I thank everyone who has been reading commenting and contributing and invite you all to join me at my new site:  sherrilynnestarkie.com.

I’ll be cross posting here for next few weeks, but before long that will stop so I ask everyone to point their feed reader to my new blog so that no one gets left behind. 

Thanks Strive Notes.  You’ve been a good friend.  I’ll always remember you fondly.

PDMS,

As part of PDMS’ Digital Design service, the new venture provides a unique combination of deep software engineering expertise along with a thorough understanding of organisational and marketing communications.

“The social network revolution brings many challenges, but it presents even more opportunity through innovation. The winners of the next ten years will be those organisations that really get to grips with it,” said PDMS Managing Director Chris Gledhill.

“Sherrilynne is an internationally-recognisedsocial media expert who has an in-depth knowledge of how people are using Internet technologies to form and participate in online communities. Together we’ll innovate we can develop and implement the social software solutions to meet the needs of today’s organisations.”

PDMS Digitial Design social media services include:
·     strategic engagement campaigns
·     online community building and management
·     Digital PR, SE0
·     corporate blogs, social websites
·     social applications development
·     web content development
·     training and coaching
·     online conversation monitoring & response

Sherrilynne Starkie said, “The alliance with PDMS is the perfect marriage of PR and Web know-how. Social media is changing how humans communicate the world over.  Organisations are struggling to keep pace and those that put web services at the centre of their communications and business strategies are set for success.”

Social media across the organisation:

Sales: Online communities are discussing companies, brands and products and this chatter can impact sales. Insight can inform sales and product strategy. Online promotions reduce cost of sales. Encouraging consumers to share views on social networks drives ecommerce site traffic

Marketing: Brand amplification, core message dissemination, loyalty and awareness are just some of the marketing activities that social media impacts.

Insight: Consumer research, done well, can be costly. Social media provides constant feedback and both quantitative and qualitative data at a fraction of the cost of traditional research methods.

Innovation: Social networks devoted to idea generation among customers, team members, shareholders, or any distinct community can promote innovation, improve quality, streamline production and generally improve the overall development of an organisation.

Government 2.0: Public sector bodies are becoming more open. That means they are using social computing to increase collaboration and transparency to transform the way governments relate to citizens and operate.

It was  a fun, girlie night out and we  got to enjoy this fantastic, new Island facility.  At the same time we were able to support the Mayoress’ Charity Appeal and two important Island charities, the Hyperbaric Chamber and Arthritis Support.

It’s become glaringly obvious over the past several months that those professional communicators who have a solid web development team behind them are making great strides in PR 2.0.  I’m confident that together with the excellent web team at PDMS, we’ll continue to provide our clients with the smartest communication strategies along with the excellent, usable software and support services they need to engage, collaborate and converse with individuals and communities online.

Starting in the New Year, the Strive PR team will be moving to PDMS’s new Douglas premises.

We’ll have proper launch early in the New Year to the get the conversation going.  Watch this space for news and updates about this new venture. I’m really excited!

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• LinkedIn MySpace Facebook Twitter Time (ariwriter.com)

This is excellent opportunity to join the Island’s only strategic communications agency. Ideally you will have a PR degree and 24 months experience gained within a similar environment and will have worked with technology clients. You should have strong B2B experience, good commercial awareness, strong writing skills and ability to produce a range of PR copy, e.g. features, statements and case studies. In addition, a keen interest and proficiency in social media would be great! You should be highly-organised, have good time management skills, excellent verbal communication – both with the media and clients.

If you’re interested get in touch by 14 August.

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My life is pretty much an open book, so when Leo tagged me on the seven things meme, I was a bit apprehensive. Can I even think of seven things that people don’t know about me?  Here’s my best try.

1. When I was a teenager Patty T. and I climbed the fence at the local diving pool to go skinny dipping. Only problem was while we where in the pool a bunch of boys came and sat on the steps opposite and it was impossible for us to get out without being seen.  After about an hour I decided to go for it.  Jumped out, ran to the fence and leaped over…in all my glory.  Landed on a piece of glass and cut my foot for seven stitches.  Pulled my dress over my head just in time to see my Dad come jogging around the corner.  Phew!

2. I stopped baking in September 1985 and haven’t picked up a pan since.  I’d baked two dozen cookies and ate 22 right out of the oven.  Saved two for the baby, at least.  That was the end of baking for me.

3. I got all the Brownie badges.  All of them. Every one that was in the handbook. I especially enjoyed earning the reading and writing ones.

4. When I dream of my childhood I’m at my Grandma’s cottage in Dunrobin, Ontario. I’m usually playing by myself along the water’s edge in the sunshine or landing a big catfish with a bamboo fishing pole.  Gawd, I loved that place.

5. I’m not a natural redhead (ok maybe you already new that, but I’m starting to struggle now).

6. I hope to one day drive around the perimeter of Australia in a luxury camper (of course).

7.  I don’t suffer fools gladly (ok maybe you already know that too, but I think it’s wise to clarify).  I’m actually pretty ok and tolerant of most people, as long as you aren’t a flimflammer, BSer, ego maniac, liar, etc.  You get the drift. Then I’ll call you out, without hesitation.  I admire honesty, transparency and usually take people at face value. Is that so bad?

Here are my seven names:

• Owen
• Nick
• Derek
• Sally
• Susan
• Neville
• Nick

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I was pleased to draw Carrick Financial’s Stephen Burdett’s name out of the hat and last week presented him with his prize…a bottle of the bubbly stuff.

Thanks to all those who took part, and anyone who wish to receive future issues of Insight, please feel free to send me your contact info and I’ll make sure you are on our list.

If you are using RSS to get  Strive Notes and don’t wish to receive the newsletter, feel free to send a message and we’ll take you off the list, no problem. Or, if you’d like to sign up, just using the box at the bottom right corner of the blog.

Feedback is more than welcome! Please send me your story ideas and questions.

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• Turn your RSS feed into an e-mail newsletter!

Last month Andy Orton, managing director of Dotperformance, an Isle of Man-based digital agency, spoke about search engine marketing.

Andy’s been in business for three years now and his firm has come to be recognised as one of the Island’s most respected digital agencies.

‘To be successful on the web it’s not enough to stick up a brochure website and hope your it meets your customers’ needs,’ he said. ‘You need to be proactive about connecting your business with people who are searching the Internet.’

Click here to read the rest of this Tech Talk column.

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Image via Wikipedia

I had the opportunity to meet up with a bunch of students from Ballerkameen High School in the Isle of Man earlier this week.  They are taking part in the Junior Achievement company programme and wanted to learn about how PR could fit into their marketing mix.  I was impressed with the quality of question and their general awareness of the importance of reputation in business.  I think we’ve got a good cohort and look forward to judging later this year!

Image of Sharon Kissack

Yesterday I attended a meeting organised by the Isle of Man Business and Innovation Centre. The purpose was to discuss connecting women in business on the Island.  A healthy crowd of female entrepreneurs came out to discuss the possiblity of creating formal network.

Jo Dobson, director of strategic relationships at Coventry University Enterprise was on hand and gave a presentation about the challenges for women in business and the benefits of working together through an organised network.  Sharon Kissack of Ambitions Recruitment also spoke. She gave an overview of her own personal experiences in juggling work, home, social and civic responsibilities. She has quite a compelling story that I think all working mothers could identify with.

On the whole feedback was positive and an Isle of Man business women’s network seems destined to happen.  Not before time, I say!  Thanks to Kate Lord at the BIC for getting this initiative rolling.

If you couldn’t attend but want to give your feedback on the idea you can do that here.  In the meantime, watch this space.  I’ll post updates here as this new network takes shape.

Image via Wikipedia

Paul Ballard hit me with a meme earlier this week.  In the spirit of sharing a bit about myself and fun, here we go!

Top three non work websites:

• Weightwatchers
• Facebook
• eBay

Top three karaoke songs:

• American Woman
• Moonage Dayream
• Like a virgin

Top three weekend cocktails:

• G&T
• Gin and Tonic
• Gordons and Scheweppes

The three people I am tagging are:

• Nickop
• Kathryn B
• Leo

If you are using RSS to get  Strive Notes and don’t wish to receive the newsletter, feel free to send a message and we’ll take you off the list, no problem. Or, if you’d like to sign up, just using the box at the bottom right corner of the blog.

Feedback is more than welcome! Please send me your story ideas and questions.

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• Rob Lane, CEO, Overlay TV (and several previous startups)
• Mike Manuel, PR practitioner, Voce Communications
• Katie Paine, KD Paine & Partners, PR measurement guru
• Me!

The panel comes as a result of several high-profile posts suggesting startup CEOs can do their own PR just as effectively as a professional. Well I’ve worked for more than my share of tech start ups and my experience shows that CEOs typically have too much on their plates to be able to focus on PR.  I’ll be talking about this on the night.  We’re working with a couple of start ups right now, and hopefully one of them will ring in to talk about their trials and tribulations.

The panel discussion will be hosted on FIR’s BlogTalk Radio channel on Friday, November 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, and 6 p.m. in London. As with all BlogTalk Radio shows, you’ll have the oportunity to call in and add your own perspectives or ask questions of the panelists. Just call (347) 324-3723 during the show. You can also listen to the show by dialing in to that same number, or by visiting the site and clicking the “listen” button.

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• Paul Stallard
• Owen Cutajar
• Steve Coleman
• Nick Pledger
• Reg Crowder
• Travelwires.com
• Leo Cussons
• Antony Mayfield
• Neville Hobson
• Beyond Digital Media
• Chris Heuer
• Leo Bottary
• Sally Whittle
• Rachel M.  Esterline
• Tom Altman
• John McGlothlen
• Chris Brogan
• David Jones
• Nickop
• Massimo Carraro
• Nathan Pledger
• DEREK”TheBandit’s”Blog
• Paul Stallard
• Deborah Zanke
• Babooshka
• Chris Bishops
• Angela Maiers

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• Third Thursday – August 2008
• Loving the Velvet Lobster on the Quay

Thanks to Owen, Nickop, Leo, Derek, Steve, Jamie, Jen, Chris and Rob, Charlotte and Charlie for coming out.

UPDATE:  See Owen’s take on the event.

Rob Mercer, Charlotte Beeman, Chris Gledhill

Third Thursday

It’s a subject that we all worry about and then put to the back of our heads – what would really happen if the Island suffered a major incident?  How would the hospitals cope?  Could the communications systems stand the barrage of extra calls?  Is there enough food and water to go round?  If you have staff members who are in the Civil Defence Corps how would you cope with them being called to duty?

Martin will answer these questions and more.  The event starts at 18.00 in the Garden Room at the Sefton.  There is a buffet and the bar will be open.  £10 for Jcc members and £12 for non-members.

It’s also the JCC’s AGM and I’m joining the executive council.   Everyone is welcome.

It’s been seven years since I stood in stunned silence watching through my office window as the  the Pentagon burned. It’s been seven years since I first understood why the word terrorism is such an accurate descriptor.

Life has moved on, but each year on September 11, I think about the people who died that day, and how nothing and no one has ever been quite the same.

I remember those fantastic women I was working with in DC and wonder where life has taken them over the years.

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About the speaker
Peter Wheatcroft is a management consultant, currently tasked with improving the management of IT departments in a number of prestigious blue chip companies.

While a director at Alliance & Leicester plc, he achieved World Class status for their IT services.  He has also been instrumental in the provision of world class service delivery for companies in a number of industry sectors including process control, retail, travel & leisure and healthcare.

Holding chartered status as both an engineer and IT professional, he is a fellow of BCS and the IET Institution of Engineering & Technology as well as a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and the British Quality Foundation.

Venue:     The Claremont Hotel, Douglas
Date:        Thursday  18th   September 2008
Time:       Doors opened at 18:00 for an 18:30 start.

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Thanks to everyone for supporting Strive Notes. Feedback is more than welcome!

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• Strive PR e-newsletter
• 3 Reasons Why You Need To Use RSS… Now!

I’m rather late on this, but it doesn’t mean I don’t love you.  I’m just juggling a lot these days.  All you July linkers and commenters, please feel the love from Strive Notes:

• Brian Boyd
• Don Draper
• Shill
• Digglit
• Leo Bottery
• Rachel M. Esterline
• Daryl Willcox
• Babooshka
• Reg Crowder
• Nick Pledger
• FreshNetworks Blog
• Owen Cutajar
• School Communications 2.0

That’s why we are experimenting with a newsletter service from Zookoda.com. My idea is to send a monthly e-newsletter summing up our blog posts to Strive PR’s friends, clients and associates.

If you are getting our content via RSS and don’t wish to receive our email, just send a message and we’ll remove you from the list. Or if you’d like to be added to the distribution list, let us have your email address by using the sign up box at the bottom right corner of the blog.

My hope is that this newsletter will add value to the work of those who receive it. Thanks to everyone for supporting Strive Notes. Feedback is more than welcome!

Commenters

• Fred X
• Kami Huyse
• Eric Eggertson
• Reg Crowder
• Mark Dykeman
• Leo Bottary
• Leo
• Rita Rich
• Nathan Pledger
• Charlie Palmer
• Chris Heuer
• Ben Fairfax
• Owen
• Max
• Bob Geller
• Stu Peters

Linkers

• Getting Ink
• Common Sense PR
• Ask Owen
• Relentless PR
• Charles on
• Database Management

]]> http://strivepr.com/2008/07/05/link-love-for-june/feed/ 0 http://strivepr.com/2008/06/20/third-thursday-iom-social-media-club/ http://strivepr.com/2008/06/20/third-thursday-iom-social-media-club/#comments Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:15:28 +0000 sherrilynne http://strivepr.com/wordpress/?p=653 Hello all you Isle of Man bloggers, would be bloggers and online marketers out there!  If you’re like me, you want to be able to put a face to the name to the growing number of people online in the Isle of Man.  I think it’s high time we formed our own Third Thursday Social Media Club.

Here’s the plan.  Let’s all meet on the Third Thursday in July (the 17th) 12.30 -14.00 at Paparazzi in Douglas for some lunch.  We can see how much interest there is forming a social media group, discuss potential speakers and subjects for future meetings and just generally get to know each other.

Everyone with any interest in blogging, social networks, online marketing etc is invited to come along. Let me know if you can come, so I can book ahead.  General feedback and ideas for discussion are all welcome too!  I can’t wait to meet you.

UPDATE: I JUST CREATED A FACEBOOK PROFILE CALLED ‘MANX THIRDTHURSDAY’ TO COLLECT INFORMATION AND OPINION ON THE THIRD THURSDAY CONCEPT FOR THE ISLE OF MAN. PLEASE FRIEND US!

In the meantime, here’s May’s most popular Strive Notes:

5.  Is the Internet getting full? This Tech Talk column looks at next gen networks the and problems of domain running.

4. LinkedIn you’ve come a long way baby. This Tech Talk column discusses how much the social network site has improved in the past year.

3. The Jouno: Sally Whittle, proved popular and is the only really PRish post to make the list this month.

2. MS goes social, is a description of Microsoft’s new Mesh to bridge all our devices.

And finally, the single most popular Strive Note for May 2008…

1. Hypertargeting social networks describes how MySpace is opening up its network to marketers.