On the fence about social media?
April 7, 2011
Perhaps I’m feeling more social now that we have daylight savings time and warmer days. Or maybe it reflects the conversations I have been having about social media with Puget Sound AEC firms.
I see a definite shift from two years ago when I moderated a panel on social media for SMPS and most people replied to the question, “How is your firm engaging in social media?” with answers like “We’re too busy, and don’t know how we’d add anything to our plates;” and “I’m not sure how social media applies to what we do.” Read the rest of this entry
My year as social media explorer
March 28, 2011
I’ve been learning about social media for more than a year now, and I keep asking other people how they are engaging with it.
My audience basically falls into two camps: professional service firms, primarily in the design and construction industry, and small and solo business people who are often active in Biznik.
My AEC colleagues mostly still watch, often maintaining personal accounts and blogs while their firms debate how to engage as a firm. In general, LinkedIn predominates, no longer seen as just for job seekers, many believe it is the best place to find and meet other professionals. Jan Flesher’s periodic blog posts about the AEC industry set a good example for using social media to offer value. Read the rest of this entry
December reflections – looking back at 2010
December 31, 2010
With the new year upon us, it’s a great time to reflect on the year just ending and look ahead at what we want to create in 2011. If we don’t take time to evaluate and learn from our experiences, we are more likely to miss new opportunities or repeat our mistakes. Reviewing the prior year gives us a chance to connect the dots in our own business (and life) and to notice the pattern of changes from year to year. This process keeps us up-to-date with ourselves as well as the changing marketplace. I offer some questions and invite you to carve out a few hours of quiet time for this valuable practice. Read the rest of this entry
Guidelines help companies implement social media
November 4, 2010
I sense a sea change regarding the A/E/C industry’s use of social media. Everywhere I go, I ask, “How is your firm engaging with social media?”
I used to hear “We just don’t know how it would help our business,” and “We’re too busy to add anything.” Now I hear “We are getting ready to implement _____ ,” as often as the first answer. The tide is turning.
How are you or your firm engaging with social media and networking? Read the rest of this entry
Social media ABCs
November 1, 2010
A small investment of time to explore and get familiar with one social media site will open doors of understanding into social media in general.
Even though we now understand that social media is just another place to network, you may be frustrated if you don’t also consider that for most of us over the age of 40 (and many under) there is a learning curve involved. The workings of social media aren’t entirely obvious, especially if solving simple technical challenges online is not something that you consider fun.
As you begin engaging with social media and networking, here are a few points to keep in mind: Read the rest of this entry
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As a 25-year veteran of marketing professional services, Barbara Breckenfeld is a strategist and a storyteller. She helps helps businesses grow as a consultant, marketing coach, and seminar leader.
