Life in the Big City

Day One of the Insidedge Internship!
I've had the cook's tour, met lots of smart people, and enjoyed lunch at the Art Institute's restaurant. First class!
Have my own office, computer and phone and feel just like one of the team.
Host Keith Burton, President of Insidedge, has been very generous with his time.
Had a fun chat with Al Golin himself. Will be spending some more time with him this week. He's every bit as fun and entertaining as billed.
Tonight it's off to Wrigleyville for a Cubs game.
Back at you tomorrow!

Chicago!

This is the first post as I prepare to depart for my internship (yes, professors can do internships, too!) at Insidedge in Chicago.
I'll be there for two weeks working with the team and learning what's happening in the agency business.
This experience, sponsored by the Plank Center at the University of Alabama, helps connect me with the practice and bring back real-world experience to my students.
In addition, I'll be checking on my building and my baseball field. Just want to be sure they're taking good care of them...

Welcome Class of 2011!

Our new class of masters students has arrived on campus.
Classes began last week for 30 new PR majors and 17 Public Diplomacy students.
All are settling in to life at the 'Cuse and working hard on their "Boot Camp" classes.
It's safe to say their first six weeks will be busy, challenging and, we hope, rewarding.
These students join programs rich in tradition and success.
We welcome them and wish them fun and fulfillment in their graduate programs!

Vacation on Nantucket

We all work hard and save all year for vacation.
So, this year, we decided to spend our vacation on Nantucket, an island 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts.
Accessible by plane or boat, Nantucket is one of those rare places that keeps its charm and low-key atmosphere, preserving wetlands and wildlife, and offering visitors a relaxing, breeze-filled visit.
We stayed in Madaket on the island's west end. The beaches all over Nantucket are clean, secluded and rarely crowded.
Birds enjoy a treasured home here and bunnies and deer roam freely through the woods, making an occasional appearance to tourists.
Great fresh seafood, top-flight restaurants, speedy ferry service and picture postcard views are assured on this lovely island.
These photos are just a sampling of some we took on our recent vacation!
Enjoy!

Winter's Not Over Yet!

Eighteen inches of snow later, things are heating up and melting here in the 'Cuse. Tonight's big game against Villanova will have more than 36,000 fans, the largest crowd ever for an NCAA basketball game.
We didn't get tickets, so we're at home tonight watching the big game.
Don't worry! The snowbanks are cleared and fans will be arriving early to enjoy all the pre-game excitement.
Go 'Cuse!

Toyota's Troubles and Tiger's Mea Culpa

We're had some interesting discussions in our PR Management class lately about Toyota and Tiger Woods.
Our perceptive seniors understand the importance of telling your side of the story quickly and honestly and taking responsibility when necessary.
It will be interesting the watch the Toyota executive in his Congressional testimony. As more details emerge, it becomes apparent that a better issues management system should be in place at Toyota to provide a better early warning system. But this will not be enough. An organizational culture that is less hierarchical and more flat will encourage front-line employees to speak up and suggest ideas and changes more quickly.
As for Tiger, the drip-drip of bad publicity continues.
Waiting too long, saying too little, and then bashing the media are three ways to ensure continuing disaster.
As I always tell my students, the truth will always come out sooner or later. Better to get it out sooner and have everyone move on.
We've seen how the alternative approach doesn't work...

Winter in Syracuse

We're in the deep freeze!
Well, not the DEEP freeze, but anything under 70 degrees is enough to complain about when we have likely at least two more months of winter here in the 'Cuse.
At least we have a hot basketball team (actually two, the men's and women's teams are both doing very well) to keep us energized until March gets here.
Winter on campus is very pretty. And with a fresh coating of snow every day or so it keeps it nice and clean!
If you're itching for spring, buy a bouquet and put it on your desk.
We'll be growing those tulips before you know it!