Key Trends for Success in Social & Mobile

Great presentation by my former CEO Jay Shapiro on  Living at the intersection of Social & Mobile" - focusing on 8 key trends in mobile app development that will help you succeed in the social arena 

Facebook f8 Keynote Summary

Facebook's F8 Conference keynote is another indication of things to come on the Social Web. 


In summary:

• Facebook has your present, and wants your past.
• The social web is moving from nouns (Like) to verbs (Read, Listened, Watched). And extends this from Communications & Games to Media & Lifestyle interests & activities via Apps. Adjectives next?

The fresh batch of new features can be lumped into three major categories:

• Profile changes: Users will have a "Timeline" page that reconfigures profiles into a scrapbook.
• Sharing changes: The network's sharing features will be deeper than ever, especially across ones media and lifestyle activities
• API changes: Applications won't have to constantly ask for permission to post content.

More details on Facebook's F8 at: https://www.facebook.com/f8

CRM - Fishing analogies & theories

When it comes to CRM there’s no dearth of theories but what’s with the analogies? And lots of fishing ones at that.

“Fish where the fish are.” OK.

"Let’s go ONLY after the big fish with LTV.” Yes, makes absolute sense on an XL.

A wise old CRM fisherman quips: “Son, everyone is after the big fish. Focus on the small ones with potential and farm them well.” Sage advice that.

And just when conflicting advice was hurting my gills, today, a CRM strategist compared CRM to, hold that guffaw, an aquarium. My interpretation of the analogies (in brackets):

• Running a CRM program is like maintaining an aquarium (Yes it’s delicate, agree)
• Introduce new fish to keep the energy going (read focused acquisitions) 
• Keep the fish moving (read planned activation, X sell, tier management etc…) 
• Create an environment for the fish to survive – moss, algae all included (read create deep bonds with the brand & program – emotional, structural & financial) 
• Make sure focus on the big fish, doesn’t kill the smaller ones or makes the big fish indifferent (read stop over promoting. Move them to a new pond (tier) if possible) 

Jokes aside, I think the CRM strategist was on to something, even if probably on something.

Combine that with the sage advice of the CRM fisherman and we have a recipe for success. Seafood allergy not guaranteed.

End of bad fish puns.

Google Buys Zagat

Google+ hasn't really taken off, yet, but is news of Google Buying Zagat an indication Google is taking the Expert route along with Peer recommendations?

Stephen Fry on Persuasion - BBC 4

Stephen Fry interrogates advertising & telemarketing practitioners among others on the language of persuasion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2rgeSKLc-E

The audio is now available via BBC Audio GO at http://www.audiogo.co.uk/audiobook/32225/frys-english-delight-series-4

Great Singapore Sale 2011 & Social Media

A small presentation Oliver & myself put together on the use of Social Media by Malls & Cards during GSS 2011

Facebook Places & Sponsored Stories: Coca Cola

Such a simple and beautifully executed idea. Hear it also made great use of the new "Sponsored Stories" option on FB to spread the word.

Every Problem on Earth in a Graph

Seems deep, but presume it reads money or the lack of it.

On ZMOT & Shopper Back

Groupon and Behavioral Economics

Below is a brief extract from a great post on what drives Groupon's success in Media Post.

Groupon's success lies in its deft use of behavioral economic insights to drive engagement -- and yes, excitement with the shopping process. We're creatures that don't like be overwhelmed with choices, so it focuses on one deal a day. We are literally drawn by instinct to its one-day sales, because of our tendency to see value in anything that is in limited supply. We fear prices that are too low, but are reassured that the deals are achieved through the mechanics of bulk purchase. Finally, we are social creatures, so we take comfort in the social proof that many others are pursuing the same deal, and pleasure in the ability to connect with friends and family over offers that we share an interest in.

Businesses know it's difficult to draw repeat consumers out of a discount mindset. I think Groupon's success is great news for consumers and a looming threat for business margins across categories and retail chains. Time will tell.