LinkedIn Told You So!

It is a big deal when you change your employer information on Facebook and LinkedIn. Updates are issued. Posts are released. People are notified. A virtual press release seems to be automatically spun out by social media sites and suddenly changing employers means hearing from family and friends about your latest news.

It's fun.

I should know. I just did that and man, what a flurry of activity in my inbox. I recently went from running my own social media consulting firm to working as senior consultant in social media for Aptify, a well-know software firm in the association space. People want to know how it feels, why I changed jobs, and what exactly I'll be doing.

First, I want to let you all in on a little secret. I'm in the midst of the most rigorous and intensive on boarding/training I've ever been a part of in my life. I'm actually writing this post from the lobby of the Whitney Hotel in New Orleans where I've been based for the past week as we've gone over "the basics" in preparation for more advanced training in the following weeks. It's better than obligatory training. It's impressive, is what it is. I wish all employers could do this! We (me and the close to 18 other people starting at the same time I am) are hearing and learning from some of the top people in the organization and they are setting us up for success. It feels really good to be invested in this early. To say I appreciate it would be weak. It's amazing.

At the Aptify Happy Hour for the New Hires (photo by Jason Nicosia)

Next week we'll all be in the DC area for more training and to attend Company Day, which brings together Aptify employees from all over the world for team building and updates. I'm stoked to be meeting more people at Aptify and to check out the Tyson's Corner offices where I'll be settling in soon. 

So, how does all of this feel? I'm in the beginning of a great learning experience and I have several weeks more of training with this group of great people whom I admire and respect. (I'm surrounded by MBAs from Tulane University who have been hired by Aptify to help as Business Analysts for clients).

Why did I make the jump? Because I had to admit something very seriously to myself... I do not like to work by myself all the time. I am much better with a team.

On top of that, the struggle to be all things (accountant, marketer, consultant, CEO) AND mother and wife was not fun without a group to share it with (and to share the work)! I feel like something has switched on since I started working with this team of people. I like it, friends. I like it a lot. 

So what exactly will I be doing for Aptify? :) Keep your eyes on http://www.aptify.com and as we finalize the details you will see more posted. For now, just know we have some good things planned and we've only just begun.

Tassels

Tassels can provide the finishing touch on furniture or drapes. They can also help you distinguish your alpaca from someone else's in Peru. Are tassels essential? No. But they are fun, entertaining, and helpful should you need to grab the right alpaca in a quick getaway.



Why are you looking at me with that smirk on your face? Was it something I said? Do you know where your organization's tassels are?

I remember discovering one organization's tassels buried on their website. Three, maybe four, steps into their content, there it was...a blog with (gasp!) activity - a real conversation had been taking place - and then I saw there were no new posts in the past three months. When I asked about the forgotten blog, the marketing director told me the chair had changed and the new chair wasn't interested in things like blogs. So, the once shiny new toy was placed to the side and buried.

I asked the marketing director why they hadn't asked another leader to take it on and he told me they hadn't considered it. After a little more discussion, we changed subjects and went on to discuss other things.

A few months later, I visited their website and saw a rejuvenated website...and a revival of their blog with a snappy button for people to subscribe if they so chose. Apparently, they had discovered a new leader to write for their blog and were proudly sharing it with their members! They hadn't invented an entirely new concept. They hadn't even created a new communication method. They just gave something another look and added the sparkle back to it. Energy in - energy out. *Jazz hands*

So, what do you say, are you ready to swing your tassels? I'll bet your members are.

(Got an Hour Next Week?) Using Social Media to Promote Chapter Meetings

Next Wednesday (March 24) from 12-1 pm EDT, you will want to be part “Using Social Media to Promote Chapter Meetings,” a free virtual lunch organized by ASAE & The Center’s Component Relation Section Council!

During your lunch hour on the call, you will be talking with some of the association world’s most inspiring minds, people with integrated marketing insight operating with organizations like yours.

Yes, it is another topic on social media, but I can tell you that each one of these panelists has a distinctive personality with a compendium of tools and tricks for using social media to its fullest potential.

Don’t believe me? Register for the next Wednesday’s call and see for yourself! (Register here: http://bit.ly/cJ07Me)

Using Social Media to Promote Chapter Meetings will feature panelists:

Peggy Hoffman, Mariner Management and Marketing LLC - Peggy Hoffman, CAE, co-owns Mariner Management, an association management company that is currently home to 5 component organizations. She actively uses social media within these groups to promote meetings and community. She also works with national associations who are looking to improve their components. Peggy blogs about chapters and components at the Idea Center and you can follow her on Twitter @peggyhoffman.

Kimberly Mosley, American College of Healthcare - Kimberly Mosley, CAE is currently the Vice President of Management Information Systems and CIO at the American College of Healthcare Executives. She joined ACHE as a systems analyst in 1996. She serves on the Advisory Board for Prairie State Junior College in their technology department and serves as a professional advisor at DePaul University. She is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and is currently serving on the CAE Commission. In 2002, she was awarded the Diversity Executive Leadership Scholarship and in 2003, she earned distinction as a Certified Association Executive. She has lectured and written articles on technology and association management and you can follow her on Twitter @kmosley0701 (kmosley-zero-seven-zero-one).

Shannon Otto, MemberClicks - Shannon Otto is the marketing specialist and blogger for MemberClicks, an association management software company dedicated to providing refreshing technology for small-staff associations. A forward-thinking communicator, Shannon is passionate about providing resources to association professionals to help them refresh their membership experience. Prior to joining MemberClicks, Shannon worked in newspapers and television, and brings a unique perspective and voice to the association community. You can follow her on Twitter @MemberClicks.

Andy Steggles, Higher Logic LLC - Andy Steggles is the Chief Operating Officer & Social Strategist for Higher Logic, a white label social media software company which specializes in associations. Mr. Steggles is the author of “Social Networking for Non-Profits” which is due to be published by ASAE in April. Before he started at Higher Logic, Mr. Steggles was the Chief Information Officer of the Risk & Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) where he headed their social strategy initiatives. Mr. Steggles was also the founder of the Social Networking and Media Association, a non-profit dedicated to the advancing the social web. You can follow Andy on Twitter @asteggles.

Follow Twitter hashtag #CRPLunch for more information!