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
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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…
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…
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
PR versus Journalism—The Constant Dance
For the past 15 years my BOCA colleagues and I have been working in tech PR. There has always been the “dance” between PR and journalism. One must respect each other, be authentic and trustworthy – we must provide solid value (on both ends) to each other. We are a team, partners – not enemies. At the end of the day, we are in the same business—news and telling real stories.
When I first started, the struggle was there, but not to the caliber that I see today. It saddens me to see this kind of animosity and lack of respect. While many of the comments make sense – I would like to see how many of us can think about common respect versus pointed fingers, blame and anger.
While I do understand the stance against bad, un-thoughtful PR, I would like to applaud Marshall Kirkpatrick for his follow-up article “Entrepreneurs: We Will Happily Respect Your Embargoes.”
I respect embargos, BOCA respects embargos – point.
Techcrunch
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/17/death-to-the-embargo/
Crunchgear
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/12/17/pr-and-the-fine-art-of-not-being-crazy/
ReadWriteWeb
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/we_will_respect_your_embargoes.php
Spark PR called out…
http://twitter.com/erickschonfeld/status/1049537427
When I first started, the struggle was there, but not to the caliber that I see today. It saddens me to see this kind of animosity and lack of respect. While many of the comments make sense – I would like to see how many of us can think about common respect versus pointed fingers, blame and anger.
While I do understand the stance against bad, un-thoughtful PR, I would like to applaud Marshall Kirkpatrick for his follow-up article “Entrepreneurs: We Will Happily Respect Your Embargoes.”
I respect embargos, BOCA respects embargos – point.
Techcrunch
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/17/death-to-the-embargo/
Crunchgear
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/12/17/pr-and-the-fine-art-of-not-being-crazy/
ReadWriteWeb
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/we_will_respect_your_embargoes.php
Spark PR called out…
http://twitter.com/erickschonfeld/status/1049537427
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Silicon Valley Rocks to SF New Tech Sponsorship
Ok - after taking a bit of a summer sabbatical, I am officially getting out on the social SF technology circuit again. After buying my boat I went a bit underground from the SF tech scene. While I enjoy networking with the coolest and hip of Silicon Valley to SF, one needs to take a break and reflect on their own life outside of work. Which, during that time, I met a very nice person so I guess it was worth taking the break.
Now, all that being said, the holidays are here and I am out and about again. From Silicon Valley Rocks to being a sponsor at the SFNewTech Meet Up Holiday Party, BOCA Communications is back in action working hard, networking to the best and having a wonderful time in this amazing center of innovation known as Silicon Valley.
I am very luck to be part of such a smart group of people. From my clients and colleagues to my personal friend network, every person that touches my life impacts me tremendously.
I hope others join me at these amazing events to promote everything from music to innovation.
Now, all that being said, the holidays are here and I am out and about again. From Silicon Valley Rocks to being a sponsor at the SFNewTech Meet Up Holiday Party, BOCA Communications is back in action working hard, networking to the best and having a wonderful time in this amazing center of innovation known as Silicon Valley.
I am very luck to be part of such a smart group of people. From my clients and colleagues to my personal friend network, every person that touches my life impacts me tremendously.
I hope others join me at these amazing events to promote everything from music to innovation.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving: A personal reflection
Where do I start? I have so many thoughts, opinions and feelings. Sometimes I don’t know how to truly express myself. This Blog is part work and part personal, so I am guarded at times. But, today, I am not going to guard my personal written monologue.
I am very sad about what took place in Mumbai yesterday. The attacks on Mumbai represent so much more than the day, weeks, and months of pain inflicted on India – the world.
Why can’t people live in peace and in harmony? I know that since the beginning of time there has been war, anger, territorial strikes, and religious differences. But we are supposed to be more evolved today - aren’t we? Aren’t we supposed to be emotionally evolved?
Between the recent economic meltdown, the “war on terror,” bombings across the world – haven’t we seen enough.
Today is Thanksgiving. I am having family and friends for a feast at my home. When times are tough and the world is up for grabs – we have just a few things. And these things are not possessions. These things that people or at least I personally care about are friends and family. I love my family and I only wish warm, kind, caring thoughts to them. But, beyond my family, I also wish warm, loving, caring thoughts for people around this world.
People are losing jobs, people are losing homes and people are losing their lives in all this war and anger. My heart goes out to everyone today. Good, bad, evil – everybody is getting a warm thought from me. It all starts with one person. One act of kindness. One act of positive gesture.
I have never been officially “religious” probably because I grew up with a lot of religious people around me when I was younger. And, those religious people were mean sometimes – much of the time. The judgment passed on others was like acid. I literally thought – wow – that is a religious person – or in my home town, that is a Christian.
I consider myself spiritual. I believe in a higher power. I don’t care if you are Catholic, Jewish, Hindu or Born Again. All I care about is the following: are you a good human being, do you treat people with respect, are you kind? These are critical questions. And, as this blog is part personal and part business – I think about this stuff in business all the time. Life is too short to work with people that you don’t want to work with. My mom (also one of my best friends) says to me all the time, “Kathleen, if you die tomorrow, is that the decision you want? Is that how you want to live your life?” When I approach life, work, love, I always think, “Kathleen, is this going to make you happy? Are you doing something good? Are these good people?”
I am very proud of my network. I love my friends. I love my family. And, I fortunately, love what I do for a living. And, I like all my colleagues, clients, professional friends. I wish all of you a warm Thanksgiving. And, I hope all of you put out positive, warm, caring, kind energy to the world – not just today, but every day.
Kathleen Shanahan
I am very sad about what took place in Mumbai yesterday. The attacks on Mumbai represent so much more than the day, weeks, and months of pain inflicted on India – the world.
Why can’t people live in peace and in harmony? I know that since the beginning of time there has been war, anger, territorial strikes, and religious differences. But we are supposed to be more evolved today - aren’t we? Aren’t we supposed to be emotionally evolved?
Between the recent economic meltdown, the “war on terror,” bombings across the world – haven’t we seen enough.
Today is Thanksgiving. I am having family and friends for a feast at my home. When times are tough and the world is up for grabs – we have just a few things. And these things are not possessions. These things that people or at least I personally care about are friends and family. I love my family and I only wish warm, kind, caring thoughts to them. But, beyond my family, I also wish warm, loving, caring thoughts for people around this world.
People are losing jobs, people are losing homes and people are losing their lives in all this war and anger. My heart goes out to everyone today. Good, bad, evil – everybody is getting a warm thought from me. It all starts with one person. One act of kindness. One act of positive gesture.
I have never been officially “religious” probably because I grew up with a lot of religious people around me when I was younger. And, those religious people were mean sometimes – much of the time. The judgment passed on others was like acid. I literally thought – wow – that is a religious person – or in my home town, that is a Christian.
I consider myself spiritual. I believe in a higher power. I don’t care if you are Catholic, Jewish, Hindu or Born Again. All I care about is the following: are you a good human being, do you treat people with respect, are you kind? These are critical questions. And, as this blog is part personal and part business – I think about this stuff in business all the time. Life is too short to work with people that you don’t want to work with. My mom (also one of my best friends) says to me all the time, “Kathleen, if you die tomorrow, is that the decision you want? Is that how you want to live your life?” When I approach life, work, love, I always think, “Kathleen, is this going to make you happy? Are you doing something good? Are these good people?”
I am very proud of my network. I love my friends. I love my family. And, I fortunately, love what I do for a living. And, I like all my colleagues, clients, professional friends. I wish all of you a warm Thanksgiving. And, I hope all of you put out positive, warm, caring, kind energy to the world – not just today, but every day.
Kathleen Shanahan
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Mumbai: Our Deepest Condolences
Our Condolences Go Out to the people of Mumbai.
The last few months have been difficult domestically. Today, we witness hardships abroad and we empathize with the families and loved ones of Mumbai as well as the business and vacation travelers.
Here in Silicon Valley we have very close ties to the people of India. Many of our friends and colleagues are from India, specifically from Mumbai. One of my dearest friends, Kunjali Shah, and her mother Mrs. Palavi Shah were in India the past few weeks. Fortunately, Kunjali left her family on Monday and her mother was on a flight back to the US today.
I am personally very sad to see this kind of hurt throughout the world. From 9/11 to bombings in the UK to now Mumbai, we continue to see a world in pain. We at BOCA Communications are very sorry for the tragedy today and our hearts go out to the people impacted by this unfortunate event.
The last few months have been difficult domestically. Today, we witness hardships abroad and we empathize with the families and loved ones of Mumbai as well as the business and vacation travelers.
Here in Silicon Valley we have very close ties to the people of India. Many of our friends and colleagues are from India, specifically from Mumbai. One of my dearest friends, Kunjali Shah, and her mother Mrs. Palavi Shah were in India the past few weeks. Fortunately, Kunjali left her family on Monday and her mother was on a flight back to the US today.
I am personally very sad to see this kind of hurt throughout the world. From 9/11 to bombings in the UK to now Mumbai, we continue to see a world in pain. We at BOCA Communications are very sorry for the tragedy today and our hearts go out to the people impacted by this unfortunate event.
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