Disqus - Latest Comments for mcafiero

Re: A Periodic Table Guide to Google's APIs [Infographic]

MCafiero — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:15:24 -0000

Using a familiar image, such as the periodic table, does help others make sense of what's being displayed. In this case, it likely could've been shown in a more creative fashion. But ultimately, I think the re-use of the periodic table is fine.

Of course, I'm not in the science field, so what do I know?

Thanks for shedding light on the sensitivities around repurposing the periodic table. I never would have known they existed otherwise and I'd hate to get backlash for doing something similar.

Re: The Professional Persona: Don’t Let It Define You

MCafiero — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:47:33 -0000

I know the desire to attain a better job, title, income, etc. drives a lot of my fellow PR pros, but that isn't what makes me feel accomplished. While I do put everything I can into my work, whether that requires longer hours or trips away from home, I try not to overdo it. I shut down my laptop, avoid checking e-mail on my phone and focus on making real face-to-face connections, or at least having a meaningful phone call.

I know that I wouldn't be where I am without the support of my family and friends. I approach life with the motto, "Work to live, don't live to work." As depressing as it is, when I die, it won't be my coworkers at my funeral; it will be my loved ones. And I would hate for them to say, "Wow, I wish I would've seen her or heard her voice more often." An e-mail can't replace a hug.

If that separation, or balance, of work/personal life costs me an "amazing" opportunity down the road, that's fine. I know what my priorities are and I'm content with my decision - it works for me.

Re: Changing Your Habits in 3 Steps

MCafiero — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:53:25 -0000

I think two of the biggest hurdles for me to change my bad habits are: 1) the fear of failure - what if I make these necessary changes but the outcome is not what I wanted?; and 2) perhaps I don't always believe I deserve to be successful. I guess both of these can bubble up into a self esteem category since the fear of failure can also mean you lack faith in yourself.

I love your post. These step-by-step tips keep me from feeling overwhelmed when changing bad habits. Thank you!

Re: Too big for my britches

MCafiero — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:57:48 -0000

I think there are some people who are too big for their britches, but I've never gotten that impression from you. On the other hand, I think sometimes we say people have an ego when we see them doing better than we are. They are more vocal about their accomplishments, they receive more recognition and they are more confident in their recommendations. Sometimes it really is an ego problem, but sometimes we're just jealous.

Good for you that you're willing to look at yourself critically and make some changes if necessary! I'm here if you need me.

Re: Place your bets!

MCafiero — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:46:06 -0000

Congrats on your impending doom! I mean, upcoming addition to your family. :)

Date: Aug. 24
Time: 3:47 p.m.
Weight: 7 lbs, 8 oz
Lenght: 19.23 inches

Re: Your Copy Sucks: Avoiding Cliches

MCafiero — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:47:02 -0000

I think the phrase "at the end of the day" is quickly becoming a cliche. Thanks for this post - it's a good reminder! In fact, I typically enjoy all of your TJ "Grammar Nazi" Dietderich posts. =)

Re: DR. WHAW? – June 1, 2010

MCafiero — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:39:43 -0000

I'm glad you enjoyed the article!

I totally agree with you, but I do have a problem with lumping people born between 1982 and 2002 into the millennial category because that 20-year gap causes a lot of differences between people.

I was born in 1983, and while I do have some of those millennial traits, I was not raised in a world where there are no winners and losers. These days (and in the past 10 years or so) I hear people talk about kids' sports games where they don't keep score and no one wins or loses. I think that creates part of this mindset that millennials have - they can't lose and they are simply the best. That's not the case... in real life, there are winners and losers. I think this generation lost sight of that.

That isn't the only thing I'd argue in the millennials debate; rather, it's simply one aspect.

Thanks for the comment, Whitney!

Re: SPINdustry isn’t terrible: From an Entertainment PR background

MCafiero — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:44:24 -0000

Thanks for writing this post and sharing the other side. I think we all work in our PR silos and eventually have this skewed view of what other PR industry practices may be. I this speaks to a larger issue - we're so busy helping our clients (and ourselves, to some extent) that we forget there's a bigger world of PR out there. We need to educate each other instead of attacking one another.

Re: Planes, Trains and Fax Machines

MCafiero — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:04:48 -0000

I, too, agree with Danny re: integration. And like Ryan said, it also depends on location. Not only that, we have to think about our intended audience and how they prefer to consume content.

I still subscribe to my print magazines and enjoy having something tangible to grasp. There's a sort of romance surrounding the "archaic" things - whether it's a newspaper or a train. I'd love to go on a train ride a la The Polar Express or Harry Potter's train to Hogwarts... it sounds magical to me.

Re: Getting Personal: Being in the LAF Corner

MCafiero — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:05:04 -0000

Lauren,

Thanks for sharing your personal story with us. I was, and still am, the shy one, and was made fun of in school. It's never a pleasant thing to experience, so I can relate.

In college, I hated working in teams. I hated putting my trust in people to get their parts of the project done because most of the time, they didn't. Transitioning to a career was a challenge because I'm always working with a team. But the difference now is that I'm lucky enough to work with people who care, people who are passionate about what we do every single day. And knowing I can go to any one of them and open up about a personal or professional problem I'm having without being judged? That's priceless to me. Many of my coworkers are like a second family, especially because I don't have family nearby (besides my husband). I'm glad you're getting to experience that with a wonderful team at Moroch.

I'm so sorry for you and your friend and you'll both be in my thoughts.

-Melissa
@mcafiero

Re: The Introvert’s Guide to People

MCafiero — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:55:20 -0000

Like the other commenters, I too, am an introvert. I have been told I seem standoff-ish and it has even affected me professionally in performance reviews (that I'm too reserved). I frequently joke that I'm simply socially awkward.

I loved this post and will be looking into the books that have been suggested. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!

Re: Turning an adversary into an advocate: How 24 Hour Fitness customer #twervice got it right

MCafiero — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:17:01 -0000

Gyms get a bad rap, so good for 24 Hour Fitness for paying attention.

I represent a semiconductor company and people are talking about us a little bit (some topics more than others, of course), but we're also monitoring Twitter in case issues arise. I use SocialOomph keyword alerts to monitor and it initially suprised me how often we're mentioned!

Great post topic, and totally agree with you - whether you continue using the company or not, you can still speak highly of them when the relationship ends.

Re: The Political Engine vs The School House

MCafiero — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:11:12 -0000

So glad to see your post this morning (was just now getting through my Reader posts). I was planning to ask you about this today, too! I had a friend in Seattle email me to ask what was going on with this uproar because they weren't having the same issues there that we are here. And good point - at least it's starting a discussion about education.