Feb 13, 2009 | blog
I’ve been wondering, has social media done anything really special for you?
Has it brought in more readers?
Has it increased your earnings?
Has it simplified your life?
Has it generated more sales leads?
Has it improved your customer service rating?
Has it save you more time?
Those are the questions I (and others) have about social media. The intangibles indicate yes on multiple fronts. The trick is how to measure that, and it’s different for everybody and every business.
Of course it’s worth the effort, but for you and your organization to succeed in your work, accurate metrics are needed. What have you found that works for you?
Photo credit: vaXzine
Feb 11, 2009 | blog
Sorry, but that’s the truth. If you’re afraid of sharing your opinion and letting the online world catalog and categorize you, then you’ve already lost the edge. The realities of future (read: today) is that you need to be an active part of your industry or genre, or you lose out. Want that corner office? Then get out there and prove to folks that you’re the person for it.
To be an active participant and be considered for advancement as we move into the future, folks are going to be looking to find out about you. If they perform several searches online for you and find nothing… well, what does that speak of your accomplishments? Yes, references and a call to previous employers is important, and prudent. However, if folks just can’t find out about you outside of work, or what your passions are, or what your opinions are – it does allow them to form an opinion about you.
Feb 10, 2009 | blog
Is the era of traditional broadcast media nearing an end? You’ve heard and read that question and the supporting arguments for the last few years. You’ve also heard the rebuttals and talking points from either side of this intriguing debate.
What I posit is that these are simply “after the fact†arguments and that this particular corner was turned a few years ago.
It’s called convergence, and it usually occurs without much fanfare at the time of the actual change. Its usually afterward when people, companies, heck even governments, belatedly realize that they are no longer of any relative value to what they used to be.
Many new tings happening in the economy are pointing to the reality that we’re smack-dab in the middle of the re-adjustment to this new business environment. The number of companies looking into social media, and realizing the parallels to previous challenges. Exploring the new tools to old problems and the possibilities they offer to those willing to invest the time and money with open minds to the change that is occurring.
The recent NYTimes article $200 Laptops Break a Business Model is a great example of the awakening to this new reality. Consumers have change – and not just any consumer. The next big wave of consumers after the baby boomers. The consumers that are even now shaping the future economy has they have recent politics.
The future is much different from a consumers perspective. The tried and true models don’t always apply, especially where consumer electronics and consumable services are concerned. The challenge is to recognize that you’re business model is hopelessly stuck in the 20th century, look at how people are consuming your product, and adjust to meet them there.
I’ve argued, like many, that the recording industry (hey they make it easy to pick on them), should drop any pretense of rights management and offer every music track at $.25 (U.S.), make them so much ridiculously easy to buy that it’s too much work to pirate. Make them available in every format and simply realize profits through sheer volume rather than maintaining some false price-point per CD that they believe they need to hit. Turn around and make the CD-ROM a premium product that I would seek out for something special. Like the 1986 Bruce Springsteen album Live ‘75 to ‘85 boxed set – make it worth spending money on the extras, because whether you like it or not you can find all the tracks online.
Like many I often wonder if I even need a television any longer. Sure I veg out in front of an HD CSI:Miami marathon like anyone else might. However, I also am finding more and more of the media I REALLY want to watch online. From movies to TV shows, to music, and of course books, magazines, blogs, etc… All I really need is a big, fast, fat pipe into the Internet. Everything else just gets in the way.
To this end, big, fast, expensive computers are overkill for the needs of the average person who just wants to consume and participate in online media. The changes aren’t over either, but the biggest of them are now a matter of history that we can debate as we all like to do.
Photo credit: zizzybaloobah
My apologies for the long, somewhat redundant post, but I’m working my way back to a regular blogging schedule. This and several upcoming posts are part of that process. Things that I’ve needed to write about for months are just now coming out. Some are timely, some a bit behind the times, but all relevant to me. Thanks for reading.
Feb 10, 2009 | blog
So you’ve drained all your energy on social media and don’t know what direction to go next? Don’t fear my hard workin’ friend! The next step is closer than that notebook you’re drooling on. Come on! Wake up! You’re makin’ us look bad.
I know you’ve been trying to take it to the next level and figure out how to break into the blogging stratosphere alongside the Brogan’s and Scoble’s of the world. Of course, the reality is that getting to that level is through a LOT of hard work. A never-ending job of reading, learning, tweeting, researching, writing, blogging, writing, and (hopefully) consulting. All to become really good at what you do. As any expert, and they’ll describe the same type of thing. Long hours, following their passion on a topic that they want to share as much as learn about.
So you’ve been writing about social media, talking & tweeting with the rest of the flock about social media. What’s the next step for you to make your mark?
Find something else to talk about.
Seriously, I’m not trying to be a smartass about this. You stumbled upon (heh, get it 😉 ) social media and something clicked, but you came from doing something else. I’m not saying there isn’t space to explore social media as a career. What I am saying is that its nothing more than a set of tools to better communicate. You need to use these tools to better interact with folks either in your industry or the genre that fits your passions.
- Social Media allows you to listen to customers better and faster.
- Social Media allows you to start, and join in conversations with customers.
- Social Media can be a new teambuilding tool.
- Social Media are tools of change for those looking to affect change.
So if you still have dreams of being a blogging superstar, make sure that you find your niche and get started sharing your knowledge. That’s one of the values of social media – sharing what you know in a way that helps other folks, but also brings more folks to your doorstep.
Good luck my friend, and don’t let the keyboard leave marks on your forehead!
😀
Photo credit: Magnus
Feb 9, 2009 | blog, happiness
I have to take a minute and talk about the atmosphere that I’ve been working in as a consultant for the last eight months. It’s been an unbelievable stressful environment. Why have I stuck with it? Guess I’ve fallen into that rut of feeling like I need to be “responsible†and keep the nose to the grindstone – or something like that.
The reality, of course, is that this particular contract has taken more of my time, energy, and attention to participate in this environment. More than I would like to admit to friends and family – though they can probably tell from my blogging tempo at the very least.
That’s the rub too isn’t it? Coworkers who’ve been in their particular pressure cooker don’t see it for what it really is. Or is it easier from an outside perspective to criticize what you perceive is wrong and how it contributes the behaviors you observe?
At any rate, I’m finding the pressure of my current contract to be more than I desire to maintain. There are options to follow up on, and directions to pursue. Despite the news you hear from the mainstream media, there just seems to be an avalanche of opportunities out there if you’re watching for them.
So instead of stewing here in the juices of an unhappy circumstance, I’m off to change the future once again. Why don’t you join me?
Photo credit: Scribblings of Light
Feb 9, 2009 | blog
We had an interesting discussion around the lunch table the other day regarding many aspects of the current economy. From the mounting job purges of too many large companies and what it all means to us the average person.
Really the discussion came around to how the traditional exercise of searching for a job is changing. There were three of us at lunch today and, not surprisingly, there were three different perspectives and understanding of the process in an environment that we all find ourselves in.
Here is where the differences in age come into play. Among the three of us around the table, there was about a decade from the youngest to oldest. The perception of how best to position oneself in today’s market was probably best understood by the younger two of the group, with the oldest standing fairly firm to the notion that job search and how you go about it hasn’t changed much.
Really, the truth is that it depends on the job you’re looking to get. Calling it a job to begin with is part of the problem, as anyone looking for the next job should really believe that they are looking for the next step in their career. Following the old, tried and true methods of mass mailings, cold-calls, and relying on a headhunter finding you may still work, but one wonders for how long?
Instead, following the example of many an enterprising young millennial may actually be your best bet. Maybe everyone doesn’t feel up to posting videos of themselves on YouTube, or spending hours on Twitter, or the many other social networks. However, at least a full LinkedIn profile, and even a Facebook page, so folks are able to find you, may be in order.
The point I suppose I’m trying to get to is that change has already taken place in the area of job search & career placement; and the sooner you understand that the easier it’ll be to prepare for the next phase of your career. This is as true for seasoned corporate veterans as it is for the new college grad looking to jump into the fray.
It’s time to manage yourself into the next career change rather than falling into it.
Photo credit: ChrisB in SEA
