Waiting for meal.MPG

Tommy and Lucky are our two favorite Alsatian dogs at our ancestral home. Lucky is the female companion of Tommy who is a bit cranky and wouldn't listen to you at times. He's also a good eater. When Lucky, who is a fussy eater, turns her head away to look at something, he would snatch her bowl of food and complete it in no time. On this day which was Sunday it was chicken curry day. After both were shampooed and bathed neat and toweled dry, now they're waiting for the Sunday chicken lunch at the portico.

A green village in India

How do businesses effectively AND ethically build good long term relationships with business journalists?

 Image courtesy: www.sxc.hu

The questions: 

This is a question for those on both sides of the fence to answer…business people, PR professionals, journalists…

For those in business, how have you built relationships with media professionals that has allowed you to gain coverage or make comment on issues in your area of expertise? What has been effective for you?

For journalists, what makes a relationship of value for you – particularly when it’s with a business, who you would assume has their own agenda? What kind of approach gets your attention, and how have some business relationships evolved to be useful to you? Also – anything to avoid?


Sushil Bhan's Answer:

As I have seen both sides of the fence, I think I ought to say that being honest and open with your relationships count a lot. If you're in business with no experience of dealing with the media, then it's better to hire a professional PR firm or take the lengthy route of studying carefully about how to deal with the press. Journalists respond to you even if you have no PR to represent you. If you can write a decent newsworthy press release then they'll definitely carry it. But most business owners with no experience of media feel frustrated why their efforts at attracting the media bears no fruit. If you have nothing new to offer to them then they would have no time for you. At the same time don't get carried away by talking `too much' with the press. It can come back to haunt you. So it would be always better to hire a medium level PR firm. But learn the tricks through them. Then you can cut the expenses by doing it yourself if you have the time and knowledge. A PR firm can get you maximum reach for your firm's developments while your individual relationship with a journalist may land you one or two stories in a particular media outlet. Which means you're losing out on others because you confined it to one small publication. So the lesson is always being friendly with big media house. That may not be easy as they're always busy with big fishes. But it's worth it. If you can't afford a full time retainership with a PR firm, then you can look at assignment based relationship. You pay them only when you use them like holding a press conference, distributing media material, etc. With a PR firm, you'll get to have one-to-one interview with journalists, press conference ideas and arrangements. how to and how not to talk to the press, etc. These all are very crucial if you want to build an image. Initial image with the media lasts forever. Even if you're small but what you do is innovative or different from others journalists will notice. It's only a matter of time you can win them over with professional releases and regular input. But even if you're a big business establishment but have nothing new to say (like in case of a large garment factory that does routine export order with no news angle) then no amount of PR spending would give you visibility. So act wisely. Know where you stand.

From the point of media professionals, especially financial journalists, all they look for is a good story. So have it, and have them. Only some small time scribes would fall for any incentives from you which are looked down upon by most media professionals. Don't take that route if you want to have a long term relationship with media. Think something new that you can think about your business. Think from a journalist's angle. Would you as a journalist find it interesting to carry it in your newspaper or TV news? Know how to develop a `story angle.' Learn all you from PR about handling with journalists. But don't get frustrated if your publicity campaign failed to make an impact. Even big firms lose out to press. Find out why it failed. Learn to grow from it.

If you have expertise in some area, then it's easier to build bridges with the press. Keep yourself visible with quotes, interviews, statements, media invitation to your show or event etc. So the only agenda media has is news. By giving it to them, you promote yourself. They don't mind to promote you as long you give them what they want. But if you've nothing NEW to say, then not even the best PR can help you. So come out with interesting story angles. That itself is a big art. Even most PR firms are not good at it as many of them take help from former journalists to develop story pegs. It calls for wearing a journalist's hat. As I give consultancy to some PR firms on media strategy, I know that a PR firm is as good as its relationship with journalists. Cheers and wishing you success here!

http://www.linkedin.com/answers?viewQuestion=&questionID=901554&askerID=42032066&goback=%2Enpe_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1#yours

A LinkedIn Q&A Answered by Sushil Bhan:

Sushil Bhan likes his pet Alsatian dog Lucy

Sushil Bhan who zaps for infotech minds has always liked pets. Especially, dogs that guard house. On this day, he found his pet Alsatian Lucy in sound sleep after guarding the ancestral house whole night. She had a good meal so it was time for a nap. Once evening, she'll bound up for a fresh round of vigil at home.

A rural hotel while driving to Kanyakumari by Sushil Bhan

Eating at remote tiny restaurants while travelling by car can be highly stressful. Sushil Bhan who zaps for infotech minds found this to be true on such a recent journey. When on his way to Kanyakumari from Bangalore he was on the lookout for such an expressway side hotels. Try as he might but it eluded him. At last, he found this tiny hotel which served clean food that was less spicy. The place was suitable for ample parking. Even at night, it wasn't shutdown unlike others that had been closed down. The hotel wasn't located at any major city centre. It was on a remote stretch. Regional fares notwithstanding, the food was not bad. It was cheap and winsome.

Temple elephant walking in an Indian village

Out on a remote area to capture nature's scenes and get education on regional centres,Sushil Bhan who zaps for infotech minds captured this sudden animal course on camera. With no roads closed, Sushil Bhan found this elephant being led by its mahot on a long stretch of regional road. It was a temple elephant from nearby and was on its morning walk to `bless' the people along. No police around to man the traffic, however, the elephant knew how not to block the road for oncoming vehicles. "That was good education in traffic sense," Sushil Bhan thought. Some students from nearby school cheered as the elephant ambled majestically. So Sushil Bhan and his family stopped the parade to offer the elephant fruits and things. They also gave mahot some money to keep the elephant in good humour.

Sushil Bhan zap infotech goes for cool mountain air

On a visit to his infotech parents' home place, Sushil Bhan zapped for cool mountain air by arresting this scene in his camera. It was good education and learning. Sushil Bhan stayed for almost a week there. Of course, he had brough in his computer along with. He had just joined a computer course in New Delhi so he can learn more now. But the cool mountain air arrested his work. In the regional sphere, nature spreads wildly, he thought.

eBay zaps you with an ad at an infotech event

eBay zaps you with an ad at an infotech event, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

At every office function or infotech event, you'll come across ad splash from all big names in IT. So it was another infotech where I saw this splash that I felt was really nice and cool. This is real zap for you!

How not to capture a TV commercial with botched video

Wanted to capture Sachin Tendulkar's TV commercial. However, as usual, the novice slipped the camera through the clumsy fingers. And the result was a botched video! Way to zap your infotech mind! So the lesson learned. Or so? Keep zapping all the infotech minds with funny or botched videos!

Freshly minted kittens at home

Freshly minted kittens at home, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

These three kittens were freshly laid by their robust mother cat back at village. All the three seem ready to zap you the moment you choo-chooed them. Perhaps they were hungry. Waiting for their daily quota of milk. Whatever, it sure zaps your mind!

Tricolour zaps infotech minds in vegetables and fruits

Tricolour zaps infotech minds in vegetables and fruits, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

India today! At office it was innovative time. All the zapped infotech souls decided to try their hands at creativity by bringing together vegetable and fruit carvings into creating a tricolour shape for public display. This was the result of the labour!

Aged Rooster struggles to find food

Aged Rooster struggles to find food, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

This was an aged rooster (who's no more) who struggled at ripe age to pick up food. Though he was given enough food in a bowl so he would'nt have to hunt for foot, old habits die hard and so he still scrounged around for picking anything that was edible. Watching him at his age really zapped one's mind.

Chicago downtown view from pier

Chicago downtown view from pier, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

This picture was taken in Chicago on a foggy day. So the clarity was not what it was supposed to be. Anyway, still it gives you a zappy pix. All the tired infotech minds must note to learn good photography so they can bring clarity to their photos.

Infotech: Installing a fan controller

Amazing coin trick that zaps your mind!

Saw this interesting video trick on coin magic @ metacafe. It really zaps your infotech mind!

Amazing Coin Trick - Magic Tricks For Beginners - More amazing videos are a click away

Photo sharing sites besides Flickr

What are the best photo sharing sites on social media world? Flickr pops to mind at once. But, of late, there have been a host of sites that have come up with each something to show off.

Not all of them are free though. Some asks you to pay for availing any of their special services something that you've come to expect for free from Flickr. A few of the pay sites, however, offer a variety of features that you don't get at any free photo sharing site.

A quick list of sites for sharing your photos:

**Webshots**
Share your pictures through photo messages, online photo albums, custom prints and gifts.

**Snappages**
Fully flash built interface with 3D slideshows and an image editor.

**Fotki**
Free unlimited photo hosting for blogs, 9 cent prints, and photo contests.

**Shutterfly**
Free unlimited storage, 12 cent prints, as well as calendars and photo books.

**PBase**
One of the oldest and most trusted of these sites, But PBase is not free, but hosts a nice gallery and excellent community.

**Flickr**
We all know it. Without doubt, the most popular and extensively used photo sharing site on the net. It also comes with a free and unlimited Pro option with geotagging and 15 cent prints.

**Smugmug**
Unlimited photos, unlimited storage, but no free account if you want to share with others.

**Exposure Manager**
Nice site with a focus on branding and sales. Unlimited storage and uploads, with an FTP option.

**PhotoBucket**
One of the newest entrant, it offers 1GB storage on their free account, and 5GB on their pro with unmetered bandwidth.

Chicago monument

Chicago monument, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

Walking in downtown Chicago on a somewhat less sunny day, this picture was captured using an not so sophisticated Sony DSC camera. If there was more light, I guess it could've been brighter. But it was a foggish day. Anyway, it still looks beautiful. I guess so.

Open space versus digital info that zaps you at infotech office

Open space versus digital info that zaps you at infotech office, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

All that digital info today seems to be zapping our minds endlessly. In today's India, needless info keeps zapping you all the time courting you trouble. This may vary from region to region. However, the head of the matter is that there's only so much you can take the info! Whether you're a top regional manager or zonal manager, no executive is safe from being bombarded by mindless info. So you must do everything to arrest this outlook. Granted that such controversial topic can't be spelt in one page, I am only trying to connect you with the reality. What you may know sometimes can hurt others too. The other day I just saw a post on Orkut. It looked like the official version of thought control police. Though inadequate in response, both the northern and southern brothers and sisters would do well to introspect over this digital bomb today. Like a telegraph that once scared the shit out of you in past India, this too threatens you in three different ways: sifting through unwanted info flow; organizing wanted info in lieu of troublesome ones and finally acting on the needful ones. So let's not lower our commitment to zapping bad info. Otherwise, we may well receive pink slips from which no one can bail us out!

Sushil Bhan Zap Info on Abstract Computer

Sushil Bhan Zap Info on Abstract Computer, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

Abstract act was never so beautiful like this.

A Road Highly Travelled? Bangalore-Chennai Highway

A Road Highly Travelled? Bangalore-Chennai Highway, a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

Sushil Bhan always enjoyed travelling on this route from his zapped infotech work at Bangalore. Though less trafficked compared to NH47 and other trunk routes, however, the negative point is you can't stopover for a cup of chai anywhere. Entire route shielded from inside towns and villages by the four-lane expressway, there's no way you can pull over for some refreshments. Whatever is there, they're not up to the mark.

All the zapped infotech minds taking time off with family.

All the zapped infotech minds taking time off with family., a photo by Sushil Bhan Zap Infotech on Flickr.

This is one a prime example of what zapped infotech minds can do on a holiday. They can find solace at a mass entertaining event programme to kill their boredom with family and kids. Of course, it's not easy to get up early on a weekend day and haul your family to reach a far off venue in time. But once you're there, you're more than rewarded for the day! For once, you come across similarly enthusiastic faces who're on the same boat like you. They too want some fun with food. And kids! Kids are the centre of attraction at such places and the whole event revolves around them. There are playthings to try their actions. Music and songs. Plenty of food and snacks. Gleefully shouting other kids. So make it a point to take your family as many times as possible every month to such events. Cheers.

Some botched videos can zap your mind. Infotech gone bad!

Chicken feed for zapped infotech minds!

Tired from all that 9-5 oh, no, sorry, it must be 9-8 infotech job? Take some time off to have some fun by watching this chicken feeding contest. It's like watching an aquarium where fishes swim in confined spaces but gives you soulful peace. Watching animal activities can always rescue your zapped mind. Have fun and enjoy! Regards, Sushil Bhan.

Why learning dance zaps infotech minds more than any activity: Sushil Bhan

Here's what Sushil Bhan found something that zaps your mind with what all that infotech 9-5 work can't do for you.

According to Wiki, ancing has evolved many styles. Breakdancing and Krumping are related to the hip hop culture. African dance is interpretative. Ballet, Ballroom, Waltz, and Tango are classical styles of dance while Square and the Electric Slide are forms of step dances.

Every dance, no matter what style, has something in common. It not only involves flexibility and body movement, but also physics. If the proper physics is not taken into consideration, injuries may occur.

According to Richard Powers in an article, dancing makes one smarter. See his article at http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/smarter.htm . He mentions that dancing makes one both mentally and physically smarter. 

He poses two questions: Why is dancing better than other activities for improving mental capabilities? Does this mean all kinds of dancing, or is one kind of dancing better than another?

However, the truth is that any form of activity gives same better results like dancing. So dancig alone is not the remedy. However, he suggests us to take a dance class, which can be even better.

Dancing integrates several brain functions at once, increasing your connectivity. Dancing simultaneously involves kinesthetic, rational, musical and emotional processes.

So let's dance and dance often! 

Sushil Bhan: Info on Alien Zap - Downloadable Shooter Game

Alien Zap - Downloadable shooter

"Alien Zap" is a new free downloadable shooter game where you fight a band of green monsters. You get into a scary mystic parallel world inhabited with monstrous green creatures. The enemies are entrapping you! The aim of the downloadable game is to clear out the gaming field from the green monsters and stay alive. Simple and clear gameplay, mystic heartfelt music - that's what you get with the game "Alien Zap". Play downloadable game "Alien Zap" for free!

Sushil Bhan Zap Info finds more mind zapping infotech matter!

When a flubbed electricity experiment in science class gives Zack a shock, he suddenly finds out he has a talent he never had before--Zack can now read other people's minds!

Check for yourself at Amazon: This is what I have been talking about.

A normal 10-year old boy Zack has a knack for getting into strangest situations. In Wanda, he attempts to clear his flat of a mannerless 8-year-old poltergeist who chats by spelling out words with peanut M&Ms. In Litter Box, he plans to adopt a kitten but instead gets an irritating speaking cat that vouches to be the reincarnation of his great-grandfather. He sees his own reflection in the Medicine Cabinet mirror and falls through into a skewed world that its dwellers consider much better than ours. An electrical shock takes place at school and Zap!? Zack can hear thoughts, including a bloodthirsty voice expressing an eagerness to kill. The stories have a whacked-out, off-the-wall humor that is reminiscent of the work of Daniel Pinkwater. At the same time, they neatly poke fun at the conventions of popular horror series. Children will find some of the episodes really amusing. Great-Grandpa the cat threatens to "take a leak" on the sofa if Zack doesn't provide him with his preferred food (herring with sour cream!); Wanda and a fellow ghost yank down a bully's pants. The books are short without looking babyish and would appeal to reluctant readers as well as those with a taste for oddball humor?

All I, Sushil Bhan, can add is that you can zap any info on anybody. Today's infotech allows that. So keep zapping!

Sushil Bhan Zaps Info on Technology

Sushil Bhan, myself, would like to zap your thoughts with innovative thinking. Be it education, infotech, education centre, students, closure of your mind or whatever, I'll zap it to make it work!

I like to focus more on education. In the world of education, students are its sentinels. However, I am pained to see how some training institutes offer irrelevant courses to such an extent it sometimes ends in sudden closure.

But there are many branches of education that you need to branch out beforehand. It may all look extra effort now but to win in the world of technology you must police all that distracts your course.