“There’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s® peanut butter cup.”

The same can be said about Social Media.  Not necessarily eating Social Media, but how you use it.  Over the past number of years, the “Web 2.0″ phenomenon has exploded.  Everyone seems to be tweeting, blogging and updating their Facebook status.  But how can an independent training professional or anyone in business for themselves capitalize on Social Media?

The Independents Networking and Collaborating Special Interest Group of the Greater Atlanta ASTD Chapter recently featured a panel discussion on how self-employed training professionals can market themselves through Social Media.  The panel consisted of Dawn Gartin (@DawnGartin) and Kelly Vandever (@KellyVandever).  Here are 10 tips one can use to promote their business, service or them self through Social Media:

1. If you’re on LinkedIn, spend time on your profile and make it a reflection of your overall experience.  Many potential clients and companies look to LinkedIn for talent.
2. Get recommendations from people who can vouch for me.  Even send a “template” or draft of a recommendation that the person can write from.
3. Always personalize a LinkedIn invitation versus the “standard” template.
4. If new to Twitter, get a profile, look and listen to others who have a similar interest as you.  Then decide how you will use it.
5. On Twitter, have your real name in your profile, Twitter name or picture. Make it personal.  People tend to converse with a picture, not a logo.
6. If you are a business owner, you should have a Facebook page to promote your brand.
7. Make sure you look at the privacy settings for any Social Media platform. There may be information you only want to share with particular groups or people versus everyone.
8. Always use a strong password so your account is less likely to be hijacked. It beats having to send an apology and embarrassment.  Try this tool to test your password’s strength.
9. Consider using Yammer to send company-like Tweets to employees only.
10. Send status updates to Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to highlight projects or clients you are working with to generate interest in your services. TweetDeck is a great solution to do this easily from one location.
11. Never say anything online that you wouldn’t say to someone standing in front of you!

To build on the 10th tip above, there was an awesome Social Media success story shared.  Jay Lambert (@LambertJay) of Integrated Learning Services told the group how a company in Australia that sought him out for a contract.  This organization follows Jay’s tweets and wanted him to bid on a contract.  This is an amazing way Social Media can bring potential business.

Instead of promoting a business, I use Social Media to promote my expertise in workplace learning and performance professional. For example, I use Twitter (@RussellAWheeler) to share knowledge, ask questions and connect with others who share similar interests in learning, innovation, technology and motivational quotes.

The bottom line is there’s no right or wrong to use Social Media.  You simply need to find out how it will work best for you.  Talk to others who use Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook to promote their business or expertise.  The key is to leverage this “phenomenon” to your advantage.  Remember, there’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s peanut butter cup just as there’s no wrong way to use Social Media professionally (unless you decide not to follow Tip #11).

What are your thoughts?

How do you utilize Social Media professionally?  How many of the 11 tips listed above will you use and why?

In my previous post, I mentioned an easy way to inspire your participants by posting a quote at the front of the training room.  The intent of this post is to make it easy and simple to implement.

There are a number of sources you can use to find quotes.  Books, websites, inspirational posters or anywhere you may be.  I’ve found quotes out shopping, listening to the radio or watching television.  Wherever I may be, I always make sure I have some way to record the quote.

My BlackBerry® smartphone makes it easy to do this.  I can type the quote into my memopad or say it on the voice recorder.  If I have time, I will copy or write it into my master quote document (which is up to 12 pages).  That way, I will have it readily available on my smartphone device to write on the training room board.

Posting an inspirational quote at the front of your training room is nice to do for your participants.  The key is to make it easy for you to do on a daily basis.  There are many sources for inspirational quotes.  If you plan to implement this, find a way that works and ensures you have a new quote every day.  Your participants will appreciate it!

What are your thoughts?

In what ways do you inspire your participants?  How might you impact their learning experience?

Back in college, I had a professor who would write a quote on the board at the beginning of class.  I always looked forward to reading her quote.  There were days when the quote was tied to the lecture and times when it had nothing to do with the material.  Regardless, she always made sure one was on the board before she began.

I have taken this practice and applied it to my training sessions.  I typically don’t draw attention to it, just as my professor had done.  The reason is simple: it’s there for the participants to ponder.  I notice from time to time that participants write down the quote or simply thank me for sharing it.

One of my goals as a trainer is to provide a learning environment where participants feel inspired to learn.  This is why I write a quote on the board every day.  I never forgot how this simple gesture influenced and inspired me to carry on this practice.

In my next post, I will share how I make this task easy and simple.

What are your thoughts?

Has someone ever done something so simple that had a profound effect on you?  What are ways you inspire your participants?

Learning is directly proportional to the amount of fun you have. ~Bob Pike

Examples of Classroom Toys

When I deliver training, there are a number of items I always have for class.  Things like books, pens, highlighters to  name a few.  Besides the basic necessities, I need to make sure I have a leader’s guide, agenda, roster, etc.  There are also three items I never go without including the following:

• Thumball – This novel creation is always a crowd favorite.  No matter what I’m delivering, it’s guaranteed to inject some fun!  For this activity to be successful, here are a few ground rules:
  • Ask everyone to stand and stretch.
  • Always toss the ball underhand with the participants facing each other (this eliminates any surprises).
  • When the ball is caught, the participant answers the question under their right thumb.
  • After the question is answered, ask the participant to toss the ball to someone else and be seated.
• Sound F/X Sound Effects Box – This novel creation from the Trainers Warehouse can be used at any point during class.  There are six different sounds that can be used to bring the group together to answering a question with the correct or incorrect response.  I love my Sound F/X machine and use it whenever I need to inject some fun in the group!
• Staples Easy Button – Staples created this device as part of an overall marketing campaign.  However, it’s another sound device that’s great for the classroom.  I use it whenever someone or a group answers a difficult question, or the class completes an activity.  It’s always great to hear “That was easy!”

These are just a few of my favorite “fun” makers that I like to have at my fingertips.  One word of advice, if you plan to use the Sound F/X or Easy Button, you may want to close your door.  These items tend to create a lot of noise (unless there’s no one near your room).

The next time you need to deliver training, consider having some fun.  Your participants will thank you; mine do all the time!

What are your thoughts?

What do you do to add fun to your learning environment?  In what ways do you keep your participants engaged and energized?

“We’re all far more creative than we believe.” ~Tania de Jong

Someone asks “are you creative?”  How would your respond?  I’ve asked this question many times over the years.  Many people don’t hesitate and say yes.  However, there are always individuals who say “I’m not creative” or “I don’t think I could be creative even if I tried.”

Creativity is a fundamental life skill that we all possess.  For example, think about a time when you were faced with a challenge and needed to find a solution to the situation.  Maybe you like to create unique jewelry designs or explore new ways of cooking favorite recipes.  These are a few ways people employ creativity.

With this year’s World Creativity and Innovation Week ending Wednesday, why not make a commitment to yourself to explore ways to enhance your creative potential.  Every person has the ability to utilize and express their creativity.  All it takes is a belief that you are creative.  If you believe, your creativity will succeed!

What are your thoughts?

Do you believe in your creative ability?  How are you creative?

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

The words of H. Jackson Brown came to life recently when my wife and I attended a concert at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Like most arenas, there are a number of ushers available to point you towards your seat or in the direction of a restroom or concession stand. This would be the expectation of anyone attending an arena event. However, on this night, we were pleasantly surprised with our usher.

When we arrived at our section, we were greeted by a happy and caring individual. Our usher’s name was Rick and he was fantastic. My wife and I learned that Rick was a network engineer by day, and an usher by night. It was his opportunity to leave his home office and interact with the outside world. Rick took the time to ask us if we wanted ear plugs. Although we declined his offer, Rick was happy to help in any way he could.

Rick’s passion was evident with everyone he met that evening. A lot of people may not think much of the job an usher performs. But Rick carried out his responsibilities with enthusiasm. It’s always wonderful to meet someone who loves what one does. Rick will forever remind me of the words of H. Jackson Brown and inspire me to be the best at everything I do.

What are your thoughts?

Was there someone who inspired you to go above and beyond what was required?  How do you emulate his or her example?

If you’re a trainer like me, how many times have you delivered a subject that was important but a bit on the dry side (i.e., lots of information and no interaction)?  Have you ever delivered a class where the participants struggled to maintain interest in your lecture?  We’ve all been there at some point in our careers.  Why not make class more interactive and fun for your participants?  Sharon Bowman shows us how we can learn AND have fun.

Back in 2007, I had the opportunity to hear Sharon Bowman speak at the ASTD International Conference & Exposition in Atlanta.  She presented an exciting workshop based on her belief of the connection between television and learning.  Sharon believes that the average adult learner in the US who watches television regularly is accustomed to viewing content in chunks with frequent commercials.  The commercial breaks condition television viewers to expect content for only a short period of time, break and then resume content.  Your participants (i.e., television viewers) bring this acquired skill to the classroom which affects how they acquire knowledge.

I can attest that Sharon’s techniques outlined in a number of her books work very well.  After 8-10 minutes of delivery with or without activity, your learners need to break.  The breaks she refers to are no more than 60-120 seconds. Plenty of time for learners to share, process and reinforce what they learned.

I encourage any trainer to look into Sharon’s work and incorporate her techniques into your delivery style.  You’ll begin to notice your participants’ increased satisfaction with your classes and they will walk away with a greater chance of retaining what you taught.  Out of all the feedback I receive from people, the best compliment is “I learned a lot from Russ’ class and had fun at the same time!”

What are your thoughts?

Have you used Sharon Bowman’s techniques?  What are your favorite tools for participant interaction and engagement?

Gelato Sign at Varasanos

My wife and I were having dinner at our favorite pizza place in Atlanta: Varasano’s Pizzeria.  If you are looking for great, authentic NY style pizza, then you need to visit this place.  When we dine at Varasanos, we usually order one of their great salads and Nana’s pizza.  We always leave full and satisfied with our meal.  However, we decided to order dessert for the first time ever.

What caught our attention was a table tent.  It featured an offer for free gelato with a positive post to Facebook or Twitter.  Show the post on your device and the sweet treat is yours.  Of course, my wife and I whipped out our devices and posted the following tweet:

If you love authentic NY pizza, visit @VarasanosPizza. The best pizza in #Atlanta! => http://bit.ly/c6C011

With that, we both enjoyed some amazing gelato.  At the same time, I like the idea of tweeting feedback in exchange for something of value.  What a novel concept to place a small sign on the table to encourage patrons to tell their friends of the restaurant’s food and service.

Today, nearly every person has a mobile device.  I’m confident that more businesses will replicate what Varasano’s Pizzeria is doing now.  Why not?  Your customer is sitting there enjoying your food and service.  Word of mouth is one of the best forms of marketing.  Give your customers and clients a reason to spread kudos about you.

Every four years, the world’s best athletes compete in the Olympic Games.  This spectacle featuring the world’s best athletes is great to watch.  It’s a competition of national pride and excellence in sport.  To become an Olympic champion requires sacrifice and commitment to one’s goals.

Many Olympians strive to give their best even in the face of adversity.  Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette won the bronze medal last Thursday in Vancouver only days after her mother died.  With the hearts of Joannie’s nation and the world behind her, her performance earned her a place on the podium.

Even with the tragedy of losing her mother, Joannie was not willing to give up her opportunity to perform.  Many expected Joannie not to skate.  However, she gave it everything she had.  Olympians have a chance to win once every four years.  Many continue on even in the face of adversity because this may be their only opportunity.

Life throws us many challenges and it’s our choice what we do in the face of adversity.  Unlike Olympians, most people don’t have to wait another four years for an opportunity to succeed.  If Joannie had chosen not to compete, she would have never known the outcome.  Like her, we may never know the end result if we don’t try.

What are your thoughts?

In what ways has Joannie Rochette inspired you?  Would you be able to do what she did?

“Inspiration + Innovation + Discovery = Future”
~ Kennedy Space Center Tour Brochure

When the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looks toward the future, they believe that inspiration, innovation and discovery will lead them there.  I discovered the above quote when my wife and I visited the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) outside Orlando, Florida.  Reading it made me think about how NASA continues to explore ways to make space travel safe; and how their discoveries eventually end up impacting our daily lives.

NASA has been at the forefront of discovering new technologies for America’s space program for over 50 years.  It has done this by identifying and clarifying problems and situations in order to find innovative solutions.  Many of these innovative solutions have led to numerous products and services we use every day here on Earth.  Some of the gifts from space technology include:

• Long Range Weather Forecasting
• Flat-Panel Television
• Water Purification Systems
• Radiation-Blocking Sunglasses
• GPS Technology

The NASA mission statement is “to improve life here, to extend life to there, and to find life beyond.”  If we stop for a moment and think about these words, the purpose of NASA is to make our lives better through innovation.  It’s amazing that we are able to locate our position in a vehicle if we become lost or hear of oncoming severe weather while sitting on the couch watching a flat panel TV.  So how much do these innovative solutions cost the US taxpayer?  Our guide answered that question by saying approximately 25% of every one cent of taxpayer money is appropriated to NASA.  We should remember that the money we spend on NASA has brought us closer to the future today.

We all have benefited from NASA’s work in some way and will continue to do so for many years to come.  Many American’s do not understand the vital role the space agency plays in our daily lives.  But one thing is certain, NASA wil never stop innovating to achieve their goals, nor should you or I.  By the way, if you are ever in the Orlando area, make the trip over to KSC.  It’s well worth it!

What are your thoughts?

Do you think space exploration is important?  What other breakthroughs will NASA discover in the future?