A word or two?

Just wanted to say HI. I found your blog a few days ago on Technorati and have been reading it over the past few days.

Thanks Ben for taking the time out to comment. Hope you have enjoyed the content. 2010 is exciting for us with the introduction of video and ensuring that what I talk about is even more thought provoking.

If you have any ideas about how we can improve or any subjects we need to cover…give me a shout!

Cheers

Ann

I suppose it’s hard for me to detach myself from the isca media philosophy when it comes to words that I feel will describe the businesses of the future.

But as a peddling wordsmith and believer in social business models; this is my fare:

Transparent
Social
Sustainable (overused ‘word’ but underused in reality)
Inclusive

There are so many more, and I do understand that each word will have a particular nuance for each reader. But that’s the fun and complexity of language!

Good luck with your project Ann. I look forward to reading it. Best wishes.

I word I’d put in is participation.

Participation is being talked about a lot, especially when it comes to being used synonymously with words like “engagement” and “conversation”. Many people will advise you, as business, to ‘engage’ in the ‘conversation’ by starting a blog, inviting feedback, getting on Twitter and creating a Facebook Page.

But you and I both know that many of these efforts fail – and I think it’s often not for a lack of effort, finance, passion or even ‘social ability’, but because they made a fundamental error in two areas:

1. They incorrectly identified in what way their audience wants to participate, and
2. They overestimated or underestimated the amount that their audience wants to participate

Participation is measured in a scale, not in a yes/no checkbox. You need to set the slider to the right level for your audience.

Doing this isn’t a peice of cake either. But it’s also not rocket science. I think the first thing we need to do is know what our objectives and goals are. Then, we profile our online audience (understanding that an online audience isn’t necessarily the same as our online audience, and that our online audience isn’t necessarily the same as our Social Media audience either!)

One we have correctly profiled our audience, we need to know what restrictions we can lift for them. There’s no reason for them, for instance, to just ‘use your Facebook Page’ – it needs to have a purpose that helps them do something they couldn’t do before. This could be any number of things, but the point is that when you identify it, then you know what actually helps your audience, and what level they can be expected to participate.

The truth is that not everyone wants to comment on a blog. So writing one and expecting your customers to comment on it is never a mainstream a hit. If we correctly gauged participation levels, we’d know this.

Wow thanks to Scott and Luke for great words and thoughts. Given me lots to think about. I’ll keep you updated with how its going and the launch date!

Ann

I think some key words any successful modern
business has to consider are:

Collaborative
Relevant
EffectiveDistinctive

CRED (Credibility = Trustworthy)

Thanks for asking me to contribute, I guess the words that spring to mind really reiterate those that Scott and Luke have already put forward. What do we need to be doing to put ourselves forward as leaders within our industry in order to achieve our growth objectives? A few words that summarise:-

Consistency
Quality
Expertise
Honesty
Collaboration

Sorry, you asked ‘for a word’ and got 5. Couldnt help myself! Good luck with your project, look forward to hearing more about it in due course.
Kind regards,
Sarah

Adaptability.

Moving forward there are going to be many major changes to technology, the environment and society. Only by being adaptable will a business be able to pursue it mission and goals. Without being able to adapt to these changes, most businesses won’t stand a chance. Therefore, in my opinion, adaptability is the most critical factor for businesses in the future.

Thanks Phil. Like the credibility = trustworthy! Might use distinctive too!

See you later this week.

Ann

Key words for our businesses would be:

Difference – as in “make a” and “be” different… Little point in being the same as everyone else / everything out there, particularly when you’re in a crowded market like TEA!!…

Service – we work on the philosophy that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care… We are keen to ensure that if someone needs something from us, they get it quickly or they will simply go elsewhere..

Involve – very similar to Scott and his “participation”, in as much as we need to involve people in decisions like future designs (packaging) and blends / merchandising… Feedback is key, acting on it is vital!

Enthusiasm – the end of that word is “iasm” = I am sold myself…… unless you LOVE your product / business, and project that fact, how on earth is anyone else going to be in the slightest bit interested in your message

Thanks Sarah, its great that you have given me five. I like the consistency and honesty ones. Collaboration has already gone!

Will keep you updated with progress and the launch date!

Cheers

Ann

Okay thanks too to Gavin…wow got something to think about there. And, thanks also to Robert…will get me thinking. Very thought provoking. All good stuff.

Cheers

Ann

My Word Is:
New Value.
Truly Deeply is a brand agency based-in Australia. I am a creator of brands, so my view of the business world is very much coloured by a brand perspective.
We see a fundamental shift in the brand value mindset from: ‘let us tell you why you need us’ to ‘let us understand what you need and we’ll develop a product or service to enhance your life’. Think iPhone, iPod, NetFlix, etc. for brands creating new products that offer new and real value.
Hope that’s useful. Cheers, Dave.

Thanks David, that’s an interesting one. In fact, I like it a lot and its got me thinking.

Its very useful. Will keep you updated!

Cheers

Ann

Hi Ann,

Great idea for an ebook – I look forward to reading it

I have a few words I’d like to put forward – I hope they are useful.

ACT – So many of us talk the talk but never walk the walk. It’s very easy to devour reading material, attend seminars and learn new things and then say we’re going to make changes but never do. In fact I think people bandy around a stat about only 5% of people that attend courses ever go back and action what they’ve learnt despite a far higher percentage saying they will! I see self development as critical to success but only if you make a point to ACT on it

SHARING – Some people are a bit funny about this. It seems our natural feeling is that by sharing (knowledge in particular) we are giving away some sort of power. I say forget that and share away – some may abuse it but in the long run people will be surprised at just how this helps build relationships.

SINCERITY- When you say something to someone, make it sincere! Be sincere about everything you do in business and watch the rewards flow in. Also people will spot you a mile off if you’re not sincere and that could end up being potentially damaging to your business.

Good luck Ann

Alastair

Thanks so much Alistair. Great words and commentary! Its great to get your thoughts and ideas. Act, or substance, has gone but will use sharing and sincerity…be back in touch!

Cheers

Ann

Hi Ann,

I hope these words might be useful to you…

Humanity
Connecting with communities, which can only come through human interaction and understanding

Flexibility
Because no partner or customer (or their circumstances) are the same as the last

Empowerment
Bureaucracy can mean the death of an organisation

Curiosity
Working with people who have a true interest in something. Always curious about it, reading, trying and tasting. Nobody does such a good job at something than somebody who has a genuine interest in it.

with kind regards,

Sarah Gray

Hi Ann,

Thank you for asking me to contribute. This is a really great idea and I am loving some of the suggestions you have been given so far.

As I’m a bit late putting my “two pence worth” in, my suggestion is nothing new and it echoes some of what Scott was saying, but it is a word that I feel is vital for any business (particularly those trying to make a difference). My word is:

ENGAGEMENT

Without engagement a business or brand will never be able to win the hearts and minds of their customers or audience. True engagement allows a business to differentiate itself from other businesses by talking to customers at an honest level and allowing them to be a part of a conversation.

Sarah and Jed, thanks ever so much for your contribution and thoughts on those words. Hopefully I will put them to good use and get people thinking.

Cheers

Ann

Karen McDonald (KM) covers Peoria County government and local politics. She can be reached at 686-3285 or kmcdonald@pjstar.com. Check out the digital version of Word on the Street, “Word on the Web” throughout the week at pjstar.com.