We are officially off and running in 2011, and as I write this post people are preparing and executing their resolutions.  Whether or not we are able to stick with them all, resolutions are extremely important to our growth as students, professionals, and people in general.  It keeps our ambitions high and allows us to continue to aspire to new achievements big and small.

With all these posts flying around about these resolutions and moving forward, it is extremely important to reflect.  I’m not talking just about reflecting on the past year or the “Best of 2010” posts, I think its imperative that we look back to the steps that got us to where we are today, whether they happened 3 months ago or even 3 years ago.

I found myself recently looking back on pictures from my first couple months at Drexel and the memories that where made during that freshman year.  Although I’ve moved on from my time at Drexel, I am so grateful for the people I met and shared some great times with during my two years.  For better or worse, they helped shape the person I am today, as have my friends in high school and so on.  I feel I am headed in the right direction not only in my career, but also through life in general.  I have a lot of people to thank for that.

I know this may be another rambling insight that I tend to do from time to time, but before you hit the ground running in 2010, I urge you to take a quick trip down memory lane and acknowledge the people that have influenced your life.  Even if they taught you how NOT to act or handle yourself, they still passed a lesson on to you, and you’re better for that.

Remembering where you came from will make you a better professional and communicator.  It allows you to be more transparent and true not only to others, but also to yourself.

Before you go, I would love for you to share any experience or person in general that has influenced you.  We all have a story, and we need to share them.  By doing so, we can create new influences and experiences together.

Our Guest Blogger Today is Nicole Raisch.  I reached out to Nicole to do a guest post and I’m honored to have her contribute! Nicole is a recent graduate from Gonzaga University, an excellent communicator, and is definitely a rising young professional PR.  You can follow and connect with Nicole on Twitter: @NicoleRaisch

-HK

LinkedIn is…

• A professional stalking tool for the job seeker – you can use it to learn about companies you are applying to and a detailed history about the employees who are working there
• Facebook for your business contacts – reminding you of who is doing what and where
• THE single most powerful networking tool on the web – you can learn more about the career you want to have and how to get there by effectively utilizing various aspects of LinkedIn

My point is: Many people don’t utilize the full networking benefits of LinkedIn. It is not enough to be merely “connected” virtually to random professionals – taking the tool to the next level will yield valuable knowledge and even more priceless face-to-face relationships!

How do you do strategically form face-to-face connections via LinkedIn? Follow these guidelines:

• Connect with anyone who went to your school and is working at a company you want to work at, is in the same industry as you in a city you want to live in or just looks interesting. The common ground of going to the same college will help ease the awkwardness. Additionally, grads just love to help other grads and will probably jump at the chance to chat about their college days with you!
• Ask your fellow university grads to coffee or lunch. Genuinely learn from them: ask them how they got where they are and what about their industry they love. Tell them your career dreams: where you want to go, what you are doing now and your current plans for the future.

A few conversation-starting tips:

• Why do you love working at ABCcompany?
• How did you arrive at your current job at ABCcompany?
• What do you like about the ABC industry?
• What advice do you have for a young professional like me?

Moreover, if you are genuinely interested (and you should be) they will offer to help you in whatever way they can whether that  is looking at your resume, taking you on a tour of their office or connecting you with their HR manager – always accept their help with gratitude and appreciation.

• Once you build enough college-generated LinkedIn connections, you can start looking through their connections and ask to be introduced virtually. Always follow up a virtual introduction with a call to action such as a phone date, a coffee meeting or a job shadow. Make sure to make your LinkedIn connections as PERSONAL as possible. NEVER EVER send the generic  ”I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” message – personalize it.
• From here, you should have grown your LinkedIn connections base enough to request introductions to people who have career paths that you would like to have one day within your current connections. Don’t be afraid to ask these people to sit down for coffee either. They were once in your shoes – ask them how they got to be successful!

These general guidelines are based on my face-to-face LinkedIn networking trial and error experience. After a year of coffee dates and dozens of LinkedIn messages, I have met with numerous professionals and asked them all the questions about their careers I could possibly think of. I feel more knowledgeable and more confident knowing I am heading in the right direction; I also feel comforted because most of the pro’s I met with were at one point in the same position as me: just starting a career and struggling to nail a full-time, permanent job. They have offered me invaluable encouragement and powerful advice. I hope the professionals you meet can do the same for you!

In conclusion, LinkedIn can be for you:

• A tool to learn more about your dream career and how to get there
• An opportunity to learn more about your field and the people in it
• A chance to meet some fabulous, knowledgeable and giving professionals who want to help you

Happy LinkedIn networking!

TWO THUMBS UP!

I just got out of seeing The Social Network and I loved it!  I thought that the acting, the directing, and the writing was excellent.  The movie did go a little quickly, but I think its not just a must-see movie for PR people, but movie-goers in general.  I think we forget sometimes just how amazing Facebook is.  It is the most popular and widely known thing in the world outside of religion.  This movie is controversial to many, but I think its a great look into what has defined the era we live in and the men behind it.

I thought Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake were excellent as Mark Zuckerberg and Sean Parker.  What was interesting was that their real-life personas matched the “characters” very well.  What was also interesting was how the movie has been publicized as of late.  Timberlake has been on a parade of television appearances this week, but Eisenberg has been relatively quiet. (except for Letterman, I think)  I think that if you put the real Sean Parker and Mark Zuckerberg on a press campaign, it wouldn’t have been any different.

I know some people may disagree, but I loved the movie and will be watching and even studying for years to come.  Here are some things I took away from the movie.

If you want something, go and get it: Mark Zuckerberg and his rivals displayed this lesson throughout the movie.  Mark Zuckerberg truly wanted to build Facebook at all costs, while his rivals did not.  They were worried about money, image, and the right way to do things while Zuckerberg was not.  Everyone has their own opinions about Zuckerburg, but I see an entrepreneur who wanted to create something bigger than him. No matter what.  I can’t say I will ever be as cut-throat as he is, but I definitely will always remember the rewards of getting something, no matter what the cost may be.

Follow your passion: Regardless of the money or your actual motives, if you find yourself passionate about something, follow that passion.  Do not worry about how it has been done, or what outcome may be.  Sean Parker lived fast and created/helped create two of the most revolutionary concepts in today’s world.  He was a passionate entrepreneur always looking for a means to his lifestyle.

Mark Zuckerberg was not passionate about money or fame.  He may have been insecure, and socially challenged, but he knew code and was passionate about becoming the first to create this network.  He lost friends, and walked an ethics tightrope very step of the way.  But you know, he was passionate about creating the Facebook and is now the youngest billionaire in the world (not that the money matters.)

If someone is talking about you, you’re doing something right: Obviously, you don’t WANT bad things said about you, but I love Sean Parker’s quote to Eduardo Saverin when Eduardo says to Parker regarding his image, “Oh, I’ve read enough about you.” Parker (Timberlake) responds with “You know what I’ve read about you?…. Nothing.”  It’s brilliant.  Regardless of the things said about Parker and now Zuckerberg, they have succeeded and are forever etched in history.  They wanted to change the world, and now we’re not only reading…we’re watching.

I know some people may disagree with some of my points, but I guess the entrepreneur inside of me is speaking a little louder than the PR side.  If you’ve seen it, please share with me your thoughts.

This is a Harrison Kratz Production (little joke of mine)

So I just got out of a private live session with John Legend at the Sirius/XM Satellite Radio station in New York City!  John Legend has always been one of my favorite artists, and this was truly an experience for a lifetime.  However, that’s not what this post is abo

ut.  John Legend is a huge social advocate for different causes and he is at it again.  This time, he is trying to lead a change to our country’s education system.

I’ve been paying close attention recently to the American education woes, and its obvious that a change needs to be made.  As a PR professional, I feel that I have a lot of power in this cause and a lot of reason to use that power.  I think this goes the same for all PR and communication students and professionals.  We all specialize in spreading a message, an image, and do it in a manner where others listen to that message.

We should help people like John Legend and other advocates for this cause because we do have a voice, and we know how to get the most out of that voice.  We need to ensure that children uphold the future that we are trying to build.  If we do not take responsibility and help fix the system, our personal efforts of success and prosperity will eventually be all for naught.

If the reason to help the future or children and the people around us is not enough, think about the person you are.  As a communicator you have found your voice, followed your strengths, and have found a career where creativity is a necessity.  If we do not help fix the education system, children will not be able to embrace those qualities and follow through on their ambitions.  We all have a voice and we need to start using it, so others will be able to do the same for generations to come.

I highly recommend watching Sir Ken Robinson’s Bring on the Learning Revolution.  You will understand the need for a change and I hope you join me in realizing how we can be that change.

You can follow Robinson at @SirKenRobinson and I also suggest following Dr. Steve Perry, CNN Education Contributor @DrStevePerry.

It may be Monday, but I am very excited for this week!  Not only do I have some cool things coming up such as a private concert with John Legend tomorrow afternoon but this weekend is PodCamp Philly 2010!  I have been excited for this conference for quite sometime, and I am very excited to network and learn from some of Philadelphia’s brightest minds in social media.

The fact that I was selected to be a speaker at this conference is sincerely a honor and a privilege.  This will be my first official speaking session at a conference, and this is no quick speech.  My session will be an hour long!  My session will be directed towards other students and young professionals.  Here is a brief synopsis:

Building Bridges: How to Use Social Media to Kick Start Your Career!

** Session will be geared towards students and recent graduates. ** The session will discuss how social networking and utilizing social media can lead to new opportunities, education, and growth. Since I have started a PR firm (Kratz PR & Management) that has been fueled by my use and understanding of social media, I will provide personal experience and other specific examples to show how social media can make a difference for anyone looking to kick start their career. I will inform them of chats they can participate in, Tweeters to follow, and other tips on how to use Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and Linkedin to their professional advantage. Session attendees and participants will walk away with information that will assist them in finding job opportunities, grow a larger network, or follow the entrepreneurial bug. Most importantly, they will discover what building bridges through social media can do for their future and careers. — Beginner: Basic Knowledge of New Media and Limited Experience

I am very excited to share some things that I’ve learned, and I really hope those who attend my session can take something away from it.  The conference is being held at my new school, Temple University.  Whether you can attend my session or not, I highly suggest attending this conference if you’re in the Philadelphia area.  For $22.00, you get access to two days of sessions!

All of the information can be found on their website: PodCamp Philly and if you would like to attend my session, I will be presenting at 1pm on Sunday, October 3rd.

Hope to see you all there!

This weekend is the Jewish High Holiday, Yom Kippur.  I’ve been observing Yom Kippur since I was little, and it is not the most festive of holidays to say the least.  However, as I get older, I appreciate the true meaning of this day.  It is a day to reflect on our sins and ask for forgiveness.  Rather than asking for forgiveness, I think its much more important to learn from those mistakes as we continue to progress.

Here are some mistakes I’ve made, but tried to learn from over the past year.

Avoid becoming star struck when working with “celebrities”: Last year, I was granted the opportunity to assist with Mitch Albom’s book release event for “Have a Little Faith,” where the guests of honor included Sportscaster Bob Costas, author James McBride, and the great Tony Bennett.   This was the first time I has worked such an event, and I became overwhelmed by the company I was in, and it effected my performance.

Since then, I have worked with celebrities such as Pharrell Williams, and met some great professionals.  No matter the situation, I make sure I stay on task.  Not only do I get the job done, but it also reflects very well on my professionalism and attitude towards my career.

Never let lack of motivation affect your performance: At my last internship, I became very disinterested in the job.  Chalk it up to lack of duties, growth, and education, but the bottom line was that there was little motivation for me to keep working hard while there.  Looking back, this was a big mistake.  It didn’t necessarily hinder my future opportunities, but there was a lack of self-pride that I never want to duplicate.

Even if it was not a good situation, I should not have treated the position any differently, and I need to put forth my best effort no matter the situation.  Since then, I have been in situations with clients that eventually became unbeneficial, but I have remained motivated by the prospect of self-growth and education.  We can all learn more in any situation, but that education will always be up to us.

Be available to those who rely on you, regardless of what life throws at you: Obviously there are exceptions to this rule.  There will be circumstances in our lives that prevent us from working, and that is okay.  However, I learned the hard way that no matter what is going on in my life, I must be available to my clients, employees, etc.  I have put myself in a position where others rely on my performance.  Lack of communication can ruin all of that.  I have let life get the best of me at times and my performance has suffered.

Now, I am sure to always show that I am available to communicate on some level, and no situation is too big where those who need me are ignored.  I am going to rely on these people someday, and simple communication can make all the difference as my career continues to progress.

I’ve been fortunate to learn a lot from a lot of different people, but I hope my mistakes and lessons are able to teach others, and help those people become better professionals, practitioners, and communicators.  Before you seek forgiveness, learn from those mistakes; there is no greater education.

As a young professional in the communications industry, I have quickly learned that relationships are everything.  Whether they are other students, professionals, or just connections you’ve made through Twitter, those relationships can be the most influential aspect of your career.

These relationships can be strictly professional or develop into friendships.  No matter how close the individuals relationships are, it is important to do everything you can to maintain them.

Social Network is not just a movie title, nor is it central to sites such as Facebook and Linkedin.  Our social networks are comprised of the people we meet and the people that those people meet.  Everyone knows someone or has something to offer, and by developing sincere relationships, we can feed off of others, and vice versa to help one another develop one’s career.  I’m not saying become friends with someone because you want something they have, but develop relationships to help one another succeed.

When you find yourself having to work to maintain these relationships, it is important to make them a priority.  These are the people you may have to call on at some point; and in business, a burned bridge can never be repaired to full strength.  People may forgive, but never forget, especially when opportunities may be few and far in between.

The relationships I’ve developed over the past year are my main priority each and every day (maybe except for my girlfriend haha).  Even if I’ve only talked to them through Twitter, my fellow PR students are some of my closest friends because I know we will grow together and we are able to connect on so many levels beyond sports, music, and school.   Although they may be new to my development, I want to ensure that they are there to assist me in reaching my goals, and hopefully I can do the same for them.

Utilizing your social network in the real world is the essence of being a communicator.  Always remember that burning bridges keeps you where you are, but growing them gets you further than you ever thought possible.

This past year has been quite a journey.  Through creating and running Kratz PR & Management, and becoming an active member in the Public Relations Student Society of America, I have not only been busy, but I have really found my calling.  I can honestly say I have great instincts for public relations, branding, and creating a message.  That being said, I realize now, more than ever that I have a lot to work on.

There are many aspects of being a public relations professional and entrepreneur that I am not even close to where I need to be.  I may still be young, but it’s important that I start to turn these weaknesses into strengths.  Whether it be athletics, business, music, or public relations, we all have weaknesses that we need to work on.  Here are some tips that I think can help anyone in turning those weaknesses into strengths.

1. Learn from others

I can guarantee you that no matter how far you’ve made it or how good you think you are, there are always going to be people that know more or are better than you.  Its important to not see these people as enemies or high obstacles, but as influencers and benchmarks.  Learn from their expertise, and study what has gotten them to where they are.  Use them as inspiration to achieve what they have and more.

2. Read and Listen

Learning is now more collaborative than ever.  Take advantage of blogs and insights from people in your industry.  Everyone has something to offer and their ideas may help you greatly.  You will learn something new everyday.  Sometimes it can even be more the unlikeliest of sources.  Thanks to Web 2.0, everyone has a voice.  The best thing you can do is listen.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

It may be an obvious thing to say, but you need to practice your skills.  However, don’t only practice what you’re comfortable with.  Practice your weaknesses. Your strengths got you to where you are today, but its your weaknesses that are going to push you to the next level.

4. Challenge yourself

This kind of goes hand in hand with practice, but it is important to always test your strengths and weaknesses.  It’s the only way to evaluate your growth and success. Challenging yourself is always a daunting task, but you will grow from it.

5. Believe

Even if you are weak in certain aspects of your practice or profession, don’t think that those weaknesses will hold you down.  Believe that your talents and work ethic will turn those weaknesses into strengths.  If you do not have faith in your journey and yourself, there is no way you will overcome and achieve.  Your ambition knows no limits.

This may be an understatement, but the inaugural K!dult Youth Leadership Conference was amazing and inspiring.   So, I think huge thanks are in order to the Kidult staff, Pharrell, Mimi Valdes, Shaunice Hawkins, and all of the speakers.  The conference wouldn’t be possible without you!

While each session was inspiring and beneficial to each and every “kidult” in attendance, it was Dr. Steve Perry’s that stood out to me.  He spoke powerfully about discovering who we were in this world and chasing our dreams.  He really emphasized we are all dreamers, but how we have to put the work in to realize those dreams.

During his speech, I realized that it’s not about having a dream; it is about turning your dreams into ambition.  We can all dream and have goals.  That is a good thing, its human nature.  No matter who we are, we can always aspire and dream for bigger and better things.  However, it’s not about the dream.  It’s about putting that dream into play.

Following your ambition and doing everything you can to reach your goals is everything.  Ambition is what brought the attendees to NYC for the conference.  Ambition is what made me start my own firm.  So go ahead, dream big and aspire for greatness.  Remember though, its not about the dream, its about what you do to turn it into a reality.

Men like Dr. Perry, Pharrell, and Hezekiah Griggs inspire us and get us dreaming.  They want to change our lives. Now its our turn to go out there, realize that our ambition has no limits and live our wildest dreams.