Pandora – brought to you by LUCRUM
January 20, 2009
One of the hardest tickets in town to get is to the Social Media Breakfast. Every couple months, this event brings together some of the best and brightest people from all across the community – all of whom have an interest in social media. I managed to score tickets to the the 2nd event they held, which was back in August. Since then I have not been able to get my schedule to jive with events or have just not been quick enough on the draw to score one of the very limited seats. However, the next Social Media Breakfast is one that I just can not miss. In fact, we are so interested in being there that LUCRUM is sponsoring it.
The speaker for the next SMB is none other than Tim Westergren – founder of one of the most amazing sites I have ever visited on the internet, Pandora.com. For those who are not familiar with Pandora, it is a site that is dedicated to playing music you’ll love – and nothing else. You visit Pandora, enter in some of your favorite songs or artists, and it begins to reward you with a continuous stream of music you love. When something exceptional plays, you have the option of giving it the “thumbs up.” This lets Pandora know more about your preferences and tastes. Occasionally, it will play something you do not love so much, at which time you apply the “thumbs down.” By doing so, the site begins to learn what it is you enjoy about music at its very core, and continuously improves its ability to find music you love – old, new, popular, and obscure. Every time I have ever told someone about the site, they have been quickly enthralled by its ability to instantly mesh with their musical inclinations.
How do they accomplish this mission? Data. The good people at Pandora devised something known as the music genome project – a sort of DNA for musical compositions. The project looks at the essential building blocks of music. Each and every song contains these building block, and there are some you probably enjoy more than others. Pandora maps these building blocks to your preferences. It is frighteningly intuitive. Even better you can share your “radio stations” with other Pandora users – allowing them to check out your musical tastes. Additionally, you can buy music through the site, explore biographical information pertaining to your favorite artists, and connect with other music fans from around the world.
So why would LUCRUM be interested in sponsoring a meeting about a site that delivers great music to users? Simple, because what Pandora does is precisely what we hope to do for our Clients every day – use technology to solve a problem they have. Pandora solves my problem of not having enough time to search for new music to listen to. It listens to the information I provide, understands what I am looking for, and then seemlessly delivers great results. Pandora is an amazing example of the power represented by data.
At LUCRUM we specialize in helping our Clients make better business decisions by transforming their data into useful business information and aligning the capabilities of technology with their vision of future success. What Pandora does for individual lovers of music, we do for businesses. I am delighted that LUCRUM can be involved with bringing Mr. Westergren to town to share his story, and I hope you will join us at the Social Media Breakfast.
The event will be held on Monday, February 2nd from 7:30 am until 9:30 am at LPK’s Brand Innovation Center at 22 Garfield Place. Visit the Social Media Breakfast website for more information.
The Power of Innovation During a Recession
Trust
December 17, 2008
According to a recent report from Forrester, people don’t trust company blogs. No shocker there. I would have been shocked to discover otherwise.
“What?” you say. “Dave, I thought you were really into blogs.” “Are you not in charge of your company blog?”
I am the guy who is the champion here at LUCRUM for this blog, and I am not the slightest bit surprised that people don’t trust “company blogs.” People don’t generally trust companies, they trust people. To be trusted takes time. People need to understand each other. People need clear expectations of one another. People need honest interaction and discussion with other people to create trust. Need proof? The same study shows that the most trusted channel of communication is email from PEOPLE YOU KNOW. (Not SPAM!) People trust other people.
For a company blog to be successful it needs to be about the people. It needs to be a forum for honest discussion, creative ideas, and interesting conversations. The same Forrester report goes on to outline how to create greater trust and improve a “company blog.”
One of the suggestions offered is to write about the problem’s of your customers. Explore ways that you might be able to solve those problems, and start a ongoing dialog. This is a great way to drive valuable innovation and demonstrate a willingness to listen to the wants and needs of your clients.
However, my favorite piece of advice from the article pertains to B2B companies. Forrester advises firms to “let their employees get in on the act.” Having a sanitized, polished, pre-approved blog, completely devoid of the real input of real people is a sure fire way to destroy trust. Authenticity can not be manufactured. This point pertains back to my initial statement that of course people don’t trust company blogs, they trust people – real people.
Another important item to point out is that blogs, social networks, email, phone calls, and all other communication tools don’t live in a vacuum. They work together. A blog can be a very important tool in helping people to understand your firm, your culture, and the value you can deliver. However, the world is becoming increasingly interconnected and transparent. You can’t be one thing on your blog, another on LinkedIn, something entirely different in your print collateral, something even more different on the phone, and then something else in person. Chances are that if people don’t trust your blog, it has little or nothing to do with the blog itself. It has to do with your behavior not reflecting the story you tell on your blog.
People trust people.
People don’t trust company blogs. What you should do about it.
Is Privacy an Anamoly? Collective Intelligence
December 1, 2008
The New York Times recently ran an excellent article by John Markoff about the changing concept of individual privacy in the digital age. The article discusses some of the implications associated with being increasingly connected. GPS enabled devices, online activity, social networks, credit card purchases, and other technologies can paint a vivid profile of an individual, which could be used by numerous sources for activites both good and bad.
How could such data be used for good? Suppose a company possessed information about where you are, what you are doing, and why; they could offer you real time incentives to purchase specific products. It would be analogous to virtual haggling to get consumers to behave a certain way. Need a pair of dress shoes? Are you at the mall? You wear a size 11 right? Well suppose a retailer within the mall knew you were there looking for a size 11 dress shoe, which they just so happen to have an abundance of in stock. They could text you a message stating that for the next 3 hours you could redeem the text on a new set of black loafers – size 11. Not only that, they also know that your spouse has a birthday coming up, and will offer you buy one get one 1/2 off to incent you to purchase more footwear. They know the correct size, and have the ability to make suggestions based on past purchases and the purchases of similar consumers.
Now suppose that this offer is passed up repeatedly by consumers within a period of time. Just like that, the deal could be modified until the desired consumer behavior occurs. Hyperefficient capitalism at its best.
How could such data be used for not so good? Well, that retailer or perhaps the credit card company, may note that you are buying special shoes designed for people with circulatory issues as well as special clothing to help improve circulation in extremities. They may also note that you are purchasing sugar free candy at the counter, and that you bought a sugar-free latte. Later, their video might capture footage of you sitting on a bench eating a cookie and drinking juice you bought in the store. Now suppose an insurance company is concerned about the cost of covering people with diabetes, and wanted to obtain data regarding consumers of specific items that those with diabetes might purchase. They could follow your activities thorough data purchased from the retailer and make judgements about your risk profile. This data could then be used to deny coverage to consumers. Hyperefficient capitalism at its worst.
Both of these scenarios are hypothetical in nature and admittedly oversimplified. One involves the use of data to help a consumer get something they desire. The other involves the use of similar data to deny a consumer from something they desire. Both involve the elimination of privacy as more and more data is collected about us – sometimes knowingly and sometimes not.
Still, it seems that people overall are not particularly concerned with the collection of personal data. The attitude toward the loss of privacy in exchange for convenience is overwhelmingly laissez faire. As Markoff ponders, in an age of Google, iphones, GPS, and Facebook, has privacy “become an anomaly?”
The question becomes what is your company doing with its data? For most, the reality of today is likely nothing, or at best very little. For all of the hype surrounding the potential use of data, much of this valuable information sits fallow within the servers, computers, and files of firms. The big ideas are out there, and now it is a question of who will capitalize on them – good, bad, or otherwise.
Is your company formally gathering, processing and utilizing data to influence consumer behavior? Could you? Are you adequately protecting the privacy of your Clients? Should you be? Are individuals within your firm potentially accessing sensitive information for their own interests? Is your competition doing a better job of mining the collective intelligence provided by data than you are?
The reality of today is that you have an amazing opportunity to impact the lives of those whom you serve through data. How you do so is largely up to you. For the record, I am a huge fan of size 10 Adidas Gazelles, and I would love a red pair. The next time I am near your store, text me and let me know if you have a great deal for me.
You’re Leaving a Digital Trail. What About Privacy? – NYTimes.com
LUCRUM Radio – Episode 14, Scott Provancher
November 17, 2008
The strength of the arts community is something that makes Cincinnati a great place to live. The city has a breadth of artistic offerings that is on par with some of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. A major reason for the strong presence of the arts in the city is the Fine Arts Fund – an organization founded in the 1920′s to support and foster the growth of the arts in the community.
Scott Provancher is the current Vice President and Campaign Director for the Fine Arts Fund. In this episode of LUCRUM Radio, Scott and I discuss the important role that the Fine Arts Fund plays in keeping the Cincinnati arts community vibrant. Scott discusses the history of the organization, the role of the arts in the community, how technology is redefining his role and that of his organization, and why he loves to live, work, and play in Cincinnati.
Thanks to Scott for taking the time to speak with me and to share his thoughts with the world.
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LUCRUM Radio: Episode 13, Mike Kurtz
October 29, 2008
In this episode of LUCRUM radio, I spend time with Mike Kurtz from the University of Dayton’s Media Production Group. Mike and his team do exceptional work for numerous clients, stretching far beyond the University of Dayton itself. Listen as Mike describes how the organization began and how it has evolved over the years to become a leading provider of multi-media production services. From commercial video to interactive applications, Mike and his team have embraced technology and are using it to drive continued revenue growth.
My thanks to Mike for taking the time to share his story.
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LUCRUM Radio – Episode 12, Jill Haney
October 17, 2008
Jill Haney is an image consultant and columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer. In this episode of LUCRUM Radio I spend time discussing the importance of image for business professionals – even those who rarely leave the cube. She shares her top 5 tips for men and for women, and offers up some great advice as to how improving your image might just improve your life.
Thanks to Jill for taking the time to do the podcast.
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LUCRUM Radio – Episode 11, Daniel Johnson Jr.
September 25, 2008
Daniel Johnson Jr. is one of the most prolific users of social media in the Cincinnati region. Daniel is the founder of New Media Cincinnati, an avid blogger, podcaster, Facebook member, Twitter user, and participant in numerous other web platforms.
Daniel is successfully utilizing social media to make human connections – using the web to amplify his traditional networking activities. In doing so, Daniel has built a loyal and large following of friends and colleagues both locally and nationally.
In this episode of LUCRUM radio, Daniel shares his thoughts on the value of social media. He discusses how he got started blogging, and why he has continued to stay engaged in the process of creating and participating in conversations on the web. Daniel also offers some great tips for managing time and creating content on the web, as well as his strategy for maintaining multiple sites and platforms. (He has multiple blogs and 5 Twitter accounts and keeps them all on track)
Thanks to Daniel for taking the time to share his thoughts with us. It was great fun and very enlightening.
Listen in on this episode of LUCRUM Radio…
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PC?
September 22, 2008
Microsoft recently launched the second phase of it’s new “Windows Not Walls” ad campaign. The first phase, featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates engaging in strange conversations, was wisely pulled from the air waves early. It was widely panned for its high price tag, being difficult to understand, and not mentioning a product. It did get people talking, but not really in the way one would hope spending 300 Million Dollars would.
Now, Phase 2 is much different, and in my opinion much more effective. These ads take the “I’m A PC” theme that Apple has so brilliantly created, and turn it upside down. They feature real people – some of them famous and some just regular folks – stating “I am a PC, and I _____” (fill in the blank with some trait or task associated with the speaker.)
I found the ads to be pretty engaging. I am a big believer in story telling as a vehicle for Marketing, and each speaker conveys a concise and unique story about themselves and their relationship to Microsoft. As a viewer, I was intrigued to see who was next and what they did? I was interested. The ad did a great job of making the point that Microsoft has relevance to real people doing real things. It was sort of the antithesis of the Seinfeld ads.
Another positive feature of the ads was the focus on the user. The ads don’t speak to features and functions, but rather to the real world applications and desired outcomes and of using technology. It is a shift in tone, and one that Microsoft should embrace wholeheartedly . This should go way beyond ads, and should be at the heart of every action the company takes. “How does this help make people’s lives better?” This should be the mantra that the firm embraces in all its decisions and actions.
It will be interesting to see if the story told in the ads matches the real world story that people experience with Microsoft. With competition coming from every angle, ads alone will not suffice. Still, the campaign is a step in the right direction.
For the record… I’m a Mac / PC / Ubuntu Linux Mutt who views the OS as increasingly irrelevant in a web based world - all good and well until a hurricane blows through Ohio, knocks out power, renders the web inaccessible, and makes television ads unavailable, at which time I am a human being.
What do you think of the new ads?
What do you think of the new Microsoft "I'm A PC" ads?
- Those Microsoft Ads are Great (43%, 12 Votes)
- Those Microsoft Ads are Awful (39%, 11 Votes)
- Microsoft Ads... What Microsoft Ads? (18%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 28
Loading ...LUCRUM Radio, Episode 9 – Joan Kaup
September 2, 2008
Joan Kaup is a Cincinnati, Ohio based Marketing Professional, Business Consultant, and Community Activist who is helping to lead the charge to revitalize Cincinnati. Recently she has been active in the redevelopment of the Over the Rhine neighborhood.
Joan is a fascinating person, who is using both high tech and high touch approaches to building community and fostering growth. Listen as she shares her views on Cincinnati, technology, community involvement, running for City Council, and offers her tips for succcess.
Thanks to Joan for taking the time to share her thoughts on the Podcast.
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Do You Need Another Browser?
September 1, 2008
Tomorrow, Google will launch its new web browser Chrome. Now, I can tell you that I will be downloading it as soon as I can, kicking the tires and driving it around the web – mostly out of curiosity. Although sadly, I will not be able to do so on my MacBook as it apparently will only work in Windows for now.
On the eve of its release, I sit here utilizing Firefox 3 to craft this post. As I do so, I am not consumed with some horrible browser problem for which I have a burning desire for Google to solve for me. Thus, I wonder if if large numbers of people will move to adopt this product. At this point it is hard to say.
In Google’s favor is the ability to leverage the Google homepage for marketing, ensuring that people will know about Chrome. Better still is the fact that the product is free, so it will be easy to try. From all accounts Chrome will also offer some unique features regarding stability, speed, efficiency, mobility, security, layout, the enhancement of web apps and the utilization of Google Gears. They even created a comic book to describe the product – a very different and exremely cool approach to a product launch.
Still, Google faces a huge challenge in that the browser market is currently served pretty well. Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari have been competing with one another for a long time in the browser world, and people generally have a favorite amongst the 3. So for Chrome to succeed, Google needs to create a sense of dissatisfaction with the current browsing experience and then convince people that Chrome somehow addresses this dissatisfaction. They need to provide people with a compelling reason to change.
While I can’t be certain as to the ultimate fate of Chrome, I do know this. A few years ago, I had a Hotmail account and a Yahoo Mail account. At that time, I did not have any problems with email. Then I was invited to try Gmail, and I have not used either since.
How about you? Do you plan on test driving Chrome?
Will you try out the new Google Browser CHROME?
- Yes, I can't wait to try it (52%, 12 Votes)
- No, I have no need for that (30%, 7 Votes)
- Someday... Maybe... (18%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 23
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