Where does a business cross the line from smart business development via social media to "over-social" behavior that scares prospects away?

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

I don't mind companies having a Facebook, Twitter, Youtube or other types of pages. However, it just bothers me when they lose sight of WHY they should have those kinds of pages. I don't want to visit your empty YouTube page, it should have your commercials or product sample vids or something! I don't want to follow you on Twitter just for you to pump the same advertisments down my throat that everyone spouts, give me useful info, announcments, tech/customer support, something of value. And I definitely don't want to "like" a Facebook page just for a banner ad or a few pictures of your magazine ads; there should be a fully interactive, media experience there to engage and enlighten the consumer! Without the right elements, social media can be incomplete or just plain annoying!

That is what Stylez thinks! What do you think? What companies do you think are breaking the rules and best practices of social media?

How many of us really have TIME to be a good Mentor?

This was a poll and at the time, 46% said they had the time, 15% said they didn't, 31% said only if the mentee was seeking relevant professional help and 8% were undecided!!! That's 23% of people who either wouldn't give their time or didn't know if they would have time to mentor someone! Keep in mind, these are answers given by PROFESSIONALS! People with good jobs, working for great corporations! That's a sad state of affairs I think!

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

I agree with the 46%, and I think that it doesn't take A LOT of time, because you don't have to dedicate an entire workday to being a mentor. But also I must say, it is a two-way street! There must be commitment from both parties, the mentor and the mentee, in order to add value! When I was younger, I had a mentor who spent about an hour a day (two hours on one day each week) helping me with life lessons and providing support for whatever activities I was invovled in. That was beneficial to me for the lessons I learned and the attributes I gained such as supporting others, caring and professionalism. It was beneficial for my mentor's time because I actually listened and applied the lessons and advice he gave me! The thing is, you don't always have to seek out a person to mentor and go to a special place, like my mentor did. Sometimes, being a mentor is just about helping and guiding the people around you that need your expertise and experience. It's about providing sound advice when asked and taking a few minutes out your day to lend a hand to person who needs your help! I try to do that with anyone I come across, because I wouldn't be where I am if someone had not done that for me! Get involved, lend a hand, give back, be sounding board, whatever it takes, because believe me, if you don't provide the positive; there's someone MORE THAN WILLING to give that person the negative! And that would be a sad state of affairs, indeed!

That is what Stylez thinks! What do you think!? Let me know!

So What Does Stylez Think?

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I was on Facebook this EARLY morning and ran into a quote on a friend's status:

"If you can't solve it, it's not a problem--it's reality." -B. Colorose

Now, I may not fully understand what this means. And I surely don't know who "B. Colorose" is in order to put the quote into perspective. But at first (and second) read, I knew I had a problem with this quote.

In my estimation, it almost sounds like it's saying "if YOU can't figure it out, just give up and settle!!!" But that is not always true in life. Sometimes people need to just look for external resources, the help/advice/inspiration of other people, and to keep looking for solutions or ways to adapt! Adapting is not giving up, it is the solution of working with what you have available! And that is one thing people need to realize, you may not be successful in your current situation; but if you adapt then use your current situation as a catapult, you can still excel and be successful!

I have never been one to settle for what was given to me, unless I was satisfied. Satisfaction in life, love, family, career, etc, should be of the utmost importance. But just accepting something as "it's reality" or "it is what it is", is no way to live life!

That is what Stylez thinks! What do you think?

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

I was reading through some statuses on Facebook and came across a friend who stated:

I dont think men realize how much influence they have on the wellbeing of a woman. Is it a sense of immaturity or a case of ignorance? I hate seeing other women hurt when they don't have to be! No wonder why so many black women are excelling professionally and dating out of their race!

- my FB Friend

Of course, I had a comment and felt that something had to be said!

I'm just going to say, women need to stop messing with BOYS trying to play the role of a grown MAN! Age ain't nothing but a number, if you're actions can't attest to your maturity! That is the main problem with these “little boys lost”! I have to admit, there are a lot of "brothers" (black, white, Puerto Rican, Asian, and other) that are screwing up, but there are plenty that show up! It's like anything else in life; you are only going to hear the complaints. You rarely hear the accolades! Dating out your race is fine if love is what placed you there, but writing a race off because of the actions of a few is no way to live your life!

One thing PEOPLE need to learn to do is COMMUNICATE before they CONSUMMATE! Without understanding one another and REALLY getting to know your mate, before placing the trust of your heart & soul in that person, you set yourself up for failure! It's true some people are patient and do the right thing, and still get hurt; but 75 - 85% of the time, it’s that lack of patience and rushing things along that causes good people to have bad relationships! It is that lack of patience that buries us too deep, too fast! Love is a two way street. Be patient, let common sense guide you and you will be protected from MOST heartache! If a "boy" can't respect that, then you know you haven't found a "man" worthy of your heart!

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

I was reading a post from my blog sister, Sunny Delyte, and she posed the two questions:

Fellaz, how would you feel if you soon-to-be wife didn’t want to take your name or hyphenate her name?
Ladies, would you take your soon-to-be husband’s last name? If not, why?

Before I was married I felt that I wanted my wife to take my last name. Like you, I was thinking of tradition. I think also that because of religious teachings, the woman and man become one, and essentially the man is the head of the household, so the household get's his name. But now that I'm in the "real world" (LOL!), I realize there's other ways to do it.

What is really in a name? And that is the question that goes to how the decision should be made. In some cases, a woman may have a career or reputation built around her name. Should she have to sacrifice that because of marriage. True, she could change the name legally, but maintain the former name in common usage. But how do you draw that line. Or as the previous commentor mentioned, what if the name is sentimental. Or worse yet, what if the husband's name is god-awful! LOL! I had a classmate that got married and she was undecided because her husband had a very long polish name that started with Z! So can you really blame her!?

In my marriage, my wife uses my name in common usage, however, her legal name is still her maiden name. It's satisfactory to me (although, I do tease her sometimes that she's using a fake name, but believe me, its all in fun), and it allows her to continue to honor her own father. I think, in the "real world", you have to be sensitive to the wants and needs of your partner. If you, as a woman, are adamant about keeping your last name, I say keep it. Because, when it all comes down to it, your legal name should not affect your love for each other.

That is what Stylez thinks! What do you think? Please comment, or go over to Sunny's Spoken Words & Thoughts to see what they're saying!

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

This was a most WONDERFUL post! I definitely can relate to the choices in friends that are made in adulthood, as compared to yester-year. I have done the same as Ms. Nikks describes in this powerful post about friends and friendships. You truly have to cherish the friends that are a positive, inspirational and/or motivating force in your life. That is “true love” at its finest! People who you choose to be around and close too, doing what they do best and making you happier (and all the more better) for it! This post has made keeping that idea close to mind and helped me realize the friends I will keep close to my heart!

That is what Stylez thinks! Read the post below and leave a comment about what friends/friendship mean to you!

I was checking out a friend's blog and she was describing the ever present issue of people seeking attention and gratification via Facebook and other social networks. In the end, she summized that people are just fooling themselves or trying to fool others into thinking that they have either a great life, or the worse life ever! Well I TOTALLY AGREE … to a point!

I think many people find the “group therapy” aspect of FB (and other social sites, but especially FB since you get such instant gratification of comments/likes/replies from like everyone you know). I recently started group therapy for parents of troubled teens and I must say, it is like a REAL LIVE Facebook wall! We even start the meetings off with a “status update”. Then the therapist makes comments, others may chime in, and you end up with like a slew of advice, cosigns and other information…. see what I mean, Facebook Live! LOL!

But believe me, when you are apart of something like that, it makes you feel good. It gives you a great feeling of not being alone in the world, or not being alone in your situation, or in your feelings! FB does that for a lot of people. Believe me, even if you just want people to know what you are doing NEXT, it is filling a void for you that you may need attention, or you want someone else to say, hey, I’m doing that too, or I’m going to meet you there! That’s what makes social networking, well, social! One day, I bet any kind of money, there will be therapists prescribing people to join certain groups/fan pages in FB for them to get their group therapy session in, without leaving their home! Matter of fact, maybe I should suggest it to my group therapist!!! LOL!!!

But really, are people's constant updates a way of fooling themselves, or a plea for attention, or a cry for help, or maybe all the above!?! Whatever it may be, it is what FB is there for. We talk (or update), people will listen! We pour out our problems, people will intervene or give advice! We share our ups, people will LIKE it and give us praise! We share our downs, and people will be there to pick up the pieces! Should it be out on the internet, for the world to see? Some of it maybe not, but believe me, Facebook is the cheapest, and easiest, therapy in the world! And it just might help some people make it!

That is what Stylez thinks! What do you think? Let me know and let the world know! ;-) 

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