prclass

My assignment for the Research Project was to discover the lack of etiquette in the ever growing and changing electronic era – “netiquette”. The majority of faults that are relevant to the P.R. profession occur while corresponding through e-mail. It came as quite a shock to me that business professionals are not conducting themselves in a professional manner in their emails, voice mail, and while using handheld devices such as cell phones and Blackberries. In my opinion, this is a result of the lack of rules and seriousness that occurs in everyday communications. It is now quite rare for me to receive an email that looks professional, contains a structure, and is not full of emoticons or causal abbreviations, such as “LOL”(laugh out loud). If these practices carry over into the business world, communications will not be taken seriously. It is because of this Public Relations practitioners need to be aware of the risk involved in using the technology and electronics that are a necessity of their career.

Tips that I found useful for the P.R. professional include remaining proficient while using electronic communication devices, writing professional, formal emails, and obtaining all contact information. A rule to consider for the workplace is setting an e-mail blackout time that will reduce the stress workers feel when they are constantly bombarded by e-mail, and will limit the frequency of which they receive e-mails throughout the day. In addition to this, guidelines for the use of voicemail and cell phone use within the office should be regulated to ensure that all professionals are being courteous to those around them. 

These tips can be quite useful when interacting through electronics, and can save your professional image. In the growing world of electronic communication, professionals must remain aware that their expert image is constantly influenced by how well they use electronic etiquette, and misusing these media can severely hinder their career prospects.

Although there is an increasing use of electronic forms of communication, it must be remembered that this does not, and cannot replace the importance of face to face communication.

Here are a few websites that I have found useful for tips on netiquette:

http://www.emailreplies.com/

http://www.library.yale.edu/training/netiquette/

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/p_emailett.html

Colleen D.

It is never easy to look for a new job. It takes a lot of time, effort, hope and disappointment… and let’s not forget blood, sweat and tears! Just trying to find work is hard work in itself. As post-graduate students all hoping to get our hands on a job in PR we could all use some help starting the job search.

I did some research on what kinds of tools and techniques work best for those of us looking for careers in communications. The information I came across wasn’t all that shocking since there are some universal truths involved in job searching. I realized, however, that identifying what techniques to use and what tools are available helps make sure you’re job search is heading in an effective direction.

An important technique to use is self-assessment. This happens BEFORE you actually go out and start looking. The job search tools that help you conduct a self assessment include online / print surveys as well as career coaches or counsellors. This step narrows down your search for you by clarifying what your strengths and interests are so that you don’t waste time researching and applying for jobs you either don’t suit or just don’t want.

And speaking of research, gaining background information about an employer or a position is the next step in the job search. Using your self-assessment, you can now research different organizations to try and pair yourself to a suitable placement. This research also becomes an invaluable tool when you are preparing for an interview.

Once you’ve narrowed down your search and identified specificly the right placement for you, it is VERY important that you edit and edit and edit your resume and cover letter. In most cases this IS your link to a potential employer. Never underestimates its power! With one innocent little typo you can very easily be sifted out of the pile and never again considered for a position.

Now, once you’ve taken care of all that, you need to start looking for the right job. This step involves taking advantage of all the tools that are out there including:

- Classifieds

- Career Fairs / Events

- Staffing Agencies / Temp Firms

- Recruiters

- Government Employment Offices

- Internships

- Job Search Sites
(which are really where the jobs are coming up the fastest and I would suggest becoming intimately familiar with this job search tool)

- And most importantly… NETWORKING

I wish I could say that it all just flows from there, but as far as the job search process goes it never stops being a challenge. By making sure to use as many tools as you can it will make the search easier. There are many resources available and I could list them for days and days. The most important thing though (which was highlighted consistently throughout the material I read through) is to never give up. Persistence does pay off. Remember that the jobs are out there for you to find - So go get them!

• Make sure to check out the Career Resources section on the IABC website. It is very user friendly and it provides significant info for PR job seekers!

IABC Job Seekers

• Also take a look at the following links to help motivate you in your search and to keep you optimistic.

Advice from PR Leaders for the Class of 2006

Jobs Are Out There so Don’t Panic

Edited by: Rebecca Ford

When discussing transnational companies (TNCs) the most significant issue in my opinion is the fact that in most cases, these global companies are not governed by the same types of laws as national companies are. In order to save immense amounts of money TNCs re-locate in far off, lesser developed parts of the world. They do so in order to avoid the democratic laws which govern the western world.

Due to their great revenue and span, the concerns of host countries take second priority to TNCs unethical needs and requests. TNCs are now known to establish themselves in a country and proceed to destroy local ecosystems, take part in child labour, and avoid paying proper wages for labour. In summery, they take advantage of the fact that lesser developed countries have lower environmental and social standards, in order to attract business.

The behavior of TNCs will inevitably continue, because of the influence they have on international trade and economics. Organizations such the WTO and the U.N will therefore correspond their goals to the wishes of TNCs, since they can not survive as predominantly western lead organizations without the support of globally successful TNCs. TNCs are able to hold this influence because of the amount of global market share they have come to control. In fact, it is typical for a TNC of today to make more than numerous countries combined.

Included in the following are resources I found helpful in researching the topic of TNCs:

Foreign Direct Investment. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from        

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_direct_investment.

Gnazzo, V.
Douglas. Transnational Corporations: The
New World Order. Retrieved October 11, 2006, from http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/gnazzo/2006/0209.html.

Infact (n.d.) Infact: Challenging Corporate Abuse, Building Grassroots Power, Since 1977. Retrieved October 13, 2006, from http://www.infact.org/homepg.html.

Library of
Alexandria. Transnational Corporations. Received October 13, 2006, from http://www.halexandria.org/dward318.htm.

Nisbet, T. Charles. (1970). Transferring Wealth from Underdeveloped to Developed Countries via Direct Foreign Investment: A Marxist Claim Reconsidered [Electronic version]. Southern Economic Journal, 37 (1), 93 – 96.

Raghavan, Chakravarthi. (1996). TNCs Control Two-Thirds of World Economy. Retrieved, October 13, 2006, from http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/25/007.html. 

Shah, Anap. (2002). Corporations and Human Rights. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Corporations/HumanRights.asp.

Sierra Club. (n.d.). Transnational Corporations: Statement of the Problem. Retrieved October 11, 2006, from http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/transcorp.asp.

UN Committee on Trade and Development: Multinational Corporations (MNCS) in Least Developed Countries (LDCS). Retrieved October 11, 2006, from http://www.globalpolicy.org/reform/2002/modelun.pdf. 

University of
Minnesota. (2003). Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights, U.N. Doc.E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/12/Rev.2. Retrieved October 14, 2006, from http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/links/norms-Aug2003.html.

Emilie Sheff

So what is biotechnology you ask?  If you were to have asked me a month ago I most likely would have thrown out something like “well, its biology joined with technology” or something of the sort.  Although university science classes weren’t that long ago I really had no idea what biotechnology was, nor did some fellow explain it to me while I was building boats a few years back (Darlene on nanotechnology, check out her blog).  Like most of you, my class mates, I am sure you typed your topic in Google and came across a million hits.  I did the same and came across a very informative, although promotional, eleven minute video clip on the world of biotechnology.  So before you go any further, link to the video clip “Biotechnology: Knowledge Serving Life” and get an aesthetically pleasing lesson of what biotechnology is and what it is capable of. 

So I am assuming you all checked out the clip but if you didn’t I guess I will give you a run down of what Biotechnology is.  Biotechnology is an evolutionary science with an objective of improving human condition.  Looking specifically into biotechnology there are three main sectors concentrated on by the majority of biotech. organizations: red, white, and green.  The Red sector is the main area of focus for biotechnology organizations and deals with heath and the research and development to improve it.  Herceptin, a breast cancer cell fighting drug is an example that shows how biotechnology has improved health dramatically in real life.  The White sector of biotechnology deals with the industrial processes and more specifically, the production of bio-fuels.  This procedure is biologically complex but is achieved to meet the demand of ever depleting non-renewable sources.  Finally, the Green sector of biotechnology deals with the agricultural processes.  Genetically Modified food is at the forefront of this research and has evolved to the point of making 75% of the food we eat being genetically modified. 

   So in respect we have all heard of biotechnology; and for us soon to be CC&PR experts, we could be doing the telling of what biotechnology is and has to offer.  This is the result of Canada housing nearly 500 biotechnology companies.  Our nation will face a tough challenge with several new countries introducing themselves into the advancement of biotechnology, but with continuing excellence in science and a great PR campaign, I have no doubt that Canada will continue to be a leader in biotechnology.

Dustin Luchka, CC&PR, 2006

          Check out these links for more information on Biotechnology:

1.   Government of Canada.  (2006). Bio Portal: Biotechnology @ the Government of
Canada.  Available at the Government of Canada Bio Portal site, http://www.bioportal.gc.ca/english/BioPortalHome.asp?x=1

    This is the official government of Canada site on biotechnology.  It has everything from what’s in the news to listings of companies and everything you possibly need to know about biotechnology.  This site is fantastic because is guaranteed credible as well as gives Canadian information.

2.    Priest, Lisa.  (2005, June 25).  Ontario fast-tracks approval of new drug.  St. John’s Telegram, pp. B7.

      This article in the St. John’sTelegram talks about the new breakthrough breast cancer drug Herceptin.  This article gives great insight as to what exactly biotechnology is a how it is effecting people in real life.  Although it is not very long, it gives a great deal of information.   

The trends that I focused on was Japanese Animation and how it effects America. 

Japanese animation which is also know as anime has become extremely important and influential not only in Japan but in America as well. Anime refers to any type of animation that is from Japan. Astro Boy was the first Japanese anime TV show that aired in America on NBC during the 1960s. It was only popular for a shirt period of time, but it gave Americans their first taste of anime. Overall anime has become highly marketable not only in Japan but as well the rest of the world.

The fan base in American is not large, however they are extremely devoted to anime. In the beginning it was hard for fans to get access to TV shows and films. They would have to go underground in order to view the anime TV shows and films. Fans in America are so devoted that they were able to view brand new anime even before the Japanese were able to. Anime is in America because of there devoted fans. In the past twenty years anime has become even more popular and demanding than ever before. With such hits including Sailor Moon and Pokemon, a younger generation are able to view anime on television and movies. Large American coroporations such as Disney and Dreamworks have invested there time and money in Japanese animation. Pokemon is an excellent example of anime success in America. It started off with a toy, then a video game, trading cards and now a TV show.

Japanese animation has become popular in America due to the success of dubbing. Dubbing as allowed peopleall over the world to have the chance to view anime films and TV shows. Shows such as Pokemon are dubbed so well that many viewers did not even know it was Japanese. Another example of dubbing is the popular anime TV series Sailor Moon. Due to the language barrier and culture differences the creators had to use dubbing for the American audience.

Due to the growing demand of anime, other countries such as America are wanting in on the success. With the help of foreign currency, Japan is able to produce more anime for the rest of the world. There is a downfall with bringing Japanese anime to America and that is it will lose its cultural appeal. There is much debate whether or not anime is Japanese animation or a style of animation. Regardless anime needs American money in order to be successful. Anime is no longer just for the devoted fans in America. Anime has become accessible in local video stores such as Blockbuster.

Working in Corporate Communications and Public Relations you must always be up to date on all the current trends. Anime is popular all over the world. Working in the anime field, you need to know what is hot and what is not when it comes to Japanese animation. Networking is important  when it comes to working in the international arena. Anime is successful in certain countries because it is fresh and different. As a PR practitioner working in this field, you must have a strong relationship with American companies such as Dreamworks, Pixar and Disney. A problem that Japanese anime has in America is the fact that not everyone knows what it is. Many Americans are still left in the dark about the creativity and beauty that lies in the animation. A PR practitioner must be able to make the Japanese anime marketable.

Overall, I found my topic rather interesting. I knew absolutely nothing on Japanese anime and at first found it difficult to find proper information. However in the end I was able to locate some interesting information on anime. I was also suprised of the fan base especially in America. Japanese animation is unlike anything we have seen in North America and Europe.

Steph Harkin

Some of the sources that I used;

http://en.wikipedia.org (Just type in Japanese animation or anime)

www.ex.org/3.3/14-column_riap.html “American Anime: Blend or Bastardization”

Newitz, Annalee (1995). Magical Girls and Atomic Bomb Sperm: Japanese Animation in America. Film Quarterly, Vol 49, No 1 pp2-15.

After researching for an assignment on Offshore Labour, there are many trends and themes, which are common to this topic. Today, I am going to post a blog on one of the trends relating to Offshore Labour.  A reason why businesses and companies rely on offshore labour is to reduce costs and to be more effective.

My research for this class assignment is mostly from journal articles and some internet articles from websites. To start, technological advancements are very important to area of Offshore Labour. In order for Offshore Labour to be effective and for companies to perform well, having a knowledge of the different technological tools is important. The host country relies on technology tools for communication purposes. Without these technological tools the host country would not have an efficient or profitable base to their profit. Hence, it is important companies research and know their labour force offshore.

The term “Outsourcing” is relavant to offshore labour. I performed a search on the definition of Outsourcing on google.ca, and it defines outsourching as taking the internal company functions and paying an outside firm to handle them. Outsourcing is done to save money, improve quality, or free company resources for other activities. In regard to Offshore Labour, all these are primary motives and reasons why companies offshore labour. Hence, it is apparent the theme of cost savings and effectiveness is relavent here.

In today’s global market, companies and businesses are primarily just interested in making money and or profit. With the research I have compiled for this class project, I strongly believe, Offshore Labour will continue to occur in the future. In regard to Public Relations, the practitioner must be able to communicate globally and know the language of the country where the labour is being offshored. Even though, offshore labour is done to save money and be more effectivess, research and culture are very important when considering offshore labour.

Here are some of the sources I used in my research:
Davison, D. (2003, December 9). Top 10 Risks of Offshore Outsourcing. Tech Update. Retrieved October 7, 2006 from Google.ca search engine on the World Wide Web: http://www.METAgroup.com

Kakumanu, P. & Portanova, A. (2006, September 1). Outsourcing: Its Benefits, Drawbacks and Other Related Issues. Journal of American Academy of Business,9 (2), 1-7. Retrieved September 21, 2006 from ProQuest Database on the World Wide Web: http://www.lib.uwo.ca

. King, W. (2006 summer). Offshoring decision time is at hand. Information Systems Management,23 (3), 102-103. Retreived September 23, 2006 from ProQuest Database on the World Wide Web: http://www.lib.uwo.ca

Jamie Gill, CC&PR Edited

Why Choose Podcasting for Public Relations?

Podcasting has begun to take on an entirely new face as the idea continues to grow and evolve. Originally used to communicate daily news stories, podcasts are now used for so much more. University lectures, sportscasts, as well as television shows have all been converted to podcast form in order to reach their publics. As this communication trend continues to catch on, how do podcasts help public relations practitioners effectively communicate with their publics?

I believe that there are pros and cons to podcasting. Podcasting can be beneficial to public relations practices and marketing campaigns if it is executed correctly. It is a fresh, new and very strong tool that can help you stand out against your competition. It may currently be the one tool that makes you special and sets you apart. At the same time, I believe that podcasts will quickly become the norm for public relations companies. Therefore, public relations agencies need to make sure to choose creative podcasting methods or topics to capture their audience, communicate their message, and keep their audiences coming back for more. Gaining even a small, faithful audience may soon help your company’s podcast gain popularity worldwide which in turn has the ability to draw attention and popularity to your company.

If talk is generated, and there is a buzz in the air, people will want to know about your company. This may be the reason a company chose to start podcasting in the first place. Extra positive exposure and discussion can never cause hindrance.

Podcasting seems very easy, but in public relations keeping your podcast current is very important. It takes a lot of effort and dedication. In the public relations field where information is constantly being communicated 24 hours a day, people have been conditioned to receive their information quickly. With blogs, email, instant messenger systems, cell phone text messaging, and the Internet, we are a generation that needs a constant flow of updated information. Keeping your podcasts current will help to develop a trusted emotional bond with your listening public. If there are slip ups, and inconsistent breaks in the flow of your information after you have developed an audience this can potentially encourage them to lose interest in your podcast. Negative effects on your company, its product or service, or its reputation may be a result. Podcasts must be sequentially listened to in order to derive value. If you are willing to put in consistent work and effort with an original angle and style to attract your publics, podcasting for public relations can yield positive outcomes.

Nijah Smith

•  
  1. The Value of Podcasting Retrieved October 14, 2006, from 101 public relations.com Website: http://101publicrelations.com/blog/the_value_of_podcasting_001792.htmlThis article is a debate on whether podcasting can be useful to public relations or not. It balances the pros and the cons
  2. (2005) 20 Creative Uses for PodcastingRetrieved October 14, 2006, from Strategic Public Relations Website: http://prblog.typepad.com/strategic_public_relation/2005/09/20_creative_use.html  ThisArticle outlines ways branded podcasts might be used to engage customers.
  3. (2006) iPressroom Adds Podcasting Functionality to Online Media Center Service Retrieved October 14, 2006, from the ipress room Website:http://www.ipressroom.com/pr/corporate/info/iPressroom-Adds-Podcasting-Functionality-to-Online-Media-Center-Service.asp  This  article talks about how podcasting can be a very useful tool for corporate communicators.

Initially my assignment was supposed to focus on myspace and its influence on the world of public relations. However, after my initial research, it was clear that there are other social networking sites which have been far more influential to the business world than myspace.

 While myspace is a great online social networking site with a casual atmosphere, I find that primarily its users consist of those within the music biz which isn’t very helpful to professionals amongst other industries.

My research revealed that there are various online social networking sites specifically for professionals such as Linkedin & Tribe which allow business professionals to network online, apply for jobs (prior to their release to the general public), and expand one’s contact list.  Furthermore, there are certain online social networking business sites that pertain to specific industries and/or age groups.

While the business world feels that online social networking sites are definitely a new trend primarily being driven by the Millenials (those born within the technologically advanced era - late 80s- early 90s), professionals doubt that this trend will surpass traditional methods of in person meet and greets because of its impersonal nature.

Despite this, it is still being stressed that companies and CEOs are aware of these new developments, and that they should as well begin to utilitize such methods as online social networking sites will allow them to tap into the potential technologically advanced employee market.

- Rose Perry

Feel free to check out two of the most popular online business social networking sites:

http://www.linkedin.com

http://www.tribe.com

Here is a list of the various types of online social networking sites available:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites

Lastly, here is a definition (Wikipedia) of online social networking sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_social_network

In recent years there has been an increased trend in the communications industry to become more professional.  With this professionalism movement the internet has become an increasingly important resource tool, playing a prominent role in strategic PR. 

The internet is being used as an evaluation and research tool which presents many challenges for practitioners.  Users must determine the quality of information received from the internet because PR relies on valid and reliable information. 

Literature suggests that the speed and ease of using the internet has caused practitioners to forget the importance of the information’s credibility.  Practitioners need to slow down and look for timeliness of the information, credibility of the source, the author’s motive and the owners of the information. 

Issues surrounding credibility have created a ripple through industries.  This ripple has caused entrepreneurs and software designers to develop programs to screen for credibility.  The credibility screening software will work in affiliation with search engines and is anticipated to hit shelves within the next two years.   

The internet is and will remain an excellent resource for PR practitioners because it opens up new communications channels for PR, recently, podcasts, blogs, and Second Life.  It is crucial for PR to be there, while keeping credibility of information as a top priority. 

Through my research I found several interesting and informative sources.  Here are my favorites.. Check them out!!

Jess D.

1. Online Public Relations    http://www.online-pr.com/

This website links PR practitioners to hundreds of other websites including PR books, interviews, essays, statistics and much more. 

2. The New PR/Wiki   http://www.thenewpr.com/wiki/pmwiki.php

This is an online repository of relevant information about the PR practice is changing.  This site is addictive because of all the information available. 

3. Gaschen, D.  (2001). Websites you Need to Know About.  Public Relations Tactics, 8(5), 21.  Retrieved October 3, 2006, from ABI/Inform Global database. 

If you can get your hands on this article it is quite valuable because the author conducted a survey of PR practitioners and results show the best websites for PR practitioners use. 

 Much like Linda (who also posted on the topic of PR and communications education), I was a fourth year university student debating what I should do after graduation. As a Communications and English double major, I constantly got the question “what are you going to do with THAT degree?” and I would always answer that I’d hoped to find a career in public relations. So in April I began a frantic job search to prove them all wrong… my degree CAN land me a job in PR. However, I soon realized one thing – I was going to need some practical skills, and thus lead me to this program. As a self-proclaimed geek, I had looked into both Masters programs and post-graduate certificates (on my own time… for fun) so this topic was of great interest to me!

My area of research focused on Ontario colleges and universities that offer Certificate and Masters programs in PR and Communications. These graduate programs give scholars from almost any discipline the versatility to utilize their previous education, interests, and skills to find work in a wide range of Communication fields. Like the Public Relations profession itself, Communications graduate programs in Ontario have experienced a great evolution in a short period of time.
 
Like Linda, I did not come across any national standards for PR and Communications graduate programs. However, I did find that Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities have established standards for post-graduate programs in Corporate Communications and/or Public Relations. These were created to encourage consistency across all PR college programs in Ontario. The standards ensure graduates are able to: write clear, targeted communication materials, execute public relations plans, and complete all work in accordance with PR codes of professional ethics, standards, and laws. For Masters programs, universities in Ontario set their own program standards and determine their own academic and admissions policies. The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) has also established some recommended standards for PR programs to meet the needs of the industry.

A graduate education in Communications or PR will not necessarily guarantee an individual a job as a PR practitioner. But as the profession of public relations continues to expand, so will the requirements to enter the field and advance within it. This education will open the door to a career in Public Relations, but what happens after graduation is the responsibility of the individual.

So all my fellow PR (soon to be) grads… you can make your versatile education work for you. And best of all, soon you can share your success with the people who asked, “What are you going to do with THAT education?”

Jessica Bowes. 

Edited by: Jesse Phillips

Links for you to enjoy….

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities - PR program standards
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/college/progstan/aa/70243.html
The website is from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and describes how Public Relations programs are standardized by the government of Ontario. These standards are discussed as well as, the presentation of learning outcomes, accreditation of programs, and how the standards were developed and are updated.

Why Study PR?  By Eleanor Baird
http://www.cprstoronto.com/resources/item.aspx?id=164
I thought this was an interesting student-written article investigating whether a post-graduate certificate is really necessary for a career in Public Relations. The author interviews students, professors, and Public Relations practitioners.

Canadian Public Relations Society’s Recommended Standards for Public Relations Education
http://gs.fanshawec.ca/cc&pr/CPRS.htm
 This page (from our very own class website) lists the recommended standards in Public Relations education from the Canadian Public Relations Society. These were created to maintain a high standard of education within the profession.