5 Steps for Taking on Something New It’s a scenario most solo web professionals find themselves in now and then: You have the opportunity to work on a project that includes something you haven’t done before, and that something is pretty big. Maybe it’s editing video for the web, conducting user-testing, or creating a mobile web design. Whatever it is, it seems to be a capability worth adding to your repertoire. But how do you know if it’s the right move? And what should you tell your client about your lack of experience? It’s happened to me, both as an independent consultant and as the owner of a small design and development firm (Poccuo). After countless conversations about "investing in learning" and "the ethics of competency," I figured I’d share five steps that I fall back on when the opportunity to add a new capability pops up. 1. If you’re considering taking on a task you haven’t tackled before, it’s key to understand what’s involved before you commit to the project. 2. Do you have room in your schedule for learning? 3.
Custom Playing Cards | Customized Playing Cards Thesis: Game Design and Architecture In my previous article, located here, I discussed the beginnings of my thesis work on how game design methods can be used to influence the architectural design process. The first semester heavily involved help from Valve Corporation level designer Chris Chin, who had previously been an architect and whom I contacted through contact information in the Developer Commentary for The Orange Box. With his help and that of my other committee members, as well as a visit to the Valve offices, I was able to create a design method for architects that is based on game design. During my research, I had become familiar with studies on how kinesthetic learning through games and play, such as the Epistemic Games created at the University of Wisconsin, can be incredibly effective methods for occupational training.
The Business Chef: Gordon Ramsay Column by Janine Popick, Inc.com "Female CEOs" August 20, 2009 I'll admit it, I love watching any TV show with Gordon Ramsay in it, but "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" is my current favorite. He’s the antithesis of the stereotypical woman leader; he’s brazen and harsh. He swears like a sailor and belittles people. Not my style of leadership, but it makes for great TV. I like the show because he gets down into the inner workings of a small business and peels away the onion to find any issues that might be hampering the business from growing. So, I've outlined 6 things we can all learn from Gordon Ramsay, followed by a question you can ask yourself to see how you rate by his business strategy. #1 - It all starts with the customer. One of the first questions Chef asks the restaurant he is working with is how many people have reserved for the evening. Question: When was the last time you surveyed your customers to find out what they think about your business, your product or your service?
12 Most Effective Ways To Become Influential Influence is one of the most powerful forms of intangibility we have. By its definition, influence is: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself. Becoming truly influential is an art that takes time, dedication to others and a strong sense of self. Here are the 12 most effective ways to become influential: 1. Product creation is one of the quickest ways to gain a mass following, which in turn drives your influence. 2. Richard Branson is a risk taker. 3. We learn valuable lessons about life from day 1. 4. If your audience can’t see you, they can’t connect to you. 5. The more influential you become the more positive and negative energy you will have directed at you. 6. Confidence is a powerful motivator for influence. 7. Being nice is highly underrated. 8. Building a network involves being interactive. 9. The few who take action in a new area to gather a reaction are often very inspirational. 10. 11. 12.
Nonprofits & Gaming: Playing Your Way to More Funds, More Volunteers, and Solving the World's Problems Casey Golden, CEO, Small Act What if video games could change the world? They already are. Why are games important? Games "...may prove to be a key resource for solving some of our most pressing real-world problems," according to game designer Jane McGonigal in The Wall Street Journal. In his keynote address for South by Southwest Interactive in 2011, Seth Priebatsch of SCVNGR demonstrated how game mechanics can motivate real-world action by distributing different-colored cards to the audience, giving them rules (no talking, no moving from your seat) then having them exchange cards until each row had the same color. Priebatsch even proposed how school could be improved by adding better game mechanics than those that already exist: for example, having a points system that allows you to "level up" rather than our current grading-average system, and building in an honor system to eliminate cheating (as Princeton has done, with huge success). How are nonprofits using gaming right now?
Seven Habits to Protect the PR Industry by @glenn_ferrell By: Guest | August 2, 2011 | Today’s guest post is written by Glenn Ferrell. Last year, after a run-in with a spammer, Michael Arrington, the TechCrunch CEO, wrote an article which painted a pretty scathing picture of the PR industry: “…we consider the PR industry, for the most part, the bane of our existence. …some PR firms will lie, cheat, manipulate and then just smear your reputation to get what they want…the whole PR profession really needs to get a grip …” He wraps up by directing our attention to “scummy spammers,” “scummy web marketers,” and ”scummy black hat SEOs.” You get the picture. It’s in the past, but it still hurts Danny Brown rebutted Michael’s over-generalization. I had no problem agreeing with that. Of course PR has a perception issue. We humans do lousy induction. But no one does business with an entire industry. So what can you do about it? To get a handle on this I worked backwards. 1. This should go without saying, but it appears we have to say it: Don’t lie. 2. 3. 4.
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