Empathy Map

A little about me...

1. What do you think and feel?

a. What really counts?

My family and friends is the most important to me - besides my health and happiness. Family and friends are people I can count on for everything.

My health (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) and happiness also tie as being the most important to me. I try to eat well, exercise, meditate, and just be grateful for everything that has come and will come into my life.

b. Major preoccupations?

Right now? It's all about school. I'll be graduating in May 2011 and am so proud! Education is something I value a lot and is something that my family values. My motto? Work hard, play hard. Either that or I shall find a way or make one. Strength and perseverance is what keeps me going! I worked very hard to get where I am now.

I also preoccupy myself with my health and just exercising, enjoying the outdoors and meditating. Those 45 minute meditation classes in the SSB at UT are awesome. I think everyone should take some time looking at their minds.

Did I mention that I love to travel? I'm a cultural enthusiast, environmentalist and humanitarian (by my Aquarius nature). I think the best memories are when I am taken out of my comfort zone. I watch the Travel channel A LOT and you can find me surfing the net about new places to discover. The coolest country I've been to? Cambodia, hands down.

c. Worries & aspirations?

I wonder when I'll be ready for a family… and if I want one! I can't even think about kids at this point... I just need to think about graduating and getting a job (but more importantly, doing what I love to do... making money with it would be a great bonus).

I want to eventually work for the National Geographic and advertise for them. I am passionate about traveling, animals and advertising, and to work there just seems like the perfect fit for me.

I want to win awards in the advertising field (account planning). But I want to use my account planning skills for online advertising and eventually become a social media connoisseur, like Seth Godin or Chris Brogan. Social media is where it's at!

2. What do you see?

a. Environment?

Reduce, reuse, recycle? We need to help nature and maintain her. She is important to us – she gives us life!

If we're not talking about nature, then I'd say that I generally like to see any place as something to be discovered. I want to learn and adapt to change. I think it helps people grow and open their minds to different things. I really just get a kick out of the simple things in life.

b. Friends?

I got a lot, but really reach out to only a few. I have friends all over the world and some of best friends live on the opposite end of the planet. But I always keep in contact with them at least a couple of times a month. Staying in touch is so important to me. I don’t want to lose that connection with some of the kindest, smartest, caring people I know.

c. What the market offers?

There’s too many things to keep track of, especially in relation to technology. I feel that if I buy something one day, the next day there is something new to replace it. It looks like there is variety, but even with so many products, they all seem to be the same - just under a different brand name. I only have a few favorite brands and products that I really like.

3. What do you say and do?

a. Attitude in public?

I’m an open book and patient, which is something I'm thankful for. I also welcome people into my life, but am also selective with who I want to have meaningful relationships with. I'm also really honest - you get what you see.

b. Appearance?

I don’t care too much… I have my own style. I go out in what I call "elegant sports wear." It's comfortably. But when I go out for a night on the town, it's a different story. If I'm going out to dance, I dress more posh. I love my high heel pink stilletos and that must-have little black dress. Most of the time though, I just try to look clean and well-rested. Look good, feel good, right?

c. Behaviour towards others?

I’m open to anyone and anything. I am friendly with everyone, even people I don’t know. I have a positive outlook on life and want to make others happy and feel good too. Sometimes though (something I need to work on), I tend to take on other people's baggage so they feel better, but I end up hurting myself when it's not my issue. I just never want people to feel bad or negative in any way, so sometimes things become my problem when it shouldn't be.

4. What do you hear?

a. What friends say?

They are so supportive and strong. They really care about me and I can go to them for anything. They listen and give the best advice. Sometimes I feel I might talk their ears off, but they are always willing to risk that part of their bodies for me...

b. What bosses say?

Good job! (well, most of the time). Usually they offer really great insight as to where I can improve on something. You know, like the old "opportunity for growth" line? I have not been in the working world for too long, so I feel I have a lot to learn still.

c. What influencers say?

If by 'influencers' you mean family and friends, then they are people that I really value and take consideration into what they have to say. My family and friends (these influencers), are what I value most over anyone... except maybe the doctor if we're talking about health... Otherwise, I tend to lead my own way.

5. What are your pain points?

a. Fears?

I create my own fear. I read this from a fortune cookie once, and it stuck with me ever since: "Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood." AMEN to that, sister.

b. Frustrations?

I'm a pretty patient person, so I rarely find myself getting frustrated over anything. I am a go-with-the-flow gal, but I am still working on not sweating the small stuff (and if I must say, I'm getting really good at it).

c. Obstacles?

Getting over fears... or my creations of them. I wonder about the future once in a while, but then always reel myself back into the present. What's the point of worrying about the future now? It's something you can't control, so just work on having fun now.

6. What do you hope to gain?

a. Wants/needs?

I hope to become stronger and grow as a person. I want to be at a point in life where I don't worry to much about, well, life! I get it's normal to think about the future, but I want to be at a point where I am at ease with uncertainty. I think I'm almost scratching the surface though...

b. Measures of success?

Health and happiness. That's all folks.

c. Obstacles?

Maintaining my health and happiness. But with the amazing support system that I have (family and friends), I don't think this wilbe much of an obstacle at all... only if I make it out to be!

Greetings!

Hi everyone!

My name is Lisa Byers and I am a 2nd year Ad Grad from Montreal/Toronto, Canada. I tend to have way too much fun discussing anything-social media (yes, I am a at nerd at times, or as we like to say in Canada, “a keener”). In 2009, I graduated with a BA in Media, Information & Technoculture, or MIT (not to be confused with the real MIT) at the University of Western Ontario. My interest lies in web design, blogging, digital and social media. I also had the opportunity to study (party and travel…) abroad in Singapore at Nanyang Technological University’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communications.

I chose to attend UT Austin because of its prestigious Advertising program. I originally wanted to pursue the interactive track, but found myself first in the account planning program. I developed interest in bridging the gap between what clients want and what the consumers are saying, and more so understanding the “why” behind the “what.” I want to use the ethnographic skills I learned and apply it to online consumer research and use a ‘netnographic’ approach to understanding social network users.

This semester, I am pursuing the interactive and digital side of advertising. For my independent study, I intend to research thoughts, feelings and ideas behind why and how individuals use social network to promote brand advocacy. I am excited to delve deeper into the psychological aspect of individuals within social networks and what makes them talk, share, remix, modify and create. The account planner side of me will definitely benefit from this marketing class on customer insights, as these are what drive the market. The better we listen to others, the better we can cater to their needs.

Can't wait to get started!