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The Passionate Voice

Taking a {Moment} to Pause

October 22, 2017 • Communication, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel

This fall has been one of a kind. Fall in the agriculture world (my daily profession) is always a busy time of year. Harvest, Fall fairs, Ontario Agriculture Week, AGM’s and trade shows. Add a baby, some speaking gigs and travel (not to mention life!) into the mix and a whole new meaning to busy comes to mind.

I was on the road earlier this fall travelling here and there to attend events where I had the opportunity to speak and see industry colleagues, friends and even blog readers (hi Mary!).  This is something I have valued so much since becoming a mother – the opportunity to get out of the house and talk with others about things beyond motherhood. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a new mom but there is nothing like keeping the brain stimulated beyond the baby talk of goo goo gagas and talking current events, agriculture or anything for that matter.

One thing I’ve also come to value and be more conscious of this fall is my use of social media.

Because social media is what I do for a living and the means to which I consume most of my news and keep in touch with people, I’ve wanted to ensure I’m using it with the best of intention. I don’t want to find myself aimlessly scrolling through social channels *just because* especially now that Blake is here.

Having a child has also made me question everything I post on social media for fear of the unknown – could/if photos of your baby appear somewhere you (or they) never expected one day? Because we’re writing the social media books as we speak (and they’re ever-evolving!), its hard to know where pictures of your kids and content could surface. I’ll be blogging more about this in coming weeks.

When smartphones were becoming a *thing* only a few short years ago, nothing bothered me more than watching someone at a public event have their face buried in their phone scrolling through their Facebook or Instagram channel. I didn’t want to be that person. Heck, I entered the workforce at a time when the etiquette was to not even bring your phone(s) into meetings. That definitely dates me… and that wasn’t even a decade ago (face palm)!

I’ve made two simple changes this fall that have really helped me disconnect when needed and feel like I’m in control of my social media and phone, not the other way around:

  1. I have disconnected my email account from my phone. Every time I want to check my emails now, I have to go to safari and log in to my account which makes it more time consuming to do, hence limiting how many times a day I check my emails. Also, not waking up every morning to that red bubble telling me the number of emails I have waiting for me before the day has even begun has felt transformational.
  2. I downloaded the Moment app to track my screen time usage. I have been able to see how much I use my phone and know which apps are the most time consuming. I have been able to set daily limits on how much I use my phone and it then sends me reminders before it locks me out of my phone if I’ve went beyond the limits I’ve set. Wild stat: the average person spends 4 hours a day on their smartphone! I know, crazy right?!

Having the independence away from my phone has been a mind game changer. Social media is an incredible tool if you use it to your advantage, not let it be all consuming.

Social media is an incredible tool if you use it to your advantage, not let it be all consuming.

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As a communications professional, you have to stay on top of the social media game in terms of what’s new/trending and actively use platforms to engage. But you can do it in a strategic, manageable, less mind-numbing way. And, your smartphone data bill will thank you, I know mine sure has. Not to mention, a more healthy personal lifestyle will surely follow if your making memories and not documenting *every* personal detail of what you ate, wore, did while showcasing your selfie game for the millionth time. Unless of course, if that’s how you making a living or its what you love doing, then social media it up!

Leave a Comment Communication, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel 2017, Agriculture, App, Baby, Blog 452, Blog452, Business, Christina Crowley-Arklie, Communication, Email, Facebook, Fall, Inbox, Instagram, Life, Millennials, Moment, Motherhood, Parenthood, Side Business, Side Hustle, Smartphone, Social Media, The Passionate Voice, Travel, Travelling, Twitter

Food for Thought [volume 8]

September 7, 2017 • Food for Thought

+ Most of us believe my generation, millennials spend the most amount of time on social media but what if you learned that Gen X actually consumed more content online?!

+ The majority of people equate success to wealth, status in their jobs/careers or their happiness. But is our generation of millennials redefining success differently than previous generations because of our hunger for work-life balance? Ask yourself what success means to you after reading this article by Careergasm author Sarah Vermunt.

+ A valuable reminder for us social media users to keep in mind – don’t feed the trolls. Dairy farmer Tim May who does a fantastic job on his social media feeds as ‘Farmer Tim,’ makes a great point in this blog post that there is no point in wasting time and energy in arguing with extremists.

+ I was so intrigued after reading this piece, I ordered (and will hopefully soon!) read Canadian YouTube sensation Lilly Singh’s new book – I’m sure there are going to be some awesome laughs!

+ With all the conversation around the buzzword “Fake News,” I thought this was clever of Facebook to share a number of tips on how to spot fake news especially on a platform like Facebook where a majority of us derive our information from each day. This couldn’t be more timely. Its hard to believe that the phrase ‘Fake News’ wasn’t even a thing 5 years ago…

+ After recently starting to read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***, I discovered Mark Manson’s podcast which is brilliant. These podcasts about “What’s the Problem with Feminism” and “What’s the Problem with Men” have a lot of truth to them and make you really think about the role women and men play in typical gender roles.

Leave a Comment Food for Thought 2017, Ag Women's Network, Agriculture, Blog452, Business, Career, Careergasm, CEO, Christina Crowley-Arklie, Communication, Entreprenur, Facebook, Fake News, Feminism, Food for Thought, Gen X, Generation X, Generations, Girl Boss, Happiness, Lilly Singh, Mark Manson, Men, Millennials, Passionate Voice, Podcast, Sarah Vermunt, Social Media, Success, The Passionate Voice, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***, Tim May, Trolls, Wealth, Women, Work Life Balance

Social Media as the New Receptionist

May 26, 2017 • Communication, Social Media

Ironically, I had written this post before a client meeting earlier this week but after the conversation we had, this post became even more relevant to share.

The client I was speaking with was amazed at how social media is now an expectation by many of their customers. So much so, they’ve finally decided it is time they hop aboard the social media train and embrace it to help their brand and be where their clients are and want them to be. I shared the following analogy with them that I had written weeks ago but hadn’t hit publish on quite yet:

If you walk into any company or building, chances are you are greeted by a friendly receptionist who welcome you.

He or she sets the tone for how you feel about that company/business as soon as you enter the building based on first impressions of this person alone.

The role of a receptionist in business is a staple for some, or an expectation for most. 

You would most likely think it was weird if you walked into a head office and wasn’t greeted by anyone, right?

Similar to our expectation of receptionists as the first front-facing person for companies and businesses, our expectations have now extended to a brand’s presence on social media. Social media is the new receptionist. 

A lot of people can relate to this receptionist idea and the expectation when it comes to social media.

You go on any given social media channel expecting that the company you are searching for will be online and they aren’t. Your surprised at how a company of say their size, specialty or consumer engagement base isn’t on social media.

Or how many times have you searched a CEO, General Manager or a thought leader on say Twitter and were surprised that they weren’t engaging on social media?!

Imagine the feedback and engagement they are missing out on and the opportunities missed in showcasing their product or service and simply, their brand, both as a company and as the spokesperson and figure head for the company.

The expectation of having social media channels can be a hard adjustment for many companies and businesses to come to terms with, especially because of the many unknowns around social media:

  • The platforms are ever-evolving and changing;
  • Its hard to keep up with the technology and lingo;
  • Many companies don’t know where to begin with social media; and
  • Many businesses struggle with how to budget for social media (hire an in-house person or outsource?) and what investment is required for the social media platforms they need to reach their intended audience of loyal customers.

With millennials now the largest generation in the Canadian workforce, companies, businesses and brands need to realize that like the receptionist that is expected as soon as you enter the front doors of your head office, having a presence on social media as a brand, company or business is the new expectation of doing business in the 21st century.

“Having a presence on social media as a brand, company or business is the new expectation of doing…

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This is true not only for the millennial generation but for people from all generations who use social media to engage both personally and professionally. Most people who want to check out a product to potentially purchase; share a customer service experience; ask questions; get their news; or engage and network within their industry, go to social media now as their primary source of information.

Its something to seriously consider if you are on the fence as to whether your brand should embrace social media or not.. get with the times and hire your online receptionist because chances are, it is expected of your brand.

P.S. Thanks for those asking and inquiring, the baby still hasn’t arrived but we appreciate the kind words, thoughts and positive vibes 🙂 #Overdue

[Photo Source]

Leave a Comment Communication, Social Media 2017, 21st Century Business, Agriculture, Baby Boomers, Blog452, Brand, Branding, Business, Career, CEO, Christina Crowley-Arklie, Communication, Company, Corporate, Engagement, Facebook, Feedback, Gen X, Gen Y, General Manager, Generation X, Generation Y, Generations, Instagram, Job, Leadership, LinkedIn, Marketing, Millennials, Passionate Voice, Receptionist, Snapchat, Social Media, The Passionate Voice, Thought Leader, Twitter

#365DaysofGratitude: My colourful jar of daily happiness

April 9, 2017 • Food for Thought, Lifestyle

I’ve promised for some time I would share more about #365DaysofGratitude, something I’ve committed to do this year (along with #Blog452). These were 2 of the 5 goals I set for 2017 and so far, I’m happy to say its something I’ve stuck to doing every night. Yay to goal-setting AND actually executing as I recently shared in my 2017 Q1 check-in!

Over the Christmas holidays, I happened to stumble upon a Facebook post by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of one of my favourite books Big Magic & the well-known Eat, Pray, Love. She talked about what she called her ‘Happiness Jar’ and it sparked my interest to want to do something similar. The results from something so minimal, free and easy seemed so transformational. The concept is similar to what many authors suggest in keeping a ‘gratitude journal’ where you write down three things you are grateful for each day.

I know, a lot of people after reading something like this think:

  1.  Its a nice thought but I don’t really have the time;
  2.  I would never stick to doing this everyday;
  3. Why would I write down what I’m happy/grateful for, seems pointless when I KNOW what I’m grateful for.

But for some reason, the idea stuck with me.

It was exactly the constant daily, habitual reminder I needed to appreciate the small things that make up each day that I’ve perhaps neglected over the years. I think its just human nature to worry more about the big ticket items of less trivial meaning and what went wrong/what could have been, rather than what is in our control that makes us happy in a day. That despite the fast-paced world we live in, cherishing the small details along the way is what gets us through life. That, and a positive attitude.

I liked Gilberts’ way of putting one thought in a jar at the end of each day, because I would be able to visually see the results of sticking to it each day as the jar get fuller.

I also loved the simple fact of using bright coloured sticky notes to document my #365DaysofGratitude. Colourful sticky notes always = happiness!  😉

Writing down one simple thing I’m grateful for at the end of each day… or something that has made me laugh, appreciative, happy or feel fortunate for…. has been such a fun exercise since starting on January 1st.

On bad days when I’ve need the boost to see that ‘this too shall pass,’ the daily habit of reflection has provided the retrospect that was so needed in moments like those.

On the good days, it has made me love and appreciate these days even more.

And the best part about using a ‘jar’ is it feels a lot like the passage “my cup runneth over.” Its only April and my jar is already filled, to the point that I may have just underestimated how committed I was going to be to this daily challenge, because I may have bought too small of a jar. A larger jar is an upgrade I am excited to invest in.

Not only has it changed my daily mindset of how to approach things differently in professional and personal settings, I really can’t wait to get to the end of the year now so I can dump out all 365 gratitude notes on my coffee table and read them back to myself. Some I know I’m going to laugh at; others I will cry at for good reason; and I suspect that at the end of the year, I will know what areas of my life I’m routinely grateful for.

This has been one of those goals I’ve loved executing everyday that really, anyone that has access to pen, paper, a jar/box of some type and a commitment to do it everyday, can do.

It is a worthwhile #2017 goal that has had such a profound payoff.. and its only April!

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Does Emotion Outweigh Science, Facts & Logic?

February 1, 2017 • Agriculture, Communication, Food for Thought, Public Speaking, Social Media

It has been a hard few days to comprehend what is taking place in the world right now. In whatever circles you run in, industry you work in or conversations you’ve had with family and friends, I’m sure the topic of conversation as of late, has mentioned either one of two things:

  1. the state of the world
  2. something you’ve seen or referenced on social media and how social media has played a role in reflecting the current state of our world

If you work in the agriculture-food industry as I do, one of the ‘topics of conversation’ in the last year has also been about the misinformation that exists when it comes to labeling and consumer knowledge of things such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gluten-free, hormones, use of antibiotics, etc.

A lot of the timeliness around these conversations has to do with the marketing/supply-chain decisions made by major fast food chains and retailers recently in where and how they are sourcing their products in relation to what their consumers are asking for (or what they want them to ask for) (see McDonald’s & cage-free eggs), Subway sourcing Canadian ingredients, A & W’s Better Beef & Raised without the use of antibiotics campaigns,  Domino’s Pizza using only cheese made from 100% Canadian milk, and McDonald’s ‘Not without Canadian farmers’ campaign)

As you can see, some of these decisions favour Canadian agriculture and food while other campaigns hinder. 

In many of the conversations I’ve participated in, been privy too or watched transpire online relating to food and misinformation over the past year, one of the most common arguments in how we need to counter this misinformation with the use of science/facts to dispute the misconceptions.

How the industry needs to inform consumers with more facts, figures and logic. How the industry has to help consumers make more rational, well-informed and educated decisions in how they go about choosing their food. How we need to let the facts speak for the truth to counter misinformation that consumers have learned, grown up with, or heard from family, friends, society, etc.

After witnessing the 2016 US Presidential election and all that has transpired since, including this weekends devastating events, it has made me question that while we can believe that facts and figures should be used as the right tool to shape truth and change one’s opinion, what role does emotion play in all of this? Does emotion in fact outweigh science, facts, figures, logic and rationality?

Can you truly have a one-time conversation with someone and try and change their personal opinion on a matter with facts/figures? Or do we have to get to the heart or root of WHY their making that decision to understand that more often times then we’d like to acknowledge, emotion is what drives people’s decisions, thoughts and ideas, which would explain some of the events that are taking place currently in the world and influencing the conversation online and on social media.

Whether it is right or wrong, there is science that supports that emotion is what in fact what trumps science, facts, logic and rationality. 

Studying emotion and how it relates to our brain and day-to-day decision making is something that’s been studied since the 1800’s. As this Harvard study about emotions and decision making points out, “many psychological scientists now assume that emotions are the dominant driver of our most meaningful decisions in life.” Many leading neuroscientists, who have studied emotion and how it relates to decision-making more prominently in the last 15 to 20 years, have come to find that “even with what we believe are logical decisions, the very point of choice is arguably always based on emotion.” 

If this weekend has taught us anything (among so many other valuable life lessons), it would be that what appears ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ depends on the eye of the beholder and what their emotions are telling them is right or wrong in their world of views or beliefs.

This can be disheartening and hard to come to terms with, but its something for all of us to keep in mind as we communicate with our intended audiences, especially in the agriculture and food field.

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Leave a Comment Agriculture, Communication, Food for Thought, Public Speaking, Social Media 100% Canadian Milk, 2017, A & W, Agriculture, Animals, Antibiotics, Blog452, Blogging, Business, Cage Free Eggs, Canadian Farmers, Christina Crowley-Arklie, Communication, Domino's Pizza, Emotion, Facebook, Facts, Farmers, Figures, Food for Thought, Genetically Modified Organisms, Gluten Free, GMOs, Harvard, Hormones, Logic, Marketing, McDonalds, Passionate Voice, Pizza, Public Speaking, Rationality, Science, Social Media, Subway, Supply Chain, The Passionate Voice, Trump, Twitter

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