March 2009

Now that Obama is in the White House, how does that bode for the career colleges across the U.S.?  Well, that was the million dollar question this week in our nation’s capitol during CCA’s 2009 Hill Day.

Every year, the Career College Association brings together the who’s-who of career colleges to rub elbows with our nation’s senators and congressmen.   It’s a chance for school groups to have their voices heard and ensure students get what they rightfully deserve.  Is there upcoming legislation that could affect today’s career college sector?  Well, with more than 1,300 accredited postsecondary institutions in the U.S., many of them could feel the affect of any changes in the law.  That’s why Hill Day 2009 was of the utmost importance.

As in years past, the Career College Association, the flagship organization for career colleges in the U.S., put together the two-day event in Washington, DC.  The meetings aligned career college officials with their state’s local decision-makers.  And there I was in the middle of all of it taking stock.  I had an easy assignment this year – I got to hobnob.  Last year, I was traipsing all over Capitol Hill reporting on the day’s events.

Who knew school groups had so many concerns?  There were a wide variety of issues to be discussed – which similar to last year – included changes in student loans and lending issues.  And that’s why these annual face-to-face discussions have become so important and popular.  It’s an opportunity for all parties to understand everyone’s respective points of view.  With the recession and the credit crunch in full swing, lenders have resulted to tightening their belts.  That’s problematic if you’re trying to secure student loans nowadays.

I think it would be interesting to talk to the new guy in charge of education and pick his brain.  I’m going to put that on my to-do list.  I’m going to secure an interview with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan if it’s the last thing I do.  He seems smart and affable.  And me thinks after this week, he’s got his hands full.  Maybe I’ll wait a couple weeks before I invite him to lunch.

People have become information and communication junkies. We want to know, and we want to know now! We want up-to-the-minute news and interactions at our fingertips, on a moment’s notice. For these reasons, social media has become a vital part of online communication. Social media can seamlessly integrate with existing marketing strategies, and even add an all new dimension – a “face” of your brand. Social media makes it easier to reach many more people online than a traditional Web site alone.

More than 63 percent of consumers research products and services online before buying. So doesn’t it make sense to have a broad, comprehensive presence on the Web? Having your own Web site is fantastic, but nowadays, alone it isn’t enough to make a real impact online. Fortunately, the Internet is booming with exciting and new opportunities to capitalize on the “I want to know now” mentality and people’s desires to interact with one another online. Why not update your online package with access to social media technology and tactics?

So many of our education clients are perfect candidates for interactive and social online features like blogs and micro-blogging, social bookmarking and video. Social by nature, the education trade is chock full of working professionals and potential students itching to find out more and start conversations. How about a brief overview of some of the handy interactive and social media tools?

Blogging: A great blog does not simply push company specials and products, but instead covers a range of topics in the field –news and commentary, how-to information, interactive quizzes and polls related to the field and other topics that are important to your audience. All the great content makes it easier to plug your stuff from time to time without putting your audience off! In fact, blogging is a great way to find and create enthusiastic advocates for your brand in the average user! Another excellent, similar tactic is micro-blogging on sites such as Twitter to send out quick bursts of updates and information to readers.

Social Networks: By participating in social networks such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn – where users can create custom profiles, share links and media and have conversations – you create a public forum for people to discuss your brand, and even better, for you to see what they’re saying and apply it! The social network space is great to connect with people, learn their business needs and respond quickly and simply.

Social Bookmarking: Social bookmarking allows visitors to tag or bookmark your site to return to later. Social bookmarking also helps them share your site with other users as a “favorite” and encourage them to visit. Many sites have even “gone viral” and spread like wildfire as a result of social bookmarking!

Video: There are numerous video uploading sites available where you can place commercials, how-to videos, video blogs and any other video component you can think of. The big social component, though, is that people can search for, comment on and rate your videos! The most viewed videos on YouTube have even been viewed more than 115 million times.

This is only a tiny glimpse into the world of social media, but these innovative strategies can be put to use quickly and cost effectively to deliver a great experience to customers. Not to mention, it can help reach new levels of ROI for your brand. We at PlattForm are super excited about the implications of these new media, and love getting our hands dirty for our clients.

My grandfather was a pretty smart guy.  Aside from being pretty much the definition of awesome, he gave me the best advice I have ever received.

On February 27th the Plattform Interactive department was treated to the Big Fuss Party Buss (©Justin Gill) to celebrate an amazing January.  We managed to grow business in record breaking strides and (being the awesome people they are) John VanFleet, Mike McHugh, and Justin Gill booked two party buses to celebrate.

In truth, I hadn’t given much thought to what they would look like (the buses not Gill/McHugh/VanFleet) but I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting two school buses to be parked in front of the building.  Everyone started laughing- all the build up for a “party bus” and we were rolling out in a Dunham Special.

Of course, inside was another matter completely.  With nightclub seatin, lighting and sound system- things started looking up.  Certainly once the booze made its way on board- that helped too.

I will go on record right now, as saying that Eric Dahlstrom’s home brew that he shared with us on the bus was amazing.  That guy can make some beer.  I would buy it if it were in stores.

After sampling some of D-Storms brew, the serious matter of getting to happy hour was at hand.  I mean, partying on the bus is all well and good- but then what?

The Levee- that’s what.

Well…the restroom at the Levee.  I mean- we were drinking the entire way to the plaza from Lenexa.

From the Levee we made our way to Baja 600- except that Justin Gill and I almost got left behind.  We couldn’t find the buses.  I don’t know Justin’s excuse- but I blame Joe Mulvihill.  More on him later.

At Baja John had scored us a fajita buffet.  And at this point- I think we all needed a bit of food.  Apparently Dan needed more than most of us- or maybe it was the ten dollars he was offered to plant his face in the plate of guac.

I said I would speak more about Joe, well this pertains to Webster Jorgensen too.  Apparently I thought it would be a good idea to hand over my phone to them and let them text my girlfriend.  What follows is a list of some of the messages my girlfriend received.

·    Hi I am joe?a
·    You are my friend
·    I just hot sauced myself to a tree

That is the last time I buy Irish Car Bombs for Mulvihill.

The last stop before moving on to power and light was a stop-over at Granfalloon next door.   Most of the team had split off and were talking at booths, and some were back playing pool.  However I used my slightly more courageous state to talk to Mike McHugh and John Van Fleet.  After a month I hadn’t really talked to them yet, they are the CIO and VP of Internet Marketing, respectively.  A bit intimidating right?  I should have known at Plattform that wasn’t the case.

Both of them have come up through the ranks here at Plattform and were more than happy to take the time to talk with me.  John told me that after 9 years, you can’t really see how the company looks through fresh eyes, and it’s important to get the input of new people in order to stay relevant and vibrant.  That’s not talk I am used to hearing at a company- which is part of what makes Plattform such a great place to work.

Around that time, we were departing- one bus heading back to Plattform, and one on to the Power and Light District.  Well for those of you wanting sordid details about the goings on at P&L… you aren’t getting them from me.  I was on the first bus.  But I was there long enough to know- I work with some awesome people.

And in case you were wondering- we had several designated drivers- and no one was allowed to drive that wasn’t sober.  Was I sober?  Yes.  Able to drive?  That’s questionable in any state.

Till next time-

BE CHAMPIONS.