Embracing the blurred lines

“Authenticity” is essential in the development of our online professional profile. As we have embarked on topics such as the “Digital visitor-resident continuum” and “Multiple online identities”, the true judgment of “authenticity” is questionable. The issue of drawing the line between personal and professional is inevitable. However, we must realize that this line is getting blurry and as much as we do not want them to be, it is prominent (Forbes 2014). Rather than being cynical about this, might as well embrace it to realize the full potential of it! To achieve this, the development of an “authentic” online professional profile is imperative.

1. Personal Audit
“Why you are a complete idiot if you don’t Google yourself”. In this article, Roger Dooley (2014) discusses the psychology behind our online reputation. As more employers are currently relying on the Web to seek out talent and perform employment background search (Forbes 2011), this would be a crucial step in creating an “authentic” online professional profile.

2. Personal Branding
Upon completing the first step, there may be some things that you may not be too fond of. As we have realized by now, the control that we have over our “online identities” may be limited. This is where personal branding comes into play. Harvard Business Review (2013) reveals that branding is all about being “distinctive, predictable and meaningful”. Integration of all the social media platforms that you utilize may be the key to this. Curation of content on your social media platforms should not be disregarded. “Cleaning up” would be a much simpler term!

The growth of recruitment through social media is staggering. A study by Jobvite (2014) reveals that 73% of recruiters have hired a candidate through social media. But the real question is, what makes these people stand out?

3. “Hyperconnectivity”
Harvard Business Review (2013) reveals this “skill” as one of the three things to master in order to distinct yourself from the rest. But what exactly is “hyperconnectivity”? As defined in the article, it is the “optimization of online experience for others”. This plays a huge role in developing an “authentic” online professional profile. When a reputation is built upon “authenticity”, the credibility of the profile is increased dramatically.

I believe that the development of an “authentic” online professional profile is an iterative process. The user must be able to integrate and curate the content of his information wisely. Only then will the “authenticity” be unquestionable!

References:

Dooley, R., 2014. Why You Are a Complete Idiot If You Don’t Google Yourself. Available at: http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/articles/google-yourself.htm [Accessed December 3, 2014].

Forbes, 2011. 5 Reasons Why Your Online Presence Will Replace Your Resume in 10 years. Forbes. Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2011/02/21/5-reasons-why-your-online-presence-will-replace-your-resume-in-10-years/ [Accessed December 3, 2014].

Forbes, 2014. Trying To Manage Millennials? Give Up And Lead Them Instead. Forbes. Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/georgebradt/2014/05/27/trying-to-manage-millennials-give-up-and-lead-them-instead/ [Accessed December 3, 2014].

Jobvite, 2014. Social Recruiting Survey 2014, United States. Available at: https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Jobvite_SocialRecruiting_Survey2014.pdf.

Review, H.B., 2013. The Future of You. Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2013/01/the-future-of-you/ [Accessed December 3, 2014].

photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc

Online identities forming the “Semantic Web”

The argument for and against multiple online identities is inevitable. As I took on a very skeptical approach towards the topic, I was drawn into mostly the negative aspects that overshadow the real value of the argument. However, after gathering much insight from the various works of my peers, it was clear to me that I have been missing out on the constructive aspect of the argument.

I was very much drawn by Jeanne’s post on how our online identities may impact our employability. As she was discussing this from a view of having a distinct separation between personal and professional sphere, I realized that it was merely impossible to draw this line. After the Hangout#6 with Cristina Costa, I was intrigued by her view on “personal branding” of our online identity. I supported her stand on having a single identity, which we would be in much control of, rather than having multiple identities to draw the line.

Another work that I was pretty fascinated even though the point was briefly mentioned was Angie’s post. She mentioned about how it is a “marketers’ dream come true” when we “sign off” our personal data upon engaging in social media activities. This is prominent, as we have embarked on Web 2.0, where the primary focus is on “interactivity”. This is evident even on sites that require the use of cookies to collect data about our online engagement. As users, we have to be aware of the privacy issues that may be questionable. From a marketing perspective, this is simply astonishing.

The Web is slowly learning our identities, how we behave, who we are. I do strongly believe that with the existence of the “Semantic Web” in the not too distant future, our online identities will play a huge role both in the marketing perspective and our professional lives.

References:

Chu, J., 2014. Who are you, exactly? Available at: https://jeannechucy.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/who-are-you-online-identity/#respond [Accessed December 2, 2014].

Costa, C. & Torres, R., 2011. To be or not to be , the importance of Digital Identity in the networked society. Available at: http://eft.educom.pt/index.php/eft/article/view/216/126.

Ng, A., 2014. Is your digital footprint within your control? Available at: http://yjangie.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/is-your-digital-footprint-within-your-control/comment-page-1/#comment-9 [Accessed December 2, 2014].

TED, 2013. What will a future without secrets look like? TED. Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/alessandro_acquisti_why_privacy_matters [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Wired, 2014. From E-Commerce to Web 3.0: Let the bots do the shopping. Wired. Available at: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/e-commerce-to-web-3-0/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Comments made on:

Chu, J., 2014. Who are you, exactly? Available at: https://jeannechucy.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/who-are-you-online-identity/#respond [Accessed December 2, 2014].

Ng, A., 2014. Is your digital footprint within your control? Available at: http://yjangie.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/is-your-digital-footprint-within-your-control/comment-page-1/#comment-9 [Accessed December 2, 2014].

An online identity, merely an illusion?

Before embarking on the argument for and against having more than one online identity, a proper definition of “online identity” is imperative.

As defined by Internet Society (2014), an online identity is made up of partial identities that represent “you” upon visiting various websites. This may be both voluntary upon leaving your details to create an account or even involuntary where someone who knows you, leave any details about you.

As how this term is defined, it automatically triggers an argument, whether is it really within our control to have an online identity. What more to have more than one online identity? Costa & Torres (2011) argued that while the dilemma of having a separate identity between personal and work is inevitable, the credibility is questioned when the two is separated. I do believe that there is some validity in the argument. While I myself have separate accounts to deal with personal and work, I have to say that it is merely an illusion. I am pretty sure most of us have tried “searching” ourselves on Google. The results are quite staggering and some of us have no idea what we are really in control of.

This control of our online identity may be questioned as we embarked on the Web 2.0, where the primary focus was on interactivity. Where the web was once a “static and passive” tool for the users, “anonymity” was a luxury for the users of the Web 1.0. Convenience has led a move towards the “interactive” web where our online identities are created. While the question whether one should have multiple identities online is merely an illusion: that we have created a “private account” that can only be accessed by those granted permission. But to what extent is this control within our hands.

The argument for and against multiple identities was not evaded on purpose in this post. However, it is imperative to understand that as we are slowly moving into the Web 3.0 also known as the “Semantic Web”, we are sacrificing our online identities for convenience once again. The question is whether it is worth it. As more details about us are being captured, the more valuable it is to organizations. Commercialization has created the Web this way and makes our identities even so much vulnerable. So will the argument for and against multiple identities still exist when we lack control in the first place?

References:

Costa, C. & Torres, R., 2011. To be or not to be , the importance of Digital Identity in the networked society. Available at: http://eft.educom.pt/index.php/eft/article/view/216/126.

PCWorld, 2012. Data Snatchers! The booming market for your online identity. PCWorld. Available at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/258034/data_snatchers_the_booming_market_for_your_online_identity.html [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Society, I., 2014. Online Identity: An Overview. Internet Society. Available at: http://www.internetsociety.org/online-identity-overview [Accessed December 1, 2014].

TED, 2013a. Everyday cybercime – and what you can do about it. TED. Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/james_lyne_everyday_cybercrime_and_what_you_can_do_about_it?awesm=on.ted.com_b07kc [Accessed December 1, 2014].

TED, 2013b. What will a future without secrets look like? TED. Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/alessandro_acquisti_why_privacy_matters [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Wired, 2014. From E-Commerce to Web 3.0: Let the bots do the shopping. Wired. Available at: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/e-commerce-to-web-3-0/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].

photo credit: Yuri Yu. Samoilov via photopin cc

Dear marketers and future employers…

The concept introduced by David S. White and Alison Le Cornu (2011), has sparked different views on how exactly it is defined as. Many of us embarked on the research of the concept and found some interesting pieces of information that were pretty insightful. I was able to relate some of the information that was posted by my course mates to our past modules such as HRM and Strategic Marketing Decisions.

This concept may be valuable in the marketing context where information may be relayed easily to those that “reside” in the digital world. What would pose as a challenge for Marketers are targeting the “visitors” who are wary of their “footprint” online. Even though the target audience of the web may be vast, “segments of one” (Capon & Hulbert 2007) is crucial in the industry. This point was raised indirectly from Ebrahim’s (2014) post on the vulnerabilities of digital “residents”.

Another key factor that was taken from this topic is the “learning” that takes place around the online environment. Yvonne (2014) raised a point: stating that human interaction may not be well received by students. I do agree to a certain extent in her point. However, I do believe that there is a need for students to be exposed to the online environment as the expectation of future employers on Millennials may lie in our “online network” (Forum 2014).

With that being said, I do see a huge potential in how this concept may be brought forward. Is it just digital “visitors” and “residents” that Marketers or future employers should be concerned of? Many of us do not realize that sometimes, it is not even a choice for us whether to leave a “footprint”. A swipe of a card at any stores would simply mean, “signing off” our personal information to companies!

References:

Capon, N. & Hulbert, J.M., 2007. Managing Marketing in the 21st Century: Developing and Implementing the Market Strategy, Wessex Incorporated. Available at: http://books.google.com.sg/books/about/Managing_Marketing_in_the_21st_Century.html?id=RQFticcBQRwC&pgis=1 [Accessed November 28, 2014].

Forum, W.E., 2014. Five way Talent Management must change. World Econmic Forum. Available at: http://forumblog.org/2014/10/don-tapscott-talent-management-millennials/ [Accessed November 27, 2014].

Loh, Y., 2014. A new age of “Digital Residents”? Available at: http://yvonneblogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/digital-visitors-and-residents/#respond [Accessed November 28, 2014].

Shakir, E., 2014. The World Online. Available at: https://ebrahimshakir.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/the-world-online/.
[Accessed November 28, 2014].

White, D.S. & Cornu, A. Le, 2011. Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9). Available at: http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3171/3049 [Accessed November 27, 2014].

Comments made on:

Loh, Y., 2014. A new age of “Digital Residents”? Available at: http://yvonneblogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/digital-visitors-and-residents/#respond [Accessed November 28, 2014].

Shakir, E., 2014. The World Online. Available at: https://ebrahimshakir.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/the-world-online/.
[Accessed November 28, 2014].

A new typology, or a modernized concept of the old?

The concept of digital “visitors” and “residents” is believed to be an update of the concept of “digital natives and immigrants” introduced by Prensky (2001). A ‘replacement’ as described by David S. White and Alison Le Cornu (2011), would very much suggest that Prensky’s work was absolutely redundant. Although the much-criticized work by Prensky was even questioned by Prensky himself in 2009, there is some validity in his work, to be more precised, at his point of time. As the study was done more than 10 years ago, a more updated concept of the typology was introduced as digital “visitors” and “residents”.

As I ventured upon the concept, I realized I was pretty much trying to put myself on the ends of the continuum:

Figure 1: Visitor-Resident continuum (White & Cornu 2011)

However, the concept became much clearer when I came across videos and articles by JISC. To explain this concept further, I was introduced to a ‘mapping process’ (JISCinfonet 2014) and created my own V&R map:

Figure 2: My personal V&R Mapping

As how we were once ‘boxed up’ or categorized as digital “natives” or “immigrants”, the expectation of the digital “natives” were to be more au fait with anything and everything that has to do with technology. And “immigrants” to have to learn it like a “second language”. But how true is that today? That is where the concept of a Visitor-Resident continuum came about.

Age and generation does not constitute to whether one is a “visitor” or a “resident”. It is not even a mutually exclusive category where we may classify ourselves. It is merely a continuum where we perceive ourselves to be. And most of the time, we lie somewhere in the middle. “Context” would define where we would lie in the continuum. To prove my point, I do believe some of us were very much inclined in creating a separate Twitter account for this particular module. And that would suggest that there is a fine line drawn between personal and institutional/work life. Prof. Edgar Meyer briefly introduced this concept when he asked, “would you add your boss on Facebook?” The debate sparked many different views on how our engagement online may create implications. That debate would probably explain why the bottom right quadrant, would always be empty for most people.

Whether I myself, am a “visitor” or a “resident”, is a question I would very much want to know at the end of this module!

References:

JISCinfonet, 2014. Evaluating digital services: a Visitors and Residents approach. Available at: http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/infokits/evaluating-services/ [Accessed November 27, 2014].

Prensky, B.M., 2001. Digital Natives , Digital Immigrants. , pp.1–6. Available at: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky – Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants – Part1.pdf.

White, D.S., 2014. Visitors and Residents, UK. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPOG3iThmRI&list=PLgO50IKGkqyaX21RaPiSpCKsf87O8S0Yv.

White, D.S. & Cornu, A. Le, 2011. Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9). Available at: http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3171/3049 [Accessed November 27, 2014].

A little bit about…

Hello digital world; visitors and residents! My name is Khairul Fahmi. If you are reading this right now, you are probably doing the same thing as I am, affiliated to University of Southampton’s BSc in Marketing, either pursuing it or assisting Prof. Lisa in delivering this module! If you’re neither, you are still welcome to stay though!

A little about myself: I graduated with a Diploma in Aviation Management and Services from Temasek Polytechnic. And well many, if not all, have asked what exactly am I doing here in BSc in Marketing. At times, I do ask myself the same thing, but I got that figured out. I do believe that this course would allow me to broaden my scope in the future. With the growing emphasis on ‘big data’, the course is structured to fill this skill gap that many companies are facing in most industries. “Promising”, we all sure hope so!

Outside of the school curriculum, I fill my days with serenades; strumming of guitar, doing up covers of my favourite songs. Weekend nights turned into a healthy lifestyle; Futsal with mates. And at times, it is always good to catch up with old mates over coffee, enjoying the breeze by the sea at East Coast.

So that is just a little bit about me. I am pretty sure everyone is looking forward to this module!

Cheerios!