The Value of an Integrated Approach to Advancement
Reflecting on the past year's outcomes and digging into this year's goals, I'm grateful to be part of an integrated advancement team at Harper College. Our ability to plan, innovate, and achieve together adds richness and depth to our work. This article by Deborah Brody from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education provides an excellent overview of some benefits of an integrated approach to advancement.
A Few AI Resources and a Pretty Good Playlist
Overwhelmed or confused by all the news about AI and ChatGPT? It's a fast-evolving landscape, but here are a few resources to help navigate where we are now.
HubSpot has put together a playlist on Spotify of AI-related podcasts (along with some spiffy lo-fi music).
I also recommend a recent episode of the Plain English podcast which puts a lot of the AI discussion in perspective, along with describing what Google is up to and explaining the difference between replacement and additive technologies.
Here's a guide to using AI for content operations. You may need to create a free HubSpot account to access it.
The Content Marketing Institute and On24 are offering a free webinar on content marketing and AI on Feb. 15. If you're interested, you can register here.
Have You Checked Your QR Codes Recently?
Emma reminds you to check your QR codes (and your links, too).
Since they’ve made a resurgence, QR codes have helped make shopping, navigation, ordering dinner, and finding showtimes much easier. But easier for whom?
When they work properly QR codes provide your customers with a quick way to access information about your business, product, or service. But generating your QR code is only the beginning.
I recently stood outside the locked doors of a retail store on a cold day when windchills hovered around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. A prominent QR code displayed on the window instructed me to “scan for store hours.” I did and received a “page not found.” message. All of a sudden, the wind blew a little harder and the walk back to my car was a little colder.
How does this happen? Some QR codes do expire. But more likely, a change was made to the company’s website and the QR code wasn’t updated to reflect the new link. I figured this out when, back in the warmth of my car, I clicked on “store hours” on the retailer’s website and it directed me to a product page with no store information.
The lesson? Check your QR codes regularly. And while you’re at it, check your links and the basic information on your website (hours, directions, contact information). Make doing business with your company friction-free for your customers. There are dozens of reasons for them to buy somewhere else, don’t give them another one.
How the pandemic helped spark the use of QR codes: Actually, QR Codes Never Went Away (Don’t Call It A Comeback) - NY Times
And a reminder that misusing QR codes may hurt more than your business: Scott Stratten’s book QR Codes Kill Kittens. (Amazon Associates Link)