Not Quite Like Meeting Roberto Clemente

When I was still too short to ride the "big kid" rides at Kennywood amusement park, my Pop took my brother, my sister and me to a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game at Forbes Field.  Terrific seats (which I didn't fully appreciate at the time) on U.S. Steel Day. 

With clarity, I remember meeting Roberto Clemente...... which was really cool.  Shook The Great One's hand, chatted with him briefly and got his autograph on the scorecard in my hand (which I later traced over and over with a pen when I became bored in the later innings - much to my Pop's dismay!).  A wonderful memory from my boyhood days.

Another Cool Thing

Recently, I immediately downloaded on my Kindle the book Anything You Want by Derek Sivers, when Mitch Joel recommended it on his blog.  I trust Mitch's judgement, and enjoyed this book by the guy who built the company CD Baby from nothing into the largest seller of music by independent artists.  Derek Sivers has some very intriguing ideas about how to succeed in today's economy, and I encourage you to read his book.  It only takes about 60-90 minutes to read, and Sivers knows a thing or two after building CD Baby over less than 10 years and selling it for $22 Million.
 
After reading Anything You Want, I then decided to try something silly.  I emailed Mitch Joel, thanking him for the encouragement over the last half year.  It was about six months ago that I first listened to Mitch Joel speak on TED.com.  I was struck by his intellect and insight, as well as his humility.  Since that time, I've followed him regularly on Mitch Joel's blog, and listen to his podcasts.   He's someone this Old Dog looks up to in the world of social media marketing, and I figured it was time that I thanked Mitch (realizing he wouldn't respond to my email).

I was surprised, and a bit excited, when Mitch Joel personally answered my email.  Hey, it's not quite like meeting Roberto Clemente, but it was pretty cool when Mitch even responded a second time, to my follow up on his original email.  (If you don't understand why I'm excited about communicating directly with Mitch Joel, check out his Google+ profile - - a resume that includes being listed on Canada's top 40 under 40, etc.)  Mitch explained that he reads and responds personally to all the emails that he receives.

The Point?

If Roberto Clemente can take the time to kindly engage a kid in a crew cut who isn't old enough to sign his own name and Mitch Joel can take the time to kindly respond to an Old Dog who may be old enough to be his father, shouldn't you be taking the time  to kindly appreciate your customers through social media?

As I've explained in this blog before, I see the global impact of social media forcing businesses to be Retro.  The ability to spread Word of Mouth information about a company like a cyber wildfire through social media causes businesses to return to their roots. 

When Roberto regularly played right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a small business owner inherently knew that his success depended upon his treating the Customer as King.  The transparency that social media creates requires business owners to believe that "the customer is always right".  As a business owner who takes to heart a Retro mindset, a mindset that believes the customer is always right because the customer ultimately really is king, you and your business can thrive using social media. 

Take the time to learn the New Tricks of social media, before the Pittsburgh Pirates win another pennant.  (Yes, this Old Dog remembers those days, too!)   

Thank you for sharing 166 seconds of your day,
Smitty

Do Your Company A Favor

Still not convinced?

The last frame of this video reads:  "Gradually, social computing will impact almost every role, at every kind of company, in all parts of the world."  The video is a little dated, but this sentence is even more true today.

What about your "kind of company"?  The sooner you utilize social media, the better for your company's bottom line.

Thanks for sharing 124 seconds of your day,
Smitty

Google+, Businesses and Beyond

The engineers at Google have been receiving input and responding to those who have plunged in on Google+.  Thus far, this new platform is limited to individuals as Google continues to improve it and work out the bugs.

Fear not, small business owner:  good things are coming for you to improve your bottom line with the latest social media opportunity!  (enjoy the video)

If you still need an invite to Google+, let me know.  I'd hate for an Old Dog like you to miss the party!

Thanks for sharing 103 seconds of your day,
Smitty

Two Words: "cassette tapes"

Sure, the most recent player in the social media field, Google+ ("Google "Plus"), has over 10 Million active users in a few short weeks.  The truly active users are primarily male engineer types, computer geeks with plenty of schmartz playing with a new toy.   Typical early adopters of new technology.  I'm hearing that this bunch of very intelligent people is excited about G+. 

I just listened to a podcast of Chris Brogan, Mitch Joel (two guys with blogs that I follow regularly) and Hugh McGuire discussing Google+.  Recently, I've been asking the question, "Why would somebody either switch from Facebook to Google+ or add it as a second social network?"  Chris Brogan (an acknowledged social media and G+ expert) would answer that question:  "Two words: cassette tapes".  (meaning, are you still listening to your music on cassette tapes, or have you moved on to something better?) 

He further summarized the hour long podcast by saying that people have been asking him for a year and a half what the next big thing will be, and  "To me, this is the next big thing.  All the different bits that this could tie together if they use it as some kind of a communications plane is HUGE."

Google Places, gmail, Google Maps, Google Profiles, YouTube (owned by Google), Google documents, +1 button........ all tied together by the social media platform Google+ and backed by Google's 10,000 very smart engineers.  How do other social media platforms compete when Google stuffs all its' apps and tools into G+ (like regular cell phone companies trying to compete with the iPhone after Apple stuffed a computer into a mobile phone)?  Once this is all harnessed together, and utilized for commercial purchases, perhaps Amazon rather than Facebook will be in greater danger.

You say you're not interested in companies fighting over billions of dollars?  I can understand that.  Listen to this:  I genuinely like Google+ better than Facebook, and if you tried it I'm betting you would, too.  Be smart, get familiar with Google+ for the future benefit and legacy of your family owned small business. 

Thanks for sharing 110 seconds of your day,
Smitty  

Thumbs Up for Old Dogs Learning New Tricks

I'm delighted that my older brother (he's a real Old Dog!) has taken the plunge and joined me on LinkedIn.  Bill (listed as William Boros on LinkedIn) is an exceptionally gifted corporate/business trainer who may return to Western PA from Florida for the right opportunity (how crazy is that?).

Had lunch last weekend with some good friends from church who left the area a few years ago, and were here for a visit.  My wife spotted our friend within a day or two, as a first-time Facebook user.  Good for you Cammy!

I've also really enjoyed helping others with invites to Google +.

Do you know how excited I get when small business owners make time to use social media to strengthen their business by improving their bottom line, or a brother networks on LinkedIn, or a friend stays in touch on Facebook, or someone connects with me on Google +?

I get as excited as the boy in this video!

Thanks for sharing 100 seconds of your day,
Smitty

Google+ Is Crushing It

Ancestry.com Paul Allen estimates that there are approximately 10 Million Google + users now, and that total could reach 20 Million by this weekend.

What is Google +?  Google + ("plus") is Google's answer to Facebook.   The video below will give you a glimpse of this new social media platform.  If you like what you see, you can jump into this new space at http://plus.google.com.  Google + hasn't been available to the general public, but seems to be opening up a little at a time (a very clever marketing move, I might add).

I think I like Google +, maybe better than Facebook.  My question from my last post still lingers:   "Why would somebody either switch from Facebook to Google + or add it as a second social network?" 

I'm starting to find out, along with 10 to 20 Million others.  I think that Google got it right this time, and I'm excited to see what the future brings.  How about you?

Thanks for sharing 146 seconds of your day,
Smitty

The Next Facebook?

TechCrunch reported that, according to a source close to the company, Facebook now has 750 Million monthly active users.  About half, 350 Million users, log on every day.  Yikes!

750 MILLION users on Facebook!  350 Million daily users!

Is it just me, or do these sound like crazy numbers to you?

At the same time, Mitch Joel's blog mentions reports that the pace of the growth in the number of new users is declining from month to month.  Joel also notes an overall plateau or decline in countries like the US, Canada and the UK.  Interestingly, I don't think that Facebook has officially acknowledged a total user tally since the company announced that there were 500 million Facebook users, some time ago. 

Will there ever be a rival to stand up to Facebook's overwhelming success?

In this blog, I recently wrote:  "....in a dorm room or garage somewhere out there, there is a David looking to take a bite out of Facebook Goliath"  ("My, My, My, My Space"  July 1, 2011).  There is a potential rival for Facebook, with name recognition and a bit more working capital than a college student scraping a few coins together to pay for a pizza delivery:  Google.   I am intrigued by Google's developing new social media platform, Google +.  Chatter around social media circles indicates a growing interest in Google +.  I'm pondering:  "Why would somebody either switch from Facebook to Google + or add it as a second social network?"  There are truckloads of smart people making astoundingly good money working at Google, and I'm sure we'll learn over time their answer to my question. 

Then there's also China's RenRen, in a country where Facebook is forbidden.

Google +, RenRen, the spark of an idea in a college student's brain.......anyone else willing to sling a stone or two at Facebook Goliath?

Thanks for sharing 89 seconds of your day,
Smitty

An Unavoidable Truth

Last summer, I heard Dan Pink make a presentation, and I was fascinated.  I devoured his book on my Amazon Kindle immediately.

This I know for certain:  Owners of family owned small businesses are way too busy.  Realizing this, I was thrilled to come across this creative summary of the book Drive by Daniel H. Pink.  You may be way too busy but,

Are you willing to share 648 seconds of your day?
Smitty

Here's To A Fabulous 2012!

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project:

31% of social media users are on Facebook several times per day
21% additional social media users are on Facebook once per day

Meaning, 52% overall are on Facebook daily

26% of female and 17% of male Facebook users post comments on Facebook daily
60% of social media users are  at least somewhat likely to take action when a friend posted something about a product, service, company or brand

Meaning, daily Facebook comments cause the majority to take action or recommend 

The action 53% of Facebook users take is to either purchase the brand or company's product or recommend the company or product.  Remember this:  I've shared with you several times in the past that 90% of the American public trust the recommendation of someone they know, only 14% trust advertising.

Meaning, most Facebook users who buy or recommend stuff do so because they trust their friends, not advertising  

This study was based upon statistics from November 2010.  With the explosive growth of Facebook, it's hard to imagine what these statistics will look like in November 2011.  Literally millions of people will be trusting their friends' comments to buy or recommend purchases, brands, services and companies at the outset of the Christmas retail season this coming November.

So, where are you going to invest the time and money of your small business to feed your family?

A. TV ads
B. radio ads
C. print ads
D. mailers
E. Social Media, developing a relationship with your customers so they refer their friends

(I hear Jeopardy music in the background....slowly fading away.....)

Thanks for sharing 80 seconds of your day,
Smitty

Today's Generation Gap

As I sat across the table from my friend, his eyes danced.  "I just LOVE social media.  I love everything about it.  It's so immediate.  You can find out anything that you need or want to know.  I really love everything about social media."

He went on to tell me about how he and his young bride find out secrets on blogs, such as building bookshelves from inexpensive materials that look luxurious and expensive.  ("Two hundred and fifty bucks cost, covers the whole living room wall, and looks absolutely incredible.")  How to grow herbs for cooking great meals.  ("It's just SO easy....and it WORKS.")  To finding out information within companies and organizations.  ("You can find out so easy...through Facebook!")

My friend lives on Twitter.  ("I only really follow about 150 people.")  He went on to tell me how he became a committed Apple fan, finally "converting" just two summers ago.  He said he's been waiting for the iPhone 5 or html 5 (and then went on a happy ramble about things I almost thought I understood).

Then it hit me.  My friend, though we enjoy a peer level adult friendship, is half my age.  I could be his father.  He grew up being bathed in social media and portable technology.  This Old Dog is just getting sprinkled by these things, in middle-age.

In the '60's we talked (yelled) about a Generation Gap.  Welcome to today's "Generation Gap":

Those under 30 have been immersed in technology and social media, like a native speaker using their native tongue.  It's second nature.  They don't think about it, they live and breathe it.  By contrast, Old Dogs like me have to think about it, translate it in our heads, and then speak the language.  Rather than being a native speaker, for an Old Dog it's more like learning French in high school from a teacher who never even went to French-speaking Canada, let alone lived in France.

Thank goodness I'm determined to be a part of this new and exciting world of social media.  How about you?

You may want to go to lunch with someone under thirty for inspiration.  Watch the excitement in their eyes.

Thanks for sharing 97 seconds of your day,
Smitty

My, My, My, My Space

Remember when My Space was all the rage?  Kids couldn't get enough of it, parents couldn't get their kids off of it?

In the Wall Street Journal, I see that My Space sold for $35 million.  Six years ago, it was purchased for $580 million.  (Your retirement fund doesn't look so bad after all, does it?)

Half of the 450 person staff was laid off on June 29th.  There were 1400 employees at My Space just two years ago.  (Feeling a little better about your job security?)

The losses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011 were $165 million.  (Ouch!)

Justin Timberlake is involved in the turnaround effort of the newly purchased My Space.  (Something tells me his acting role in the movie "The Social Network" will prove more successful)

Facebook, which was valued at a mere $35 Billion at the end of 2010, is now valued at between $70 Billion to $80 Billion.

What do you think Facebook will be worth six years from now?

This Old Dog thinks that, in a dorm room or garage somewhere out there, there is a David looking to take a bite out of Facebook Goliath. 

What do you think?

Thanks for sharing 46 seconds of your day,
Smitty