Gut & Data: Two sources of direction This post is inspired by a wonderful quote from Duncan Watts, of Yahoo Research, made on this McKinsey Quarterly podcast (May 2011): “Our enthusiasm for making predictions is matched only by our reluctance to be held accountable for them.” While difficult to do in a corporate environment, as [...]
It still takes time to save time… Below is the first of a “thread” on the five best productivity enhancing tools that I use on a regular basis. What I find is as important as the specific tool itself is the selection of the category for these tools. In each case, I will write up the [...]
Getting social must be a company-wide project As companies scramble to identify or hire community managers, I often wonder about the criteria that are being drawn up. There is still much confusion on the role of the community manager. More emphatically, though, I wonder to what extent that community manager has been empowered to create a [...]
Getting the mindset right first We all know resources are limited, so it is essential to know to prioritize. In this vein, one of the conundrums facing companies is to know whether they should focus first on their external social media marketing strategy (to get the business) or whether they should start internally, to implement [...]
Attended a most interesting INSEAD breakfast presentation last week by François Momboisse, President since 2002 of the FEVAD (the association covering eCommerce and distance selling in France). François is also head of international digital operations for the FNAC (a leading retailer of high tech and cultural goods). Herewith a little state of the e-business in France.
Organic or Acquisitive Growth? A comparison of the Linkedin/Viadeo (professional social network) and Craigslist/OLX (online classifieds) battles. I see an organic growth model allowing for a more homogenous type of community build. Both Linkedin and Craigslist have the first mover advantage and have chosen to pursue this option. The challengers (and ‘late comers’), Viadeo and OLX, have opted for growth via acquisition. Both challengers are well positioned to capture the local market based on their core business. However, both are going to have a more razor-edge approach to their finances in that they will need to amortize/optimize their investments in the local players. While the fight between OLX and Craigslist is more head-to-head in that they are looking at exactly the same markets in the countries in which they do business, Viadeo and Linkedin benefit from a more segmented approach.
How does a small business figure out its internet strategy without the services of a big agency? This is the typical question for the owner of (very) small business. The internet is daunting for many, but not for all, especially if you are an optimist at heart and are willing to experiment as is Mrs. [...]
It is my belief that continuing education in a company will be one of the distinguishing forces that sorts the great from the good brands. Great education is not just motivating. It is not just a way to improve skills and acquire knowledge. Great education is a fundament to creating a corporate “culture” and transmitting and living corporate values. If innovation, collaboration and fluid communication are vital for creating a successful client-centric organization, a training philosophy that is itself innovative, collaborative and interactive is a great way to set your company on a successful trajectory. Here are 7 important guidelines to making great education.
Steve Jobs has shown himself and the company to have flaws. Every first model seems to come with some flaws and usually Apple manages to turn the situation around, aided by the Apple afficionados. This time, with the iPhone 4, Jobs has not done his customary good job… The imperfections are looking more imperfect. Will these be a turning point?
French Service. For some, this is an oxymoron. Some like to say the same thing of American Intelligence. But as far as French Intelligence is concerned and American Service, we tend to be on the right track! Regarding French service, there has been much written about the issue of bad, snooty-nosed, unfriendly service in French’s [...]
