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Archive for February, 2009

Social Media, Are You In, or Out?

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

For the past 10 years I spent time defining, developing and deploying collaboration and community of practice strategies and technologies (known as knowledge management) that would allow large groups of people with similiar ‘likings’ to come together and share information, knowledge, best practices and lessons learned. The value was to establish communities that would be willing to share information that someone can reuse and replicate; or simply
consume.

As a result, I was on top of the tools and technology trends that were supporting those requiremnets. Or so I thought.

In the last 12 months alone (more like only 9), mostly due to the historical presidential election, there has been such an explosion of tools and technology for what is now broadly called ’social media’ that even I am overwhelmed by the technologies available for everything from socializing, networking, collaboration, generating business, public relations, marketing, and more.

So what is ’social media’? Well, you most likely have been using it, but here are the definitions of Social media available on the Web:

  • Social media is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words …
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media
  • A category of sites that is based on user participation and user-generated content. They include social networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, social bookmarking sites like Del.icio.us, social news sites like Digg or Reddit, and other sites that are centered on user interaction. searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html
  • The term social media describes media that is posed by the user and can take many different forms. Some types of social media are forums, message boards, blogs, wikis and podcasts.
  • Social media applications include Google, Facebook and YouTube.
    www.batchblue.com/glossary.html
  • Software tools that allow groups to generate content and engage in peer-to-peer conversations and exchange of content (examples are YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, MySpace etc) www.bottlepr.co.uk/glossary.html

I am not here to debate the right or wrong definition of social media, there was plenty of that done at the Atlanta SoCon 09 conference that went on last night and today. If there was one thing that I did take away from the conference is that businesses of all sizes need to be aware and get on board with this ’social media’ frenzy, as it is not going away. Though it will transform from what it is today. At least I hope so, as even the brightest of folks attending the conference found it difficult to grasp how to manage and leverage it for their own needs.

So what can you do? If you are using facebook, linked in, myspace, etc., know that you are already engaging in social media.

Know that in most cases the full potential of how it can be used for your business; generating leads, marketing, public relations, community development, research and development, and many other functions, is relatively untapped.

Begin to create your own business social media map that would lay out how you want to communicate, engage, and gather information from your network and what tools and technologies (when, where, and how) the can be leveraged.

Then finally, start slow and evolve. Remember social media is here to stay, so it will be here tomorrow when you are organized, planned, and ready to use it effectively.

Good luck….

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Insights from Brian Tracy that will skyrocket your Productivity!

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

I don’t know about you, but there are a lot of times during my day that I lose focus, get distracted, and overall become unmotivated to do much of anything, let alone pursue aggressive revenue and client acquisition activites that drives any business, including my own.

The following is some motivating words from a world renowed coach, author and speaker who work with business leaders around the world to address the same everyday issues that impact you and me.

If I can put my business coaching hat on: read, think about, and determine what actions you will take to leverage some of his ideas. And do not worry about trying all of them, start small and watch your productivity sky rocket!

And when it does, we would love to hear about it, so please Comment to us, so we can share it with others.

 

Prepare Thoroughly Before You Begin
By: Brian Tracy

Have Everything At Hand
One of the best ways for you to overcome procrastination and get more things done faster is for you to have everything you need at hand before you begin. When you are fully prepared, you are like a cocked gun or an archer with an arrow pulled back taut in the bow. You just need one small mental push to get started on your highest value tasks.

Clear Your Workspace
Begin by clearing off your desk or workspace so that you only have one task in front of you. If necessary, put everything on the floor or on the table behind you. Gather all the information, reports, details, papers, and work materials that you will require to complete the job. Have them at hand so you can reach them without getting up or moving. Be sure that you have all writing materials, computer disks, access codes, email addresses and everything else you need to start and continue working until the job is done.

Make It Comfortable
Set up your work area so that it is comfortable, attractive and conducive to working for long periods. Especially, make sure that you have a comfortable chair that supports your back and allows your feet to sit flat on the floor.

The most productive people take the time to create a work area where they enjoy spending time. The cleaner and neater your work area before you begin, the easier it is for you to get started and keep going.

Assume The Position
When you sit down, with everything in front of you, ready to go, assume the body language of high performance. Sit up straight, sit forward and away from the back of the chair. Carry yourself as though you were an efficient, effective high performing personality. Then, pick up the first item and say to yourself, “Let’s get to work!” and plunge in. And once you’ve started, keep going until the job is finished.

Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, take a good look at your desk or office, both at home and at the office. Ask yourself, “What kind of a person works in an environment like that?”

Second, resolve today to clean up your desk and office completely so that you feel effective, efficient and ready to get going each time you sit down to work.
Brian Tracy has been empowering business professionals by sharing his knowledge all over the world. His techniques will allow you to reach your goals and achieve the unthinkable.

Copyright 2008, Brian Tracy International.
Brian Tracy International 462 Stevens Ave Suite 202, Solana Beach, CA 92075

 

 

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