I know it has been a long time since I have written.  I have been very busy with a number of different projects, most importantly a social media textbook that I am collaborating with Charles Harris, Jason Peck and Brendan Wilhide.  I am on sabbatical for this fall to primarily get the book finished.  I have only been in Arizona for a little over a week and I have been keeping very busy.  The purpose of this post is to briefly talk about an incredible story.

It seems that wherever I go I randomly run into people I know or meet people that know someone who I know.  Last week was no exception.  Outside of the normal networking contacts that I made, I met a reality TV show star.  His name is Mark “Pipe” Burk from the show Pipe Dream.  Pipe is a homeless golfer who is trying to make the Champions Tour.  First, he is REALLY good!  After 72 holes he has hit about 80% of fairways, and 88% of greens in regulation. But more importantly he has a great story, of perseverance, determination and spirit.  I encourage you to go to his website, read about him and watch the show (10 episodes).

Pipe, keep chasing your dream and don’t ever give up!

This week’s post is a collection of random thoughts I have had over the past week. Keep in mind that they are not listed in a particular order:

• When I go to the movies, I just want to see a regular movie.  It doesn’t have to be in 3D or be based on a true story.
• It is okay for people to think for themselves.  Please do not ask, “What does persuasion theory have to do with PR?”
• Two weeks between the Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl is too much.  Going to dinner with your teammates is not news!
• I know that what happens in a locker room should stay in the locker room. But if you should still watch what you say and do. I am not interested in hearing your derogatory remarks about other professors and their classes.
• I wonder how much of a bump the Broadway play Lombardi is getting from all of the mentions on TV and the Packers being in the Super Bowl.
• I wish I was in the gallery at the Waste Management Phoenix Open when Jarrod Lyle aced the 16th hole.
• It is a shame that one of the members (Robert Cook) of the “Never Miss a Super Bowl Club” had to miss the game when his favorite team (Packers) was playing in the game.
• Congratulations to all of the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees especially Chris Hanburger
• I agree with Chad Dukes, I WANT REDSKINS REPARATIONS!
• I do not want to hear anything else from Roger Goodell, Owners, DeMaurice Smith, players, lawyers etc… until a new CBA is in place.  To take a line from Keenan Thompson on Saturday Night Live I want it FIXED! Step one Fix, Step two It! Repeat as necessary until its all been FIXED! When I wake up the headline better be, “It’s been FIXED!”

Quality presentations skills are critical for success in the sport industry.  Recently I have put more emphasis on public speaking and presentation skills in my courses.  All too often students stand behind a lectern and either read from the computer screen, the large screen or their notes. To combat this I have instituted a few new rules:

• No slide or screen can have more than a total of 8 words.
• If there are 8 distracting words/mannerisms (uh, um, like etc…) I stop the presentation.
• The students cannot stand behind the lectern.
• The students are not allowed to have any notes unless they must read a direct quote, definition or statistic.

Although these rules may seem harsh, the presentations are only four minutes in length.  As a result, it is more about preparation, practice and confidence than anything else.  In fact, I recently showed a video clip outlining tips for a good presentation.  One of the main points focused on practice (sorry Allen Iverson). Practice is a crucial component to the success or failure of any presentation. By the way, the title of the video is The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs in case you’d like to view it for yourself, which I highly recommend.

Another issue I am addressing with my students involves the technology of the presentation itself. I am encouraging the students to not just use the standard PowerPoint slide.  It is boring! Students need to learn how they can make presentations exciting or interactive to get the audience involved.  I have begun experimenting with a few different programs:

• Keynote – I have enjoyed playing with this.  It can be saved in a number of different formats as well.
• inDesign – This program is more complex but can be really interactive.
• prezi.com – One of my students introduced me to this and it is really neat.

What do you do/use to make/give quality presentations? What do you think it takes to make a quality presentation?

Generally speaking, academic programs pay little attention to contacting alumni in order to keep them involved. Not surprisingly, sport management programs are also guilty of such behavior.  However, the use of alumni may be a key ingredient to furthering the quality of opportunities available to students. In fact, effectively utilizing alumni in a variety of ways is a very important concept ALL academic programs might wish to consider. More specifically, one of the most impactful methods to grow a program, especially a small or new one, involves increasing the networking opportunities available to current students. By connecting students with professionals in the industry, students are more likely to see the importance of curricular content as it relates to the real world. Increased exposure to alumni, combined with repeated outreach efforts are more likely to result in quality internship positions and stronger bonds between current and past program participants. Professors and institutions that take advantage of promoting positive interactions and spotlight students/alumni are able to maximize word-of-mouth advertising and keep people talking and thinking about their programs. However, just like anything else, when you reach out to alumni there should be a defined purpose.  Here are some examples of easy ways to get alumni involved:

• Fundraising – golf tournaments, 5k race, inexpensive advertising opportunities
• Student Professional Development/Networking – Alumni panels, project involvement, presentations on campus (guest speakers for classes and student organizations)
• Networking – special events designed to provide an enjoyable experience for all participants, thoughtful communication/outreach (newsletters, special recognition, public relations announcements, invitations/events where it is clear to alumni that the program is NOT asking them for anything)

What are examples of good practices you have seen in alumni communication? What do you think makes an outreach effort successful? What new ideas can you recommend for others to try?

Last week’s post dealt with the Lebron James commercial for Nike, “What Should I Do?” This week examines commercials from a different perspective. Everyone knows that commercials are meant to entice people to “buy” something, someone or some idea. But many people do not realize that some commercials are meant to do more. You see, commercials send messages on a variety of levels; many tend to overlook the personal aspect designed to influence the consumer to act, to think or to change their behavior.   This past spring/summer Gatorade embarked on a new branding campaign.  In the campaign, David Banner wrote and produced the song, “Gatorade Has Evolved.”  Gatorade’s marketing promoted the way in which the company reformulated the drink to take advantage of new developments within the science of sport. If you listen to the song’s lyrics it becomes clear that the commercial offers a much deeper meaning…if you are ready to listen.

Gatorade Has Evolved

All semester I stress the importance for students and professionals in the sport industry to change the way one thinks, communicates and approaches others in order to be successful.  In other words, we all need to evolve.  We cannot continue doing business the old way and hope to be successful. As the song indicates, “If you want a revolution, the only solution evolve.”  However, knowing we have to change is only part of the equation.  We have to want to change. Again, the lyrics point out “evolution is a thing that starts inside.” Change is never easy, especially if we are breaking new ground such as utilizing social media.  The song says “it may take a lot of work, it may break your back, if you want a revolution the only solution, evolve.”

What have you done to evolve?