Virtual learning replacing real?

Virtual learning does not work for me. Even though I understand the benefits, I have a hard enough time concentrating while I am in a classroom. Take me out of the classroom and have me listen to a lecture online, I can promise that for 80% of the time, I will be zoned out.

Of course, this is not something that I do on purpose, but it is really hard for me to stay engaged. If I do not see the professor in front of me it is hard for me to interact and feel that I am an active participant. I just feel that it is harder to have a discussion virtually where a lot of the discussion is typed. Even if some of it spoken, it still gets lost and hard to follow because you do not have the face to face interaction.

For me the virtual classroom would never be able to replace the real one. There is just too much benefit gained from having the live interaction, that I would only do virtual as a supplement or a special circumstance.

Maybe a virtual classroom is easier to do when it is actually done in second life and you have your own avatar instead of just listening to a lecture over the web, but I still feel that I am not a fan. Virtual brainstorming and collaborating is one thing, but virtual learning is not for me. Also, the virtual classroom requires more discipline than real classroom learning, but has a lower retention rate. Which for me is not a fair trade off.

Is virtual learning going to be the only option in the future?

Think before you write

The information that can be found on the internet is a scary thing. It seems like everything is searchable. Personally, I think I always knew that this was a possibility, but there are plenty of times that I will make a comment on Facebook or on another site and not really think much past that.

It is almost like you want a confirmation window to show up when you are done making a comment. A window that would say...this information that you are about to post is going to enter the world wide web and will be easily found again in the future. Then you would need to check the box and continue...almost like a reality check...a little bit of a please think before you write.

The fact that it is more expensive to erase information, only enhances the problem. I think this is a very important aspect to consider. You don't want in the future when you are looking for a job or trying to get a promotion, for you to get restrained because some information surfaced about a racy comment that you made on a blog. I know, I don't and I cannot imagine the embarrassing factor that will also come along this. I definitely think it is time that we all apply a little bit of please think before you write.

Anyone else in favor of a reality check confirmation window?

Networking is not easy

Today, when it comes to searching for a job, it is definitely all about who you know. You can either fill out an online application and wait six months in the hope to hear back or you can try to network. If you network successfully, you might be able to get the job or at least called in for an interview in about half that time or less.

While, I strongly believe in networking...I can see how it can be a frustrating process. Especially, if you go in thinking that it is going to be easy. Here are some key facts to remember...

• Networking is about establishing and nourishing a relationship and something that takes time, it does not happen over night.
  

• A lot of work is required in the beginning and then frequent interactions throughout to keep the relationship alive.
  

• Once connected on Linked-In or any other network, you are not done.
  

• You need to stay in contact with the person so, that when you need to ask them for help, it is not a connection that needs to be rebuilt.

These key facts seem pretty self explanatory. But why do we struggle when it comes to networking? And why does networking sometimes seems like a chore?

I think it is because we focus so, much on the aspect that we are supposed to be networking and we need to figure out some way to impress this individual. Instead of just thinking of networking as if we are having a normal conversation. A conversation with your colleagues...one that in most cases we feel relaxed in. By looking at networking as an everyday conversation, we will stay within our comfort zone and become better at establishing all of the needed relationships.

Fun video that should motivate you to network...yay!!

Lost in translation

It is definitely crazy to think about everything that a cell phone can do. Our cell phones have literally turned into mini computers and it makes you wonder...what is next?

I think the majority of my friends own some type of smart phone that has internet capability. It is no longer enough to just check your email and surf different sites at home or work, it is a ability that we as consumers crave on the go. Now everything that we can do at our computers at home we can do on our mobile devices.

Interestingly enough it has become a social norm to constantly email, text and update the status on all of your social networks. Now, when you are having a conversation with a friend, it is quite common for them to have their phone out and be looking down and texting or sending an email during your conversation. At first this was seen as rude, but now in most cases it has become socially accepted.

Don't get me wrong I love texting and emailing, but I do find it rude when someone is on their cell phone while we are having a conversation. Unless, you are the CEO of some big company or it is a family emergency...I think your friend can wait a few minutes until we are done. It makes me feel like the technological interaction has become more important than the physical one.

I have experienced the head down, constantly texting with a few head nods a lot with my younger cousins. It is insane how fast they can text, but I do worry that the only way that they interact and communicate with friends is through their cell phone.

It seems like a lot can be lost in the translation because there is no physical interaction. You just read the words and interpret. This brings up an interesting point for the future of business. If everyone is going to be communicating through their cell phone, what is going to happen to physical interaction? Which in my opinion is extremely needed to run a successful business, you cannot just count and words and hope that they are interpreted in the correct way. To me that just seems way too risky.

Just Google it...duh?!

I think the internet is part of our everyday lives and definitely effects the way that we process information, but to say that it makes us stupid is bold and in my opinion incorrect. We have all been to a gathering were a particular topic comes up and everyone is enjoying the conversation, until we get stuck and want to know more. That is usually when you hear a friend say…well, just Google it.

We have come to a point where Google and other internet browsers can answer all of your questions…that is incredible. Hey, if this is something that works, why do it any other way? Obviously it is faster to look the information up on your phone than in a book. Additionally, now you can browse the information quickly and decipher the relevant and credible information for the not pertinent.

As a consumer, I am sold; the internet makes me more knowledgeable. I can look up the review for a product before I make the purchase. Now when I walk into a car dealership, I can understand the different terminology and not feel like I am getting tricked. How can this be something bad?

The only negative way that the internet is affecting consumers is by making them impatient. You want more information and you want it now. So, when we are talking to someone and do not get an answer right away we get irritated.

Along with impatience we have developed a shorter attention span. This brings a new challenge to marketers, if you do not grab our attention right away; we are going to move onto something else. The consumer is now more informed and need more, to be attentive.

The internet has created a more knowledgeable consumer by making information gathering easier and faster. Just Google it and decipher between the good and bad.

As a whole, the internet is a positive asset that gives consumers the opportunity to obtain and hopefully retain knowledge quickly. Could you imagine going back to finding answers to questions by using a book? I cannot, I love having the information at my fingertips.

Don’t know the answer to a question? Just Google it…I dare you.

Sharing the good and bad

Remember to be honest...the most important aspect that we were taught as kids by our parents, seems now more than ever the hardest to follow. Not only is it something that we struggle with as individuals, but this is also seen in the corporate world.

Why is it so hard to be truthful and to share the good along with the bad?

Do we have a miss-perception that everything needs to be perfect and we do not make mistakes?

Why is it so hard to admit a flaw?

As corporations try to embrace this new idea of conversational marketing and creating their own blog, some companies struggle with sharing their mistakes and in some cases successes. I think this struggle comes back to a judgment factor. If companies knew that they could post a blog and not be judged by consumers or competitors, it would be a whole different story.

As a consumer, I want a company that is real and one that I can relate to. More importantly one that cares about what I have to say. If a company is willing to be honest and share the bad, for me that adds value the next time they share the good. It shows that they feel comfortable in their skin and are willing to be vulnerable at times. If all a company shares is good, to me that would weaken their brand and in a way create negative association.

Marketing is now a two way street and companies should take advantage of this and open up the channels of communication, through comments, and let successful conversations take place.

Hey, it's a tough world out there, but in order to prove to consumers that you are worth their time and more importantly money, it is important to be honest.

Virtual brainstorming...yes please.

When I think of crowdsourcing I imagine a group of people coming together and either coming up with a solution or compiling different ideas. The crowd could be coming together in person, but with the many different platforms out there virtual brainstorming is the next big craze.

Personally, I think crowdsourcing is a valuable tool and it would be impractical to say that individual knowledge is the only way to come up with innovative ideas. Mostly, we surround ourselves with people that think, analyze and interpret information the same way we do. It makes sense because then no conflicts arise and quick decisions are made without resistance. The problem is by staying within your comfort zone it is going to be difficult to come up with innovative ideas. With the crowd you are getting people together that you might not normally associate yourself with in order to create friction, have disagreements and reach an original solution.

One company that has been experimenting with this idea is IBM, by conducting different JAM sessions. JAM is the idea of crowdsourcing in the virtual world, where an internet based platform is established for conducting conversations through brainstorms. A mix of people will participate and a new perspective will be gained on the problems. IBM first started JAM sessions internally and now has expanded externally; they had two Innovation Jams in 2006 and 2008 and a Smarter Planet JAM in 2009. You might be thinking of course that works because it is IBM and they have experts in many different fields coming together. But their JAM sessions are not limited to just IBM employees; they also invite stakeholders and clients. They post ideas to get discussion going and at the end they go through to get rid of the noise.

I think the wisdom of the crowd makes virtual brainstorming a success and allows us to push the envelope. Companies need to think out of the box and acknowledge that they do not always have the right answer and need to be willing to ask others for help.

Crowdsourcing is definitely the business tool of the future. Are you ready?