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SAGEROCK: Sage Lewis Presents The Most Important Social Media You Should Be Using Now for the Greater Cleveland PC Users Group (GCPCUG)

 

Pictured: Sage Lewis 

 

On Saturday March 10, 2012, Sage Lewis, founder of SageRock, an Akron-based digital marketing company, presented "The Most Important Social Media You Should Be Using Right Now," for the Greater Cleveland PC Users Group (GCPCUG).

Lewis is a nationally recognized leader in digital technology and a highly engaging presenter. Attendees at Saturday's meeting had a rare opportunity to experience his homegrown talents.

"It's a crazy topic," Lewis stated.

He opened by highlighting some of the most viewed YouTube videos of 2011:

• Cat mom hugs baby kitten.
• Talking dog ultimate tease.

Speaking of YouTube, check out the site's staggering statistics which confirm the power of video in today's marketplace.

"Why are we into this?" he asked. " I believe we have been living in a 60-year slumber."

He was referring to the 30-hour average of television viewing Americans do weekly. We've done it because it was the thing to do (but it's not natural).

We human beings are social creatures.

Social media is user-friendly; and allows people to express their voice more than ever before. Consider that:

• The 2011 uprising in Cairo, Egypt began with a Facebook page.
• The February 2012 Susan G. Komen/Planned Parenthood battle ignited via social media.
• Kony 2012 (Video about Ugandan rebel leader, Joseph Kony) has become the fastest viral video in history (over 100 million views in six days).
• United Breaks Guitars. Canadian musician, Dave Carroll's YouTube video created after United Airlines lost his guitar on one of their flights.

Lewis referenced the 2005 bestseller, The World Is Flat by author Thomas Friedman. Friedman believes the world's flattening and interconnectivity began in 1989 with the destruction of the Berlin Wall.

Social media allows experimentation, at times delivering noteworthy results:

• Stop Action Video: Stop Motion.

Here's an interesting, new business campaign worth viewing:

Dollar Shave Club.

Lewis advocates 3 major points regarding your social media plan:

1. Incorporate a social media policy if you have an organization.
2. Have a listening campaign for your brand name, i.e. use Google Alerts.
3. Actively use social media. Today, many of your customers expect you to be engaging with them through social media. Ignore it and risk losing your customers to a competitor.

Lewis concluded that, ultimately, the social media you should be using is the social media the people you want to engage with are using.

The Greater Cleveland PC Users Group meets the second Saturday each month at Cleveland State University. To learn more about this tech-savvy organization, visit GCPCUG.

 

Beyond The Obvious: Killer Questions That Spark Game-Changing Innovation by Phil McKinney-Business Book Review-Corporate Antibodies

 

 

“Innovation” is one of the biggest buzzwords of twenty-first century business vernacular. Phil McKinney, author of the new book, “Beyond The Obvious: Killer Questions That Spark Game-Changing Innovation,” presents an in-depth account of what it takes to be truly innovative. He admits that innovation is hard work; and no organization gets it 100 percent right. But, with a disciplined approach, anyone can become more innovative.

 

McKinney provides a set of Killer Questions that any company can use to hone their innovative mindset. Before you can use those questions, he says you must address your industry and company assumptions, manage the inevitable jolts and neutralize the corporate antibodies. Here, the focus is corporate antibodies.

 

Corporate antibodies are analogous to the antibodies in our immune system, which attack and destroy possibly harmful foreign objects. “Antibodies” in your organization identify and neutralize forces that threaten to destabilize a company. Much like an organism’s antibodies can damage the very thing they seek to protect (i.e. when they cause the body to reject a transplanted organ); corporate antibodies can stunt a company’s growth by squelching fresh ideas and badly needed unconventional thinkers. 

To learn the four types of corporate antibodies McKinney describes, please read my book review published on EzineArticles.com.

 

 

Beyond The Obvious: Killer Questions That Spark Game-Changing Innovation by Phil McKinney-Business Book Review-Managing Jolts

 

Phil McKinney is the author of the new book, Beyond The Obvious: Killer Questions That Spark Game-Changing Innovation. He’s an innovation expert who has served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for major technology companies and also leads innovation boot camps.

 

McKinney believes that ideas are our most valuable currency in today’s creative economy, which now trumps the recent knowledge-based economy. He says that the most important question organizations aren’t asking is “How do you know when your core business beliefs are heading toward obsolescence?”

 

It’s important to continually ask good questions to get beyond the obvious answers. Do this; and you’ll keep the momentum of discovery and innovation alive.

 

He acknowledges that innovation isn’t easy; and no one gets it 100 percent right. Incorporating an organized method to generate, prioritize, and execute great ideas promotes innovative thinking.

 

McKinney provides a dynamic set of Killer Questions that force you to look “beyond the obvious.” Those Killer Questions are divided into three categories: (1) Who your customer is, (2) What you sell them, (3) How your organization operates.

 

Before you can use the Killer Questions to engage game-changing innovation, you need to get past your industry and company assumptions, manage the jolts; and neutralize the corporate antibodies. 

For a summary of how to manage your industry and company jolts, you're welcome to read my book review published on EzineArticles.com.

Enjoy Every Sandwich: Living Each Day As If It Were Your Last by Lee Lipsenthal, M.D., Self Help Book Review

 

How comfortable are you discussing your own mortality? Are you interested in exploring the journey of one man facing his own death from cancer? If so, Enjoy Every Sandwich: Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last is a book you’re destined to read.

 

In July 2009, well-known, California-based physician, Lee Lipsenthal, found himself on the other side of the table; diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He knew it was an aggressive disease with a dismal prognosis.

 

Enjoy Every Sandwich is Lipsenthal’s chronicle of his cancer passages. The title was inspired by singer/songwriter Warren Zevon who died in 2003 of lung cancer. Appearing on late night television, Zevon revealed how he’d learn to enjoy every sandwich he ate. Ironically, Lipsenthal’s cancer was detected after experiencing pain while eating a sandwich.

For additional insight into Lipsenthal's message, including the importance of practicing gratitude daily, you're welcome to read my book review published on EzineArticles.com.

 

 

Beyond The Obvious: Killer Questions That Spark Game-Changing Innovation by Phil McKinney-Business Book Review

 

Innovation is one of the most ubiquitous twenty-first century business buzzwords; tossed around in boardrooms and company meetings more than any football during an NFL game.

 

Phil McKinney is the author of the new book, Beyond The Obvious: Killer Questions That Spark Game-Changing Innovation. He’s an innovation expert who has served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for major technology companies and also leads innovation boot camps.

 

McKinney acknowledges that innovation isn’t easy. It requires work and effort, but that’s a good thing. Innovative thinking can honed by anyone with practice. It also demands an organized process to generate, prioritize and execute great ideas.

 

He provides a dynamic set of Killer Questions that force you to look “beyond the obvious.” Those Killer Questions are divided into three categories: (1) Who your customer is, (2) What you sell them, (3) How your organization operates.

 

Before you can use the Killer Questions to engage game-changing innovation, you need to get past your industry and company assumptions, manage the jolts; and neutralize the corporate antibodies. 

To learn how to get past your industry and company assumptions, you can read my Beyond The Obvious book review, published on EzineArticles.com.

Trapped by Michael Northrop: A Snowstorm, Seven Stranded Students, and Teenage Hormones-Young Adult Book Review

 

 A relentless Tuesday morning snowfall prompts an early dismissal at Tattawa Regional High School in a rural New England town. Seven students (five sophomore boys and two freshman girls) waiting for rides home, soon realize that no one is coming to their rescue. When will they be found? How will they persevere? Will they all be found alive? That’s the premise of Trapped, written by Young Adult author, Michael Northrop.

Yes, Trapped is written for a youthful audience. Regardless of your age, you’ll find yourself wondering how you would act under similar conditions, perhaps stranded at your workplace or a civic group meeting.

Northrop keeps readers guessing until book’s end to discover the fate of the seven stranded students.

For more insight on Trapped, please read my book review published on EzineArticles.com.

 

 

 

Amish Mystery Book Review: Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo-Hate Crimes and Heartstrings

 

Hate crimes against the Amish are ravishing Coshocton and Holmes counties in Ohio for the past six months.

Amish men are being beaten, left half-naked and tied to their horses in frigid weather, farm animals are being slaughtered, and barns are being set ablaze. 

Solomon (Solly), Slabaugh, his wife Rachel and visiting brother, Abel, are found dead on their farm's manure pit (manure pits collect livestock wastes and produce lethal methane gas).

Is this the latest hate crime taken to a new level, or is the motive something else?

Kate Burkholder, Chief of Police in Painters Mill, Ohio and former Amish woman herself, is determined to find out.

Breaking Silence is the latest novel by New York Times bestselling author, Linda Castillo; and third in a series featuring Kate Burkholder.

If you enjoy reading well written mysteries with a small town feel, please read my Breaking Silence book review, published on Ezine Articles.com.

 

National Handwriting Day: Monday January 23, 2012-Celebrate Your Unique Signature

 

Monday January 23, 2012 is National Handwriting Day (National Handwriting Day occurs every January 23 in conjunction with John Hancock's birthday. Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, and is famous for his large, bold signature).

Handwriting allows you to be an artist and individual during a time when we primarily communicate via computers and email.

Your signature belongs exclusively to you. Write it often with pride. 

Expressing yourself through the handwritten word conveys sincerity and individualism.

Use National Handwriting Day as an opportunity to re-explore the power and purity of handwriting.

Visit the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association to learn fun facts about National Handwriting Day, including:

• Why are pencils yellow? 
• Who is the world's most famous pen collector?
• Do left-handed pencils exist?

 

PR 20/20: Paul Roetzer Presents at 2011 Midwest Social Media Summit

 

Pictured: Paul Roetzer of PR 20/20

On Thursday November 17, 2011, Paul Roetzer, founder and CEO of PR 20/20 presented Give Your Customers The Content They Crave at the initial Midwest Social Media Summit.

Roetzer is also the author of the new book, The Marketing Agency Blueprint: The Handbook for Building Hybrid PR, SEO, Content, Advertising, and Web Firms.

In addition to Roetzer's presentation, the daylong event included social media experts from a variety of industries, including:

Joe Pulizzi, founder and Chief Content Officer for Junta42. Pulizzi says:

• Find out where you can be the leading expert in your field (fields are crowded and they're getting more crowded).
• Heed the Big 6 social media sites in 2012:

1. Facebook. Customer retention tool.
2. LinkedIn. Professional networking.
3. Twitter. Follow searches.
4. YouTube. By 2013, 90 percent of smartphones/tablets will be video.
5. Google+. Fastest-growing social network site ever, yet, "the jury is still out."
6. Slideshare. The "YouTube for PowerPoint presentations." Underutilized-only 20% of businesses using site. 

• Figure out ways for your company to use video storytelling. 
• Create a Chief Content Officer (CCO) position at your company.
• Focus on what you can do with the resources you have.
• Journalism is the most important profession to be in now.
• There is no "silver bullet" for social media success.
• You can no longer separate your personal and business life.

Mary Henige, director of social media and communications, General Motors Co. Henige says that social media allows GM to bypass traditional media (not that we don't need it).

GM's social media strategy:

• Humanizes the company. 
• Builds relationships with its customers.
• Involves listening and engaging with its audience.
• Utilizes Radian 6 as a social media metrics tool.

By listening and engaging with it's audience, GM:

• Builds confidence and trust.
• Creates awareness of, and strengthens its brand.
• Helps sell vehicles by increasing consideration.
• Engages and empowers employee advocates.
• Captures and channels feedback to improve their business.

"Be who you are respectfully," says Henige. "Publish once, then share the content."

Personal branding within companies is a growing trend. Here's an excellent example from GM:

Chevy Malibu engineer, Suzy Cody not only helped design the new Malibu, but she's also a roller derby queen in her Michigan hometown. How cool is it to know some interesting facts about the people who designed your car? 

What's next at GM in regards to social media? Henige says a lot more focused video and content. She also says brands will become even more engaging.

Panel Discussions included:

Going Mobile:

• If you're not using mobile, then you're losing business today.
• There's no formula for mobile. Find what works best for you.
• Design for mobile (don't just shrink your website to mobile).

How to Use Social Media in Hiring:

• Today, 73% of 18-3 year-olds are finding jobs using social media.
• Social media should be the #1 focus when it comes to hiring.
• Companies need to be incredibly transparent in the age of social media.

If you missed the premiere, 2011 Midwest Social Media Summit, plan to experience the 2012 event; and capture your competitive advantage.

 

 

Amish Christmas Fiction: A Plain and Fancy Christmas by Cynthia Keller

If you received an anonymous, veritable letter informing you that you were mistakenly switched at birth; and biologically belong to Amish parents, would you pursue meeting them?  That’s the premise of the new fictional book, A Plain & Fancy Christmas by Cynthia Keller.

Keller penned last year's bestselling, An Amish Christmas. 

Many authors pen fiction based on Amish culture, few however capture the depth of plot like Keller.  A Plain & Fancy Christmas creatively combines storylines to produce an enriching holiday read.

To discover more about A Plain & Fancy Christmas, you can read my book review published on EzineArticles.com.