2008: EXPAND YOUR EDUCATION NETWORK
(a.k.a. THE PERSON SITTING BESIDE YOU IN CLASS
COULD BE YOUR FUTURE BOSS!)

The past few weeks have been filled with pride as I edit nearly 100 exams and final projects! 2008 marks the start of my third year as an adjunct university professor—a perfect complement to my consulting career and something I truly love.

I find if you cultivate a strong learning community (class), things really start to take off! After a few weeks, individuals open up and motivate each other toward success. A quick New Year’s lesson: Develop your intellectual, civic and social networks and individual/collective success will surely follow!

This year, I’m looking forward to a bright new year of talented souls and intellectual exchange. If you’d like to hone your communications skills, why not consider a writing class? Whether you’re in investment banking, global investigations and securities or public affairs, everyone is strengthening their communications techniques. There’s still time to register for Spring ‘08 at http://scps.nyu.edu; “Writing on the Job” and “Writing Essentials for Public Relations and Corporate Communications,” are taught by yours truly!

Writers continue to be in short supply and hot demand; it’s “the” skill of the 21^st Century. Thus, we all have the capacity to become a “knowledge workers,” to quote management guru Peter F. Drucker. Blogs offer the opportunity to immediately publish our vision, pitch ideas and push unique perspectives into the world!

Before you know it, a new semester begins at City College of New York (CCNY), where I teach several Advertising/Public Relations courses in the Media Communications Arts (MCA) department. Last semester, I was honored to teach sophomores, juniors and seniors. This gave me a wonderful perspective of young talent. Corporate, entertainment and sports managers, get ready for some outstanding talent!

Students in my Intro to PR class were so talented … it was scary (glad I’m not in direct competition with them for a gig). I remain impressed, even though the semester ended weeks ago. Their diligence has me truly looking forward to seeing them again at the end of January for Corporate Communications. And, I’m working now to develop rigorous assignments to propel them to achieve the careers of their dreams.

Set high standards … individuals believe, achieve and succeed! In two weeks, the illustrious Intro to PR class crafted full-scale integrated marketing communications (IMC) campaigns. Student-selected topics included:

> New York Knicks reputation enhancement campaign;

> Tyler Perry Meet the Brown’s national movie premiere;

> Je Nais Se Quoi launch—new magazine for New York women;

> D by Dior launch—Christian Dior extension line complete with “for impact” advocacy campaign for Dress for Success;

> Healthy Living lifestyle/wellness campaign for the college market; and

> Nas’ new CD “Ni**er”—Crisis Management, including sit downs and dialogues with entertainment moguls, politicians and community advocates working together to address and rectify urban challenges.

While these young minds enter the full-time job market in 2009; they’re available now for internships! Tomorrow: advocacy recommendations for Africa’s Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, submitted by brilliant CCNY Corporate Communications colleagues.