Archive for the ‘Business’ Category
The biggest danger to your business is competition & YOUR biggest competitor is ….
.... anything that stops your clients from paying attention to you.
It does not need to be the guy down the street who does exactly what you do. In fact it is more likely to be something completely unrelated to you and what you offer. It can be anything from closing the biggest business deal ever to the football or the fact that the coffee machine has broken.
Listening to our clients and developing an understanding their interests, needs and desires is the first step in understanding what is likely to be influencing their lives and what you are up against when competing for your client's (or clients') attention.
We think that to get our clients' attention we should focus on all sorts of campaigns which invariably resort to highly competitive prices.
It is not.
It is about capturing your client's imagination by painting a picture in which their problems are magically solved.
It is about your specialist skills or niche products being the perfect solution for them just at the perfect moment when they need that solution.
It is also about them having the confidence that you understand them and the situation that they are in and what they are dealing with.
The only way to find out is by listening very carefully. Not just to their business activities and interests but to them as human beings as well.
Do you know what is taking your clients' attention away from you and what you are offering to them?
It does not need to be the guy down the street who does exactly what you do. In fact it is more likely to be something completely unrelated to you and what you offer. It can be anything from closing the biggest business deal ever to the football or the fact that the coffee machine has broken.
Listening to our clients and developing an understanding their interests, needs and desires is the first step in understanding what is likely to be influencing their lives and what you are up against when competing for your client's (or clients') attention.
We think that to get our clients' attention we should focus on all sorts of campaigns which invariably resort to highly competitive prices.
It is not.
It is about capturing your client's imagination by painting a picture in which their problems are magically solved.
It is about your specialist skills or niche products being the perfect solution for them just at the perfect moment when they need that solution.
It is also about them having the confidence that you understand them and the situation that they are in and what they are dealing with.
The only way to find out is by listening very carefully. Not just to their business activities and interests but to them as human beings as well.
Do you know what is taking your clients' attention away from you and what you are offering to them?
Follow @Georgina_Lester
+44 (0) 7971 854441
Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Social Media & Digital Coaching - Introductory Offer
| Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK
I am an investor always on the look out for great business investments!
Before you get excited thinking that I have lots of money to dole out to hungry businesses - I haven't got a bean to share here. (Whoooosh! There goes the stampede of eager readers leaving the room in a huff! I hope they leave their comments first though!)
This blog is about the value of consultants and mentors.
We have seen many times on programmes like Dragons' Den that investors can make a business soar to incredible heights of success making all involved wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. This is especially true as the Dragons bring specialist expertise that is often a perfect match for the type of business proposal offered.
Dragons require a substantial share of the business which is not surprising considering that they are handing over large wads of cash. They are trusting that their judgement has been astute enough to spot a winner and the person in whom they are investing is actually going to deliver the goods - many times over.
We have frequently seen offers declined because people are unwilling to let go of a percentage of their business. Madness we cry. 50% of something substantial is worth so much more than 100% of nothing. Why oh why can they not see that especially when we can appreciate just how amazingly valuable the investors' expertise would be for their business?
As a consultant or mentor sharing my expertise with my clients, I do not require a share-holding (although if you offer, I might consider it). I do expect of course, to be compensated sufficiently for what I bring to the equation just as importantly I do also expect your engagement too. If am to invest my time and effort into your business, I would anticipate that you would too.
As a consultant working on other people's businesses, we are investing valuable time and energy in you. Any of the good consultants could work with a whole plethora of businesses but the time available to us only allows us to work with a few. We often have to make a choice.
This decision is often not about the financial rewards. It is more likely to be about which project we feel that we can add the most value and which will appreciate what we offer. There is also the matter of which would be the most fun and rewarding to work with too.
Please note that this blog although serious in topic and intent is slightly tongue in cheek. I am not so imperious to suggest that businesses have to grovel to get my attention. If anything I am too much of a tart in that I am willing to work with (almost) anyone. My interest lies in our perceptions of consultants who add value to our businesses. Even so ... I am still curious about you and your business.
What makes your business stand out from the crowd? Why should I invest in you?
This blog is about the value of consultants and mentors.
We have seen many times on programmes like Dragons' Den that investors can make a business soar to incredible heights of success making all involved wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. This is especially true as the Dragons bring specialist expertise that is often a perfect match for the type of business proposal offered.
Dragons require a substantial share of the business which is not surprising considering that they are handing over large wads of cash. They are trusting that their judgement has been astute enough to spot a winner and the person in whom they are investing is actually going to deliver the goods - many times over.
We have frequently seen offers declined because people are unwilling to let go of a percentage of their business. Madness we cry. 50% of something substantial is worth so much more than 100% of nothing. Why oh why can they not see that especially when we can appreciate just how amazingly valuable the investors' expertise would be for their business?
As a consultant or mentor sharing my expertise with my clients, I do not require a share-holding (although if you offer, I might consider it). I do expect of course, to be compensated sufficiently for what I bring to the equation just as importantly I do also expect your engagement too. If am to invest my time and effort into your business, I would anticipate that you would too.
As a consultant working on other people's businesses, we are investing valuable time and energy in you. Any of the good consultants could work with a whole plethora of businesses but the time available to us only allows us to work with a few. We often have to make a choice.
This decision is often not about the financial rewards. It is more likely to be about which project we feel that we can add the most value and which will appreciate what we offer. There is also the matter of which would be the most fun and rewarding to work with too.
Please note that this blog although serious in topic and intent is slightly tongue in cheek. I am not so imperious to suggest that businesses have to grovel to get my attention. If anything I am too much of a tart in that I am willing to work with (almost) anyone. My interest lies in our perceptions of consultants who add value to our businesses. Even so ... I am still curious about you and your business.
What makes your business stand out from the crowd? Why should I invest in you?
Follow @Georgina_Lester
Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Boardroom - Hotel du Vin Bristol | Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK
What is your message?
..... and why is it important to you?
Is your message something for the world? Something to have inscribed on your tombstone?
Or are you more concerned with value propositions, elevator pitches and sales spiels?
Is your message something for the world? Something to have inscribed on your tombstone?
Or are you more concerned with value propositions, elevator pitches and sales spiels?
Follow @Georgina_Lester
Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Boardroom - Hotel du Vin Bristol | Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK
Fakes, clones & doppelgangers. My Facebook impersonator, friends & me
What is the difference between these two people?
They are both called Georgina Lester. One is fake. One is real.
This reminds me of the scene in the Labyrinth in which Sarah arrives at two doors. One always tell lies, the other always tells the truth. One will take her to the castle at the end of the labyrinth which means that she can rescue her baby brother whilst the other leads to certain death. Question is how can she find out which is which?
Every day, without even realising it, we are being faced with this choice. How much do we take familiarity of a picture totally for granted? How certain can we be that what we see is actually what we think we see?
It is a conundrum and particularly crucial when considering our online identity especially if you want to keep your credibility and reputation intact. This particular impersonator contacted Jo Berry promising her that she was going to receive a large sum of money. Fortunately Jo knows me well enough to realise immediately that something was not right and called me immediately. What would have happened though if this person had got in touch with someone who doesn't know me quite so well? What if they have done already?
I have of course reported this through the usual channels. I have also posted a warning in a few key places so that people are aware. I am lucky in that everyone has been amazingly supportive and I am getting a steady flow of messages from people reporting back to say that they have taken action.
So what would you feel if this happened to you? What would you do?
What do you look out for when you check to make sure that someone is really who they say they are? Do you check?
They are both called Georgina Lester. One is fake. One is real.
This reminds me of the scene in the Labyrinth in which Sarah arrives at two doors. One always tell lies, the other always tells the truth. One will take her to the castle at the end of the labyrinth which means that she can rescue her baby brother whilst the other leads to certain death. Question is how can she find out which is which?
Every day, without even realising it, we are being faced with this choice. How much do we take familiarity of a picture totally for granted? How certain can we be that what we see is actually what we think we see?
It is a conundrum and particularly crucial when considering our online identity especially if you want to keep your credibility and reputation intact. This particular impersonator contacted Jo Berry promising her that she was going to receive a large sum of money. Fortunately Jo knows me well enough to realise immediately that something was not right and called me immediately. What would have happened though if this person had got in touch with someone who doesn't know me quite so well? What if they have done already?
I have of course reported this through the usual channels. I have also posted a warning in a few key places so that people are aware. I am lucky in that everyone has been amazingly supportive and I am getting a steady flow of messages from people reporting back to say that they have taken action.
So what would you feel if this happened to you? What would you do?
What do you look out for when you check to make sure that someone is really who they say they are? Do you check?
Follow @Georgina_Lester
Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Boardroom - Hotel du Vin Bristol | Business Mentoring | Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK
Meeting people online – who do you trust? @respectconnect #Ten4Trust
Connect.Me is developing into an interesting experience as a new group of people gradually get their heads around ways of consolidating their own networks and identifying who they trust most to publicly vouch as being people they genuinely trust. Despite still being in 'private beta' it is getting some significant interest from the wider world and I am not entirely surprised. I particularly like the fact that their intentions are to create something that is NOT yet another social network that needs to be managed (thank goodness for that), but instead to behave more like a directory of trusted contacts.
Whilst it can be argued that we could just ask our friends for advice about the contacts we need, the challenge is that they may not be available just when you need to know. Doing a basic search online brings up so many possibilities and there is little to tell us which are the scam artists and which are going to be reliable enough to do a good job.
It is actually quite a challenge thinking about those we think that we can trust. What criteria should we use? Should we only vouch for people we have met? Can we vouch for people we have never nor likely to meet?
These are snapshot of just a few of the connections I value and people I follow....
Robert Scoble I have never met Robert and may never do so either. I can't even say that I have even conversed with him. However, I do trust what he offers. He is an authoritative source of valuable information and news about what is happening in the world of technology and how that impacts the world online. As a user of SM tools his advice is often spot on.
Tom Cooley Never met and never actually talked with him but we have found ourselves on more than a couple of the same virtual paths over the last year. I first encountered Tom on Empire Avenue - often found in the chat giving invaluable support and advice to anyone needing some guidance. He follows a similar philosophy as myself and gives very good social media advice. He also has an interest in ecological and environmental issues through his focus on hydroponics - I like that.
Karin Sebelin A PR expert from Germany she is also someone I have not met but have known online for some time now. We have got as far as having a Skype chat though. She is one of those special people who is consistently supportive and very willing to share valuable information far and wide. An asset to any network especially as she has a very clear understanding of how social media platforms work.
Chris Bose and Peter Hodgson have been members of the boardroom in Bristol along with William Buist, for most of the last two years. Chris's understanding of marketing and internet technology is superb. Peter's knowledge of networking is exemplary. Insightful, straight talking and exceptionally knowledgeable about business they are each very supportive in their own ways. I respect and value them enormously for their contributions over the years. It is through the boardrooms that the level of trust that we share goes further than just a business acquaintance and friendship. On many occasions in-depth conversations have been made possible and had a huge impact because of the fact that we all trust that confidentiality is implicit in our relationship which is highly respected.
Sharon Leighton Her support over the years has been immense having helped me enormously with the work that I do. Whilst I know nothing about her role in the pharmaceutical industry, I do have first hand experience of her training and management skills. She is consistent in the way that she encourages those who work in her teams. As the result of working with her creating and delivering workshops and talks on social media, we have become quite the double act!
Jo Berry Peace ambassador, conflict coach, boardroom participant, friend and an 'ideal client' who is an absolute joy to work with. Jo has an amazing message to share with the world having been on an incredible journey of personal and professional development. She demonstrates that she trusts me which means that I am more willing to offer her whatever support I can.
Thomas Power for his extraordinary understanding of how emerging technologies will impact people and the commercial world. Take notice when he says something particularly off the wall because we can trust that his predictions are probably not far off the mark.
Penny Power As founder and original instigator of Ecademy, her consistent focus on a vision to show support, compassion and empathy to small business owners is second to none. I am sure that her insistence on putting 'heart' into everything online has taught many tough nuts to soften and live a gentler life.
William Buist Collaboration expert, social media aficionado and a consultant with a specialist knowledge of effective business models, his input is superb. We can certainly trust that he will find a way to look at things from a completely new perspective which is invaluable when trying to solve the most challenging of conundrums. His insights are always delivered in a forthright way but with care and compassion. A friend who regularly cajoles and encourages those he likes and respects to push out their boundaries and strive to do great things.
During the last few years I have come across numerous people online who have add fantastic value to my life and would be a valuable asset to anyone's network. Deciding who to trust gets easier as we become more in tune with picking up the signals of those who are less authentic than they could be. Whilst these are not strictly my top ten as such, everyone on this list are people I would recommend getting to know. I trust them for the part that they have played in my journey of learning about the online world. Most I have met and got to know in real life in which case they have become more than just an address card. They have become friends.
Have you thought about who you trust? Who would be on your list of top ten most trusted contacts?
Whilst it can be argued that we could just ask our friends for advice about the contacts we need, the challenge is that they may not be available just when you need to know. Doing a basic search online brings up so many possibilities and there is little to tell us which are the scam artists and which are going to be reliable enough to do a good job.
It is actually quite a challenge thinking about those we think that we can trust. What criteria should we use? Should we only vouch for people we have met? Can we vouch for people we have never nor likely to meet?
These are snapshot of just a few of the connections I value and people I follow....
Robert Scoble I have never met Robert and may never do so either. I can't even say that I have even conversed with him. However, I do trust what he offers. He is an authoritative source of valuable information and news about what is happening in the world of technology and how that impacts the world online. As a user of SM tools his advice is often spot on.
Tom Cooley Never met and never actually talked with him but we have found ourselves on more than a couple of the same virtual paths over the last year. I first encountered Tom on Empire Avenue - often found in the chat giving invaluable support and advice to anyone needing some guidance. He follows a similar philosophy as myself and gives very good social media advice. He also has an interest in ecological and environmental issues through his focus on hydroponics - I like that.
Karin Sebelin A PR expert from Germany she is also someone I have not met but have known online for some time now. We have got as far as having a Skype chat though. She is one of those special people who is consistently supportive and very willing to share valuable information far and wide. An asset to any network especially as she has a very clear understanding of how social media platforms work.
Chris Bose and Peter Hodgson have been members of the boardroom in Bristol along with William Buist, for most of the last two years. Chris's understanding of marketing and internet technology is superb. Peter's knowledge of networking is exemplary. Insightful, straight talking and exceptionally knowledgeable about business they are each very supportive in their own ways. I respect and value them enormously for their contributions over the years. It is through the boardrooms that the level of trust that we share goes further than just a business acquaintance and friendship. On many occasions in-depth conversations have been made possible and had a huge impact because of the fact that we all trust that confidentiality is implicit in our relationship which is highly respected.
Sharon Leighton Her support over the years has been immense having helped me enormously with the work that I do. Whilst I know nothing about her role in the pharmaceutical industry, I do have first hand experience of her training and management skills. She is consistent in the way that she encourages those who work in her teams. As the result of working with her creating and delivering workshops and talks on social media, we have become quite the double act!
Jo Berry Peace ambassador, conflict coach, boardroom participant, friend and an 'ideal client' who is an absolute joy to work with. Jo has an amazing message to share with the world having been on an incredible journey of personal and professional development. She demonstrates that she trusts me which means that I am more willing to offer her whatever support I can.
Thomas Power for his extraordinary understanding of how emerging technologies will impact people and the commercial world. Take notice when he says something particularly off the wall because we can trust that his predictions are probably not far off the mark.
Penny Power As founder and original instigator of Ecademy, her consistent focus on a vision to show support, compassion and empathy to small business owners is second to none. I am sure that her insistence on putting 'heart' into everything online has taught many tough nuts to soften and live a gentler life.
William Buist Collaboration expert, social media aficionado and a consultant with a specialist knowledge of effective business models, his input is superb. We can certainly trust that he will find a way to look at things from a completely new perspective which is invaluable when trying to solve the most challenging of conundrums. His insights are always delivered in a forthright way but with care and compassion. A friend who regularly cajoles and encourages those he likes and respects to push out their boundaries and strive to do great things.
During the last few years I have come across numerous people online who have add fantastic value to my life and would be a valuable asset to anyone's network. Deciding who to trust gets easier as we become more in tune with picking up the signals of those who are less authentic than they could be. Whilst these are not strictly my top ten as such, everyone on this list are people I would recommend getting to know. I trust them for the part that they have played in my journey of learning about the online world. Most I have met and got to know in real life in which case they have become more than just an address card. They have become friends.
Have you thought about who you trust? Who would be on your list of top ten most trusted contacts?
Follow @Georgina_Lester
Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Boardroom - Hotel du Vin Bristol | Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK
Are Flickr scared of Pinterest or are they really protecting copyrighted images?
I have just come across an article posted on Venture Beat who on Friday reported that Flickr are clamping down on people pinning pictures onto Pinterest in this article "Flickr disables Pinterest pins on copyrighted images (exclusive)". They say that it is an attempt to protect owners of the images posted on the site. Quite frankly tough, I think that they are bonkers and very very wrong.
When you post images on to your website or on social media platforms or indeed anywhere on the internet, that is it! They are readily available for any one to access and download as their own - not because they have the legal right to do so, but because they can. The most that a bit of code will do is to put off a few non-tech savvy users form attempting to 'steal' the images.
We have already been discussing this issue of sharing images from Facebook in the Internet marketing group. It didn't take long to figure out it is easy to get passed these blocks on Facebook so I can't see that Flickr is going to be that much different. Judging by the comments on the article on VentureBeat - there are plenty of people out there who know lots more ways of getting around the issues.
I am really not convinced that actually it is going to protect the artists, photographers, etc from their work being nicked. If anything it is going to do something far more damaging. The first thing that it is going to do is promote piracy and more dubious practices of sharing other people's work in a way that does not credit them appropriately.
As far as I can see, Pinterest have got it right. Every time someone pins a picture from your website, the originating website stays with the image regardless of how many times it gets repinned, shared, liked, commented on etc. on the site. So if you have a popular image that goes viral and hundreds of people publish it on their boards, each and every one will have a link back to you.
Even if people use the "Embed" option - as I have below - it still credits the original publisher of the picture. As you can see from the hyperlinked text below the image, the original site, my profile and Pinterest. I think that is VERY clever and absolutely right.
If on the other hand, sites like Flickr disable this honest sharing, then what will absolutely happen is much worse. For example you have an image that is equally popular and goes viral - then all the credit will go to potentially hundreds of other sites which have 'stolen' your image.
I know which option I would prefer. Allow everyone to share as many images as they like from my site because each one is promoting everything that I am doing.
Or am I missing something here?
When you post images on to your website or on social media platforms or indeed anywhere on the internet, that is it! They are readily available for any one to access and download as their own - not because they have the legal right to do so, but because they can. The most that a bit of code will do is to put off a few non-tech savvy users form attempting to 'steal' the images.
We have already been discussing this issue of sharing images from Facebook in the Internet marketing group. It didn't take long to figure out it is easy to get passed these blocks on Facebook so I can't see that Flickr is going to be that much different. Judging by the comments on the article on VentureBeat - there are plenty of people out there who know lots more ways of getting around the issues.
I am really not convinced that actually it is going to protect the artists, photographers, etc from their work being nicked. If anything it is going to do something far more damaging. The first thing that it is going to do is promote piracy and more dubious practices of sharing other people's work in a way that does not credit them appropriately.
As far as I can see, Pinterest have got it right. Every time someone pins a picture from your website, the originating website stays with the image regardless of how many times it gets repinned, shared, liked, commented on etc. on the site. So if you have a popular image that goes viral and hundreds of people publish it on their boards, each and every one will have a link back to you.
Even if people use the "Embed" option - as I have below - it still credits the original publisher of the picture. As you can see from the hyperlinked text below the image, the original site, my profile and Pinterest. I think that is VERY clever and absolutely right.
If on the other hand, sites like Flickr disable this honest sharing, then what will absolutely happen is much worse. For example you have an image that is equally popular and goes viral - then all the credit will go to potentially hundreds of other sites which have 'stolen' your image.
I know which option I would prefer. Allow everyone to share as many images as they like from my site because each one is promoting everything that I am doing.
Or am I missing something here?
Source: thesetingstaketime.com via Georgina on Pinterest
Follow @Georgina_Lester
Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Boardroom - Hotel du Vin Bristol | Follow me on Pinterest | Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK
WILL YOU BE ASSIMILATED? Lessons on engagement with @_BorgCollective – what do you reckon?
I was particularly curious when Stuarte wrote this blog "Anyone can create a Cult of Me and get attention" commenting on the fact that Klout can be gamed. @_BorgCollective was proof of that as it has an unjustifiably high Klout score and was cited as being the epitome of a loathsome spammer. I was intrigued enough to have a look at @_BorgCollective to see what it was all about. I went from "Eurgh!" to "Aha - there is a lesson here!"
It is fairly friendless too with very few followers, fewer friends and is on even less lists. It is just an automated account seemingly without any purpose whatsoever other than targeting specific users and sending them this one message. it does this simple thing - again and again and again and again...... ad infinitum. Arrrrrgggghh!!
Really? So how on earth (or some other far and distant planet) could that EVER be engaging to get a good Klout score? Was this the moment of truth that would prove the skeptics right that us Klout fans and believers belong in the realms of confirmed delusionists.
However, a quick search for the responses told me what I needed to know.
Once you have chosen to be assimilated or not is irrelevant - "IT" doesn't care just moving on to the next person in sight. Whilst you may loathe science fiction and might not be impressed but you do have a choice when and if you get such a message - ignore it, take it seriously or have a giggle and move on. The law of probabilities would suggest that enough will react and respond confirming the validity of "ITS" existence.
Developments in technology as in this blog "What are your predictions for the future of the internet and developments in technology?" might make the threat of being 'assimilated' frighteningly real so it is even more important to remember our spiritual origins and our humanness.
But perhaps you have already been assimilated and you just didn't realise ........?
What is the @_BorgCollective about?
At first glance I was inclined to agree. The monotony of just one single message "YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED" would be the Chinese torture of the twitter world - especially if you have no other friends to follow. Dementia would be the only sanity!!It is fairly friendless too with very few followers, fewer friends and is on even less lists. It is just an automated account seemingly without any purpose whatsoever other than targeting specific users and sending them this one message. it does this simple thing - again and again and again and again...... ad infinitum. Arrrrrgggghh!!
Really? So how on earth (or some other far and distant planet) could that EVER be engaging to get a good Klout score? Was this the moment of truth that would prove the skeptics right that us Klout fans and believers belong in the realms of confirmed delusionists.
However, a quick search for the responses told me what I needed to know.
How can something so dull and monotonous get engagement?
Fans of such things as Star Trek, Dr Who and all the other intergalactic fantasy programmes in which various forms of the Borg reside will no doubt get the joke! Personally though, I do think boredom threshold will be so low that once the initial touch has been made - the novelty will soon wear off.Once you have chosen to be assimilated or not is irrelevant - "IT" doesn't care just moving on to the next person in sight. Whilst you may loathe science fiction and might not be impressed but you do have a choice when and if you get such a message - ignore it, take it seriously or have a giggle and move on. The law of probabilities would suggest that enough will react and respond confirming the validity of "ITS" existence.
The lessons .....
Some tweeters could definitely learn a thing or two from it as well! Think I am bonkers? Well consider these points and ask yourself whether they are valid or not.- The message is simple and very easily understood. Get it? You don't have to be overly pompous, terribly clever and complicated.
- It entertains - well I know that is debatable but you get my drift
- It's different to a great deal of blurb that you might normally get - you might think that is debatable too
- Fans will love getting the messages - they will feel recognised and singled out! See proof below.
- Non-fans might not like it but they will still react even if they protest like crazy - they are still responding so being controversial has its bonuses
- People want to share the message with their friends - who wouldn't?
- It gets engagement (replies) which range from "lol" to "Oh no!" (or FO) - Klout doesn't actually care how you feel
- The voice is very definitely authentic - you cannot argue with that!
- Acts as a warning - behave like a bot, become a bot and YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED
- It's VERY quick and easy to reply - again simplicity rules
- Your followers are not being expected to be overly intellectual to 'fit in'
- The message is definitely consistent in every way - tone, story, offering, rewards, benefits/consequences, etc..
- It comes with another warning too - if you don't come up with something equally captivating then you will soon lose your audience
- If you don't remember your humanity - you will digitally merge with the digital mass.
Will you be assimilated?
So my conclusions? It's all about authenticity every time. Remember your uniqueness. Remember the things that get you passionate and excited. Remain true to yourself and your message. Remember your humanity and you will connect with real human beings who care about you and what you do.Developments in technology as in this blog "What are your predictions for the future of the internet and developments in technology?" might make the threat of being 'assimilated' frighteningly real so it is even more important to remember our spiritual origins and our humanness.
But perhaps you have already been assimilated and you just didn't realise ........?
Follow @Georgina_Lester
Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK
What are your predictions for the future of the internet and developments in technology?
Technology is developing at an exponential rate. New things are being revealed constantly. It seems that we have shot passed the stage where science fiction technologies of fantasy programmes like Star Trek are considered impossible. In fact they have been overtaken with even more fantastical innovations having become science fact and every day reality.
New platforms are being launched daily. Some are new however, some are old hat before they have got off the starting blocks. Some are just too innovative and off the wall to be understood by that critical mass of people for it to develop a real presence in the world.
Mobile technology is set to revolutionise many things. I wonder how that will develop. What will the role of the internet be once mobile has become the primary way of getting online for everyone?
What do you see happening in the future of technology and the way that it is offering new ways to connect with our audiences?
What do you think will change? What will fade and die?
How do you think that will affect our businesses and our marketing?
P.S. Don't cheat by just repeating something that Thomas says - I want to hear YOUR thoughts.
New platforms are being launched daily. Some are new however, some are old hat before they have got off the starting blocks. Some are just too innovative and off the wall to be understood by that critical mass of people for it to develop a real presence in the world.
Mobile technology is set to revolutionise many things. I wonder how that will develop. What will the role of the internet be once mobile has become the primary way of getting online for everyone?
What do you see happening in the future of technology and the way that it is offering new ways to connect with our audiences?
What do you think will change? What will fade and die?
How do you think that will affect our businesses and our marketing?
P.S. Don't cheat by just repeating something that Thomas says - I want to hear YOUR thoughts.
Follow @Georgina_Lester
Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Boardroom - Hotel du Vin Bristol | Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK
Another #SM network to manage? Really? Is Connect.Me just another Klout? @respectconnect
If you hated Klout - then what will you think of Connect.Me? Will it make your blood boil in frustration or will you give this peer-to-peer reputation network a more positive review? I hear the groans now from the many of us who have gone way passed social media fatigue. However, I would suggest that this one is worth a second glance.
The debates and discussions have been rippling through various corners of the internet as Connect.Me begins its amorphous journey through various communities. It has taken on a life of its own.
Campaigners will argue that sites like Klout bear little resemblance to the real world, showing a distinct lack of correlation between business value and the digitally driven reputation metrics. The fact that they never set out to be a whole solution is of course beside the point.
This site though is aiming to create more holistic solution. Regardless of whether you want to vouch for your hairdresser, builder or the biggest most trustworthy business experts and social media gurus, your personal vote for someone's expertise has tremendous value. Real clout if you like. Additionally, if people trust you then they will trust those for whom you are willing to vouch.
Connect.Me has been letting users into the Private Beta very slowly in order to ensure vouching credibility and set the right tone for the network. These are the latest statistics from the founders:
Connect.Me is based on a solid ethos and vision - You can read more about the Respect Trust Framework here. The credentials of the founders Drummond Reed, Joe Johnston and Marc Coluccio appear to be worthy of note and their interaction with us demonstrates an admirable approach that has a great deal of integrity.
The challenge is that the followers need to understand the value that the platform has to offer. We have already witnessed a surge of users promoting 'vouch for vouch' exchanges with people that they do not know, One or two who have used far more dubious tactics to improve their popularity rankings. Both approaches completely defeat the object of the exercise.
The truth will always come out. The best way to police the internet is to empower individuals to make choices based on their own values. I am pleased to see that the honourable have won the day. People are hording their vouches like precious jewels. They are thinking very carefully about those who they are willing to publicly recommend.
My own directives are straight and to the point. You will not get my vote unless I really know you. As for Trust Anchor vouches - you have to earn one to get one from me. Bribery, cajoling, bullying or bludgeoning will never earn you respect or favours. If you aim to coerce anyone to vouch for you then I will stand by those who would prefer to make their own minds up. Many of those I vote for, I have worked with in real life. All are well known to me from many interactions online. Your directives may not be the same as mine but consistency is important - stick to the way that is right for you.
We have seen many platforms blossom, fade and die within this last year. Some of them have been superb and it has been sad to see them go. I hope that this one rides the waves and emerges as a big player.
Question is do we really need Connect.Me? What value does it have to offer you to convince you that it is worth trying to cope with yet another social network?
The debates and discussions have been rippling through various corners of the internet as Connect.Me begins its amorphous journey through various communities. It has taken on a life of its own.
The value of vouches for real people endorsement
Campaigners will argue that sites like Klout bear little resemblance to the real world, showing a distinct lack of correlation between business value and the digitally driven reputation metrics. The fact that they never set out to be a whole solution is of course beside the point.
This site though is aiming to create more holistic solution. Regardless of whether you want to vouch for your hairdresser, builder or the biggest most trustworthy business experts and social media gurus, your personal vote for someone's expertise has tremendous value. Real clout if you like. Additionally, if people trust you then they will trust those for whom you are willing to vouch.
Connect.Me has been letting users into the Private Beta very slowly in order to ensure vouching credibility and set the right tone for the network. These are the latest statistics from the founders:
- Over 1/2 million vouches.
- Over 15K active users, with a waiting list of another 60K (we can only let in so many new users every day).
- 567 Trust Anchors, with over 1000 additional nominees
The Credibility factor and the scarcity value of your votes of confidence
Connect.Me is based on a solid ethos and vision - You can read more about the Respect Trust Framework here. The credentials of the founders Drummond Reed, Joe Johnston and Marc Coluccio appear to be worthy of note and their interaction with us demonstrates an admirable approach that has a great deal of integrity.
The challenge is that the followers need to understand the value that the platform has to offer. We have already witnessed a surge of users promoting 'vouch for vouch' exchanges with people that they do not know, One or two who have used far more dubious tactics to improve their popularity rankings. Both approaches completely defeat the object of the exercise.
The truth will always come out. The best way to police the internet is to empower individuals to make choices based on their own values. I am pleased to see that the honourable have won the day. People are hording their vouches like precious jewels. They are thinking very carefully about those who they are willing to publicly recommend.
Social people curation - gathering people YOU value the most.
This peer-to-peer reputation network looks like it has the potential to provide ....- a way in which people can curate their own credibility network
- real people can endorse those who have demonstrated real life value
- a human reputation measure that complements and works alongside the digitally driven algorithms such as on Klout, PeerIndex, Empire Avenue, etc.
- a means to balance the gamers who have achieved high scores just because they have understood the mathematics and mechanics rather than through demonstrated expertise
How will you vouch for those in your network?
There are ordinary vouches and then when you demonstrate that you are a trusted member of your network, you become a Trust Anchor and have special Trust Anchor vouches. There is a limited supply.My own directives are straight and to the point. You will not get my vote unless I really know you. As for Trust Anchor vouches - you have to earn one to get one from me. Bribery, cajoling, bullying or bludgeoning will never earn you respect or favours. If you aim to coerce anyone to vouch for you then I will stand by those who would prefer to make their own minds up. Many of those I vote for, I have worked with in real life. All are well known to me from many interactions online. Your directives may not be the same as mine but consistency is important - stick to the way that is right for you.
The future - is it sustainable?
The way that I see it, Connect.Me has the potential to fill a gap - something that fits in between the digital metrics and the close knit communities such as Ecademy in which trust is an inherent part of the way that we nurture relationships with our colleagues, friends and peers.We have seen many platforms blossom, fade and die within this last year. Some of them have been superb and it has been sad to see them go. I hope that this one rides the waves and emerges as a big player.
Question is do we really need Connect.Me? What value does it have to offer you to convince you that it is worth trying to cope with yet another social network?
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Digital Coaching & Social Media Support.
Boardroom - Hotel du Vin Bristol | Arts Wales | Internet Marketing Group | Luxury Wearable Art for women | Georgina Lester | Arts Wales UK