Smart is the New Black
There’s been a lot of ‘smart’ talk lately. I’m not talking about our new President who graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors at Harvard Law School. I’m talking about Smart Grids, Smart Meters and Smart Appliances. What are these things and how are they going to turn us into smart people?
4.1.09: “Social networks are bad biz.” April Fool’s?
Okay, so yesterday’s Time.com story: “Facebook Takes a Dive: Why Social Networks Are Bad Businesses”
Let’s discuss.
1. Claim #1: Social Media Networks are not profitable businesses.
Old news. We know this. I hate to sound callous, but that’s not my problem. If FB doesn’t have the infrastructure to make money for itself, I feel a little BAD for FB maybe, but not enough to, I don’t know, stop using it for my OWN purposes. Nor will this knowledge make me tell others to stop using it for theirs.
2. Claim #2: You won’t make money placing non-targeted advertisements on Social Media Networks.
Non-targeted advertising is not the best idea? A financial services FB ad would lose a celebrity death match with it’s twin ad placed on AOL Finance. Point taken. Are we supposed to be surprised?
But let’s not confuse these listed cons with the pros that can be gained by USING social media networks properly, both as outreach vehicles for your brand and strategic ad placement opportunities. We are all witnessing the chameleon-like behavior of advertising. KFC? Potholes?
Facebooking at work = better employees? Study results
This speaks for itself. And I love what it’s saying.
(Clients: Imagine the implications for your creative brainstorming sessions.)
No rotary phones on the farm.
If you are someone who thinks that technology and farming are as separate as the twin beds on The Dick Van Dyke Show, think again. Twenty years ago technology was planted (sorry, but I had to use it) in the farm industry and has been growing leaps and bounds ever since.
As broadband reach expands (and the size of products shrink) the ability for farmers to manage their crops, fertilizer, weather reports, sprayers and more—from their cabs— becomes increasingly easier and more efficient. The latest technology has section control capabilities for both sprayers and planters.
A representative from Raven Industries, an Ag technology company, recently told me that wireless is the item to have. “A hot item for Raven is our wireless technology for our field computers—being released this summer. This gives not only access to the web, but file transfer capabilities between machine and office, vehicle observation, remote service support (a Raven service tech can access the field computer from our office), and a few other things are coming as well.”
There is a wide variety of fascinating and truly futuristic technology being developed today. In this era of conservation and efficiency, technology will continue to introduce new and creative ways for farmers to get more out of every acre, stalk and seed. As we proceed into the next decade, the wonders of technology will show themselves in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.
One area to watch for consistent growth is among the savviest users of technology… the farmer.
A breakthrough in new media…potholes
How can you put a marketing budget to good use when the collective moral of a country is waning? If you are KFC, you see it as an opportunity to promote your brand while helping communities that will allow your assistance.
The next time you are driving down one of your cities more neglected streets, don’t be surprised if you see Colonel Sanders himself out there patching some potholes. The catch, the company will leave behind a stenciled brand on the patch informing people the road has been “Re-Freshed by KFC.” Not a bad deal for a smoother daily commute.
Unfortunately, for those of us in Chicago CDOT has passed on KFC’s help.
