Sunday, March 28, 2010

Introducing neverend books: Subscription Electronic Books With Social Media Built in - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

Introducing neverend books: Subscription Electronic Books With Social Media Built in - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports: "A neverend book is a continuously updated (down to the paragraph level), Digital Rights Management (DRM)-free, ad-free, multimedia book that you can read on an iPhone, an iPad or any gadget or computer that has a Web browser. You can even read when you aren't connected to the Internet.

A neverend book contains the written word as well as color images, video, audio, hyperlinks, mini-applications, downloads or whatever else enhances a book's topic."

Wendy's Note: I am not sure I like this. I love audio books and reading books (when I am not too tired to read). The better the book the more I hate to have it stop. But how would I ever get any work done? I know during one suspenseful book series I was listening to on my way to St. Louis Mo, I almost missed my turn after digging in for the 8 hour session.

During an interesting business book recently, I ate my lunch in my car all week just so I could keep listening. At least with an audio or reading book, chapters and setting the book down let you take a break. You can also curl up in front of a fire, listen while you exercise on a bike trainer - basically multitask with non electronic efforts. We all need to consider unplugging every once in a while, right?

The danger of a "never ending book" is that no one may get their work done. This is based on the premise that the book and topic are so engaging we want to interact. You can chat, view videos, click links and so on. I visited the site but quite honestly I was not impressed. Who would want to work with never ending Calculus or Chess? If all your senses and hands are taken up listening and being interactive while in the book - who's going to make dinner?





Thursday, March 25, 2010

Madison: Great Fit for Google Fiber | Powered Green's Blog

Madison: Great Fit for Google Fiber | Powered Green's Blog: "Madison: Great Fit for Google Fiber
Written by Brandon G. on March 24th, 2010

"As a startup we live and breathe by our Internet connection. The way we conduct business and get things done is by connecting online with our co-workers, suppliers, partners and more importantly the Powered Green Community.

People everywhere are becoming more connected and accomplishing tremendous feats because of the Internet and the opportunities that it creates. With a budding entrepreneurial environment, focuses in both biotech and high-tech, and one of the top research universities in the United States, Madison, WI would serve as an unbelievable host and partner to Google Fiber."

Wendy's Note: Powered Green is a student-founded environmental company based in Madison WI. Brandon Gador and Ted Durkee are the green thinkers behind the company.  As a environmentally conscious individual (yes I drive a Prius and bike to work when I can from Lodi WI) I can support both this company, their Blog inkedgreen, wind power, green energy in all its forms, renewables and of course Madison's bid for Google's ultra fast fiber network project. Head over to the blog and see what they have to say. Edgy, committed and green!




Thursday, March 18, 2010

Google fiber and rural broadband | Preston Austin Madfiber

I recently attended the Google Fiber Meeting that discussed the City of Madison's response to Google's RFI to pick a city to install a High Fiber network. While I didn't understand everything that was presented at this meeting on Uptake, Croquet, etc, I have high hopes that it will have a positive effect on my work in Madison for companies established here. If the"Network Effect" is true, maybe one of the carriers will see fit to provide improved broadband to my area around Lake Wisconsin where I live.

What would you do with Google Fiber? Respond to www.madfiber.net

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Life is Messy – Use Your Words

Life is Messy – Use Your Words by Adrienne Corn: "Here’s my thought on it: Service providers have been facing this very issue from the get-go. A service is intangible. It is only seen once the service is provided. And often, the service being provided is a back office function of some sort. So how are service providers able to sell their services? Do they whine about it and tell the public they MUST pay? Not the good ones. The good ones offer potential customers a solid value proposition, so the customer doesn’t just see blue smoke and mirrors, but can clearly understand how the service will impact their bottom line. The value proposition–a good one–becomes the tangible in an economy of intangibles. And what we all know is this: people will pay for value."

Wendy'sNote: Adrienne Corn is one of my respected Social Media Academy faculty. I enjoy reading her posts that give me a perspective on human talent. In this post she talks about value propositions and ROI of social media. Those of us on the consultant side should read and take note. The last time I got such good advice was reading Million Dollar Consulting by Alan Weiss.

I will take her advice and 5 steps for proposing value in Social Media to heart.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Social Media Marketing and Copyright Law: Axley Brynelson, LLP: Madison Wisconsin Law Firm

You have to love it when local attorneys use video blog post via YouTube to get information out about copyright law and social media.

Axley Brynelson is located in Madison WI.




Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Thrive Madison Region, Wisconsin USA


Thrive, an economic development organization in Wisconsin, is using social media to further their efforts to promote business and economic growth in this 8 county region.

After our February meeting in of the Social Media Breakfast Madison group. I am trying to find our businesses and organizations who are using video in their efforts to get the word out.

Thrive's Jennifer Smith, shared with me how they use Youtube, FaceBook , eNews links , Twitter , and direct emails for message sharing.

At the SMB Madison event she also mentioned that they product DVDs of the video clips and provide to those who are less technology savy or who would prefer a non web version. All great ideas to share valuable content that can brand you and carry your message farther.

Is your company considering the use of video?

Monday, March 1, 2010

Social media can get you outdoors with the Ice Age Trail Alliance

Ice Age TrailImage via Wikipedia
I had a morning meeting with the Wisconsin-Based Ice Age Trail Alliance to chat with Rebecca Hildebrandt, Director of Development, about a presentation I will be giving on social media at their annual meeting on April 23, 2010. We met to talk about the business goals and strategy they were going to employ for 2010 and to format a direction that would be most helpful for their attendees which is typically around 250 members.

I also nterviewed Tim Malzahn, Director of Trail Operations briefly before sitting down with Rebecca.  Here are a few of Tim's thoughts on his role, the Alliance, "Big Audacious Goals" and of course social media.