Susan Boyle: Medium as Message

“The medium is the message.” Marshall McLuhan
Susan Boyle: Does the medium truly dictate or convey the message?
Through all the hoopla that has been Susan Boyle’s lot, I’ve been curiously watching to see how well this unabashed song maven holds up to the media messages filtering through our collective psyches.

Susan belted out “I dreamed a dream…” and instantly became the symbol of fait accompli for every day dreamer (or for that matter – night dreamer) that imagined the impossible and got it. It was just a matter of time before the stylistas zoomed in, took their rose tinted glasses off and declared “MAKEOVER!”

Susan retorted, “I know what they are thinking but why should it matter as long as I can sing? It’s not a beauty contest…” Precisely. It should not matter but in many circles it does… Why? Why do we care if Susan stays the same or saunters off into the horizon in leather and a new hairdo?

New hair color and wardrobe

Nevertheless, as the winds carried the Susan Boyle message through the powerful medium
we call the mass media, Suzy got a makeover. Tsk, tsk you might say, “She fell for the hype!”

Well, how many people have watched a video of you singing 43,682,423 times and counting on YouTube? How many have formed instant fan clubs and chanted your name like a mantra in anticipation of a quick song and definitely not in sotto voce? Do you care about her wardrobe? Which side of the fence are you sitting on and why? I’d really like to know… Be my guest.

Sometimes, I wonder how difficult it must be to live under that dizzying spell called “celebrity.” The intoxicating vibe of the clamoring crowds clawing at you, holding on to every word, seeking the favored glance, could make even the most modest believe their own press… Suzy, we understand.

The road to fame is perilous; it can lift you up and tear you down. Many want a piece of the action. Many say to embrace it with clarity of mind and enjoy the ride; because when your 15 minutes is up, you want to look back and recall the way you touched other people’s lives. hmmm

Thumps Up MiLady!

I trust Susan will touch more lives… even though for now, she has conceded to the wardrobe concerns of the powerful medium that dictates the message.

She did mull it over before switching gears… “Maybe I’ll consider a makeover later on,” she laughs. “For now I’m happy the way I am — short and plump. I would not go in for Botox or anything like that. I’m content with the way I look. What’s wrong with looking like Susan Boyle? What’s the matter with that?”

Exactly my dear, you’ve moved millions of people to get off their …. and take charge of their dreams; at least, for one more time!

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Want a Stress-free Job Interview? 12 Tips – Before. During. After.

The interview starts here.

12 Tips for a Stress-free Job Interview: Before. During. After.
In a previous post, on tips for job seekers, I posed a few questions to get you thinking about ways to get out of a job search malaise … I suggested that you pause, take stock of your strategies and consider these questions:

Have you reviewed your resume, interview skills and elevator pitch? Have you considered other career paths/options? Have you put your life on hold while chasing job leads and appointments? Have you taken care to keep yourself fresh, focused, engaged and involved in YOUR life so you can convey same at an interview with a prospective employer? These questions are particularly relevant when you snag an interview.

Recently, Seth Godin wrote an excellent blog/vlog on job interviewing tips that got me thinking about other tips I would add to the topic again. Then, when problogger.net’s master blogger/instructor, Darren Rowse, instructed participants of the 31 Day Challenge to revisit an old post, I knew this would work…
If the job search saga continues for you or if you have an interview pending, take a moment, grab a cup of tea and consider these tips:

BEFORE
* Do you know how to get there? Before the interview day arrives, take a test drive or train/bus ride to the location. How long did it take? Did you get lost? Note any special markers.
* Reconfirm the date/time for your interview. It’s important to touch base before hand to ensure everyone is on board as planned… You’d be surprised how easy it is for either side to mix up dates/times.
* Edit, update and pre-print those extra copies of your resume for the interview. Sometimes the interviewer brings a committee to the process; be prepared – a jury awaits you.
* Before you show up, do your homework. Review your notes, the company and clarify why you want this job. What assets will you bring to the company? Practice with a friend.

DURING
* And your name is…? Botched up names can pose an interview nightmare so get everyone’s name straight – spelling and pronunciation included. Ask, remember, and refer to them by name during the interview.
* This is not a dress rehearsal. You are the star of this show. Are you focused? Are you listening to the questions? Asking questions? Making eye contact? Breathe. Smile. Relax.
* Tell me about you? Strengths and weaknesses? Uh huh, not what you twittered or ate for lunch. This is not therapy either so focus on relevant work examples.
* You built rapport and the interview flowed; now it’s over. Please ask for the job; start dates, other considerations, and decision-making schedule. How soon will they let you know…? You’ve earned the right to ask.

AFTER
* Before you leave, ask for business cards if they were not offered. You will need them for contact and correct name spelling.
* Do send an email thank you afterward with some reflections on the discussions. Things you wanted to say but couldn’t because of time constraints. Be brief.
* And then to trump your competition, send a handwritten “Thank you” note to everyone who interviewed you. Trust me, this is magic!
* Follow-up and stay in touch; unless they say don’t call us, we’ll call you… Either way, you’re a winner in my book. Go for it.
Did I miss something? Do share…

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Support Malaria Day: The Fight against Mosquitoes

Those Fighting Mosquitos

“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.” Anita Roddick, OBE

Malaria Day: Fighting those pesky Mosquitoes
It might be hard to believe that, every year, those pesky little buggers claim almost a million lives and give 500,000 (1/2 billion) people a nasty bout of malaria in 109 nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Malaria is not new to the planet; those of us who have lived in tropical climates can attest to having experienced the painful sting of a mosquito bite, the itching, aches and pain, high fever that follows and days spent swallowing those incredibly bitter tasting malaria pills.

What is new is that today April 25, 2009, we celebrate World Malaria Day and bear witness to a full scale global battle waged against mosquitoes. The UN’s Millennium Development Goals include a 2010 deadline to provide “effective and affordable malaria treatment” to people in affected countries. The effort to contain and eventually eradicate malaria and disease carrying mosquitoes worldwide is commendable; the good news is that it is feasible.

What do they need? The organizers of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership need funds to procure adequate supplies of treated mosquito bed nets (700+ M); oral medicinal treatments (200M); and indoor sprays for 200M homes. They also need help to provide 1.5 billion diagnostic testing for people in 109 key nations.

How can you help? Three ways: You can make a donation. Make it a priority matter (if you are in an endemic area), by bringing attention to the effort in your region. Include it in your corporate strategy for community giving/involvement.

While writing this piece, I was pulled back in time to a nasty episode I had with malaria many moons ago. My father had passed away, and I spent some time in my native country with my family and friends mourning him.

I do recall that I took the requisite malarial pills but they were useless against the mosquito bites and I spent a good week battling ferocious fevers and related ailments. I found out, after the fact, that one must start taking the pills before arriving in the host country; a safer precaution.

I was lucky. I had excellent medical care. Many others worldwide still don’t and that is why it is imperative that we all act – even in the smallest way. Families who have lost a loved one to the disease will thank you… and so will I. Thank you!

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

All aTwitter: Ashton Kutcher vs. CNN for 1millionth Follower – @aplusk wins!

The bet was on: It was a man-using-digital media-versus-media network-race.
The goal: Who will be the first to reach a million twitter followers?
As CNN’s Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper – name/handle on twitter.com) rallied his side for CNNBRK (@cnnbrk) in-between news breaks, Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk – Twitter name/handle) championed his crew on Ustream.tv with mega support from his twitter fans, P. Diddy (@iamdiddy) and wife Demi Moore (@mrskutcher). Kutcher gave tweets and video sound bites to listeners; exhorting all to log-on, sign up, and support the race to the millionth mark.
What were they offering in return? Well, both CNN and Kutcher had agreed that whoever won will make a donation of $100,000 to buy 10,000 mosquito bed nets to a global charity (malarianomore.org) for World Malaria Day to be celebrated this April 25th 2009 ….
An additional offer kicked-in from Electronic Arts who promised to give follower #1,000,000 (1 million!) every game they make in 2009, a specially created avatar just for them, and a donation of 5,000 mosquito nets in their name to same charity.
Even Larry King (@kingsthings) got in on the act with an invitation to Ashton to join him after the battle. The internet was abuzz with excitement and energy; supporters and detractors alike clicked off 140 character messages about this major media Twitter event.
At different moments, as both sides “duked” it out in the heated competition for twitterers, either CNN or Ashton Kutcher led the pack. Eventually, Kutcher pulled ahead and nailed it.
Pete Cashmore (@mashable), TechCrunch (@TechCrunch), CNET (@CNET) and a host of others announced the winner all over the internet. – The final outcome at Advantage. Game. Set. Win to …. Ashton Kutcher! Kutcher and friends danced to Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration,” drank champagne and he thanked supporters.

In a blow by blow recording of the event on Ustream.tv video , Kutcher called his effort a media revolution. Elsewhere, he described it as a David versus Goliath event; where one person can have a voice as loud as a media/network outlet.
Is this a media revolution? Is this a media circus? Yes to both, yet only time will tell if the trend continues as a way to raise much needed funds for charities and perhaps other important good work.

Today, Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) offered her first tweets on Twitter. Should we expect another charity fundraiser with Ms. Oprah aiming for 2 million followers?

Regardless of where people stand at this revolutionary, digital media circus, one thing is clear, social digital media networks will continue to provide us with some of the most powerful ways to garner public support for popular/unpopular platforms. After all, President Obama (@barackobama) used Twitter and other internet platforms during/post the elections.

This event raises a lot of questions and tells us something about the profound power of social digital media to rally the crowds for causes. Will it work for everyone and who ultimately stands to benefit? Celebrities? Politicians? Big Business? Joe Schmo? What are the pros and cons of using this modality to trigger massive responses? Think about it…

Who was the 1 millionth person to take Kutcher to the top? Stay tuned…. Question is: Can he/she parley it into a successful online business?

At the time of this writing, Kutcher (@aplusk) had 73/1.036+m (he follows 73 and 1.036 follow him) while CNN (@cnnbrk) had 6/1.017+m…. both continue to grow.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank