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So a week has passed since the deadline for my CIPR Diploma CRT and I have been too busy enjoying having my life back to find time to blog. It’s one excuse after another with blogging - too busy working to blog then too busy having fun to blog.
I actually completed my CRT a few days before the due date as I had a busy weekend planned and did not want the CRT hanging over me. Last weekend I went to see Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong at Warwick University Students’ Union, the Kooks at Birmingham Academy and a friends new apartment and this weekend I went to a friends pre-wedding meal at the Mailbox and another friends engagement party! The social calendar is full to make up for the hermit I became for the month of April.
The Kooks, Naive, Live at Birmingham Academy
Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong (live but not at Warwick SU) - definitely worth catching live if you get the opportunity!
On Saturday I will be heading to Nottingham for the fourth of my CIPR Dimploma taught sessions and it will be the first session of the second module which focuses on planning and management in preparation for our second assessment in August. I was planning to publish my first assignment online here but I thought I should wait to see how good/bad it was before sharing! If the two essays (one on PR and Blogging and the second on PR and Ethical Propaganda) are any good then expect to see them here in June! Fingers crossed!
In the meantime, here’s a preview of my PR and Blogging essay:
Expectations from media, clients and audiences about new technologies are placing increasing pressure on public relations practitioners to increase their use of new technologies (Lordan, 2001). Whilst new technologies won’t replace traditional tools used in public relations the cost to PR practitioners in not using these tools will be in losing their competitive edge to those who have mastered new technology (Anderson and Reagan, 1992 cited in Lordan 2001). As advice to PR practitioners considering entering the blogosphere, Porter et al (2007) suggest an evolutionary approach in which “Practitioners begin using blogs routinely for informational purposes – seeking out alternative viewpoints, the latest news and experimenting with blogs for research purposes. Then use shifts to a more professional – albeit passive – orientation. This issues identification factor allows practitioners to continue to use blogs for information but in a more strategic and professional manner. The final step in the evolution of blog use is to begin engaging in two-way communication.” Whilst this model will not apply to all PR practitioners who use blogs, it does emphasise the importance of a familiarity with and a knowledge of blogs and the blogosphere before being able to use the tool for strategic and purposeful two-way communications.
References
Lordan, E. J. (2001) Cyberspin: The Use of New Technologies in Public Relations, in Heath, R. (2001) ed. Handbook of Public Relations, Sage, London
Porter, L. V. et al (2007) Blog power: Examining the effects of practitioner blog use on power in public relations, Public Relations Review 22 (2007) 92-95
Ok, so just a few days to go until my CRT essays should be complete for the first assignment of my CIPR diploma and what more productive thing to do but to take a personality test from the BBC!
So it turns out I am, rather proudly, a leader (as well as a procrastinator!)
Summary of Leaders
- Natural managers who strive for efficiency
- See the big picture and make strategic plans for the future
- Think of themselves as bright, independent and logical
- May overlook other people’s need for emotional support
More about Leaders
Leaders are strategic thinkers, planning ahead and anticipating difficulties. They quickly spot inefficiency and organise people to make improvements. Leaders like solving problems at the organisational level, but would rather leave the detailed work to others.
Leaders enjoy discussing complex issues and will challenge people’s views to spark a debate. They admire people who defend their beliefs by arguing persuasively.
In situations where they can’t use their talents or are unappreciated, Leaders may become detached, critical or aggressive. Under extreme stress, Leaders may feel isolated and doubt their abilities.
Leaders are often so ambitious in their careers that they sacrifice their personal life in the process.
And it seems so accurate…
I wouldn’t have said I was such a strategic thinker, but I do find it helpful and reassuring to plan ahead and I do feel satisfied by solving problems.
I can be quite frustrated by peoples inefficiency as I am a perfectionist and expect others to do their best. I love challenging people’s views and having a good debate so that’s true as well.
I think the final point is also supported by the fact that it is 12:30pm and I am meant to be studying for my PR course. My personal life has disappeared for now but it will be back as soon as these essays are handed in!
Some insightful procrastination there - pity it won’t help me write my essay.
A friend asked me today ‘How are you?’ and as people who know me know… I tell the truth. My answer was “So so - tired and busy and can’t be arsed and need sleep and can’t wait for the weekend and trying to do damn reading for damn essay”. My friends response was “Have you ever thought of not trying to progress?”
What a question…! I was really quite flattered by it. The answer is no, I have never thought about not trying to progress. Is it something you are meant to think about? What’s the point in not always striving for more? You would never know your successes if you were content with where you were in life.
Welcome to my blog. I hope it will be about things that interest me in life from my work to my social life, family and friends, music, books, illustrations, thoughts… thing’s that inspire me.
I work in Public Relations and am interested in online communications and new media. I have recently started a professional qualification with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations so I hope to use this space to record my thoughts as I develop my own views. I’ll try not to make it too pretentious!
I love music so expect some song lyrics, videos and music to provide some light relief from the pretentious PR chatter… I also like illustrations, cartoons, photos and anything else that inspires me. I love books and often buy them quicker than I can read them.
Anyway, that’s enough about my intentions for this blog. Thing’s rarely turn out how you intend them to so we will see what happens…
Whatever my blog becomes, I hope you enjoy it.
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