Sep

9 Professional Certifications For New Media Gurus

As a media professional, are you looking for unique ways to differentiate yourself in this economy? Here is a great idea—certify yourself company certification programs. Certifying with Adobe, Apple, or in Google are great ways to differentiate yourself from the pack in PR, digital media, journalism, or even social media. Here are nine certifications that would be a huge boost to your resume:

Adobe Certifications

1. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

Demonstrate your Adobe product expertise by becoming an Adobe Certified Expert. Use Adobe Certification as a way for getting a raise, finding a job, or promoting your vast expertise.

2. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) for Developers

Do you create solutions using LiveCycle Enterprise Suite, ColdFusion, or Flex? Review certification requirements that you can complete to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise with Adobe developer products and technologies.

3. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

An Adobe Certified Associate credential certifies individuals have the entry-level skills to plan, design, build, and maintain effective communications using different forms of digital media.

4. Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI)

Further your knowledge. As an Adobe Certified Instructor, you can take your classes — and yourself — to the leading edge of Adobe technology.

Apple Certification

5. Apple Pro Applications Certification

Apple’s professional digital applications are the standard for professional photographers, filmmakers, editors, sound designers, music producers, and multimedia artists. Certifications are available for all applications, including Final Cut Pro, Motion, Logic Pro, and Aperture. Learn More

6. Apple iWork Certification

Apple’s Associate Certification program was designed with educators and students in mind. Earn Apple Certified Associate status for the iWork application suite to demonstrate entry-level skills and build credibility. Learn More

7. Apple Certified Trainer

Share your knowledge. If you’re an industry expert or training professional, or simply passionate about sharing your Apple technology expertise, consider becoming certified to deliver Apple’s curriculum as an Apple Certified Trainer. Learn More

Google Certification

8. Google App Certification

The Google Apps Certified Deployment Specialist exam certifies IT professionals who demonstrate the fundamental skills and knowledge required to deploy, configure, and migrate to Google Apps for Business. Candidates who pass the exam receive the Google Apps Certified Deployment Specialist certificate and badge. http://certification.googleapps.com/

9. Google Ad Words Certification

Whether you’re an individual or a company, you can demonstrate your proficiency in AdWords by joining the Google AdWords Certification Program. It’s a globally recognized stamp of approval which showcases knowledge of the latest AdWords tools and best practice techniques and will enable you to effectively manage AdWords campaigns. http://www.google.com/adwords/professionals/

If anyone knows of other certifications programs that I may have missed, please share them with me below. Or if you are certified, share why your certifications has or hasn’t helped you.

Sep

Corporate Storytelling in the Digital Era and its Effects on the Brain

I have been scouring the web searching for ideas for my senior thesis. I’ve been infatuated by stories. Not just stories but how companies use stories to get their brand, their image, and their customers to become converted. As of now, my thesis is about “Corporate Storytelling in the Digital Era and its Effects on the Brain.”

In my research I’ve found evidence that the human brain organizes information using narrative structure—a story. If there is no story, it’s just facts. No one ever remembers facts. But what I want to study is how you include stories in company branding and advertising, how you create emotion and connection with your customers, and its effects on the brain.

In other words, I want to see how to create multi-sensory engagement with your key audience. What is interesting is corporate stories impact the whole organization internally and externally. While a story speaks to your customers, it focuses executives, creates synergy in marketing, and makes a unique cohesive culture around your brand.

Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

And, if you want to know more, here is an article that might get your creative juices flowing around neuroscience and storytelling. Peace out.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/positively-media/201104/transmedia-storytelling-neuroscience-meets-ancient-practices

Sep

6 Ways on How to Really Know and Listen to Someone

This summer I was able to go to an interesting leadership conference with Lee Mun Wah. He is an excellent communicator that understands racism and it’s various problems. In his presentation I discovered six questions that he had us ask someone we didn’t know. It made we wonder, “Could understanding Lee Mun Wah’s principles be applied to storytelling? Could his ideas of racism and coming to an understanding be applied to journalism, public relations, communications, digital media, or even, social media to come obtain a better story?”

I believe his ideas most certainly can apply to better communicate stories.

His central idea was if we want to get to know someone, it starts with asking questions. Not just any questions but the right questions. The right questions will expose understanding. And by being a good listener you will create an environment to tell anyone anything. So here it is, six ways on how to really know and listen to someone:

What I heard you say was…
Tell me more about what you meant by…
What angered you about what happened…
How did that effect you?
How did that effect you then and how does that effect you now?
What do you need/want?

Two important principles come out of these questions. One is understanding and two is listening.

For me, when I heard these questions a light bulb went off for me, “Aha! This is how to get someone’s story. If you want to get deep into effective storytelling your need to understand the other person and really listen to what is important to them.”

By using these six questions we can get to know anyone. We can better understand someone we would otherwise would not. I mean really, when would you ask, “So, what I heard you say was…” or “Tell me more about what you meant by….” So I challenge you to try these questions out. Use it in your next interview, date, social gathering, and I promise it will change your perspective on others and others see your genuine interest in them.

“What we do not understand, we make up.”

I learned important lessons about myself. I listen only by picking up what is important to me. (But that’s not how you should listen to someone.) You listen to someone by picking out what is important to them. Lee Mun Wah said,

“Listening is not about what you want to hear, it’s about listening what is important to the speaker.”

Go through these questions again. Test them out on those you work with and I am promise you will have greater understand those you don’t understand and hear what needs to be heard.

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Digital Media/Journalism/Public Relations/Relationships/Storytelling

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