And just to prove how brilliant I really am (just kidding- sorta), we witnessed...
Mark Zuckerberg,
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network Mark) and
Andy Samberg (The Saturday Night Live Mark)
take the stage for our holy-Facebook-overload pleasure during SNL's opening monologue last night. (In case you missed it, check out the clips at Mashable- I can't bring myself to further the overload here.)
Best Week Ever.
In all seriousness, it really is impressive to consider how much Facebook has achieved, while all throughout staying true to their "roots". As demonstrated by the proposal of social CAPTCHA, the social interaction aspect of what they are doing continues to be the concentrated focus.
In a recent article discussing Twitter for business owners, I was left somewhat disappointed by most of the advice given. The overwhelming adage given by young entrepreneurs is to recognize you are using a social tool to promote your business. No one wants to follow a business that is just self promoting. Customers want a personal connection, so use these new mediums to create this relationship with a much larger audience. Um, forgive me for being harsh about this, but isn't a very basic principle in business interaction [selling] to focus on the customer versus the product? To find out what customers want and developing a solution to their needs? How about to establish a relationship that keeps people returning?
Facebook has continued to find innovative ways to reinforce their central focus. Basic, basic business. Our resources may be evolving, but it doesn't mean your mission statement should be disregarded like a copy of The Yellow Pages.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Facebook Having the "Best Week Ever"?
Leave it to VH1 to be MIA when you need them to cover the big stories...
Just over a week ago, The Social Network brought home the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture- Drama (in addition to several other categories). Although I'm just as enamored with Facebook as the rest of the world, I am apparently alone in my opinion that the movie "portrayal" is neither dramatic or award-winning. This is evidenced by Tuesday morning's reception of 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
Fast forward to the State of the Union Address Tuesday evening. President Obama references Facebook as he discusses the major innovations affecting our economy.
But what I am most impressed by with Facebook is the continued ability to remain focused on the "social interaction" aspect of its users. Apparently the application for the patent was filed in September but social CAPTCHA has just recently received quite a bit of attention. Instead of the blurry or warped letter/number combos usually used in security features, Facebook refers back to what it knows- the pictures that drive the site. A person wishing to change their password or log-in on an unfamiliar computer will be prompted to give the name of their friend in the random picture generated.
Do I think it's without fault? No.
Do I think it's yet another really cool idea from the people who show no signs of slowing down? Absolutely.
Just over a week ago, The Social Network brought home the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture- Drama (in addition to several other categories). Although I'm just as enamored with Facebook as the rest of the world, I am apparently alone in my opinion that the movie "portrayal" is neither dramatic or award-winning. This is evidenced by Tuesday morning's reception of 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
Fast forward to the State of the Union Address Tuesday evening. President Obama references Facebook as he discusses the major innovations affecting our economy.
But what I am most impressed by with Facebook is the continued ability to remain focused on the "social interaction" aspect of its users. Apparently the application for the patent was filed in September but social CAPTCHA has just recently received quite a bit of attention. Instead of the blurry or warped letter/number combos usually used in security features, Facebook refers back to what it knows- the pictures that drive the site. A person wishing to change their password or log-in on an unfamiliar computer will be prompted to give the name of their friend in the random picture generated.
 | ||
| via The Facebook Blog |
Do I think it's without fault? No.
Do I think it's yet another really cool idea from the people who show no signs of slowing down? Absolutely.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Internet of the Future
I found it extremely interesting that in an interview with Sarah Kessler, several individuals referred to the "internet of the future" as a utility.
Just as the evolution of the telephone has led to so much more than the standard call, the prediction is that the internet will become a sort of assumption. For businesses, not a matter of “Should we participate?” or even “How do we use social media?” I believe that there will eventually be a point where these decisions will be considered some of the most basic an organization will make- almost as basic as the products and services being offered.
That does not mean that its effects should be ignored. Just as companies find success and failure in the traditional landscape, it is really just a matter of using the tools available as effectively as possible. In a University of Maryland's Smith School of Business study, small businesses reported the following regarding their social media usage:
 |
| image credit: mfinelydesigns via Mashable |
Imagine a survey that reported usages for tools such as:
- Telephones
- Customer Databases
- Print Advertisement
- Employee Training
I would say it's a safe assumption that successful companies employ all of these. My prediction for the future has similar characteristics: the most successful companies will use all of the tools necessary to reach their objective. The one difference- the scope of tools will be exponentially wider.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Who Even Uses the "Phone" Option on the iPhone?
A few days ago, I noticed a new copy of the Yellow Pages outside our front door.
I should be honest.
A few days ago, I finally contemplated picking up the new copy of the Yellow Pages outside our front door. It had actually been there for a day or two. And this is coming from someone who was at one time a big fan of the Yellow Pages back in the day. (True story: I casually flipped through it as a child- don't judge me.) My problem is not with the book itself. My problem is that it encourages the use of another device, i.e. the phone.
My boyfriend, we'll call him Doug, makes me feel guilty every single time I ignore a phone call (which it pretty often). I've tried explaining that I feel pretty confident in the people I need to be communicating with and they also appreciate efficiency. No longer do I feel burdened by answering the standard "What are you doing?" that follows every initial greeting. I'll admit it- out of habit, half the time I respond, "Nothing. What are you doing?" Text allows me to address things directly while I give bonus points for apps that allow me to complete tasks! Doug is not convinced. So for his sake, and anyone else who may be offended by my resistance to a good 'ole phone call, I give you these equally awesome alternative phone uses:
I should be honest.
A few days ago, I finally contemplated picking up the new copy of the Yellow Pages outside our front door. It had actually been there for a day or two. And this is coming from someone who was at one time a big fan of the Yellow Pages back in the day. (True story: I casually flipped through it as a child- don't judge me.) My problem is not with the book itself. My problem is that it encourages the use of another device, i.e. the phone.
My boyfriend, we'll call him Doug, makes me feel guilty every single time I ignore a phone call (which it pretty often). I've tried explaining that I feel pretty confident in the people I need to be communicating with and they also appreciate efficiency. No longer do I feel burdened by answering the standard "What are you doing?" that follows every initial greeting. I'll admit it- out of habit, half the time I respond, "Nothing. What are you doing?" Text allows me to address things directly while I give bonus points for apps that allow me to complete tasks! Doug is not convinced. So for his sake, and anyone else who may be offended by my resistance to a good 'ole phone call, I give you these equally awesome alternative phone uses:
- The ability to fake more important people to talk to with The Fake Phone Call. (I was surprised to see it in the instruction manual though!)
- It will buy your Starbucks. Not to be confused with pre-ordering your Starbucks. Mobile Payment allows you to literally pay with your cell phone.
- The chance to avoid another one of life's greatest pleasures: a trip to the bank. (It's crazy to me that 98% of the time, the bank is in the opposite direction you are traveling/other side of the road/super busy intersection, etc.) No hassle for me today- just a quick front and back picture of the check and the funds were immediately in my account. Kudos Chase Quick Deposit!
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