12
Mar
2010
1
Jan
2010
2010: The Year Social Media Grows Up
Blogs, the keystone of Social Media, are no different from traditional media when it comes to this time between years. In December, bloggers post retrospectives of the year (or, in the case of 2009, a decade) or predict today what will come tomorrow.
In this posting, I intend to do both. While I never intended to use this blog to wax nostalgic or gaze into a crystal ball and pass along my visions of the future, a tweet did make me stop, think, and write this post.
“I am not a personal brand. I am a person.”
There is a touch of irony in what seems to be a very passionate cry amongst a deluge of noise on Twitter when you consider:
- The Twitter in question is a professional marketer.
- The Twitter in question runs a marketing firm based around online branding through Social Media.
- The Twitter in question tweets under a handle that is the name of their marketing firm.
To coin the iconic, one-word observation from Star Trek: “Fascinating.”
My prediction for Social Media in 2010 is it will struggle against acne, cringe at the sound of its own changing voice, and start to notice the opposite sex. Yes, Social Media will grow up; and its deeply entrenched Snake Oil Sales Staff will be forced to re-evaluate their place in it.
What started as a whisper at the beginning of the year has now becoming quite the trend. Here’s a cross-section of observations my Google-search “Social Media Snake Oil Salesmen” revealed: Read the rest of this entry »
10
Dec
2009
25
Sep
2009
From the “Microsoft, What Were You Thinking?!” Files…
After the Seinfeld-Gates marketing debacle, I didn’t think Microsoft could make anything more awkward than those ill-executed commercials.
I was so very, very wrong.
First, a disclaimer: As you may know, I am a Mac user. I make no apologies or smoke screen my love (on some days, reluctant) for the Apple. I want to make it clear that I’m not criticizing (in any way) Windows 7. So far, I have heard nothing but positive buzz about what it is promising.
My review (or rant, whichever you prefer) is about Windows 7 Launch Parties, the latest marketing effort from Microsoft. Their tutorial, “Hosting Your Party”, makes Battlefield Earth look like Lord of the Rings, and begs the question “Does Microsoft thrive on ridicule?” Read the rest of this entry »
28
Aug
2009
The Golden Unicorn: Do Social Media Jobs Really Exist?
Is there such a thing as a full time job in Social Media? Of course, there are many job listings out there calling for it, and for those of you who are also following me on TeeMorris.com, you know that an influence on my posts and podcasts here growing further and further off can be attributed to my new position at Intersections in Chantilly, Virginia. I intend to address this lifestyle change in a later post; but for now, I’d like to take a moment to look closer at this elusive brass ring: the full time Social Media gig.
Many listings tend to make Social Media part of another position. Public Relations Manager. Communications Manager. Marketing Manager. This insinuates that Social Media, while important, could not really be that time consuming. Such insinuation you also get from employers looking for experienced Social Media producers, offering their available positions as internships.
The internships don’t bother me as much as the businesses looking for Social Media Gurus, Oracles, and (no kidding) Buckaroos.
7
Aug
2009
10
May
2009
ANTI-Social Media: Part Four — Mainstream Mistakes and Conclusion
Welcome to the conclusion of my video miniseries, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0. This is the final segment where I go into the common assumptions and poor judgment calls the “mainstream” (defined here as those not willing to give Social Media attention) has made concerning the potential in blogging, podcasting, and social networking tools. I admit there was a huge gap between Part Three and the final part, but keep an eye here for the reasons (all good) as to why!
Filmed at the Merrill-Lynch Conference Center in Washington, DC and hosted by the Washington Network Group, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0 are case studies on Social Media when initiatives fall short. It is clear from the demand for Social Media in the professional sector and the popularity of Facebook and Twitter that companies and organizations are anxious to tap into this potential and promising outlet. Unfortunately there are many failures that cast doubt on whether or not these initiatives truly work.
The problem isn’t the media, but how it is handled.
Featured in this final segment are the success stories of Social Media (and the nod to CNN was before their Race to 1M followers which still disappoints me…) as well as my own personal secret in achieving success with Web 2.0 initiatives.
Thank you, all, for joining me in this mini-series. If you liked what you saw, rest assured: More is on the horizon here at Imagine That! Studios.
Feel free to share this video, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!
5
Apr
2009
ANTI-Social Media: Part Three — Socially-Challenged Networking
Welcome to Part Three of my video miniseries, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0. This segment is the longest one yet (close around the 20-minute mark!) as I talk about two social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter. I also give some playful shout-outs to Chris Brogan, Robert Scoble, and Jeff Pulver. For those of you who are subscribed to the high-resolution downloads, the video is going to be a good chunk of data (the joys of video podcasting) but worth the time and space!
Filmed at the Merrill-Lynch Conference Center in Washington, DC and hosted by the Washington Network Group, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0 are case studies on Social Media when initiatives fall short. It is clear from the demand for Social Media in the professional sector and the popularity of Facebook and Twitter that companies and organizations are anxious to tap into this potential and promising outlet. Unfortunately there are many failures that cast doubt on whether or not these initiatives truly work.
The problem isn’t the media, but how it is handled.
I put myself under the microscope in Part Three as I talk about the blurring lines between the professional life and the personal one. From Facebook, I move to Twitter where I make a connection between new school Twitter tech, old school marketing, and high school hijinx.
Feel free to share this video, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!
22
Mar
2009
ANTI-Social Media: Part Two — When Does a Podcast Become Problematic?
Presented by the In Your Right Mind podcast, this is Part Two of my video miniseries, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0. I could not be happier with the reactions from Part One (which included a shout-out from Wellington, New Zealand) and I’m thrilled to share this event with you.
Filmed at the Merrill-Lynch Conference Center in Washington, DC and hosted by the Washington Network Group, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0 is my seminar on where Social Media falls short. It is clear from the demand for Social Media in the professional sector and the popularity of Facebook and Twitter that companies and organizations are anxious to tap into this potential and promising outlet. Unfortunately there are many failures that cast doubt on whether or not these initiatives truly work.
The problem isn’t the media, but how it is handled.
Part Two takes delves into podcasting and three case studies where expectations and results fell far from the intended goals…assuming there was a “goal” in place to begin with.
Feel free to share this video, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!
28
Jan
2009
How a Nice Game of Chess Can Protect Your Company’s Image
Chess, from Lewis Carroll’s classic Through the Looking Glass to the Cold War techno-thriller WarGames, has always served as an allegory for strategy. The real trick in this Game of Kings is to think several moves ahead, considering as many outcomes as possible. This is a valuable lesson we can live by in business. Even when times are at their best, regardless of where you are in the corporate hierarchy, all possible outcomes should be considered, followed up by the important question “How will this reflect on me?”
Is this hesitation? No, this is critical thinking — devising fast, creative solutions as you are looking down the road for what is waiting around the corner. This is why chess is not only good for the mind but good for business. It would have definitely helped out Citigroup as a lack of strategic thinking made their failing business image (a loss of $8.29 billion dollars at the end of 2008, and accepting $45 billion dollars of public bailout funds) even worse.
To sum up the week Citigroup has been weathering, The New York Post released on Monday the financial entity was planning to invest part of their bailout funds on the Dassault Falcon 7X, a luxury jet that seats up to twelve, sports a plush interior with leather seats, sofas and entertainment center, clocks in a top speed of 559 MPH, and can travel 5,950 miles on one tank. All for the low, low price of $50 million dollars.
A tidy sum, Mr. Bigglesworth…
Where chess would have really helped out Citigroup here was on November 10, 2008. The bailout plans were already in motion, a new president had been elected, and change and optimism could be felt in the air. Also on this day, FAA records showed Citigroup reserving a new tail number, N488GS. While there are no confirmations, this new tail number seemed to be set aside for an incoming 7X which would join CitiFlight’s Gulf Sierra Fleet. (Yes, I said fleet. As in more than one private jet.) Citigroup, had they taken a moment to think ahead, could have seen the horrific image this would portray to its current and potential customers in light of a less-than-popular multi-billion dollar government bailout. Without taking consequences in mind, they continued with business as usual; and spent this week circling the wagons while others bandied about arguments such as “The planes were signed off two years ago when things were good…” and “Deposits on the 7X had already been made…” as if these were legitimate reasons to continue investment into a $50M plane with public funds.
This morning, in response to The White House asking them if a Falcon 7X was really a wise investment, Citigroup cancelled their order. Mind you, they did not cancel the order to “make it right”. Based on the actions of November 10 and three days of no comments, it’s clear the order was canceled because they got caught.
Is this the image you want to portray?
The decisions you make, whether for yourself or for your company, are powerful reflections of who you are, what you and your company stand for, and how you interact with your clients and handle their problems. In the lesson of chess, it is good to consider as many outcomes as you can, keeping in mind there will always be surprises (both good and bad). You must also consider when the time to act is evident. Strategy is merely groundwork for when to move your Rook or call for a Castle (hence the need for clocks alongside chess masters); but when you act, you now have contingencies in place in case one of those afore mentioned surprises appear.
And sometimes, the best strategy is to stop and apply common sense. How would Citigroup have saved themselves on taking a moment to ask “Is it a good idea, when we’re receiving bailout money, to go on and purchase a $50 million dollar jet?”
A moment of consideration can decide checkmate, particularly in the corporate world.
INTERVIEW: All a Twitter (and Social Media) on Breakthrough Business
Meet Michele Price. She queried me before I tweeted!
Michele is the host of Breakthrough Business, and on her BlogTalkRadio show we talk about Twitter, about my job at Intersections Inc (which you will find out more later on this blog), and about approaches that go against the grain of the marketing books. We talk about how “old school marketing” just doesn’t work with Social Media, and how businesses need to understand that Twitter (and Social Media, on a whole) is about people.
We had a blast on this interview, and there are more slated for the month. Keep an eye on my RSS feed for more!
Tags: All a Twitter, audio, Blog Talk Radio, business, Chris Brogan, creative thinking, creativity, Intersections, marketing, Michele Price, networking, Podcast, Social Media, Social Networking, strategy, technology, Tee Morris, Twitter, writing
Posted in Commentary, News & Appearances, Social Media | 2 Comments »