I could, if I wanted, have a few hundred / thousand twitter followers. I do not need to explain how to do that, it is a simple process of mathematics for most of us. It starts with following many. But I do not. And this is why: “You are my idea of a good writer because you have an unmannered style, and when I read what you write, I hear you talking.” – Isaac Asimov to Carl Sagan ←This Much We Know.→ Continue reading Why I Follow So Few People On Twitter
I am tired of resumes / CVs. Such a lame-ass mechanism for enabling me to say “Yes!” to someone. For every applicant I had recently for the opening in my team, I scanned the documents for relevance, then went online to check for social channels – and the real/big reveal… And the biggest reveal? That most (MarComms!) people are still invisible online. Or, close but still no cigar, their channels have been set up for the purpose of securing this very job. No. Do it like this. Set up your channels. Live your life. Share, as you see fit, with … Continue reading Build Your Personal Brand NOW. Ask For Help Later.
Yesterday I discussed the McKinsey Disruptive Technologies Report and the centrality of #SocBiz to it. Thomas Frey has put down a marker of what that means for us as workers. Namely, the end of 2 b.i.l.l.i.o.n jobs by 2030. Hard to swallow? Wait, there’s more. Disruption also means the end of teamwork, according to Paul Rux: The powerful trend toward freelance workplaces signals the coming demise of teamwork. Get ready to move, re-skill, and coach innovative individuals as leaders Add in the end of regular by-the-hour work too, according to Carrie Ann Zapka: Dynamic pay-per-task networks will replace fixed annual … Continue reading Disruption: The End Of Teamwork, Scheduling, And 2 BILLION Jobs. Gulp.
Reviewing the McKinsey report on Disruptive technologies: Advances that will transform life, business, and the global economy… I was struck that the top 4 ideas are all items that touch on knowledge work, social business, collaboration and sharing. They are all items where “we” SocBiz practitioners can and should be leaders of thought and leaders of action in our organizations. Thoughts and actions that will save our organizations vast amounts of time and money; and may, indeed, allow them to survive. Hussah! ←This Much We Know.→ Continue reading 4 Ways #SocBiz Leaders Are Preparing Organizations For Disruption
This is SocBiz MAGIC. Must. Send. To. All. CEOs. Now. We are only at the beginning of the digital technology and innovation journey. Indeed…”we haven’t seen anything yet,” says Andy McAfee (via Luis Suarez) “The only smart strategy at the top of the enterprise is to…embrace and start leading the digital transformation for your company.” Yes. Please, and thank you. ←This Much We Know.→ Continue reading Attention All #SocBiz Leaders: Watch This, And Send To Your CEO. NOW!
Curiosity is the number one personal attribute to possess. Curiosity will enable you to deal with change, even embrace it. Furthermore, curiosity will enable you to drive the change; sponsor it; own it. And dealing with change is the number one business demand to deal with. I am always on the hunt for data on curiosity. You could say I am curious about curiosity. This is from Diane Dreher: Curiosity… “is positively correlated with creativity, intelligence, problem-solving ability, autonomy, a sense of personal control, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. It is also associated with positive affect, subjective well-being, better long-term health, … Continue reading Personal Branding: Are You Curious?
John Maeda always keeps it simple. His recent RISD Commencement introduction referenced Marshall Ganz; and how “moving people to action is about telling stories, and that our stories are formed by three ways of knowing.” Namely… knowing with the head knowing with the heart knowing with the hands This maps perfectly against the TMWK Personal Branding approach. Not only can we articulate our strengths through this triumvirate balance, we can also lead others with stories that exhibit the same attributes. Continue reading Knowing With The Head, The Heart, The Hands.
I’m hiring, and I’m learning a lot about the state of the (MarComms) job seeker marketplace in the process. I wrote this to applicants as a (hopefully) helpful poke and prod. Hello. We HEART You. Firstly, thanks for applying for our job in the MarComms team. I appreciate it – the effort and hassle; the putting-yourself-out-there-ness. Now, enough heart. Let’s share some thinking about how we roll at. In no particular order… Some #FoodForThought By now, I hope you have seen the video The Old-But-Not-Quite-Dead-To-Us Brian made for you. If not, it’s here, in all its moustachioed, ironic, hipster glory: … Continue reading Hiring Advice For Finding A Job In The Social Business Era
Although I was (fairly vaguely) brought up a Christian, the first time I ever remember understanding religion was at the age of 17, talking to an old geezer about the word “Church.” To my clear lack of deep interest in the Church, he explained to me that the word derived from community. The physical church building was a place of community. Now, that I can understand. church as community, bringing people together in commonality. The city has been my church as an adult. I instinctively understand people communing in a shared endeavour. Pride in one’s togetherness, safety in likemindedness, plus … Continue reading This Is What Community Looks Like In 2013. #Irashimase!
Coming and going to the Festival of Light event in Vancouver this week, Lori and I chanced upon The Entrepreneur (2013 Edition). When I grow up, I want to be like him. A simple premise: the teenage lemonade stand on the side of the road en route to the beach as thousands of people stream past. The kicker? Chips. Upsell to a larger size (with lid!) And, amazingly, Visa and Mastercard processing via Square, notebook and wifi. He was putting in the hours, advertising umbrella with LED lighting. He had the serenity of a man in control of his life. … Continue reading This Is What Entrepreneurship Looks Like in 2013
The always excellent John Stepper has captured the questions we have all (been) asked as we journey the social highway. In my simple, naïve way, here are my answers to them 1. “Can we do that?” Yes we can! Let us coopt the fervor and self-belief of Obama ’08. No hiding, no long verbose explanations. Self-declare a new reality. 2. “What if people say something they shouldn’t?” They won’t. Ever. Of course there is miscommunication and confusion wherever we look (and lawyers, especially, look quite hard). We all make mistakes. But no-one with a name and photo attached to their … Continue reading 7 Answers To 7 Questions You Will Face As you Modernize Your Company
This is personal. As a father to two young kids about to enter formal education, I feel a need to foster a sense of awe and wonder in them about what they can achieve, to challenge them to move above, to move beyond… I am no education expert, nor am I a pushy parent. I do believe, however, in the need for large-scale progressive change in what education means; and what it holds for our children. MOOCs are a functional change in the service offering of education. They move us in the right direction. but, quantum change, at extreme velocity, demands … Continue reading MOOCs Are Not Enough. Education In Need Of Quantum Change
This Much We Know 