Cyber-Relations

I once heard someone describe the development of humanity by comparing it to a coin that you throw into those big spiral wishing wells, where the coin goes around and around quite slowly at first, and then gradually it begins to pick up speed, moving faster and faster until, when it’s right at the bottom, it’s spinning so fast you can barely see it. I can’t say I know exactly where society is headed, but I do feel like we are moving at a fast rate of change. 

Sometimes I find myself blown away by the fact that the internet even exists.  In a very short period of time, our methods of communication evolved into something far more instant than ever before. The rate of advancement in terms of technological developments in our society seem rapid and I wonder what kind of impact this will have on professions such as PR, marketing and advertising. The government has attempted to start making some big changes in the way the Internet exists - with more regulation and corporate domination since old media industries are dying. 

New media is a powerful tool and one that’s constantly evolving. I think it’s a great development for PR and marketing communications. I don't know what it implies for the individual, but I’m interested to see where it goes from here. 

Crisis Communication...

... at Champlain College

The chapter on Crisis Communications reminded me about the pamphlets in each Champlain classroom that walk you through the steps to take given an emergency of any kind. I find these little pamphlets to be kind of amusing, because in all honesty, if there actually WAS a crisis or emergency situation, I highly doubt anyone would take the time to thumb through a bunch of papers tacked onto a wall next to the door. It’s too bulky and time consuming to read in a situation like that.

It’s my fourth year here at Champlain and I can’t ever remember having any sort of “crisis management” seminar where the school talks about steps to take during an actual emergency. There may have been some sort of precursor speech my freshman year during orientation, but I can’t really remember, so it must not have been very poignant if such a thing did take place.

Preparing for a crisis beforehand will make everything flow smoother if something does happen

As Champlain is a privately owned university, I’d be curious to know what kind of precautionary measurements have been taken outside of the pamphlets in each classroom. Surely there must be a master plan in regards to approaching stakeholders, donors and the media. But as a student, I think it would be beneficial if Champlain were to revise their emergency information by simplifying it into an easy-to read poster or image that is quickly read just by glancing at it, instead of having to stop and leaf through to the appropriate section.