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The Next Big Idea

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Bonfire
Image via Wikipedia

I have had the opportunity to view the inner working of hundreds of organizations. I am always amazed that in each company regardless of size, industry or location, there are employees who make improvements that are never captured by the company at large. You see, most people come to work wanting to do a good job and in the course of doing their job they  find a better, faster, more efficient way to get the job done. More often than not, they don’t seek credit or even give it much thought and the innovation or improvement remains undocumented and unheralded.

These days, viral is all the rage. Having your content go viral is the holy grail for many marketers.  However, opportunities are missed to culture an internal environment where big ideas go viral. Sometimes the next big thing is right under your own roof.  Social media is not exclusive to your external communities. Creating an internal environment that promotes sharing, where ideas can go viral may be the smartest move a company can make.

When’s the last time an idea went viral in your company?

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In Defense of Selling

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No Soliciting
Image by paganites via Flickr

There is a growing movement of people that seem to believe that selling is equivalent to the old style peep shows frequented by dirty old men. They’d rather we all hold hands and sing songs around the campfire. I love a good round of Kumbaya as much as the next person but campfire songs don’t pay my bills. Crude of me to say I know, but I am rather fond of the basics of life such as shelter, electricity, indoor plumbing and at least one meal a day.

I am all for engagement, and authenticity but wonder if we have gone overboard. While the way we market and sell continues to evolve, the activities cannot be eliminated. If I listen to this growing contingent, I am never to ask for business and when I do receive it because I played nicely with the kids at camp, I am to perform the work and then apologize profusely for charging for it.

Hogwash.  While I am not a fan of ONLY talking about yourself, and pushing your products like a crack dealer on a street corner I am quite passionate about my work. I have clients who are doing amazing things. I love sharing their successes and am honored to play a tiny role in their business. Sometimes I will talk about that. And by golly while we’re singing if you express a need I am going to speak up! (Truthfully, I am more apt to recommend someone else because it’s not all about me!) Conversely, when you speak you can count on me to really listen and hear you.

Where on earth did we get the idea that we should be ashamed to be in business? The energy company never apologizes to me for taking my money, nor do any of the other vendors I pay monthly. Many make me feel good about CHOOSING them and express their delight I am a customer, but apologies? Never. And why should they? These vendors are providing something I want or need. I pay them in exchange for their products and services. We’re all happy even without the campfire songs. The songs are a bonus, either an entry or deepening of the relationship but not required for me to choose to do business with you. What is required is you delivering on the promise, you can sing all you want but in the end if you don’t do what you say it really won’t matter.

I’m cool with not being Facebook friends with my OB/Gyn. We’re quite personal enough, thank you very much. I don’t need my grocery store to follow me on Twitter and tweet me inspirational messages (although I do love coupons and sale alerts).

I love the conversations and friendships that develop via social media but I also have a responsibility to be a faithful steward to my business. This means I have to tell people I exist. I have to make money so that I can keep my economic ecosystem in balance. When I do the work, I also have to charge for it. I will not apologize for billing you but I will work my tail off to exceed your expectations. I will treat your business with respect and look for ways to add value, and I will let you know how much I appreciate you choosing me. I may even sing a song or two with you but I will not disrespect you by apologizing for the transaction.

So yes, let’s keep the engagement, bring it on! However, let us not hang our heads in shame or fear at respectfully engaging in marketing.

What are your thoughts? Is there a happy middle ground? Dissenting opinions are welcomed, disrespect is not so be nice to me and each other. 🙂

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Positive on Purpose

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Sandbox
Image by .michael.newman. via Flickr

Kellye Crane (warning, gushing may ensue as I am a huge fan of Kellye) had a great post on her blog with tips on how to maintain a positive attitude. While the post was geared toward solo professionals the advice is applicable to mobile and remote workers and even office based employees.

Having a positive attitude is essential to maintaining your sanity and peace of mind but also can boost your career success. You are better equipped to handle the challenges inherent to work life when you view things through a lens of focused clarity.

No matter where you are based or how big or small your company you need to make time to renew your attitude. There is no better way to do that than to spend time with other professionals in an environment where you can learn, share and support. Below are a few strategies that have worked for me.

I have mini water cooler moments throughout the day via social media. A quick conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Buzz or FriendFeed keeps me updated on social and industry trends, provides inspiration for new ideas and offers a mental boost that keeps me energized throughout the day. You can create your own water cooler moments with a little creativity. If you don’t have online access, seek out others in your company with great attitudes and spend 5-10 minutes brainstorming new ideas or sharing information about your industry.

I have two hours on my calendar every week for two of my favorite online chat sessions, #brandchat and #solopr chat. Both are on Wednesday and I try to structure my schedule that day so that I don’t miss out. Brandchat is at 11 am US Eastern and Solo PR is at 1 pm Eastern.  Every Wednesday both hours fly by as we share information, resources, tips, shortcuts and laughter. There is nothing more energizing than an hour with accomplished professionals with a great attitude. If you want to participate or just eavesdrop, I use tweetchat to participate, but some prefer tweetgrid. Solo PR and Brandchat both also have Facebook pages.

When I worked in Corporate I was a remote worker so all of my time was in the field, traveling or working from a home office. I made time to meet with colleagues for lunch or coffee. Those informal meetings were our time to share and support and we always left energized and renewed with new ideas.

Multitask. As a runner, I have found running groups to be a great way to combine mental and physical fitness. If you’re not into running, you can create “meet-ups” around your area of interest.  Get a group together to meet in the parking lot at work and walk; combine networking with volunteering; create a book club and meet at a local library or online. If you have kids, schedule a kid friendly networking event so that you are not sacrificing family time. How many parents would appreciate combining adult interaction at insanely challenging places like Chuck E Cheese?

Don’t limit yourself to your industry; make time to connect with others in completely different industries or functions. You’ll gain a fresh perspective that you can apply to your own work life.

Far too often I hear professionals say that they don’t have time for networking or professional socializing. Sadly, these are often the people that are stressed out and seriously in need of an attitude boost.

Kellye Crane is a great example of someone who took the initiative to create a community. If a community of positive thinkers doesn’t exist form your own!

What strategies do you use to stay positive?

Article Resources

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The One About Trains, Tweets & Lying Down In Public

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Written by Karen D. Swim

Speeding Train

Image by Ben Harris-Roxas via Flickr

Have you ever felt like you were straddling the top of a runaway train, hanging on for dear life? Okay, well maybe that’s just me but stay with me. One of the hazards of virtual workers is the pace at which we receive information. It seems that every two seconds there is something new – an application, a plug-in, an analytical tool, or marketing technique. When information is being filtered in from every direction you can feel as if the world is moving too fast to keep up.

My friends behind the corporate firewall, in contrast, feel no pressure to know all the latest tips to grow their blog or twitter community. They could care less about RSS numbers and feedburner stats. Their egos do not live and die by SocialToo or Alexa rankings. These wonderful people who many would claim are languishing in ignorance, remind me that while my world feels like it is moving at 30 Mbps, the larger community is not as concerned with the same things.

Online communities are rife with Type-A people, who are always on the go. They are still tweeting, streaming and skyping when I am fast asleep. By the time I turn on my computer for the day, the Type A’s have read everything and are linking the way for the rest of us 8 am slackers.    Add in the various time zones and it can leave you feeling like you’re spending all your time catching up.

The truth is we do not have to know everything and be everywhere. Yes, you will miss out on some things but you will regain a sense of balance and sanity. I was reminded of that in two posts written by Sanyika Calloway Boyce. She wrote of not approaching your day and resources like an open checkbook, and presented a list of tips to help you realign your purpose.

You do not have to be a master of all things, contrary to what you may hear. Instead, write down what’s truly important to you and pick one or two things that will help you accomplish your purpose. Master them and ignore the rest. You can always add to your toolbox later so don’t pressure yourself to know it all or do it all now.

Learning to let go may become the new competitive advantage. You may even find yourself following Tim Ferris’ advice to just lie down in public, simply because you can (and it’s funny).

Do you ever suffer from social media fatigue? How do you keep your sense of balance?

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Friend Feeders, Gorgers and Other Tales of Social Media

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Written by Karen D. Swim

No Vacancy Sign

Years ago I met a woman named Lisa (not her real name) while doing my civic duty as a juror.  After 14 days of being cooped up in a room with a group of people you either walk out friends or never want to see them again! Lisa and I seemed to get along fine. She was around my age and we were both single. We exchanged contact information and agreed to keep in touch.

We got together the following weekend for a movie. She called me later that night, and the next day, and the next day. Well you get the picture. She called a lot to moan and complain. Lisa was what my friends and I called an “energy vampire.”

I had a close group of girlfriends and I was accustomed to having a phone to my ear at least 18 hours per day, but this was not the same. Lisa kept inviting me to do things and I would beg off politely. I stopped returning phone calls yet she persisted.

Finally, I did something uncharacteristic, I was mean. I told Lisa that my quota for friends was filled, and I was no longer accepting new applicants. She tried to argue with me (I mean geez she really was tenacious) and our last conversation ended badly. I felt guilty but cleansed.

Social media networking has become a little like Lisa. I love connecting with other people but lately have found myself wanting to draw the line. I get stock LinkedIn invites from strangers or advertisements masked as an invite for things I neither want nor need. People leave self-promotional ads on my profile page and then spam me with invites to join everything from the Bombay cooking school network to support groups for people who don’t like the color green! And please let’s not discuss the creepy Facebook applications!

Now, I am not saying that I don’t want to connect with diverse people (diverse, not creepy) but try connecting with me where I already hang out. Let’s exchange pleasantries before you then shoot me invites to 20 other places to which I don’t belong. I love LinkedIn and it is one place where having a large network comes in handy. However, can you at least customize the invite beyond the stock invitation (yes you company of people who have been mandated by HR to befriend everyone on LinkedIn).  Now, if I already know you I could care less about the stock invitation, but if you don’t know me at all how about a little bit of effort?

Social networking has been great for me personally and professionally. I love the Skype talks with Roland, and my Gtalk chats with Daniel Smith. I enjoy my twitter buds and blog comment buddies (ahem that would be all of you) . I can check out of Plurk for weeks and come back to insightful questions from Jane Chin and intense discussions on social media led by Her Royal Fierceness, Connie Reece or Mack Collier. Yet I am joining the legions of people who are beginning to re-think the concept of open networker. So be warned, if you send me an invite in a language I don’t understand or a picture of you in your underwear, I just may tell you that I’m all out of friend spots. Perhaps Lisa is available.

Are you an active participant in social media? Has your approach changed to how you add friends?