I was on the train last Wednesday coming back from the RSA Social Media Surgeries in Sheffield with Rob Greenland.
I have got to know Rob through Twitter and have had various different and interesting conversations. We got talking about how businesses are adopting social media and the types of businesses that are. It got me thinking..............
Are SMEs better set to adopt social media?
Small and medium businesses tend to have the business owner as the main director and influencer in the business. Entrepreneurs and enterprising people take risks (how ever large or small) to set up and grow their businesses. They tend by nature of the fact that they have taken risks to set up their own business and hence have a different attitude towards risk. Which is no bad thing, in fact I think it puts them in good stead for adopting social media.
Adopting social media is about listening, participating, influencing and acting upon the conversations people are having on the various different social media sites about you and your business. Participating, influencing and acting upon this feedback is about risk.
It's about risk and managing it
The more information and views you put out in the public domain, the more chance you will have of people engaging and talking about this information, whether that's good or bad. So the more information, views and commentary you publish into the public domain, the greater the chance of these conversations happening.
For an entrepreneur who's familiar and comfortable with risk taking, progressing and adopting social media will be a natural step forward. As they understand how to evaluate, minimise and respond to risks and the outcomes of the decisions. Not only that as they are still involved in the business they can have a direct influence on the social media strategy and implementation, as they are seen as the voice and front of the business.
Competitive Advantage for SMEs
Not only do they understand risk they also have the advantage that SMEs can be more agile and flexible when it comes to change, as the change process can be driven by the business owner and the change can be implemented reasonably quickly.
Perhaps this social media revolution is being driven forward by the SMEs in the UK rather than by the larger companies and enterprises. Perhaps this social change can bring about a new wave of entrepreneurs and business models that have still to establish themselves.
Now is one of the most exciting times to be in business
Now is one of the most exciting times to be a SME business owner, as social media is giving rise to a new means of doing business and communication.
What do you think? How has your SME business benefited from adopting social media?
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Department for Digital Engagement - keeping up with the changes
I've been following Andrew Stott, Director of Digital Engagement on Twitter for sometime.
Taking the digital age to core government and setting best practice for communications and marketing is a job that I am sure we all would admit sounds like hard work.
Engage with me digitally
I have to say though that I have to admit that my expectations have been exceeded, which I have to say I am pleasantly surprised at.
From working with large organisations I know how slow it is to get companies to embrace the new world of customer engagement on the social networks. The trepidation of dipping your toe into the circle of influence sends shivers down the spines of most marketing directors.
I have been following the blog for digital engagement and twitter for some time - I have to say that there really is some interesting stuff happening and being discussed.
Launch of Search Engine Optimisation Guide for Public Sector
Today the Central Office for Information launched their guide to search engine optimisation which is aimed at webmasters in the Public Sector. Having read through it, it reads pretty much like the Google SEO Starter guide but without the techie jargon.
Achieving greatness...
This is part of a wider project around communications on web standards and ensuring that all public sector websites adhere to the same standards. I take my hat off to the team at COI, they have achieved more that perhaps some of the large blue chip organisations do - have an up to date document detailing the company stance on web standards and communications.
Walking the talk... not just talking the talk
Actually walking the talk though is the tricky bit, not just talking the talk. With the imminent launch of the election campaign, I am interested to see how both parties embrace the social media world. If you look at President Olbama's campaign, that was the first electoral campaign that had social media at the heart.
The COI has already set out it's brief on 'engaging through social media' which sets out the stall on how civil servants should be engaging the public through social media.
Anticipation of the next few months
So I wait with anticipation of the next few months on how the electoral campaigns will be led in the social media world. Will they take lessons from the Olbama campaign, will they build on that? One thing I am sure, is that engaging with voters through social media, will play a pivotal role in the election....what do you think?
Taking the digital age to core government and setting best practice for communications and marketing is a job that I am sure we all would admit sounds like hard work.
Engage with me digitally
I have to say though that I have to admit that my expectations have been exceeded, which I have to say I am pleasantly surprised at.
From working with large organisations I know how slow it is to get companies to embrace the new world of customer engagement on the social networks. The trepidation of dipping your toe into the circle of influence sends shivers down the spines of most marketing directors.
I have been following the blog for digital engagement and twitter for some time - I have to say that there really is some interesting stuff happening and being discussed.
Launch of Search Engine Optimisation Guide for Public Sector
Today the Central Office for Information launched their guide to search engine optimisation which is aimed at webmasters in the Public Sector. Having read through it, it reads pretty much like the Google SEO Starter guide but without the techie jargon.
Achieving greatness...
This is part of a wider project around communications on web standards and ensuring that all public sector websites adhere to the same standards. I take my hat off to the team at COI, they have achieved more that perhaps some of the large blue chip organisations do - have an up to date document detailing the company stance on web standards and communications.
Walking the talk... not just talking the talk
Actually walking the talk though is the tricky bit, not just talking the talk. With the imminent launch of the election campaign, I am interested to see how both parties embrace the social media world. If you look at President Olbama's campaign, that was the first electoral campaign that had social media at the heart.
The COI has already set out it's brief on 'engaging through social media' which sets out the stall on how civil servants should be engaging the public through social media.
Anticipation of the next few months
So I wait with anticipation of the next few months on how the electoral campaigns will be led in the social media world. Will they take lessons from the Olbama campaign, will they build on that? One thing I am sure, is that engaging with voters through social media, will play a pivotal role in the election....what do you think?
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
IoD Just Lunch - Have your say on the Future Economic Development of Leeds
The IoD Young Directors Forum presents 'IoD Just Lunch', a monthly lunchtime event to meet and network with fellow IoD Directors over a two-course lunch provided by the excellent restaurant at 3 Albion Place, the Leeds IoD member facility.
'IoD Just Lunch' will finish at 2pm, but the bar will be open for the remainder of the afternoon for you to stay and network.
Martin Dean, Deputy Director of Leeds Initiative will be joining us for lunch.
The Leeds Initiative is the city’s local strategic partnership. They bring together the public, private, community, voluntary and faith sectors to work together to achieve success, encourage improvement, and tackle and overcome problems for the benefit for all citizens now and in the future.
Martin is keen to get the IoD members input into the economic and skills development of the city.
Members and non members welcome.
Cost (exc VAT):
Member: £23.40
Non-Member: £28.94
Book Online or call Suzanne Foxley on 0113 243 0152
'IoD Just Lunch' will finish at 2pm, but the bar will be open for the remainder of the afternoon for you to stay and network.
Martin Dean, Deputy Director of Leeds Initiative will be joining us for lunch.
The Leeds Initiative is the city’s local strategic partnership. They bring together the public, private, community, voluntary and faith sectors to work together to achieve success, encourage improvement, and tackle and overcome problems for the benefit for all citizens now and in the future.
Martin is keen to get the IoD members input into the economic and skills development of the city.
Members and non members welcome.
Cost (exc VAT):
Member: £23.40
Non-Member: £28.94
Book Online or call Suzanne Foxley on 0113 243 0152
Friday, 12 February 2010
Building a successful online presence webinar
Date: Tuesday 2nd March
Time: 10.00 - 10.45am
Location: Online webinar using DimDim
If you read any newspaper or blogs we are sure you have noticed that social media has hit the headlines. I am sure you have then has started asking yourself questions such as:
What is the difference between Facebook and Linkedin?
Where should I focus my efforts online for maximum return?
Should I be Twittering and what do I have to say?
What is a blog and should I have one?
It feels overwhelming but important. So how do you wade through all the information and start making decisions about how you get started?
In this online seminar we will show you can take easy steps to building your presence online.
What will be covered in the seminar?
What the main social media sites and tools are for business leaders
How to set up an effective presence online
How to grow your credibility on these sites and become an expert
How to use these sites to drive additional visitors (and potential customers to your website)
Why an online seminar?
We are all busy people and traveling to event takes time out all of our diaries. Using DimDim you can
Participate in the online seminar
Listen to the speakers
Ask questions
Pretty much like you are actually there.....whilst still in the office.
After the seminar all participators will be sent 2 white papers on building your credibility online and how to build your credibility on Linkedin
What equipment will I need?
As long as you have speakers you can participate in the seminar. You will ask questions by typing them real time, so the speaker can see them on screen.
Presenters
Charlotte Britton and Andy Chapman are collaborating together for this webinar bringing together many years of combined business, marketing and technology expertise of how to use the internet successfully.
Booking
Confirm your attendance by going to Linked In or Eventbrite and registering interest. We will then send you the information for the webinar
Look forward to seeing you online!
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Google Social Search - Your circle of influence is important
With the launch of Google Social Search last week, this puts a new dimension on social search optimisation and how companies should be approaching their search optimisation strategy.
Your social circle is based upon the information that Google stores in your Google account. It pulls together your contacts from Google, services in your Google profile, and your connections on sites such as Twitter.
The rationale behind this change is that if you are connected with these people they are engaged with you and your company, so you will have relevance and trust.
Companies should optimise the number of relevant contacts that they have on the various social networking sites such as Linkedin and Twitter.
So Google Trust Rank is going to become a growing influence in rankings. So companies now longer can hide behind the world of social media, then need to embrace it, otherwise they could potentially see their listings in Google natural search diminishing.
A word of caution though. When Google page rank came out, people went crazy doing reciprocal linking to grow their inbound links. Eventually Google caught up with this practice and sites were heavily penalised for this. So grow your network with quality and relevance in mind. Don't just connect with someone, just because you can - are they relevant to your business and brand?
What's your take on Google social search and how do you think it'll impact search listings?
Your social circle is based upon the information that Google stores in your Google account. It pulls together your contacts from Google, services in your Google profile, and your connections on sites such as Twitter.
The rationale behind this change is that if you are connected with these people they are engaged with you and your company, so you will have relevance and trust.
Companies should optimise the number of relevant contacts that they have on the various social networking sites such as Linkedin and Twitter.
So Google Trust Rank is going to become a growing influence in rankings. So companies now longer can hide behind the world of social media, then need to embrace it, otherwise they could potentially see their listings in Google natural search diminishing.
A word of caution though. When Google page rank came out, people went crazy doing reciprocal linking to grow their inbound links. Eventually Google caught up with this practice and sites were heavily penalised for this. So grow your network with quality and relevance in mind. Don't just connect with someone, just because you can - are they relevant to your business and brand?
What's your take on Google social search and how do you think it'll impact search listings?
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