From The Window Seat

A Day in My Social Media Life

1. Searched LinkedIn for potential job candidates.
2. Updated my LinkedIn profile.
3. Created new Twitter id (www.twitter.com/vashredbetty) to chart my training journey for the 09/10 snowboarding season.
4. Updated my www.twitter.com/annedavison twitter feed throughout the day and sent some direct messages.
5. Sent notes to colleague on "best practices in usual social media for corporate clients"
6. Glanced through Facebook to see what friends are up to.
7.  Scheduled meeting with VOX Jr. staffer to learn about Tweetdeck.  
8. Searched LinkedIn for local job opportunities for a friend.
9. Read NY Times Blogs on my Kindle.
10. Began organizing professional development session on search engine optimization.

Would you say I'm hooked? 

What Would Harvard Do?

Having spent time in both the government and the private sector, I'm interested in the topic of what lessons from business management are applicable to governing.  As much as I hope the public sector could learn from the private, I've pretty much come the belief that government really can't operate like a business and there is no need pretending it can or should.

John Steele Gordon does a good job of summing up some of the barriers to applying business principles to government endeavors in his Wall Street Journal column, "Why Government Can't Run a Business."  I look at the DC Metro systemas an example of the absurdity of trying to achieve a profit or even a break-even point in a government enterprise. 

Metro is constantly under fire for being in the red. But let's be honest - they are selling a product that few really want to buy.  I just don't have 45 minutes to sit in traffic when I can jump on the train, arrive at my destination in 1/2 the time and get work done while en route.  Even more compelling for taking Metro, my train fare is much cheaper than gas and parking in the city.  But given the option, I would much rather be in my own car driving to and from work.  Hike my fare to cover actual cost of service and I'm back in my car lickity-split. 

Recently the DC metro added new features such as signs telling me when the next train will arrive.  I love this new feature, but am I willing to pay a little extra for it like I do extra channels on my cable or extra minutes on my cell phone? No way.  

It's fascinating to watch the Obama Administration's approach to governing unfold, especially since the economic situation has led it on a path to active involvement in the management of some private sector enterprises. I eagerly awake the HBS case studies.

Re Kindle a love for books

I used to fantasize that when my time came, I would pass quietly alone with a good book with a stack of newspapers and magazines next to me. Now, that scenario looks a little different. 

Meet my new Kindle.  No, I'm not being paid by Amazon to pimp a product. But I do believe my approach to reading has been revolutionized.  At first I felt a little guilty that I wasn't buying a "real" book, but that lasted about five minutes.  When I realized how cool it was to tuck my Wall Street Journal, NY Times and latest bookclub selection easily into my bag and hop on Metro, I was hooked!

I think I have read more in the last three days than I did in the last three weeks. I can only imagine what reading will look like in another twenty years. 

Grip & Grins soured by SwineFlu

Momentum is building for a voluntary handshake ban (see previous blog post), at least until this swine flu thing passes.  The Washington Post reports today that visitors at a State Deptevent were given hand sanitizer before their grip and grins with Hilary Clinton.  

We discussed this "handshake ban" idea over lunch at VOX Global yesterday and there were some who took issue with the idea, noting that they like shaking hands as both a friendly gesture and professional courtesy.

I understand that point of view, and welcome alternative suggestions. That's what this campaign is all about!