Smart Savvy

A round-up of five Vancouver companies effectively doing social networking offers insights/inspirations for other businesses looking to get active online. These five use their social platforms selectively, differently from each other. Some are expanding their area of expertise by association (related topics and events). Others are successfully engaging their customers (and future customers) through feedback and testimonials. And what could be more magnetic than features that become indispensable, go-to tools for audiences?

1. Vancity – ChangeEverything

Takes the ideals of co-op banking and turns them into a haven for interaction about making your world a better place. Blog, find out what’s happening in the community, connect with others, vote. The community moderator adds a personal face to the network.

2. Tourism BC

Everything a tourist could want to plan their trip from their screen. Maps, an iPhone app, videos, contests, blog articles, tips from other travellers and regular updates through the staples - Facebook and Twitter.

3. Curve Communications

From one marketer to another, this local PR agency’s social content is always timely, always witty. Quality info that keeps me coming back and proves they know their business.

4. Opus Hotel

Making the most of their recent Arabian Nights street party, Opus took advantage of the party theme and expanded their content across social channels. Irresistible imagery, updates and videos involving the greater Yaletown community. Who doesn’t like a party?

5. DineHere.ca

Find a restaurant, read/post a review, book a reservation, rate a restaurant, view a location. Now go eat! A case study in pure usability.

Think your business is doing something we should know about? Email me at: peter@smartsavvy.ca

Have a look.  This lively RSA Animate, adapted from Dan Pink’s talk k’s talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us.  My brother in law shared this with me and I found it fascinating.  He makes a strong case for reinventing the way that companies and leaders motivate people and get the best from them.  His findings are extremely interesting.  More from Dan Pink later in the week.

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Was a busy week of events and getting netwerky this week (BCAMA - Exec Round Table, F5, BCAIM Luncheon with Gurval Caer and BCAMA Annual Tasting Event @ District 319 (cool venue).

Heard form some noteworthy speakers this week –my only regret was missing Steph Corker-Irwin present at Pecha Kucha on her Ironman goal and new business venture NoMo Solo.

I  and wanted to take a few mins. to send a shout out to a presenter that really stood out —  Kierstin De West - Founder of Conscientious Innovation (@ BCAMA Tasting Event).  Kierstin shared the story of what drove her to start Conscientious Innovation — she joked about starting her highschool’s environmental club but getting kicked out for reading Vogue.   I really enjoyed her take on sustainability and the insights she shared from her company’s Shift Report -  a 5,000 person study, that provides intelligence on people’s attitudes, perceptions, behaviors around sustainability and social responsibility and the impact this has on lifestyle choices, brand relationships and purchase decisions.  PDF Summary here.

You can have a look at a similar presentation she delivered at a LoCo BC event. Screencast here.  PDF here.

I  found a recent Pecha Kucha presentation of hers (below) that provides an overview of her journey as a marketer and intentional shift from helping selling candy to kids to helping companies understand that culture is shifting.  The sustainability pendulum isn’t just swinging differently it is completely reshaping itself.   People are looking to do business with companies that  make values driven choices based on integrity and social responsibility.

I had the opportunity to hear Gurval Caer, President and CEO of Blast Radius,  at a BCAIM luncheon today and I have to say I am glad I invested the time.  It is no secret that Gurval really knows his stuff  – and today he  proved it by delivering a meaty presentation on Branding in the New Media Era.  There were several takeaways from the talk and he filled it with practical examples of well executed new media initiatives - including Starbucks Red and Nike’s Leroy Smith - The Man Who Motivated Michael Jordan project.

He introduced the concept of/differences between Bought, Owned and Earned media and the value/role of each one.  IMO, as marketers , we REALLY need to ‘get this’.  After the meeting, I was doing some research on the topic and I found this presentation on Bought, Owned, Earned from Carat Australia. There are some great insights therein.

I have also found this presentation from Gurval on Building a Billion Person Brand.

Thanks Gurval for sharing some of your mindshare with us today.

Had a great time presenting at the BCAMA Executive Roundtable today. Tackled the subject of connecting with three key generational cohorts  @ work and what Employers of Choice will have to do to engage them. Key takeaways - There are more similarities than differences between the generations and that EOC’s must focus on offering:

• the chance to adventure/pioneer at work
• a rich form of flexibility
• meaning, purpose and challenge
• diverse and high functioning teams
• measure of altruism

Slides posted below for a more in depth look.

Another great find on Ted. Asks some hard questions. I’m picking up what this guy is putting down… As we reboot the world’s economy, Geoff Mulgan poses a question: Instead of sending bailout money to doomed old industries, why not use stimulus funds to bootstrap some new, socially responsible companies — and make the world a little bit better?

Google is always leading, always inspiring. They always bring it back to (and start with) what people want.

Ok Ted.com is my candy store.  Love it. Ultimately, be genuine, don’t take yourself too seriously —  its ok to lose control.

I read the following newsletter article from NFPSynergy.net, a UK based NFP focused research consultancy,  and thought it was right on the money. In fact, a lot of what they say seems to be.  It’s no secret that the web is the starting point for all marketing and communications plans/efforts.  NFP’s that master the art of storytelling and (prospective) donor engagement online will be sure to make great strides towards achieving their mission.

I can still remember the first fundraising appeal that moved me. I can remember where I was when I opened it and I can remember what it said. It was an appeal from the Head of Emergencies in Oxfam at Christmas 1987. He described the emotional and moral challenges of going to visit emergency situations, where children died in his arms, and then returning home to face the materialist world of Christmas. When will we say ‘enough is enough’ was his call to action.

I can also remember signing up to Shelter at 5pm on a long hot July day for a face to face fundraiser who said he had signed up one person so far that day and it was his birthday. I can remember my mother (a sheep farmer) telling me how she had gone into her building society the day after an early Red Nose day and declared that she wanted to buy a goat for £50 for some pastoralists in Africa.

Read more

Lots of inspiration to be found here.  Remember  – there’s an expiry date in blaming your parents for your failures.

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.