I normally do not write a post-event blog, but due to the success of our Tech Etiquette event Monday night, I felt it was necessary. It wasn’t the fact that we had a massive turn out, because it was Yom Kippur and a chilly Monday night. It was the fact that the topic was so interesting on multiple levels that it made for one of the most lively, dynamic panels we have had for the LA Chapter.
I felt our panel represented women in key areas of the technology sector. Marsha Collier has been in the tech industry since Web 
1.0. She is the foremost author on eBay having written 15 eBay For Dummies books, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. We also had Lynn Langit, Developer Evangelist for one of the largest technology corporations in the world, Microsoft. Finally, Brette Borow is a young entrepreneur who founded Girlsguideto.com to give 20-something women a destination to share their stories, ask their questions and get advice in an environment that they feel safe being open and honest.
The topic was “Tech Etiquette – How Much Can You Say Online & Not Tarnish Brand”. The event started at 7PM with some mixing and mingling and the panel started at 7:45. The plan was to talk for about 30-40 minutes, then do a Q & A. Well, we decided to incorporate the Q & A as we went along and before I knew it, it was almost 9PM!
Our panelists spoke about how employers are going beyond the resume when hiring young people and checking them out online. Lynn specifically mentioned how important it is to do a search on your name to see what comes up. If you are careful about what you display online about yourself, nothing incriminating will pop up. She said and I quote “when in doubt, keep it out”. Then the discussion turned to using the different platforms and which ones people preferred – Facebook vs Twitter. Both Marsha and Brette felt that they can have a much more dynamic, engaging level of communication on Facebook. Someone in the audience asked, “well then, is Myspace dead”. Marsha said no, because she also uses the MySpace platform to engage with that audience. Then the next question was “is it important to use all the different social media platforms for your business?” The answer, “use the ones where your target market lives”. We also spoke about having a personal Facebook account versus having a “professional” one. Also, is discussing politics online or getting involved with political issues, such as what went on in Iran during their elections, proper protocol, our panelists’ opinions were a resounding no.
In light of this event and how great it was, we are looking forward to organizing a part II some time early 2010. I not only want to thank our panelists for making this event such a success, but also a big thank you to Fox Audience Network for allowing us to have our event at their offices. Finally, a massive thank you to Epicurean Umbrella who provided the most amazing appetizers. For those of you that live in LA and love food, you must check out their Underground Chef Tastings. There is one tomorrow night which is $48 per person and you experience a three course meal with wine and a DJ! To RSVP, email info@epicureanumbrella.com with the following information - your cell number, either the 7PM or 9PM tasting, if you want to eat steak, pork or fish, and they will respond with the location details.
And remember, mind your online manners 
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