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- Do You Win With Competition or Collaboration?
- We Work Because We’re Afraid of Dying
- How Social Media is Revolutionizing Journalism
| Do You Win With Competition or Collaboration? Posted: 03 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT
Checking out the competition is just a natural reflex and a large part of owning a business. After all, it makes sense to know what your competitors are offering and maybe even offer better services or lower prices. In fact, many business books encourage this behavior by recommending that readers contact professionals who provide similar services, act as a client, and gain insight into that person's business. I know, this tactic is somewhat shocking, but believe me, it happens all the time. Still, there's something to be said about collaborating with the people around you. As hard as you might try, it is impossible to see every situation from every potential angle and that's where collaboration comes into play. If you're grappling with a problem that's particularly tough or you don't know how to handle an upcoming project – or maybe you just want to run an idea by someone – having a few people that you can trust around you is always a wonderful thing. Seemingly, the thing that you'll want to avoid is linking up with someone who can only drag you down. For example, you might have discovered someone new through a networking event or social network, but you may later find out that this person only drags you down and holds you back. In this case, finding a different collaborator is the best course of action. If you find yourself becoming super competitive (it's okay, we all have a competitive side!) with those around you, step back for a moment. Consider whether or not the person you're competing with can offer you some advice, insight, or simply an ear to bend. If you look hard enough, you'll discover that the more eyes and minds you have (or are put together), the better your business will be. Competition (or that internal competitive mindset) can be hard to overcome and harness, but this can be accomplished by having faith in what you do, your value and realizing that a different opinion (whether you agree or not) is one worth cherishing. To your collaborative success and ongoing competitive spirit for positive service and results! Photo Credit: iStock  |
| We Work Because We’re Afraid of Dying Posted: 03 May 2012 05:00 AM PDT
Maybe that's a question that you've asked yourself in the midst of pulling another late shift. Maybe you asked that yourself leaving a job that you despise. Most of us would say that we work because we need the money. Or maybe to provide for our families. A few of us will say that we work because we love what we do. But could all of those answers be wrong? According to a recent study, the reason we work is because we're afraid of dying. As a way to combat this fear, we work to leave behind a legacy. This research has big implications for businesses. For starters, would your decisions be different if you thought about the impact it has on people? Knowing that people work, at least in part, because they are afraid of death, really drives home the impact of firing employees. It's not just about numbers, it's about people. And the way they see themselves. Obviously tough choices need to be made. Businesses must decide whom they hire and fire. And which employees get promotions and which get transferred. But we must temper these choices with what we do to people. How we treat people reflects on us, our character, and our organizations. Now the evil side of this is obvious – play up the fears of someone dying and never having a legacy. Tell people that if they sacrifice now, they'll live on. In other words, give them a speech from Braveheart or 300. Then fire them. So if we know that people work because they're afraid of dying, how can we use this to encourage them to live out their best work? 1. Act Ethically. This isn't new. Obviously. Even if people didn't fear dying we should act ethically. But if people truly have this fear, then we should work harder to not take advantage of people. Besides, what kind of person plays on this kind of fear for profit? 2. Be honest (builds defense). Not only was your Mom right, and honesty is the best policy, but honesty also has the benefits of improving the way people understand and relate to their jobs and the company. The better they understand what's expected, the better they will work to meet the requirements of the job. 3. Switch the Meaning of Fear. If we work because we're afraid of dying, then instead of playing on the fear of death, what would happen if you encouraged someone to work for their passion? We know that when we do yell we get compliance, not greatness. When we scare someone, we limit their creativity and potential. Instead we should be unleashing people and encouraging them. So far we've focused on the business side of this research. Yet there is a personal lesson to learn as well. I don't know about you, but I don't want my life ruled by fear. I don't want to make choices because I'm afraid of the consequences. I want to make choices because I believe they will matter. I want to live my life to make a difference – not to avoid death. How about you? How will you live your life? Photo Credit: tinou bao  |
| How Social Media is Revolutionizing Journalism Posted: 03 May 2012 02:00 AM PDT
Those figures are driving advertising revenues, too. For the first time in history, online newspapers have officially surpassed print in advertising revenue. "Traditional news viewing and news gathering is changing right before our eyes, and 10 years from now it’s hard to say exactly what it’ll look like," Michelle Millman, reporter at Seattle's KIRO-TV, told the Huffington Post. Not only is the medium changing, but the sources are, too. Through shared links, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (in the order) have drastically increased traffic to news websites. Social media itself now ranks among the top three news sources, with nearly 30 percent of the market. It lags behind TV news and newspapers, but beats out radio news and other print publications. "We still report facts and give you the news, but the rise of social media has changed how a story is told and consumed," wrote Robert Quigley in Austin's American Statesman. "For example, most of the Statesman’s newsroom staff members use social media every day to interact with readers and sources. Thanks to these new tools, journalists can get instant feedback on their work, gather meaningful tips, track trends—and build valuable relationships with the public." In the past couple years, major international stories broke on social media, making traditional news outlets question their role in the process. Stories such as:
"Before social media, interacting with readers was limited to including reporters’ phone numbers and e-mail addresses at the end of stories. Responding to people encourages good dialogue, and it is likely to make people more loyal to our product," Quigley wrote. Before giving in to the digital revolution completely, though, consider the pros and cons in terms of journalism. Social media specifically lends itself well to immediacy and evens the playing field by letting anyone report news. Additionally, cell phones—due to their compact size—can go many places where TV cameras cannot. However, journalistic integrity can be easily compromised as a result, often due to inaccurate facts and people attempting to convey a full story in only 140 characters. For proof, ask the 50 percent of people who have seen breaking news on Facebook or Twitter only to find out it was false. "Over the next decade I believe we will see even more bloggers, citizen journalists and contributors added to the mix (along with traditional journalists). That can only lead to even more news—whether it’s on YouTube, an iPad, or a blackberry—breaking news stories will be everywhere," Millman said. Photo Credit: just.Luc  |
The title of this post really provokes a lot of thoughts and questions. On the one hand, it's tough not to be competitive when it comes to your business. On the other, collaborating with someone who offers similar services can only benefit you in the long run (for the most part).
Why do you work?
The time of the paperboy has passed—just as the Newsies before him, and the town crier before them. According to Media Bistro's | You are subscribed to email updates from Upmarket To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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