In our Summer issue I wrote my opening letter from the publisher 

 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 

Fields Jackson, Jr  

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - DO YOU KNOW WHO IS ON YOUR TEAM?

I have recently accepted an adjunct professor position with Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois http://www.csu.edu- where I will be teaching an on-line undergraduate business course - MKTG 3705 – ENTREPRENEURIAL SALES & MARKETING. I am excited about this opportunity and will use this course to discuss the impact of social media on business and communities.

My goal is to develop a case study - that will be picked up by blogs, magazines and other business schools around the country, as a training tool for the new social media realities and how they intersect with diversity and inclusion. With all the focus on customers, strategy, execution etc... it leaves one key question. Do you know who is on your social media team within your organization?

 My first class at Chicago state is coming to an end.  As part of their final assignment I asked my students to write 200 word paper on what have you learned about social media and what do you plan to do with your personal brand - Twitter page or Facebook page. 

With the help of Tasha Strickland, my executive assistant we have picked the top three papers

Here is paper # 2

 Ramoul Glispie

11/30/2011

Chicago State University

Marketing 3705

I have learned that social media can be a great marketing tool especially for entrepreneurs or smalls businesses who cannot afford the traditional way of marketing. It gives potential customers the ability to connect with business owner’s personal brand. Social media also acts as a review hub, giving the consumer the ability to leave honest feedback on your brand/product. In addition consumers can also learn more about your brand/product through social media. Such as, location, in-depth details, reviews, comments and contact information.

 The way I would use social media to my advantage would be to market my personal brand via social media cites. To navigate people to my social cites I would setup contest for my target audience. Facebook contest would consist of the first one hundred people who like my business would receive a half off coupon for their purchase. The contest would be the same for the Twitter followers. Once I am linked to them I would then begin to feed information through my social media links, such as menus or specials that arise throughout the year. In addition to Facebook and Twitter, I would create viral videos that give actual customer testimonies on how good their experience was at my establishment.

 Overall I have learned that social media may be the most powerful free marketing a business could have.