Even if youy are not in search of a job vacancy, make sure you attend this workshop to learn how to harness this powerful networking tool. See you there: )

This week Smex Beirut was kind enough to invite all of us to their new offices to announce their plans for 2010 and socialize. I know the guys have cut out for them because:

Prince Charming: ” So what do these guys do?”
Me: ” Basically they teach NGO’s how to use social media for change and to reahc their target audience”
PC: ” Did not know you need to have training for that, isn’t it natural?”
Me: “well yeah , but most NGO’s don’t even know why they should have a website, leave alone, what they should post on it…and think of all the help and exposure they could get if they work on it using Funraising’s model…”

So below is their monthly newsletter, with their plans for the months to come. Obviously, SMEX is branching otu to reach greater audience and enable all citizens, which is even better. Social Media novices, get involved with SMEX

February 4, 2010 • Volume 1 •?Issue 3
SMEX Re-Launches with a New Website and Open Office Party

SMEX Re-Launches with a New Website and Open Office Party

On February 2, SMEX opened its offices to Lebanon’s growing social media for social change community to celebrate its relaunch as a full-time organization. Visitors were treated to a tour of the colorful offices, which include a social space for intimate events and screenings and a training room.

The open office coincided with a launch of SMEX’s new website and official registration of Social Media Exchange as a Lebanese NGO. We also took advantage of the opportunity to ask visitors what they want from SMEX in 2010. One suggestion: A workshop for parents and children on the responsible use of the Internet. What would you like to see? Let us know at ideas@smex.org or by calling 01-380-553.

Thanks to all those who made it, and for those who couldn’t, we invite you to pass by anytime.

Workshop: Social Media for Jobseekers

In February, Social Media Exchange, in collaboration with recruitment specialist Mary Roepke, will host Career Development with Social Media. Delivered in two half-day workshops, this training will introduce you to the world of social media for networked professionals and show you how the Web and social networking can help you reach your goals.

The workshops will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 25. The cost for each half-day course is 60,000LL per participant, or both courses for 100,000LL. The course will be given in English.

For more information, visit our website or you can RSVP now.

NOTE: We will also be hosting two half-day workshops for human resources professionals on how to use social media to recruit better candidates and diversify their talent pools. Please get in touch at training@smex.org or 01-380-553 for more information.
Workshop: Basic Internet Privacy and Security

Have you had enough of computer viruses and malware? Are you worried about identity theft or what might happen if your Facebook details get into the wrong hands? Well, If you aren’t, you should be. SMEX is launching a pilot internet privacy and security workshop for select participants on February 15, 16, and 22.

The first two sessions will cover the basics you need to know to keep yourself and your data secure. The third session will take place a few days later and focus on troubleshooting and answering specific questions. All sessions will be given in Arabic. For more information about how to sign up for this free training, please email training@smex.org or call 01-380-553.

Screening: 10 Tactics for Turning Information into Action

English with Arabic subtitles.
On Sunday, Feb. 14, at 5 p.m., SMEX will screen a 55-minute video on how to turn information into activism. Case studies from Lebanon and around the world are presented by activists working on a wide range of issues. The documentary, which was shot during the InfoActivism Camp, India 2009, is brought to you by the Tactical Technology Collective and was translated into Arabic by Rebecca Saab Saade at SMEX. Watch a preview. Activists and NGO representatives who attend the screening can purchase the DVD and companion toolkit for 15,000LL. Proceeds will go toward shipping taxes and refreshments. Please RSVP to let us know you’re coming.
***

That’s all for this edition of the SMEX newsletter. You can also keep up with our upcoming workshops and events on our calendar. We hope to see you soon!

It has been a long time since I have published a tangible post and a lot has been happening in the media scene in Lebanon. And a lot of exciting things have been taking place in the Lebanese Social Media Scene…

I have got the best news for you: the educational sector is finally catching on on the gap between the dogmas and the realities. This Spring Ayman Itani will be giving a course in LAU on Media, Culture and Technology. The course will provide an in-depth overview of everything out there for complete beginners and focus on teaching  not only the how & why of  using these tools, but also the New Media Mindset empowering them with real case studies and practical work shops. Ayman also has a couple of surprises up his sleeves for the lucky students taking his course and will be updating us on their progress all through the way, so stay tuned!

Another fabulous thing is that traditional media has now also acknowledged the new media channels and with the help of Social Media enthusiasts like Amer Tabsh it is starting to get the coverage it deserves. Below are Video Clips from a Live show on Lebanese Future TV interviewing Maya Zankoul, Samer Karam and Ayman Itani regarding their twitter addictions. Hopefully this will encourage new active Lebanese twitter users as well as companies to experiment with twitter and other media.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-zg83FdJ_8]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTYkdhMSz2U]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDzhpj0FTy0]

In other news, you can check my Bloggers FaceOff on Chanty’s blog.

So what’s new in your lives my dears?

]]> http://theidentitychef.com/2010/02/01/while-i-was-away-or-social-media-is-here/feed/ 2 http://theidentitychef.com/2009/12/08/free-inbound-marketing-training-resources-a-reality-with-imu/ http://theidentitychef.com/2009/12/08/free-inbound-marketing-training-resources-a-reality-with-imu/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:08:00 +0000 Darine Sabbagh http://identitychef.wordpress.com/?p=905

In the “New Media Age” hiding information is no longer ‘in’ especially for companies in the service sector, especially if those services are related to New Media. Moreover, when it comes to Marketing, it is now considered “mauvais ton” to push your content or offers onto your clients. The trick of the trade nowadays is being found, producing and spreading your content, educating your clients,  creating free tools… In short, Inbound Marketing.

Inbound Marketing is a relatively new discipline, though if you take a closer look at it, it is rooted in the same basic principles of all human interactions since the beginning of time.  Nevertheless, no one teaches us about Inbound Marketing in Universities (at least in the ME). Unfortunately, the academic world is unaware that the rules of Marketing & PR have been changed, and this is one of the reasons I am delaying my MBA.

But not all hope is lost, in fact, thanks to the Inbound Marketing philosophy of sharing and creating great content all marketers and people interested in personal branding have access to Inbound Marketing University.

The University is organized by Hubspot, one of the leaders in providing Inbound Marketing services for SME’s. You may also know about Hubspot form their great tools such as Twitter Grader and Blog Grader.  For this great project, Hubspot has partnered with the leading companies in the industry, each sharing its expertise in the continuously growing series of webinars/classes. But most importantly all the resources are FREE (thanks to the sponsors).

Another thing IMU focuses on is growing the Inbound Marketing Community where all can share their experiences in the New Marketing era.

IMU is a subject that I am very passionate and excited about, one of the reasons being that I am an IMU graduate myself now. So, register, download the webinars and start learning.  And in my next post I will be telling you about how it went for me, and all the drama I lived through before the Exam and then the turmoil of waiting for my certificate. But that is a completely different story!

The Chamber of Commerce of Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (CCIA)* is once again holding its Business Administration Training Programs in collaboration with CCI Versailles. Participants can choose amongst four programs Business Administration, Marketing Management, Financial Management or Human Resources Management. And the final diploma  will be certified by both CCIA Beirut & CCI Versailles, which will make you a holder of an international diploma.

It was very hard to find someone who has actually taken this program before. I have actually found one Lebanese expat who attended another  CCIA business related training program (Documentary Credit) and he was very satisfied with its practical applications**.

So, Having no further testimonies I phoned CCIA up to check for details.  I really wanted to know if it is worth the money ( as I was considering taking their marketing course – been doing so since last year).  And this is what I’ve found out:

- The classes will be in English and the professors are Lebanese ( PhD holders from prestigious establishments worldwide)

- The course is built on practical training (case studies) primarily, with some book cramming involved

- Examination is administered at the end of the four month training  period and those who passed examination will receive their certification ( certified by both CCIA Beirut & CCI Versailles) ***

- Course consists of a  96-hour program starting on October     5, 2009 and delivered twice a week from 6 pm to 9 pm.

- Courses will take place in CCIAB, Sanayeh (next to Sanayeh Garden)

- The fee is 680 USD per program + VAT ( one can not forget VAT could they?)

- Each class contains a maximum of 12 students (me thinks it is a very good deal)

Registration before October 1, 2009 (Places are limited)

For Further Information/Registration, please call 01-744167

As for me, I found an old email about a program CCIA did this summer in collaboration with the American Marketing Association ( AMA), and I think I am going to wait for a second run of that show. Marketing professional wise this one is more rated, and I would like to believe that they will have something to say about New Media Marketing by that time as well. But those looking for additional backing to their existing certifications in Business Administration, Finance & HR will undoubtedly benefit both technically and CV Karma wise by taking these courses.

Good Luck in your career path wherever it may take you!

* Who unfortunately don’t have ANY relevant info on their training courses on the website.

** Twitter world, and Lebanese tweeps are amazingly responsive. Thanx guys!

*** If you do not pass the exam, you can not retake it untill next year, and then you will have to attend the program all over ( Just so you know).

____________________________________________________________

Update 16-9-9

Also found out about their Business English courses .