News from Vollrath Associates

Spring is almost here! Slowly but surely the winter blanket melts and we catch a glimpse of warmer, greener days. The trees begin to bud, birds chirp and the days get longer by the minute. Pass the time by reading this month's Vollrath Vibe and spring will be here before you know it!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us here at Vollrath Associates!

Social Media Basics

Many companies are excited yet uncertain about social media and whether or not it can be used to their advantage. Social media Web sites have proven successful in community, stakeholder and public relations. However, many companies still have a great deal to learn when it comes to these tools. In order to gain further insight into the curious realm of social media, companies must first understand a few fundamental facts.

Many speculators predict that social media will replace traditional media outlets as mainstream sources of information. This is not the case. Most news content found on social media Web sites originates from a traditional news source's print or Web editions. Social media simply circulates the story to a broader audience. Without these traditional news outlets, there would be very little news to fuel social media.

Social media is a cost-effective way to connect with people. Although it is free, time and energy must be devoted to these tools. Whether a corporation assigns this responsibility to an internal employee or hires an outside firm, social media accounts must be constantly maintained. The effort a company invests in social media should depend on the communication budget and overall strategy.

In today's age of immediacy, many people believe that content found online is unprotected and free. Social media facilitates the sharing and dissemination of information and, as a result, many copyright laws are neglected when this information is recycled by social media.

The basic understanding of social media is crucial to the success of integrating it into a marketing program or campaign. Social media is a practical mode of communication, but it is just a tool in the overall communication strategy. These tools should be used in conjunction with current campaign efforts in order to enhance an organization's overall message, objectives and goals.

Adapted from the article "Separating Social Media Fact from Fiction," as reported by BurrellesLuce Media Service.

Office Lingo and The Words We Dread

In a recent survey conducted by Ragan.com, journalist Jessica Levco polled managers and supervisors alike to list the typical office jargon they loathe hearing. Many managers found themselves fed-up and frustrated with clichéd office exercises such as team-building and networking. Ragan.com furnished a list of the top 15 expressions that irked employees most, and supplemented their initial responses to each irritating expression. The following is a compilation of the most dreaded office idioms heard on a daily basis.

Think outside the box. Response: Why don't you go and think outside my office?
Moving forward.
Response: You're not if you keep talking.
People manager. Response: Wow, how many people do you have left to manage?
Touch base. Response: Just try it. I have Human Resources on speed dial.
In the loop.
Response: Wasn't that a 1970's sitcom?
Synergy. Response: Don't even get me started on this one.
Robust.
Response: How I describe my coffee. The bourbon helps.
Engaged.
Response: Ok, you're "engaged," but are you "fully engaged" because you are not even remotely engaging.
Drill down. Response: How about you go drill up for a while?
Out of pocket. Response: Keep it in your pocket.
Accountable. Response: Calling all scapegoats!
Individual. Response: You are so special!
Too much on my plate. Response: It's called a salad, look into it.
That being said... Response: Wait, what? I stopped listening to you three hours ago.
No worries. Response: None? Have you checked your 401(k) lately?