assignment 15.3

The resources that can work for the unemployed are career centers, internet, the good old fashion library, and word to mouth. Its still important to use your friends when looking for a job. Unfortunately its still who you know. I have learned that looking for the best job requires more research than I had anticipated. One once really do more research than you use to do. The internet has increase the time it takes to research a company who you are interested in applying for a job at. You can find anything on the internet now about anyone or any company. The more you know about a company the better.

Bryan Cruse
Assignment 15.3


I think that resources like LinkedIn are great for hearing about job openings and opportunities, however I think that going through a career center or even a temp agency has a better chance of success. Researching a job is a very important step that many times gets glossed over. Knowing anything about a company and the job you're applying for gives you a leg up on the competition. Also, websites like careerbuilder.com and monster.com are great for updating your resume and just seeing who the competition is. I also think that the Help Wanted ads in the newspaper are a great place to look, and almost all newspapers now have their publications online, so you don't even have to buy a paper.

Having your resume up to date is a very important step and very easy to accomplish. Don't skip this step!

Megan Fisher
Assignment 15.3

assignment 13

What worked for me on this assignment was that it taught me how to use voicethread. Voice thread is a great tool to use when creating a powerpoint. I really didn't have anything that didn't work. I found the assignment was challenging but entertaining. Next time I will add more slides. It seemed I didn't have enough slides. In my professional career I would like to incorporate voice thread. Like I mentioned, it is a great tool to use when presenting a power point presentation.

Bryan Cruse
Assignment 13



I, on the other hand, had many challenges with this assignment. I think voice thread is a great tool, especially if you are uploading a Power Point to your web page or blog, since they can hear your voice and your explanation even if you're not available to narrate it in person. It also makes it more convenient for the customer since they don't have to clear their schedule to be at your presentation. Even though I couldn't get voice thread to work from my computer, I think that it's really helpful.

Megan Fisher
Assignment 13

Assignment 11

From all the assignment we have done, I would say lessons 7, electronic media part 1 and part 2 have been helpful. I read blogs, but have never blogged myself. I find it fun and useful. You can see how it could be effective in the business world. Blogging can be useful to stay active and in touch with your customers. I may try to add this in my job. Twitter is not for me, however I can see myself using blogging as a way to communicate. If I had to pick what was not helpful or valuable, I would say it was the chapter on nonverbal communication. At my age, if you don't understand how your nonverbal communication is; facial expressions, body language etc., then I guess you don't understand yourself. Not all people are setup to understand or pay attention to their nonverbal communication, but if it's your job to speak in front of people or communicate to a group of people, then I think it would be important to make sure you are aware of your nonverbal communciation. Assignment 11

                                        What I've learned along the way

We have been in class for eleven weeks now and knowing there are only five weeks to go gets me pretty excited. So far in this class I have learned that how I write speaks volumes about me to the reader. I've also learned that much research needs to be done to compile reports and that there are many guidelines to follow to put a message together. 

I've also learned that technology and professionalism go hand in hand. I've never been intimidated by technology but I can't say that I've always stayed abreast of new trends. Until this class I've avoided twitter like the plague. I didn't see the effectiveness or even the point of it. Now I have a twitter account and I even check it when it's not assigned. 

Lastly, I've learned to persevere. This class and this semester have proven difficult for me to keep up with. My oldest son played Mighty Mites for the first time this year, my daughter was more involved in her youth group, and my youngest son is learning to ride a bike. I've worked over 40 hours every week since August and I played softball for part of the semester. Carving out time for all of my assignments has been tough and sometimes very challenging. For the first month of the semester I didn't have internet access at home and would either have to stay after class or go to McD's to get homework done.  But, I have made it through and I am looking forward to the rest of the semester and the crazy busy schedule from here to Christmas.

Megan Fisher

Social Networking

Social networking
Social networking is very beneficial for businesses and individauls. First, for individual purposes, its a great way to contact with your current friends. Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with your friends. If your friends post pictures, you can see what their kids look like, or you can read what they are up to. I find that facebook gives you the chance to see more of your friends than just talking to them. That may sound awkward, but there are some friends of mine that the only time I see them is if we have lunch together. Our families never hang out, so facebook gives me the opportunity to see their wife and kids. Its great when you have lunch with a friend, and you ask them how their trip was, or ask if they caught anything when fishing last weekend. You know what they have been up to, because they post an update, or post pictures on facebook. Businesses use facebook to advertise their business, or to post specials, or just to promote their products. My opinion has not changed about social networking or media. I feel it is a beneficial network system that we as a society must tap into. 7.4

How Polar could benefit from a Corporate Blog.

I work at Polar Tank Trailers here in Springfield, Mo. Polar is not a new company but we're not locally recognizable on the level with Bass Pro or O'Reilly's or other corporate giants in the area. Polar Tank Trailers is a welding shop. We design and build over 60 different kinds of Semi-Trailers. Our company is known in the trucking community for our great quality and value. We are the number one producer of trailers in the U.S. market today. However, if you walked up to someone at the grocery store and asked them if they knew what kind of business Polar was, they probably couldn't answer you.

Polar employs over 300 people full time just in Springfield alone. We also have two locations in Minnesota that also produce trailers and there are over 30 service centers in the U.S. There are many employees that have been with the company for a long time. I'm relatively new at the company, I've only been there 6 months, however most of the shop employees have in over 5 years with the company. I personally know of 3 employees that have in over 15 years each. A corporate blog could help the visibility of the company in many ways. Most of our customers are repeat customers. They already own one of our trailers and have either completely worn it out or are adding to their line. I think it would help our "brand" by showcasing some of the people who actually weld those trailers together. Showing pride in our work not only builds morale among the employees it also shows the public that we care about what we produce. That our product is being made right here, in Missouri, by folks like your neighbor. People who live here, spend their paychecks locally, contribute to the community, and have some pride in where they work and what they do for a living.

Having a blog would also promote more contributions from within the company. Knowing that I could submit an article about a co-worker who always goes above and beyond to a public stage is cool! It also would allow more employees to help shape the message of Polar. It would also be much easier to access than say a company newsletter or email.

Lastly, I just think it would be fun. Anytime you can make your company more connectable you can make it more profitable. For the average owner of a tanker trailer, it means something that we're a Union shop and only hire good welders. Knowing that your trailer was made by a craftsmen and not a trainee means better quality. Being able to see pictures of the guy who welded your baffles in helps customers to connect with us, and in turn increase brand loyalty which will lead to more growth and profitability.

Megan Fisher, Week6.3

Review of General Mills Corporate Blog

 When I first saw this blog, I couldn't stop reading it. Each post was different in theme and message. There were several about the company's commitment to "Being Green" and also several about employees who work for the company. There was also a nice variety of recipes and craft ideas for using different products in the General Mills extensive family of products.
 All of the posts were very professional but also had their own voice. Each message was conveyed clearly and in an interesting way. Some were interviews, others were more like reviews of their own products, and some even read like you were over-hearing a conversation between friends.
I really enjoyed this blog, not only because I'm a Mom, a student, and an avid baker but also because I'm on a budget and there were so many creative and thrifty ideas presented! My favorite was the post titled Never Shop or Eat Alone by Kevin Hunt. He discussed the ways that supermarkets and companies like General Mills are implementing technology to help people buy or try their products. From recipe search engines on your phone that list out the ingredients while you're at the store to digital coupons and wallets. I have a recipe app on my phone but hadn't ever thought to use it while I was at the store before. I'm usually too busy corralling kids or trying to remember what all was on my list. If I were a retailer, being able to send a message to the customers phone while they're in the aisle with the product I want them to buy seems ingenious!! I would love to have coupons pop up on my phone while I was in the aisle comparing prices!
 Even knowing that blogs are marketing tools didn't diminish my enthusiasm for this site, it's now bookmarked in my favorites!

-Megan Fisher Week6.3