Monday, April 21, 2014

Enchantment Book Chat #6 - Chapters 9 & 10

Chapters 9 and 10 focus on very different topics, but ultimately it all gets back to creating interactions that delight the audience, whomever they may be.


Here are the questions for Book Chat #6:
1. How did Guy's list of factors for increasing the enchantment power of websites and blogs jive with your own personal experience?  Anything he missed?  Any particular one that you find extra important in your own experience?
2. Did you find any new takeaways from Guy's points on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube?
3. What did you think of the Japanese design principles?  How could you incorporate these principles in the work that you do?
4. Most of you are not far along enough to be the "boss" yet, but what points in the "Enchanting Employees/Volunteers"  did you find most important?  Perhaps you've experienced them from the other side of the equation or seen a characteristic or two in someone else that you would like to emulate.

19 comments:

  1. 1. It's almost like your blog assignment came straight from the book. You've encouraged us to post "good content" while "refreshing" it often (at least once per week), and I can say I've used several of the other tips such as sprinkling in pictures and videos, adding an "About Lee" page, and more. I did something similar for IM 113 when I had to make a website. It no longer exists, but it makes me feel good I've been doing some things right!

    2. It's funny how some of his points are no longer relevant or how concepts have changed (such as @ tags on Facebook). LinkedIn and YouTube seemed about the same, but now especially with the loss of organic reach, Facebook has changed a lot since 2012. I wish there were a section on Twitter (or other sites we've covered in class).

    3. The kanso and shizenn principles stuck out to me. I could utilize these principles in certain papers or projects when I try to get too flashy. Sometimes I need to get to the point or just express things the way they are without overanalyzing everything. I am also a big fan of Datsuzoku. I always want to try new things in presentations, and I've been able to a few times this year.

    4. This whole chapter was equally important! Providing trust/being trusted is huge, being able to differentiate the intentions and results is a good skill, being able to be your own critic matters, as does finding a devil's advocate (like I mentioned in the last book chat). I believe this whole chapter is incredibly valuable. I love when my success is celebrated but I also want to know when I did poorly, and I always want to know how to be better.

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  2. 1. I like that Guy brought up how an enchanting site/blog doesn't have to please everyone, just the segment that you're talking to. Some of the best blogs I read have a really niche audience, and it allows the author to talk about shared experiences with viewers. I feel like when you try to please everyone with your writing you can barely scratch the surface. Also, it really irritates me when I have to search around a website just to find the "about" page. Some of the simplest websites have been the most enchanting in my personal experience.

    2. For Facebook, I think the biggest thing he mentions is what we've talked about all semester in class: responding to fans' posts promptly and personally. Whether its a big business with a social media team, or just a small business, customers like to see that their message is addressed. It builds goodwill and can even save a customer from leaving. His LinkedIn advice is solid as well, and I like how he advises professionals to not only connect with special interest groups, but participate in their discussions as well. It's an easy way to stay up-to-date on industry-specific news without having to search for it yourself. I'm not as familiar with YouTube as far as marketing goes, but I think Guy's advice on viral videos is applicable to most videos. Businesses shouldn't try to make a video go viral, but rather produce a steady supply of videos that enchants people over time.

    3. Kanso. Kanso. Kanso. Eliminating clutter is essential in marketing because people are exposed to so many messages every day. Even as I'm scrolling through my social media newsfeeds, I tend to stop on posts that are clean, simple, and to the point. This goes along with the Ma design principle, which can be especially utilized on websites and blogs. Websites can have so much information that it begins to overwhelm viewers, so I think whitespace can help direct people to the messages you really want them to spend time on.

    4. Even though I'm far from being a boss, I think this chapter highlights some key points that we should be aware of while we're job searching and meeting with potential employers. I particularly like how Guy discusses the importance of self-criticism as a boss. While this might not always be fun, it serves a purpose bigger than yourself. If you figure out your shortcomings as a leader, then you can make changes and help out employees in the process. Part of being a boss is being held accountable for positive and negative outcomes, so I think examining downfalls instead of ignoring them will only increase the respect employees have for their boss.

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  3. 1. Guy’s factors for maximizing enchantment on websites are spot on. I think the biggest ones that I have had personal experience (and frustration) with are a well-crafted About page, slow-loading websites, and smooth navigation throughout. I have seen some bad sites out there, and in my opinion these tips are the basics that should all be well done before making a website open to the public eye. The About page in particular is really important and I think there are many companies out there that do not give nearly enough information about what exactly they do and what exactly they are. Which seems like a silly thing to leave out. Another point that I think could have been added to this fine list is “make your space visually appealing.” It seems so basic, but somehow a whole lot of organizations don’t understand that some colors and fonts just do not work together, and that more information is not always better if you don’t have a clean, clutter-free way of presenting it.

    2. I have had some experience with organization pages on Facebook but I had no idea about the “Discussion” tab or the custom tab options. This was helpful in outlining specific ways that organizations can get people interacting with their page more. I was also unaware of LinkedIn Answers. I think it’s interesting how organizations on LinkedIn are using it, because if I wasn’t in the process of trying to search for a job post-graduation, I don’t think I’d have much activity on that platform at all. But it’s clear that it will become a vital platform as we enter the professional world and represent a brand as well as ourselves.

    3. I personally adore these, especially Kanso, Yugen, and Yohaku-no-bi. I think these principles can be applied in many aspects of life, getting as simple as achieving happiness. As a big picture takeaway, I think that most of these design principles surround the idea of having something powerful to say, saying it simply, and allowing people to interpret it in their own ways. I have experienced some of the most inspiring and moving things executed in the simplest ways. It keeps things natural and authentic – because people know when you’re trying too hard to make people feel something.

    4. Guy addresses some great advice for employers, and I have worked for people that have wonderfully emulated some of these but lacked in other areas. I think some of the biggest things to remember as an employer is to provide a MAP, not asking employees to do what you wouldn't, and celebrating successes. I like that Guy emphasizes the fact that good employees really are motivated more by things like personal growth, competency, and being an integral part of a purpose, rather than by money.

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  4. 1. One of the factors I really like is "Skip the flash." I have been to countless numbers of website that have a video or a ton of images flying across the screen in an attempt to look really cool when in fact I am just annoyed! I also really like the suggestion about an FAQ page. I always look at other questions that consumers ask because I normally don't want to go through the trouble of asking myself.

    2. Though some of Guy's suggestions are not completely relevant anymore, (even more proof that social media never sleeps!) I like how he mentions responding to fans and surprising them. Those are aspects we have talked about in class and seem to have the most positive feedback! As for LinkedIn, I personally think my LinkedIn page is pretty perfect and I have received a lot of positive feedback from it. There is definitely an importance for LinkedIn pages today.

    3. One of the Japanese design principles that stood out to me was Ma. I think simple and clean things make much stronger impacts than things that are cluttered and busy. Sometimes silence and emptiness is more impressive than an overwhelming amount of text and visuals.

    4. One aspect of being a boss that I really liked was "Suck It Up." Currently as President of Orchesis Dance Company here on campus, I struggle with the stress that organizing and running a group of people involves. I definitely could benefit from sucking it up a little more instead of letting my emotions get to me. In fact, we are currently in the middle of the hardest and busiest week of rehearsals and this was very beneficial for me to read! Great timing :)

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  5. 1) Something I really agreed with Guy on was his tip to sprinkle graphics and pictures on a website or blog. For me, this is what differentiates a good blog from a great blog. It is important, though, to not just throw a bunch of graphics on a post and expect viewers to be enchanted. The visuals need to flow with the post, not be overbearing, and be attractive to the eye. I personally get bored reading a blog post or looking at a website with little to no visuals. I also get frustrated when pictures take over a page, so they need to be used wisely. I also think that making sure a blog or web site is easy to navigate is something that is very important. There are times where I go to a website and don't have any specific purpose for being there, and there are other times where I am on a web site or blog for a reason and want to find something. Easy navigation limits frustration when doing this.
    2) Something I didn't know too much about and didn't really know was possible was chatting live on Facebook using Vype or Ustream. I think this is a great way to interact on the site and was interested to hear what Guy had to say about it. I agree with him in that it is a great way to stand out with your fans.
    3) I thought these principles were all very powerful. One that stood out to me was Yugen. It refers to being subtle and symbolic as opposed to obvious. I like this because I think this allows people to really use their creativity and uniqueness when perceiving something they view on social media. Challenging people to think is something that I think would lead to enchantment. This is something that I am going to focus on when writing future blog posts.
    4) I think one of the most important things Guy touched on was boss's empowering employees to do the right things. I find this so important because in the workplace, there are many situations where individuals need to use their own personal judgment to make a decision. Each employee is a representation of the overall business, and empowering these employees to be able to make the right decision on their own or when somebody is not necessarily watching is going to go a long way for a company.

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  6. 1. Overall, I liked his list a lot. Thankfully, it seems to me that most sites don’t have too much trouble with his list. I will admit that the one that really got me though was the point about having an introductory video. I know that when I visit sites that have an obligatory video that I have to watch every time it gets really old really fast. One site I like a lot is the comedy site Homestarrunner.com. They were smart on this point and made the introductory video optional. This is especially good because it was the type of website that updated every few days. It would have stunk to watch the intro every time I visited.

    2. I don’t know if it’s new, but I really like the point he makes about responding to fan’s posts promptly. I know that on several different occasions I have attempted to contact a company through their Facebook page. I messaged them and commented on their wall to no avail. I still like them on Facebook, but I’ll admit that the memory of their non-responsiveness taints my interactions with them.

    3. I think that the Japanese design principles provided a very easy to do guide for how to streamline and effectively use social media. My favorite was definitely the principle of Datsuzoku. I know that I always enjoy a picture over simply stated words. The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” isn’t a lie. Pictures and graphics are powerful tools that should be used effectively.

    4. I think that giving feedback is the point that most stood out to me. I know that when I am working or volunteering I want to know how well I am doing. This allows me to judge my work fairly and to make improvements if they are needed. I think that if I ever get into a position of authority I will make a point of giving feedback to my employees and/or volunteers.

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  7. 1. I am taking a web design class this semester and we have talked about similar topic about web sites. We want people to keep visiting our sites and get some useful information from the sites. In order to do that the sites should be something relevant for certain people. I think if you have simple and organized layouts and interesting contents, people will definitely keep visiting.

    2. New technic I found out was Facebook landing page. I didn't know we can add "tab" like an internet browser, and that would be very helpful to find what you want too. If you know how to develop a landing page, I think a lot of people can create effective and efficient fan page for their organizations.

    3. Of course, I do know all the words. Actually I should know these words, and I would like to pick the word, Ma. I think graphic designers might be able to understand more clearly. Basically spacing is very important for any kind of materials. Website, design, art, products..anything. Most of people don't understand how the white space is important and necessary besides people who study art or design.

    4. The most important thing for the boss would be "Invite them in." Some companies should start to meet (face to face) people inside of companies. The one example the book has is inviting into their headquarters. This experience might changes the volunteer's life. Usually, volunteers are not allowed to join and listen to it; however, companies might get some good ideas from them if the volunteers have a chance to be invited. Sometimes, you get amazing ideas from unrelated people.

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  8. 1. I think Guy's list of factors aligned with what I try to do on my personal blog and also what I try to implement on some of the client websites I work on for my internship. It is so important to provide excellent content for your readers and making things easy to find. In my own blog, I have tried to sprinkle some pictures into posts in hopes to make them more interesting. If I had to pick on of those to be most important, I would have to say it's to provide good content. No one will visit your website or continue reading if what you say is boring or doesn't inform in some way.

    2. Because this book was written almost 3 years ago, I felt that I already knew most of the information he had provided about Facebook and YouTube. What I did learn was that on LinkedIn you can join special interest groups and participate in discussions that way. I feel that is a great way to increase your visibility and make connections outsides of searching a company or individual.

    3. I thought these were so interesting. The provided additional ways to help enchant others through technology. As someone who hopes to go into online marketing, these principles could really help me differentiate my services in the marketplace. One of these principles I believe is so important to remember is "Kanso," or eliminating clutter and expressing things in plain simple ways. This is is necessary in communication with others because ultimately people just want to know what you're getting at. There is nothing worse than someone rambling on through a long email and at the end asking yourself, "so what did they need?"

    4. As I was reading this section, I was thinking of a former boss who was the exact opposite of an enchanting boss. Because I have had that experience, there are certain principles I would adopt in the future when I do supervise others. The first is to address my shortcomings. There may come a time when I really mess up and if I'm just honest about it, then the employees would have more respect for me. Secondly, telling employees I want them. It is so important to let employees they are important and their work is truly valued because the organization would not be able to run without them. Lastly, I was struck by something in the volunteer section. If someone is giving her time, it is important not to under or over-utilize her. Giving her the right about of work will make her feel important, yet not drawn out or bored.

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  9. 1. This is exactly the information my group needs for the website we are creating for our client, Prep.Freeze.Cook. We want to provide content that is helpful to customers so that the owner does not have to answer so many questions on her own. Guy mentioned refreshing content often, and I think that is what PFC needs to do to be helpful to its customers.

    2. The LinkedIn section was helpful since I am still confused about how to effectively use it. Guy gave the advice to participate in LinkedIn Answers. I was not even aware that was a thing, but I will become more active on it to connect with more people. I also found information on YouTube useful such as the information about having important keywords and titles for a YouTube video.

    3. Kanso. I like what Guy had to say about this particular one. It is all about reducing clutter and basically crap from presentations and online content. I think this is especially important during the job searching process that I am going through. Companies that are looking to hire want potential employees to get straight to the point. They do not have time to deal with clutter. If they have to deal with clutter, than you probably will not be hired. It is important to remember this for the future.

    4. I may not be a boss yet, but I would like to remember some of the ideas Guy touched on to enchant employees. I really like what he had to say about addressing your own shortcomings first. It is important for a boss to step up and say what they might have done wrong. I think employees will respect that boss and see that they are trying to improve. I also like what he said about celebrating success. I see this with my own team sometimes. We win a game, but coaches or players might point out the negative parts of that game. It can overshadow the win and bring the team down. Congratulating the team as a whole always helps my team.

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  10. 1. I think that I use most of Guy's point/suggestions while writing my own blog for class. I agree with the importance of graphics and pictures, it gives people some to look at and relate the words to. While applying for jobs, I take notice of websites and blogs that show the personality of the company and its employees. I like when websites have the "meet our team" tab because I know the type of people in the company I may one day be joining.

    2. A lot of the things Guy listed about Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube are what I had already known. I think that some companies are either really good or really bad at what he had mentioned, is-little to no interaction as opposed to the followers feeling as if they are really part of the organization. When I worked with Facebook for my job over last summer, I made sure to interact with our followers and use the Facebook page to "like" and "connect" to other organizations.

    3. I really liked the Japanese principle "Yugen" because it says to create a presentation that moves people's souls. In my life I am always trying to inspire and keep people interested, no one likes to be bored. I think with all these principles combined, it could be simple for someone to yugen a follower.

    4. I have had a few interviews with Marketing/Sales firms within the past few months. The ones that emphasize company atmosphere with team nights, chants that get you amped up, and coworker bonding activities are the ones that stood out to me. I truly believe that setting ambitious goals, appreciating staff, providing feedback, and giving recognition are all things I look for in employers and leaders. I also like how Guy mentions not making your staff do what you wouldn't want to. You can't hire a staff simply to do the work you don't want to, you hire a staff in hopes that they enjoy their job and help contribute to the success of the company as well as their own.

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  11. 1. Not everyone understands that the content on blogs and websites have to be interesting. In my social media internship I had to explain to my boss that he has to include information that his target market was interested in, not just constantly sell his product.

    2. I noticed that some of his information is out of date. That just proves how quickly this industry changes and adapts to the market and how someone who works in social media needs to constantly teach themselves about the new technology.

    3. I really like the kanso concept. To be effective in communicating to your customers, the information needs to be streamlined with simple language. This can be applied to anyone's job whether it is business writing or social media.

    4. I like how he mentions what employees are motivated by (personal growth and pleasing the customer). Once the employer understands what their employees are motivated by, they can be a better boss.

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  12. 1. These factors really spoke to me. When I set up my blog, my intention was to have it be random and zany, and overall be something that might make someone smile. At the same time, I feel I could be better at providing some more engaging content for viewers, so I think I missed that mark on that a bit at times. Guy certainly got me to visit that 1000 Awesome Things website right away. I love the blog. It succeeds in doing what I want to do with my blog, and that inspires me.

    2. Something somewhat obvious but still very interesting to me was the attention called to Facebook users really being “who they are”, as opposed to an unknown commenter on a website or blog.
    The LinkedIn section is what I’m going to benefit from the most, though. I really haven’t paid as much attention to it as I should these past few weeks. This is bad, I know, so I plan on making the effort to get my page being the best that it can be. I wasn’t very familiar with this platform, so I guess that’s why I haven’t been extremely active on it, but Guys advice serves as a nice road map that will help; especially in the Get Visible section. I’ll complete my profile, and get more engaged in the LinkedIn world as a whole.

    3. Oddly enough, I find myself trying to emulate Kanso and Fukinsei in my graphic design portfolio as we speak. Eliminating clutter is so important, while using asymmetry to create balance can really help your work stand out.

    4. I know these points are for enchanting employees, but it seems many of them are also valuable for day to day life. Just a small example could be when we participate in group projects. Consider MAP. There is Autonomy- and no, one specific person in the group is constantly telling the others what to do
    (usually, although every group project can vary)
    but rather it’s a team effort and there is trust that things will get done and goals will be reached.

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  13. Guy’s list of factors are all important in optimizing the value of websites and blogs. Knowing as much information about a product or service and those people who made the product/service available can tell a lot about the company. One of the factors I try and emphasize is the ease of access and navigation. In order for people old and new to come to a page and revisit it often, they have to like what they see and they must receive some sort of value in coming to your website or blog. Creating a page with the right balance of innovation, creativity and simplicity totes a very fine line. People these days are more impatient than ever with technology. I do think Guy could have emphasized the importance of sharing a little bit more even though he did mention it. People like to search common areas when beginning their search for something (search engines, social media, etc.) Noting the importances of tags and keywords would be important to any beginner looking to start a blog and receive exposure.

    All of his points regarding Facebook are valid and exemplify the ease and compatibility Facebook offers its members. He pointed out that a profile user on Facebook is much more likely to be the “real person” as opposed to a website because people can post anonymously to websites. Facebook also has a lot of profile information, contacts, and photos that are easily accessible and used by fan page administrators. LinkedIn is also a great tool and I believe it is the greatest social media “network” because that is what the typical user is there to do, network with people you may or may not know based on their occupation and existing network of people. As far as YouTube goes, I think Guy hit the nail on the head with the four main factors being inspiration, entertainment, education, and enlightenment. Those four words sum up YouTube in the best way possible.

    All of the Japanese design principles can be incorporated into our work. The Japanese are some of the most innovative people in the world and have great skills in technology and entrepreneurship. Being efficient, simple, and motivating people to buy into your product or campaign is the end goal of any marketing strategy. It’s not all about you either, it’s about your customers and those around you and the company working to please the customers. The Japanese are some of the most family centric people across the globe and treating others with respect can go a long way into achieving the success a company or organization wishes to achieve.

    4. I believe providing a map is a key to any industry and for executives of companies to make strides. In today’s world, I believe the aspect of training new employees has taken a turn for the worst and workers aren’t all to blame. Like Guy said, no matter who you are, you don’t want to suck at something you do for eight or more hours a day. The way to get better is to receive better training and for upper tiers to train the heck out of their new employees until they are able to sustain adequate success on their own. It’s also important for the employees to “suck it up” during points of their work periods as well. It’s not all the executives fault. Sometimes employees are just flat out lazy and unmotivated. Being able to suck it up during the bad times makes the good times seem much better and crafts you into a better worker in being able to fight off adversity. Being humble and trying to best represent yourself and your company will make you an outstanding employee, but sometimes people aren’t willing to put their time in.

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  14. I run an Etsy page for a local business & I never thought about adding a FAQ page. This would make thing so much easier! Sites that 'introduce the team' are awesome. Having that face to connect with the name is really helpful & makes me feel more connected with that brand.
    Reaching out on LinkedIn makes me a little uneasy. I think of connecting with someone I would like to know similar to friending strangers on FB. I can see how it would be more acceptable on LinkedIn, but I never approve someone I do not really know, but maybe I should start?

    Everyone employed at the bank I work at had to read a book that was half written from management's view point and half everyone else. It was an interesting book to read (except it was a really cheesy). This book touched on similar points as Guy. Feedback & recognition were huge for both sides, which makes sense, no one like their hard work to go unnoticed.

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  15. 1. I think being able to excel at 75% of these will get you a long way. With small businesses its hard o update content all the time but if you can you can create a great niche audience that keeps coming back to you. I really like the suggestion to provide a FAQ section on your page that is easily accessible. I find, specifically for products or services that are new to me like new technology, that a FAQ works really well at answering common questions. I look for them all the time when buying something new and I question the durability of it.

    2. I never thought to make use of the "friends list" before. But I think adding people to groups that I want to keep tabs on outside of acquaintences would be useful. I'm so bogged down by friend that don't offer great content that I think I'll streamline my page and make it so I'm seeing what I want to see.

    3. I am a huge fan of the Japanese design principles. I HATE, no I DESPISE full sentences in presentations. I prefer the Apple model in using as few words as possible. No one wants to read a presentation. They want to see a presentation, that means watch the presenter, not be completely fixated on the powerpoint. Kanso- that is my model now!

    4. I think celebrating the success of your employees is the best way to enchant them into constant good work. When you make your people feel good about what they are doing you can achieve great success and further their goals and achievements.

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  16. 1. I think Guy’s list of factors include many things we have discussed in class. I found the ”Skip the flash (and Flash)” section very interesting since we just talked about this not too long ago. Viewers do not want to hear or see a video as soon as their navigation of the website begins. If they want information they will find it! I also think it is important to introduce the team. Seeing the people behind the scenes allows viewers to be on a more personal level.
    2. I am going to take Guy’s advice about LinkedIn. I have always avoided this site simply because I didn’t understand it like I have Facebook or YouTube. By keeping my profile up to date, I can maximize my connections!
    3. I like the Kanso concept the most. I think that keeping things organized and simple for customers will give them the best experience on a website (and other aspects as well).
    4. CELEBRATE SUCCESS! As an athlete this point is the most relatable one. There are many ups and downs when it comes to playing a sport, but celebrating our success was something that kept me and my teammates from giving up. When a person or team is given credit for a win, it motivates them to push through the losses.

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  17. 1. I really like what Guy had to say about sites and blogs and found his insights practical and useful. I feel that sometimes people do get caught up in trying to please every person in the market, which can come off not genuine and insincere. Whereas just focusing on a specific niche and being real is much more beneficial. Also a great piece of advice was the sprinkle of graphics, because they are many example of websites or blogs that have too much going on and it comes off cluttered and confusing.

    2. Although we have discussed much about what Guy had to say about these social media tools, I feel as though it further emphasizes these core values, such as replying to posts quickly. However, I do need to start becoming more active on my LinkedIn page so that I can maximize my connections.

    3. Datsuzoku and kanso are the principles that stood out to me the most. I believe that a picture and take the place of words and have a longer lasting emotion impact on a customer rather than just a bunch of words. Then by keeping the pictures and other content organized and simple creates a great combination for a successful website experience.

    4. There were many great points Guy brought up but the three that I found the most important would be looking at yourself to self criticize, empowering your employees, and celebrating success. Criticizing yourself will allow for a manager to stop and reflect on what they have been doing, rather than automatically putting blame on others. Empowering your employees and celebrating success builds their morale and creates an enjoyable workplace for them, ultimately creating more productive employees.

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  18. 1. I think Guy brought up some great points about using blogs and websites. I think the one thing I always tried to with my blog is create content that was interesting to me and to the audience I wanted to reach. I think if you write about something you are not knowledgeable in then it can come off as fake to your readers. I know one that I missed with my blog is graphics and videos. I use a lot of text, and I think I could've enhanced it with photos and videos.

    2. I liked his points about Youtube and providing intrinsic value. I usually watch videos only for entertainment but it was nice to see other ways people can get value from a Youtube video. I especially liked the inspiration point, this is something that I have never thought of before with Youtube.

    3. The two Japanese principles I liked the most were shizen and wa.I think these are both important because shizen is about honesty and I think that is important in everything they do. Wa is also important because it would create a balanced work place. I think these are two principles, that can be great to take with me as I further my career.

    4. The points I found most important were address your shortcomings, suck it up, and don't ask your employees to do what you wouldn't do. I think these are all important because they are important to establishing great relationships with your employees. These relationships are what I believe are the foundation for any successful workplace.

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  19. 1) I really liked all of Guy's tips on how to maintain an effective blog/website. While I am not far along in my blogging or website experience, I think these are all tips I have utilized or would like to play around with in the future. One thing I think he was missing is adding an occasional surprise. While it is fun to always know what your favorite websites or blogs are going to post, it is even more fun when you are pleasantly surprised with something you weren't expecting! Though they shouldn't happen often, it can be fun to mix things up every once in a while.
    2) I really liked his tips about LinkedIn, and I think they could be useful for both organizations and individuals. A lot of us are still unsure of ourselves when on this platform, and I think he makes a lot of good points about reaching out to others and making yourself visible on the site. I will definitely have to test some of these ideas and see how they pan out!
    3) I really liked that he brought these up. I think that a lot of organizations and individuals get carried away when making a website, and they end up looking horrible. The best sites (in my opinion) are the ones that look simple and clean- they aren't too cluttered, it is easy to find what you're looking for, and they are still able to give off a good vibe of the individual. I will definitely have to re-evaluate my personal site and make sure I am utilizing these principles!
    4) There were two principles Guy mentioned in this chapter that really stuck out to me. The first was celebrating victories as a team rather than only acknowledging individual accomplishments. While I think it is important to note if an individual has a huge success, these types of celebrations should be minimized because they can make both the individual and others individual. Celebrating a victory as a team both unifies team members and lets everyone join in the fun without getting uncomfortable. The second point that stuck out to me was having a devil's advocate on your team. I think that it is very easy for individuals to think very highly of their own opinion, and a devils advocate is able to look at situations from every perspective and bring people back down to earth. This also helps you become a good manager, because you are seeking out the input of someone else and looking from all sides before making any hasty conclusions.

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