Will Dance For Food Benefit - December 11, 2011: See some of what you missed!

"some eat and sleep dance, so others can eat and sleep..." -- Will Dance for Food 6th Annual Dance Showcase.

I am so proud of my niece, Mariel, for being a part of the amazing charitable event, it's 6th Annual Dance Showcase, "Will Dance For Food."

I was so excited to see her be a part of this worthy event and she was so happy to be a part of this wonderful experience to help those in need.

It is said that dancing comes from the heart, and indeed it does.

Seeing my niece appear and perform on stage with Mr. Robert Taylor, Jr. of "So You Think You Can Dance" group was truly a moment I will cherish.

It was so wonderful for everyone but I was especially proud and impressed to see her be a part of this amazing event -- it brought tears to my eyes,

I adore her not only because she is a beautiful niece but for her kindness and consideration for others and for her love and appreciation of the arts.

My hope is that all those dedicated artists who eat, sleep and dance so others can eat and sleep continue doing so that someday there will be an end to all this hunger and homelessness!

A full house auience woooooohoooooed the spectacular dancers at the 6th Annual Dance Showcase "Will Dance for Food" Benefit today at The Mary Lou Meese Theatre, Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY.

The dancers represent the best of the most talented Westchesterites and were members of various dance studios throughout Westchester County. Also appearing was special guest Mr. Robert Taylor, Jr. "So You Think You Can Dance" luminary.

The Will Dance for Food performance on Sunday, December 11, 2011 was dedicated to Rosa W. Boone-Morgan, former director of The Westchester Coalition for the Hungry & Homeless, Inc.

Enjoy these "see some what you missed" videos:

Special Guest, Robert Taylor Jr. - Break it Down


FINALE - Groove is in the Heart - The Final Bows


The Will Dance for Food benefit aims to raise awareness and funds for the poor, hungry and homeless.

For more information visit www.foodclothingshelter.org

"some eat and sleep dance, so others can eat and sleep..." -- Will Dance for Food 6th Annual Dance Showcase.

Cloudforce New York - November 30, 2011: You should have been there!

Corporate Overview and the Social Enterprise

See what you missed by viewing opening keynote from Salesforce.com Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff. Benioff opened Cloudforce New York with a corporate overview and an explanation of the social enterprise concept. Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts also appears, offering a birds eye view of the luxury brand's social transformation. Recorded live from New York's Javits Center on November 30, 2011, this is part one of an eight video series.

The INCREDIBLE Dancing Redhead at The LAB in NYC (10/30/2011)

Wanted to share my digital take while in New York City on 47th street. I passed The LAB (a roger smith collaboration) and found this incredible dancing lady. Wondering who is this incredible, athletic, dancing redhead?

Here's TAKE 1:




Here's TAKE 2:



Amazing how walking down the street in New York City can be so interesting and entertaining. Hope you enjoy!

SMWF - North America, November 1 – 2, 2011: You should have been there!

See what you missed by reading some highlights of the SMWF (Social Media World Forum) - North America in NYC at The Jacob Javits Conference Center November 1st – 2nd, 2011.

The theme for this year’s SMWF conference was “Engage with the world of Social Media Marketing.”

On Tuesday, November 1st, over 2,500 professionals in all things digital and social media filled the exhibit hall at New York City’s Javits Centre to attend two days of one of the most premiere interactive conferences, SMWF. New to this year's event were panel discussion formats, tweet up panels, on stage interviews, open 'Q&A' portions, audience sourcing debates and break-out group discussions enabling attendees to explore in-depth the key social media platforms, and how they can enhance marketing.

There were over 100 leading social media speakers that read like a who’s who from all things digital marketers, social networks and brands providing a wealth of presentations about brand case studies with intensive workshops and plenty of networking among cutting edge players. The goal of the conference was to inform, interact, inspire and share how deeply social media can assist our businesses in connecting with and engaging customers. Mission accomplished!


"Track highlights included:
• Integrating social media into your marketing plan, and building your social media marketing toolbox
• How Social Media is being used for brand building
• How to engage with customers though Mobile Social Media and social media with mobile apps
• Building your Facebook, Linkedin, & Twitter marketing strategies
• Location based marketing
• Social Shopping - new influencers, voucher offers and real time social shopping
• B2B social media marketing
• Social TV – how social media is changing the way we interact with the TV
• Social CRM – internal social media, community building and management
• Top tips on selecting your Social Media Agency – the role of who does social media within your organisation
• Best practices for delivering PR campaigns across multiple Social Media platforms
• The new buzz word “Social Search”
• The Socialisation of the Internet with the impact of social credits and the open graph approach
• Social Gaming & Virtual Currencies
• Examining the differences between the Social Media market and other parts of the world
• Twitter applications and mash ups examined"

For many businesses, the trick is not just monitoring their social media conversations, but the ability to manage multiple social channels by combining elements of customer service, marketing and PR into a integrated customer and brand centric unit.

Among the booths I stopped by was Badgeville, an innovative social loyalty smart gamification platform. Using Badgeville, brands can reward users with real time achievements and reputation while at the same time driving user behavior, achieving business goals and measuring and optimizing user engagement. Badgeville looks like a fun way to keep customers connected to your brand.

Next up was a presentation by Jane Schactel, Director of Social Media for Bing and Matt Britton, founder and CEO of Mr. Youth.

Jane discussed the importance of two-way communications with users of products and the way users of social media tend to fall into four categories:


► Observers - not engaged but curious - like lurking;
► Fans who follow the brand and interact;
► Evangelists - people who actively post positive reviews/info about the brand, i.e., Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.;
► Ambassadors - often celebrities or public figures and often paid for their endorsement.


The consumer-centric brand requires four things:.
1. Utility - meet a customer need;
2. Entertainment - publish content your users will enjoy but remember this is NOT a commercial;
3. Reward - reward users with coupons, contest prizes, etc.;
4. Recognition - give loyal users badges, a feature on the site, a special offer, etc.

Parting thoughts: Social media can give more relevance to search and search can give more credence to social media.

Lastly, I visited the Meltwater Buzz Booth, a social media monitoring platform. Melanie Zachariades explained how Meltwater Buzz can help you mine your social media mentions and gain insight from them.

So what do you think the long range effects of social media will be on brands? Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and a host of others are changing the ways businesses see and interact with their customers.

Many thanks to SMWF for continuing to provide such informative and exciting conferences!

by Carol Nissen
Writer, AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com
Digital Advertising and Marketing Director, Rhythm Dynamics

For more information visit: SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD FORUM
“Social Media World Forum is the leading social media marketing event that connects marketers, digital brand managers, agencies, monitoring, pr, gaming, tv, mobile and many other practioners and sectors embracing social media marketing. Running in London, New York, Cape Town, Dubai & Singapore, the SWMF event covers key areas such as building your social media marketing plan, social crm, social shopping, social search, monitoring & measurement, B2B social media, location based marketing, social tv, social reputation, community building, crisis management, gaming & virtual currencies, mobile social media and much more. Each social media series event will get right into the nitty gritty of these changes, giving delegates a way to learn, engage, debate and understand the latest in social media marketing. Our aim is to bring together the Social Media community worldwide to debate the hot topics, and network within a free to attend exhibition format. A fully packed agenda looking into how brands can use social media as a marketing tool, the latest tips and tricks, how brands are moderating and measuring their conversations and results, and how the major social networks are positioning themselves within the market.” For more information visit http://www.socialmedia-forum.com/

If You Are Employed You Need Not Apply to this Job Posting! If You Are Employed Read This?

I read an article in today's Sunday New York Daily News "Gotta have job to get one,” by columnist and author Erin Einhorn about the way companies are advertising their jobs. Companies are including “MUST BE CURRENTLY WORKING FULL TIME” and phrases of this nature on the employment ads.

Is the issue at hand really discrimination or is it the fact that these ads are risking job productivity for companies? Many companies are beginning to realize that there is no basis for discriminatory ads that aim to exclude individuals they label as unemployed. Advertising of this nature is not only offensive to the professional seeking work but the ads are counterproductive for the company, and are an OXYMORON. According to the NY Daily News article, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer’s office found at least 18 New York jobs requesting that “unemployed need not apply.” Stringer wants all discriminatory job ads banned.

Shouldn't the ads really read "If You Are Employed, You Need Not Apply?" Wouldn't this help corporate America stay productive? Searching for a job is a full-time job. Isn't it really a "slap-in-the-face" to a corporation when hiring managers' job postings exclude the unemployed yet promote full time employees? Aren't they suppose to be paid to work and focus on their jobs not looking for another job at work? In terms of costing companies thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars in productivity, I certainly think so.

I have one simple question regarding "unemployed need not apply" job postings: "What defines "unemployed?" An employed person who has nothing else to do on the job but search for another job or a professional that hiring managers punish and label as "unemployed" yet seeking employment is more 24/7 than 9 to 5? Can another valid issue be that there are too many inexperienced or "overemployed workers" in the job market? There is truth to the fact that those unemployed tend to be the ones that really excel at work, and their superior is threatened that they can do their job and for less compensation, so they get let go.

Are hiring managers and human resources that blinded that they don't understand the hard fact that being unemployed is more challenging than full-time employment? Who do we blame – Washington DC or corporate America? How about blaming both?

Why is Washington DC still allowing businesses to post discriminatory ads to the effect that "unemployed need not apply?" This is one monumental time that I believe our government must intervene to end this counterproductive activity. Doesn't corporate America realize that by posting discriminatory ads of this nature, that they are not only hindering opportunities for professionals seeking employment but they are also decreasing corporate productivity? Encouraging full time employees to apply to job postings is not only counter-productive but it questions whether employees on the job are:

      ►satisfied with their work
      ►motivated to stay focused
      ►using time on the job to apply for other jobs
      ►aware of the consequences of low productivity
      ►dedicated and skilled to get the job done

According to the NY Daily News article President Obama has included a ban on employment status discrimination in his jobs bill but parties are quarreling over it. Even if this bill goes into effect, how can this be monitored? How do we prevent “we the unemployed” from being discriminated even with a ban on discriminatory job ads?

Why doesn’t the government charge an outrageous fee of $1,000,000 for every discriminatory job ad posted? I'm sure this would end these ads. The proposed million dollar fine would still be less outrageous than the discriminatory slap-in-the-face, baseless, job ads that exist right now. Plus, it would generate some nice chump change and create many jobs? Since 18 ads were identified already for New York (as per the NY Daily News article), that would total $18 million thus far -- just think of all the jobs it would bring and potential impact to the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.

As a senior marketing consultant I can assure you that being unemployed is working 24/7 -- having many jobs and wearing many hats. You are a simultaneous autonomous worker and team player, constantly researching, meeting face-to-face, social networking, writing, joining professional organizations, learning about new trends, industries, business models, etc. All this while going on job interviews, volunteering, taking courses to learn about new fields (related or unrelated to your job), learning about new technologies and software applications, budgeting, managing finances, cash flow, family obligations, etc.

When are Washington DC, human resources and hiring managers going to admit the fact that professionals labeled "unemployed" are essentially the ones with the competitive edge, the best skills and experience, and are constantly challenged -- not full-time employees?

It is about time that Washington DC, corporate America, and hiring managers realize that reinventing yourself costs time, money and deserves respect and appreciation.

Unfortunately the term "reinventing yourself" has evolved into becoming nothing but a negative implication and a huge farce in the business world. Thanks to all those baseless, discriminatory job ads which not only create the wrong messages to the job market but are a tremendous disservice to the culture, communications, productivity and philosophy of their company.

Discriminating against the unemployed not only adds injury to insult (yes, not the other way around) but also illustrates corporate ignorance and total disregard for the true key contributors in Corporate America - the real professionals, the risk takers, the innovators, the marketing professionals, the communicators, the solutions providers, the ones who aren’t afraid to stand up to the issues and speak up when bottom line is compromised, the story tellers, etc. Labeled "unemployed" yet more qualified and more equipped to perform any high level job currently paying $250,000 for half that salary. These inappropriately labeled, professional job seekers are the ones who change jobs, work in different fields, learn new things, are flexible and open to change, and have the incredible business acumen with superior skill set that businesses really need to improve productivity and increase profits. And they do it with accuracy, in half the time and for half the salary.

Many of what "the unemployed" have are what the "the full-time employed" need to have but simply lack. The "we-the-unemployed” are the key contributors and money-makers for Corporate America -- NOT the full-time employees who are at the same company for years, sitting at their desks pretending to be busy (no offense to the full-time workers, I am aware some of you really do work).

Why on earth do you believe there is very low morale among full time workers and why companies need to hire consultants? No it is not just to save money on benefits, that is a bargain mechanism for compensation. It is because their existing full-time employees are overconfident and really do not know what they are doing! Could it be that the employee wants to learn what the consultant does without adequately compensating? Isn't it about time that consultants stop being exploited for the sake of a corporation keeping an incompetent and unskilled full-time employee?

When are Washington DC, human resources and hiring managers going to accept the fact that being in a mid-level management or VP level job for years doesn't equate to doing the job or having the skills and competence to do the job (whether in a job for 1 or 40 years)?

When are human resources and hiring managers going to fess up to the fact that just because one is over 50 years old and not in a permanent position that that does not equate to lack of skill set or experience? Hiring managers and human resources need experienced workers, workers who:
      ►do the job more effectively and efficiently than existing employees
      ►identify errors and prevent errors from reoccurring
      ►provide many solutions to existing problems
      ►communicate effectively at all corporate levels (hey, somebody has to do it)

I've been on both sides - experienced being a full time employee and a consultant. I still wonder when are human resources and corporate America going to face the fact that it's not the economy's fault that their company’s error rate is highest and the productivity rate is the lowest at their company.

Much of the problem lies in companies’ dysfunctional and inadequate infrastructure and attitude that our company is too big (or too small) to fail and somehow, someway, Uncle Sam will bail us out again. This stigma is what hinders everything and every decision made on behalf of the organization.


It is unfortunate the previous bailout monies did nothing but help the already wealthy, well-connected, the ivy leaguers (and some non-ivy leaguers), the nepotism clan, and other general employees who are vested with the company. The wrong monies in the wrong places is another reason there are not enough jobs out there.

I was debating whether I should post this to my blog. If I do, it will potentially, negatively impact my job search for permanent employment; But then again, somebody has to do it!

LINKS TO OTHER RELATED RESOURCES

The Life Report by David Brooks Whether you are over 70 or in your 20s just starting out, you should read this and the comments. The Life Report is filled with very thought provoking articles and there was one which really made me question are professionals and executives in jobs for years really boring? If you haven't done so already, you should check this out.

Happy 100th B-Day Mary Blair!

Happy 100th B-Day to Mary Blair, American artist known for producing art and animation for The Walt Disney Company, and drawing concept art for such films as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Song of the South and Cinderella.


After the completion of Peter Pan, Mary resigned from Disney and worked as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator, creating advertising campaigns for companies such as Nabisco, Pepsodent, Maxwell House, Beatrice Foods and others. She also illustrated several Golden Books for publisher Simon & Schuster, some of which remain in print today, and designed Christmas and Easter sets for Radio City Music Hall. Several of her illustrated children's books from the 1950s remain in print, such as “I Can Fly” by Ruth Krauss. Blair was honored as a Disney Legend in 1991.

Born Mary Browne Robinson on October 21, 1911, in McAlester, Oklahoma, her family moved to Texas while she was a small child, and later to California. In 1934, she married another artist, Lee Everett Blair (October 1, 1911 – April 19, 1993).


She was the sister-in-law of animator Preston Blair (1908–1994). Mary Blair died of a cerebral hemorrhage on July 26, 1978 at the age of 67.

Today, October 21, 2011 would have been Blair’s 100th birthday, Google paid homage to Blair's life and works with a doodle themed with colorful patterns.

Click here for more information about Mary Blair.

Happy 90th B-Day to Art Clokey - Creator of Gumby

Happy B-Day to Arthur "Art" Clokey, ) innovative pioneer in stop motion clay animation.

In 1955 Clokey produced Gumbasia, an experimental film about claymation. This film help him and his wife, Ruth,come up with the idea of his clay character, Gumby. Gumby and his horse Pokey became popular on American TV and later they got their own series “The Adventures of Gumby.” In the 1980s American actor and comedian Eddie Murphy parodied Gumby in a skit on Saturday Night Live. In the 1990s Gumby: The Movie was released, sparking even more interest. Born Arthur Charles Farrington in Detroit, Michigan on October 12 , 1921 he died in his sleep on January 8, 2010, at age 88, at his home in Los Osos, California after suffering from a recurrent bladder infection.
On October 12, 2011, which would have been Clokey's 90th birthday, Google paid homage to Clokey's life and works with an interactive logo doodle in the style of his clay animations.

More information about Clokey can be found at the following links:

Art Clokey: How Gumby got his name by Chris Gaylord, Christian Science Monitor
Art Clokey – Wikipedia
Art Clokey: Creator Extraordinaire