Sunday, December 9, 2007

Advice for Future Business Writing Courses

As far as advice goes, I would have to say the most important one is to not procrastinate. It's a huge problem for all of us, but doing the weekly blogs early definitely helps. I didnt do mine early all the time, but when I did, it definitely frees up Sunday nights.

I would also have to say it is important to stay on top of things with the project. You really have to be able to set your own schedule and work well with your group members. Doing so will help make your life easier. Also, don't be afraid to ask Angie questions. She's done a great job helping!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Thanksgiving Break

For Thanksgiving, my family doesn't partake in the traditional large family gatherings. This would prove difficult, since my extended family doesnt live in the US. Instead, we have just had simple Thanksgivings at home. We have created our own tradition of going to Hilton Head each Thanksgiving for the past 10 years, with a few exceptions.

This past Thanksgiving we continued that tradition with another journey to the beach. The weather was fantastic, and I was wearing shorts on Wednesday and on Thanksgiving. It's always been a great time to relax on the beach, ride bikes, and golf as a family. This year was especially fun because we all see each other much less now that my younger brother is in college.

I have thoroughly enjoyed creating our own tradition of going to the beach, as its a nice break from the usual surroundings and provides a relaxed setting. Although this tradition has been fun, once I start a family, I am looking forward to what will most likely end up being large family gatherings at the lake as a new tradition.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

A Personable Interview

This article definitely pertains to our class, and our generation as we prepare to enter the business world. There are several factors that are contributing to changing trends in the corporate hiring process.

There is going to be an increasing demand for quality employees in the workplace. The baby boomer generation will be retiring soon and it is up to us to fill their shoes. As we enter the workforce, employers are increasingly concerned about us assimilating properly into the company culture.

Companies are finding that the best way they can accomplish this is through a different interview process than they have traditionally done. As companies become more heavily focused on building customer service and brand image, they are focusing on making sure their new hires work well with the company. Companies are taking a variety of approaches to this, with some even going so far as keeping their prospective employees for extended lengths of time, claiming there is no way they can bs for that long.

Luckily one of my strengths involves adapting to situations, so I find that this new interview style will be particularly advantagous to me. The only downside to this process was quoted by one company as they claimed that they would rather let a good hire slip through their fingures, than hire an employee that won't mesh well with the company.


Link to Article

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Dual Coding Theory


There are numerous examples of Dual Coding Theory that can be found in advertising today. Two advertising campaigns immediately come to mind when it comes to relating verbal and visual communication, Enzyte commercials and HeadOn commercials.

Enzyte is a non-prescription pill for "natural male enhancement." Their commercials feature a man, "Bob" who has taken the pills and now feels so much better. The commercials are full of innuendos regarding male enhancement. These imagines take the form of everyday situations that Bob is in, but can have more than one meaning, one of the main ideas behind Dual Coding Theory. There are also verbal innuendos throughout the narrators speech about Enzyte.

HeadOn is another non-prescription product, but for head aches. Their commercials take different approach. They use repetition as a tactic, by saying "Head On, apply directly to the forehead" numerous times in a row, throughout the commercial. Dual Coding Theory comes into play here since imagery is used as well. As the narrator along with a group of people chant how to use the product, the consumer views a person using the product.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Group Work

As far as groups for school go, I usually end up taking a leader position of some sort. However, this group project is different, in that there are just two of us. Since this was a special project, the small group has worked really well. When producing work, we are able to feed off each other's thoughts and ideas and produce an even better product.

Angela and I have different enough personalities that we are able to have different views on the project, but still accomplish the same goals. The end result is that which is better all around than if just one of us had worked on it. One person may see something the other missed or provide insight as how to make it better.

Our goals are similar, and we are both driven to succeed, so there is no concern that one person wouldn't pull their weight. If we say it's going to get done, it will. That is one thing that larger groups really have to worry about. Mind you, it is still important to stay disciplined and stay on task. We will continue to accomplish this in the coming weeks as our phase of the project comes to a close.

How Musicians Can Benfit from Video Games

More than likely, you've heard of the video game series, Guitar Hero, that is quickly becoming a new craze. Many people were apprehensive at first about a video game that involved playing the guitar. Over the past couple of years, the game has become much much more than anyone would have anticipated at its original launch. Last week the 3rd installment of the game was released, featuring more artists and songs than ever before, with most of them being original recordings.

So why should you care about this? Well the popular video game is getting more and more people involved with rock and roll, people that would ordinarily have been uninterested. These people are going out and buying records by the artists in the game and learning to actually play the real instruments. Guitar Hero has become a whole new way for musicians to reach out to their fans and for fans to get more involved in the music.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Inverview Reflection

Overall, I felt that my mock interview went well. I walked in knowing about the position, and was able to tell why I would be good for the position. I have experience interviewing, so the experience wasn't really anything new. Although, in the future I think that it would be better to schedule and interview later in the morning or early afternoon. I can think better during those times, and its usually a bit of a struggle to get moving early in the morning. It didnt have an effect on this interview, but I think if I was in one that I was more nervous about, it may have posed a problem.

The key to succeeding in an interview is to be confident about yourself and your answers. Be prepared, so you dont have to worry about remembering things. Going in with a clear mind, knowing how you'll answer questions will definitely help you gain that edge that will land you the job.

Friday, October 12, 2007

PowerPoint Review

I really enjoyed Quiesha's presentation on Amy Winehouse. I thought she did a great job giving us us better insight into the life of Amy's life. I bought Amy Winehouse's newest cd this summer and have really enjoyed listening to it. Her voice is great as are the lyrics. I never realized the issues that she has had though, so it was interesting to find that out. I thought that the colors used in the powerpoint were well matched to her personality. Overall, great job!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Musicalicous

I saw Hairspray at the Brooks Center today and had a great time. I had forgotten how much fun musicals were to go to. The story is about an overweight teenage girl in the 1960s and her struggle to get on a popular primetime dance show on tv. She fights for racial integration along with breaking the molds of what is "right" for tv. The music was lively and fun and provided a meaningful message at the same time.

Watching musicals or theater is a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There is more audience interaction than going to a movie and you will never see the same show twice. The audience reacts different each night and in turn, the actors respond accordingly. I saw something I hadn't seen in a professional performance before when one of the characters couldnt pull themselves together after a joke was made, but the audience still supported and he was able to get back into the roll. I know first hand about how an audience reacts because I used to do theater in high school. Part of the fun of the performance nights was seeing how much the audience would laugh at certain jokes. It was tough because you have heard them hundreds of times throughout practices, so you didn't necessarily know how or if the audience would react to a joke.

If you have never seen a theatrical production before, it is something I definitely recommend you go and see. It will definitely be something you remember, and maybe you'll even develop an interest in it and go see more.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Resume and Cover Letter Writing

The article that caught my attention the most was the one on writing resumes and cover letters for foreign businesses. There were several key points that I found interesting. The first thing I noticed was they did not refer to the document as a resume, but rather a curriculum vitae (CV), a document similar to ours used by job hunters. It begins by being much more personal than our resumes, as you mention a lot more about your personal life. The main point that I found of interest dealt in giving job descriptions. They said is was crucial to emphasize how you contributed to the team effort, rather than your individual tasks. It is best to use nouns rather than verbs in this case.

The other article I found of interest was the one on video resumes. This area is beginning to expand as posting videos on the web is gaining popularity. It is important to keep these videos short, to two or three minutes. It is also necessary for the video to maintain a professional feel, or else the cause will be lost. It is suggested that if you are going to try using a video, make sure it is pertainent to your field, and do not use it to replace a paper resume, but to supplement it.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Interviewing

The article that caught my attention the most was the one on "How to Answer Any Interview Question." It definitely brought a different perspective on answering questions. I thought the information was particularly useful. They said that it was important to have several anecdotes prepared to respond to various questions. They should be general enough that you can shape them to fit the question being asked. It is also important, when answering questions, that you make sure you get several key points across. You can answer the questions using the Q = A+1 format, where Q is the question, A is the answer, + is the transition, and 1 is your point you're trying to get across. It is important to note, however, that you should transition properly between the answer and your point and you should not seem like you are dodging the question to give a random answer.

The other things mentioned were also important. Inevitably, you are going to be asked a question about a fault of yours. You should answer this promplty and directly, but then move on as to not dwell on your short-comings. It is also very important to do plenty of research on the company you are interviewing for. This should go without saying.

This article was definitely helpful in preparing for interviews.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Web 2.0

I think the title of the video "Web 2.0" is adressing the ability for just about anyone to put information on the web now. First it was only a select few who could change the web, but now it's as if there is a second version of the web, where anyone can put anything on it. It is very important for those of us entering the workforce in this new era to be mindful of the information we put on the web for people to see. You wouldn't want a prospective employer finding incriminating pictures of you online. However its also important for people currently in the workforce to realize that change is occuring, and they should be sure not to be left behind. When the video tells us that we have to rethink everything, it is in reference to the great deal of change the new web is bringing to society, so we'll have to look at things we never thought of in the past.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Introduction

Hey Everyone,

My name is Colin Mackenzie. I chose Marketing after switching out of engineering. I've always been interested in advertising and sales, and I'd love to get involved in the automotive industry in product promotion. I live in Atlanta, but was originally born in Toronto. I tend to travel a lot, and figure that I have a good global perspective on things. I also enjoy wakeboarding and golf, although I'm not a superstar at either. I have an eye for detail, which is beneficial to big projects. Hope that helps you get to know me a bit better.