Get a Job or Be Jobless

Now a days, one of our main concerns is to get or stay employed. How do we manage that?

I read an article by Henry Chalian who had gotten bumped off his manager job at J.P Morgan. Apparently LinkedIn helped him to some degree but he is still out of a job.

Jobless. That's a scary word for many of us.

Then an article on the NJ Business News suddenly provided enlightenment. Their advice was: “if they want to find a job they should get out from behind their computer [...] but use social networking skills to widen the number of people that you can connect with when you get out from behind your computer.”

Brilliant advice. They recommended you keep active on the Internet by tweeting, blogging, but not so much as to consume your life. You need real life contacts too.

Thanks for your Collaboration!

Did you know that at this moment you are collaborating with me? You didn't? Well now you do.

You are reading my blog, which I use to write an opinion on articles I read for my social media and business class. Your participation is included in my grade. Your comments (if constructive enough) help me further my knowledge. Thank you!

Nowadays, in business, online participation and collaboratation are a nesessary tools that keeps a company active 24/7. As long as the company has a collaborative corporate culture, as Will Kelly describes it, you will keep the communications and production flowing.

Many software companies have tapped into this new trend and are creating software to aid it (for more info on which companies click here). Have you heard of google aps? I'm sure most of us are familiar with it. Especially us, students. It's like an agenda that magically accompanies us everywhere (as long as we have an Internet connection and a laptop). Isn't it great?

Brainstorming: The Prelude to a Great Idea

Usually in big businesses you will undergo the brainstorming process with a bunch of co-workers. It's a fun and dandy activity - you get to drink coffee, talk, get to know your team's train of thought and probably forge a better bond with one of your team mates. Nice.

Virtual teamwork ain't like that. We're talking business here. Our goal is to produce an idea that will increase profits and keep the money flowing into our bank accounts (the last is a pretty good incentive to think up some innovative thoughts).

I found it interesting that in Jessica Lipnack's blogpost "Brainstorming? Try doing it virtually", she mentioned that virtual brainstorming is more productive than in a "real" group. That's because you're alone, so you might feel less shy to express your ideas and you'll probably focus more on getting your work done than on your co-worker's Jimmy Choos.

Still there seems to be many people that are still uncomfortable with the virtual brainstorming thing. I mean, yes - you'll probably get more work done but maybe virtual brainstorming should be done at a preliminary level. You mustn't forget that there is also a bond that you should form with your team mates. Afterall teamwork is about helping one another out to reach a common objective.