Silicon Stilettos - Only in the UK - Networking for Ladies

Well...I am in the UK for Devicescape/networking/working/meeting and etc...

I've already met with some great folks and tonight I am heading to Silicon Stilettos. I am actually very excited to view the event. I've gone to some Tech Meet-Ups in the Valley...I headed to a few NYC events last year and now I am off to a UK ladies only (or almost only) networking shin dig.

While we have Women in Technology and other events - only outside of the US can one get away with Silicon Stilettos. And, I like it or at least I like the name...
I recently learned that a wonderful woman I worked with while at Wind River heads up the event - Zuzanna Pasierbinska-Wilson. She was at Ranier PR when they had the Wind River account. She is smart, tech savvy and yes, sexy - hence the name Silicon Stilettos (Zuzanna: i hope it is ok i said you are sexy, but it is true and smart and etc...)

Off I go – I am excited to report on the compare and contrast of US versus UK women tech events.

About Silicon Stilettos
What's 80/20? It's a typical ratio of men versus women at most tech meet-ups. Isn't it about time it was the other way around?

Minibars, DrinkTanks and OpenCoffees are all great, but how about a women-only (or almost women-only) meet-up, with lots of cocktails, relaxed networking and no pressure?

So if you're a woman in tech, writing about tech or running a tech start-up, join us! We don't have a regular sponsor, so you might need to buy your own drinks, but good company should make up for this.
*Men are welcome as long as accompanied by the Silicon Stilettos members.
*Need more info? @huddlesuz or visit http://girlaboutweb.com

A New Day and a New Era...

Yes, I should have blogged on Jan. 20 but I was too busy watching all the other commentary. It is very exciting to see what the US is embarking on. We have a Democrat back in the office and probably one of the most attractive families I've personally seen in a long time.

I don't believe in talking too much politics in business. Being in Silicon Valley there are many Republicans and many Democrats and I really don't want to get in the middle of "personal political" debates. That being said though, I love to debate and I love to talk politics.

I will find it interesting to watch how this administration unfolds. I believe many people are putting Obama on a pedestal and that expectations are very high. But, he is only a man, not a saint. It takes everybody together in the same boat, paddling in the same direction to make change. I personally believe in a higher consciousness.

I look at the bailouts and I think, wow…if a Silicon Valley, start-up ran companies the way some of the big “boys” do, the CEOs would have been voted out by the board a long time ago. I personally think, if I didn’t pay my bills and debts, I would be kicked out of my wonderful home and my car would be impounded. But, here is a secret. My car won’t be impounded because I own it. I own my car my scooter and I have no credit card debt. I personally believe that one should live within their means – I live within mine. I feel no need to keep up with the Jones, the Smiths, the Finkelsteins. I am who I am and I am who I can afford.

I am not perfect in any way. But, I would like to see people take responsibility for their lives and own up to what they can really own. As an American, I promise to pay my bills and be a better contributor to society. It has to start within. He cannot do it alone.

PR today - a constant change

As a PR professional it is amazing to sit back and really philosophize how PR has changed. Technology – online sites and blogs - have almost destroyed the print publication. The recession has forced publications to lay-off amazing reporters and scale back overall. A security pundit was recently laid off from Cnet. I was literally shocked.

All these changes have forced PR professionals to change. The day of the “traditional one week media tour” is boarder line dead. And, unless you are Microsoft, Apple or the like….don’t think you will be able to command a press event.
So, what does a company do?

Thought leadership, thought leadership, thought leadership…
Provide value and interesting fodder to reporters and your audience in general. I personally believe that more like-minded companies also need to come together and provide value to their constituents together.

The importance of owning your content and owning your message is also critical, especially as it relates to a bigger Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. When you own your content and write your content and you pepper in the right terminology – the company will only win.

BOCA Communications recommends to its entire client base to start every PR partnership with an SEO workshop and messaging exercise. We develop formal “messaging platforms” that we can leverage to drive all your content.

Step two is to uncover companies we can partner with to drive bigger picture trend stories. From partners and customers to companies in like-minded spaces, as a unified group providing thoughtful content, we all win.

BOCA is implementing the above partner strategy with one of our clients now…Not only is it thoughtful and creative, I must admit, I am personally having fun. Imagine that – fun in one’s job. What can I say, but I do like my job…