I hope posting again so quickly doesn't confuse you or detract from my post about buyer persona's, but I came across a fascinating news piece that relates to higher education and social media. While we haven't explored this concept yet, I'd argue that modern mobile phone technology can sometimes be considered social media sites. For example, iPhone's allow to group chat with many contacts. The Words With Friends app allows you to play scrabble with many other people and message back and forth. Overall, the concept of app's can be very social.
With this in mind, check out the video below from an applicant to Stanford's Computer Science Program:
To quote a Huffington Post Blog, "hat better way for an aspiring computer scientist to stand out than to build a custom iPhone application to communicate his personality and drive?." Personally, I think he is applying principles that we are learning in this course, maybe even the concept of Scott's buyer personas. Alex Greene's buyer's are the Stanford admissions counselors. They are looking for above average and creative students. He found a way to communicate with them that was interesting, and demonstrated that he met their needs.
What do you all think? Is this appropriate? Or has it maybe opened the door for other hopefully applicants to market themselves to your college?
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/alex-greene-stanford_n_2664389.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003
Hi Kate, thanks for sharing that video. I thought the app Alex created was a creative way to show what he can do. It's one thing to say that you've built apps and have an interest in usability, but it's another to prove it. To me, this is an example of how experience doing things the traditional way--no matter what the industry or profession--can hold us back from seeing how technology could enable us to do it completely differently. How many college admissions staff would have thought to suggest that an applicant do this? My guess is not many, not because they don't use apps, but because they already have a perception of what the application process looks like. Sometimes when we think we know how something should be done, we have a hard time seeing better ways. We need more Alexes in our workplaces! I think this is very much in line with Scott's themes in The New Rules of Marketing & PR.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian- you know, I didn't even think about it from your perspective that "doing things the traditional way--no matter what the industry or profession--can hold us back from seeing how technology could enable us to do it completely differently." But you are so right! This student used the available technology, and thought outside the box. Media commenting on this have noted that the app probably will not be on the most downloaded list because it targets a very specific audience. But I disagree. It may get lots of downloads from people who are inspired by him, find it entertaining or future employers who are wowed by him. Needless to say, Alexs's Green is getting his brand out there!
DeleteI saw this on another news source too so the word, and concept, are getting around. I had the same thoughts as Brian when I saw this. Talk about setting goals and knowing your customer.
ReplyDeleteSocial media (which I would agree involves smartphone technology) is essentially an endless platform of communication and it is so inspiring to see how various creative people are utilizing it. In our Facebook group for COMI610 I actually shared something similar - the gentleman who created a 'for sale' resume through Amazon. With our economy's harsh unemployment rates people are simply becoming creative! I am eager to know, was Alex accepted?
ReplyDeleteThe For Sale resume on Amazon was so creative...and it was so interesting to see how many responses he get. Regarding Alex's acceptance, I think I want to see if he has a blog or twitter to see about the acceptance. As a higher ed professional, I know acceptance letters from competitive universities usually are given sometime between March-April (unless he did early decision). I'll do my best to find out.
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