Publications

Non just a new book on social media

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Hi everyone! I am happy to announce that a book I have been working on with my co-authors, talented teachers and learning designers from Unitec has been published! Even an astrologist I came across on Facebook said that May is supposed to be a turning point for me (lol).

Global Perspectives on Social Media in Tertiary Learning and Teaching: Emerging Research and Opportunities by I. Piven, R. Gandell, Maryann Lee & A Simpson is a scholarly publication that embeds innovative current pedagogical practices into new and redeveloped courses, and introduces digital and online learning tools to best support teaching practices. A range of topics includes collaborative learning, innovative learning environments, and blended teaching. This book might be helpful for educators, academics, researchers, and professionals within higher education.

Finally, a few book reviews:

“The topical nature of the subject matter is tremendously appropriate for educators who find themselves in a global teaching landscapebook on social media in education where culturally relevant practices are essential to student engagement and success”.

“The issues, problems, and trends are given appropriate emphasis, particularly in terms of presenting the overall idea of social media as a key component of emerging pedagogies in post-secondary education”.

“The book is very strong when it addresses specific practices associated with the use of social media to enhance a class. Inclusion of specific recommendations and responses of both students and instructors provided clear illustration of the concepts and practices…”

“Specific responses and reactions from those participating as designers or consumers of the teaching practices provided strong support for the positions taken in the book. The use of research studies also moved the book into the realm of current science, making the book timely and topical”.

I’d love your feedback!

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Hall of Fame

Happy Chinese New Year!

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Titirangi roosters by Justine McFarlane, 2014

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! All the best for the Year of the Rooster! As one of my favourite Chinese proverbs says – don’t be afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still.

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Titirangi curious rooster by Inna Piven, 2015
Hall of Fame, Publications

Social Media and Brand Communities

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Before social media, marketing communications was a relatively stable and predictable business; the traditional approaches generally worked, keeping advertisers and PR managers satisfied. The emergence of social media has flipped the marketing world on its head. Suddenly, businesses start questioning whether social media is the best channel, as so many suggest, to reach consumers.

At Otago Polytechnic (Auckland campus) I taught marketing courses. The entire point was to get my students to develop a habit to scan everything when it comes to marketing – from a company’s day-to-day operation to its social media presence. As you may guess, social media remains one of the most popular topics in my classes. From my students’ perspectives, business on social platforms should be working towards one big idea – building a community. The idea isn’t new. However, whether businesses are capable of building a community on social media or not is debatable.

In a publication by Harvard Business Review, Henry Mintzberg advised, “If you want to understand the difference between a network and a community, ask your Facebook friends to help paint your house” (2015). There is also no agreement between academic and marketing practitioners regarding whether brand communities emerging on social media should be seen and treated in the same way as traditional (face-to-face) ones.

It seems that Giapo Ice Cream shop and Mr Vintage t-shirt company (Auckland) are not aware of this debate. They somehow know how to develop a highly participative brand fellowship off and on social media. This is what my research participants say about them:

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Giapo Ice Cream, Auckland. Photo credit: Zomato, NZ

He [Giapo] has created his following, and the other day he is like ‘ok, I need feijoa leaves; who’s got feijoa leaves?’ and everybody offered feijoa leaves, and he got them for free. This way he has made Twitter feel like they are a part of his endeavour. (*feijoa – an evergreen shrub or small tree that bears edible green fruit resembling guavas. It is native to tropical South America and cultivated in New Zealand for its fruit).

 Mr. Vintage has done a really good job building a brand around themselves as a cheeky kind of company that uses the community they’ve created really well… they’re always producing t-shirts that people have suggested. 

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Hamiltron’ by Mr Vintage, City of the Future. Photo credit: Mr Vintage for grabonestore.co.nz

If you still think that all electronic devices can do is to put people in touch with a keyboard, ask your Facebook friends to help you with your house renovation. I’m sure they will.

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My happily-ever-after in business

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Quite some time ago I came across a brilliant book called ‘Mischief Marketing’ by Jean-Luc Ginder. While it was full of simple and often trivial advice, there was one thing that helped me make sure my business wasn’t boring… and that I wasn’t getting bored of it either.

One of the essentials for finding your happily-ever-after in business is to enjoy the process. Believe me, having a sense of enjoyment and excitement when it comes to your business is by far more important than your results in finance, marketing and management…however in saying that, before you get too comfortable, having impressive results definitely doesn’t hurt. At the end of the day, if you want to make your customers fall in love with your product/service, become the most devoted fan of your company first. Experiment with your business processes, play with design and constantly look for new ideas.

I have plenty of examples of New Zealand companies who stand out of the crowd. They offer experiences that no one else would offer. If you are going to Dunedin, have a cuppa in  the cosy and welcoming atmosphere at Modaks, the most popular hipster cafe. They have hundreds of old gig posters and Ryan Gosling pics instead of traditional table numbers 🙂modaks_2

Hall of Fame

It’s never too early to learn barista skills

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Adler is such a star in the making. A 3 years old barista was discovered by the popular coffee blog from beanhunter.com While searching for the best coffee spots all over the world, they came across Bindle Coffee located in Fort Collins, Colorado.

According to their website, Bindle Coffee provides a space and environment that gives people room to breathe, to dream and to enjoy beautiful food & coffee. Bindle is the forging of artistry and ritual. It is restorative and comforting. And it is also adorable. Have a look at how Adler makes a decaf cappuccino under his dad’s supervision. So cute:)

You can also share your best coffee shops/cafes’ experiences using Beanhunter app. The video was made by Benjamin Dinsmore.

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New Zealand retailers know how to grab passers-by’ attention

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Funny Display in New Lynn Mall

I have a lifelong habit – collecting funny/smart/interesting/weird business-related bits and pieces. New Zealand businesses seem to know well how to capture attention of passers-by without traditional “SALES” and “50% OFF” displays. Well, it is simple – you need a content customers can relate to and may be inclined to publically share. It’s also well known that consumers are more likely to feel emotionally connected to a brand if elements of humor and entertainment are incorporated into their brand experiences (Piven, I. & Breazeale, M., 2016). And yes, I’ve shared this display from New Lynn Mall on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… you name it.

Chiliad of things. Business & life in general