Do we always have to say 'yes'?

This post is inspired by Nicole Crimaldi of "Mscareergirl.com", who wrote an excellent blog post this week about women and their need to say "yes" to everything.  Her article is entitled "A Remedy for the Pleasing Disease," and it is definitely worth checking out.

I think that this is definitely a relevant issue (for women in particular) in all areas of life, especially in work and social environments.  Crimaldi describes in her post how she once RSVPd to 3 weddings happening in the same weekend all in different cities.  From personal experience, I hate saying no to things, but in the long run I end up exhausting myself and regretting saying yes to everything. So, nowadays I make my best effort to follow through, but don't dwell over something if I can't do it.

The problem with saying 'yes' to everything is that we don't end up benefitting ourselves or our clients.  For instance, in public relations if we say yes to and promise a client everything not only will the bar be set too high, but if we fail..it ends up hurting us in the long run.  Nobody is expected to do everything.  My advice  is to say yes to the things that really matter, and leave the rest to how you feel.  Yahoo.com also gives some great tips on how to say 'no'.  See here: How to say no!

Social Networking Your Way Across the World

It's been a hectic week and while a lot has happened in the news over the past few days (Steve Jobs Iphone 4 conference, the plug in the BP oil spill) i've decided not to write about them.  Instead, I want to write about the new wave of travel sites and the hospitality industry's evolution over the past year or so.

This morning, while munching on a raspberry scone and drinking my ice coffee, I perused the travel section of the New York Times and stumbled on a very interesting article, "Europe Without Hotels."  The article describes the new wave of traveling for many--social networking and using sites, such as http://www.airbnb.com/ and http://www.crashpadder.com/ (newly referred to as 'Social B & B's).  These sites enable travelers to stay at locals' apartments with the comforts of "home" and a much smaller price tag.  As the article mentions, "these sites rely on social networking and everyone is encourage to have a 'back story and a face."

Personally, I find the idea of "Social B & B's" brilliant.  Who wouldn't want to stay at a nice apartment right near the Louvre for cheap?  From experience, I remember that when I was traveling across Europe it would have been nice to stay a place a little bit more "homey" instead of moving from hostel to hotel to hostel.  I hope more industries follow lead and take to social networking to revolutionize their business models.

My question to you all is: would you stay at a Social B & B?  I know I would.

Lebron's choice to state his decision "live" on ESPN: Good or Bad Choice?

So it would be crazy for me not to write about Lebron James after his decision aired live in front of millions of people last night (I can't believe he didn't go to the Knicks!).  I have to give it to ESPN and whoever organized "the decision" special..it was a great way to maximize on the NBA's pr and the Boys and Girls club pr.  My question for you all, though, was do you think it was a good choice or a bad joice for Lebron James in particular?

Lebron has already received a ton of negative backlash from other the teams, in particular the Cavaliers.  Immediately following his decision, people in Ohio were already burning his jersey (extreme much?).  See this article on ESPN's efforts to defend Lebron and his decision after last night's program.  The article states, "Lebron has just alientated a whole state." 

I am wondering if Lebron hadn't created such a media storm over his decision, if he would have received more positive pr?  I am sure that every ohio reporter has crafted a negative piece on him today, and he's probably regretting creating an entire "ESPN special" for it.  Honestly, I think that Lebron shouldn't have made his decision so public via the media, which is why I think he has received so much criticism over his decision. 

He stated during the press conference that "I had to do what was best for me."  Well, what would have been best for him was to avoid the media and make the decision quietly.  Don't worry Lebron, the media would have picked up on it regardless!
  

Bravo TV's on our "shit list"

So I guess this post falls into the "nonsense" category as it doesn't really have to do with PR but I felt it was worth blogging about.  Today I read a post on http://prbreakfastclub.com/ that is hilarious-It was exactly what I was thinking.

The article is entitled "Bravto TV #fail" and it talks about the author's obession with the "Real Housewives of NY/NJ"-(specifically NJ).  Now I must avow that myself, like the author, is sickly obsessed with the "Real Housewives." Honestly, I could spend hours mindlessly watching the show.  The funny thing about it, is that the Real Houswives of NJ isn't really an exaggeration--there are people like that in NJ.  Anyway, the author mentions how Bravo's previews were incredibly deceptive, as they showed the "knife episode" (the most anticipated episode of this season" that was supposed to air on monday.  Instead, nothing noteworthy really happened-as Danielle was being her usual ridiculous self.

Now this begs the question, if it was fair for Bravo to air scenes from the wrong episode to entice viewers?  Honestly, it makes me mad, but I think that this is the only way that they'll get viewers.  I wouldn't watch it if I didnt' think that the season would lead up to anything dramatic (cop cars and knives, anyone?).  What do you guys think?

Happy 4th everyone!