No surprise that Sun Microsystems is up to par with technology innovation these days. It seems that have been very busy working on new platforms for the “future of computing” - cloud computing that is. This is very interesting stuff that will keep them up to speed with Microsoft and Adobe. Read more here. - and please comment.
Author Archive for bonfirepreston
Check out this YouTube entry from a Deloitte Employee. It was one of approx. 35 video entries that were selected as finalists in a internal competition. This is a excellent example of how new media was leveraged to create awareness about the employee experience, rather than the companies spending hundred’s of thousands on recruitment advertising. Approximately 450 cameras (later donated to charities - more good press) were handed out to employees to create videos on their experience at Deloitte. One last thing, they also picked-up a couple of Gold Quill Awards for this project.
23
Apr
NewCommForum 2008
Just a quick hello from Sonoma! Great conversations happening about how to incorporate social media within marketing, internal communications and community building efforts. I’ll post some lessons learned from the event later, however feel free to check out the sessions (specifically 4/23) and let me know what you think would be interesting. I’m really looking forward to a new session later today with Shel Holtz titled: Employees ARE the Brand. Stay tuned…
22
Apr
RSS readers: explained
This is a great article (again on MyRagan.com produced by CommonCraft) that breaks down the whole “RSS thing” and explains how to make RSS work for you.
This is a two-fold bonus. If you are not already a member of MyRagan, check it out on MyRagan.com. It’s one of a few great social networks for professional communicators. This week, they are highlighting a article on Twitter. Good stuff.
This is so cool. Slideshare.net is the YouTube for powerpoint presentations. I have found this site very helpful for working on some of the new Branding and Technology presentations for Bonfire. It’s free and a great resource for doing research or learning. You can literally see who is presenting what, around the world. There is a ton of potential for a site like this and it will be very interested to see how quickly it grows. Please comment with any thoughts.
02
Apr
Bonfire Wins Gold Quill!
Congratulations to the gRide Team for another win! Bonfire captured the IABC Gold Quill for it’s work on the Genentech gRide Commuter Transportation Awareness Program. This is the second Tier 1 gRide Award, coming weeks after Bonfire learned that we also won the PRSA Silver Anvil Award.
01
Apr
Social Media in Toronto
Things are really taking off here up north.
One of the most fascinating take-aways so far today, is that not much is new. As imagined, much of the conversation is spent discovering new ways to measure social media efforts and focusing on the “appropriate” ways to leverage the technologies.
Thanks to Kim Hansink for this great article reminding how to stay on track with our “selling” conversations.
Check it out: http://marketing.about.com/od/salestraining/a/stopselling.htm
Here are some great highlights:
7 ways to stop “selling” and start building relationships
New Thinking = New Results
Maybe it’s time to take a different approach. Maybe we need to seriously analyze our sales thinking so we can identify why we’re not making more sales. Take a look at the table below and thinkabout your current selling mindset. How would your selling behaviors change if you changed your sales thinking?
Traditional Sales Mindset: Always deliver a strong sales pitch.
New Sales Mindset: Stop the sales pitch — and start a conversation.
Traditional Sales Mindset: Your central objective is always to close the sale.
New Sales Mindset: Your central goal is always to discover whether you and your potential client are a good fit.
Traditional Sales Mindset: When you lose a sale, it’s usually at the end of the sales process.
New Sales Mindset: When you lose a sale, it’s usually right at the beginning of the sales process.
Traditional Sales Mindset: Rejection is a normal part of selling.
New Sales Mindset: Sales pressure is the only cause of rejection. Rejection should never happen.
Traditional Sales Mindset: Keep chasing every potential client until you get a yes or a no.
New Sales Mindset: Never chase a potential client — you’ll only trigger more sales pressure.
Traditional Sales Mindset: When a prospect offers objections,challenge and/or counter them.
New Sales Mindset: When a potential client offers objections, uncover the truth behind them.
Traditional Sales Mindset: If a potential client challenges the value of your product or service, you must defend yourself and explain the value.
New Sales Mindset: Never defend yourself or what you have to offer — it only creates more sales pressure.
Marady and Viv will be presenting the workshop on Audiece-Centric Communications Planning at an ALI event, here in San Francisco on Thursday, February 7th.
Feel free to stop by and visit Preston at our exhibit on the 21st floor of the JW Marriot at Post and Mason, near union square.
For more info: http://www.aliconferences.com/conf/social_media_intcomm0208/index.htm
