Facebook vs. real-life behavior: the topic is sure to electrify marketers and market researchers trying to gain a better understanding of how to reach their customers online. A new study suggesting that your Facebook personality mirrors your general, offline personality has me ruminating.MORE…
category: connect
articles and observations about trends in social media and online community
Relationship-building in China: Do you know what “guanxi” means?
With the growth of business opportunities in China, foreign companies have taken the plunge and jumped right into the China market – without always looking where they leap. As with any business, success depends on many factors and building relationships is just one of them. This is where “guanxi” comes into play.MORE…
What Brands Would You Invite To Dinner?
One of the best things about the American holiday of Thanksgiving (besides the plethora of food), is that it provides a great time for reflection. We are surrounded by the people that know us best and we have a little bit more time than usual to think about what we are grateful for. As I sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, I thought about the different personalities of the people in my family and what unique perspective and qualities they brought to the dinner table.MORE…
Foursquare, Gamification, and User Behavior: Leading a Social Network Double-Life
I recently edged out an incumbent to become mayor. No, Boston mayor Thomas Menino still has his job. I couldn’t hope to match his public speaking presence. The mayorship I’ve attained is not democratically determined, but rather on Foursquare. I’m now the Foursquare mayor of Communispace.MORE…
Watch Your Language: The art of word choice in our digital and mobile lives
I’m the first to admit that I have a texting problem. But it’s comforting to know that I’m not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, the typical texter sends or receives about 42 text messages per day, which is about 1,260 text messages per month. I wasn’t fully aware of my textual behavior until a recent visit with my not-so-cellphone-savvy grandmother. MORE…
Active Minds Need Challenges: How Lululemon establishes community to build their brand
My friends and family tend to call me a “gear snob”… and I will openly admit that any day. I am very particular about my ski goggles, my sneakers, and my running leggings way more so than my every day wardrobe. I stick to the brands that I love (shout outs to Nike, Patagonia, and Asics) but there’s a new brand in the mix for me these days.
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What the Truck? Food Trucks: Real world examples of community building
The Food Truck craze is taking the nation by storm, and doesn’t show any signs of decelerating. With this month’s premiere of the second season of The Great Food Truck Race on the Food Network, the mobile food trend is gaining even more momentum and fanfare. And while these sophisticated restaurants on wheels are exciting foodies and invigorating the restaurant industry, they are also interesting centers of conversation; tiny, ever-changing communities.MORE…
An Art Director, Copywriter and Community Member Walk Into a Room…
Nope, that’s not the start of a bad joke. Imagine if it were reality. What if the creative brains on your business were actually concepting with your target audience…?! For some companies, it is.
Concepting With Customers: The Wrong Way
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