Posts Tagged ‘Social Media’

Hello everyone… what are you doing on this gorgeous Friday? I’m working alongside @ronyoder and pushing the new site forward. This post is from my Android Phone… and soon, we’ll be able to post “on the fly” on the new site…. stay tuned!

A seat at the table… that’s what most people want.  The boardroom table?  The kitchen table?  Maybe the Café table?  I recently read a great blog post by Chris Brogan entitled, “Cafe-Shaped Conversations.”

The post describes Social Media’s place at the marketing table.  The post asks provocative questions about big business and social media… and why or why not big business (or little for that matter) should be interested.

I’m a novice compared to a guy like Brogan, but I’m learning.  I’m experimenting.  I’m pulling up a chair in the social media café.  Why – because this is a wave worth riding.  This is a blend worth brewing.

I’m going to stop here… read this post… add to Chris’ 60 comments or stop back here and leave your 2 cents.  I’ll put the coffee on…

Are you familiar with many of these logos?

This doesn’t have to be overwhelming…ever consider going back to school?

Leadership is about learning. Some of the best leaders I know, in business, at church, and throughout the non-profit sector have created a lifetime habit of learning. They read books and blogs, listen to podcasts, attend conferences, participate in professional discussion groups, & more. They are active learners.

For over a year now I’ve been actively learning about web 2.0. Not by taking any official evening classes at a local university, but rather by spending hours in self-guided exploration and the testing of the proverbial social media waters. Perhaps you’re also interested in this recent tidal wave of web interactivity. In web 1.0 you surfed the web, got information, and sent email. If you choose to engage in web 2.0, you might be doing things like: connecting with friends on Facebook, Uploading Photos & Videos to share, publishing your thoughts on a blog, using Skype like a video phone to talk with someone over seas for Free!, following your friends daily activity on a site like Twitter, and even utilizing your mobile phone to keep up with all of this.

In the last 9 months I’ve intentionally established accounts on sites like Facebook, Flickr, Del.icio.us, Digg, LinkedIn, and others with the sole intent being, “to see what the big deal is” and “to see if there was enough value in this web 2.0 technology to warrant my time and participation” My answer – absolutely! -  web 2.0 is here to stay and there is huge value in participating. There’s nothing like checking it out for yourself though.

So, come on in, the water is warm and there’s a lifeguard on duty. If you’re interested in learning how social media can enhance your personal and business relationships, why not give it the old college try? Choose a site, set up your User ID and Password and dive in. Be sure to drop me a line and let me know how it’s going from time to time.  Maybe start your own blog.  Share you thoughts about web 2.0 here.

Timing - you’ve heard the popular phrase, “timing is everything”.  I don’t agree, it isn’t everything…but it is a significant part of the equation.  There is a distinct possibility that you may be presented with an opportunity – but you are not ready to act. 

In that case, timing could have been everything, but it wasn’t.  Why?  Because you weren’t prepared.  You didn’t do your homework.  You didn’t scenario plan.  What do you need to begin working on now, so you can be ready when the timing is right?

Transitions – often the “timing” I’m referring to is related to a transition.  It might be related to your work, a change in a relationship, or impact where you live – but it definitely involves motion.  Dictionary.com defines transition as “movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another”.  Transitions can be either good or bad – they are generally not neutral in nature. 

So – let’s say for sake of argument – that the timing is perfect and you’ve prepared for the opportunity.  Now you’ll need to navigate the transition with care and intentionality.  Care to keep key relationships intact, and intentionality to create win-win scenarios whenever possible.

Technology – In today’s fast-paced world, technology can help you prepare for the opportunities ahead.  With intentionality – you can research online and prepare yourself with the knowledge you’ll need to succeed.  This may seem simple – but only 10 years ago this would have been more difficult. 

Technology can also assist you with navigating the transitions you face.  From consistent and courteous communication tools like email, IM, texting, twitter, facebook, linkedin, skype and more to developing your own blog or widget.  You can leverage technology to navigate the terrain ahead if you’re intentional about learning and experimenting. 

What opportunities are you anticipating?  Are you prepared? 
How could technology help you transition?  What will you do about it?

Special Thanks to Bo Boswell, for the pic - we recently met via Flickr.com . Check out some of Bo’s other work here.