This morning at the Ottawa Social Media Breakfast, author, blogger, and apparently karaoke devotee, Tara “missrogue” Hunt delivered a terrific session around the concepts in her book The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business. Here are a few thoughts. Some great points: Customer needs (not buying patterns) should drive [...]

I was feeling a bit grumpy and cynical yesterday morning when I wrote my post Six Reasons “Social Media” needs a better name. And while I still feel it’s a clunky term, a book launch event I attended last night with Shel Israel for Twitterville: How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods made me [...]

“Social Media”: the term seems to be everywhere at once. Hordes of “gurus” “experts” and “consultants” are all over the Web and Twitter selling their expertise under the banner. But like “social networking”, it’s an ugly term that is more often apologized for than explained. Today I’ll discuss why I think we’d all be better [...]

I’m a couple of days late on this one, but I thought I’d end the week with a tribute to the greatest brand-builder of our time: Steve Jobs. Much has been said of his abilities as a technology prophet, a savvy marketer, a brilliant executive, and now as a two-time survivor of serious medical conditions. [...]

In 10 days from now, on September 21 2009, the mega-consultancy Interbrand and Business Week Magazine will be releasing their 10th annual ranking of global brands. Interbrand is trying to jack up enthusiasm with this big count-down clock (below). But of course, apart from Canadians who read my Mad at Switzerland rant, the big question [...]

This happens to me a few times every week: I’m standing at a store or restaurant, getting customer service by phone, or buying something online, and suddenly I’m faced with a dazzling, badly organized array of choices like this menu board at an Ottawa area Dairy Queen Brazier (no comment on that name for today). [...]