The Virtual Wire

An interesting take on widely-used tech buzzwords

An interesting read ... 

The tech industry's most baffling buzzwords: A brief guide | The Industry Standard

Posted using ShareThis

This guide lists eight buzzwords you'll quickly recognize.  And, you may have wondered as I did, exactly what they were intended to convey. 

You'll find included in the list (but not in this order): Web 3.0, cloud computing, disruptive, paradigm shift, seamless, solution, and prosumer (that one was new to me).

If you've ever wondered about the use of any of these buzzwords, this guide might bring you up-to-speed a bit. 

What's your main message?

In a recent conversation with my friend (and fellow teacher) Cynthia, she told me she had come to realize that she was a "bridge builder". Where she could, she tried to forge bridges and connections between people (who should be connected). I liked that. I'm an ardent--some might say intensely passionate--proponent of communication and personal connections. I thought about what she said, and then was able to tell her what one of my main messages was.

I am a barrier breaker.

I try to diminish or 'destroy' barriers that are in the way of effective connections or communications. A similar take on Cynthia's message? Yes, I think so. In describing this part of my personality, I'd say that when barriers become clear to me--barriers that have or will cause distance between two or more people--I seek to dismantle or disarm them. It's frank; granted. It's sometimes intense. But the only way to do it is to acknowledge there is a barrier, and then directly confront it. One can do so compassionately, and I'd like to think I'm in that category.

So what are your main messages? What major benefits, canny or uncanny, do you freely bring to the world and the people in your world? Let us know ... that would be nice.

Suffering from social networking overwhelm?

I've found a great blog article, and want to share it with you today.  Its title says it all:  "How to Manage Your Time with Social Networks."  

I've come across many "experts" advising me how to use the various networking sites.  In fact, I'm tiring of their advice. 

This post from Meryl.net, however, hit the mark for me with her short list of tips and solid, practical concepts.

My favorite tip is her first one: "Tell yourself that no one can keep up with it all."  (I guess I simply needed the reminder.)

And ... I appreciate her summary:

"Don’t let social networking overwhelm you. You’re the boss of your time and very few can be all over the place on a regular basis. Instead, take a step back and prioritize. Having a profile is better than nothing. Besides, you can point to where people can find you."

I've been re-thinking and rearranging work schedules and commitments in my own business and daily  activities -- a type of life management exercise.  It's a skill that continually needs attention, I've found. Determining what is most valuable and understanding then what can be left out is not necessarily easy.  It is, though, critical - avoiding overwhelm can be achieved! 

What have you found that helps?

When face-to-face doesn’t make a darn bit of difference!

Last week I spoke about my first face-to-face meeting with my client and how anxious I was and eventually how well it worked for our relationship.  When I was writing this article though, I also realized that face-to-face doesn’t always make a difference. 

First I have to make a confession.  I told something of a small fib last week.  Well I said that this meeting with Terry was my first client meeting, but I have had a face-to-face interview with a client, before she was a client.  I do not count this as the first time I met a client because she only ended up being a client for a month (one of those relationships that I learnt BIG lessons from).

A couple of years ago I filled out a referral request that came through from a UK client.  Now my interview process does not entail a face-to-face meeting, primarily because most of the people I interview with do not live in the same country as me.  Also I am busy and this takes up a lot of unnecessary time.  But this was not a standard or boundary, just a convenience.  So when this prospect suggested that we meet in person, I thought I would give it a try.  Tut, tut Petra, more thought should be taken before I say yes.   The day we were supposed to meet up I had a client emergency, but as this prospect was meeting in Central London and traveling about an hour to do so I felt obliged to make this interview – okay some stress, but not a great amount.  But then the trains was delayed, ya day a da, okay you see how the picture starts to deteriorate.  So I turned up at this meeting late, unhappily so, and somewhat harassed.  Okay now I can see why this is not the best option for me.

Virtual rocks, but face-to-face is pretty cool too!!!

For the first time in my 5 years as a VA, I have met one of my clients.  Terry has been a client of mine for about a year and a half.  He lives in Colorado and travels all over the world, but his travels have never taken him to the UK yet.  Well unexpectedly last week he had to come for London for a few days, and I was, well, excited.  “Wow,” I was thinking, “it would be great if I could find a space in his work schedule to meet up.”

Now of course this is totally ironic, as I have had, and do have, a few UK clients.  One of my clients, who I worked with for nearly 2 years, just lived in central London (about 30 minutes away), but for some reason it has never seemed like an issue to ensure that we meet up.

But yes, Terry was coming to London and I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to meet up?”  So we found a space in his schedule for a meal whilst he was here.  Then I became anxious, or a babbling basket case, you decide!  This was the first time I was going to meet a client in the flesh.  What if he didn’t like me?  What if I didn’t like him? What if I talked too much?  What if I talked too little?  What if we found that we had nothing in common?  Our virtual relationship has worked really well until now, but what if our face-to-face meeting ruined it? 

Listening between the lines

One of the most interesting things I find in both my career worlds (virtual assistance, and teaching) is nuance and subtlety. I think of myself as a fairly aware person most days, but still catch myself saying "what just went by?" sometimes. Was I listening carefully? And don't I tell my students ad nauseum (okay, maybe not that much) to 'pay attention'?

People can say an awful lot in a very few words. And people can hide (secrete?) a deeper meaning in a well crafted sentence or two.

Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend. Everything was going well until, on my asking her for clarification, she revealed the 'world'--forward and backward through time, and many nooks and crannies never before fully explained--in two or three sentences. She hadn't intended to do that (in my opinion); it was simply a very honest exchange. I haven't stopped thinking about that conversation...

One of my VA clients is a woman of few words, sometimes, and often says a lot in a few words. On occasion, I struggle to ensure that I caught everything that was said: even in the unsaid. Ultimately, I'll ask for clarification if I need to.

I've gotten into the habit of thinking that when someone seemingly casually mentions something, well, it was only the mention that was causal. They want that thing! This is either me being proactive, or me being psychic (don't get reimbursed for that, but it helps), or a bit of both. And using the time honoured technique of echoing back, I can usually find out if I was right. In any and all cases, if I read something that might be there, I began to prepare for that eventuality.

Most intelligent, thinking people listen between the lines. It shows that they are listening. It shows that they care. It shows that they're fact gathering, ready to ask questions, and/or ready to act.

Words that inspire action

"The three hardest tasks in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but moral acts:  to return love for hate, to include the excluded, and to say, 'I was wrong.'"

by   Sydney J. Harris

Those are truly powerful words - especially when acted upon.  In fact, they require consistent, regular action from each of us for their power to be revealed.

 

Don’t you agree?

Grateful, gracious and growing

Are you a big GIRL (GUY) now?  You might be if your attitude includes a "Gr" first.

Gratitude is something felt in response to an act of kindness extended to us, "the state of being thankful."  To show thankfulness and to feel it are two different things. 

Have you ever thought about saying "thank you" but bothered for some time because that card you drafted never got mailed?  I have.  It's not too late to express the feeling of gratitude.  You just might make someone's day.

Graciousness on the other hand is for big GIRLS (GUYS) too.  You know--the way you respond to that irritating email; or, the expression of thanks for the kind word, thought or deed we experienced.  Roget's defines graciousness as "marked by elegance and good taste".   That definition reminds me of how important it is to try to use words that don't offend my audience, such as profanity, while social networking; or to be mindful of the pictures that I post within my profiles. 

If graciousness characterizes the manner in which we act, react and interact with people, then being gracious is a part of growth--a work in progress.  It begins first in the mind; then our self-perception oozes out as a reflection of "who" we are in that moment.  So, did you handle something poorly today?  It's not too late to grow by taking a step back and altering the mindset while fixing the communication faux pas.  "I am sorry" are the three most powerfully combined words in the human language.  You deserve it. Your child, spouse, friend or client does too!

On someone's front page

Say it on one of the 'big three' social networking sites, and à la the Outer Limits, watch the focus of your readers change from a "soft blur" to "crystal clarity". Anything there you wouldn't want the world to see?

Before the onset of widespread social networking, being published on the Internet seemed a novel little thrill. It was easy enough to get free web hosting--after all, GeoCities has been around in one form or another for some long time--but it was not so easy to gain people's attention. It was not a case of publish it and they will come. Yes, you could tell your friends and family about your site, but Web 2.0 wasn't around then, nor all the nifty little gadgets that go with it. Many such gadgets make our posts available to mass readership.

I can't say I was an early adopter of social networking, and even in the past few years, I've found myself putting a lot of work into my very traditional website. Today, there's much ado about blog-style sites, and certainly companies like TypePad make it easy for us.

What's also easy for us today is to get press. I don't mean traditional press, like the media (though that can happen). I mean that as one amasses followers, one has increasing numbers of people reading our sometimes personal, sometimes business 'front page'. That carries quite a bit of responsibility with it; most of which rests on the writer, but some of which rests with the readership that buys into, believes, or simply likes what we write.

I treat the mechanisms and intricacies and people involved in social networking with respect. I hope that if I land on your front page today, taking time to read my article was worth the stop for you.

More than a "quote" to remember

To focus on and fully embrace a worthwhile mindset that evokes one to action is a true challenge.  Most certainly a worthy endeavor, but, nevertheless, it takes work - labor - energy - persistence - imagination - and a continual struggle. 

As a business owner, an independent solo-preneur, a team-player, a caring individual, and citizen of this planet, it is imperative that I recall and acknowledge the "much good" brought about by those who have passed this way before me. I have much to benefit from understanding what I can about their stories.  We have been given so much!

This quote carries a great message:

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

- Thomas Paine, "The Crisis", 1776

To "grow brave by reflection" - to be fully aware and guarded so that my "heart is firm" - this is the  essence of the mindset I wish to embrace each and every day.  Oh, what a daily and worthwhile challenge it is!