Epic Living - Wellbeing Expert, Entrepreneur, Author, Man on A Mission

The Power of Micro-Blogging

I use Twitter daily (look for me under "Epic Living").  One of the people who follows me asked my thoughts on micro-blogging in the corporate arena.  I wanted give my thoughts around that and why you should embrace it as well.

First, micro-blogging is a cool way of giving your "fans" and idea of what you're doing on a micro level-no pun intended:-).  On Twitter you have 140 words or less to do that.  You can click here to learn what I wrote there this morning.

So what about corporations/businesses using a tool like Twitter?  I think it would be a tremendous tool to communicate and to connect.  Imagine your company provides a piece of hardware for the iPhone.  Your CEO just got back from a conference where he met with Steve Jobs.  Steve told your CEO how pleased Apple was with your company's service levels.  As an employee would you like to see a micro-post like the following?

    "Everyone, just had a conversation with Steve Jobs.  He's amped about our service levels.  More to come."

That kind of communication not only encourages and engages, but gives real-time information.  It's better than email and IM, because in places like Twitter, you are in a community that has a look and feel of community.  And if you haven't already noticed, people crave community.

You might say why not just send an email?  But at the same time someone could have said to Google, why not just stick to search.  Great tools are created when you go into paths not yet worn.  I guess that's why they call it innovation.

Here are some thoughts on how micro-blogging could help an organization:

• Community would/could be built and cemented-with customers and employees.
• Organizations would see engagement rise-significantly.
• Organizations would become more fluid and less rigid.
• Courage would be found, because you'd have to take on HR and Legal.
• Customers would have a compelling story to follow.
• Customers would become more loyal.
• Money follows those who do something engaging.

To Blog or Not to Blog

When I spoke to the OWL group last week, there was some conversation around corporate blogging.  The substance of those conversations were mainly around the lack of understanding about blogging-specific to organizations taking the leap . 

In my speech I referenced a study from Forrester Research that I found on Lois Kelley's blog.  You can look at her post here.  The study brought to light what's wrong with corporate blogs.  Namely, they're bad.

Here's what I think is wrong with many corporate blogs, and how to make them better:

1. The sites are too institutionalized.  It's as if risk is the black plague.  If HR (for an internal blog), Communications, and Legal are hovering at every turn, you probably are just writing press releases.  Which, as we know, kills conversation.  My recommendationis to embrace risk and change the world.  Stop playing it safe.  And by the way, your organization will make more money too.
2. Many corporations are afraid of community.  A consistent refrain in my conversations last week with the OWL folks revealed organizations being fearful of negative comments from employees or customers.  My recommendation is to remember that your organization is already being talked about, so why not be in front of the conversation vs. behind it?  Employees and customers might be inspired by an action like this.
3. Organizations just want to be hip.  Someone at a conference told the CEO to get into social media, and an edict was formed.  It made for good talking points, but lacked commitment and desire.  My recommendationis to not start something you don't really want to do.  Stakeholders get real suspicious of fashion.
4. The wrong person is doing the writing.  Without guidance on the why and how, a blog can be a very stale affair.  My recommendation is to consult with us and take a look at this post from Nina Simosko on communication.  She gives a wonderful example of effective writing in a blog.
5. No passion.  I've been asked by more than a few people about where I find things to write about.  It's an easy answer to give; I'm very passionate about what I write about.  Therefore, it runs through me like a raging river.  Shouldn't every organization have a similar state of mind and heart?  My recommendation is to check the pulse, go back (if needed) to where you started, and then reignite the passion.  

Remembering Who We Are, From the Beginning

John Moore of Brand Autopsy fame gives a great object lesson in the form of Starbucks, in his post Starbucks Suffering from Brand Amnesia.

Have you forgotten what your brand (business and personal) really is? 

Don't let the market confuse, it was meant to be your slave.

A Cool Tool to Present Your Brand

I'm a believer in "Brand You."  I even dedicated a chapter of my book to it. 

Now comes a cool tool called VisualCV.  It gives you the opportunity to present your brand in a unique way. 

The rest of the herd might not get tools like this, but why not be a trailblazer.  Who knows, you might make a habit of it.

Let me know your thoughts on this product.

The Traditional Book Publishing Quandary

Traditional book publishers are in a quandary.  I won't bore you with my thoughts on what I've learned since the release of my book Waking Up in Corporate America.  But one thing is clear, executives at traditional book publishers should consult their counterparts in the music business.  Their story is very similar.

I wrote late last year on the approach/expectations for my book.  You can read that post here.

Now comes a piece from Dave Balter (thanks, Guy for pointing out onTwitter) entitled How the Book Publishing Industry Should Reinvent Itself.  Dave's thoughts are informed and point to a different, if not better future, for authors and publishers.

The downside is change is never easy, and publishers are holding on tight to the old model.  Harper Collins seems to be bucking this trend, as evidenced by this article in the NY Times from earlier this year.

As an author, I'm encouraged by the trends.

What Does Your Organization Believe?

I dig Lois Kelly's insights, so no surprise that I would link here.  Her Bloghound blog brings some thought around beliefs-specific to an organization.  The post's title; Beliefs more useful than mission statements, says it all.

Take notice of the list from Google.  Their number one is so easy to write and say, but very difficult to live out.  I see Google doing a good job at thinking of me, the user, first.

Execution and the Entrepreneur

Found this post from Rebel Stance on Execution: Mystery Entrepreneur.  It reminds me of why even great ideas can go south without execution.

I like their thought on who you surround yourself with.  In other words, it's important to stay away from non-believers.  Those are the people who always see things "not working out."  That said, it is important to have coaches who will tell you the ugly truth.

When the next great idea comes don't forget the execution (air in the beautiful red balloon).

Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn

I, like many of you, are on LinkedIn.  It is a great tool for networking and meeting new people.  It is also a significant part of your branding strategy, whether you know it or not.

Peter Clayton over at Total Picture Radio has an interview with Shally Steckerl.  He is the Chief Cyberslueth of JobMachine.  Shally is an expert in recruiting and talent management.  I picked up some great tips on making the LinkedIn experience better for me and my organization.

If you're a subscriber or regular visitor to this blog, I would be honored to connect with you on LinkedIn.

Things Customers Don't Care About

Took on a consulting project with a company who's focus is on event marketing.  As I talked to the president this morning, the following list came to my mind (we were discussing what customers care about specifically):

• Customers don't care about a salesperson's volume goal.
• Customers don't care about your sales ranking (specifically inside your organization).
• Customers don't care about the fine print in your literature/contract.
• Customers don't care if your manager read you the riot act in the morning conference call.
• Customers don't care about who should get the blame (inside your organization)for an order botched.
• Customers don't care about the poor technology your organization refuses to give up.
• Customers don't care about how tough your market is.

One thing was clear after our conversation; customers care about relationship (do you care, can you be trusted, can you be a difference-maker) and value (when the transaction is complete the customer feels good).

Open Post to Readers/Subscribers

On yesterday's Epic Living Hour program I stated my appreciation for referrals.  I also want to take the opportunity to express the same in writing.

I have made every effort to make the Epic Living brand the highest quality possible.  Judging by the response from you-the reader/subscriber-I have done a good job of that.  Obviously, I'm always looking for more ways to make it better.

A few things occurred to me last week:

• some might think I'm sitting on top of the world (a very dangerous place to be when you think about it). 
• some might think this journey I'm on is one based on building a very successful business.
• some might think my ideas spread on their own through this blog or my book.

I want all of you to understand that I have no desire to sit on top of the world and I'm only building a successful business so that I can spread the ideas contained in my heart and head.  And yes, the blog and book help. 

Here is what I think is most important:

• Help from you in spreading the ideas.  This is done through your referrals (speaking, teaching, coaching/guiding, etc.).  I am grateful to all of you who have done this for me.
• Help from you in telling others about this blog, the book, the radio show.
• Creating win-win opportunities with you. 
• Leaving a brilliant light behind.

I'm asking you to keep me present in your mind regarding those bold bullets above.

Thanks for being a part of the Epic Living fabric.