Archive - Social Networking RSS Feed

Wasting our words on folly

September 7, 2011 in Connecting, Social Networking, Tools with 8 Comments

Reading through blog posts and other platforms like Google Plus this week I began to notice something common.  When someone asks a valid question many of the responses just add nonsense to the comment stream instead of  answering the question or offer solutions.    Now let me be clear, I have done this as well. It really is just folly.  Like chattering, folly is described as lack of good sense; foolishness. Sometimes I wonder how many words are spent on it. It happens in blog comments, Google Plus, Facebook and in personal conversations on the phone or in person.  Do we adequately evaluate what we are saying before we say it?  What it would be like if we were limited to a ration of words a day?  How valuable those words might be to us?  I know I would dole them out with care and art.  Would we speak to each other in kinder ways offering value instead of filler?  One reason I love brevity is that it makes us think about the words we choose (or not).

I am thinking about the words I speak in valuable time with friends in any context or tool. I want to make them count, and not for folly.

She’s a communications manager! Now what?

August 31, 2011 in Connecting, Customer Service, Marketing, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 0 Comments

Today a friend contacted me with great news.  She was recently hired as a communications manager for an event center.  She has reinventing herself. So at the outset of this she asked what advice I could offer as she ventures out into this new space.

Not wanting to overwhelm, I decided to keep the first steps really simple.  So I shared these three principles: Listen first, engage, and most of all promote others.  Yes,  it is much more complex than that.  What I see too often is communications made too complex.   So here is how I broke those three down for her.

Listen:  Gather all the interested parties that exist in your business world (customers, collaborator/partners, vendors, champions, friends and colleagues. Never discount anyone as the contact database and scope is developed.  It is hard to gauge who will be a valuable contact. Sometimes the most unlikely ones will be the best.  Hangout where the community gathers, both on and off line.  Really learn about the community before you jump in.  Use tools like Rapportive to gather all the outposts they use.

Engage: Once you have a feel for the community, begin to engage and add value. Be sincere and open.  Don’t be afraid to take risks.  Some things will work and other won’t.  Only trying will tell.  Don’t assume that a tool like twitter is the one to use.  Fill the toolbox with what the community already uses.  Most of all give them a place to gather; preferably your home base (like a blog) where the attention gained can easily be guided to the things you want to offer.

Promote Others: Luckily this principle is a staple in the event business.  Other than just being a good practice because it is the right thing to do, you will become known for someone of value, someone to be connected to.

Please add more since this is an ongoing conversation.  I am so excited to see where she goes with it.

Where are you headed?

August 29, 2011 in Connecting, Social Networking, Tools with 2 Comments

Where are you going next?

I want to know whether it is a conference you are attending, a keynote you are giving or simply the coffee shop you plan to visit today.  Checkin tools like Foursquare, Gowalla* and Google Places  (and yes Facebook) are great for telling others where we currently are (here is another post on why I use checkin tools). But how much better is it if our connections can know in advance where we are going.  I have used Tripit for a while to announce major trips I am embarking on.  This past week I started thinking of creative ways to make this more of a habit.  A few people have been doing this well on their sites with published calendars like Mary Demuth’s  speaking schedule and Peter Shankman’s public Google calendar.  I saw Gary Vanerchuck this week posted his calendar publicly through Plancast.  Forecast* launched their Foursquare App which allows you to now announce where you are headed and post the estimated time you will arrive there.  I have been using it for a week now and really like it.

Beyond meeting up with connections it is a great way to get the word out that you speak, promote your own events as well as alert others to places and events that might add value to their own future.

So how are you telling others where you will be?

*Sad but true, Gowalla & Forecast have officially shut down.

Choose Wisely Mr. Cameron

August 12, 2011 in Connecting, General, Publishing, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 8 Comments

Yesterday Britain’s Prime Minister announced that he has asked security forces to consider a way to limit the public’s use of social media sites as a way to curb or prevent rioting, looting and other thuggery. As soon as I heard this news I was at first shocked that a member country of the free world would even consider such a move. Yes, communication tools have been used to spawn horrible acts in the past, probably the worst in current history was the use of the media, both print and radio, to spread the Hutu’s message of ethnic cleansing across Rwanda in 1994.
Today with connectedness having become far reaching with tools like Twitter, Facebook and now Google Plus, we do have a greater responsibility in measuring the impact of our words and messages. But to go as far as limiting communication, in my opinion, turns what is a small event compared to genocide into a mark on the freedoms of the British people that will not be easily forgotten. Worse yet I think it shows a lack of understanding what social media really offers. For decades the media has been carefully controlled and even scripted by politicians and governments to execute policy-driven messages. The White house and Downing Street has for decades been very careful to share and suggest what images they wish the media to use and what sound bytes or speeches they wish to be publicized. The journalists that adhere to this policy are the ones given special access or first knowledge of breaking news. The ones that violate it quickly learn to adjust. (read more on how policy is shaped and controlled through the media. This article was written in 2005 and does not include the greater changes since the growth of social media). With new media though, there is no control over what is said. Large media companies no longer have the podium they used to have over blogs, celebrities and others that have risen in popularity. Events are reported as they happen through open channels of communication.

Before Mr. Cameron decides to give social media a heavy hand to curb thuggery, I hope he considers the true power he holds. Just as King George VI used the radio to calm his realm and prepare them for the battle that was before the nation, Prime Minister Cameron can choose to use the powerful reach given him just as it is given to every citizen he is considering silencing. I hope he chooses wisely.

Follow people

July 25, 2011 in Connecting, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 10 Comments

Does it really make sense to categorize people? Whether it is Google Circles, Facebook or Twitter lists, they have been used effectively by people for years now. Yes circles are somewhat different but really they are ways to categorize who we follow and read. One particular post on G+ and it’s resulting conversation caught my attention. Chris Guillebeau said he only had one circle called “Awesome People” which got me thinking. I follow people not subjects. Yes I focus on company culture, game and app development, technology, writers and publishing, business acumen and communication. What I have found is that I really am more interested in connecting with people and while they may show up on my radar because we share similar interests I am actually compelled to follow them because of the complexity of their interesting lives. In the past I have tried to categorize them into subsets but I finally resulted in a list like Chris’. You see it comes down to this, I like people. Whether they know it or not, all people are marvelously complex and interesting.

Brevity and connection

July 22, 2011 in Connecting, General, Marketing, Publishing, Rants, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 3 Comments

Twitter taught me how to get a point across in 110 characters of text. Many of us noticed our writing improve on blogs and in books. Another benefit was the ability to know quickly if you were someone I wanted to connect with. In the short descriptions on a good twitter profile I knew who you were, what you did and where you did it. Better yet I had a link to find out more.

As people add me to circles on Google + I am noticing a common occurrence. Just like twitter, Google Profiles are where I quickly assess whether I want to add you to a circle or not. Several profiles read like resumes or worse they are just one solid block of five hundred words or more. Most of all they are boring.

The profiles that catch my attention are short, creative and utilize all the tools that Google has offered including the photos banner. And like twitter, really your profile is as good as your last post.

Like the subject of this post I am keeping it brief. Please feel free to comment, disagree or share your own profile insights.

If we are not connected on Google + you can find me at http://gplus.to/johnflurry. See you there.

Two worlds of the web

July 18, 2011 in Connecting, General, Social Networking with 10 Comments

Two worlds today exist today on the web. One of trolls who bait others into flame wars and one of active thriving conversation and community. A few months back I shared a post with a good friend. We have an ongoing conversation about web communications. He is a successful business consultant and like most executives participate in a healthy balance of value questioning and actual participation in social online communication. Most of our conversations come down to one simple rule; good practices of communication and relationship work offline as well as online. One observation of his continues to dig at me. As he read through the comments on my blog he pointed out obvious civility, thoughtfulness and intelligence of the community. To be honest I had never thought of it before. So what was the differences he noticed? Yes I would love to think I attract the smartest and civil people. I think he uncovered something more though. It is a result of two worlds of the web.

As I thought about it more I realized that because of my web habits I often never see the other world where web trolls entice arguments and sometimes even worse as in the case of Mitchell Henderson (see NYT article on Trolls and Henderson’s death). I mostly read a collection of blogs and articles related to my interests and profession with an occasional news article. I rarely enter into any conversation in a comment section where anything but civil arguments are being conducted. You can easily find these darker conversations though. Look up any comment section in a local online newspaper. A recent article written in Kotaku.com about a conference I helped coordinate now has over a thousand comments, most just a volley game between trolls in a flame war completely off the article’s topic.

Whenever I see these darker conversations occur I have an instinct to jump in a set things straight. I have found the best practice is to take what I can from the original content and go back to the places that have valuable conversations. Luckily I have more than enough of the good. You see it comes down to where you look and choose to hang out. By the way, thanks for making me look good and contributing the one side of the web that adds value. I think I will hang out with you instead of the trolls.

Giving Pause in Google + (or anywhere)

July 15, 2011 in Connecting, General, Publishing, Social Networking with 3 Comments

While doing research writing policies for my former employer, I ran across Intel’s social media policy. To this day the one line that still sticks with me is “if it gives you pause, pause” meaning that if anything makes you stop and think maybe it should not be shared on the web or wise counsel should be sought before doing so. This past week Google + surprised me with a notice when I began to share a friend’s post. The box appeared when I clicked share reminding me that it had originally been intended for a limited audience and asking me if I really wanted to do that.

I loved the reminder. All of us could use a pause button. To this day my post on filtering your tweets is still one of my most read entries. We make mistakes, are impulsive and even at our best often lack judgement. We let things slip that should not be said. We say things to people we quickly regret. Is it so bad to have filters and checkpoints? Google found it worthy enough to include it in their sharing methods.

My grandfather told me once that I should pause before saying anything and roll it around my head first. He said that trying it on first will help to say something more meaningful. As we have increasing ways to broadcast ourselves, pause is more valuable than we may realize.

Join me on google plus. If you don;t have an account I have plenty of invites. Send me your gmail account name on my contact form.

About you: Google profiles

July 13, 2011 in Connecting, General, Marketing, Social Networking, Tools with 10 Comments

I first started using google profile about two years ago. It just makes sense. Google allows you to add as many links as you want as well as a useful description about yourself among other items. It is probably the most public place where you can tell the world about you. Remember the term “google me”. When I originally updated my profile I found that I showed up first on an organic search (raw search of google where you type in a term, like your name). Just for reference there are over a hundred John Bergquists in the U.S. with professions ranging from MDs to computer engineers.

Those seeking new careers or just graduating college have asked me what is the best way to connect with employers or potential business. Simply making sure that your information is readily available is key. An about.me page or a resume site can do the trick. The more creative you can be the better. Honestly, now as google + takes off (I have not seen a social network grow as fast as it has over the last few weeks), it makes sense to have a robust and complete google profile page. It certainly can’t hurt. I am working on a post about my following methods on social networks. A complete profile helps me know if you are someone I need to connect with.

As always I recommend that you never leave your most creative content out on anyone else’s platform. Let all roads lead back to home base as Chris Brogan coined it. Make sure your blog or website is the curation site that holds your remarkableness.

A quick note on privacy. Like any content on the web, be mindful of your rights as well as privacy settings. Too many people are not educating themselves on the details. Make sure you understand what you are sharing and how it can be viewed as well as used in the future.

If you are not on google + I still have invites. Send me a note here with your google account name and I will add you.
If you are on google + you can connect with me there as well.

Of gowns and hope

June 27, 2011 in Connecting, General, Social Networking with 2 Comments

This year I have had the opportunity to congratulate several graduates as they branch out in to the world with new degrees. As they head out on new or redefined careers they all are surviving on hope. That hope comes from us, the people in their community. I would love to report that I am hearing people administering joy and celebration to these individuals. The opposite however is more common. Conversations at parties or commencements center on that horrid term heard too often, “today’s economy”. Statistics on unemployment lodge in the heart. All are like lead weights holding them down with our lack of inspiration or vision.

After hearing Tom Hanks speak to the graduates of Yale I decided to do my best to first celebrate with the graduates and second share with them all my resources via networks to make sure that if I could find them a job I would. As Hanks said, they have fear behind them and hope before them.

They need to know you are there for them, noticing where they are headed and as a community member willing to make an extra effort to aid them in their quest.

One graduate is my nephew Matt Eberhart. He is now hold a degree from the University of Oregon in economics hoping to work in corporate responsibility. He is a bright and outgoing young man with a strong work ethic.

Another graduate is my wife Kristine. She received her masters after going back to school. As a highly qualified special education teacher she offers both a strong background of several years as a classroom teacher and a passion to provide excellent instruction to children with special needs.

Do they both face opposition, resistance, and stacks of other applicants battling for a few positions? Yes, but they also have us. I have no doubt that they will find their way. We play a critical role in helping them find it. Will you join me?

To start, if you know of an opportunity or someone who might help, drop me a note on my contact form with the subject line HOPE. Think of someone seeking a job and connect them to one.

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