Get out your dancing shoes, it’s time to blog
Pop quiz: Over the next three years, what is the number one skill that will be needed by marketing professionals? Answer: An ability to entertain. I realize that is not normally something you would put on a resume. Let me explain. I often wonder, “Who really has the time to read all these blogs?” Don’t you […]
How social media can hurt business relationships
 The social web may be the most revolutionary marketing tool since the advent of radio. I don’t have to tell you why at this point. But for all the opportunities, there can also be danger, if the technology is mis-applied or misunderstood. Here are some ways social media can destroy customer relationships: 1)     Hit and […]
Research shows small business owners struggle with Twitter
The latest research report from Business.com shows that small business owners are still trying to figure out Twitter … but those who have mastered it are seeing an advantage. The expansive report covering 1,711 small business decision makers showed that of all the social media channels, Twitter was the least-used. Just 27 percent of the respondents […]
Is this the end of the social media purists?
I have never used this community to comment on another person’s blog but today I’m just so happy, so enthralled, so downright giddy that I could kiss my keyboard.  One of the social media purists has finally discovered the bright, clear light of capitalism. And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy — Jason Falls. Jason is one […]
Will an economic recovery pummel social media?
I’ve had the great privilege of teaching a college-sponsored class on social media marketing and as usual, I’m learning more from the class than what they’ve learned from me … but that will be our little secret, OK? As I was providing examples of how you can leverage content across various channels to increase awareness, […]
Most companies can’t connect social media efforts to success
For the last two months I have been eagerly anticipating the results of Dr. Ben Hanna’s Business.com 2009 survey of corporate social media utilization. Why is this report significant? With nearly 3,000 valid respondents, this is probably the largest survey ever conducted on this subject and also represents one of a handful of social media research […]
An interview with GE’s Social Media Wizards
The GE Social Media Team: Gary Sheffer, Jen Walsh, Sean Gannon, Lisa Lanspery, Mike Eisenreich, Megan Parker and Vivek Kemp A few weeks ago I was introduced to GE’s social media initiative when doing research for an article on Social Media’s B2B Superstars. I’ve continued to be impressed with their aggressive and progressive approach to […]
Finally! A B2B social media success story
At long last, I bring to you my valued {grow} folks, a true B2B social media success story that can really be measured by MONEY. I believe this is the only one in the world. ; ) And it is GENIUS! Best of all, the success comes from one of our very own {grow}-er’s, Nathan […]
The case for social media marketing and "Extreme B2B"
At one point in my career, I had one of the largest (if not THE largest!) sales positions in the world. I had just one customer and they bought more than US$1.5 billion of goods and services from my company every year. That’s what I call Extreme B2B. Long sales cycle. High stakes. Extraordinary power […]
The world’s most broken marketing process
Here’s my vote for the most clueless group of marketers in the world: real estate agents.I’ve had the misfortune of buying and selling a number of homes in the past five years and have also done some consulting/research for local real estate professionals, so I’ve received a big dose of some of the dumbest marketing […]