Link Roundup – 2.8.2015

Borrowing a page/blog concept from Seattle Transit Blog, one of my favorite blogs. Below is a collection of links from the week which made stop think about emerging trends and adjust my perspective about topical issues.

Technology Pebble sells a million smartwatches and reveals plans for 2015
Microsoft continues to improve its mobile productivity options by acquiring Sunrise for $100 million
Rumors has it that Amazon might be interested in buying RadioShack’s stores for its retail expansion
Google’s self-driving cars may provide new competition for Uber

Data
Rush hour varies by geography; this beautiful infograph reveals commute times by state
The vaccination debate is hot again, here’s a chart to help navigate the issues

Cities
Seattle is growing (fast); the newcomers are changing the town and brining a new energy to the city
A Detroit commuter walks 21 miles to work everyday
Mini city set lets urbanists build their own city

Inspiration
Perspective to get through a rough patch in life
The important lessons learned from failure
Checking off an extra to-do item each day can help make a dent in long term goals

[Photo courtesy of Flickr user Yohan]

Dreaming of Social Media Success – Thoughts from #Sreeattle 2015

"Can you make me Twitter-famous” or as referenced occasionally by the younger crowd “Instafamous?” I often hear this question from friends and some brands. The rise of social media platforms in the last few years has spawned the idea of instant validation and a podium to express point of views and beliefs. While there is a bit of validity to this idea, taking a step back and examining social media closer, the truth is much like other communication platforms – success doesn’t happen overnight and the “gurus” and “mavens” of the digital world often obtain their status after months if not years of dedicated cultivation and practice.

Last week I had the opportunity to listen to "Sleepless in Sreeattle - A Night of Social Media," a lecture hosted by UW Comm Lead at the Seattle Art Museum. The talk featured renowned social media expert Sree Sreenivasan, Chief Digital Officer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and former professor at the Columbia School of Journalism. He’s been named one of AdAge's 25 media people to follow on Twitter and one of Poynter's 35 most influential people in social media. In his current role Sree oversees a team of 70 people on the digital side - video, apps, mobile, social, geolocation, web, data, e-mail, and more. Sree describes his current role as telling “a million stories about a million pieces of art to a billion people.”

The talk focused on how to get the best use out of time invested online and how to build more fans and followers and how to do so in a smart, strategic, and sustainable manner. As Sree joked near the beginning of the talk, the premise alone is enough to warrant a hefty conference fee type of price tag. Yet thanks to Hanson Hosein, Sree, SAM, and UW Comm Lead it cost less to attend than a drink at Starbucks.

Wide spread use of social media has created an interesting challenge, how do you get heard in the midst of all the shouting? Sree provided a powerful answer to the question, “Where everyone is a content generator, those who are trained will rise to the top.” Social media has created an unprecedented opportunity to be heard but it’s not as simple as turning on your smartphone and snapping a few pictures on Instagram or sending some tweets. To get to the expert level, consider Sree’s ABC and SAA rule: Always be collecting; share as appropriate.

An excellent example of sharing as appropriate arose early in the talk as we all paused for a moment of silence to open up the lecture in honor of those who lost their lives in the Charlie Hebdo shooting. This brief act of respect stemmed from Sree’s earlier pledge to temporarily stop tweeting and posting following the shooting. His intention was to do his part to reduce the amount of “noise” being produced that day and allow the truly important information to rise to the top. As he put very eloquently during the talk, “don’t promote yourself when the world is falling apart.”

It’s no secret but social media similar to a resume should always be up-to-date and reflect the best most current you. Relevant accomplishments or tasks even if temporary should be part of your digital footprint. For photographers this might mean highlighting one of your best photos or for writers it might be a link to your most recent post. This tip applies to all social networks but is particularly important for sites like LinkedIn or Twitter which are often used as a basis for your digital identity.

Whether it’s Anthony Weiner’s dick pic or the epic lewd tweet by US Airways. Social media provides users the power to engage with larger audiences but it can also be the gateway to trouble.

With this in mind, it’s important to be deliberate, strategic, and smart in all social media usage. Sree mentioned during the talk he spends 3 to 6 minutes composing his tweets. Why? “It’s the only thing that could potentially get him fired or divorced,” Sree joked.

Social media at times seems much removed from reality but as we’ve seen countless times since its invention, it has real world impact and consequences.

It’s tempting after signing-up for your first social network to jump atop the soap box and start spouting your perspective and point of view. Social media is powerful beyond its broadcasting capabilities however. One of the elements which has made social media such a unique medium in modern day is its ability to facilitate listening and create conversations. With this in mind it’s important to consider those on the other end of your bullhorn. Pausing for a second you’ll notice everyone all of a sudden has a bullhorn similar to yours, even if it’s spouting a point of view which deeply conflicts with your own.

Here lies the true challenge of becoming a social media “expert” or “guru,” it’s all tied to authenticity and people.

Often what’s common sense in real life is common sense on social media. Like the real world, social media has etiquette. Sree spent a good portion of his talk commenting on it and how it affects your performance online. One of his most salient tips, “don’t be an ask.”

Similar to how in real life, you can’t walk up to someone and just start asking for favors or requests. You can’t do it on social media either, despite the countless random LinkedIn invitation requests you might get that say "Since you are a person I trust, I wanted to invite you to join my network on LinkedIn.” To avoid being an “ask” on social media consider the following Sree tips:

• Don’t just cold call or ask for favors
• Build relationships with people online
• Reshare and Retweet (RT) other people’s content but also add value
• Don’t just promote yourself; be a pointer to other people’s content

Instead of being an “ask,” strive to be authentic and connect. As I’ve personally experienced, sometimes you can meet people who will transform your life and perspective. A few great folks I’ve met online include @bethevans, @seattletallpopp, @lukobe, @leah_motz.

Sometimes connecting for no particular reason is the best way to start and can lead to unlocking opportunities and conversations you never considered.

Ultimately social media is an exercise in being human and continuing to learn and grow from interactions with others. As someone who’s been active on social media for a number of years, it was refreshing to hear Sree share tips on how to succeed on digital platforms and most importantly for my point of view be a better communicator and person. So while it’s possible to become “Instafamous,” social media at its core is about so much more than being an internet celebrity, it gives people the power to connect, engage in meaningful dialogue, and create relationships outside of their immediate network.

Special thanks to UW Comm Lead, SAM, Hanson, and Sree for the presentation. Curated tweets from the presentation below along with a link to Sree’s presentation.

Sree's Slides

Status Update – 1.11.2015

Sticking to my New Year goal of blogging once a week. In the process of working on a longer more thoughtful post but here’s a quick one for now. Stay tuned for a more detailed post later this week. Below is what I’m up to currently.

Talking Transportation, Advice from Communication Professionals

Start talking transportation with people at a cocktail party or social gathering and you’ll likely see their eyes glaze over. As far as topics go, it’s one of the least sexy things you can bring up. While not the first topic on everyone’s mind, it’s a very important aspect of economic development and daily life.

Last week I sat in on the Seattle Chapter of Young Professionals in Transportation’s (YPT Seattle) first meeting of 2014. I was drawn to the event by a post I saw on the Seattle Transit Blog and the speaker panel which included Travis Phelps of WSDOT, Charla Skaggs of EnviroIssues and Mike Lindblom of the Seattle Times. The event was held at Enviroissues and focused on details of sharing transportation project information, how agencies provide information to media outlets, and the impact on the traveling public. The event shed some light on some of the complexities of communicating about transportation projects.

Below are a few notes from the event highlighting key takeaways.

Investment Cost

Most transportation projects involve some type of investment. To win over support it’s important to get buy in from both the public and private sector. The common question often asked is, “What does the investment yield?”

While not a simple answer, using info available from engineers and other technical folks communications professionals can paint a better picture of what the project will entail and explain potential risks involved. The more information available the better; it allows internal communications professionals to strongly advocate for the organization’s point of view to media and influencers.

Preparation is key to executing a successful communications strategy. Travis from WSDOT put it well saying you can only communicate what you know to stakeholders and media. WSDOT particularly prides itself in looking extensively at its projects before beginning construction and is focused on limiting the number of surprises which might occur. Before conducting outreach, it’s important to analyze your story for holes or potential issues.

Use Data with Care

There is no shortage of data these days. Thanks to wired devices and the widespread use of sensors, information about transportation projects is especially easy to collect and share. That being said, it’s important to use data correctly and provide proper context to prevent misinterpretation. This frequently happens with percentages. Mike from the Seattle Times mentioned many people don’t know how to use percentages correctly and when left to their own devices and agendas may use the information to construct stories which may not be 100% true.

To prevent information from being used incorrectly, Travis recommended considering how to display it and keeping in mind your audience. Display types can vary; options include infographs, detailed blog posts, videos, and other creative options. As far as audience is concerned, location matters. The Seattle area is particularly challenging to deal with when communicating highly technical information because of the region’s highly educated population.

A good example shared by Travis was the Skagit bridge collapse. He went on to say many people in the area actually know technical terms such as ‘fracture critical.’ To compensate WSDOT will generally share very detailed information because it knows the audience will likely be able to understand its complexity and many of the media outlets in the region will take the time to drill down into the data and explain the issue in depth.

Storytellers and Gatekeepers

It’s no secret; the media landscape has changed and continues to change. Most newsrooms are adjusting to cuts in staff and the method content is gathered and consumed by audiences. Mike illustrated this point best when he explained that many newsrooms are now generally outnumbered by internal communications folks.

The internal side isn’t immune to the shift either. While it’s now easier than ever to share your own content thanks to social media, influential sources still have a stake in how you’re story is told. In the Seattle media market this shift is particularly evident in print media. The city now only has one major newspaper and is host to a collection of other nontraditional outlets such as the Stranger, Crosscut, and Publicola to name just a few. While the variety is great for internal communications professionals, the function of new media sources isn’t always the same as traditional media outlets. For example, many nontraditional outlets such as the Stranger are often highly opinionated and don’t follow the “rules of journalism,”  i.e. embargos, fact checking, balanced reporting, etc.  That being said, great coverage can come out of outlets like the Stranger which has won a Pulitzer and is often the authority on stories such as the closing of the Orion Center.

There is no perfect coping mechanism for dealing with these changes. Instead, the panel seemed to agree it’s important to strike a balance. For media this means working closely with internal teams to gather the best information and for internal communication folks it’s about picking your outlets wisely – sometimes you can get burned or misinterpreted if you go with the wrong outlet.

Transportation Brands

Branding for transportation is a tricky subject. While it’s tempting to focus heavily on individual projects, it’s best to advocate for the agency as a whole. WSDOT recently experienced this with its deep bore tunnel project along Seattle’s waterfront. Shortly after the start of the project the agency frequently used the machine’s nickname, “Bertha” when referring to the project. Initially this generated interest from media outlets and people on social networks but when the project ran into trouble (literally) a few politicians and naysayers quickly latched on to the nickname and began to use it as a way to bash the project as a whole. Media also quickly stepped away from the cute factor and began to scrutinize it closer.

Mike closed out the discussion about transportation branding well. Stepping back from the Bertha issue, he advocated for viewing the WSDOT brand as an entire agency, not individual projects. He went on to say the agency’s brand is more about information and hyperawareness. This argument can be witnessed across Washington’s highway network. WSDOT provides a wealth of useful updates on the web, digital reader boards and social media (WSDOT’s Twitter account is incredibly helpful and does a good job at making traffic interesting – lots of well-timed jokes).

Closing Remarks 

Transportation may not be as sexy as iPhones or the latest celebrity gossip but it’s an important part of our daily lives. After all the products we use are shipped from somewhere and commutes are directly impacted by the quality of transportation infrastructure.

[Photos Courtesy of bruhsam, seattlemunicipalarchives, teegardin, camknows, wsdot]  

Which Way is the Gayborhood? Seattle’s Capitol Hill

Earlier this month I attended "Evolution of the Gay-borhood" co-hosted by the Greater Seattle Businesses Association (GSBA) and Out for Sustainability. The event focused on defining the notion of a Gayborhood and had voices from around the community to speak about various topics related to retaining the neighborhood's identity and sense of place. 

One of the standout presenters was Louise Chernin, CEO of the GSBA. She articulately defined the meaning of a Gayborhood. Her definition is as follows, a Gayborhood is a place where LGBT people historically have lived in large numbers. Their presence usually has a noticeable impact on the surrounding community values and businesses. Today these places retain cultural history and are important destinations to celebrate key milestones in the fight for LGBT equality.

Louise was quick to point out however that Gayborhoods shouldn't be thought of as the only LGBT place in the region. Historically Seattle's gay population has called a variety of neighborhoods and cities home; we're beginning to see members of the LGBT community live in places far outside of the historic center. Two notable hot spots include West Seattle and Vashon Island. Louise went on to stress the fact that neighborhoods develop and retain identities tied to their "founders." Similar to ethnic ghettos long inhabited by Jews, Blacks, or Asians, Gayborhoods will always retain a sense of history and place of importance to the community.

Michael Brown, a geography professor from the University of Washington followed up shortly after Louise and added a few noteworthy points to consider. Like many items in Seattle, Capitol Hill is a place heavily infused with mythology and hyperbole. He challenged the audience to think about the fuzziness and ask, "Where are the blurred lines and what's being left out of the discussion." His point behind this statement was Seattle's gay history when reviewed as a whole is actually more complex than just a single place.

Looking not too far back into the city's history, Michael noted that Seattle's Gayborhood was actually birthed in Pioneer Square and has shifted a number of times since to accommodate new tastes and demands. As he jokingly put it, "No one wants to go to their parents' gay bars." The visibility and scale of the community also added pressure for it to move to a new location. It first migrated up to the upper portion of Capitol Hill – roughly between 12th St to 15th St (west-east) and East Mercer St to Pine St (north-south), and has since migrated back further down west to encompass a larger swath of land, arguably - like all Seattle neighborhood boundaries, I-5 to 15th St (west-east) and East Mercer St to Pine St (north-south).

The future of the neighborhood is increasingly unsure. With the city as a whole doing well economically, there is increased pressure to further develop the neighborhood which is leading to some changes in the built environment and community. Tom Rasumusn, Seattle City Councilmember, spoke first on this point. He highlighted the city's growing commitment to retaining the neighborhood’s diversity and character by preserving "auto row" style buildings and encouraging small businesses to develop over big chain stores. The Pike/Pine Corridor has even gained special protection under the Pike/Pine Conservation Overlay District which dictates what types of development can take place. In terms of preserving LGBT community within the area, there is a big push being backed by Capitol Hill Housing and GSBA to support the creation of a LGBT community visitor center within the new Capitol Hill light rail station. The center would serve all members of the community but would also place heavy emphasis on supporting LGBT youth and elders - a segment of the population which is considered ignored by many experts.   

Washington state and Seattle specifically is fortunate to have Capitol Hill. It's a major local economic engine and has become an international beacon for the LGBT community. Moving forward it will be increasingly important to continue dialogue about maintaining the character of the neighborhood while still allowing for growth. Gayborhoods and other ethnic ghettos will always continue to evolve and change, the most important question however is how.

[Photos Courtesy of Out for Sustainability, Seattle Times, and City of Seattle]

Job Hunting Tips from Northwest HR Experts

While the Great Recession is quickly becoming a distant memory, a number of people are still caught up in its wake. Many still struggle to find balance and get back on their feet. Optimism is on the rebound however with new opportunities beginning to sprout up daily.

To help improve my own job hunting skills and get a better understanding of the market's conditions, I recently attended “Career Insights event: What Are Employers Looking for Today?” hosted by UW Professional & Continuing Education. The event was focused on empowering job seekers and equipping them with tools and advice to be successful in their job hunt. Below are a few key takeaways. 

Why Companies Hire?

From the hunting perspective this formula can often seem like rocket science but it’s actually a simple equation. It comes down to two key components.

1) Can the person do the job?

2) Is the candidate a cultural fit?

The first question is rather simple to answer; it’s about ticking off boxes related to the position. For example, if a job requires knowledge of Excel and HTML, you won't be considered for the role if you don't have these skills. In today's fast paced work environment employers are reluctant to hire employees who want to "learn on the job." Thanks to a plethora of traditional and online education options today, it’s expected that if you want a skill, you'll obtain and perfect it on your own.

The second question is a little harder to answer and is a bit more subjective. "Fit," as often termed by recruiters, is about how closely a candidate’s values align with the companies. “Values” is large bucket but usually contains issues such as work/life balance, source of professional satisfaction, and long term goals. These items aren't often apparent on the surface. Recruiters usually get these answers by asking candidates questions about “work preferences.” While there is not a check box per se. Eyes light up, stars align, and things just click when its present. In this regard, it's sort of like dating. If the spark is there, both the recruiter and candidate will know it.

Networking - Laying Tracks for Success

Ask a recruiter about job hunting tips and they’ll most likely share the golden rule, "Network." The web may have made the job application process easier but don't be fooled, hours spent in front of a computer submitting job applications is worth far less than a few minutes meeting a new or established contact to speak about your job hunting goals. A general rule of thumb to keep in mind during a full-time job hunt is to conduct 2 - 3 meetings a week. 

Networking is often misrepresented as people looking to quickly climb the career ladder without putting in "dues." While this is a definition you could use to describe the activity, I've found it’s a tad inaccurate; highlights the negative aspects of networking. When defined positively, networking is the act of meeting people (established or new contacts) in-person (ideal) or via communication tools - phone, video chat, or email (less ideal). These meetings should be focused on getting to know people you're generally interested in professionally. Think professional "blind date."

Discussion during the meeting can vary but it's best to bring questions to keep the conversation flowing. It’s also good to be prepared to talk about your professional goals and companies you'd like to work for. Many jobs are still found through  Six Degrees of Separation (arguably less thanks to social media). Your contact may not know someone but their friend's brother's coworker may be the executive assistant to the CEO of your dream company. Connections are hidden from direct view but easy to dig up when actively searching.

Show Me the Money!

Long held as a sacred topic to be excluded from dinner conversations and family gatherings, money is an inevitable topic during job hunting. Surprisingly during the event, the HR professionals laughed off the question and cited it as a minor component of the interview process.

"It's merely a data point," Anne-Marie Archer, CEO of Archer and Associates said. "We use the number to determine if you fit within the pay range we've established for the role." 

All the HR professionals at the event noted it’s important to exude confidence in your “ask” however. To get comfortable making the “ask” they recommended checking out government salary data or increasingly accurate tools such as Glassdoor or PayScale. This information will help you understand your market value.

After you’ve conducted research, they advised attendees to keep two numbers in mind. The first should be tied to how much money you NEED to pay your bills. While the second number should be ideal; it’s what you'd LIKE to make. The key difference being the first is tied to survival while the latter is more abstract and tied to increasing quality of life.

The compensation number is important for a variety of reasons but for the job hunter, it will later connect to job satisfaction and security. Ask for too little and you'll feel undervalued. Ask for too much and you may feel trapped without room to grow or leave because of fear of finding a similar salary elsewhere. There's no perfect formula but it’s important to do your research and understand your value.  

Finding Direction in Your Career

Often one of the most challenging aspects of career planning is determining direction. Unlike schooling which is affixed to a specific "rail," career paths have many spur lines and can take various turns. Determining the correct path can seem difficult, if not impossible at times but can be achieved with a bit of reflection. David Hardick, Director of Recruiting & HR at Context Relevant gave this advice for finding direction in your career and life in general.

"Often I ask clients to pause and review their life for guidance," David said. "Start in childhood and walk forward. What points do you notice the greatest feeling of joy and accomplishment? What moments created awkwardness or proved to be difficult? These moments will help you determine what your strengths are and where to focus." 

Surviving Unemployment

Easily one of the most difficult experiences for adults, unemployment can be challenging emotionally and mentally. It's not a situation to be entered into lightly; it has its own set of special challenges. When I entered the job market in the middle of 2009 during the end of the Great Recession, I quickly found myself confronted with this reality. While challenging, it’s possible to overcome the difficulties and come out stronger from the experience.

Below is some general advice shared by the HR professionals at the event relating to conducting a full-time job hunt.
"Network in the morning. Your energy will be higher than in the afternoon." "Act like your best days are ahead of you, not behind."
“Be an employer’s aspirin; present yourself as problem a solver.”
“Have four solid success stories you can talk about and adapt during an interview.”
“Quantify past job results.”
“Resume style is subjective; find one which works for you and make sure it has 0 errors.”

"It's not what you know but often who you know."

A family friend also shared an important tip I always keep in mind when job hunting.

"Unemployment is ultimately a game. There are a set of rules with a handful of financial parameters. It's up to you as a job seeker to determine how you spend your 'free time' - education, vacation, networking, job hunting, etc. You must keep in mind however that the clock will eventually run out; your job is to beat the clock. Find a job before you're mentally, physically, and financially exhausted. Life gets more difficult when the clock runs out." - Holland Family Friend  

Final Words

Kudos to UW Professional & Continuing Education for hosting “Career Insights event: What Are Employers Looking for Today?” The HR professionals provided a wealth of knowledge and tips on how job seekers can obtain work in the US' recovering economy. Be sure to check out its website for future events and educational opportunities. You can also relieve the event via the tweets I curated on Storify.

Job hunting is challenging but it's important to keep in mind it's possible to be successful when enough time and energy is devoted to the endeavor. I also can't stress this final point enough. After you land a job, #PayItForward! Help someone else. Pass on a job posting. Review a resume. Sit down for coffee with a stranger. The economy is a human invention. Don't let it lose its human connection.

[Photos courtesy of eriwst, cta_web, 401(K) 2013, tqhh, andjohan, and Kanu 101]

Sunday Afternoons at the Dog Park

“Bark, woof, grr…” These are common sounds which often fill my weekend. As a dog dad I frequently visit off-leash areas with my four legged friend Judo. While I’d like to say I’m completely unbiased, I do have a few favorites. Below are my top picks.

Magnuson
Located in Seattle’s Sand Point neighborhood, Magnuson is one of the city’s finest. The park contains 9 acres and features a variety of environments including small dog play areas, lake access, mini hills, and an expansive open play field. Magnuson’s mix of features has made it a number one destination for Seattle pet owners.

Genesee
Nestled in Seattle’s Rainier Valley, Genesee Park offers dog owners a savannah style landscape covered in gravel and light vegetation. Formerly a city dump, this park is remarkably flat compared to the surrounding hills. The park is frequently filled with dogs from around the neighborhood, making it easy for your pup to make friends with other dogs.

Westcrest
Near the border of West Seattle and White Center, this park is a common default for residents living in the southwest part of the city. The park sits next to a greenbelt and capped water reservoir. The main play area has gravel and mini obstacles for dogs to traverse. There is also a nice wooded trail you can walk with your dog.

For a complete list of Seattle’s carnie playgrounds, be sure to check out http://www.seattle.gov/parks/offleash_detail.asp?id=398. Also, if you’re a Foursquare user, I’ve created a handy list to help you track them down. 

Five Years of Shiba Love

Judo as a puppy in Orting, Washington

Similar to many pet parents I wasn't prepared to be a dog dad at 20. Thankfully my dog Judo has been patient as I learned the location of the best dog parks and tasty snacks. Originally I was worried about raising a dog in my early twenties fearing lack of time and resources. While it has certainly been a challenge at times, adopting Judo is one of the best decisions I've made to date.

Judo is an anchor in my life. He keeps me grounded even when other parts fluctuate between crazy and calm. Judo also helped teach me the importance of selflessness and responsibility. Having someone who looks to you for care and love changes your perspective on the world.

It feels like we just met yesterday but Judo turned five this week! Join me in wishing him a happy birthday on Facebook! In honor of my pup I’ve dedicated this post to him which explains some of the most commonly asked questions about his origins.

Why Judo?
Originally named Waung, Fuzz and I renamed Judo shortly after we adopted him in the summer of 2008. According to Fuzzy mythology, Judo’s name is a combination of Joshua and Fadzrul. It also means the gentle way in Japanese which is a perfect fit for his temperament.

What’s a Shiba Inu?
Judo is a Shiba Inu – a spitz type of dog from Japan. The breed was originally bred to hunt in the mountains. It’s extremely agile and loyal to its master. Rearing has a strong effect on Shibas' personality. Early socialization and training helps prevent disobedience and improves interactions with other dogs later on in life.

Where Did Judo Come From?
Despite being a Japanese dog, Judo hails from Huntsville, Arkansas. Fuzz found him online after having difficulty finding an affordable Shiba Inu in the Northwest. Judo came to Seattle via a Boeing jet and fell in love with the region's mild summers but strongly dislikes the wet winters.

Judo Quirks
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to spend time with Judo you quickly discover he has his fair share of quirks and is full of personality. I’ve outlined a few I’ve noticed living with him for the past few years.

Dislikes
Grates
Guitars
Skateboards
Basketballs
Puddles
Camping
Long Walks
Getting Wet

Likes
Car Rides
Jelly Beans
French Fries
Belly Rubs
Sun Bathing
Dog Parks
Napping
People Watching
Toe Licking

Josh and Judo in Seattle, Washington

Living the West Seattle Dream

It seems like only yesterday but this month marks a year since I moved to West Seattle. While it’s not long enough to claim full-fledged West Seattleite status, it has afforded me an in-depth look at why so many Seattleites choose to call this portion of the city home.

Below is a list of a few of my favorite spots in West Seattle.

C&P Coffee
C&P is a great place to get a taste of what West Seattle has to offer. The shop is home to dog lovers, entrepreneurs, and corporate types. This eclectic mix creates an interesting environment for people watching.  C&P is super laptop friendly and is open to four legged friends.

Website: http://www.candpcoffee.com/

Metropolitan Market – Admiral
Slightly more expensive than most grocery stores in the area, Metropolitan Market is a temple for those who love good food.  Produce and products change with the seasons, offering up new options throughout the year. Metropolitan Market also has a killer deli. Check out its Pork Loin sandwich. You won’t be disappointed!

Website: http://metropolitan-market.com/locations/

Alki Beach
Similar in feel to a beach town, Alki is a perfect escape from the hustle of Seattle’s urban core.  With stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and Elliott Bay it’s easy to quickly forget your location and shift into vacation mode. Alki is fairly easy to access from fall to early spring but becomes packed during the summer time. While walking the street be sure to check out the monument dedicated to the Denny Party and the founding of Seattle.

Website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=445

Admiral Theater
Admiral Theater is a historic two screen movie palace with a navy theme. It shows a mixture of contemporary, artsy, and cult films. In addition to its normal showings the theater also shows Rocky Horror on the first Saturday of each month and hosts films from SIFF and the Lesbian and Gay Film Festivals.

Website: http://www.farawayentertainment.com/admiral.html

The Junction
While there is no official center to West Seattle, the Junction serves as a vibrant anchor to this portion of the city. With shops running up and down California Avenue for a number of blocks, it’s easy to fulfill most of your everyday needs here. The area also features a number of grocery stores nearby including QFC, Trader Joe’s, and Safeway.

Website: http://wsjunction.org/

Schmitz Park
This 53 acre park has remained virtually untouched for years and features some of the city’s only remaining old growth forest. A collection of dirt trails run through the park offering up great options for hiking and biking. Schmitz Park’s lush tree canopy also creates a natural escape from the heat during the summer and is significantly cooler than other parts of the city.

Website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?id=465

Marination Ma Kai
Relatively new to West Seattle, Marination Ma Kai is a welcome addition. Similar to its Capitol Hill outpost, Ma Kai brings the delicious taste of Marination’s food truck to a traditional restaurant setting.  Many of the menu options are the same but it also features beach side themed dishes including fish tacos and fish and chips. Its location offers patrons a striking view of the Downtown Seattle skyline.

Website: http://marinationmobile.com/ma-kai

West Seattle Water Taxi
The Water Taxi is a cheap scenic trip which quickly transports you from Downtown Seattle’s busy waterfront to the calm shores of West Seattle. Once you arrive you'll be able to take a free shuttle bus to many of West Seattle’s main attractions including the Junction and Alki beach.

Website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/WaterTaxi.aspx

Prost!
Leave your passport at home beer lovers. This pub features a number of German beers and dishes. Serious beer drinkers can participate in the establishment’s loyalty program and have their name engraved on a custom mug they can use during visits. Prost has sister pubs throughout Seattle including Feierabend in the Cascade neighborhood.

Website: http://www.prostwestseattle.com/

Luna Park Cafe
This classic diner gets its name from Seattle’s original Luna Park – a West Seattle theme park. Luna Park Cafe features burgers, shakes, and other Americana favorites. The restaurant has many pieces of the old Luna Park on display. Stickers from Luna Park Cafe can also be found throughout West Seattle on cars and buildings. 

Website: http://www.lunaparkcafe.com/

Status Update - 3.24.13

Last week flew by thanks to a mix of time spent helping Citizen University with digital media support, attempting to build a "perfect" city on Sim City, and working on Jumpstart. I always fail at staying idle for extended periods of time. My gears are turning again. Short post this week about what I’m up to. Completed...

Social media support for Citizen University
HTML and CSS Level 2 class at SVC
My first independent new business pitch Started...
Creating to-do lists with Evernote focused on big tasks for the day
Using Foursquare to search for new experiences in the real world
Managing my calendar with Sunrise
Storing documents in the cloud using Dropbox
Exploring the world of digital payment with LevelUp and Square Wallet
Attempting to build the “perfect” city on Sim City
Learning more about content strategy
Discovering recipes via Pinterest
Reengaging with Google+

[Photo courtesy of Flickr user Schnitzel]

Searching For Better Content

 

In a quest to expand my knowledge about content creation I attended Better Content Marketing - a Meetup hosted by Distilled Seattle. While I have a basic understanding of best practices for content creation, the event explored some of the deeper issues surrounding the process. This month focused on the growing importance of data-driven content. Using my notes I compiled an outline highlighting the night’s key takeaways below.

Understanding Content
Crap content is everywhere on the web. Whether it’s "10 ways to…” or best lists, information such as this holds little value and is rampant across the web. Brands serious about enhancing their online presence and reputation should focus on creating content that speaks to expertise. While there are a variety of avenues to reach this point, one effective way is to focus on data-driven content.

Facts Are Worth More Than Opinions
Data-driven content is fueled by information, making it harder to challenge and copy. That being said, it's labor intensive to collect information and piece together a compelling story using data. Examples of data-driven content include:

Infographs –  Seattle to San Francisco via Private Jet
Data Heavy Blog Posts – Mapping the San Franciscome
Interactive Graphics – How Search Works  
Data Heavy Sites – Charity: Water
Mini Graphs – Kindle Fire (see comparison chart near the bottom)

Building a System to Collect and Create Data-driven Content
The initial challenge of setting up framework to gather data may seem daunting but it has benefits. Once setup and executed it’s easy to share results across various platforms. Competitors also won't be able to replicate your content easily due to the steep entry cost and particular data you have access to.

For content creators with more of a technical background or friends well versed in computer languages, APIs also serve as a fantastic way to further your expertise through data. The overall goal of this endeavor is to take unused information and make it accessible. Foursquare offers a good example. Originally focused primarily on gathering location information from its users, the popular location service now exports its data to third-party applications including Path and Instagram. The location app has done a great job of making location data accessible to developers.

Paint a Story with Data
With this approach in mind brands can examine what type of data they have access to and piece together a compelling story. If unsure about a concept it’s best to crowd source potential topics via social media or take data from an established audience  - i.e. sports or politics, and repurpose it in a new way. Approaching content creation from this perspective allows brands to showcase expertise and create a strong point of view supported by data.

Kudos to the Organizers and Presenters
Thanks to Distilled Seattle for organizing and Adria Saracion  and KaneJamison for sharing their expertise during the event.

Kane's Presentation

Data Makes Your Content Harder, Better, Faster, and Stronger from Kane Jamison

[Photo courtesy of kidsturncentral]

Status Update - 3.10.13

This past week I ventured outside of West Seattle's Admiral District and spent time on Capitol Hill cat sitting for a friend. As a frequent visitor to the neighborhood during the weekends and evenings it was interesting to peer into the more subtle parts of the Hill and get a taste for its day-to-day rhythm.

Below are a few great places I had a chance to visit during my stay. Stay tuned for photos and more insights!

Restaurants
Kedai Makan - Malaysian street food on the slopes of Olive
Kimchi Bistro - Korean food well suited for modest budgets
Arabica Lounge - Ultra hip coffee house with delicious pastries
Baguette Box - Vietnamese inspired sandwiches
Top Pot - Doughnuts perfected

Drinks
Sun Liquor - Handcrafted cocktails with freshly squeezed mixers
The Lookout - Low key neighborhood bar with a stunning view of the Space Needle
Q Nightclub -  Upscale club with a deafening sound system
R Place - Gay bar that blasts contemporary hits

Parks
Summit Slope Park - Former parking lot turned urban P-Patch
Republican Hill Climb - Old Seattle Staircase that once connected Seattle's Cascade and Republican neighborhoods

Photo of the Republican Hill Climb taken by Joshua Holland

Discovering Sparks of Brilliance - Ignite Seattle 19 Recap

Presentations are an art form. When done well presenters can captivate an audience and inspire action. On the flipside however, poorly executed presentations often bore and frustrate those within earshot. This past Wednesday I had the pleasure of checking out  Ignite  – a Seattle born educational event focused on highlighting stellar presentations. Ignite prides itself in harnessing “condensed creativity.” The organization accomplishes this goal by implementing a five-minute stage rule for all of its presenters and limiting them to only 20 slides, which automatically rotate after 15 seconds. For anyone who has sat through a dry and long drawn out slide presentation, these rules seem like a gift from God.

Topics at the event ranged from motivational speeches about overcoming life challenges to acquiring new skills. There were also a few quirky ones such as “Mapping the United States of Starbucks” and “How I got seriously hurt at summer camp, and ended up meeting Donnie and Marie instead.” While there was not an official grand narrative that connected the presentations, most of the talks centered on the importance of human connectivity and discovering your passion. A few of my favorites included:

Jonathon Colman - Surviving as an Introvert in an Extroverted World
Wendy Hinman - We’re Gonna Die
Lindsay Sharma -What do Swaziland, Papua New Guinea and the United States have in common?
Adam Philipp - NETWORKING, the RPG
Forest Gibson - How to make a viral video (and why it’s not easy)
Kate Bergstrom - Online Dating Tips I Have Learned After Meeting Over 100 Men
Andrew Dumont - Projects: From Idea to Launch and Beyond
Sara McNally - How the downturn made me a small business owner (and why it was a good idea)
James Davenport - Mapping the United States of Starbucks
Geraldine DeRuiter - Sharing Personal News Online

Overall the event was outstanding. It showcased some of the region’s brightest talent and highlighted the essence of great storytelling. To relive the magic, check out some of the  tweets I curated from the event. Videos of the presentations will also be available online in the coming weeks on Ignite’s video page.

For all the latest info about Ignite Seattle, visit www.igniteseattle.com and follow them on Twitter at  @ignitesea. The next Ignite Seattle is May 16th. See you there!

[Photo courtesy of Ignite Seattle]