The Daily Grind of a Work @ Home Mom...

#McDonald's is foiled by its own plan #McDStories

Everyone's favorite burger and fry guy made lots of news last week.  First, there was that egregiously vile image of what is allegedly "chicken nugget batter" (aka, mechanically separated chicken) that went viral. Whether McDonald's actually makes food using this crap is still unclear. What is clear is that my children will never have to endure another chicken McNugget again.

Then, McDonald's went on the offense and created a hashtag campaign using #McDStories as the hashtag. The expectation was that supporters would share their warm and fuzzy stories of enjoying grease and fat with their families, maybe playing in the filthy, dirty playground as a child, perhaps of enjoying a birthday party in an unsanitary McD's basement.

But that's not what actually happened.  What did occur is that haters of the brand began utilizing the hashtag to spew venomous tweets at them.  Tweets like:

and

and

To be clear, this post is not a commentary on McDonald's per se.  I've been known to make a person or two late for a train as a result of a near-insane craving for chicken strips while pregnant.  And for some reason nothing hits the spot quite like a quarter pounder (no onions, extra pickles) while on a road trip.  I never feel well after indulging (the sodium?) and I always regret it, but short-term memory and all that jazz seems to prevail when I see those golden arches under the right circumstances.

But I've always believed McDonald's to be a leader in their industry (whatever you may think of said industry) since it's my understanding that they're the king of burgers (king of burgers... get it?;).  It appears I was wrong. 

In light of this latest PR fail, I'm seriously wondering who is in charge of social media over there.  I mean, ask any recently graduated intern at any agency what the number one rule is if you're a brand utilizing social and they'll all tell you - understand brand sentiment.  Never ask a question you don't know the answer to unless you're in the mood for a good, old fashioned massacring.  Because just like in real life, anything a brand says in "public" is there for the taking.  And in the case of the #McDStories incident, take they did.

Here's the thing.  This isn't a lesson on what McDonald's might have done differently or what brands can take away from this debacle.  I'll leave that to the Mashables and HuffPos of the world.  But I will say this - why does McDonald's insist on reaching into a space they don't belong in?  I've seen the brand talk about their salads, I've heard them advertise white meat.  I've read the words "well-balanced" and "nutrition" on their website and think, why?  Why try and be something that you're not?  No one goes to McDonald's for a salad unless they're with someone who's having a Big Mac attack.  And while I'm glad to see the smaller portion of fries and the apples in the Happy Meal (that we grab while on the road a couple of times a year), I'm not thinking McDonald's is any good for my kids.  I'm thinking it's convenient.  It's fast.  It's food.

So McDonald's, there you have it.  You can't fool us consumers.  Even if we eat your pink slime once in a while and your over-fried fries, we don't feel good about it.  We know it's crap.  Just ask anyone.  Oops - you already did.

 

How social media influences, well, everything

Social media here, social media there, social media everywhere.  Even as a person who loves, adores, and was an early adopter (Twitter since early 2008, yo!), the constant barrage of new sites! New apps! New social tools! even gets to me sometimes.

I don't get excited about every new popular domain name.  I'm not the first to set up an account of the latest and greatest.  I've been burned before (Google+ anyone?) and there just aren't enough hours in the day to devote time to every site Twitter says is cool.  Cuz now it's not 2008 anymore and everyone and their mother is giving opinions on Twitter (not that there's anything wrong with that, as long as you know how to properly manage your own account).   

As I write this post, I just clicked a friend's Pin and took in an inforgraphic that appeared on Mashable titled Pinterest Becomes Top Traffic Driver for Retailers [INFOGRAPHIC]. This article which appeared today, pretty much sums up what I'm about to talk about here, except I was going to apologize to Foursquare for being an early adopter-hater and then tell you how much I love Foursquare for its "Specials Nearby" feature and how I utilized it yesterday and felt soooo good about myself afterwards.

But wait.

In March of 2010. I wrote a post that I called To Foursquare or Not to Foursquare: A Cynic's View.  I was wholly unconvinced.  I even quit the location-based social networking site for a while.  Can't recall what brought me back but it was probably some little voice inside my head whispering, "go back, you've made a mistake. Second chances are for winners."

So I did.  While I don't "check-in" everywhere I go and I don't double-dip by posting my Foursquare check-ins to Facebook (which has its own check-in capes), I do use it sometimes to take advantage of retail deals.

Aaaaah.  There. I said it.  If you are an avid Foursquare'er, you've undoubtedly noticed the little box "Specials Nearby" feature at the top of your "places" page - and if you click over, you'll be privy to some retailers who are taking a chance on an unknown kid as yet unproven tactic for increasing sales.  Yesterday, I "checked-in at a large shopping complex and checked my specials.  I noticed that the kids store across the way was offering 40% off any purchase just for checking in.

SCORE.  Foursquare's stock just skyrocketed in my book.  If you have to outfit children, you know that it's a constant drain on the bank account and if you have two budding fashionistas like I do, hand-me-downs are not going to cut it.  So, Justice - nice job.  I hope others catch on to your genius.  Because yesterday, for the cost of 40% of a size 4 skirt and a size 8 dress, you got a mention on Twitter that may or may not have reached any of my 3400+ followers.  Worth it?  I can't say how it was for them but I felt like I needed a smoke after heading out the door.

Same seems to be true of Pinterest.  I only recently signed-up for the newish online pinboard.  The idea is to "pin" things that appeal to you in visual format to your board.  Of course, you have followers who see your pins and they may or may not be swayed by your influence.  Each pin, btw, automatically links back to its origins (etsy shop, online retailer, etc).  For me, I love to look at the pretty pictures and of course, one more spot to share my ideas - yay!  But in seriousness, I'm considering actually making a purchase from a pin I saw on the site.

So.  Where does this leave us.  We're moving beyond bloggers to real people.  And based on what I've seen coming out of the blogosphere lately, we're all the better for it.

One more thought - anyone have any ideas on how Pinterest might affect the B to B world?  (Not that anyone at work has tasked me to find out...)

From the archives: When Worlds Collide

This post first appeared on TDG on May 26, 2011.  I still think about this all the time, mostly because people often identify me as a blogger (which inevitably leads to the what's your blog? question), and as a result of the rise of social media, where I proudly list my URL and new posts.  So people read. I know that. And I'm almost ok with it.  Almost.

When I first started this blog, it coincided with the launch of my webstore.  Not a coincidence though; I had been advised to try to create buzz about my new venture utilizing blogs.  It was the beginning of review blogging and a time when bloggers actually responded to small businesses looking for reviews in exchange for nothing more than a sample and sometimes a giveaway item. 

Being a writer at heart, the natural progression was to start a blog myself at that time.  I had a good reason (my store), lots of opinions to share (cuz everyone cares), and I was staying home with my new baby leaving plenty of time to stir up the creative juices.

What I couldn't anticipate on that day in April of 2007 (wow was I green) was that four years later, not only would I still be blogging on this platform, but I'd be considered a "blogger".  That I would have parlayed my experience in the blogosphere into a day job.  That people would be reading. 

That people I KNEW would be reading.

And the worlds collide. 

I didn't talk much about my blog to my "real-life" people very much for the first few years.  I mean, they may have known I had one, but I never publicized it outside of that crazy underbelly world of blogosphere.  I had my fellow blog people, and my real-life people.  And I was good with that.

Lately though, as I move forward and meet people and stuff, Google has become a better friend.  I've gotten so good at manipulating it that I can find out the most basic to totally random stuff about people with almost no information.  And I know that the opposite is true too.

But mostly, I come up with Facebook pages, blank Twitter streams, maybe some weird article or random resume.  Not fair!  I put a lot of stuff here.  While there's a hugely gigantic part of me that is reserved for my IRL friends (you know, the personal stuff I don't talk about here), there's lots of stuff here!  Stuff about how I parent, my opinions, my style of doing things - just... stuff.

So when my worlds collide, when someone I sort of know says "OMG, I read in your blog that blahblahblah..." it makes me a little nervous. Takes me totally out of my comfort zone.  Weird, right?  I mean I singlehandedly am responsible for putting it here!  But you know, it's not because there is so much stuff here, but mainly because there's so much stuff NOT here.  I'm often surprised when I meet a blogger I read regularly.  I'm typically struck either by the fact that they're edgier than they put out there, or  they're a little more reserved IRL than they portray publicly. 

It goes with the territory.  I know that.  But if you want to know me, I mean, really know me?  Call me, let's get a drink. :)

Pushing her in the pool: learn to swim or forever fear water?

I have two children, both girls.  One is rather outgoing and somewhat of a risk-taker (sort of like me) while the other is more cautious and slightly stand-offish, especially in new situations.  She's five, so it's not unusual, but it's sometimes a bit unfamiliar to me.  Once she's comfortable in her surroundings though, she's perfectly fine.

The stand-off'ish child is my oldest and she has always been more reserved than my little one.  It's possible that this part of her personality is what lead to a rough experience at a pretty rustic summer camp last summer and an excited anxiousness surrounding the beginning of elementary school this September.  She's not the first person to introduce herself on the playground but she's not the last either.  She is extremely smart, engaged, interested in playing and learning, but still, she doesn't break free from my grasp to hit the scary house on Halloween nor will she open your fridge door to see what's inside.  On the flip side, she's polite, attentive, and fun to be around.

She doesn't like going in other people's cars.  Since I have had a pretty flexible schedule until recently, she never really had to.  Now it becomes a bit of an issue when there's snow or rain and one of the generous other moms offers her and her adult a ride home from school (which is within walking distance).  There's an after-school birthday party next week that which, in order to go, she would need to take a ride one way with friends we both know very, very well, and get picked up by her own dad.  In between, she'll be treated to jumpy houses, cake, pizza, party favors and whatever else is included in a kindergartner's birthday party.

First she said she refused to go unless I take her.  Problem is (I'm a very bad mom), I cannot leave work to take my child to a birthday party. 

I've told her I already RSVP'd that she'd be there.  That brought tears.  So I told her she didn't have to go, but everyone in the class would be there.  I also told her that she can't have a birthday party of her own this year because since she ditches everyone else's party, no one will come.  She didn't really care as long as her own family would celebrate with her.

Her dad believes we should encourage her to go without necessarily forcing her, but using language that would give her less choice in the matter, resulting in her going to the party.  While I agree with him, my fear is that of  the throwing the kid in the pool scenario: does that kid really learn to swim or will she forever fear water? 

Ok, I realize this is small stuff in the grand scheme of things but it's the problem of the week.  I hope it's my biggest problem, like, ever, but the point is why is there no handbook for this stuff????

Last night when I asked her if she wanted to go to the store to pick out a present for the birthday boy (my attempt to gently see where she currently stands on topic - after all, she's five and changes her mind as often as the light turns green), her response was that she's not sure she's going.

"But I'm thinking about it, Mom.  I'm thinking about it."

Did I mention she's just five?

Would you like a little t & a with your tech?

I came across this little segment (below) that appeared on the BBC about how many companies employ the use of hot women to lure the mostly male attendees at CES to their booths. In case you are not in the tech industry, the Consumer Electronics Show is the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow where major companies exunveil new products, and pretty much everyone in the tech industry attends.  The piece did a good job of showing both sides of the story but my question is, is this really even a story?

If you watch the piece, you'll see a woman who works in the tech industry who isn't necessarily offended by the blatant use of the the old adage "sex sells" on the show floor, but rather she finds it "uncomfortable" and "weird" and wishes that the message that this is what her sex is here to do (ie, be sexy) would somehow be different. 

Another woman says that the "booth babes" blast an inaccurate message of how women fit into the technology industry.

Hmmm...  I wonder what the ratio of female industry attendees at CES is versus the number of sexy booth babes.  I'm going to bet that there were thousands of women walking the show floor this week versus the few hundred that were working it.  And I'm being generous since this show took place in Vegas after all, and unless something's changed since the last time I was there, a prevailing theme in Vegas happens to be hot women.  Also I wonder if there was food being sold within the walls of CES.  Were the food sellers indicative of who takes part in the tech industry?

No more than the sexy ladies were, my friends.

Ok, clearly I'm a woman and while I'm not a feminist by any stretch, I believe in equal whatever and not only that, I've been part of the tech industry in one way or another since graduating university.  And I'm here to say, this isn't a life thing, it's a world-wide thing.  In case you missed the memo, sex sells.  And these tradeshows are as much about marketing as they are about anything else.

So I'm not surprised that serious tech companies hired Vegas showgirls to, ahem, handle their product at CES, all that surprises me is how lazy this tactic is.  Don't these behemoth brands have high-priced  PR agencies and ad firms on the payroll to help them come up with some new, compelling way to stand-out in a crowd?  Aside from the animal vile man who asked the gal in the booth for her phone number, are we still so intrigued by a little t & a?

Seems so.  I mean, even women (GASP) flock to the stands when People Magazine releases its Sexiest Man Alive feature each year.  And I saw MANY women fixing themselves when Harry Connick Jr. took the stage at Blissdom a few years ago.  I was there and I know I wasn't that taken with his music.  He was just very, very nice to stare at.

Double standard much?

So let's just admit it and get it over with.  We can be smart, motivated, successful women AND we can be sexy - why does one compromise the other?  In fact, it's my humble opinion that one complements the other.  So let's just agree to own it and enjoy the show.

'Booth Babes' Upset CES Women

Alex Casey Baby is officially an Etsy store and FREE SHIPPING!

As many of you know, I've decided to close down my webstore, Alex Casey Baby.  After four+ years, you all seem to love our personalized items so rest assured you will still be able to buy our beautiful customized towels and blankets at my brand-new Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexCaseyBabyOnline.

For a limited time, get free shipping on all orders placed in my new Etsy shop using promo code Freeship2012.  So tell all your friends, since this offer won't last long.  Thanks for your continued support!