Episode #5 - Organizational politics A Go-Go

by Jared on August 30th, 2005

Politics - from the root POLY (meaning many) and TICKS (a blood-sucking parasite)…you do the math! If you’ve got an organization, you’ve got politics; there’s no question about it. How do you combat politics though without going home in a bodybag?

Show Notes:
I) Organizational Politics A Go-Go
II) News: VMA Awards, Jared Sings, and Details Magazine Gets Outed
III) Karma - ain’t it a bitch

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast!

Referenced Links:
Red Cross
Feed The Children
Its Your Ship by D. Mike Abrashoff - Amazon

In Defense Of Martha

by Jared on August 24th, 2005

When we look back on this time in our lives - what will we say?

Will we say we stood for something? Will we say we did something great - or was this time in our lives just a brief ‘interruption’?

Those of you who are fellow copy writers out there know that words have enormous power and I find it intriguing that Martha Stewart and her army of PR specialists is now referring to her near-fraudulent stock trade, public trial, subsequent conviction, 5-month incarceration, and home confinement as an ‘interruption’ or so she says to USA Today feature editor, Ann Oldenburg (link).

Ex-squeage-me? An interruption, Martha? I don’t care how many PR advisors you have - the ankle bracelet is not even off yet and your opening volley towards image resurrection is to pretend that the last 18 months you were completley ambivilent?

I love Martha, I really do…I truly believe she got a bad rap. I loved her choice to run full throttle into the mouth of the beast once convicted. She could have stayed out of jail, fought sentencing - but the shrewd PR she decided on was right out of the “Best of…” Novel for long-term marketing success. Ever since she entered that prison, she has had total control of her public perception. She did the smart thing and it worked - last I checked share of Martha Stewart Omnimedia were up 12%!

Do what works for ya, Martha! Don’t say you haven’t learned anything from this experience - your poll numbers are better than most un-convicted politicians right now - don’t “stay the course” - just go back to being your usual, humble self.

Ah yes, the glory of iTunes!

by Jared on August 24th, 2005

Just as a quick FYI 20MF Fans! - You Can Now Subscribe To The 20SMF Via iTunes!!!

Just Click the Apple Logo On The Right of the Blog or goto: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=79240385

Or, If you’re on Odeo….
Click here To Subscribe That Way: My Odeo Channel (odeo/b44f12cceee75a8e)

Episode #4 - CreAtivity

by Jared on August 24th, 2005

Hold onto your sketchpads - this episode’s a doozey! We were gone for a week so I had to cram a lot of content into 1, supersized edition of the 20SMF. We dive into creAtivity (capital “A” for Alluring) both from a professional and a scientific viewpoint. Joining the 20SMF - JC, Consumer correspondent! (VERY FUNNY!). Also, a tribute to a gone, but not forgotten, friend. Worth all 37 of it!

Show Notes:
I) CreAtivity - Professional & Scientific
II) Interview with JC, Consumer correspondent
III) Game Plan: Get Out; Get CreAtive!
IV) Ode to a Good Friend

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast

Referenced Links:
The Travler (Novel) - Check It Out On Amazon

Saying it with flowers….

by Jared on August 23rd, 2005

Ok, sorry but this is a personal post…ignore it if you want but this is going out there for every person who is, or is about to give flowers.

Every flower says something…

Tulips - sign of spring, happiness, longevity

Daisy - free spirit, traditional, innocence

etc…

Of these, the most difficult flower to give is Roses…given carelessly and without proper thought, they can be misconstrued, become a silly cliche, or even worse - demonstrate complete lack of originality. Given right, however, Roses speak volumes.

Roses, particularly red ones, are a staple of classic elegance and, to me at least - are a representation of something real and beautiful. If you can find someone who knows how to give red roses, at just the right time, in just the right way - you know you’ve got something….

Big Fish, Little Fish, or Just Plain Stupid Fish?

by Jared on August 22nd, 2005

To be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big one?

Coming from the latter, I respect and understand the opportunities involved with working for a massive organization with seemingly un-ending resources.

However, the downside to this is of course that you are treated like the pack mule most organizations take 20-Something’s to be. How do you combat this?

From my experience, get yourself a solid champion who loves your work, values your employment and preferably has sway in the upper echelons of at least the department…The downside to this is that if the little fish looses the champion, say goodbye goodtimes, and say hello tartar sauce!

On the flip side, smaller organizations allow you the freedom and creativity to be yourself with the restraints of limited resources. Some might say its good to work for a smaller organization because they usually come with a lot less organizational politics - that assumption is dead wrong. The difference in the small pond? The diversity of the politics doesn’t have to be as unified as it is in the large pond to be just as much a pain in the saute pan…

A seemingly unbreakable paradox? Hardly - just make it your point to become proficient at surfing organizational politics…We’ll take a look at this in episode #5, coming out next week.

PS - expect the episode #4 to be up as promised on Wednesday!

20-Something Love Fest

by Jared on August 15th, 2005

Big thanks to 20SMF’s guiding fairy-blogperson, Ethan & The Vision Thing (www.thevisionthing.com) for a fabulous stream of critique (if not all around hot air). He also wrote our first official review:

Jared Degnan (SoV’s biggest fan) is bursting with the piss and the vinegar. Seriously, think 8 city blocks could keep the lights on and water running if they hooked this guy up to a generator. Think you’re passionate about [anything]? You’ve got nothing! Tune in and hear what being jacked about marketing and podcasting sounds like here.

In case you don’t subscribe to both, allow me to catch you up….Ethan and I have a sort of weird love-fest going on as I basically copied the show format, partly from his Sound of Vision Program. He has also been sending a critique of each and every show I have done.

If you have your own critique, please feel free to post it here :)!

Moral of this story? Go to (www.thevisionthing.com) and partake of the genius that is Business process management.

Episode #3 - The Hip Factor (Peer Pressure Marketing)

by Jared on August 10th, 2005

Finally, a show where we get to explore the inner depths of my insecurities - PEER PRESSURE! Yes, we all hate Abercrombie and Fitch and Jared spares NO ONE in this episode. Seriously though, candid discussion on ways 20-something professionals can use positive social marketing to promote their own self interests at work (if they don’t tick people off with political e-mails - see previous blog post)

Show Notes:

I) The Hip Factor, Why We Care, and Why British Liquor Companies Love Fat, Bald Men
II) Jessica Simpson, Flashing Magazine Adds, Jared Goes Way Too Gay
III) Marketing The Marketing Forum
IV) Game Plan: Getting noticed With socially interactive Marketing Ideas and Pitches

Click Here to Listen To The Podcast!!

Referenced Links:

The Vision Thing Blog
Lucky Bitch Radio W/Wanda wisdom