October 2008

I have a freakish and completely irrational fear of horses.   It’s called equinophobia … and, believe me, it’s caused relentless teasing by my family and co-workers.  It’s also caused me to have quite a few unforgettable moments.

Like the time I was sightseeing in NY and my cab pulled alongside one of those Cinderella carriages outside Central Park.  Not only did I scream like a 12-year old girl, I leapt out of said moving cab into oncoming traffic.  (At the time, getting mowed down by a transit bus seemed a better alternative than being trampled to death by a horse with glitter on its mane.)

When I talk to students who have graduated from career colleges, I ask them two things.  The first thing I ask is — were they glad they went back to school?  And the second –   were they initially scared to go back to school?

99.259725% of students respond yes to both.

Many students traipse in to their first day of class with low self-esteem.  They are unsteady and unsure of themselves.  Many desperately crave approval and the chance to prove themselves.  One woman I spoke to recently likened herself to a light bulb. Before she had to the internal fortitude to go back to school, her light had nearly been snuffed out.  Her light was dull and only occasionally flickered.  Once she started going to school, she felt instantly brighter and alive.  And, more importantly, there was an “electric energy” at the school.  Everyone wanted to do better for themselves and/or their family.  And that energy was palpable.

Even though I desperately wanted to mention that she just had a “light bulb moment”, I didn’t want to interrupt.  (Thank you, Oprah!)  But I did ask her if she was scared to go back to school.  Turns out she had quit school not once, but twice before.  No wonder she was gun shy – she had literally pulled the plug on herself.

But here she was … ready to graduate in a few weeks.  She was excited.  Borderline giddy even.  From the administrators to the instructors, everyone at that school was responsible for helping her flip the switch from OFF to ON again.  Dare I say, someone gave her the POWER to succeed?  (Cliché’ I know … but I’m on a roll.)

Next time you talk to a student, find out what their hopes AND fears are.  One of them is always going to win over the other … it’s your job to make sure it’s the right one.

And for the record … don’t ask me why I’m afraid of horses either.  Like I said – it’s completely irrational.  My friends think I’m just being a jackass.  Needless to say, I told them to immediately find another name to call me.

Facebook, Myspace…Most of us have heard of these websites at some point. What these sites, and others, have in common is that they are used for social networking.

With social networking websites, users can create a profile that allows them to connect and interact with friends, family, colleagues and others with similar interests. Through these websites, users can share pictures, post videos and send messages to one another.

Social networking websites have become beneficial for companies in marketing their websites.  Companies can create profiles and market their brand or product on social networking sites, utilizing them in much the same way that users do.

Myspace has been a great marketing tool for musicians, allowing them to promote their music.  In much the same way, at PlattForm has created Myspace profiles for our educational clients. We seek out friends by searching Myspace for current students and alumni and request their friendship. We post pictures of the school, students, classrooms, etc.  We can post blogs, messages, news, and communicates with our friends, and keep them up to date with the school, all through the Myspace profile.

Facebook works in a similar manner. PlattForm can create profiles for our clients; however, instead of the typical Facebook profile that asks users to fill out their favorite movies and books, we create business pages.  These pages contain information that’s more relevant to a business, such as hours, parking and location.  Also, instead of having friends, the page has fans, which can be reached out to.  Fans on Facebook are sought out in the same manner as Myspace, searching for current students and alumni, inviting them to become fans.

The obvious website marketing benefit in utilizing social networking is the links we place on the profiles that link back to clients’ websites. Other benefits take more effort, but are equally valuable in the long run.  For our clients that have blogs, we can import them into their profiles. Each time a new blog is posted, it will show up on their user profile, allowing friends and fans to read the post.  We have also utilized these profiles to post pictures, videos, news and events, all of which can be shared with friends and fans, who can post comments, on these items allowing interaction on the profile.

Social networking has been a great way for PlattForm to help our clients communicate with students and alumni.  Once connections have been made, we ensure that we keep up with our profiles, by posting blogs, pictures, and news regularly.  We constantly seek out friends and approve friend requests. Social networking profiles are yet another way to put the school name and brand out there a little more, and connect with those that matter most to our clients: friends, fans and students.

Q: Halloween is quickly approaching and I need an idea for a costume. Any thoughts?

A: This is a great question. Halloween is a fun time here at PlattForm! Culture Club has some great stuff planned for us. While I can’t give you any ideas on what you should be, I did a little research and I found out what some other people are planning to be.

• John Van Fleet – Scott Baio
• Michael Mackie: Elton John – The Rocket Man version.
• Kristin Lindley – Spongebob I-don’t-wear-pants
• Doug Neill – Danny Bonaduce – NOT the Partridge Family version
• Dave Admire – The Million Dollar Man

I hope that gives you a little insight as to what is in store for Halloween at PlattForm this year. Good luck!

Q: Is it true that there will be a Caribbean steel drum band by the vending machines in the break room next summer? Will we have to tip them, or will they receive a portion of the proceeds from the vending machines?

A: Last summer there was some discussion about bringing in a Caribbean Steel Drum band for entertainment. Management had a meeting to discuss how to bring some fun into the company during the summer. There were a lot of ideas thrown out. Some examples were:

• A Tri-Wizard Tournament – interns would be placed at the bottom of the lake north of the building. Department Seniors would have to battle mildly aggressive Canadian Geese to save them.
• Flex Friday
• A traveling Mariachi band
• Mike McHugh Appreciation Day

In the end Flex Fridays was chosen to be the summer treat. While the Steel Drum band would have been cool, I think getting a half day every other week is better.

Yes, it’s already that time of year again.  The best part is that this year it falls on a Friday, making it the perfect time for costume parties. 

This however can pose a few problems. Perhaps you have invites to more than one All-Hallows-Eve bash, or maybe you are just tired of the same old costume you wore last year and you are wanting to find something more with the times then a vampire.  Well, if you don’t want to be stuck tangled in fabric along with your date posing as the back end of a horse, or if you just haven’t had time to be creative and need something last minute, here are a few quick ideas:

Refrigerator Magnet - Get a black shoebox, or cover a shoe box in black paper and attach it to the middle of your back. wear whatever else you like with it.

Static Cling - This one is an old one, but just use safety pins to attach socks etc. to your shirt.

Ceiling Fan - Using a marker, write or attach a sign saying ”Go Ceilings!!!!” on your shirt. Wear a giant foam finger, and cheer at random.

Gods Gift to Women/Men - This one is easy, just get a bow and a gift tag.  Place bow on your shoulder and the gift tag on your chest saying To: Women/Men From: God.

Myspace - This one takes a little more work.  Attach a picture of yourself on the front of either shoulder, and below that attach pictures of at least 8 of your friends. Carry around a small stereo playing your favorite song on repeat.  When someone asks you what you are or comments on your costume, ask them to leave a note on the space provided on your back (hand them a marker, or pin one to the back of your shirt using string).  Feel free to tell them whether or not their comment was approved, and be sure to randomly tell people your mood, or start ranting about any given thing.  Make sure to include your zodiac sign somewhere, and perhaps a note saying which 80’s movie or superhero you would be.

These are just a few ideas, hopefully they will either suit your needs or at least help you find a direction to start in.