Comments on: Social Means More than One

By: 301 Moved Permanently

301 Moved Permanently — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:28:06 +0000

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By: Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media: sharingfoundation

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media: sharingfoundation — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:05:35 +0000

[...] tweeting and retweeting about World Aids Day can be found on Twitter, the blogosphere is where the community conversation about AIDS is taking place right now. Global Voices gives us a round-up of posts from openly [...]

By: 12 Great Tales of De-Friending

12 Great Tales of De-Friending — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:22:32 +0000

[...] Social Means More than One » The Buzz Bin Says: November 30th, 2008 at 9:05 [...]

By: KatFrench

KatFrench — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:50:55 +0000

@DaveMurr Actually, it was Star Trek II, not III. And I’m pretty sure it’s the trailer…

@LizStrauss Your reference to “prey” reminds me of a C.S. Lewis quote “She’s the sort of woman who lives for others—you can always tell the others by their hunted expression.”

Similarly, just like individuals, companies can convince themselves that what they’re doing is “all about the customer” and be completely blind to how transparently self-serving their “helping” can be.

By: Ike

Ike — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:09:44 +0000

I know what you were thinking with the Spock analogy, but I’m not buying it.

Spock’s dilemma was that the survival of the Many were in direct conflict with the survival of the One.

In business settings, this is really more of a long-term/short-term equation. It really IS in the best interest of companies to listen and more importantly serve their customers. “Social media” and “Community” are buzzing because “the people” are now using tools that make precision eavesdropping easier, and two-way engagement possible.

Companies that are measuring each transaction in the short-term might not see immediate value. Long-term, they will, because they are Customer-Focused.

When you focus on your customers, they win. And when they develop brand loyalty, you win.

Spock’s dilemma had no win-win. Or at least it didn’t until the writers wussed out and let him recover from Radiation Hibernation.

Other than that – great post. ;)

By: Entrepreneur.com - Blog Network - Top Shelf Reading Picks

Entrepreneur.com - Blog Network - Top Shelf Reading Picks — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:08:55 +0000

[...] Social Means More than One » The Buzz Bin Says: November 30th, 2008 at 9:05 pm [...]

By: » Online HARAMBEE: The Community Conversation on World AIDS Day

» Online HARAMBEE: The Community Conversation on World AIDS Day — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:47:08 +0000

By: Paul Chaney

Paul Chaney — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:36:42 +0000

Reminds me of that Toby Keith song, “I Want to Talk About Me.”

“I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Oh my me my”

By: Geoff Livingston

Geoff Livingston — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:35:05 +0000

Liz: Brilliant on the prey vs. guid/teach line. I totally agree. I think when we seek to get something, we leave people feeling awkward. When we give value through insights, etc. it’s a different story.

Dave: I had the same experience. It’s gotta be the new Star Trek trailer that’s triggering us.

Beth: Indeed, commonality is the key. Good for you on singling that out. I am sure there is more to explore there.

By: Beth Harte

Beth Harte — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:07:18 +0000

I always knew you were a social genius @LizStrauss, but this is brilliantly said:

“People respond so much more positively to being treated as teachers and guides rather than as prey.”

Turning people into prey is, I believe, the antithesis of being social. And yet, at the heart of business every potential customer/client is assigned a value (as in potential revenue in the pipeline) and sales/BD people are commissioned/bonused on bringing in that value to that table. Until this overt behavior changes, potenital clients/customers will always question your motives for being social.

Geoff, that’s why I think your last thought is an important one. Organic communities tend to develop over being similar and when there are strong similarities it’s much easier to partner (no need to “sell” or “convince”) for a common good.