social media. Vote now!

Do you currently use social media marketing for your business?

Never- What is social media?

Rarely-Once a month.

Sometimes-Once a week.

Often-Once a day.

Always-I live and breathe social media.

Vote now!