Social Innovation Summit Recap

On November 15 and 16, cred stopped by the Social Innovation Summit at the Pullman Hotel in Redwood City to participate in conversations around diversity, inclusion, entrepreneurship, and social enterprise.

The Social Innovation Summit (SIS) is a twice annual, bi-coastal event that takes place in the Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. “A global convening of black swans and wayward thinkers,” SIS brings together top execs and leaders to discuss how to leverage technology and innovation to affect social change.

Landmark Ventures COO Mel Ochoa, Splunk President & CEO Douglas Merritt, Director of UberMILITARY Todd Bowers, and President of Goldman Sachs Gives Anne Black were a few of the speakers at the event. Topics included:

• Building a Culture of Innovation and Impact

• Innovation for Good: Effective Public Private Partnerships

• Exploring New Frontiers of Digital Healthcare

• Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace

• Product Donations and Pro Bono, and more.

One of our favorite presentations was by Baya Voce of The Art of Connection web series. She broke down the importance of connecting with others and how to build what she calls ‘anchors of connection.’ In her opinion, the most powerful way to create an anchor of connection is through ritual - no, not sacred ceremony but rather, a combination of repeated action and intention with your family and friends.

Aside from the general and breakout sessions, there was ample time for mingling during transitions - with great food and snacks to boot. All in all, it was a very well-run event with engaging content. Our only qualm? We wish the first few sessions had been a little longer - because they were that interesting!

We'll definitely be back next year!

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Big Data Showcase at VDC Connect2016

October 6th was an exciting day at the TIME Inc. building in New York City, as nearly two hundred people gathered for Venture Development Center’s first annual VDC Connect2016.

Some of the biggest data practitioners and industry leaders came together to discuss the future of big data - where it currently stands, who is at the forefront, and the technology used to implement it. Moderated by VDC Chairman & CEO, Dr. Charles Stryker, it was a full day of panels as well as networking opportunities with attendees from AOL, Legendary Entertainment, IBM, Cisco, Avention, and more.

Charles set the stage by giving a big picture overview of what's happening with big data, followed by three panel discussions around companies in transition, analytics, and data implementations. Then, the content closed with three innovative companies taking the stage to present what’s disrupting the big data industry.

Blake Sitney, CEO of Profound Networks, described how Profound compiles comprehensive databases of routable IP addresses on the internet in order to develop tools and platforms for maintaining, scrubbing, exploring, modeling, and interpreting data. CEO of UberMedia Gladys Kong discussed turning mobile data into actionable consumer behavioral insights. We finished the day off with Michael Hussey, CEO of StatSocial, who gave us a peek into how companies like StatSocial gather deeper, richer profiles of consumers by understanding their social activities, sourced by mining publicly available actions from individuals across the social web.

VDC Connect2016’s speakers and attendees winded down with a seafood platter feast, all while taking in the extravagant views from TIME Inc’s new space.

Another event in the books for the cred event management team!

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Need help hosting your upcoming events?

Contact events@credpr.com.

Speaking 101: Getting on Stage for the First Time

“Like so many other aspects of the working world, getting into speaking gigs can be a catch-22. You need experience to get the gigs, but you need the gigs to get the experience.”

- Megan Berry, VP of Product at Rebelmouse

When it comes to speaking at events and conferences, expecting to immediately book the biggest gigs or get paid is unrealistic and honestly, not the smartest idea. It’s important to think practical and realistic to start, target the right events for your expertise and audience, and work your way up.

Even the most popular, high profile speakers have had to start somewhere - and with good reason, as the worst place to do your first presentation would be on-stage in front of hundreds of people! Becoming a great speaker requires practice and comes with experience. It means being proactive and investing both time and effort in your message, as well as your speaking strategy.

The result is a ripple effect, as one speaking engagement can open the door to more speaking opportunities. Plus, to get into some of those bigger, more established conferences, you usually need past speaking experience. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with the submission process, many applications even ask for videos of you speaking. Without one, you might not even be considered.)

So as Berry says, find the low-hanging fruit first. Not getting enough - or any - inbound requests to speak? Try meetups and panels. “Solo gigs are harder to get than panel gigs.” And there are dozens of meetups and small events happening in every city, every month. You just have to take the time to look for them.

Because remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

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For more tips on securing more speaking gigs, check out this article.

Need help getting started? Not sure what events would be interested in you? Contact us at speak@credpr.com.

Good Company Culture: It's a Necessity

“Culture is one of the most precious things a company has... so you must work harder on it than anything else.”

-Herb Kelleher, Founder, Southwest Airlines

Because a company who works out together, stays together - especially when your CEO is teaching the class!

These days, great company culture is no longer optional - it’s a necessity. Job seekers consider it as much as they consider salary and benefits, which means that attracting top talent almost requires current employees who are both satisfied and thriving.

But what exactly makes a great working environment? Paul Spiegelman, Chief Culture Officer at Stericycle, breaks it down into ten essential components he calls the ”10 Cs of Culture.” We picked out a few - and added some thoughts of our own.

1. Camaraderie. “Knowing you can go up to anyone, ask them a question, and it's a no-judgment zone,“ says Senior Associate Kyle. Camaraderie is also about having fun and getting to know colleagues beyond the office. This makes the work environment more comfortable and can build that feeling of knowing your team has your back. Kyle's favorite thing about working at cred is the sense of community and ”actually going to work with people you want to see after 5 o’clock.”

2. Celebrations. Positive reinforcement is great, and you can’t underestimate the importance of recognizing your team. So celebrate the big wins - and the small ones too!

3. Commitment to people. ”I wanted a job that would allow me to take on multiple roles, learning independently but also through the guidance of others. When your colleagues are willing to help you despite their jam-packed schedules, you’ve hit the jackpot." Companies who invest and trust in their people are the ones who see the most success.

4. Commitment to the business. Going hand in hand with Number 3, the core values of a company are incredibly important. We really feel that you should work for a company you believe in. CEO Caitlin’s favorite thing about cred is “working with an incredible team and learning more about the clients and their stories and passions.” When you believe in what you're doing and are driven by a purpose, work feels less like work.

5. Continuous effort. The work of building a company culture never ends. Beside the people, Associate Stephanie B. loves “the flexibility cred offers us - i.e. making our own hours, unlimited vacation, working from home, etc.” One-on-ones, team meetings, bonding events, and professional development are also important ways to demonstrate that your company cares.

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How does your company maintain a good culture and happy employees?

Share your tips by tweeting them to us at @credPR!

Speaking 101: Using Digital to Improve Your Personal Brand

If you don’t give the market the story to talk about, they’ll define your brand’s story for you.

- David Brier, President & Creative Director of DBD International

When it comes to establishing yourself as a thought leader, a solid personal branding strategy is essential. Your personal brand is how you appear to the world and more importantly, how you communicate your value to others.

So how should you get started? In today's day and age, besides actually knowing what you’re talking about (we don’t recommend faking your understanding of a particular industry), becoming a thought leader involves being proactive about your digital presence.

We rounded up a few tips to keep in mind as you begin your personal branding journey:

1. First and foremost, make sure you are discoverable. Google yourself right now. What pops up? Taking advantage of social media and updating your profiles regularly can help you connect with other people in the same space. If you're no stranger to social media, double-check to make sure your accounts aren't collecting dust and that you are presenting yourself effectively and in a positive light.

2. Get a professional headshot. A low-quality, grainy photo makes you stand out - and not in a good way. Your online profile picture should reflect your attention to detail and demonstrate that you take your career seriously.

3. Build a website for yourself, the reason being that it gives you more control over your online presence and how your name pops up in search rankings.

4. Practice your writing and think carefully before you publish an opinion online. Make sure it is reflects how you want to be perceived by others. You don’t want to go viral for the wrong reasons (remember: the Internet never forgets).

All in all, don’t skimp out on the little details when it comes to building a digital presence and personal brand - we promise it pays off!

“Once people know who you are and begin to identify you with a specific area of understanding or expertise, you'll be well on your way to becoming the go-to person in your niche or industry.”

For more about personal branding, check out this article by Entrepreneur contributor Rose Leadem.

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Want to learn how we can help you establish thought leadership for your  business? 

Get in touch at HELLO@CREDPR.COM.

cred Clients Eyeing the SXSW 2017 Stage

Next March, thousands of creative minds will descend upon the Lone Star State to celebrate the interactive, film and music industries. SXSW is truly an event like none other!

Each year, SXSW attracts impressive lineups, ranging from artists like Lady Gaga to speakers like President Obama. Competition is fierce and stakes are high to get on the SXSW stage, but you can have a say in who takes the mic!

Here’s a spotlight on four panels we’re excited to see:

• “VR & AR: A new business for content & media types?” - Big in gaming, virtual and augmented reality is a thriving business model that other industries are looking to incorporate.

• “The Rise of Digital Music” - As music streaming becomes mainstream, industry leaders describe what the future holds for music worldwide.

• “Cycling: CEO's new golf to build connections” - Today’s executives are ditching outdated networking opportunities like happy hours and golf for more strenuous events.

• “Future of Retail: The On-Demand, Peer Economy” - Access over ownership, a movement sweeping today’s industries, now has its eyes on retail.

• "Hear Her Voice: The New Age of Female Entrepreneur" - Female entrepreneurs describe the emerging trend of more female entrepreneurs shifting the traditional roles of women in business, and reshaping the market.

Take a look and vote to help these sessions get on stage!

Catching Pokemon and Native Tips with Sharethrough at NATIVE 2016

The 6th annual Sharethrough Native Advertising Summit began with Dan Greenberg, Co-Founder & CEO of Sharethrough, asking the 450+ attendees if they had caught any Pokemon at the SFJazz Center. We welcomed Pokemon and attendees for a full day of discussions around today’s native transformation and brainstorming tomorrow’s possibilities, with industry leaders from:

                           Google                            

Esurance

Sofi

AppNexus

Medium

Yahoo

Facebook

CBS Interactive

Re/Code

LinkedIn

BP

NowThis

CaratDigiDay

Nextdoor

Deep Focus

MUH-TAY-ZIK | HOF-FER

Ad tech Executives came together to share insights on how brands can better leverage Native, create engaging content that an audience wants to interact with, and how to succeed with today’s internet. Facebook’s Dave Jakubowski even “throws shade at Snapchat’s anti-creepy business” in his fireside chat with Re/Code’s Kurt Wagner. The night continued with soothing jazz sounds in the balcony for the cocktail reception where attendees and speakers could continue to make connections and enjoy the cool vibe of the SFJazz Center.

Check out some of our favorite snapshots from the day above (using the exclusive Sharethrough Snapchat filter) and be on the lookout for our next event!

Need help hosting your next event? Contact events@credpr.com.

Speaking 101: 5 Speaker Fails You Need to Avoid

As the role of thought leadership continues to gain importance in generating new business opportunities, speaking opportunities are becoming more essential to building a brand. The problem? The demand for speakers is greater than ever - even with the number of events, webinars, podcasts, etc. on the rise.

In other words, every opportunity is equally as important in establishing your speaking cred. If your audience isn’t engaged, you’re failing them and also limiting your scope for future opportunities.

Here is a list of the top five most common fails that you, as a speaker, need to avoid:

1. Misreading or not recognizing interest - Don’t fret if you only see the tops of people’s heads. “Old school” speakers might tell you to measure interest by the number of people who are making eye contact with you. However, in this digital age, keep in mind that your most engaged audience members are rapidly tweeting out your content as you speak. (So don’t ask people to turn off their phones, and try to create “tweetable” quotes!)

2. Not being involved in conversation on social media - Set yourself apart by taking part in the conversations occurring online and networking with other attendees ahead of time. This can help cultivate interest and drive attendance at your panel or session - especially important for those public speaking opportunities that have concurrent sessions.

3. Reading PowerPoint slides or notes verbatim - Don’t do it. As digital storyteller Christina Green states, “If you don’t know the topic well enough to discuss it without reading, you’re probably not the best person to lead the discussion.” #Truth

4. Not knowing your audience - Sure, you can up-cycle parts of your old presentations. Since every audience has different needs and concerns, you should still be personalizing the content for each audience. Make sure what you have to share is actually applicable; otherwise, you’re wasting their (and your) time.

5. Using too much ‘marketing speak’ - As mentioned above, know your audience - but also know how they speak. Most people want to be spoken to in easily digestible terms, save the small percentage of “C-Suite who are are still quoting management books from the ‘80s.”

There you have it! Take these insights into consideration as you plan your next presentation, and become a better, more conscious and more engaging speaker that people will rave about.

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FOR THE FULL LIST OF 11 SPEAKING FAILS TO AVOID, CLICK HERE.