Twitter Lists

Twitter has implemented lists. Ideas and features of Twitter lists are:

• Lists are public by default, but can be private.
• Lists are linked to Twitter profiles.
• Other Twitter users can subscribe to your lists.
• You can subscribe to other Twitter users' lists. In other words, if you see someone has an interesting list, just follow their list.
• Lists can be used to divide content by topic or divide twitter friends by personality or how they give you value. 
• I have used Tweetdeck for this, but organizing Twitter users in Twitter could be even more helpful. However, I wonder how hard it will be for me to keep the lists updated.
• Lists have the potential to serve as a discovery mechanism for finding great tweets and accounts.
• Expect APIs to support lists in new Twitter apps.

Yesterday, someone asked how I am using my lists.

I have created a few lists. At this point, my goal is to point new Twitter users to these lists.

Some of the people I work with find social media, the openness, the chaotic nature to be overwhelming. In Facebook, I use the “recommend” feature to connect new Facebook users to some friends they may not know are in Facebook.

By using the Twitter list feature, I can give Twitter newbies a little guidance by showing them my lists. The newbies can decide who to follow or just follow my one or more of my lists. After all, there is not much fun in using social media if you cannot find friends or potential friends.

Here are some of my lists:

Ag list contains the people I follow in the agriculture industry. These may be ag journalists, ag marketing professionals, agribusiness people, Cooperative Extension agents, University faculty, and farmers. (This list is very similar to the same people in my Tweetdeck Ag column.)

Cooperative Extension list contains people who work in Cooperative Extension or people who work closely with Cooperative Extension--usually the relationship is through land-grant university affiliation.

Alabama Cooperative Extension System list contains people who work with Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

If my goals were different, I might organize the lists to include some of my priorities, like my favorites, the ones who make me think, those who make me laugh, the ones who tweet interesting links, photos, and quotes, and my favorite restaurants.

Some have created lists as to indicate the top people to follow in particular areas, (i.e., top public relations people to follow). I, instead, am looking at the list feature to organize and to share—not by limiting but by giving choices.

I am still working on my lists, so give me more suggestions.

del.icio.us Tags: Twitter

What is Online Engagement?

While I talk to various groups about the value of social media, I try to help them think about using social media for their own learning, for collaboration, and for engagement.

Almost always in these discussions, participants think of using these tools to broadcast information. "We can use Twitter to publicize a new blog post." These suggestions are great, and absolutely can be used.

But then, I try to move the conversation to how social media brings many other benefits that we have not been able to capture in typical web pages. One power of social media tools is the ability to engage others.

But, a question that comes to mind for many is "What is online engagement?" First, we need consider the basic definition of engagement.

The act of sharing in the activities of a group
"the teacher tried to increase his students' engagement in class activities"
- participation, involvement, involution

Allegiance defines engagement for business as:

The “emotional bond” or “attachment” that customers and employees develop with your business during repeated, ongoing positive interactions with your company. This bond goes beyond a single moment in time and is instead, defined by the enduring behaviors, attitudes and heart of your employees and customers.

When we engaging others, we are not pushing content (products, services, advertisements), but rather we are conversing, asking for opinions, involving others in problem solving, idea and content development. Engagement means we are engaged and involved, and others are engaged and involved.

When broadcasting (one to many), we are speaking to or lecturing to audiences, students, clients, customers, or potential customers. When we are engaged, then we become community or group members (formal and informal groups). Also, customers, clients, and students are community or group members. We converse with people who share our interests and with people we enjoy listening and talking to.

Methods that indicate that our organization is engaged online. 

• We listen to others, even to those who believe differently.
• Authentic communications that describe events, opinions, and information in ways that others know and can identify with the individuals within our organization, as well as our organization as a whole.
• Transparent, upfront and open content, processes, ideas and opinions that help others understand our organization and that we leave no doubt about our intentions, purpose, and values.
• Practices that indicate that knowledge is built and created by many and our organization, nor any individual, is the only expert.
• Fast and responsive communications that indicate we are listening and value the importance of at-the-moment thoughts, problems, discussions, and issues.
• Flexible and agile processes and reactions that indicate our organization is designed to meet every changing needs of others.
• Real empathy for community members where we develop an understanding of others and their needs.
• Ongoing demonstrations that indicate we believe in the importance of building relationships with others outside of our organization.
• Immersing ourselves in environments where others are.

del.icio.us Tags: social media,building relationships,communications,engagement

Do you use your real name?

I am reminded of a post when I first started blogging, Social Networking, the Creeps, and Learning, when an Extension educator asked me "Do you use your real name when you sign up on Twitter?"

My answer is yes, for personal/professional social media accounts.(YouTube, Flickr, Slideshare, Friendfeed, Twitter, as examples).

How do people know to engage with you if they don't know your name or something about you? I use aafromaa for a user name which is slightly shorter than Anne Adrian. In my opinion, creating a short user name is important, particularly in Twitter. I definitely use my real name in profile descriptions.

Imagine you are at a cocktail party, a conference, or a business meeting, sitting by someone who you do not know. You reach your hand out to shake hers and say your name. "Hi I am (fill in the blank)." The other person extends her hand, but says only "Hi." What do you think when she does not state her name?

I don't know about you, but my immediate reaction is that this person is trying to hide something or simply does not want to talk with me. (Honestly, I wonder why.)

Twitter and other social media tools are about engagement and about people who we can learn, enjoy, and interact. 

For people to know who you are, provide your real name and something that helps others identify you. If you are using Twitter for professional use, indicate your organization (for me that is Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University).

In your profile, indicate your interest or expertise area and a web page to give them a chance to check out your thoughts, your organization, or find out more about you.

When I am deciding who to follow, knowing who you are is very important. Because I am part of larger organizations of Cooperative Extension and Auburn University, I will follow anyone who indicates that is their organization is either of these two. In Twitter, I will follow anyone I personally know. If you don't use your real name, how will I know to follow you?

I will also follow anyone who indicates in their profile, their tweets, or their web link similar interests.

Your personal and professional credibility happens over time, based on your ideas, thoughts, links, engagement, and transparency.

del.icio.us Tags: social media,profile,transparency

Some discussions centered around social media in Cooperative Extension

In the last two weeks, I led two discussions about using social media in Cooperative Extension. The first was a discussion with the Southern Region Extension Directors.

We discussed the following points with the leaders of the Cooperative Extension for the Southern Region.

1. Extension must participate in social media, as an organization and as individual professionals--including them--the Directors.

2. Learn to listen first. Use Google Alerts and Twitter Search to know what is being said about our organization, when one’s name is used, and topics of interest. Do this now. You do not have to have a Twitter account or a Google account to do either of these.

2. There are many tools available--you don't have to use all of them and you don’t have to choose the big ones, such as Twitter and Facebook. Pick 1, 2, or 3 social media applications. Possible social media tools for Extension Directors are:

Facebook, Twitter, Delicious, Linkedin, Slideshare, Ning, drop.io, Friendfeed, AIM, RSS Feeds (learn what this is and how to use RSS), eXtension

3. Trust Extension professionals to stay professional online as we trust and expect them to stay professional in their own physical communities.

4. Christopher Rollyson and others suggest that there will be a decrease in the rate of the use of social media after people and organizations have tried them and have failed to capture an impact.

5. Extension should learn to use the tools "properly" which means that there are times we need to forget old rules and use new rules of education, marketing, and evaluation.

I suggested these resources as handouts for Extension directors to begin their own use of social media.

• Social Media in Extension Poster
  Why Social Media

  View more presentations from Anne Adrian.
• Beginner’s Guide to Social Media in Extension
• "Discover Your Social Web: An Ohio Farm Bureau Guide to Social Media. This a great beginner’s guide to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

The presentation is I used during the Extension Directors’ session is:

Intro Social Media for Cooperative Extension Directors

View more presentations from Anne Adrian.

A week later, I led another discussion on social media with Georgia Extension Association of Family Consumer Science.

They asked great and challenging questions.

Points made in this discussions were:

1. Social media, mobile computing, abundant flow of information, and disruptive technologies are here to stay, changing the way and the expectations of how we work.

2. To be successful, we must

• learn to adjust
• make the most of the technologies
• learn to manage the flow and what is important
• use the tools to listen, and at times using these tools to assess needs (much like we do in physical communities)
• be willing to try different tools and techniques.

3. Use these technologies to join communities, create relationships (much like we do in our physical communities), where we build relationships, understand needs, and build educational programs.

4. Go where the people are.

5. Look at Wikipedia articles. Add and edit pages that seem to be lacking or misleading or not using research-based information. Create new pages in Wikipedia. Because you link to sources in Wikipedia, the sources are often land-grant information, Extension web pages, eXtension as sources, and journal articles.

The presentation is here:

Social Media for Georgia FCS Extension

View more presentations from Anne Adrian.

After my presentation with the GEAFCS educators, University of Georgia's Associate Dean of Extension, Beverly Sparks during her luncheon address, "Bag Phones to Facebook", described

• Cooperative Extension must change as technology changes and gives us opportunities.
• Changing is not new to Extension.
• Facebook, Twitter, Delicious, Linkedin, Slideshare, Ning, drop.io, Friendfeed, Flickr, and YouTube are social media applications Extension professionals should consider. 
• Everyone in Extension should explore social media tools. Start by trying any three social media applications.

 

del.icio.us Tags: social media,Cooperative Extension

Beginning your social media journey

Lately, more and more people within my organization are joining Twitter and Facebook. Some are joining because they know that is where the people. And, some want to know what the hype is about. Certainly, joining is part of being the ball.

One of the early challenges to being new to these technologies is understanding how to use them. For instance, one should know what a profile is, what private updates mean, how to upload a profile photo, and how to find others in networks.

Ohio Farm Bureau offers "Discover Your Social Web: An Ohio Farm Bureau Guide to Social Media" (pdf) to begin using social networks. In the first 2 pages, the guide offers reasons that farmers should have an online presence and participate in social networks.

Starting on page 3, the guide offers great instructions for opening accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Here are some other beginning guides and instructions:

Beginners Guide to Social Media in Extension

The Beginner’s Guide to Twitter

A Non-fanatical Beginner's Guide to Twitter

Though the Ohio Farm Bureau guide mentions other social media and RSS feeds, it does not cover the opportunities that are available beyond the three big and easy tools (Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Once comfortable with these networks, one should be wondering "What's next?" and "How can I manage all of the new information from new networks". This is referred to "Drinking from a fire hose".

Once you learn to use the tools and applications, like uberTwitter, Tweetie, Twhril, and Tweetdeck, one should be asking What's next? and How can I drink from this fire hose? There is definitely a need to manage and filter a barrage of information.

Part of managing the flow of information is to use the tools that enable one to do so. Managing the flow of information also means learning, and constantly adjusting tools and methods to efficiently and exponentially access more information.

Also, one should learn how to manage and become more efficient in delivering one's own information, thoughts, and resources and to become better at engagement, by adopting some integration tools like Friendfeed.

One of the possible downfalls of using social networks, like Facebook, is that the information is closed within the application. And with Twitter, you may talk only to those who think like you.

Don't get me wrong--these tools are great from learning from others like you--but to really learn, engage, advocate, and make a difference--we must also learn to listen to those outside of our circle of friends.

This means using tools like Google Alerts, Feed readers (Netvibes, Google Reader, and Friendfeed,), wikis (to contribute), discussion forums, and to follow others who can teach you, who think like you, and who disagree with you. Kevin Gamble offers some suggestions for in his post, Freeranging tools.

One final point: As my friends and colleagues are adopting these tools, trying them, and in some cases becoming immersed, I remind them that these tools are different than tools of the past that provide the flow from one to many. The power of these tools is engagement and to learn to make the most of the engagement.

del.icio.us Tags: social media,twitter,friendfeed,facebook,freeranging

Why would an Extension Specialist use Twitter?

Steven Newman, Commercial Horticulture Extension Specialist, Colorado State University, has graciously agreed to be a guest blogger describing how he uses Twitter as an Extension specialist.

I was recently asked, why do I use Twitter? By their own definition, "Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?" And for the why. Because even basic updates are meaningful to family members, friends, or colleagues—especially when they’re timely. -Eating soup? Research shows that moms want to know. -Running late to a meeting? Your co–workers might find that useful. -Partying? Your friends may want to join you." If you are interested, Twitter does have an interesting history and you can read more on Wikipedia.

I first started using Twitter early last fall after jumping into Facebook. It was more of curiosity than a conscience effort. I was trying to learn what it was all about. I have since learned that Twitter is a quick and easy way to stay up-to-date with issues of the day and a fast way to distribute information. But there are a whole lot of issues to consider if you intend to use Twitter professionally and/or personally.

First, I have chosen to combine my personal life and my work life in how I use social media. Let's face it, in Extension, we don’t make enough money to justify anything else. We are here because we love our work and our work is our passion. Our work is an extension of who we are, or at least that is my philosophy (and after more than 20 years, my wife is coming to grips with this). Therefore, I make a concerted effort to keep what I post, personal or professional, relevant to all (of course relevant in my opinion).

I try to never post anything that I might find embarrassing at a later date as well. That update button in Twitter is just as dangerous as the send button on your email, yet you can delete a post.

Just like all of you and your colleagues, your personal work space is most likely splattered with pictures of your kids, families and pets, clippings of what is meaningful to you, and of course, your accomplishments. I think of Twitter and Facebook as an opportunity for me to sit in your office and look at what is important to you. The generation that I grew up in is much more private, but modern generations, that of our children (mine are 13 and 16 and I am 54) nothing is a secret anymore. And they do not care.

So after 10 months of Twitter, what have been my experiences?

One of my first Twitter friends was the local newspaper. I originally set it all up using the SMS feed on my smart phone. Boy was that a mistake. The damn thing never stopped going off and that got really old. So my advice to any newcomer to Twitter is turn your mobile device off for everything. Then after you get a feeling for your friends’ updates, Then turn them on selectively. You don't need to know everything about everybody instantly. Otherwise, you WILL be drinking water through a fire hose.

On my desktop, I use Twirl and on my mobile (Windows Mobile) I use ceTwit. Many like TweetDeck and it has its definite benefits. Using these applications give me better control and the freedom to choose what and whom I want to focus on.

Many people who are active users of Twitter use autofeeds. These are systems that automatically feed all of their RSS own feeds into Twitter (http://twitterfeed.com/). Feeding your personal blog automatically is one thing, but every blog that you follow just gets too much. Some will use it to send out Twitter bursts that come to 40 or 50 at a shot, and frankly that just does not make one relevant. Also, I get a lot of what I consider to be just plain pornography; ‘nuff said, I block them and so should you.

So what to do about the information fire hose? Here is my strategy.

• I follow those whom I feel are relevant to me and my job.
  
  
• I follow just about anyone in my home community, just to keep up on what is up (I have scored some great free concerts this way).
  
  
• I follow what I am passionate about, political, newsworthy, or just plain interesting. Do I read every tweet? Heavens no!
  
  
• I scan Twitter updates real quickly a couple times a day or when I need a break. Those whom I find interesting on a regular basis, I look at. Often it is silly or just not interesting. You will learn how to tell those whom use Twitter correctly. Those that use Twitterfeed, get even less scrutiny.

I find that many who follow me (http://www.twitter.com/newman7118) are usually curious, looking to make an easy buck, or truly interested in what I do or who I am. A real mix. Do I follow everyone that follows me? No indeed, I am not interested in learning how to make millions of dollars (we are in Extension) or how to drive millions of people to my website (well maybe so and it would make my annual report look great). But I do pay attention to what is being said about me, which means I do use http://www.tweetlater.com/ and I do have it set as an auto responder that gives my new follows a link to my website at CSU. Yet, I do not schedule Tweets and I do not feed all that I follow.

What I really do like about Twitter is the ability to push information into different social media networks. I am using applications that will take the Twitter feed and push it into social media sites such as Plaxo (which was my first social media effort several years back following commercial greenhouse manufacturers) and Facebook. This means that I am touching distinctly different audiences with every update. With many of these, you can also apply a widget to your blog or to your web page that will generate updated content based on those feeds. I find this a real time saver. I use the Plaxo widget to forward my updates to CSU Extension Greenhouse Advisor, but there are many others that are just as good.

How do I choose what to Tweet? Here are my thoughts:

I use iGoogle as my homepage. To that, I have set up the widget for Google Reader, where I put all of the rss feeds that I follow. I scan that on a regular basis and watch for postings that I find interesting. I then will place that information in an update on Twitter with a link. What I do not do, is use the Twitter link on many of pages. I will cut and paste the title and then add the url with a url compressor. I do not choose to automate this process. If I were to automate this, it would be wild. I rss feed a lot of stuff, including my eXtension work, weather updates, local and national news, trade blogs and more. Again, I scan for key words that I find interesting and then in the reader, I mark as read blocks of 100 or more titles that I just don’t find interesting.

I also will Tweet information that I receive through email messages that I find important or interesting. We all get numerous enail newsletters and frankly this is an easy way to distribute to the masses. People can then choose to look at it or not.

I will tweet my blog updates. I do this manually and not automatically, but I am reconsidering this. (if I were more prolific writer it would be annoying, however)

I use TwitPic a great deal. Up to now, that has been pretty personal with Scouts and the like, but I find that it is an easy way to push a new plant or a plant problem out for discussion. This is real easy using a mobile phone to provide instant diagnostics. However, I am cautious about posting a TwitPic that may be considered proprietary or potentially harmful to a client.

There are some out there whom that use Twitter very well and with a whole lot of fun. For instance. Amanda Thomsen is a garden writer for Horticulture Magazine. She uses Twitter a lot and very effectively within her network of garden writers. She keeps us up to date on what is going on in her garden with a great deal of fun and irreverence.

I have used Twitter in class. This was an experiment this year with mixed success. To do this, I set up a unique Twitter address for just the class updates. What I would Tweet were updates, announcements, reminders, etc. I did suggest that those who used it to use it on their cell phones as a texting service. Those that used it, loved it. Some ignored it. This seems to be the logical step from email and online course sites. Yet, believe it or not, not every student uses texting. In fact, many horticulture students are in fact technophobe. But, I will be using this more in the future.

Needless to say, I like Twitter. I have experimented with FriendFeed and am still learning that system. I know that many prefer FriendFeed and I do see the relevance, but not for me just yet.

Now, what happens if you choose to use Twitter. Here are some observations:

1. People don’t Tweet questions, but use updates to promote themselves or others. Often many will use Twitter as a conversation, but unless you are using direct messaging or the like, that just does not work and hard to follow. Twitter is not an instant messaging provider. You will get inquiries through Twitter, but not many.
   
   
2. Using Twitter as a strategy to deliver content is relevant. Twitter can drive people to your website. I know that this happens based on my Google Analytics report with Twitter referrals. Where it does not compare with the Google search engine source, it is becoming more and more relevant.
   
   
3. Twitter is very loose. There is very little control one has over what content is spread. You can lock your profile so that only those whom you choose receive updates, but why? We are using this to drive people to our information, otherwise, why do it? Facebook can be a partnered resource for Twitter. I am trying to use Facebook to attract an audience to recruit students. But I am finding it a good tool to keep up with my professional and personal contacts.
   
   
4. Yes, 140 characters is rough. Many choose to use lots of acronyms and abbreviations. That gets old. Use the 140 characters as a posting and drive the client somewhere else. Make sure to keep your updates as short as possible in order to allow others to reTweet your posting. Here is the Power of Twitter. However, if you do reTweet, make sure that you use the @userID to recognize your source. This adds relevance and is considered professional courtesy and avoids any accusations of plagiarism.
   
   
5. Twitter is not email. Twitter is more like posting an announcement. I like to think of Twitter as the same as posting a flier up in my neighborhood announcing a garage sale.

Deciding who to follow in Twitter (and Friendfeed) and who to friend in Facebook

I received this question this week (and similar ones recently).

If I am twittering and FB as part of work, and someone I don't know wants to follow me or be my friend, what should I do?  What I am thinking is that on Twitter, everyone would be welcome to follow me. and on FB, I could set some different categories up, but only if it is either someone I know or someone with clear farm connections/interests.  Please advise.

Good Question.

On Twitter and Friendfeed, I let almost anyone follow me. Though, there are some who suggest that you should monitor your followers (from professional positioning standpoint), my philosophy is very open on Twitter and Friendfeed followers. Certainly, I block porn and spam.

If others want to follow me on Twitter and Friendfeed, I think that is great. I don't (any more) automatically follow everyone who follows me.

When someone follows me,

• I look at the ratio of followers and following. If is very lopsided (either way), I probably will not follow them back. But, it depends on the situation. If a news site or announcement site, which will have lopsided followers, I may follow because I am interested in their news.
• I look at the profile. If the person does not have any information on the profile page, and I can find any reason to follow them, I don't.

NOTE to Twitter newbies: complete your profile, How will I know who you are, if you don't tell me?

• I look at what they are saying. If they are talking about subjects I am interested in, I will probably follow them back. 
• I look at their followers. The list of followers is helpful in determining my connection to this person and whether I think their tweets will be helpful. 

I treat Facebook differently. I see Facebook as a professional connection network AND a personal connection network. But, I am not as free with the "friendship" in Facebook as I am in Twitter.

I have to know the person or know of the person or have a connection with the person through someone else.

When I say I know them, I don't necessarily know them by meeting them in a face-to-face setting. I know them because of a work/professional situation (attended the same conference, web conference, exchanged emails, working on the same projects/thrusts).

I have divided my Facebook friends into lists.

• Colleagues: anyone working with Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University
• Professionals: professional connections outside of my colleague list.
• Friends: family and friends, recent and from college and high school.

By dividing up my friends, I can easily see the professional or colleagues status updates in one click. Many use the division of friends to decide which list sees what.

As far as integrating Facebook and Twitter, I send all Twitter messages to Facebook. However, I think some of my "friends" may get tired of my work related links. So I am considering using the Twitter application that lets me choose which updates go to Facebook.

There are many ways to decide about following and friending people in these networks. You have to choose what you value and what works for you. Also, consider privacy strategies, as well.

Consider your goals are for tools, like Twitter, Facebook, and Friendfeed.

Some of my goals are:

• Learn as much from others as possible.
• Engage in "communities" as much as possible to enhance my learning and to share my thoughts and knowledge.
• Listen from others--not only from others like me, but from others in areas outside of my primary work.
• Listen to those who I may disagree with.
• Expand my network of professional friends.
• Build social capital because I never know 1) when I will be influential and 2) when I may need assistance by others who know more than I.

Thus, I tend to be more open than most in friending and following others in these networks.

wngtkar57m

Technorati Profile

 

del.icio.us Tags: Facebook,Friendfeed,Twitter

A misconception about web technologies

Again and again, I keep hearing that web technologies cannot build relationships. The misconception is that web technologies cannot contribute to the building of relationships--that Internet technologies are mechanisms only to provide information delivery systems.

Of course, I know that technology, itself, cannot build relationships. People build relationships.

The Internet today is much different than it was 10 years ago. Then, we mostly thought of Internet technologies as those that efficiently deliver information. We have thought of the Internet tools much like mass media (newspapers, radio, TV) one-to-many communication tools. Early in the Internet years, we learned to utilize searching capabilities, the ability to discover information. And, we learned to build on the capabilities of linking--tying information together.

However today, the Internet tools are more about flattening communications channels and enabling relationships among people who never would have been able to "meet" in the "old" Internet and certainly not pre-Internet.

Studies are showing that connections, such as social networking, enhance working and social relationships and build social capital, particularly in relationships that already have a physical presence. To name just 3 studies (I can find more) are:

• Hampton, K. (2002). Place-based and IT mediated “community.” Planning Theory and Practice, 3(2), 228-23
• Hampton, K. & Wellman, B. (2003) Neighboring in Netville: How the Internet supports community and social capital in a wired suburb. City and Community, 2(4), 277-311.
• Ellison, N. B. Steinfield, C, and Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook “friends”:  Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer Mediation Communication, 12(4), Article 1.

To discount online opportunities because we don't think that the technologies can be used to develop relationships is detrimental to our success, as an organization and as knowledge workers. 

Most of us (I suppose I am referring to "us" as those who have been in the workforce 15 years or more) have the tendency to think and learn linearly and that technology takes the place of some other method because of its efficiency.

Instead, information technology is an enablers, not only a replacement. Technology enhances whatever we are doing, provides innovation opportunities, and helps us grow or scale development, products, and services.

Many of those who have been studying and using social media for awhile often say

"It's not about the technology;"

"It's about people"
                or
"It's about relationships" 
                or
"It's about ideas"
                or
"It's about the change that is created".

Though I am becoming known for "pushing" social media and as someone who is a Twitter nut, I can assure you that I do not think that technology is a sole answer--the answer is how people are using and building relationships and capitalizing on the work of many. But, technology is necessary.

Some ask "how does online engagement give an organization competitive advantage?" There are many answers. A survivalist answer is "where will you be if you don't engage?"

We must adapt not only to new technologies, but adjust and embrace changes in culture and expectations, such as work streaming, transparency, engagement, and participation. These expectations in culture are not dependent on technology, but have been driven by open, tremendous availability of information and access to people through technology.

del.icio.us Tags: social media,collaboration,engagement,building relationships