Technology
Snow Leopard: Big Deal?
Yes. big deal. Although Apple’s 10.5 is now 10.6, don’t let that incremental number suggest an incremental tweak.
Characteristic to its name, Snow Leopard leaps OS X into a speedier, most reliable, space-crunching operating system. This 64-bit system is built to be highly efficient in the use of memory – multiple applications in use simultaneously will function much cleaner and far faster than any other operating system. That’s not a tweak – that’s a big claim. For business users, OS X now integrates with corporate systems using Microsoft Exchange. Reviews abound on the new features, including a great write-up from Engadget. They all suggest Leopard users upgrade, and urge Tiger users to leap – guess that includes me.
Marketing Toolbox: social media has jumped the shark
2009 marked the turning point for the acceptance of social media into the marketing mix. While many of my colleagues would argue that social media jumped the shark some time ago, I would agree with their enthusiasm as a consumer but not from a marketing usage perspective.
Just two years ago only 20% of marketers were engaged with social media as a marketing tool. It is now 66% according to a new study of marketing usage by Association of National Advertisers (ANA), BtoB Magazine and ‘mktg’. In particular, social networks are the largest contributor in the category:
- Facebook – 74%
- YouTube – 65%
- Twitter – 63%
- LinkedIn – 60%
While this is an astounding leap for social media, business people talk about their willingness to “try” social media, but their lack of confidence or knowledge to implement a social media strategy on behalf of their company or client. Fear of failure is also an underlying de-motivator. (We can help with that. Call us).
Do we need another web browser?
It was just a few months ago that Google debuted their much ballyhooed Chrome web browser yet it hasn’t taken off and we’ve all pretty much forgotten about it. We seem to be happy with IE, or Firefox for PC use, and Safari and Firefox for Mac use.
The original web browser inventor, Marc Andreessen, has a different opinion and it comes with a better concept than just another web browser offering. Its called RockMelt. So what will it do that the others already don’t?
Let’s Mingle360
Mingle360 is a new way to connect and exchange information at a tradeshow or event. The technology is new, the reason is old. Connecting with people usually involves an exchange of business cards, or a scan of your trade show badge. With the MingleStick you simply find other people with a MingleStick, ask them if they want to “mingle” and violá an instant exchange of email, address, phone number and a photo, if your so willing.
My introduction to Mingle360 was at the recent TS2 Trade Show in Chicago — “The Trade Show about Trade Shows”. It is the premier event for exhibit and event professionals.
At the end of the show you simply return your MingleStick to the MingleStaff and by the time you get back to your office your contacts are neatly stored in a password-protected section of the Mingle360 site. A few weeks later you will receive a follow-up email that contains your Mingle contacts already formatted as a database file.
I found the technology fun; it really was a conversation starter. Tradeshows and events will definitely benefit from the use of the MingleStick. I certainly hope to see this technology take off. Until the next trade show, event or other creative use, check it out at www.mingle360.com
Gen Y Poised to Change B2B Marketing
Our recent national study conducted with Bart Zehren and PeanutLabs finds that Gen Y’s propensity for social and interactive communication is changing the B2B buying process. We encourage you to join us at the International DMA09 Conference and Exhibition October 20th where we will unveil detailed insights from the research.
Until then, there are a few interesting outcomes to keep in mind. For example, we found that only 4 of the 13 tools younger professionals are using to research business products and services fall within traditional media categories. The research further demonstrates that while these traditional methods have a place in an integrated marketing strategy, their use is declining. In anticipation of the changing behavior of these up-and-coming buyers, marketers need to move now to increase their digital proficiency and re-allocate their marketing mix.
Insights into how to incorporate emerging marketing technologies and channels will be further demonstrated during our DMA presentation by panelist Pam Evans, Senior Marketing Manager, Web Marketing, Worldwide Software Group, IBM. She will speak to how Gen Y and early adopters are driving a transformation in the way marketers must reach prospects by identifying how their influence is re-defining the landscape.
One big difference is that Gen Y engages online to harnesses the value of conversation as media and trying to control the conversation will be counterproductive and potentially harmful. Other large lessons learned from this discussion will be which rational brand web elements truly support this new customer’s choice.
Dick Strassburger, Integrated Media Director at Colman Brohan Davis will round out the conversation with revealing details on consumption, including facts on how social network usage among these professionals has increased 152% year over year, and that video is emerging with the largest potential to connect with this audience.
Dark clouds of crisis have a shiny silver lining called alternative energy
There are strong signs of a rebound for the alternative energy sector, but how soon will green jobs start impacting the U.S. job market? Though the U.S is surrounded by economic, security, and climate crisis – can green technologies really save us from ourselves?
Some say alternative energy could spark the next “industrial revolution”. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get dirty. Click here for a must-read article from Manufacturing.net that just may provide some fuel for thought!
