April, 2011

  • Social Espionage – The beginnings of the trend for real business intelligence?

    Posted Apr 27th, 2011 By in Social Networking With | 2 Comments

    Social Espionage?

    The very term “Social Espionage” gives rise to images of an Orwellian future, or a really cool new John Le Carre novel. It could be imagined the book received funding solely on the creation of the term, which would be not too far from the truth. The term comes from Umberto Milletti, the CEO of InsideView.

    InsideView, in business since 2005, just announced a $12 million round of funding. However, most are quick to point out that they are using the term to describe high-level sales executives gathering information on potential sales contacts, who don’t have the time to waste in letting a salesperson get to know them, being busy CEOs and all. Get all the inside scoop-hence the product name, InsideView-on your target before you strike; learn from twitter posts that he’s against continued fossil fuel production, or the current administration’s policy on such-n-such.

    It’s Not That Kind Of Spying

    While CRM’s stated purpose is to codify business intelligence with regard to sales prospects using social networking, it is hard to imagine a sales person that wouldn’t be tempted to keep tabs on the key people at his or her’s nearest rival for signs of what they may do.

    Hey, if it is out there why not use it? This could lead to a blackout of information and the use of social networking for many business professionals in an effort to avoid giving their competition too much information. Which many do already. There has been a controversy boiling over default business policies regarding social networking and its proper use. Employers have fired employees, and even sued them over the use of social networking in the work place. This is not going to help.

    The kind of high-level tool that this new start up represents has been in the hands of enterprise level executives for a while. Business is war and in war, intelligence rules. The difference here is that salespersons and small companies all over the place will be spying on each other and making that first contact with the prospect count by already knowing the answers and the questions. Maybe, as most people in business use social networking for business and sales prospecting is already an online experience. What this package does is use semantic search and online information aggregation to make it a lot easier. (more…)

  • Are you ready for the Google Network?

    Posted Apr 22nd, 2011 By in Google With | 3 Comments

    Welcome To the Google Network

    Google TV exists; it is the interactive programming installed on certain models of Sony HDTV televisions and works with various LG products as well. With Google TV, you can search the web, check and send email, and play Internet content directly on your TV. That is seriously cool, and while Apple has it too, but theirs is a little less feature rich. Like much that Google has done in the past, it is a cool project, but it never really captures the public’s imagination; however, this may be about to change. Google is going to be working on some major upgrades to YouTube that could be the beginning of an actual Google Network.

    Your Interactive Past

    Does anyone remember the Time magazine cover story on our interactive future, way back when the Internet was young? Does anyone remember what WebTV was? WebTV was a set top box that connected your television to the Internet. In reality, it was a simple way to access email and some basic, sandboxed, browsing from your TV. While Microsoft bought the company and did nothing with it, a few are still out there, unbelievably, and one is now known as the MSN TV.

    The interactive vision has been around for as long as the Internet has been a part of the public perception, it just never took off. Convergence was the buzzword to describe the future where TV and Internet became the same thing. The person producing the content was the single problem that arose. Companies saw a future in which people would be able to access and share their precious franchises without revenue control, and froze solid. That copyright and infringement issue has kept the Internet on a leash ever since. (more…)

  • 4 Most Common International Email Marketing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

    Posted Apr 20th, 2011 By in Email Marketing With | No Comments

    International email marketing is the quickest and most cost-effective means of communicating with consumers across the world. However, there are several different hoops to jump through before you complete a successful email campaign. Sending an email with U.S. focus across the globe is bound to land you with a poor rate of return, and here’s why:

    1. Language

    The first one is the most obvious issue; language barriers. It would be wrong to assume that all email recipients are willing to receive communication in English; therefore, it is important to have a strong grasp of the native language. If this means you need to involve a native speaker in the process then so be it. On the other hand, some countries prefer to receive marketing material in English even if it is not their first language. It is important to understand the preference of the targeted location or you will find very few of your emails convert.

    In addition, it is important to understand nuances of the English language across different English speaking countries. For example, there are many different terms in the U.S., U.K. and Australia that are exclusive to that country.

    2. Time zones

    Second, but just as important is the impact timing can have on the opening success of your emails. This can cause problems in several different ways. To start with, emails sent at the beginning of the working day are proven to have much better open rates than at other times of day. This of course is made problematic by the fact that the start of each country’s working day is different all over the world; therefore, it is important to be able to automate campaigns to run on different time zones. (more…)

  • Help Support Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund with the Purchase of Social Media Case Study Book

    Posted Apr 14th, 2011 By in Social Media With | No Comments

     

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    Please Help Mirna Bard Support Japan!

    Purchase a signed copy of:

    “The Big Book of Social Media Case Studies, Stories, Perspectives.”

    All profits will me matched and donated to support the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund.

    Administrative costs will not be subtracted.

    Your assistance in spreading the word to your online and offline community will be more than appreciated.

    Thank you for supporting a great cause! And, stay tuned for more sharing and caring…

  • Excellent Etiquette Suggestions for Maintaining a Professional Image While Communicating Behind the Computer Screen

    Posted Apr 14th, 2011 By in Business, Email Marketing, Social Networking With | 2 Comments

    Some people think just because they are behind the computer, etiquette rules do not apply. But, online image and etiquette are just as important and may make a huge difference with how you build and nurture relationships.

    The Internet can be one of the most ambiguous channels of communication. However, it is also one of the fastest and greatest ways to communicate. Nowadays, many of us find it hard to survive without email or social networking sites.

    Networking online is an art; building mutually long term relationships requires the same quality of professional courtesy and dual respect as any other means of communication. Inner wellness can be expressed in many forms through social networking sites and email.

    Netiquette is a code of ethics for the Internet. Unlike the code of professional conduct of accountants, lawyers or doctors, which is supported by legislation, the code of conduct for the Internet requires high levels of self discipline that is ultimately dependent upon our inner quality. When no one can see what we are doing, what else do we have, but our soul, to keep our decorous behavior?

    The suggestions below are a basis of good universal code of conduct for email and online networking:

    Email

    - Never contain too much personal opinion, emotional elements, cartoons, slogans or jokes when sending formal business email.

    - Learn to use the emoticon chart (below) as they are all appropriate for informal business emails to keep us up to date:

    :> or :-> = Devilish grin
    :] or :-] = Friendly
    :( or :-( = Frowning

    :/ or :-/ = Frustrated 
    :) or :-) = Smiling

    :O or :-O = Surprised
    ;) or ;-) = Winking
    :} or :-} = Wry smile

    - Do not show a humorous character that may be offensive to others as we have no way to support our humor with proper body language or to see if our message is being interpreted correctly. Even self depreciating humor could cause others to see you as a low esteemed person. (more…)

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