LinkedIn

LinkedIn is another site similar to Facebook, where people can connect.  However, LinkedIn is on a professional level.  LinkedIn is a great tool for making connections, information sharing, job searching, recruiting, marketing, touching base with those in your network, promoting special interests to name a few.  With a little ingenuity, LinkedIn can be a valuable tool.

While I was getting to know my way around on LinkedIn, I came across various search tools.  Users have the ability to search by “Industry,” “Fortune 1000,” “Seniority Level,” “Location,” “Company Name” among many other categories.  This is extremely useful when there is a need to narrow down a search.

As with any other internet based account, users should keep their LinkedIn account respectful.  Your information just may be viewed by potential employers or your current employer.  It is never a good idea to make negative statements about co-workers, bosses or anyone for that matter.

I just joined a group on LinkedIn.  There was an online discussion with members within this group and I saw comments made by a nurse from my place of employment who is heavily involved in an endeavor we are working on in the workplace.  By using this discussion tool, this nurse has been able to obtain valuable information and resources for this work endeavor.  This is a great example of information sharing.  How great!  Any one of us is able to join in on a discussion or even start our own discussion.  Are you looking for resources on a particular subject?  Start a discussion.  This is a fantastic way to connect with those who are experts in certain areas.

For anyone wanting to learn more about getting around in LinkedIn, there is a Learning Center available – right on the LinkedIn website.  From the home page you’ll see a “more” tab.  Click on it and the second available option is “Learning Center.”  There is a lot of useful information here.  I plan on going back and learning more about LinkedIn.  I will definitely be using LinkedIn to develop professionally.  I look forward to starting my own discussion.

Enjoy getting linked in!

Did you know . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8 (Social Media Revolution from YouTube)

Mobile Devices in Business

Mobile technology is basically portable technology and allows business to be conducted on the run.  When this type of business is conducted, users of mobile devices and the business they work for need to be aware of available security to protect information should a mobile device be misplaced.  Some mobile devices may come in the form of phones, laptops, iPads, laptops and netbooks.  Even GPS devices are a form of mobile technology.  So the big advantage here is being able to conduct business on the run.  Disadvantages are loss of down time – balance, and the increased risk of loss of sensitive information due to loss of the mobile device.  (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1074298219&r.i=1074298309&r.l1=1073861197&r.l2=1075422789&r.l3=1074298168&r.s=sc&r.t=RESOURCES&type=RESOURCES)

 

Mobile devices, such as laptops, also allow for a meeting with employees at different locations.  No more having to be in a specific place at a specific time to partake in a meeting.  Web cams allow for “face to face” interaction.  The downside to this is many feel, especially without the web cam capabilities, something is lost when everyone isn’t present in a meeting room.

Various ways to use mobile devices in business, which you may not have thought about are:

• For repair jobs – a person who does repairs can send a photo of a broken part in order to find out if it is in stock or has to be ordered.  Usually this is done with an item number, but numbers aren’t always readily available for a part already installed into machinery;

• For various services such as an arborist caring for trees, body work on a car, landscaping – photos can be taken before and after; also a procedure can be captured and more easily explained to the customer showing what had to be done; (GoAnimate: http://goanimate.com/go/movie/0v7Mo_bJeygY?utm_source=emailshare&uid=0tk7ttBu-w4w)

• Tracking packages;        

• Revising documents;

• Sending of documents – even with digital signatures;

• In marketing, more product detail can be provided; marketing brochures can be sent directly to the customer;

• As opposed to carrying catalogs, accessing of product information on mobile devices;

• Maintain inventory;

• Presentations can be done on mobile devices – depending on the size of the group, projectors may be needed;

http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/09/mobile-devices-to-run-your-business.html

 

My son has an iPhone.  He showed me an app I thought was pretty neat.  He scanned the UPC bar code on an item and was provided with the best price and where to buy it in the area.  It’s not too practical for a large shopping trip; after all, who wants to run around from store to store and spend more money in gas.  However, it is useful if you want to do a little research to find out who has the best prices in town.

Here’s something I’ve found to be very useful for myself at work.  I’ve used my camera phone to email photos of an item to a vendor when I needed the item recreated at a cheaper price than what I was getting it for.  Or I’d find an item with one vendor and was able to check with the company we deal with to see if they could make it for a cheaper price.  I simply get a photo of the item off the internet and email it to our vendor.  Our vendor is familiar if it is legal to reproduce it.  It has saved us money – fantastic!

Did you know. . . this time you're going to have to check it out yourself.  It's the first video that lists:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILQrUrEWe8

Research

"Online Library." Empire State College. Empire State College, n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2011. <http://www.esc.edu/library>.

Luckily we are able to do research on the Internet in today’s age.  We all remember – well many remember and some have heard – when we did research at the library using actual books.  Yes – books.  Today we are lucky in that we can use reputable sites to access credible information.  Our online library via the ESC site is fantastic.  Here’s the link:  http://www.esc.edu/library   We are no longer limited by library hours of operation.

LexisNexis. LexisNexis, n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2011. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/>.

Other useful sites are LexisNexis, FindLaw and IngentaConnect, just to name a few.  Many of the sites require a membership or individual fees to obtain desired information.  Some allow you access to minimal information and then require a fee for further information.  Here’s the LexisNexis site:  http://www.lexisnexis.com/  When I worked at a law firm, this site was used heavily for research.  I’ve used FindLaw to get answers to legal questions outside of work.  It’s very useful and is loaded with valuable information.  Here’s their site:  http://www.findlaw.com/

Always remember when performing research, make sure the sites you are using are credible and not one-sided on issues.  Using sites that are neutral will provide more valuable, useful information.  When researching the backgrounds of politicians, you won’t want to go to a specific politician’s website to obtain unbiased information.  Issues of one-sidedness don’t always exist.  If you are simply researching the history of the bicycle, you simply should make sure you are using credible sources.

Did you know . . . the Daily Show actually gets its news from LexisNexis>?  Who would have thought.

Twitter. Twitter, n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2011. <http://twitter.com/LNAcademic/status/970631228>.

Social Media

Technorati.com. Technorati, Inc, n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2011.<http://technorati.com/people/a/>.

As we know, as students of the Social Networking and Business course, there are many forms of social media.  I had to check out Technorati simply because I liked the name.  It’s pretty cool.  You can blog and search for specific blog topics.  I did a search under the “People” link for Adam Sandler.  Various blogs came up with topics such as Adam Sandler’s transgendered housekeeper, a romantic comedy he starred in and a spot he did on David Letterman.  You can be a writer for Technorati too.  Here’s their link:  http://technorati.com/  You should check them out.  As most of us know, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are huge social media sites.  These sites allow people to share ideas and to get people committed to causes, just to name a couple useful ways to use them.  Some other social media sites are Google Blog, which we are using, Digg and Newsvine.

Social media allows people to be heard.  Never before have there been so many outlets.  Some users don’t want to be heard but simply want to see what others are saying.  If you have the time, why not?  Responding to others can be fun too.  This is a great way to connect with others.  You have the ability to keep going back and can pretty much carry on a conversation without ever being face-to-face.  Some people don't care for the lack of human contact, which can be a generational issue.  However, social media sites can be valuable when used properly.  Keep in mind, employers and potential future employers can check you out without you knowing about it.  You want to represent yourself in a professional, respectful manner.  So when you are updating your accounts, take a look and remove anything offensive.  Be professional and respectful and you will never have to worry about what others see.

Did you know . . . you can download your Facebook photo albums?  Check out other Facebook features at:  http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/20-facebook-tipstricks-you-might-not-know/

 "20 Facebook Tips/Tricks You Might Not Know." hongkiat. Hongkiat.com, n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2011. <http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/20-facebook-tipstricks-you-might-not-know/>.

Plagiarism

I felt compelled to write about plagiarism.  Specifically, I wanted to write about paper mills.  Students are shortchanging themselves and missing out on learning opportunities when they use papers mills.  The opportunity to learn is a gift.  To be a lifelong learner, which is off value in today’s world, goes against this also.  There is never a reason to plagiarize.  Even when a student is under pressure to finish a paper or other work, there are ways of honorably doing so.  When time is limited, then students can get the work done, even if it means skipping a few editing cycles.  I am an editor at work for an internal newsletter and I know how much time can be spent on editing.  Just put down the pen and walk away.  You will benefit greatly by doing the work yourself, even if it’s not “perfect” when turned in.  What’s the point of going to school if plagiarism is a part of it?  Better to get a “C” than to not do the work.  Furthermore, what is the point of investing your time, money and energy just to risk being expelled from school?

"Citing Your Sources." Empire State College. Springshare, 18 Jan 2011. Web. 19 Feb 2011. <http://subjectguides.esc.edu/content.php?pid=51434&sid=377528>.

Tools exist for faculty to use in checking a student’s paper in order to ascertain whether plagiarism was committed.  So what’s the point of taking the risk?  Again, there’s no point in missing out on a learning opportunity.  Also, we, as students of ESC, have at our fingertips a tool that will set up your citations for you.  Simply go to the school online library.  Go to “Cite Your Sources.”  If using MLA formatting, click on “MLA.”  Other formats are available.  Listed under the “Style Guide Resources,” are various links.  The third one down is “MLA Citation Creator.”  I like this one.  On the next screen you will see to the left both printed and non-printed options.  Just follow through and vwala – your citation is created.  On page 151 of our Discovering the Internet book, you’ll find a reference to plagiarism and a site that can help students avoid plagiarism.  This site also offers other useful tools.  Check it out.  Instructions to get there are on page 151 in the section on the top of the page.

Did you know . . . Unintentional plagiarism is punishable by law?  Please check out this website:  http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_did_you_know.html

"plagiarismdogORG." iParadigms, LLC, 2011. Web. 19 Feb 2011. <http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_did_you_know.html>.