Now what?

So now that the course is about to end I wonder what have I learnt? Well I know it pays to be early to Mr. McDaniel's class as you get lots of free snacks. But seriously has the course been beneficial?
    I must answer this with a resounding yes. I think that this course is timely as the UWI pushes to create more distinctive graduates. With the state of Caribbean economies and more students graduating and looking for jobs, it is time that we help mold job creators rather than job seekers.
    I was impressed by Uncle Gerry's (yes we call him Uncle Gerry in class sometimes) network and how it has proved useful for us in class. From David Mullings whom I followed on Twitter since my 1st year at UWI to Skyping with Alison Hinds to trips to the Jamaica Stock Exchange and the Bob Marley Museum, this network has afforded the students of this course a great opportunity to not only learn but to grow their own network.
     I am also pleased with the model of the course. It is not restrictive as we were allowed to tweet in class, take pictures and of course blog. This should equip us with some good multi-tasking as well as social media use skills that we can take out in to the working world. Imagine being asked by a company to cover an event via Twitter for their customers  This  should be easy now as we have done it in class.
    I think the most important lesson though was taking an idea and making it into a reality. We have been given articles, tips from real life entrepreneurs and have even pitched ideas to potential investors. All we need now is the courage to go do it in the real world. Now I know we may be afraid but what the reward with out  the risk. So here's to becoming an entrepreneur!

Is entrepreneurship relevant in this global economic climate?

In 3 1/2 months 3,000 students will graduate from the UWI and beginning the hunt for jobs. Some have student loans to pay, some have to ensure that they can find one to take care of their own expenses and some have family and parents who have sacrificed so that they could be here for the 3-5 years of university education. 

Taken from http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/bdoffice/images/_MG_8453.jpg

But what if one of these students had the idea which could be the next best thing besides sliced bread? What if they could bring out a revolutionary idea that could change the world?
I decided to search on Google and I came across this interesting read from the World Entrepreneurship forum. There are 9 recommendations. Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit. Click to read

    I think number six struck me the most especially in today's context especially in the Caribbean. 

6. Develop Young Adult Entrepreneurial Curricula

Include within an education curricula practical elements of entrepreneurship and business development so as to increase the entrepreneurial IQ within the community.

It is time that courses such as this one are use to promote the entrepreneurial spirit found in so many of our young people. We have to equip them with the tools to go out and try to develop their own skills and business ideas. This has to start from the primary level by stimulating critical thinking skills and nurturing it through all levels of education. The use of incubator programs at the secondary and tertiary level will assist in finding the ideas and helping them to grow. With the development of entrepreneurs we will begin to tackle the problems affecting our society especially that of unemployment. By giving your people the necessary training and tools we will be able to start stimulating them to work for themselves, providing employment for others as well as contributing to the economy. And all this can start with one idea. So let's stop talking about entrepreneurship and start doing something about it!

Can We Fill The Need For Social Media Gurus?

With the progression of social media, there is a need for persons who can guide the less than tech savvy persons in the world. And with this class on entrepreneurship, why not become a social media guru and use it as a way to make money? The only problem is that there will be many people who can set up a Facebook page or a blog or have a twitter account. What makes you a guru? Here are 4 ways to become social media guru:

1. Listening: One of the most important lessons is listening to what people want. You can just up and post and think that will attract likes on Facebook or followers on Twitter. So you have to filter out what people are saying. A good way to do this is to look at the influencers in your field or industry. This will give you a good idea of the course you want to chart. You don't want to be a copy cat but you do want to see the trends and how you can add to that.

2. Adding your own two cents: There are so many people in the same field and industry and what will make you stand out is how you differentiate yourself. You may ask: How do I do this? Well now that you have listened to the industry leaders and detected the trends it’s time to figure out how to put your own unique view on this. Use facts and figures to remain credible but add flair. E.g. If your industry is only dominated by serious faced experts add a bit of humour. In this way persons will see that while you are serious with a light hearted approach that distinguishes you from your peers.

3. Creating good content: Now that you have listened and found a way to add your own two cents you now have to create the content that will attract the followers and readers. Take a specific news item, issue or trend and write about it. When you have created your posts promote it over the social media networks. With the right kind of promotion, you can attract the followers. Remember that when you have attracted them that you want to keep them so keep your content current and interesting.

4. Understanding the difference between networks: Now that you have published you also want to understand that there are subtle differences between networks on social media. If you use Twitter there are only 140 characters, so you would need a short captivating tweet to attract followers where as Facebook gives you more characters so you can be more descriptive. Twitter will display just a link while Facebook will give you a window with a picture from your blog posts. Understanding these differences can help you attract more followers and raise your status in social media.

By using these steps you will well be on your way to being a social media guru. This will present the opportunity to grow your network and ensure that you have followers on social media. How far can you go? That question can only be answered by you and the amount of effort you are willing to put in! So go conquer social media and become a guru! 

Inspired from ideas from http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/07/23/3-step-social-media-guru/

Could Your Tweet Be Loved?

So yesterday we celebrated the birthday of reggae icon Bob Marley. Brother Bob as he is still affectionately known has been one of the greatest icons of Jamaica. Through the medium of music he has reached out to the masses. But what if Bob was alive? Would he be in social media? Here's 5 looks we think that Bob Marley would have if he were alive today and used social media (These are actual social media accounts):

1. Facebook

2. Twitter

 3. Tumblr





4. Pinterest

5. Blogging

 Brother Bob may be gone but his music lives on and the Marley clan is into social media. Who knows if Bob would sing "Could Your Tweet Be Loved?"

Make your communication a brand

Imagine making something you say or do become a brand, locally or internationally? Imagine turning your non-verbal communication into dollars and sense? Well as communicators who are looking at entrepreneurship we are gonna have to tap into the unconventional communications methods that have helped made some brands and maybe find a few undiscovered opportunities. Here are 4 of my favourite brands for communication compliments the Caribbean's fastest men:

1. Imagine if a sign could make you millions of dollars? Well his has.

 
Usain Bolt is know for his running but his communication through his Bolt pose has gone viral and has opened a market in branding. The Bolt pose is so well know that it has been trademarked for his sponsor PUMA as well as his restaurant Tracks and Records. This shows that non-verbal communication is important and as communicators maybe we can help one of those persons to find a brand that can developed and brought to the fore with traditional or social media.

2. While Usain  may be communicating non-verbally his counterpart Asafa Powell has turned himself  into a social media brand and has taken this over to traditional media. Asafa's investment in the online site Irie Social has putting him at the forefront of athletes who are investing their money. In addition to the salacious pictures he posts he also now has an advice column in the Observer. Who says there aren't benefits to being a famous athlete  & and making extra money from not running.

(Taken from: http://moneymax101.com/wp-content/uploads/IrieSocial1Asafa_05-May.-03-21.00.jpg)

3.Yohan Blake's  signature watches and his beat pose have made him viral in social media and has paid off for Richard Mille who has partnered with the Jamaican sprinter. Blake known for his comical antics has been boosted in the 2012 Olympics by not only his athletic prowess but his controversy in wearing a $500,000 watch and then the pose which he used to moniker his nickname "The Beast". This has now become a global trend and though it may not be as popular as Usain's lightning bolt, it's a start for an up and coming athlete and future entrepreneur!

 

(Taken from http://itsalwayssunnyindetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/yohan-blake-olympics.jpg)

4. This list would not be complete without the input of Warren Weir. Weir is not as famous as any of the others on the list but is maybe the most social media savvy. His coverage of the London Olympics which was done from an athlete's side was viewed by thousands of persons around the world especially those in Jamaica. His tweets were followed as they gave insight into an almost hidden world. His  videos on Youtube has made him a media sensation and he's know not for his athleticism but his videos and tweets. Who knows, maybe he should move into social media management and forget the running.

 

(Taken from http://anniepaulose.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/screen-shot-2012-08-08-at-8-52-15-am.png)

So who says you can't make something you do into a brand and maybe even make some money from it? Dare to dream and become an entrepreneur!

It's FAR from Over!

So welcome back. After Period of dormancy it seems as if I'm back to blogging for another one of Gerry McDaniel's course. It's quite interesting that the course is called Entrepreneurship Skills for the Communication Industry. Coming on the heels of my PR Class' project "Click: Sign in to Cash In" which explored entrepreneurial opportunities in Social Media, it's quite interesting that this semester talks about entrepreneurship again. And with the world economy in such a state the question now emerges, should we try for entrepreneurship over looking for a job? Well it is my hope that this course can help further my dream of owning my own company in the future. Who knows, maybe this course may push me to pursue my dream sooner rather than later!