Author: Ian

  • The Carpenter Who Is Doing It Wrong

    I was talking to a friend of mine earlier this week.  He’s a carpenter and he’s been struggling with a challenge in his business. He’s actually a really talented carpenter.  A true artist.  He’s one of those guys who who is always trying to improve the way he builds things.  He keeps up with the…

  • The 140 Conference Talk I Wish I Was Giving, and A Free Ticket

    Back in June I heard the 140 Conference was coming to Ontario, and I immediately bought a ticket.  140 conferences are basically speakers talking about how the “real-time web” has changed everything  from how we raise our children to how we launch and run our businesses.  I heard about the very successful ones in LA and…

  • Why Your Business Should Not Rush To Google Plus – But YOU Should Jump Right In

    Why Your Business Should Not Rush To Google Plus – But YOU Should Jump Right In

    The only thing cooler than writing about Google Plus right now, is saying how uncool it is to write about Googel plus.  You may or may not have heard that Google launched a social network called Google + a couple weeks ago (or Google Plus or G+, I don’t even know the proper name yet).  Chances…

  • Social Media Serendipity

    Some people think that the web and social media has made us more isolated.  They think these tools that allow us to connect with people online, somehow keep us from having to connect with them in “the real world.”  I’ve heard people say that it’s sad that people spend so many hours online, talking to…

  • Moments of Greatness

    Moments of Greatness

    One of the reasons I like to watch sports is that it’s the easiest way I know to experience moments of greatness.  I love to bear witness to these moments.  You can’t help but be affected by them.  I know a lot of people get sick of the sports and battle metaphors that get over…

  • Reach, Influence, and the Marketing of Marketing

    There has been a lot of talk online about the tools and companies that are trying to measure influence.  Klout has gotten some of the most chatter lately (that I’ve seen at least), and that is a testament to how well Klout is running their business.  The chatter varies from fans of the tool to…

  • How To Install The Twitter Follow Button On Your Blog or Website

    How To Install The Twitter Follow Button On Your Blog or Website

    On Tuesday, Twitter introduced the follow button.  Until now, many sites including this one, had a link to their twitter profile so readers can follow a Twitter account.  Basically you would link a Twitter logo or whatever to your profile, and once there, a visitor could click the follow button on your Twitter profile.  On Tuesday…

  • The High Cost of Casual

    Let’s face it, none of us like to be formal when we don’t have to.  We prefer shorts and t-shirts to suits, and hand shakes to contracts.  The problem is where being casual can lead you.  Get your mind out of the gutter, I’m talking business here. I was reading a blog post about how…

  • Social Media Professionals Need To Stop #Failing

    Social Media Professionals Need To Stop #Failing

    I was showing a business owner Twitter the other day.  He’s one of those old school pen and paper types, that clearly doesn’t get it.   Sure his business earns millions a year, and has survived more recessions than a lot of social media consultants have had years in the workplace, but what difference does that…

  • If You Didn’t Measure It, Did It Really Happen Online?

    If You Didn’t Measure It, Did It Really Happen Online?

    Because of the commerce side of things, the web has given us the most measurable form of communication ever. Print, television, the telephone, all pale in comparison.  Because we can sell things online, really smart people have come up with ways to track everything that happens on the internet. Everything. It started with tangible, black…