Tweet @ 140 - More about Twitter

PodUniversal Edition 82

Twitter, the new micro blogging tool has changed the way of communication. The limitation of 140 characters for tweets has made a tremendous change in the style of net discussions. Twitter, with more than 20 million unique visitors currently is considered as one of the fastest growing micro blogging tools.

Though Twitter was started in 2006, with a view to encourage discussions within the closed family members and friends, the potentiality of Twitter has now extended to Governments, Corporate houses, individuals, business, etc. Even the Business houses, use the Twitter for their marketing purposes, customer care, etc.Hundreds of Twitter applications have also brought in lot of creativity in this 'tweet' communication.

August 09 issue of Corporate ezine PR-e-Sense deals with this concept of Twitter. As part of an article, PodUniversal interviewed telephonically Deep Sherchan, Chief Marketing Officer of InRev. Deep, hailing from Kathmandu, Nepal is one of the social media evangelists and is also part of the team who write a book on Twitter.

Please listen to his interview (15 min), by clicking 'play' button in the flash palyer below. The audio streaming will be smooth in broadband connections. If you find any difficulty, you may right click this link and download the mp3 file (15 mb) to your desktop and listen.

This podcast interview may also be listened from the following links

Odeo

Podbazaar

Blip TV

Please tweet this page through the link given at the top.

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Give more; Take more happiness - Dr Abdul Kalam's exclusive message

On 11th August 2009 morning 11.15 am, I got the SMS from Mr Ponraj, Advisor to Dr Abdul Kalam that Dr Kalam was on flight to Chennai and he would be at Chennai Airport for two hours, before he boarded the other flight. During his waiting time, he would like to meet at 1 pm, 5 to 10 youngsters of Action 2020 team, who were doing service to the society. It was a pleasant surprise for me. I was wondering how Dr Kalam was passionate about meeting youth, even during his small break.

Barely two hours left, I rang up to Balasubramanian (Kodambakkam 2020 project), Britto (Friedz for Life), Vinod (VTrust) and Natarajan (Dream India). They all jumped with joy to get the unexpected reward. Around 10 of us assembled at the Airport. Immediately, after his arrival, he called us to the VIP waiting lounge. He spent around 50 minutes of his time with our team. He discussed meticulously on the projects done by the partner groups of Action 2020 team. He also gave them suggestionsfor improvement.

At the end of 50 minutes, we requested him to give his message for the Indian Youth and he readily permitted us to record his message. In his message, he naratted one instance when he participated in the 101st birthday of Tumkur Shivakumar Swamiji. The birth day celebrations was attended by 5 lakh people. After all the people spoke, Swamiji spoke for 15 minutes without any difficulty, standing erect. This made Dr Abdul Kalam to wonder how Swamiji was maintaining such happiness even at the age of 101. Then he realised that Swamiji was running 220 educational institutions, benefitting more than one lakh children. In addition every day, he is feeding more than 15000 poor people. Dr Kalam realised since Swamiji was giving more, he was taking more happiness. In his exclusive messge, Dr Kalam advises the young people to 'give more and take more happiness'.

Please watch the pictures and listen to the message of Dr Abdul Kalam by clicking 'play' button in the flash player( 2 min). The video streaming will be smooth in broadband connections. If the streaming is not smooth, you may right click this link and save the link/target to your desktop in wmv format (1 mb) and play through windows media player.

You can also listen to the audio version of the message. If you want to download this audio in mp3 format, right click this link and save the link/target to your desktop.

This message can be listened from the following links:

http://blip.tv/file/2462835/

http://www.youtube.com/my_videos

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857436

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Medicall 2009 - India's largest medical equipment expo

PodUniversal Edition 81

Medicall 2009, India's largest medical equipment expo was launched at Chennai at Chennai Trade Centre on 31st July 2009. In this three day expo, more than 250 National and International exhibitors are displaying their latest equipments. In addition, they also conduct Seminar on hospital management and patient safety issues.

Recently, Tamil Nadu Government has announced a medical insurance scheme to benefit 1 crore poor families. This scheme would enable the poor people to avail the medical facilities free of cost in private hospitals also. 300 private hospitals are already approved by the Government to provide facilities. This has exerted pressure on the private hospitals to increase their facilities. This expo comes at this time, when privte hospitals are in look out for competitive world class products.

Please watch the feature on Medicall 2009, by clicking 'play' button in the flash player (8 minutes). The video streaming will be smooth in broad band connections. If the streaming is not smooth, you may right click this link and download the video in wmv format to your desktop and play ( 4 mb).

This podcast may also be watched from the following links

http://blip.tv/file/2426945/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvxQM3E-msk

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Sound of Silence - Impact on Corporate governance and personal life

PodUniversal Edition 80

'Silence' has played a greater role both in Corporate governance and also in the personal life. Generally, peopole perceive that only text and speech form part of communication. Many of us do not know that 'Silence' is also a powerful communication tool.

June 2009 issue of Corporate ezine PR-e-Sense deals with the 'Sound of Silence". As part of the lead story, Mr N Vittal, Former Central Vigialnace Commissioner of India and an erudite scholar has given his broad views on the various aspects of the impact of silence both in governance and in personal iife.

Plese listen to his interview by clicking 'play' button in the flash player below. The audio streaming will be smooth in broadband connections. If the streaming is not smooth, you may right click this link and download the mp3 file of the audio. (12 m 39 s)

This podcast interview may also be listened from the following link:

http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857430

http://blip.tv/file/2284005

http://www.odeo.com/episodes/24734780-Sound-of-Silence-Importance-of-silence-both-in-our-official-and-personal-life

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How Indian telephony users perceive? A snap report

Prime Point Foundation and Corporate ezine PR-e-Sense conducted an online 'snap survey' during the second week of June 2009 to quickly understand the perception of various Indian telephony users. The survey coverred landline, mobile, broadband and DTH/Cable TV services. The survey findings were presented by K. Srinivasan, Chairman, Prime Point Foundation on 20th June 2009 in a Seminar organised by Consumers Association of India (CAI) jointly with Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

1. Generally, the BSNL users are critical of the quality of service (QOS) and customer care provided by BSNL. Generally consumers are more concered that BSNL is not giving tough competition to the private operators. This attitude of BSNL is not in the interest of the Nation.

2. Users from Private operators are critical of the customer care and lack of transparency in their tariff structure. Though TRAI has directed that all the operators should have a proper system in place for customer care and to provide 'escalation path' like call centre, nodal officer, appelate authority, etc. I personally found that they are more in paper. In some of the sites, it is difficult to get the numbers of the nodal officers. In many cases, the numbers will not be picked up anybody.

TRAI was represented by Mr Mathew Palamattam, Deputy Advisor. Airtel, Aircel, Vodofone, BSNL were represented by their middle level Officers. Tata Indicom and Reliance did not send any representative.

From the various deliberations, I observed that TRAI does not have enough 'teeth' or 'powers' to punish/penalise the erring operators. I understand that TRAI has powers only to announce rules and regulations. When the operators do not care for such rules, possibly, TRAI also will join the consumers only to 'weep'. They cannot do anything more. Only Government can explain as to why they keep TRAI 'teethless'.

The recorded version of my presentation in the Seminar is gien below. Please click 'play' button in the flash player below to watch the presentation (17 minutes). The streaming will be smooth in broadband connections. If you find any difficulty, right click this link and save the target/link to your desktop in wmv format and watch through windows media player.

The presentation can be watched in the following link also

http://blip.tv/file/2266262

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Music, and dance develop 'team playing skills'

Presently, the biggest challenge before the Corporates across the globe is the lack of 'team playing skills'. Many of the HR Managers complain that the team members do not sync with the team policy or team project. The problem arises, because, the children right from their school days, are not allowed to play in a team. They learn to live separately and independently. Many of the parents care more for the education of their children, than developing their skills to sync with the society. Only good 'team players' subsequently become 'good leaders'.

I had the opportunity of witnessing a wonderful dance event organised by Premalaya Natyaniketan at Nanganallur, suburb of Chennai. This Institution trains large number of young children in Traiitional Bharata Natyam (Indian classical dance).

Four children viz. Sunanda (Age 13), Bhoomija (Age 9), Sripriya (Age 11) and Sruthi (Age 12) are the students of 'Premalaya Natyaniketan'. They have been performing their shows together in various Sabhas and Temples even at this age. The event I witnessed was their 60th joint performance. :)

The manner in which these children synchronised their dance performance with behind-the-scene operators like Choregrapher Latha Aravindan, Musician Sowmya and Sarayu (Jathi) was really amazing. I also understood that these children were not only excelling in their dance performance, but also in their studies.

It made me to think further. How such activities trigger the young children to perform better in other fields too. I wanted to share my joy and concern with other netizens too. . In my personal view only music, dance and sports will help the youth to develop 'team playing skills'. Parents should provide more opportunities for the children. The entire 90 minutes show is brought down in 9 m 30 seconds.

Please click 'play' to watch the video. (The streaming will be smooth in broad band connections. If you find streaming not smooth, right click this link and save the link to your desktop to download wmf format of the file. The file can be played through windows media player.



The video may also be watched from the following link
http://blip.tv/file/2188237

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waiutXIQsfE

Latha Aravindan (Premalaya Natyaniketan) may be contacted at latha_aravindan_ajay@yahoo.co.in

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How to choose courses in Engineering Colleges?

PodUniversal Edition 79

Throughout India, the results of the 12th standard have been announced by all the State Boards and Central Board. The students who have secured good marks and their parents are in a confusion as to which course they can choose.

Many number of Universities and Colleges offer Engineering Courses across the country. The unified Anna University is the largest technical University in the world with more than 350 affiliated professional colleges. Two years back, to provide better education and monitor the system, the Government trifurcated Anna University, Chennai into Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Tiruchy Universities.

In an exclusive interview with PodUniversal, Dr Radhakrishnan, Vice Chancellor, Anna University, Coimbatore shares his views as to how parents and students should choose the Engineering Courses.

Please listen to his interview by clicking 'play' button in the flash player below. The streaming of audio will be smooth in broadbands. If you find the streaming is not smooth, you may right click this link, and save the save the link or taget to your desktop in mp3 format and listen. (12 minutes)



The interview may also be listened at
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857425

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The impact of 'Information overload' on the society

PodUniversal Edition 78

With the increase in technology, social media, mass media, the society is largely suffering from 'Information overload'. Even an ordinary event gets blasted through social media and mainline media. How does it affect the stakeholders?

Many Mergers and Joint ventures are over-hyped, creating more expectations from the stakeholders. The stakeholders get disappointed when the outcome is not according to the expectations, raised due to 'Information overload'.

Even a recent 'car launch' got a huge hype through social media and mass media. Probably, this scared away the prospective buyers and the registration did not match with the estimate of the company.

Is there any way, we can handle the Information overload? Is the 'Information overload' specific to certain cases or is it common amongst the corporates?

May 2009 issue of Corporate ezine PR-e-Sense deals with the "information overload' based on the research conducted by International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). As part of the lead story, we interviewed Mr Madan Bahal, Managing Director, Adfactors Public Relations, one of the top 3 Indian PR Agencies.

Please listen to his podcast interview by clicking 'play' in the flash player. (This streaming of this audio will be smooth in broad band connections. If the streaming of audio is not smooth, you may right click this link and save the link (target) in your desktop as mp3 format and then listen). - 8 minutes



This podcast may also be listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857424

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Is current recession or slow down an opportunity for growth and out-of-the-box thinking?

Global Forum for Public Relations, (GFPR) a global body of PR professionals launched their Chennai Chapter on 9th May 2009. Young team of PR professionals and students took oath as Managing Committee members. (see picture below)

PodUniversal Edition 77

The launch function was followed with an "UnConference" on the theme "Communication during recession". Since it was an UnConference, all the participants had the opportunity to share the views. Experts like Madan Behal (MD, Adfactors PR), Ravi Srinivasan (Editor, Mail Today), Arun Aroa (Associate VP, GMR Dial), C J Singh (MD, Core PR) and Chandra Mouli (CEO, Blue Lotus PR) shared their views live during the UnConference over telephone from their places. They also answered the questions from the audience. B N Kumar (CEO, Concept PR), T N Ashok (Corporate Consultant and former Economic Editor of PTI), Susan Koshy (Former General Manager - Corporate communication, IDBI), B K Karuna (National President, GFPR) were personally present and shared the views.

The important issues that were discussed were:

1. whether recession is a myth or a relaity?
2. Which are the sectors that are affected by this slow down?
3. How to convert this situation into an opportunity for growth and out-of-the-box thinking?
3. What are the communication strategies that we need to adopt?

and many more issues. Please listen to the excerpts from the UnConference session, by clicking 'play' button in the flash player. If the streaming of audio is not smooth, you can right click this link and save the target as mp3 file in your desktop and listen through your player. (22 minutes)



The audio may also be listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857418

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Young Professionals should get connected to the Industy

PodUniversal Edition 76

Public Relations (PR) industry has started growing in the past one decade enormously. Many educational institutions have started separate courses on PR to prepare the students for this industry. Many educated youngsters join this industry with fat salary. PR is no longer 'Media centric'. The clients expect to get 360 degree brand image, to face the global competition.

The curriculum in the educational institutions do not match with industry needs. The youngsters who come out with book knowledge, need to get integrated with the industry. This could be possible only through continuous updating and learning process.

Do the young professionals take initiative in updating their knowledge and skills? Do the young professionals have a right attitude to connect to the industry? Even when the opportunity is provided, how do they utilise this to their advantage? To what extent senior professionals in the industry take interest in grooming the seniors? Is the learning aligned to the right practices? Do the professionals share the case studies with fellow professionals?

With these questions, we contacted Mr Vikram Kharvi, a Mumbai based young journalist turned PR professional over phone for an exclusive interview. Mr Vikram Kharvi is moderating a discussion group on PR for the past one year and also publishes a PR newsletter from this month. He is one of the few young professionals, who take lot of interest in developing the profession.

Please listen to his free and frank views, by clicking 'play' button in the flash player. (The audio streaming will be smooth in broadband connections. If the streaming is not smooth, please right click this link and save the link/target to your desktop in mp3 format and listen)



This audio podcast may also be listened from the following links
Podbazaar
Odeo

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Gopalaswami, former Chief Election Commissioner of India - a 'role model' in the Indian Civil Service

PodUniversal Edition 76

Mr N Gopalaswami, retired as Chief Election Commissioner of India on 20th April 2009. A 1966 batch IAS Officer of Gujarat cadre, hails from a small village in Tamilnadu and through his hard work and dedication, he reached the level of Chief Election Commissioner of India. He has also held very high positions in the Government of India, including the Secretary of Home Ministry during critical days.

In the last few weeks, he was more spoken in the media for his upright and frank recommendations on Mr Navin Chawla, the Election Commissioner and also on the case of Ms Sonia Gandhi. On one side, though some of the political parties criticise him for his stern actions, on the other side, many of the youngsters hail him as a 'role model' or as a 'hero' in their blogs for his courageous actions. He is considered as one of the upright and most honest officer in his own bureaucratic circles.

Today (28 April 2009) morning, I spoke to Mr Gopalaswami over phone to record his podcast interview. In a free wheeling conversation, he spoke on his source of inspiration, his spiritual beliefs, usage of technology in governance, his achievement, his disappointment, role of youth, etc.

When I asked him who was the source of his inspiration for his uprightness in his career, spanning forty years in civil service, he told me that before joining IAS, he prostrated before his grand father and sought his blessings. His grand father, a man of high integrity, advised him in Tamil, "Nermaiyaha iru". That means, his grand father advised him to be utmost honest with integrity in civil service. Mr Gopalswami was wondering as to what prompted his grand father to advise him like that. Later, he came to know about the bad experience of his grand father in Government offices due to corruption and lethargy, which prompted him to advise. Mr Gopalswami told me that till date, he was keeping up the advise given by his grand father.

In the post-retirement period, he wants to study Vaishnavism through contact classes. He will be attending classes on Saturdays and Sundays. He has already completed one semester. He plans to complete the remaining three semesters of this course, by attending classes.

Please listen to the interesting and freewheeling conversation in full by clicking 'play' button in the flash player. The audio streaming will be smooth in broadband connections. If the streaming is not smooth, right click this link and save the mp3 file to your desktop and listen through mp3 player. (18 m 21 s). Please bear with us for the quality of audio, as it was recorded over phone.



This podcast may also be listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857403

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Media students intereact with Former Chief Election Commissioner

PodUniversal Edition 75

Madurai Kamaraj University provides Distance Education programme at Post Graduate level on Mass Communication/Journalism and Advertisement/Public Relations. Contact classes were held at Chennai during this week for the first year PG students of Mass communication. For the first time ever in any University, the University organised a live Press Conference and Interaction programme for these students with the help of Chennai Press Club. They had invited Mr T S Krishnamoorthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India for this interaction session.

Mr S P Lakshmanan (Editor, Arasiyal), Mr Bharathi Thamizhan (Joint Secretary of Chennai Press Club), Mr Nurullah (Senior Journalist), Prof. M V Nagarajan (Co-ordinator for this Distrance Education programme) were also present. Since, I am in the Board of Studies of this University, I was also invited. The interaction session lasted for one hour. The future journalists, were very creative in asking several questions.

Please listen to the excerpts from the interaction session (16 minutes), by clicking 'play' button in the flash palyer. (The streaming of the audio will be smooth in broad band connections. If you find any difficulty, right click this link and save the link to your desktop and listen through mp3 player.)



The audio may also listened from the following link
http://www.podbazaar.com/permalink/144115188075857401

If you want to know more about the distance education programme of Madurai Kamaraj University please visit http://www.mkudde.org/ or send your mail to Prof. M V Nagarajan, Co-ordinator to naga_mku@yahoo.co.in

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