Best Wishes and Cupcakes!

Hey there, Parker here. What day is this? It’s the best day! Cupcakes, shoes and more (and I’ll have everything I’ve listed before).

Parker

Smile and Have Cupcakes!

Hey there, Parker here. Yes, yes and yes! It’s my birthday today! Shoes, cupcakes and oh well my wish list remains the same.

I’ll keep this post short - life is great and love is grand. Live everyday like it’s your birthday.

Best, Parker.

The Most Wonderful Day of Spring!

Hey there, Parker here. It's the wonderful day that occurs each spring - a happy birthday! Shoes, Cupcakes and well, you know the drill.

I'm learning life isn't linear, its one great experience. I live in the happiness of family, the sadness of loss, the joy of dancing and the comfort of spiritual growth.

Today, I accept my right to be happy with myself, just as I am.

Best, 
Parker

Happy Birthday Parker!

Hey there. Parker here. Wishing lots of happiness and birthday cheer to me and all born on this special day. 

Three wishes just for me...

Best, Parker.

Cheers Web Content Nom Du Jur - Technology Needs Us!

Hey there, Parker here.

I’m writing again. I won’t rant and rave in this post. I want to acknowledge a select group in my field that is quick to adapt to the rapid expansion of technology and digital touchpoints.

If you’re new to this site – Welcome! I am the resourceful, creative and quick to smile web content manager (nom du jur) Talitha Parker. Just call me Parker. There weren’t many of us when I started, and now there’s an entire industry of web content professionals. So stay with me, if only to increase the time spent on this page (I’m winking).

Previous Nom Du Jur
Marketing Communications Specialist    Web Marketing Technologists Technical Product Manager Expert Consultant – Communications Web Content Manager Engineering Intern Tier 3 Tech Support Specialist

Cheers to us who’ve turned our niche position as the bridge between IT and marketing/communications into an essential role within the communications and marketing team!

We are the lynchpin in a solid content strategy dedicated to making the best impression possible at every engagement of our company’s brand. It’s no secret that I derive much joy and happiness in my career, and I delight being a lynchpin in previous organizations, teams and several large projects.

We are free to be creative geniuses, happily living in our marketing and communications world. We dream of new ways to expand our digital reach. It is our visions that drive technology to continually develop new tools, systems and techniques to meet our needs.

I stand among a select group who rapidly adapt to new ways of managing content, integrate fresh analytic tools, and apply the knowledge of front end markup and web languages to balance appearance and functionality.

We were the back end programmers, front end developers, and information technology specialists when IT owned both the presentation and data access of a website.

A Great Website is Branded, Practical,
Functional, Mobile, Resourceful and Useful.

We followed the presentation layer of the website to its rightful owner – marketing and communications – embracing our passion for brand, engaging content, natural flow and SEO.

Web Content pros are the bridge between Marketing/ Communications and Information Technology, even when we were the few. Now we are many and we drive technology to keep pace with our goals. Our presence and expertise is the lynchpin in every content strategy for targeted markets as well as the extended reach because we love a great website..

Yes, I’ve been away from my rants, raves and marketing career observations blog for a while. But one thing hasn’t changed; I make it all look good.

Best,

Parker

Birthday Gratitude

Hey there. Parker here. I have 3 wishes every year. I've had one, sometimes two, and even three wished granted on my birthday. This year is different. Rather than gift lists and wishes, I'm expressing gratitude to the people in my life and the experiences that shape the life I live.

Best,
Parker

My Career, My Purpose

Hey there, Parker here.

Last week I read an article about pairing your mission in life with your career.  I have concluded I'm right on track.  It's simple in nature.  I'm passionate, I'm happy and I would voluntarily continue the nature of my work without pay. But yes, the pay is good to keep me housed, fed and warm in the winter.

Well, here's my Nia.  My Career, My Purpose:

Focusing on precise actions and specific tasks that I have done and must continue to do for happiness in life, my purpose, I conclude the following:

My work is a reflection of my life.  Managing the production and presentation of corporate websites is my ministry.  The more love, energy and passion I pour into my career, the more love, energy and resources are immediately returned to me to provide for my health, wealth and growth. The Universe is ever present and makes available infinite wealth, knowledge, intuition, security and happiness when my physical, astral, soulful, emotional, mental, spiritual and causal energy is realizing my purpose.

I am truly happy when I can provide the resources necessary for my team to complete assignments, each according to their expertise and desire. My bliss is pride of ownership for high profile corporate homepages and maintaining the technical back-end systems. I like determining the appropriate metrics to analyze data and develop reports that identify strengths and weaknesses. I LOVE checklists! I must have an environment that encourages lifetime learning, and sharing knowledge with others. I need to believe in the industry as a whole, and the company must provide a service or product that positively benefits the customer, community and economy.

My purpose in life is to be of service to others and my ministry is to help others identify, develop and realize their value, contribution and effect in the oneness of life.

Some people don't consider work to have anything to do with their personal, spiritual or religious belief.  I think it is all tied together.

Best,

Parker

Happy Birthday - Again!

Hey there, Parker here.

Cupcakes, Shoes and Cheer on my birthday.  Every year I wish the very best to all.  Sorry I'm a little late posting it this year. Enjoy my special day!

Best, 
Parker

Content, Content, Content...

Hey there. Parker here. It's been too long since I've been away. But I'm back. And what I've learned while my blog has been quiet, is that survival on the web means quality content.

Content is King! Content is gold. Content is the H 2 the O necessary for your company's life on the web. 

Digital Assets, please meet
Better Marketing Systems.

Content marketing matters in all industries, hits all mediums. It seals the deal in B2B, B2C, MC2 (my career too), you get the idea. 

The popular marketing automation tools are sophisticated, smart, user-friendly, willingly integrating with CRM, CMS, DMS, analytic and optimization systems as though they are wooing in courtship for an everlasting love.  Well, I say go ahead and get hitched!

If my campaign management platform uses a drag & drop interface for easy site design, employs it's own tag management system, tracks so much data it delivers every metric imaginable, makes A/B & MVT testing a cakewalk and reduces IT resources, I have every reason in the world to concentrate on high quality, valuable and engaging content. 

Sure that last sentence ran so long it could have entered a marathon, but you get my point. Right?

Content reigns supreme because the energy that went into separate tools and systems is now consolidated into a single sign on, web based platform. And since energy doesn't disappear, merely transfers elsewhere, you can really give your users the attention they deserve through reliable and useful content. 

Make it shareable, chewable (bite-sized knowledge gems), relatable, easy to understand so that anyone can repeat it as though they were the subject matter expert.

A picture is worth a thousand words, break out the crayons.

Videos are cool if I don't have to watch it for longer than two minutes (attention spans aren't what they used to be).

Facts & figures in a unique graphic makes delicious eye-candy.

If a headline can stand on its own, keep it under 140 characters. Why? It is because my smartphone experience confirms copy/paste beats editing/rewording.

Speaking of smartphones, EVERYTHING you build using your BFF automation tool, should have a responsive design.  I'm a second screen junkie - tablet next to me streaming TV, phone in hand playing poker, and I don't deny having my laptop open for email or work.

Admit it, you miss the fun
Seinfeld water-cooler talk.

Folks, if I'm two sentences into your site and I haven't picked up any information I don't already know, I'm on to the next one (and it's likely off of your site completely).

So yes, content, content, content on the web is the location, location, location of real estate.

On that note, I'll end this bit of content right here. I'll throw in a pic or two for eye-candy and if you want a good fact for water-cooler talk, the much talked about "people aggregators" business tool  is rightly being taken to court. I call it a wolf in sheep's clothing. What do you think?

Best,
Parker  

www.talithaparker.com

Mine and My Team's Success

Hey there, Parker here.

I've been offline much too long!  Now I'm back :-)

I just have to mention this story.  Recently I was asked to track the success of my efforts and use facts to drive ongoing improvements.

Folks, face it, I've been tracking my success since managing a 4th grade election campaign.

Back then, I had a goal and a purpose.  My goal was to choose the right person to run for the position and win. My purpose was to influence the student body to vote for my candidate.

Great kid and a good friend.
Together we won the election.

Since then, I've reviewed, modified and improved on my ability to set S.M.A.R.T goals.  I strive to be an effective team member.

What is important to me as an individual contributor is pride in a job well executed.

As a team, I collaborate with others to set and meet goals, knowing the overall purpose for the project.  Each member has a role to play and it's up to us to play that role well.

My smartly executed role as an individual contributor, will always rollup into the team's purpose.

Ever since I got that kid elected in the 4th grade, I've tracked the success of my efforts and used facts to drive ongoing improvements.  Way to go me, I mean us!

Best,
Parker

www.talithaparker.com

Becoming a Friendlier Person Works in Business Too

Hey there, Parker here.  I've been incorporating Dale Carnegie's Golden Book into my life and I found that each one of his principals apply to both my personal and professional life.  I decided to become a friendlier person and started with a smile.

I smiled and nodded my head to complete strangers and to my surprise, most of them smiled back.  That small act made me feel terrific.  So I gave it a try while meeting members of my new team, they must have already read his book because not only did they smile back, but they were genuinely interested in my skills, experience and background.

Even better, my new team embraced #6 on Carnegie's list for Becoming a Friendlier Person: A person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.  "Parker" is certainly that to me.

So becoming a friendlier person has not only allowed me to engage and interact with some great people in my community (shout outs to Debbie at the grocery store), but has made my transition into a new opportunity all the better.

Best,
Parker

Take it Away, Ohio

Hey there, Parker here. Wow, just when I thought Ohio’s elected officials could not look any sillier – Ohio Congressman Sues Congressional Cafeteria Over Olive Pit – they do.

I'm a former denizen of the Buckeye State, and the passage of a bill restricting public worker unions irks me for so many reasons.  But reason #1 is the lack of support, funding and concern for Ohio public school students.

Teacher unions champion the rights of educators through representation and negotiations.  With state and local governments having the final say in contract disagreements, teachers are banned from participating in strikes that bring awareness to problems like increased class sizes, fewer resources, employee furlough and reduced benefits.

Education is fundamental

Let's be honest folks, if not for a teacher strike or walk-out, many people would be ignorant of what is happening with students in the school system.

Clearly, education takes a back seat in the Ohio Senate.  Though fiction, the role ignorance and indifference played in the quality of life on Animal Farm was substantial and right now the entire country should be paying attention to what is happening in Wisconsin and Ohio.

In the end, public school students, firefighters, and police officers will foot the bill for this decision as surely as the rest of Ohio citizens are footing the bill for that $150k olive pit lawsuit.

Best,
Parker

It's On My To-Do List

Hey there, Parker here.  I should follow in Oprah's steps and start a book club.  But instead of books, I'll simply recommend interesting and valuable online articles and blogs.

Mine being one of the more interesting ones :-D

I'm kidding. But seriously, I adore what I read today because it pinpoints specific examples of good social media tactics.  Amy Porterfield wrote an excellent piece titled "9 Companies Doing Social Media Right and Why".  Folks, this a terrific read.

I will incorporate most, if not all, of the social media tactics outlined in my day-to-day web strategy and planning.  I especially see the long-term benefits of employing share buttons for my company's insights & news sections.

So hop on over to Social Media Examiner and read the article.

Best,
Parker

Shoes, Cupcakes and Birthday Cheer!

Hey there, Parker here.  Happy birthday and well wishes to everyone born on this day :-)

Shoes, cupcakes, merriment and cheer - yep, that's how I celebrate a birthday.

Best,
Parker

Make or Break Your Career with Social Media

all is fair in love and social media domination

Hey there, Parker here.  Sharing my thoughts on current events, marketing and social media.  Also, my DVR didn't record yesterday's daytime Law & Order episodes so I have an idle hour or two.

Anyway, the most popular and respected search engine company just upped their game and are playing for keeps.  Google easily chopped Alta Vista in half, turned dogpile into a dog pile, and had Ask Jeeve's asking "what happened?".  They KO'd their opponents but they've tipped their hand with this latest development - all Google employees are tied to the success of social media.  Wow.  They sound worried.

bing. meet. facebook

Now that Bing and Facebook are best buddies, I guess social media is the most logical step in securing global online domination.  Google is asking employees to enlist the help of family and friends to push social product releases.  If they aren't soliciting feedback I would frown upon the practice of manipulating or skewing data by asking friends and family to vote favorably just for voting's sake.  But knowing Google as well as I do (see my previous love for Google post), I'm sure they are truly testing products for a better user experience, and not just popularity.

Face it folks, we all know building a following using social media takes time and consumer trust and I'm a blatant fan of all things Google. However, my personal experiences with their social media channels have been hit or miss.  For instance;

this is a real thing

I tried Orkut because it was a default add-on while creating my Google Identity.  No one in my social circle was on it (or even heard of it) so that was the last time I bothered to log-in.

Picasa was cool when signed up and I still like it.  Sometimes I want to share photos independent of Facebook and Picasa serves my efforts well.

Wave was all mystery and I was green-eyed that I never got the invite while EVERYONE ELSE I KNEW was asked to test it.  Then I found out what it was and sort of wished I'd stayed in the dark.

i use it

Gmail chat is awesome!  I love the ease of using chat right within my Gmail screen.  And the video chat was as simple to use as a click of a button.  Literally.

Blogger - um, duh! You're reading my blog now.

YouTube's embed feature was my first experience with embedding video or any widget on a web page and loved the simplicity of it.

+1 brings out my inner paranoid conspiracy theorist.  Sometimes I don't want to know what my 'friends' have read nor do I want them to know what I've read. If I post online, it's fair game, but if I'm browsing the web, much like a library, I have an expectation of privacy.

i see google making more money

Buzz made me mad.  Unlike Facebook, I couldn't hide much of my information from search engines (or anyone).  So I worry about buzzing on non-web or professional matters.

No one asked for my two-cents but that has never stopped me from spreading the wealth.  I'm all for their decision.  Top down and bottom up - all administrative, professional and middle management employees have been drafted and will be held responsible for Google's social media efforts.

I can dig it.  I'm watching them closely and I'm taking notes.

I won't be surprised if in 2-3 years we find ourselves ranking Orkut (or whatever new platform they develop or buy) as our preferred vehicle of online conversation and community.

Best,
Parker

Browsing the Web Just Got Easier

Hey there, Parker here with a quick update: Mozilla Firefox is taking over the web world!  Well, on their way to world domination.  And for good reason - check out PC World's article on the success of Firefox 4.

Best,
Parker

Lights, Camera, Action - Critique!

Hey there, Parker here.  Let’s talk television and film.

I was watching Law & Order yesterday when it occurred to me that I've been watching this show (and spinoffs) for more than half of my life.  Briscoe was my favorite Sr. detective.  Jr. detectives Logan, Curtis and Green shined with Briscoe in the lead. Lt. Van Buren took no prisoners.

My favorite cast of Law & Order

Ben Stone, Jack McCoy and Michael Cutter all made excellent executive DA's but Adam Schiff was the best DA in the show's history.  No one came close to Assistant DA's Clair and Abbie, except perhaps Paul.

I talk in terms of characters and not actors.  This is because I enjoy when actors play their parts so well they became the character.  The talent of a tv show’s writers appear when actors are true to their craft - acting.

Some tv actors are brilliantly gifted like Vincent D'onofrio, Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterson, Jesse Martin, S. Epatha Merkerson, etc.  Some major motion film actors are equally talented.

"It's Hard Out There for a Pimp" deserved that Oscar

Taraji P. Henson is one of my favorite ladies in the business.  Before The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, she brought Shug to life in Hustle & Flow.  Shug had me sweating, feeling bloated and accepting that was all the good this world would give as she sang into the microphone in that makeshift studio.  Taraji took a backseat while Shug performed on-screen.  Yvette was as real a person could be in Baby Boy because of Henson's talent.

Good acting.

And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.

Maximus Decimus Meridius was commander of the armies of the north, general of the felix legions and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelies.  You shared his pain upon kneeling at the foot of his murdered son and wife.  You held your breath when his hand waved upon the wheat in the field and saw his family in death.  Then long after the credits rolled, almost as long as it took for the Academy Awards to announce the nominees, you paired Gladiator with Russell Crowe.

Very good acting.

Stanley Tucci can wear anything and look good!

Meryl Streep is the greatest actress ever.  As famous as she is, her talent is such that Julia Child was as lovable on-screen has her dishes were delicious to watch.  Miranda Priestly was the quintessential b!tch whose wardrobe, shoes and purses caused me to drool.  Even Mary Fisher, entitled as she was, had me on her side as she whipped those kids into shape and reclaimed her life.  Meryl Streep plays her role so well that you do not see Streep, only the character during the movie.

Great acting.

beauty. song bird. can't act.

Everyone mentioned above are the cream of the crop in show business.

On the flip side, there are famous people who star in movies who cannot overcome their name.  Let's play a game, I name the movie and star, you name the character:

• Lindsay Lohan in Georgia Rule
• Beyonce in Dream Girls
• Beyonce in Cadillac Records (hint: she portrayed a famous living person)
• Madonna in Swept Away
• J-Lo in Maid in Manhattan
• J-Lo in The Wedding Planner
• J-Lo in any movie she's made
• Brad Pitt in any movie after 1995 with the exception of Fight Club

Remember "The Parent Trap"?

You see where I'm going.  Their names are too big for the big screen.  No matter how hard she tries, you only see Beyonce, not Dina or Etta James.  You recall Madonna, not Amber, rolling around on the beach.  Marisa, Mary, Charlie, Gertrude, Ricki, Slim or Sharon might as well have all been named "J-Lo" because that's who you saw.  Linsday was Rachel but she didn't have a chance in hell of escaping her fame while filming Georgia Rule despite the fact that she can really act.

Even Brad Pitt, who is very talented, was Brad Pitt in all of his post-1995 movies except as Tyler Durden in Fight Club.

best.  movie.  ever.

You take the good; you take the bad when it comes to movies and television.  But you stick with what you love.  For me, that is Law & Order for nearly 20 years.  The characters are real, the actors are great and the storylines are riveting.

Well folks, that's my cue to take five.

Best,
Parker

Go Ahead, Give It A Try - Social Media Tool: Posterous

Hey there, Parker here. I'm back online and trying out a few new social media tools.

First, let me say that it's been a while since my last update.  I tell others to go offline and see the real world every once in a while, so for the last month I followed my own advice.

Now I'm back and I'm checking out as many free apps and tools as I can.  I heard good things about Posterous so today's post will cover my experience and thoughts on this particular social media tool.  It allows you to update your social media platforms all at once using email.  I can see the potential.  Currently I write my blog > post the link to AOL Lifestream which in turns updates Facebook and Twitter.  Twitter feeds into LinkedIn, 4square and Tumblr.  It's a piecemeal process but it works for me.

Now I send an email to Posterous and it automatically updates my Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and Blogger.  I have more but you get the picture.

Multi-channel post with a single email - that is definitely a pro!  The low-level learning curve for using the tool and getting setup is a pro.  Another pro is it pulled all of my previous blogger post with a single click of a button.

The only con so far is it doesn't show rich link display on LinkedIn (picture, page title, and short description).  Another con is it only posts the hyper-linked blog title on Twitter.

But I can live with that (for now).  I'll test this out for the next week and if I can't find a really good theme that ties into my other social media profiles, I'll go back to the old way of updating my status - one site at a time.

Best,
Parker

Love What You Do...

And you'll never have to work a day in your life. Hey there, Parker here. That sentiment is spot on and I was recently reminded of that truth while reading Tacoma Perry's article "Turning Your Passion into Profit," My Fox 5 Atlanta (01/06/2011).

I get paid to do what I love – web production and content management. Second only to playing Monopoly and CIV 4, I consider my web career a fun way to spend my time.

I don’t need to be the boss to have job satisfaction. I don’t strive to manage teams of direct reports. My ambition is to be as efficient and talented a web manager as possible and to be a reliable, valuable individual contributor on a team.

Often deemed mundane tasks, I take comfort in the whole process.

• analyzing metrics
• create content in a wysiwyg editor
• editing content in a CMS template
• selecting the right image
• layout of copy and imagery
• reviewing and publishing

I measure my day in productivity, not hours, and providing valuable service to my clients and colleagues. The icing on the cake is that I am paid for doing what I love to do.

Years ago I wrote down a list of my strengths, weaknesses, areas of improvement, salary history and where I wanted to be in 5-10 years. It was my personal business plan for 'me' and that plan led me to where I am today. I continue to assess my skills, marketability and profitability using the SWOT and it serves to reinforce that I am on the right track and I'm happy with my chosen career.

I may not wake up clicking my heels and jumping for joy at the idea of sitting my car for my daily 1hr, 15 min commute (each way). But once I enter the building, I walk with high-heel confidence; I flash my genuine lip-glossed smile to all, then I turn on my pc knowing the fun has only just begun.

Loving what you do makes your day feel like this

The daily grind, the mundane task of doing what I have to do is not work at all, it is great way to spend my time. My answer to Ms. Perry’s first line of the article is “yes, what I do to live is what I love to do.”

Now, folks, take a moment to read the article and ask yourself  "is what you do to live what you love to do, too?"

Best,
Parker

Analyze This

Hey there, Parker here. Folks, I admit to being a numbers runner. No, not the street lottery that preceded Mega Millions and PowerBall. I run the numbers associated with data and metrics. I review site usage and analyze the numbers then translate those figures into easy-to-understand reports.

I also run numbers in my down time. That's right, even on the weekends I'm analyzing data, reviewing stats and translating those figures into easy-to-understand topics for discussion.

me, this morning

So imagine my reaction to hearing that a 12 year veteran QB with a 58.9% passing rate in 161 games is being benched for a QB with a career total 38 games, and has only played 2 regular season games in the last 2 years.

Yes, I'm a Redskins fan. Any given Sunday you'll see me at the tailgate yelling from the stands. Every other Sunday you'll find me at the sports bar yelling at the monitors. When I'm not there you'll hear me at home yelling at my TV.

I don't want to tell Shanahan how to do his job but I will suggest he review his decision to play Grossman over McNabb in the ONLY GAME WE REDSKINS CARE ABOUT EACH YEAR. We're playing the Cowboys in Dallas! Does football rivalry get any better (or worse) than this?

Hail Redskins!

Okay, maybe the Ohio State – Michigan football rivalry is as heated but I left Ohio State mid-90s and started following pro-football.

We opened our 2010 season with QB Donovan McNabb and whipped Dallas 13-7. As far as I was concerned the season was a success. That's all folks. Call it a year, grab your hat and don't forget to tip your waitress on the way out. The Redskins beat the Cowboys!

From the moment the ticker tape fell on the bleachers amid a cloud of theatrical smoke and fog on that glorious day in September (I was there), the Redskins Nation was booking flights and getting hotels for the chance to repeat that win under the billion dollar domed stadium in Dallas.

Jerry Jones got the city of Arlington to okay a .5% sales tax, 2% hotel occupancy tax and 5% car rental tax increase to help with the cost of construction, and we are volunteering to help the city out during our visit.

this is what $1 billion looks like

McNabb has led the team to a 5-8 standing and 3rd place in the NFC East. Sure, we could do a little better on the 3rd down conversions (50/170) and McNabb himself could throw fewer interceptions (15) but at the end of the day our QB has played all 14 weeks of the season to-date giving us 14 touchdowns (team total 25) and 275 completetions.

The first and last time Grossman was on the field this season, he replaced McNabb in the last two minutes of the Lions game and fumbled. The Lions recovered for a touchdown. Grossman's completion rate is similar to McNabb's (57.1% to 58.3%) only because his season total is 7 attempts and 4 completions!

People, it doesn't take an analyst to see what's wrong with this decision. Rex Grossman played for Kyle Shanahan last year in Houston. He played 1 game. He had 9 attempts and 3 completions. History repeats itself.

the city of Philadelphia is laughing

Shanahan Sr and Jr have made a bad decision to bench McNabb and start Grossman for the next three games. It is a slap in the face to a league veteran QB and it is blatant disrespect to the Redskins Nation who have supported this franchise for decades. We pay good money to fill FedEx field and we don't mind paying for $8 beers, $5 water bottles, $7 hot dogs and $4 SwissMiss hot chocolate. However, we are a little tired of paying for talented players who are told to sit on the sidelines or cheer from home (cough, Haynesworth, cough).

I've analyzed this decision and the numbers do not add up. If we win in Dallas, we still lose on this one.

Best,

Parker