Journalism-Back to Basics
January 31, 2011
I’ve been thinking a lot about where journalism is headed and I think I found the answer this week. Meet Emilie Raguso, the Albany, CA editor of Patch.com.
Emilie Raguso
Patch.com is a collection of web-only news websites which is trying to focus on the kind of hyper-local news-gathering that has been the staple of community newspapers for the last 200 years. Give people news about what’s going on in their schools, little league and community and they will actually support your product.
I’m proud to say that I’ve worked for a number of newspapers which were based on this remarkable theory and I know it works. Patch.com, which is owned by AOL, is just doing it without a printing press. You can read the New York Times take on the process but don’t be thrown off by the “looking-down their noses” attitude of the piece. The Times, like other large metros and many journalists, just can’t seem to grasp that people care more about what’s going on in their community than they do about the rest of the world.
I’ve been following the Albany Patch.com site with some interest, even though it doesn’t cover the town where I live. I happened to meet Emilee at a local coffee shop.
I have to admit that I had lost faith that journalism would ever be the same with the internet, but as Emilie sat down – camera draped around her neck – and began talking about all the stories she was trying to cover and how much fun she was having, my hope was renewed.Her dedication to trying to cover meetings, plus doing features and working with freelancers, and being unbiased and getting reaction from the community was refreshing.
She’s only been on the job here for six months, but as we sat at a table outside the small restaurant, we overheard two women talking about a recent Patch.com article, a man walked by with a Patch.com tote bag and several folks stopped by to say hi. That is community journalism.
Maybe we are not all doomed to getting our news from left or right leaning blogs and there is still a place for the kind of journalism I was taught – way back when.
Let’s hope so. And I hope that there’s a Patch.com site that c0vers your community. With any luck the folks at AOL won’t screw things up by trying to control each site from a central location. Only time will tell, but at least they’re off to a good start with Emilie.
Time to Re-Assess?
December 13, 2010
At some point in your job search you need to assess or re-assess your basic assumptions.
These are issues that effect your whole family but whether you are working and looking for something new or unemployed and frustrated that you haven’t found anything, you need to consider your options.
These assumptions are often the toughest to change, particularly as you get older.
For example, are you in the right field. Yes, you may have been working in an area for many years, but is it a growth area. Is it really the best option for new jobs. Is your chosen field expanding or it it the modern version of the buggy whip maker?
It might be tough to leave your field but you need to consider the skills you have and how they might be applied to another job. That’s why your resume needs to reflect your skills, not just your experience.
It’s also good to consider moving to another part of the country or at least expanding your search to areas which might require more of a commute. It’s no secret that not every part of the country has suffered equally in the recession. Maybe you should consider moving.
For example, Silicon Valley, south of San Francisco has been hurt just as badly as other parts of the country. But a recent Justice Department agreement on employee poaching, along with the maturing of major firms such as Google and Facebook, has created a lot more openings. Many people are openly shopping themselves and the resulting turnover will make 2011 a hiring hotbed in the area.
Do you need more training to switch fields or just improve your skills. You may not need to consider an advanced degree – although it’s not a bad idea if you can afford it – but certification programs and community college courses can introduce you to new careers or add skills to your resume.
These decisions should not be made in a vacuum since they impact the whole family, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t even consider talking things over before charting a new course.
Perhaps an even more serious issue, which I’ve touched on in previous posts, is assuming your family would be opposed to an alternative – like moving – before you even bring the idea up. Just don’t wait until you’ve gotten an interview opportunity from a company two states away, to talk about the issue.
That’s just not fair and is a recipe for disaster on a personal level.
Regardless of what stage of your job search you are in, it’s always a good time to re-assess.
Wikileaks and Coaching
December 9, 2010
I think one of the qualities that a coach brings to clients is the ability to see an issue from different perspectives. I was thinking about that as I read the continuing saga of Wikileaks.
What you think about the actions of Wikileaks leader Julian Assange depends on your perspective
Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of state, says the release of the confidential cables from State Department files, puts people in danger and harms the nation’s diplomatic efforts.
Many journalists see the release of the State Department cables as a freedom of speech issue, adding that Mrs. Clinton is just trying to deflect attention from the security of the State Department computer system.
Other journalists say it harms their work because the leaks have reduced the trust they built up with national security sources.
Many diplomats, worried about the security of their communication system, say it will make their memos less honest because they fear the information may become public.
World leaders are also split, depending on how they are pictured. Most of the descriptions are not flattering particularly when it comes to the personal peccadilloes portrayed.
Arab leaders, particularly in Saudi Arabia, are embarrassed because they are seen ‘begging’ the United States to do things they can’t admit they want done. (like attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.)
Iran thinks the memos, all 250,000 pages, are just fabrications.
Many pundits, both in the US and out, say most of the information wasn’t that valuable but at least the papers show that the United States does know what’s really going on it the world, an that’s probably a good thing.
So, is there a ‘coach-able moment’ here? I guess, next time you have a decision to make, be sure to consider as many perspectives as you can. The real truth depends on your perspective.
Tough Time for Job Hunters
December 6, 2010
If you’re looking for a job, December is a tough month. If you are among the 9.8% of the workforce counted as unemployed or the 17% that is under-employed you can’t help but be a bit depressed by the thought of trying to stretch what income you have, to buy presents.
If you’ve been out of work for a while, you now have to worry about losing unemployment benefits. (although it appears Washington politicians have worked out a compromise today) It’s tough to stay optimistic about the upcoming job-hunting season.
But, now is the time to summon whatever optimism you can and start working on possible strategies. Even if you think you’ve tried every method you could think of , it’s time to start again.
It’s a good idea to at least question your underlying assumptions on a regular basis. Basics such as career fields, location, pay level, or training should all be re-assessed regularly.
A few suggestions might be in order.
Try not to use the New Year as an excuse to wait a few more weeks. Traditionally few companies do much hiring around the holidays. It used to be that they didn’t do many layoffs either, but the pressure for quarterly results has ended that and the public relations disaster of being the Grinch who stole Christmas doesn’t seem to worry most companies. As a result, there’s a lot more movement this time of year.
Also, if you call now and the hiring administrator puts you off until January, that’s one step closer than calling in January and getting put off until February.
This is the time of year when most firms are doing their planning for the year ahead so they will know about possible openings.
Except for retail, things can be pretty slow for many businesses. Yes, that can lead to some “out of office’ replies on emails, but it can also give employers more time to get to know you.
While holiday parties and get-togethers can be uncomfortable when everyone asks what you’re doing, force yourself to go. It’s just networking with eggnog. Try not to turn down invitations because you’re embarrassed, you need to be out in public so people know you’re still looking.
I’ll repeat what you already know – 75% of jobs are not filled through the formal application process and more than half of the jobs are never advertised. Taking advantage of your network contacts can help you get an introduction, find out about a job or even meet someone who does the hiring. You never know what ‘friend of a friend’ might be helpful.
If you haven’t already, learn how to use online networking. It doesn’t cost anything to join Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn or any of the hundreds of other social media sites. Learn how to find school classmates and old friends. And find out how to use groups to broaden your list of contacts.
Don’t be bashful about telling people you are looking. How else will they find out. Your profile is your resume.
Finally participate in online forums in your field and consider starting your own blog so that potential employers can get to know you better. But don’t just ramble on about current events, comment on issues in your field. Avoid politics at all costs.
It’s tough to sugarcoat job hunting, and it’s tough to be optimistic, but you have to remind yourself that your attitude comes through to everyone you meet, so you’re better of believing that your new job is just around the corner.
What to Wear
The Boston Globe had a nice photo feature recently on what to wear to an interview.
The only thing I would add is the reminder that 85% of communication is non-verbal and clothes are definitely a key.
And secondly, you have to remember where you are interviewing, but even in Silicon Valley, where businesses casual is sometimes taken to a whole new level, it’s better to be over-dressed than the alternative.
That being said, I have to admit that the wrong clothes or hair style is not always a disaster. I can remember interviewing a candidate whose wardrobe and physical appearance raised more a few eyebrows as she walked through the newsroom to my office. Her resume looked great and once we started talking she clearly knew new her stuff. She was personable, knowledgeable, friendly, inquisitive and understood the news.
I considered the rather conservative environment of my newsroom and hired her on the spot. I thought a little disruption might be good. turned out I was right. She did a fine job.
But being unconventional often means you have to work extra hard in other areas to get your message across. You may not always be successful.
Take a look at the photos on the Globe website, some of which are over-dramatized to make a point, and take a look at what you wore to your last interview. If there’s any similarity – you might want to make a change.
Career Night Success
November 16, 2010
Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Kensington Career night.
We had a nice group of area residents all anxious to hear how they could improve their resumes and broaden the chances of finding a job.
Recruiter Mary Pueringer and I spent almost 3 hours reviewing career options, job hunting techniques, and resume details.
We hope to have another event in January when the job hunting season is in full swing.
Thanks to everyone for making our first career night a success.
Free Career Advice
November 14, 2010
Orange and Blue Wine
November 11, 2010
Spent part of last weekend touring two wineries in Napa Valley with a bunch of other Bucknell University Alums.
Ed Farmer, a BU grad from 1969 showed us around the Kendall Jackson Oakville winery where they process grapes for a number of KJ’s brands. This is the Napa headquarters for the brand and Ed oversees 5 different vineyards and as well as the press/processing
Tasting from the barrel at Kendall Jackson
operations. Well-known brands such as Freemark Abbey and Alisos Hills get their start here.
Ed, who holds a degree in civil engineering, keeps a watchful eye on all 30,000 barrels. It was great fun to taste barrel samples of a number of wines, although it was more like sampling lemonade in some cases.
It was also the last day of crush and they were hand-sorting some of the fruit that goes into their 0/bottle Cardinale brand. We didn’t get any samples of that, but there was some excellent cabernet, viognier, and merlot.
On the other end of the wine making scale was Reverie Winery on Diamond Mountain in Calistoga – owned and operated by Norm Kiken and his new bride.
Norm Kiken of Reverie Winery
Complete with wine cave and Redwood picnic area, Reverie makes about 3000 cases of highly respected wine, including a Roussanne which is not seen that often in California.
Norm is a 1968 graduate of Bucknell, but admits that he learned by the seat of his pants – moving from investment banking when he accidentally discovered he had a palate.
Norm’s wines have drawn high praise from critics and consumers alike and if you ever seen any if your local wine shop by a bottle or two and have a toast to one of Bucknell’s finest. And by all means try his special blend named for his son, Andrew Scott Kikken – that would be the A.S. Kiken brand.
Measuring Sales Metrics
October 19, 2010
There are all sorts of ways to measure the health of a business. I think the less scientific and common sense methods may be best.
Take this example.
One of my favorite walking routes takes me by a new small shopping area. The landscapers decided that a nice low hedge between the shops and the road would be attractive. The store closest to the road where lots of people walk for exercise was a Starbucks. Unfortunately there was no way to get to the coffee shop without an extra 50-yard walk to the driveway in either direction.
Six months after the shopping center opened there was a clear path worn through the vegetation and the hedge where pedestrians, too lazy to walk the extra distance to get their daily latte, had created a shorter route.
About 18 months ago, the Starbucks closed, as part of the corporation’s restructuring and slowly the hedge recovered and the path disappeared.
Three months ago a new locally-owned coffee shop took over the Starbucks’ location. I asked the owner recently how business was and she said, “Fine, it’s only been a few months but we’re doing well.”
I’ll believe her when I see the path through the hedge re-appear.
Business Ethics 101-Case Studies
October 18, 2010
Ethical business decisions come in all forms. Here are two that I came across. Your comments are welcome.
A client wanted to explain why she was l00king for a new job so she related this story from her most recent position. She was not my client at the time.
She’s an HR specialist with over 25 years of experience. She had decided to explore other options, as they say, and had applied for a number of positions in her field. She got an interview for a senior position at a firm about 300 miles away. Close enough to drive for an interview but certainly requiring relocation if she got an offer.
She went to the interview and a few weeks later got a call from her would-be manager with a job offer. They negotiated the usual, pay, moving expenses (none) etc. and she decided to uproot and take the job although there was a 6-month probationary period.
Five months later she was laid off when the woman who was apparently out on maternity leave decided to return to her old job. Still on probation she was an at-will employee and had little recourse, but throughout the interview process no one ever mentioned the employee on maternity leave, and while she was working, she was never led to believe she was not doing a good job.
In hindsight she notes that she should have realized that getting an offer just two weeks after the interview was too good to be true – especially in HR. But apparently the firm was so desperate o fill the job they didn’t feel any ethical need to say that the job might be temporary. Probably because no one would have taken the gig.
I find the company’s action reprehensible, even if there had been no relocation involved.
OK, second example. Met a man who is responsible for finding new locations for a major retailer. As part of the job he negotiates ‘tax incentives’ that states offer to lure businesses. His firm is a multi-billion dollar firm which is often a destination site and also offers on-line purchasing.
As a requirement to get a new location he asks states to forgo the sales tax on internet purchases. For those of you unfamiliar with the law, in most cases you don’t have to collect tax if their is no retail site in the state. But once a brick-and-mortar store is built, you are supposed to pay the local sales tax if there is any.
He admits that he is asking the states to ‘look the other way,’ and allow his firm to have their cake and eat it. As he noted, “There will never be one of these stores in California, because they won’t agree. It’s their loss there are plenty of other states who think the agreement is fine.”
My response, “Go back to any of those states who signed agreements to forgive the tax requirement a few years ago and see if they wish they wish had said no.” I think they may be regretting their decision.
Again, is it unethical to make the request, or is the ethics question just an issue for the state?
I know, the state is lured by the promise of jobs and a retail center that may attract others, but with internet sales increasing faster than in-store purchases says you have wonder if it’s a deal with the devil.
Your comments are welcome.