By now, everyone with an internet connection has witnessed the potentially humiliating video of an attorney in Texas who was about to begin arguing a case via video chat. Using his assistantās computer, he had activated a filter on the Zoom platform which had somehow turned him into a cat. As he was quick to point out, he was and still is not, in fact, a cat. If youāve not seen this, click here (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/style/cat-lawyer-zoom.html). This is an abridged version of the video. In its entirety, Counselor Ponton repeatedly states that he is not a catā¦as though we need to be reminded. I especially enjoyed watching the reaction of the gentleman at the top of the screen. You can see the proverbial lightbulb going on over his head as he realizes whatās happening.
Similarly, and nearly a year before, a boss had accidentally turned her own image into that of a potato during a Microsoft Teams meeting (https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/womans-boss-got-stuck-potato-195246868.html ). She could have been boiled about it, but took it all in stride and continued with her meeting. No sense in getting all fried up. To her entire team, I extend my tots and prayers. This spudās for you.
Thanksā¦Iāll see myself out.
Internet technology has been a wonderful thing. It has brought us the ability to research our ancestors all the way back to ancient Brooklyn, share music (no matter how awful I find your tastes), source products from all over the globe, continue to network even when weāre all in a lockdown and, of course, share cat videos.
Whatever you do, do not search for āwhat happened to poor Jennifer."
Of course, another phenomenon of these Covidian times is the rise of the podcast. Everyone and their gender-neutral sibling seems to think that they have something valid to say, and that people are awaiting their next missives. Itās safe to say that you either have your own podcast or have been invited to participate on one. Iām not sure whatās worse: being invited onto a podcast and having nothing relevant to contribute, or not being invited at all.
A year ago, when we were all first trying to come to grips with the new normal, the Trophy Wife and I were facing the loss of her income, as she was an instructor at a junior collegeā¦a job which required in-person teaching. Thanks in no small part to her efforts, the college restructured their offerings, allowing for online training.
Most often, her courses are strictly virtual with audio only. On the rare occasion, she does have to do a video presentation, which requires more than just putting on her daytime pajamas. In these instances, one must be aware of what can be seen by the others on the chat. Rather than continue to offer a view of the bare wall behind her, I recently hung a framed poster sheād gotten for me in our previous home, that of the late Raul Julia as MacHeath (Mack the Knife, to you uncultured goons) from the musical āThree Penny Operaā (https://tinyurl.com/73878t8w). Now imagine having that brooding character looming in your view as youāre trying to comprehend pedagogy. Go aheadā¦.Iāll wait while you look that up.
Video chat backgrounds have become a āthing," as viewers can get an insight into the real you by scanning the room or shelves behind you. The New York Times had an article about whatās been termed the āCredibility Bookcaseā (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/arts/quarantine-bookcase-coronavirus.html), explaining the efforts that some people have made to dress up their background. Conversely, a BBC Wales news guest got universally embarrassed by what was seen on her shelves (sorryā¦I wonāt share the link for that. Make an effort.). A certain elected official here in the States has gotten flak for her display full of weapons. Okayā¦weapons far different than those of the aforementioned guest on the Beeb.
As I have said so many times over the years: know your audience.
In the promotional products universe, itās not difficult to dress the room with examples of your merchandise and/or past achievements. If weāre not viewing walls full of imprinted coffee mugs and desk accessories, youāre not doing this right.
Unless you sell patio umbrellasā¦theyāve gotta be harder to work into your office backdrop.
Thankfully, my video meetings have been few and far between. I did have to present a video audition for a comedic political news-reading job for which Iād applied shortly before last yearās election. Five months later, I think itās safe to say I didnāt get the gig. Nevertheless, I think I spent more time preparing my office for my big moment than my presentation. What did I want people to see? What messageā¦subliminal or otherwiseā¦did I want to try to convey?
Hereās a brief sidebar: we moved into this house just over two years ago. I will politely say that it is a āwork in progressā. As I believe I have mentioned in previous columns, my home office used to be the bedroom of a ātweenā girlā¦complete with pink walls and purple carpet. Two years later, it still looks like that. Most of my awards, trophies, and plaques have yet to see the light of day. The few items of comfort which are on display primarily for my own enjoyment are Mets related. I do have one original piece of art hanging, that being a watercolor created by a certain then two-and-a-half year old, presented for Fatherās Day 2020.
As such, I couldnāt decide what to have viewed by the people for whom I was auditioning. Ultimately, I went with copies of two books written by a friend of mine. One was āThe Flamingo Risingā, which was later bastardized into an unfortunate TV movie that shared little resemblance to its source material (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257679/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), as well as its predecessor, āA Good Manā. Theyāre both excellent readsā¦Iād recommend you find them.
At any rate, I guess I went with those books hoping that the Hollywood cred of āThe Flamingo Risingā would have gotten me some love in the audition process. Guess not, huh?
Maybe next time Iāll stick with the pink walls.
Mike Schenker, MAS, is āall thatā at Mike Schenker, Consulting, where he assists businesses entering the promotional products industry, mentors professionals, and offers association management. He is a promotional industry veteran and member of the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) Hall of Fame. He can be reached at mike@mikeschenker.com.