Facebook: A Necessary Evil?

Posted on July 28, 2010 by admin

In the wake of Facebook announcing it now has 500 million "active" users, there has been another wave of dissertations and discussions about Facebook's growing presence and how/why people are using it.

In the New York Times, Joshua Brustein had an excellent column talking about how Facebook has become a utility for many people, which explains why it has become one of the least popular private-sector companies (along with cable companies and wireless telephone companies).

Facebook’s role as a utility (something Mark Zuckerberg has been talking about for several years) goes a long way in explaining the service’s appeal. While Facebook has some sizzle in terms of features, it thrives by offering basic communication tools so people can easily stay in touch with friends and family, and companies can engage with consumers.

Like a utility, Facebook meets meat-and-potato needs. It is why people use it on a regular/daily basis, much like they use the telephone or electricity. It may be that many people don’t like using Facebook but they have no choice given it has become one of the ways people are communicating online.

In other words, Facebook has become a necessary evil. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, especially if you’re Facebook and its investors.

Personally, I’m ambivalent about Facebook. I have a personal account and Facebook Page but Facebook is a professional tool for me. It is not a service in which I share a lot of personal details but, then again, I don’t use social media that way. As well, I’m not part of the younger demographic happy to publicly share anything and everything.

Despite my reservations about Facebook, it serves a definite role, which is why I’m a regular user. For me, it’s a business and professional utility. This is the key part of Facebook’s appeal – it fills a different role for different people, depending on your interests and needs.

In that sense, Facebook is the ultimate digital utility that everybody uses even though they may not particularly like the company providing the service. Facebook may not really care whether you like them or not; all it cares about is if you use the service on a regular basis as opposed to rivals such as MySpace, Friendster, Orkut, etc.

Links:
- Facebook is to the Power Company as…. (The New York Times)
- Facebook: Can’t Love it, can’t live with out it (Globe & Mail)

Posted in Social Media | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

What's Your Talent?

Posted on July 27, 2010 by admin

If, like me, you’ve read any of the many Rainbow Magic books, you’ll know that every fairy has a particular “talent”. Some fairies, for example, are really good at playing an instrument, while others excel at flying or dancing.

So, what’s your talent? What’s the one thing that you’re really good at? Are you a super-salesperson? An amazing programmer? A connecter/networker? A superb communicator? An organizer extraordinaire? A motivational expert?

I think everyone is really good at something. It may even be something that they’re not totally cognizant about because it’s a talent that happens so naturally.

The key is discovering your “talent” because if you can do that, then it’s easier to figure out how to do things you enjoy and succeed at. At the same time, it also makes it easier to identify your weaknesses.

At the end of the day, embracing your “talent” makes life a whole lot easier and a lot more fun.

Posted in Main Page | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Canada: Get Ready for Broadband Bandwidth Tiers

Posted on July 26, 2010 by admin

Last week, Rogers ruffled a few feathers when it unveiled bandwidth changes to its broadband services. New customers who sign up for the Lite service will get 15 gigabytes of data rather than 25GB; while Extreme users will now get 80GB rather than 90GB.

The negative reaction from “enthusiastic” Web users was not surprising given they’re the ones using a lot of bandwidth to download or stream music, movies and games, as well as surf the Web and use social media services. For most of the population, the bandwidth changes will likely have little or no impact.

There are two angles to Rogers’ bandwidth tinkering. By reducing the amount of bandwidth, Rogers has an opportunity make more money by selling additional bandwidth to customers. Along with higher-speeds, this is how Rogers grabs more of our dollars.

More important is the fact that tiered broadband pricing is going to become a hard and fast reality. While bandwidth caps have been in place, they haven’t captured much attention because they’ve been fairly generous and few consumers bump up against the limits. But in reducing bandwidth caps, it seems likely Rogers could be moving to a pricing structure in which bandwidth plays a more important role.

For consumers, it means the speed of their Internet connection will no longer be the only consideration. When selecting and paying for broadband service, consumers will have to cough up for speed and bandwidth. These tiered plans have been embraced by cablecos and telcos around the world such as BT. In North America, however, speed has been the name of the broadband game but with penetration rates getting pretty high, broadband players need new ways to generate more revenue.

In other words, we’re probably moving from an all-you-can-eat market to a pay-to-play market. Given there’s little competition in the broadband market and that consumers are using more online services, the size of your Internet bill is poised to increase.

Posted in Web-based Services | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Still Not Lovin' the iPad

Posted on July 20, 2010 by admin

When it comes to the iPad, I’ve flipped more times than a hamburger on a BBQ grill. But after spending some time over the past few days playing with an iPad, I’m firmly in the not-getting-one camp.

The iPad is cool, it’s sleek, beautifully designed, and has some great features, particularly the ability to multi-task and check e-mail and surf the Web. The problem with the iPad, however, is it’s not enough. You really can’t work on it, you can’t make phone calls, take photos or videos, or plug in a USB. In other words, it feels like a mini-Mac.

As a result, it is difficult to justify splashing out $750 to buy one because there doesn’t seem to be a fit with my computing landscape, which includes a MacBook Pro and an iPhone 3. If I commuted or travelled, an iPad could make sense. But working from home means I don’t commute – unless riding my bicycle to a clients counts.

Yes, I understand that the iPad is leading-edge, and that as someone who counsels clients on what’s over the horizon, I can justify buying an iPad as “research” but that seems excessive.

So rather than buy an iPad, I’m more interested in an iPhone 4 when the antenna problems are fixed and my contract with Rogers lets me upgrade without suffering a major financial hit.

Why the iPhone 4?

Well, the iPhone offers me tremendous utility as a mobile device that complements my MacBook Pro (I’m a huge fan of tethering). The iPhone 4′s features, smaller size and design are personally far more appealing and relevant than an iPad. But that’s just me as opposed to all the new iPad aficionados.

Posted in Apple/iPod | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

What Foursquare Needs to Do

Posted on July 20, 2010 by admin

Armed with more than $15-million of venture capital (after allocating $4.6-million to founders), Foursquare has the financial muscle to turn what has been an interesting service into a viable and vibrant business.

Even though Foursquare has about two million users, it’s really still more of a social media novelty. While I guess it’s cool to broadcast to the world the places you visit by checking-in, the novelty has to eventually wear off. Then, what?

If I had $15.4 million of cash in my pocket, here’s what I would do to Foursquare:

1. Establish more partnerships with content and data companies to enhance Foursquare’s usability and features. While tips by users about a particular place are interesting, Foursquare would be a lot more valuable if it offered in-depth information and reviews from well-respected sources.

2. Provide information about not only a particular place but other nearby places. If someone has checked into a movie, present them with information about cafes, restaurants and bars in the same neighbourhood.

3. Make it easy for retailers, attractions, venues, etc. to build out a strong presence. This should include premium features for retailers to add more information. As important, provide them with user-friendly tools to set up marketing and customer acquisition programs. For example, make it a breeze to create coupons and loyalty programs based on someone’s Foursquare activity.

4. Create an in-depth analytics service that retailers, et al can use to learn more about what Foursquare users are doing. Foursquare should also offer premium analytics services to access customized data and reports.

5. Establish a self-serve local and national advertising platform with a variety of business models – a flat rate for local, regional and national coverage, as well as pay-per-click.

6. Drive marketing partnerships with major brands looking to engage with consumers. A good example is a recent agreement with Mattel, which will use Foursquare to offer a scavenger hunt to promote the new Barbie Video Girl doll.

What do you think Foursquare should focus on?

Posted in Social Media | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Technology in the Toilet (aka Toilet 2.0)

Posted on July 19, 2010 by admin

Excuse the “toilet talk” but here’s another take on the iPad: it has the potential to propel the toilet into the high-tech stratosphere.

Think about it, the toilet is a low-tech zone with few bells and whistle. Sure, the toilet itself a technology marvel but it hasn’t changed much since Thomas Crapper popularized it in the late-1800s. Maybe you have an electric toothbrush, razor or a hairdryer but that’s probably about it. When you need to spend some “quality time” in the toilet, you turn to low-tech options such as a newspaper or a magazine.

But will the iPad change the toilet technology landscape? Given it’s portability and usability will people start to take the iPad into the toilet rather than a newspaper or magazine? Will the iPad make bathroom management a lot more complex by encouraging people to spend more time on the throne?

As important propel the toilet into a high-tech world with other companies jumping on the bandwagon. Maybe they will introduce user-friendly wireless phones, or voice-activated social networking services so you can tweet, update or post hands-free.

In other words, we could be on the verge of Toilet 2.0. If it does materialize, remember that you heard it here first.

Posted in Apple/iPod, Social Media | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Foursquare Founders Score!

Posted on July 15, 2010 by admin

A key part of the start-up ecosystem for entrepreneurs is building a business with two goals: create something that’s viable, profitable and sizeable, or create something that someone else finds valuable enough to purchase.

These goals keep entrepreneurs engaged and motivated.

If you buy into this thesis, Foursquare’s latest $20-million financing round is, at best, puzzling. Of the money raised, the SEC filing says that $4.6 million of the gross proceeds will “be used for payments to any of the persons required to be named as executive officers, directors or promoters”.

Translation: The founders are already cashing out.

Yup, that’s right: the founders are being lavishly rewarded for a start-up with two million users but no business model or revenue. It’s nice work if you can get it but it does make you wonder whether how much less motivated the founders will be now that they a lot of cash in their jeans.

For more thoughts on the deal, check out Mark MacLeod’s post on StartupCFO. He says that: “I have to believe that in “rational” markets this deal would never have happened. This company could still completely blow up. In which case the only people making money on it would be the founders. Just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Posted in Social Media, Venture Capital | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

I'm Tired of Twitter

Posted on July 14, 2010 by admin

Don’t get me wrong, I love Twitter as a way to share and consume information but I’m tried of the coverage lavished on Twitter as a revolutionary entity.

The latest breathless article appeared in the Toronto Star earlier this week in which the author, Antonia Zerbisias, talked about how Twitter was used during the G20 meetings, and how a digital divide is being created between people who get their news via Twitter, and those receive it using traditional media sources.

It’s yet another example of how Twitter is getting far too much credit than it really deserves. Yes, Twitter is an exciting new communication tool but the praise being bestowed on it as a “game breaker” is unjustified.

It’s not just political coverage that are getting people excited about Twitter. It’s healthcare, entertainment, sports and business. As a long-time Twitter user, it seems strange to see Twitter hailed as such a breakthrough service given how the tremendous technology advances that have happened in recent years.

The fascination with Twitter may have to do with how it is rapidly emerging as more than just a niche service. With more than 100 million users, Twitter is big enough that there are fewer blank stares from people unaware of it. That said, it’s still a new and shiny toy for many people just starting to get on the Twitter bandwagon. This explains the articles that gush over how much Twitter has changed the world as we know it.

Personally, Twitter is a valuable tool for personal and professional reasons but, come, it’s not the greatest thing since sliced bread. While I don’t have Twitter Fatigue, I am tired of seeing so much adoration for it.

Posted in Social Media | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Six Tricks to Happy Blogging

Posted on July 12, 2010 by admin

Last week, the Sysomos blog (which I write as part of my role as director of communications) became a member of AdAge’s Power 150, which features the leading marketing blogs. It’s great to be recognized for creating blog posts that you hope provide information, insight and value. At the same time, it’s also important to realize that blogging isn’t sexy or easy; it takes a lot of work and effort – and I’m not even talking about the “pro” bloggers at places such as TechCrunch, GigaOm or ReadWriteWeb that pump out multiple posts a day.

When I look at my own blogging activity (I also write a blog about Twitter called Twitterrati), here are my personal “rules”:

1. Be true to your interests and passions as opposed following the crowd or the hot news of the day. While it’s great to be in middle of the biggest story of the day, it’s also a noisy place with lots of competition for eyeballs. While playing in this sandbox is fine from time to time, a better place is sticking to topics that interest you.

2. Forget about trying to compete with the professional blogs such as TechCrunch, Mashable, etc. They’re online publishing machines with a mandate to generate lots of posts to attract readers and provide real estate for ads. These blogs have writers who post around the clock, which means they easily outgun the rest of us. While it used to be sort of easy to go head-to-head, those days are long gone, which explains why there are so few individual bloggers on the Techmeme Leaderboard.

3. Don’t force it. Sometimes, ideas for blogs just flow like water; sometimes, ideas are few and far between. If a blog post just isn’t happening, walk away from the keyboard. In fact, the best ideas for posts come when you’re doing something else other than being online. While Seth Godin or Chris Brogan would likely shiver at the thought, it’s actually okay not to write a blog post every single day.

4. Focus on quality, not quantity. This is related to points #2 and #3 but make sure whatever you do – whether it’s a 750-word opus or a 100 mini-post – offers some kind of value. For mental “burps”, use Twitter.

5. Don’t worry about the numbers. Sure, it’s great to have a lot of readers but “success” for most of us has more to do with who reads our posts as opposed to how many people read them. For most people, blogs can be a terrific vehicle to be part of the conversation, and show your insight and perspective. Unless you’re into blogging for the money, this is as important as having lots of readers.

6. Have fun. For most of us, blogging isn’t a job; it’s a passion. Enjoy the ability to write in a public forum with few barriers to entry. It wasn’t that long ago that writing and being able to reach a large audience was limited to journalists. Today, anyone can do it.

What are your secrets to happy blogging?

Posted in Blogs, Social Media | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Challenge of Enjoying the Moment

Posted on July 11, 2010 by admin

Last night, I went to see Metric at the Bluesfest in Ottawa. Aside from the fact, it was a terrific show fuelled by the energetic Emily Haines, what struck me was how many people were spending as much time documenting it.

One person in front of me spent most of the concert busily taking using a camera photographs and filming video, and using their Blackberry to use Twitter. While it was how they experienced the show, it did made me wonder why many people feel the need to enjoy the moment and share it with other people at the same time. It’s like just experiencing something isn’t enough any more.

Maybe it’s the fact that technology makes it easy to experience and document. But I do think it takes away from being able to completely immerse yourself in something when part of your brain is thinking about how and when to share what your experiencing.

Is this just the way it is?

Posted in Social Media | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments