Digital Biographer™

 
[ This article was originally published at Digital Biographer on 5th September 2008, and was syndicated to The Next Web on 6th September, 2008 ] © Copyright 2008 Clarocada Ltd. It has been updated a little for November 2009 where marked in green. Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 UK: Scotland License. © Copyright 2009 Clarocada Ltd. 

“Meetings are an addictive, highly self-indulgent activity that corporations and other large organizations habitually engage in only because they cannot masturbate” - Dave Barry

I don’t do meetings any more. I used to do a lot of meetings. But not any more.

Follow @clarocada on Twitter

The change from meeting to tweeting - where a series of brief exchanges (each a maximum of 140 characters) can make up the content - has been brought about by a variety of factors over the past 15 years or so - but here are the ten factors that I think are critical.

1. IN GOOGLE TIME
   I no longer have a phone book, business directories or yellow pages. Those were essential when I started my first corporation in 1993. But now, I use Google. On my Nokia N86, as I move.  As a result, I have less patience for slow ways of doing things - I am impatient. I demand speed, efficiency, and immediate results.
2. HOLA FONEROS
   I have a laptop computer and a mobile phone, I can work from a cafe terrace in Banyalbufar just as easily as anywhere else. As a result, I don’t have the need to restrict myself to doing business with those who are within easy reach of where I live or work most of the time.
3. HOME OFFICE DRESS CODE
   I don’t need to have an office in the city centre to get my work done - I can do it from my home office. As a result, I don’t need to spend time travelling, and so I use that saved time productively. I also find wearing a suit in my own kitchen a bit pointless, so feel there has to be a very good reason to dress up to go somewhere - and my carbon footprint’s lower.
4. MY ONLINE VISIBILITY
   Whereas I used to have to push information out to people in brochures, newspaper interviews, in meetings, at trade shows, I now have online profiles at LinkedIn, Xing, Facebook, Hyves, Flickr, Friendfeed, MyBloglog etc, and I have blogs and web sites that I can update easily in seconds. As a result, I don’t have to spend so much time introducing myself, and explaining what it is that I, or any of my enterprises provide - people find out about me before they meet me, or get to know me through following my activities online. People can meet me at airports because my photo is online. They can also decide whether they need to waste their time meeting me. People ask me to speak at events without having ever met me or spoken to me.
5. I HATE COFFEE
   I don’t really like coffee any more. But I still drink it. And I especially never liked paying £3 for a cup of it unless it was refilled all day and came with free wi-fi. As a result, when someone says - let’s have a chat over a coffee, I say “No. Let’s save the time and money, and spend five minutes now working out if we need to meet - and if so, what items on the agenda we can dispense with before we need to have a meeting”.
6. MEETINGS ARE GETTING SHORTER
   I arranged a meeting in London (yes, I do still sometimes meet people) with guys coming from Amsterdam and from the USA without ever using a phone - and although we’d not met before, we have already shared dozens of pieces of information that made the business of the meeting last about ten minutes - and then we ordered some food and drinks. We then talked about other interesting stuff and new possibilities - not just ‘the business we need to discuss’.
7. CUT THE CHIT-CHAT
   I can get to know people online by following their updates - or by looking at what they’ve said, or who they’ve been talking with, or who’s been talking about them - and so with this background, a lot of ‘chit-chat’ becomes unnecessary. As a result, I can filter out people, or filter them in. I still enjoy the random, however, - I had two great ideas on the bus this morning, just following my twitter stream and listening to music.
8. YOU CAN DO THIS TOO
   You are reading this blog. You can send me emails, you can send me stuff without a courier, you can clarify things in Skitch, you can speak on Skype for free, you can send an instant message or a twitter. But you can do this as suits your agenda - and not be dragged into it by another party with an unknown agenda who wants 100% of your attention - NOW.
9. I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU
   I can now have customers who I never meet. That used to be very difficult. But now, I can see people, talk to them in real time, swap messages and files, send them sound files and presentations, have a video-conference with them… whether they are half a world away or live around the corner.
10. LIFE’S TOO SHORT
    A friend of mine died suddenly this year. David was 42. He did not suffer fools gladly, and could summarise biblical volumes of information in a pithy, witty phrase. But he ran out of time. We all will. Mr Williamson, I’m thinking of you each day when I open my eyes, pull my first waking breath, and smile.

“I prefer email and tweets and other online communications over telephone and face to face meetings because it allows me to manage my own time. When I’m meeting face to face the other person will automatically assume they have an hour of my time, which seems to be the standard meeting length, and will take all of that time to talk TO me.

In an email I might grasp their concept within 2 minutes and be ready with a reply. Other times I need to think about their message overnight. All of this is impossible in face to face meetings where an immediate reaction and 100% dedication is demanded.”

- Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten

So if you want to have a meeting with me here’s how to start the conversation:- Let’s tweet.

But what about you - what’s changed the way you handle meetings over the past few years?

Please, don’t tell me you’ve not changed things, or let other people push your time around. Tell me it’s not so. Life’s too short. I’ll be working at http://tweeting.me.uk from next month.

2.0, Business, authority, authors, blonging, conversation 2.0, microblogging, mobile, mobile search, share, social media, thenextweb meeting, meetings, top tweets, tweet, tweeting, tweetings, Twitter

UK based startup Huddle.net announced today that Hewlett-Packard (HP) will include the Huddle collaboration application on commercial PCs, laptops and netbooks globally.

“Teaming up with the world’s largest technology company is yet another validation of Huddle as a principal player in the collaboration market,” said Alastair Mitchell, co-founder and CEO, Huddle.net. “With Huddle, HP customers gain access to the enterprise-level collaboration tools at the SMB prices that deliver competitive advantage and increase business efficiency.”

Huddle is debuting within HP Connect Solutions, a new desktop collection of HP and partner software aiming to help small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in their day-to-day activities. Huddle is one of only two third-party applications available on Connect Solutions, alongside Symantec’s Norton Online Backup.

HP customers will benefit from exclusive Huddle offers via Connect Solutions, as well as the recently relaunched HP Access web site. HP Access offers special promotions to Small to Medium Businesses, supporting them throughout their ‘life events’ from starting a business through generating revenue to increasing productivity.

In addition, as part of a phased rollout, Huddle will be available through the HP Advisor Dock, a customizable, desktop bar that helps users to discover HP and partner software on first boot of their machine. Through the Advisor Dock, HP customers will access online offers and navigate through key applications and services.

The collaboration with HP is the last on Huddle’s list of global deals. In 2009, Huddle signed up the world’s largest conferencing provider InterCall and launched its application across key social networks including LinkedIn, Ning and XING.

2.0, Business, commerce, conversation 2.0, share, social media

Image courtesy of ITV-F1.

Good timing, Sir Richard!

Well done to the 4B’s, their team, and their families and friends: Branson, Button, Barrichello and Brawn. More at http://brawngp.com.

Business, TV, awards, brand, startup brawn, startup, timing, virgin

Seven dollars (USD $7) is the price you need to pay to free your iPhone without apparently “jailbreaking” it. This is the price of software that will allow you to download iPhone apps on your computer, and transfer them to your device with an iTunes-like interface, without pushing you into deep geek territory.

This is the exciting claim that comes with Swiss developer Ripdev’s release of InstallerApp and it seems likely to be a huge hit. It’s a Mac app (but coming soon for Windows) with “Pusher” software, that RipDev says can install Installer.app on your iPhone without “jailbreaking” it, so you can use Apple’s approved AppStore, alongside InstallerApp simultaneously.

The app supports Cydia, a popular installer for jailbroken iPhones, but does so, according to Ripdev, without making a mess of your iPhone’s file system or replacing any system libraries, as Cydia does, and you need Intel processor and OS X 10.5 Leopard or above. InstallerApp supports first generation iPhone and iPhone 3G, but not iPod touch as yet.

One $7 license lets you sync up to three iPhones and gives you access to free updates and email tech support for one year, and Ripdev even promises to support iPhone 3.0 shortly after the new software is released and jailbroken.

>> Check out InstallerApp now.

Business, googlicious, mobile, share cydia, iPhone, jailbreak, ripdev

You Are Not Your Audience by Douglas Karr - marketingtechblog.com

“As a result, many businesses are classified this way but operate quite the opposite… the data lied, and I did not do my due diligence to learn about my audience. The target we used focused on women-owned businesses … with women no where to be found. We (a team of men) sent our direct mail piece to men.”

In a chapter entitled ‘You Are Not Your Audience‘ Douglas reminds us that you need to talk to your audience directly to avoid marketing tragedies.

>> Read the full story from Douglas Karr and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, authors, conversation 2.0, share, social media aoc2, Direct mail, Douglas Karr, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, social media

Marketing is in the Eye of the Beholder by Corentin Monot - organic-frog.com

“Another reason why people are skeptical and even reluctant about conversational marketing is the fear of the new. Few people actually possess a genuine entrepreneurial mind, (and) we all know that the successful brands and businesses are those that have a point of view and are ready to defend it. The rest, which is the vast majority, are copying and pasting empty words for their vision values and purpose documents.”

In a chapter entitled ‘Marketing is in the Eye of the Beholder‘ Corentin reminds those who understand conversational marketing have a role to educate beyond a group of like-minded peers. We need to include the C-level, the boardroom and the mail clerks in our conversations.

>> Read the full story from Corentin Monot and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

Business, authority, authors, blonging, conversation 2.0, digital biographer, share, social media aoc2, Corentin Monot, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, sharing, silos, social media

Don’t Be a Non-action Hero by Bill Gammell - ubereye.wordpress.com

“You’ve heard of great action heroes like Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman. But have you ever heard of a “non-action hero”? A non-action hero doesn’t save the passengers of a train bound for certain doom because some didn’t follow his strict “wearing clean underwear in case of an accident” policy (so your mother was right after all!).”

In a chapter entitled ‘Don’t Be a Non-action Hero‘ Bill Gammell outlines three things you need to be a hero in business, and to defeat the evil status quo: —

1. Core purpose
2. Super powers
3. Action

>> Read the full story from Bill Gammell and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, authors, conversation 2.0, online identity, share, social media aoc2, Bill Gammell, Business, heroes, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, social media

Social Media, Social Structures, and the Paradox of Large by Steve Roesler - www.allthingsworkplace.com

“Our online communities tout authenticity, pull vs. push marketing, and flow.
At the same time, blogs, tweets, and café conversation openly criticize the corporate community for not embracing social media and its technology — a “push” kind of commentary.
How many customers ever embraced our product or service as a result of hearing us tell them how ignorant they are?”

In a chapter entitled ‘Social Media, Social Structures, and the Paradox of Large‘ Steve points out that suggesting they are ignorant, and need to change to people with mortgages, car payments, and college tuition is best done in a constructive, helpful manner.

>> Read the full story from Steve Roesler and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, authors, conversation 2.0, share, social media aoc2, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, social media, Steve Roesler

I rest my case. I’ve still not reactivated my facebook account, because I’m waiting to see what the new terms are before I take any action. Facebook have lost my trust, you see.

But at least they are now using Plain English.

Here’s what I wrote about this earlier.

2.0, Business, conversation 2.0, digital biographer, facebook, social media facebook, misstep, mistake, terms

We Talk Too Much by Brett Macfarlane - www.brettmacfarlane.typepad.com

“This evolution is what’s so exciting today. We have so many amazing new media possibilities enabled by new technology while old media has stepped up their game big time. Have you looked at the quality of design in the magazine rack lately? It’s outstanding. Or the transmedia manifestations of TV shows like Lost or Heroes? Phenomenal!”

In a chapter entitled ‘We Talk Too Much‘ Brett Macfarlane points out that old and new media should stop worrying about who’s more right, and to start solving problems, those who inhabit the ‘islands of expertise’ need to start throwing up some bridges.

>> Read the full story from Brett Macfarlane and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, authors, conversation 2.0, share, social media aoc2, Brett Macfarlane, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, social media

Why People Don’t Get It — the Value Exchange by Phil Lewis - www.brandelectioneering.com/blog

“Brands have had it their way since advertising was invented; they’ve controlled their image, messaging and exposure to consumers. They’ve utilised multiple one-way channels to dictate their own value, and even suggested what consumers should say and think — until new media empowered the consumer with a new voice. Any marketer thinking they automatically know what their consumer wants is just missing the point. Consumers have empowered themselves and they’re voting whether you get it or not.”

In a chapter entitled ‘Why People Don’t Get It — the Value Exchange‘ Phil reminds us that consumers decide what is valuable, and any brand has to engage with consumers in a new way to offer them any value.

>> Read the full story from Phil Lewis and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, brand, share, social media

An Agency Story - by Cam Beck - www.chaosscenario.com

“With pride radiating from his skin and optimism beaming from his eyes, he was unable to contain his excitement. “We won four Addy Awards this year alone. On top of that, we won a Clio for innovative use of new media by renting space on the tongues of thirty-three members of Congress and the buttocks of one former president. We …”

In a chapter entitled ‘An Agency Story‘ Cam Beck reminds us that we need to do something simple in the age of conversation: validate.

>> Read the full story from Cam Beck and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, authors, conversation 2.0, share, social media aoc2, Cam Beck, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, social media

The Illusion of Safety, and the Safety of Illusions by Jason Oke - jasonoke.wordpress.com

“I think we need to challenge this illusion of safety and control. We need to create compelling and simple arguments that the control and predictability traditional marketing offers is fake and unsafe; and that complexity and giving up control is actually safer, more intuitive, and more manageable than it seems. People like to feel safe; why fight human nature?”

In a chapter entitled ‘The Illusion of Safety, and the Safety of Illusions‘ Jason says we can’t fault anyone for wanting safety and control, as these are desires hard-wired into our brains - and the alternative to this in the Age of Conversation is something unsafe, and out of control.

However, we need simple sound bites that describe this new, scary model, that every brand manager and account executive can take away, internalize and use.

>> Read the full story from Jason Oke and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, authors, share, social media aoc2, Jason Oke, Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, social media

Storytelling is Not Enough, Start Story-listening! by Cedric Giorgi - www.cedricgiorgi.com

“Telling a story in the Age of Conversation is inviting people to participate in the story. Marketers start the story and then listen to the customers, to the market, to see how they can continue it.”

In a chapter entitled ‘Storytelling is Not Enough, Start Story-listening!‘ Cedric makes the simple point that to be an effective marketer in the age of conversation, you need to remember you have two ears and one mouth for a resson: Listening. Do you listen to the stories your customers are telling?

>> Read the full story from Cedric Giorgi and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, brand, conversation 2.0, share, social media Advertising, advertising and marketing, aoc2, Cedric Giorgi, listening, social media

I am a Marketer by Phil Gerbyshak - philgerbyshak.com

“I realize now that I was, and I am, a marketer. I am a marketer because marketing is all there is. Without stories there is nothing. Without stories, we have no history, no culture, and no civilization. Without stories told by people we trust, our heads would explode from choice overload.”

In a chapter entitled ‘I am a Marketer‘ Phil makes the simple point that he took a long time to realise it, and had several diverse career moves to actually discover it, but he’s a marketer.

He’s someone who tells stories - and he’d been doing that in every job he ever had - he just didn’t get it. Now, he gets it.

>> Read the full story from Phil Gerbyshak and 236 other contributors: Buy Age of Conversation 2 today…

David Petherick is one of 237 authors who contributed to the book ‘Age of Conversation 2‘. For the first 237 days of 2009, he is highlighting a chapter from one of his co-authors, briefly discussing their contribution, and linking you to their blog or online presence.
All proceeds from sales of Age of Conversation 2 go to charity.

2.0, Business, authors, share, social media Advertising, advertising and marketing, aoc2, Phil Gerbyshak, social media