April 5, 2013 · 11:04 pm

Responsible for Social Media for a Small- to Medium-Sized Business? Start Here!

Just wanted to share that I’ve started another blog with two fellow Social Media folk!  The three of us have teamed  to produce Digital Ignition for small- to medium-sized businesses.  We hope Digital Ignition can be a resource for brand and communications people who need help launching their Social Media efforts.

My cohorts are Jacqui Liberman, the founder of Gossip Genie and Don Stanley, the owner of 3Rhino Media.  Jacqui and I have worked together for clients the past couple of years.  And, fittingly, we met Don (also a professor at the University of Wisconsin) when we invited him to a client blogger event.

Check us out to learn more,  or follow along  at www.digitalignitiongroup.com  if you’d like to start the digital ignition of your brand or business!

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March 25, 2013 · 6:44 pm

What’s Your Digital IQ?

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Just taking a moment to put a thought out there to mull — so you don’t spend all your time wishing the snow would go away…  :)

With millions blogs out there, sometimes it feels like all Social Media blogs are  just talking to each other or preaching to the choir, as they say.  But we’re not.  We’re advising businesses/brands about how to reach and create relationships with their target audiences.  And some of that is very easy, especially if you have a younger target demographic that eats, sleeps and basically can’t eat because they’re busy using all things digital.

What happens when they’re not that digitally savvy?  Yes, there’s a rapidly expanding audience of women – in particular – who are quite active emailing, surfing the internet, texting their children and using Facebook and more.  We’re also doing more and more digital check-ups to see the IQ of our brand sites.   but do we know our target’s digital IQ?

I ask that, as earlier this month I started another blog to play to my foodie passions:  Wisconsin Bites.  And, I’m finding that many people who want to follow it — or do follow — aren’t quite sure of what they’re doing.  Or are very adept digitally, but are not educated in digital terminology; therefore are worried they haven’t something right.

Maybe it’s time to either test the digital acumen of brand followers or help them out and drop a few educational breadcrumbs along the way.

Just a thought…

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February 14, 2013 · 5:26 pm

3 Signs That Working Remotely Is Gaining Acceptance

I realize the struggle large businesses face when considering or enlarging remote worker options.   Overhauling large systems and insuring security are two of the biggest obstacles.  But it seems even small businesses and start-ups are reluctant to endanger their cultures by letting team members work from home.  

More and more technology news, however, points to an openness — if not complete acceptance — of the transition to more virtual employees.

virtual employee

Here are 3 of the top signs:

1.  BYOD to work growth.  Bring Your Own Device policies have brought untold savings to businesses, not to mention allowed employees to simplify their lives using their own smart phone to access company systems and email.  The Wall Street Journal recently covered what that means to BlackBerry, previously a common go-to source for corporate phones.  WSJ cited that in 2007, corporate clients made up 71% of BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion Ltd’s (RIM) business.  Now that share has dropped to 20-25%.

 

I think a lot of corporate employees could have made about the same estimation without that data, just by observing what colleagues use in meetings with other corporations.  In fact, call me an iPhone addict, but the only place I see BlackBerry in use is on Homeland.  homelandThat’s funny to me, as on some level it seems passe.  But I realize BlackBerry is the provider for many government agencies, so it’s probably just factual.

2.  More apps for project and people management.  We started with a few apps for productivity — and insurance that remote workers were really working.   Now, these resources are not only growing, but providing services for the next level.  You can keep just stay in touch via Google Hangouts or conduct meetings there or via GoToMeetings or WebEx.  You can manage projects through BaseCamp or WorkZone.  And those are just a few.

3.  The Cloud.  Yes, the Cloud offers unlimited storage possibilities and access.   And technology is offering more and more ways to be tied to it.  Microsoft’s Office 365 is  a recent example, making an employee’s work — you guessed it —  more remotely accessible.

Stay on top of all the new options…the right one is out there for you!

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January 14, 2013 · 8:27 pm

It’s 2013 And Back to Basics

It’s 2013 and the economy remains tough, and competition remains tougher.  Clients — whether consumer, b2b, government, non-profit — are all discussing how to navigate troubled waters.  And many are taking Social Media seriously, often for the first time.  

It may be time for many of these organizations to trade in their wishes-to-be-past-the-fiscal-cliff for the basics of how to work within this atmosphere.  Social Media can be a great tool to use to build relationships with your targets, but it has no short-cuts.  Relationships — real or virtual — must be built on trust.

Your Social Media guide starts with WOMMA (Word of Mouth Marketing Association).  

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From an actionable code of ethics to disclosure guidelines to a proposed authenticity guidelines, WOMMA (www.womma.org) will keep your actions ethical and your relationships positive and healthy.  Visit WOMMA and refresh your commitment and solidify the foundation of your actions.

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Happy Holidays to all!

Happy Holidays to all!

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December 24, 2012 · 8:47 pm
December 4, 2012 · 8:38 pm

It Doesn’t Matter Where You Are; What Matters Is That You’re Present

As much as social networks have given us some golden opportunities — instant access to friends worldwide, long-lost friendships renewed or finally “our say” in the world — it’s obvious everyone’s still learning how these networks fit in (or change) their lives.

Just a few months ago I was marveling about how some social media savvy folk were still so mired in “real world” data and needs.  For example, the telephone number on my business card is from Google Voice.  The area code (Phoenix) has nothing to do with where I now live (Wisconsin).  And my cell phone area code has everything to do with where I used to live (NYC).  Those two phone numbers have flummoxed some clients and prospects who either know where I live or have no need for my physical presence to do my work.

What is necessary is for me, or other consultants, is to be much more nimble in how we can travel to see our clients.  Friend and colleague, Jay Baer, even moved to the Midwest so that he could simplify his travel and maintain a great lifestyle for his family.  It doesn’t matter where you are — it matters how accessible you are.

Which, to me, points out that sometimes we’re focused on the wrong things in the virtual world and the real world.  Sure, it’s going to take us more time to “shake out” what stays and goes of our virtual activities.  But, ideally, social networking should mean we’re more present in the real world — whether traveling or home.  It’s about using social networks to enhance our lives; build our friendships.  It’s not about using these networks as an escape from our lives or friendships.

Kansas City Chief Quarterback Brady Quinn said it well after this weekend’s tragic murder-suicide of his teammate, Jovan Belcher.  Watch his clip (he’s up second in the post-game comments):  Brady Quinn.  He shares a good life lesson – whether real or virtual – that we all should think about.

 

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September 21, 2012 · 1:02 pm

DWF Shows Value of the Digital Workplace

Last June, I shared some highlights from a TDS blogger event, one of my clients.  The day’s discussion was centered around Paul Miller’s recent book, The Digital Workplace, How Technology Is Liberating Work.   The discussion by bloggers Thomas Clifford, Don Stanley, Catherine Morgan, Paul Gibler, Tom Snyder, and  Kris Cain revolved largely around employer hesitation to embrace the growing demand for digital workplaces.

The day’s conversation played a balancing act of the benefits of a digital workplace v. employer fears of cost, trust, and more generally — the unknown.

This past week, the folks at the Digital WorkPlace Forum (DWF) came out with the results of a new study which actually put a value on investment in key areas of the Digital Workplace:  Technology, Absenteeism, Real Estate and Productivity, among others.  I’ve highlighted some top financial benefits in the infographic below:

Check out the entire report and see for yourself.  The benefits of the new digital workplace are paving the way!

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September 7, 2012 · 6:42 pm

What I Learned on My Facebook Vacation

It’s back to school time and I’m not sure if kids are writing about what they did on summer vacation any more.  Largely because they already told those stories on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms.  But I’d like to share what I learned on my Facebook vacation.  

Er…make that vacation from Facebook.   Since I spend so much of my time advising clients about Social Media — some who still won’t buy into it — I decided to step back.

A big step back.  I decided to de-activate my account, so there would be no temptation  (yes, de-activate is the official Facebook word for shutting down  your account.  It allows you to re-activate without loss of everything you’ve been posting for years.  If you don’t want to go back to Facebook, you delete your account – so there’s no fear of what happens to your information.)  My experience reinforced much of what I knew, but here’s my top 5 insights, after being MIA — which may apply to brands and consumers alike:

1.  All your “friends” fit Facebook user profiles.  To me, there are roughly 6 user profiles:

a.  Addict:  on constantly via phone, computer, etc.

b.  Night Trains:  Have to check their Facebook pages each evening and often post into the wee hours

c.  Sneak Peeks:  Try to catch a minute to see what’s new at work, at home – but never really follow anything in-depth

d.  Weekend Warriors:  Catch up on everything over the weekend

e.  Small Circle of Friends:  Don’t have a lot of Facebook friends, so are committed to them.  May not be on often, but know what’s going on

f.  Don’t Leave Me Out:  People who don’t want to be on Facebook, but have an account that they barely check, just to say they’re on

Addicts, Night Trains, Weekend Warriors and Small Circles are the folks who notice you’re not on Facebook.  The rest have no clue you de-activated.

2.  Influencers truly are important.  Yes, the people you really follow on Facebook are your influencers.  You care what they think about and are doing.  They’re the people who are important to brands, for good reason.   I missed who influences me.  Those I influence missed me.

3.  Facebook etiquette should be revisited.  This occurred to me when I returned.  Some posts were jarring after time away.  Some people have lost perspective of how their posts affect their reputations.   I’m going to remind myself to screen my content.  I’m afraid the Presidential election is going to bring some of people to new lows.

4.  We should all be reminded to take security measures.  So many people sign up for Facebook and never think twice about how safe it is.   I tout security, but trust my “friends” to post wisely.  Some haven’t.  In fact, that’s one of the reasons I decided to step back.  I wasn’t sure I wanted the added layer of some of the security steps, but decided it’s worth it.

5.  It’s still all about relationships.  Whether it’s your cousin, friend, work colleague, favorite brand — Facebook is all about maintaining relationships.  It’s my easiest way to track friends all over the world.   Whatever your Facebook style – stay in touch with your network!

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July 10, 2012 · 6:15 pm

Tweeting for the Top States for Business

CNBC has its Top States for Business special report underway, culminating this afternoon with the unveiling of the No. 1 state for business (my guess is Oregon).   Each state  gets points for cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, infrastructure and transportation, economy, education, technology & innovation, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living.

Good scores on the report — hugely important to the marketing of every state — has Governors buzzing around the country.

But they’re not the only ones talking about it.  The Top States for Business Twitter Battle has state residents voting to put some oomph behind their home states.  Click on the link to vote for your state.  Currently, Iowa is leading and Wisconsin is in second.  The Twitter Battle is a great attempt by CNBC to educate and involve viewers about how each state is doing.

So vote, tweet, and learn more about your state at the same time!  It’s good for business.

 

Note, the link didn’t work above.  Please try:  topstates.cnbc.com

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June 18, 2012 · 10:17 pm

If you find a good blog…share it!

Do your friends and colleagues a favor and share your favorite blogs.  It’s amazing what’s out there that can educate, entertain or inspire.  Three that I’ve especially enjoyed recently are:

1.  http://www.convinceandconvert.com/ – Jay Baer, a former colleague and virtual friend, is one of the foremost experts on Social Media.  His blog offers a depth of Social Media understanding and tips.  Sign up for the daily emails, “Get 1 Social Thing.”  You’ll have a better understanding of the Social Media world and what it can do for you and your business.

2.  http://www.besointeriorstyle.blogspot.com/ – Patti Borrelli, another former colleague and friend, is a stylist who seems bottomless when it comes to ideas.  Look to her for your home design inspiration.

3.  http://www.chicagonow.com/successful-in-chicago/2012/06/bloggers-madison-managedip-oh-my/ – I cannot lie.  Catherine Morgan, a blogger I just met a couple weeks ago, is a favorite, simply because  of her coverage of a recent blogger event I worked on for TDS.  We couldn’t have asked her to write such a great summary of the event and its intentions.  Thank you, Catherine!  This is a great example of the power of an endorsement by a blogger!

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