I require my students, particularly those in my online courses, to include a short bio and a headshot with their projects. Here’s the rationale I provide to my students for this requirement:
You are consultants
One of the specific aims of the semester long Group Capstone project is for students to simulate a team of consultants who have been hired to perform a strategic analysis of the competitiveness of a client’s organization. The reports produced by consulting teams will often include a short bio and headshot of the consultants who compiled the report. As a result, you will too.
Professional Development purposes
As a strategist, I am often called upon to attend workshops, host strategic planning retreats, and sit on/moderate panel discussions. Fortunately, I am also recognized occasionally with honors or awards for my work. Consequently, I am almost always asked by the organizers to provide a short bio and headshot. Having this already prepared saves a great deal of time. Again, because you are being asked to simulate teams of strategic management consultants, I too want you to have this on hand. You never know when you might need it. Because of this, I have developed different types of bios for different purposes.
- I provided this bio and headshot for my Leadership Birmingham profile : LB17 Bio and Headshot
- I reused this same material for an upcoming workshop at the Community Investment Network: Bio and Headshot.
- For example, I was asked for a “fun” headshot and bio for an upcoming panel in which I will be participating: https://www.instagram.com/p/BBdNycoNIWr/.
- I provided this bio for a recent presentation I gave on campus: http://www.evernote.com/l/ANg7AiAQA_JGcounB_tcSlPbbs2ZYOiWfNU/.
- Each of the faculty members in the UAB MISQ department were asked to develop “research profile cards” a while back. Here’s mine: Research Profile Card
- The summary description on my LinkedIn profile also contains what could be considered a brief bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonychood
I hope these examples help.
Importance of “putting a name with a face” in an online class
This is an online class. Getting to know one another and working together collaboratively is much more challenging in online classes than in face to face classes. Being able to associate a name with a face helps with teamwork.
It’s required
In the same way you can not be “anonymous” in face to face classes, neither can you be anonymous in online classes.
Posting a real photo of yourself to your Canvas profile is a requirement of the course. If you haven’t done this already, please do it asap. Feel free to reuse your Canvas profile photo for your Capstone Assignment photo.
As highlighted in the syllabus, having a webcam and making video presentations is also a requirement of this online course. As such, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to ask that a photo also be added to the group assignment.
You’ve already done it (sort of)
Given that you have answered the 3 Central Questions of Strategy (What is my current situation? Where am I going? How do I plan to get there?) as it pertains to your career in Module 1b, crafting a short bio should be relatively straight-forward.
Provides useful content for your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is increasingly becoming a necessity rather than an option for business professionals. LinkedIn is essentially an online “portfolio” for your professional accomplishments. As this semester continues, you will find the bio, headshot and many other elements I am asking you to complete for your personal and group Capstone projects provide a great deal of material for your professional portfolio. If you take advantage of this, I assure you that you’ll thank me later.
Let me know if you have questions.
Dr. Hood
