Little Red's Big Ideas

USA.gov Offers Links to Resolution Solutions - Why not do the same?

USA.gov is a fantastic site.  I like to think that I personally help pay for it with my tax dollars.  While searching stories about popular New Year's Resolutions for 2010,this list popped up front and center in my Google Search Engine.  I clicked on it and was treated to an interesting public relations idea that I wanted to share with my blog readers.  I hope you'll borrow it as a great way to attract traffic to your web site as the new year unfolds. 

The Idea -- Posted at USA.gov is a list of the most popular New Year's Resolutions (you know what they are because you probably make and break them most years).  But the list is proactive as it offers links directly to the place or places on the site that can help visitors reach their goals.  So, why not adapt this for your own organization as you offer links within your website to help people reach their personal, professional or family's goals this year.  For example:

Spend more time with family might link to upcoming family events and activities.

Lose Weight, Get Fit can link to any or all of your fitness classes, gym membership information or walking trail maps

Volunteer more -could lead visitors to information about volunteer opportunities and an on-line application

Find a job I love - might link to your job postings and your commitment to recruiting and creating a top notch work force

Take control of my finances -could link to a financial management or budgeting class you're offering (or a class offered by another community organization)

Even though you might not be able to get your list and links posted until the middle of January, don't miss the chance to implement this idea.  You can always make a resolution to post this type of list earlier next year.  

Fitness Trends 2010 - Cheap, Convenient and Engaging

 

The American Council on Exercise announced the top 10 fitness trends for 2010, based on an annual survey of personal trainers, group fitness experts and others. The key words are unique and efficient.

"We understand that people are busier than ever and will look for workouts that offer the results they seek while fitting within their already jampacked schedules," said the council's Cedric X. Bryant.

The following represents ACE's listing of the top fitness trends for 2010:

• Cost-Conscious Workouts at Fitness Clubs and at Home: The impact of the economy continues to affect the choices of fitness enthusiasts and health clubs alike. Gyms will alter programming and training to better serve the needs of the cost-conscious member, while in- home workouts utilizing small, portable fitness equipment will be popular among individuals watching their budgets.
• Group Training: Individuals will scale back on personal training sessions to take advantage of small-group training and group class participation as another way to save on expenses. Health clubs may alter some programs to better suit the needs of larger groups. Likewise, individuals may find that the group setting offers additional motivation and support of their fitness efforts.
• Time-Efficient Workouts for the Time-Pressured American: Shorter yet higher- intensity workouts will be more appealing to those with busy schedules because they can reap significant fitness rewards with relatively minimal time investment. Boot-camp style workouts will continue to be one of the most popular of these trends in 2010, offering the ability to burn a sufficiently large number of calories while simultaneously improving muscular fitness. Circuit training will also be a time-efficient workout of choice due to its combined strength and endurance activities.
• Exergaming: Exergames will continue to climb in popularity and be taken to the next level: fitness clubs. By integrating fitness-based video games into their programming, clubs will offer unique exercise sessions for game-lovers and those looking for variety within their workouts. Studies conducted by ACE on exergaming-type systems, including Nintendo's Wii Sports and Wii Fit and the PC-based Dancetown, offer insight into the true fitness benefits associated with these alternative fitness options.
• Boomer-Specific Programs: Special fitness programming for aging adults will remain a strong trend next year. Growing numbers of boomers recognize the multitude of benefits that come along with regular exercise participation, from lowering blood pressure and cholesterol to maintaining one's functional independence and overall wellbeing.
• Functional Training Workouts: Functional training workouts will increase in variety, including popular suspension training tools such as TRX. The portability and time- efficiency of these workouts will appeal to people looking to stay fit at home, the office, the gym or while traveling.
• Health and Fitness Awareness: The importance of health and fitness is gaining greater awareness among commercial and governmental organizations. There will be a strong movement towards collaboration between these groups and health and fitness organizations throughout the New Year. These diverse groups will work together in the fight against physical inactivity and obesity.
• Importance of Proper Professional Credentials: Health and fitness clubs are recognizing the need for, and the importance of, hiring trainers who hold high-quality, reputable professional credentials. NCCA-accredited fitness certification is fast becoming the recognized stamp of approval for credentialing quality in the fitness industry. ACE is among the few organizations to which the National Commission for Certifying Agencies grants this accreditation for certification programs.
• Specialty Exercise Classes: Specialty classes such as ethnic dance, hooping, pole dancing and Zumba will remain popular due in part to the continued success of shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. Fusion-type classes will be popular among fitness enthusiasts that want to switch up their typical workout programs. Additionally, more gyms will offer unique group exercise programs and mind-body activities.
• Fitness Training Tools: Technology is continuing to infiltrate the fitness world. The use of tracking and online training and scheduling tools will increase in the coming year with more people looking to better gauge their progress by accessing and monitoring details of their fitness programs. Some popular examples of tracking gadgets include GoWear fit and Fitbit, while online tools such as TrainingPeaks software offer fitness programs and meal plans that people can access 24-7. Mobile applications are even bringing fitness on-the-go through iPhone applications and other downloadable programming.

Social Media Trends and Predictions

I love the end of the year with all its peace on earth and goodwill toward men.  But I'm I'm a sucker for all the Top Ten and Best-of lists that showcase all the good, bad and ugly we've witnessed throughout the past year (and in this case) the past decade.  Some of the lists are purely entertaining while other do a great job filtering a lot of data into manageable information for the rest of us.  Mashable.com (which itself is a filtering site for social media) offers a wonderful article in which social media experts predict trends for 2010.  The article is based on a larger study While some of the predictions seems pretty obvious:

“Social media in 2010 will cease being the shiny new object and instead become part of the everyday lexicon of business.” - Charlene Li, Founder, Altimeter Group)

Others truly focus on future opportunities:

 “Look for social to become less about the ‘what is it’ and even more about the ROI.” - Marc Meyer, principal, Digital Marketing Response Group.

Here's a link to a SlideShare presentation  from TrendSpotting Market Research which highlights more interesting trends and predictions to sophisticated cyber bullying to flash mobs. 

Comment below to share ways your agency or organization has slowly or quickly jumped on the the booming social networking bandwagon...

Exclusive Offer: Ebook Offers Simple Social Networking Solutions

Pam Broviak who now works as the Assistant Director of Public Works at the City of Geneva, Illinois is a  long time Information Technology expert who has been around the park and recreation block.  Pam also understands public agencies.  In a nutshell, Pam understand YOU! 

She used this knowledge to create an eBook entitled "Your Social Media Journey Begin Here"which is a fantastic resource for those needing a super-simple step-by-step guide to setting up social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked In.  Pam has generously allowed me to post a FREE link to this eBook for my webinar attendees and blog readers.  (The book sells for $29) By clicking on this link you will be able to download and print this beautiful book (if you have a colored printer -- it's well worth the ink!)

A note from the author, Pam Broviak...
 
Here are the links to my social media guide. You will see it is primarily focused on the business use of social media for those working in government, engineering, or public works. Feel free to give out the links to anyone that you think might benefit from it.  

PDF format:
http://www.publicworksgroup.com/YSMJBH09/YSMJBH09.PDF
 
Digital book format:
http://en.calameo.com/read/0000043394d0ae4b1e4af
 
 
Here's Pam's' contact info:

Pam Broviak, PE
Pam Renoir (Second Life name)
Public Works Group
Public Works island in Second Life
http://www.publicworksgroup.com
mailto:pwg@publicworksgroup.com
 

If you plan to download the book please shoot Pam an thank you email at pbroviak@geneva.il.us.  It helps eBook publishers track distribution, too.

Don't forget to invite Pam and ME to become your fan, friend and follower once you're up and running!  (If you don't know what I'm talking about, don't worry. Once you read Pam's book, you'll feel like an expert!

Time Magazine Cover Story: The Growing Backlash Against Overparenting

While other publications were talking turkey (literally), Time Magazine's Thanksgiving Week cover photo (left) depicted a mom and her bubble-wrapped boy.  The story, which you can read in its entirety by clicking here,highlighted the growing trend of overparenting.   As camp and youth services professionals, you have seen, heard and dealt with "helicopter parents" for the past five to ten years.  Most have witnessed some of the hysteria mentioned in the article's opening paragraph:

"The insanity crept up on us slowly; we just wanted what was best for our kids. We bought macrobiotic cupcakes and hypoallergenic socks, hired tutors to correct a 5-year-old's "pencil-holding deficiency," hooked up broadband connections in the treehouse but took down the swing set after the second skinned knee. We hovered over every school, playground and practice field — "helicopter parents," teachers christened us, a phenomenon that spread to parents of all ages, races and regions. Stores began marketing stove-knob covers and "Kinderkords" (also known as leashes; they allow "three full feet of freedom for both you and your child") and Baby Kneepads (as if babies don't come prepadded). The mayor of a Connecticut town agreed to chop down three hickory trees on one block after a woman worried that a stray nut might drop into her new swimming pool, where her nut-allergic grandson occasionally swam. A Texas school required parents wanting to help with the second-grade holiday party to have a background check first. Schools auctioned off the right to cut the carpool line and drop a child directly in front of the building — a spot that in other settings is known as handicapped parking. "

Please share your best helicopter parent stories in he comment section below.  Writing about these experiences are good therapy and will help you realize you're not alone.  Eye rolling encouraged!