Archive by Author

Sometimes I Wonder about (Business) People

By on August 10, 2006 in Blogging with 9 Comments

Sometimes I wonder about business people…

Three times in the last two days, I’ve had leading professionals tell me they (their company) don’t have time or desire to blog. Mind you, this is NOT after a presentation on my part – just in casual, introductory conversation.

They almost seem to be laughing at the whole blogging "craze" as something that’s about to pass. Maybe it’s their Perception of Bloggers. I make a quick attempt to remind them that Blogging has Two Roles – talking and listening (writing and reading, author and audience…)

Like a doctor trying to bandage a wound, I quickly share stories about the impact that blog and feed reading has made on business, and how it provides more knowledge in less time.

If every business leader used the Search Once and Subscribe prescription and Get Started Reading Feeds, in fact – Make it a Habit – they would find that blogging and the conversations taking place is a blessing to them – not a something to whistle away as a fad.

(psst – it’s human nature that we can only listen for so long. if business leaders listen to the conversations – they’ll soon want to join in. either by comments or by publishing a blog. introduce the idea of feed reading, the blogging will sell itself)

The Battles Hymn of the Blogger

By on August 9, 2006 in Blogging with 17 Comments

If your blogging becomes a chore,
Something you dread to do.
Be slow to blame the blog
Because maybe it’s just you.

This doesn’t happen to everyone
But maybe you’re battling Blogger’s Block
Stop trying to strike gold with each post
or you’ll find yourself losing to the clock.

Maybe you fear nobody’s reading your stuff,
They’re there – if not today in the morrow
Write as if you’ll always touch someone
Stop wallowing in self-sorrow.

The best way to Manage Your Writing
Is pen to paper, finger to keys
Once you get a rhythm
You’ll find yourself posting with ease

Business Blogging Workshops

By on August 7, 2006 in Blogging with 2 Comments

If you’re in or around Iowa on August 17, you’re invited to a FREE, 2-hour business blogging workshop.

Blogwrkshp_8 The workshop will cover important topics such as:

  • How to follow the conversations using social media search tools
  • Why your company should engage in these conversations
  • What are the differences between blog sites and (cob)web sites
  • Questions to answer before you begin blogging

In today’s marketplace, RBI comes before ROI and conversation often precedes conversion. Choose from a morning session or an afternoon session. Register today – there is a limit of 25 seats for each session.

If you’re not in Iowa…there’s still good news for you. Thanks to the folks at Conference Calls Unlimited (their CEO blogs!), we will be launching our web workshops later this month. More info to come.

Quick Thoughts at the Start of a Busy Weekend

By on August 5, 2006 in Whistle Stops with 7 Comments

Getting ready to launch a new startup is exhilarating, invigorating and not at all exhausting. I’m immersed in two with good size to them and adding my pennies to a few others. It’s pay for play, folks…   With that, I love this line from David Armano: "If the Big Idea is the what, then Big Execution is the how.  We need both."

Have you ever found a blog site and just wanted to dive into the archives for a an hour? That’s my plan this weekend for Anna Farmery‘s The Engaging Brand. My WUP is handy…   Andy Brudtkuhl is "A-plus talent" – no wonder he’s always so busy.

I gotta figure out how to work this digital camera The sunrise this morning was stand-still stunning. Even my dog stood and stared…   I almost put Second Life on my things to give a try this weekend. I’ve been putting it off for a month. Though my to-do list is the justification, does my avoidance go deeper than that?

Suggestica: Buying Books on Trusted Opinions

By on August 4, 2006 in Books with 6 Comments

I was in a colleague’s office yesterday when a must-take phone call came in. While he was on the phone, I glanced through the titles on his book shelves. After he finished his call, we chatted about some of his books. Because I trust his opinion, I’ll probably purchase some of those titles.

Among others I trust when it comes to book titles and purchases are Phil Gerbyshak and Zane Safrit. They’ve told me they often do the same. Maybe you do too.

A trusted opinion is a big part of Rajesh Setty’s new venture, Suggestica, which launches today. Here’s the how he describes the purpose:

"Suggestica aims to bring the best suggestions (books, audio, video, etc.) from the ‘Trusted Authorities’ in their disciplines. Our goal is to create a new kind of web with less clutter and less noise. We are starting with books but will soon expand to other categories."

I’ve purchased several books based on what a Tom Peters or Guy Kawasaki has to say on the cover. In a similar vein, I’ll buy a book by a blogger, such as Frank Rumbauskas or Lisa Haneberg over an author without a blog. With so many books to choose from (and so little time), I rely on trusted opinions.

For me, a book falls into three categories: Buy It, Borrow It or Bunt It. Fortunate to get a glimpse of the pre-launch site, I look forward to using Suggestica to find new books and make smarter decision. Here’s a link to Suggestica’s Blog.

While I have your attention…what’s the best business book you’ve read this year?

Are Wallflowers Part of the Conversation?

By on August 3, 2006 in Conversations with 17 Comments

As an extension of two recent posts (Is Blogging Really a Conversation and BlogHer: Where the Women Bloggers Are) , I’d like to share my thoughts on whether "wallflowers" are part of the conversations taking place online.

My BlogHer post was actually inspired by Tom Vander Well’s A Word to Blog Wallflowers. In it, Tom shares the story of a reader who has extended the conversation Tom starts by passing the blog on to others – even though the reader has never commented on Tom’s site.

Some of the bloggers I read had not yet seen a link from here or a comment on their site. I took the opportunity to thank them. Was it part of a conversation? Not really, but it started one I’ll always remember.

It may seem that I’ve played the role of the wallflower, but often I share these sites with others. One such site is Rosanna Marotta’s management+ethics. A great blog I’ve shared with several – though until now, no linkage or comments. Am I part of the conversation? Yes – a bridge.

In many cultures, when one approaches in a conversation, the polite thing to do is remain in the background getting a deeper sense of the context and the personalities before jumping in and sharing an opinion. Listen First.

If a conversation has two roles – one being listening, I’d think so. Part of the community? Probably not yet, but don’t give up on them – they may come around. Quoting a different Tom, "We’ll leave the light on for ya."

What do you think? Are wallflowers part of the conversation? Part of the community? How do we embrace them if we don’t know them?

Whistle Stops – 08/02/06

By on August 2, 2006 in Whistle Stops with 0 Comments

Whistlestops_34 Some things I almost missed  – but you shouldn’t:

  • SHIFT Releases "PR 2.0 Essentials" Guidebook by Todd Defren at PR Squared. This guide (in pdf) is a handy reference for those stuck in PR 1.0 and equips you with insight on how to use the "Social Media Press Release". Todd has given you permission to distribute all or part of this freely. Want to be findable? Read this guide.
  • A few more Presentation How-To’s by Kathy Sierra at Creating Passionate Users. Great tips on giving powerful presentations (prepared or not) and includes a link to Sir Ken Robinson’s presentation at TED earlier this year.
  • Why Innovation is Hard by Gavin Heaton at Servant of Chaos. And not just because a link here leads off. Innovation is a BIG word these days, and should remain important – just don’t overlook the simple and small, which often adds up to BIG. Great post. (and thanks:-))
  • Blogging with the Whales by Bill Sweetman at One Degree. Bill wanted to go whale watching. Like any good Internet user, he first did a search. (Oops, no website – no Bill as a customer). Bill found a company with a blog. Guess which one Bill chose. Thanks to The Blog Studio for this one.
  • David Sifry on Making Your Blog More Popular by Darren Rowse at Problogger. Great tips. Of course, I’ve totally botched # 1 (React quickly) with this post. All these stops are a few days old. Two points on that: a) Sometimes the last ingredient in the soup tastes best (and freshness counts in Technorati too.) and b) The Immutable Law of Business Blogging.

Is Blogging Really a Conversation?

By on August 2, 2006 in Blogging, Conversations, Marketing with 10 Comments

Recently, I became engaged in a debate about whether blogging is really a conversation – or just correspondence. (Splitting hairs? Perhaps.) My counterpart seemed troubled by the definition of blogging (the verb) being a conversation, especially how it relates to business and their customers.

A few of his points:

  1. Blogging is not done in real-time
  2. Blogging is not face-to-face
  3. Blogging is without voice inflection

His strongest point may have been with regard to a company blogging. Is conversation too big and bold of a term? Would it scare them off?

His argument was that business blogging may be like going on a first date. Your date asks you how many kids you’d like to have? Your instant reaction may be, "Hold the phone, this is our first date – and we’re already getting to marriage talk? I’m not ready for that yet."

To a business, if having a conversation with your customer is too big of a commitment, maybe you shouldn’t be in business be blogging. Of course, maybe your competition will be ready to make such a commitment, but that’s a chance we all take in business and dating.

As for the definition of blogging being a conversation, it is – in my opinion – very much a conversation. In its tone. In its intention. In its interaction. Becoming a good conversationalist is another matter (and a future post, I’m sure).

Some definitions and use in action:

  • Wikipedia: "Blogging has developed a specialized vocabulary that has evolved into almost seemingly casual conversations between acquaintances, and has even found its way into some schools. See List of blogging terms.
  • In Mirriam-Webster’s, the first definition of "converse" as a noun is the archaic: social interaction, the second is: conversation. Among the definitions for "converse" as a verb is: to carry on an exchange similar to a conversation (as with a computer)
  • Earlier this year, Nancy White shared a few Mind Maps about Blog Conversations (check these out)
  • Amy Gahran breaks down What a Cross-Blog Conversation Looks Like in a great post, then proceeds to carry on a conversation within the comments.
  • And, as my good friend Mike Wagner often says within his comments, "Thanks for adding to the conversation."

Back in my AOL days, I read a wonderful business novel, Virtual Leadership (Amazon still shows my last purchase of this book in May 2000). In it, a wonderful story about King Arthur and how he communicated with his Knights – constantly battling enemies of geography, isolation and history.

As an online community specialist and now a blogging evangelist, I’ve witnessed how we’ve already overcome geography and isolation. History is still something businesses battle daily. A new history must be clearly communicated. One speed bump may be the languaging.

But as I said to my counterpart: If conversation is too big of a term, if developing that kind of relationship with their is too much of a commitment for a business to take on – maybe it’s best they realize that commitment prior to launching a blog.

To not realize the commitment would prove negative for the company – and for blogging.

August 1st: BlogTipping

By on August 1, 2006 in Blogging with 3 Comments

Blogtipping_1 Alas, the calendar turns another page, so it must be BlogTipping time.

BlogTip: EightyTwenty Access Strategy
Author: Chuck Brady

  • Consistent Posting
  • Always Motivating
  • From a business perspective, I like how the banner ad shows at bottom of the feed.

TIP: Link out to other blogs more. Introduce yourself and your audience to others. As a recent post says, Abundance Mentality. Love reading your stuff. Keep it up!

Know I’d love to do more (usually we do three), I’ll catch up next month.

Previous BlogTippings:
- July 1st: BlogTipping
- June 1st: BlogTipping
- May 1st: BlogTipping

Career Intensity + MaxBizAdvantage=Winning Combo

By on August 1, 2006 in Brain Stew with 0 Comments

If you read Dave Lorenzo’s blog, Career Intensity, you probably already know that his blog is now part of the new MaxBizAdvantage.

Also on MaxBizAdvantage are Joe Polish and Barbara Hemphill, who share their expertise in areas that any business owner can benefit from.

One area I think is a real strength for this site it the Pendaflex Learning Center, which offers free online courses, available anytime – never interrupting your schedule.

Congrats to Dave, Joe, Barbara and the rest of the team at MBA. Stay contagious!

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