Beyond Blogs: Creating and Managing Social Networks and What it Means for Your Web Site

Okay, I have to admit that for the longest time, I was confused. I knew that all software runs on a database. Some just have more functionality than others. I also fully understood that you could create a web site using blog platforms like WordPress. But I didn't really see the potential until I participated in Friday's Social Networking for Business Conference, developed by Joe Kennedy and his partners.

They showed us how Expression Engine, a sophisticated content management system (CMS), allows you to manage all of your web site content, articles, blog posts, and other communications through a single tool. Just like traditional software, CMS systems need a database to store information. The web page "templates" determine how that information gets communicated to the world. In old-school terms, those web page templates were part of the User Interface (UI).

So, software applications like Word or PageMaker were really fancy databases that are installed on your computer to get work done*. Social networks are really fancy databases that are hosted on a web server to start conversations. The buttons and tools that you see when you access these databases is called the UI.

What makes social media so different is that now more UI systems can access the same database to deliver content in multiple ways. You can set up your own database on your server (with Expression Engine or another CMS) or you can use a database on an existing server (like WordPress or Facebook). That's how this blog post at www.Blogger.com gets sent to my mailing list using Mail Chimp. It also gets linked to my Facebook and LinkedIn pages. I can also have the same blog post in hundreds of different ways, including embedding it into my web site, and adding "feeds" to partner sites. And it all happens as soon as push the "publish" button in Blogger.

If your company is already using a CMS like Joomla or our own CMS Builder, you might already have all the tools you need to set up a complete online presence that integrates social networking, social media, blogging, and a traditional "web site." If you don't have a CMS, you will have to change the structure of your web site in order to keep up with search engine, social network, and other emerging technologies.

Of course, I'm a business strategist and want you to approach your social media strategy with purpose. I recommend reading this article to get you started. No matter how large or small your organization, social networking and media is here to stay. If you get your tools in order to be scalable, you'll be light years ahead of the competition, both online and offline.

Need help upgrading your web site and other marketing and communications tools? Give me a call at 206-782-4040.

*Software has traditionally been hosted on your computer. Not so much so thanks to cloud computing. I'll have more on that soon.

Worth Beyond Wealth: Importance of Values for Organizations

Over and over, I am hearing great leaders talk about values. Rita Ryder, Patty Stoneseifer, and Phyllis Campbell all referenced the importance of values in determining the direction of your personal and professional lives. Whether you're determining how to live, give, work, or play, always remain true to your values.

Values are part of the foundation for a solid business strategy. A complete strategy includes a vision, mission, values, and a position. When equipped with these four things, you're quickly on your way to creating a business with worth that extends beyond wealth.

Here are four questions to start your thinking about your business values:

1. What key characteristics are important for us to be able to deliver outstanding results for our clients?
2. What ideas and beliefs do we hold as special or sacred?
3. What standards have we set for conduct and behaviors in our group?
4. What "normal" actions, characteristics, behaviors, and conduct would be intolerable in our culture and violate our principles?

Good businesses thrive because of their values. Values are strong desires that lead to results-generating actions. If you know what actions you should take (mission) to achieve your ideal state of being (vision), your values will be clear.

Are all of your stakeholders living your company's values? If not, now might be a good time to tap into the abundant talent that is looking for a thriving company with strong values.

If you need help communicating or defining your values, ask me how The Strategy String can generate worth beyond wealth in all areas of your organization.

It's Finally Here! Shameless You Action Workbook!

For you Shameless You! fans out there, the new Shameless Self Promotion Action Workbook was unveiled at yesterday's Seattle Chamber Annual Tradeshow. We had hundreds of folks stopping by the booth, checking out this personal development program. If you're a job seeker, workplace professional, or a business owner looking for an edge, this workbook will get you started on the path to shamelessness.

The Shameless Self Promotion Action Workbook is for sale now on our web site at www.tsuluwerks.com/tsulushop.

Look for new workbooks and tips books on strategic business development.

Celebrating Small Business in This Month

Small Business Week is May 18th to May 22nd. Keep an eye on the Small Business Administration's Event Calendar for a preview of Wrangling New Assets from Existing Profits on 5/19 from 1pm to 2pm. These and other events are available for review on the Washington SBA web site.

Of course, a week isn't enough to celebrate small business. The entire month of May has been declared Small Business Month by the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Check the GSCC small business web site to learn about all the great events taking place throughout Puget Sound to help your business grow.

Letting Go for Real Success

At the SBA awards dinner on April 23rd, one of the recipients shared the story of how her immigrant family inspired her own entrepreneur path. When her parents immigrated to the Pacific Northwest, they started as dairy farmers. When the economic recession of the 1970s hit, the dairy industry was under fire. Instead of bemoaning their woes, her fifty-plus-year-old parents decided to attend community college. There, the couple found their calling in the hospitality industry. They ran a profitable hotel until retirement.

Her parents were not afraid to change gears midstream. They realized that letting go was the best way to move from surviving to thriving. Do you need to change gears? Or can you tap undiscovered opportunities within the business you already have?

Free Trade Show Passes

Visit our booth at the Seattle Chamber Trade Show on May 12th. Be sure to complete the trade show passport for a chance to win a free spot at our upcoming Profit Wrangler Roundtable event on May 22nd -- that's a value of $129!

If you'd like a FREE PASS to the largest B2B trade show in our region, let me know by 5pm Pacific on Wednesday May 5th. Your name will be entered into a drawing, and the winner will be selected this Thursday.