An awesome infographic by Copyblogger.

Adobe MediaWeaver

Adobe MediaWeaver, Adobe’s new ad insertion service, places ads into live, linear, and Video-on-Demand (VoD) content using new patent-pending technology that provides unparalleled control, flexibility and user experiences. The system, which is available as a beta today, enables dynamic ad executions for video content in browsers and apps on any Web-connected device, creating an engaging, buffer-free ad and content experience for consumers. Adobe is the only company in the industry that provides dynamically inserted ad experiences that mirror broadcast TV while also offering content owners and distributors the ability to effectively target and report on audiences, a limitation with other current solutions. For more details, visit our blog.

Primetime Media Player

The new Primetime Media Player is at the core of Primetime and allows TV content owners and distributors to rely on a single workflow for content preparation, rights management and streaming to eliminate platform fragmentation challenges and maximize reach. In addition, the player reduces costs by tightly integrating with all Primetime components including Adobe SiteCatalyst®, Adobe AudienceManager and Adobe Auditude®, which ensures for the first time that content, ads and analytics are optimized and inserted within the player to maximize the value of the content and provide a more meaningful audience experience.

The Primetime Media Player is available as a beta today via an SDK for Windows, Mac OS, Android and iOS and will also be extended to include web-connected platforms such as game consoles, OTT devices and connected TVs. Primetime Media Player for desktop browsers leverages Flash® Player, and adds broadcast-specific capabilities such as closed captioning, seamless ad insertion, and advanced analytics. The Primetime Media Player for mobile works within apps today, and will support native browser environments in the future. Consumers do not have to download a separate player for non-desktop devices. For more details, visit our blog.

Full Integration with Adobe Advertising and Data Solutions

The unique integration of Adobe MediaWeaver, Adobe SiteCatalyst, Adobe AudienceManager, and Adobe Auditude allows TV content owners and distributors to optimize their video and ad content, and quickly turn insights into greater revenue. In return, audiences will benefit from video content and ads that are more relevant to them. Adobe SiteCatalyst gives TV content owners and distributors a deep understanding of consumer engagement with content and ads. By integrating it into Adobe AudienceManager and Adobe Auditude, this valuable consumer engagement data can now seamlessly be used to activate audience segments and further optimize the ad experience and revenue. For more details, visit our blog.

About Project Primetime

Primetime is the industry’s first fully integrated video technology platform that publishes and monetizes TV content across any Web-connected device. The platform tightly integrates Adobe’s video publishing, advertising and data solutions to maximize the value of content through a more meaningful audience experience and greater monetization. Publishing solutions include Adobe Media Server, Primetime Media Player, Adobe Access, and Adobe Pass. Adobe’s advertising solutions include Adobe MediaWeaver and Adobe Auditude. Adobe SiteCatalyst and Adobe AudienceManager complement Primetime by helping TV content owners and distributors drive business optimization. For more information on Primetime and its point solutions including Primetime Highlights and Primetime Simulcast, visit http://www.adobe.com/solutions/project-primetime.html.

Sites like Youtube and Vimeo are now serving up HD content at blazing speeds… and we will soon be migrating from the computer screen back to the couch to watch it due to services like Apple TV, Google TV, Boxee and others.

Watching video on phones and tablets is exploding. We can also connect our phones (aka “media players”) to the television and watch our own custom curated content wherever we go. It’s on-demand, and chosen by us.

The Missing Component…

What’s missing from the online video viewing experience is the ability to “sit back and relax”. Since the advent of television, we have gotten used to being fed our television shows and movies. We turn on the TV and start watching. The networks give us what they determine the masses want. It’s easy and thought free. It’s the good ‘ol Tube.

Couch Mode.

Youtube and Vimeo are filling this void with new functionality that will surely usher in the next era of channel surfing: Vimeo calls it “Couch Mode” and Youtube dubs it “Leanback Mode“. Viewers can now build playlists (or subscribe to curated lists), and these modes will play video in sequential or random order, and enable us to quit clicking and get back to “casual watching”. Only this time, the entire internet video library is at our disposal.

There’s something in it for the cable companies too: As technology improves and consumers begin watching more online, on-demand content directly on their television sets, cable and satellite providers could have a role in bringing that content to consumers by providing customer service for Internet TV like they do for “regular” TV.

“If consumers want high-quality content with a high-quality experience and high-quality service, there’s a place and a role for companies that have cables piped into your house,” said David Wertheimer, executive director of the Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern California. - Get Ready to Pay for Online TV – CNN Money

What this means for viewers is simple, straight-forward access to incredibly customized “channels” that display content just like a traditional television would, with robust social features that stream content based on “likes” and Pandora/Stumbleupon-like technologies.

Back to the living room.

What it means for producers is that they will be able to gain even more new audiences.  If and when web video services replace the cable box (among the masses), anyone can build a “channel” and produce a show.  It’s not unlike the way iTunes changed recording industry or wordpress changed publishing.  There will be a lot of new players, but the cream will naturally rise to the top as always.

Will video production quality suffer?

I hope not.  We can’t curl up on the couch and watch Star Wars Kid all night long.

It just so happens that the Internet video revolution is happening at the same time that new video technologies and equipment are dramatically dropping in price. For under $5K, aspiring videographers can purchase rigs and software that outperform what $20K would have purchased 10 years ago. We all know that buying video equipment will not make someone the next Scorsese… But it may help the next Scorsese find his or her calling.

New motivations for aspiring producers.

And with this evolving democratization of video, the aspiring filmmaker may be motivated to continue to develop his or her storytelling, cinematography, audio and directorial skills.  They will find ways to spend less on production and creative new ways to finance projects.   They will create innovative formats that tie-in with marketing initiatives for “sponsors”.  Think product placement, reality shows, educational documentaries, and maybe even dramatic stories built around businesses. The final outcome is high quality content on a tighter budget that depends less on “ad revenue” to justify the production.

What we will watch:

One thing is certain.  It has to be interesting or we wont be watching.  Just like any other industry being shaken up by the web, video has a bright future ahead of it.  Digital music distribution didn’t stop musicians from making great music music, it just cut out some the middlemen until they reorganized. It’s the same with video. Here are a few  that explain some of the new ways we will watch TV:

Google TV:

Youtube Leanback:

Vimeo Couch Mode:

Consider the word “idea“. If you are like the rest of us, chances are the first image you thought of was a lightbulb… But rest assured you were definitely not the first wizard to think of it.

There are literally 100 more where that came from… 101 B2B Business Clichés is a hilarious collection of overused photos often chosen to communicate abstract ideas.  The site was created by the UK-based IAS b2b Marketing.

I am guilty of using a few of these. But admitting that there is a problem is the first step in the right direction.  In a world of trade ads and powerpoint slides, we must press on.

It turns out that money can’t buy happiness or motivation.  It works well for motivating people initially, but only to an extent that it creates a willingness to work.  When used as a sole motivator, monetary incentives can even stifle creative decision making and problem solving skills in knowledge workers.

The visually engaging presentation above summarizes the ideas behind Dan Pink’s book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.  When I saw this video, I had to check out the book, and was fortunate enough to find the time to finish the audio version of over the last two months.

The studies Pink highlights suggest that adding more money to the equation doesn’t necessarily prompt better performance, especially when the work requires judgment-based decision making and pro-activity.  Many management “incentive plans” for employees are based around monetary bonuses and compensation.

So what really motivates us to become better at our jobs (or do anything constructive for that matter) continuously?

1. Autonomy

Ability to make our own decisions, direct ourselves and shape our own jobs.  Do you like to be micromanaged?  Do you like to be told what to do and when?  If you are like any decent knowledge worker, the answer is “no”.

2. Mastery

The ability to develop skills and work toward becoming the best at what we do.  Why do we spend time learning musical instruments?  Practice sports? We want to be the best at we do and need opportunities (and time) to study our craft.

3. Purpose

It provides us a chance to be part of something “bigger” than profits.  A higher calling.  This is what helps us get up in the morning.  It makes us human beings.  We have something to talk about when someone asks, “what do you do”?

—

When designing an incentive programs (or even business structure) to motivate employees, it would be beneficial to consider these findings.  What can your organization offer that fulfills these needs for autonomy, mastery or purpose? Check out the book and get creative!

You can order the book on Amazon or Download the Audiobook on iTunes.

View Dan Pink’s Presentation at TED:

Not only are we not willing to pay more, we are hip to the idea that many companies are trying to capitalize on the trend.   If that wasn’t enough, some of us could care less about the environment and just want to look cool, studies suggest:

We are green, but not that green.

Successive pages of the Green Gauge Global report from GfK Roper Consulting encapsulate the problem for green-product marketers. First, we read that 71 percent of respondents in North America believe “It is important that companies take environmentally responsible actions.” (So far, so good for eco-concern.) On the next page, though, we find 66 percent agreeing, “The environmentally friendly alternatives for many of the products I use are too expensive.”

Found In: Adweek: Consumers Don’t Warm to Eco-Friendly Products

We are definitely savvy of greenwashing.

“Consumer perception seems to be shifting away from self-proclaimed green companies to companies that are enabling or encouraging others to be greener, like Google and Microsoft. Survey responses also indicate that US consumers are fairly savvy about greenwashing, and skeptical of overblown or unsubstantiated claims.”

Found In: TriplePundit: What Do Green Consumers Want?

We are kidding ourselves

“Armed with evidence that consumers will forgo luxury for lesser-quality but higher-status “green” goods, researchers argue that elevated prices make environmentally friendly products more appealing because they signal self-sacrifice for the public good…The study ultimately finds people don’t just want to signal their environmental do-gooding, they also want to flaunt that they can afford such “selfless” acts.”

Found In: National Post: Consumers attracted to status of ‘green’ products more than benefits

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Conference Schedule

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25

Starting a New and Sustainable Publication

11am-12:20pm, OM 320
Melinda Garvey, Austin Woman; Pat Niekamp, Texas CEO; John Garrett, Community Impact
In an era when publications are closing, how does one start and build a sustainable media outlet? Learn how trailblazers Melinda Garvey, Pat Niekamp and John Garrett have succeeded in a time when most have given up.

What Graduates Need: A Skill Set to Sustain Your Career

11am-12:20pm, OM 232
TBD
Get up-to-date suggestions from employers on what skills you will need to build and sustain your career.

Trends in Location-Based Social Networking

12:30-1:50pm, Hines 204
Jonathan Carroll, Gowalla; Simon Salt, Incslingers; Aaron Strout, Powered
Learn how location-based social networks and mobile applications are being used to engage users, apply game mechanics to customer interactions and reward them for desired behaviors.

In-Depth Storytelling on the Radio

12:30-1:50pm, OM 234
Michael Olson, Public Media Texas
Terry Gildea, TPR
Learn the art of storytelling on public radio.

Social Media Myths: Debunked! Developing Your Social Media Strategy

2-3:20pm, OM 320
Cheryl Donovan
Social media is the “buzz” on the web right now. Learn tips and tools for establishing your online presence, including: How to grow awareness around your brand, and how to establish yourself as a leader in your online niche.

Creating Compelling Content to Connect with Your Community

2-3:20pm, OM 234
Elizabeth Quintanilla, EQ Consultants Group
Learn how to create online content that will build a sustainable community.

The Texas Tribune: Why We Need Public-Supported Media

3:30-4:45pm, ALK 250
Evan Smith, Texas Tribune
The Texas Tribune is influencing the future of media. Learn from Evan Smith why The Tribune was started, what the first year of publication has been like, and what the future may hold.

Marketing Media for the 21st Century

7:00 p.m., Round Rock, Avery 252
Brian Ligon, KVUE, TV

TUESDAY OCTOBER 26

Trends in Entertainment Public Relations

9:30-10:50am, OM 320
Brett Cannon, Paperthin Media; Rebecca Feferman, SXSW; Elaine Garza, Giant Noise Media; Paul Osbon, Quiet Company
Learn from the panelists about the ins and outs of the entertainment PR industry, how they broke into the business and adapted to the evolving world of social media.

Building Corporate Support for Athletics

9:30-10:50am, OM 201
Richard Lopez & Ronald Oswalt, San Marcos Baptist Academy
Learn how San Marcos Baptist Academy has involved nearly 100 businesses in a networking system, and secured naming rights for their football field and basketball court.

Interactive Advertising Panel

9:30-10:50am, Hines 204
David Wyatt & Lauren Tuttle, WyattBrand; Nick Weynand, Trademark Media
Advertising works best when it is customized, specific and engaging. Learn how modern advertising agencies are using interactive techniques with their clients.

Starting and Branding a TV Network

11am-12:20pm, Hines 204
Greg Neal, brand management consultant, Food Network, HGTV, OWN
When launching a television network, branding is crucial in order for a company to create an identity of its own. Hear how Greg Neal has helped build sustainable brands that impact the audience.

Challenges for Multicultural Advertising Agencies

11am-12:20pm, TBD

The Impact of Media Conglomeration on Global Issues

12:30-1:50pm, OM 234
Dr. Robert Jensen, The University of Texas

Green Advertising, PR and Marketing

12:30-1:50pm, OM 232
Christine Cox, Chris Cox Communications, Ted Burton, EnviroMedia; Ginny Murphy, Advantage Graphics
For many businesses, being green brings the gold. From Walmart to the local organic farm, everyone is claiming to be green. Are these businesses really sustainable or are they simply green washing? What does it take to conduct an advertising or PR campaign for a truly green company and how do these campaigns differ from campaigns for other clients? Find out duringthis session.

Why go to Graduate School?

2-3:20pm, OM 238
Carly Smith, Mairin Heard, Dale Blasingame, Josh Shepherd
Come find out why some of our graduate students decided to go to graduate school and what they have learned along the way.

Tourism PR for Costa Rica and Beyond

2-3:20pm, OM 320
Sonia Diaz
Learn how PR is used to boost tourism around the world.

Outdoors Writing

2-3:20pm, OM 201
Mike Leggett, Austin American Statesman
Mike Leggett writes about what he loves: Texas and the outdoors. In this session, learn how your passions can influence your career.

The Impact of Media Conglomeration on Global Issues

3:30-4:45 pm, ASBS 315
Dr. Robert Jensen, professor, University of Texas School of Journalism

Event Planning

3:30-4:45pm, CENT 157
Jenifer Glenn, Tenant Link, Inc./Let’s Party
Alumna Jenifer Glenn has been in the event planning business for over a decade. Learn what it takes to run a successful event planning business and tips on how to impress seasoned professionals.

Going Digital: Changes in the Advertising and PR Industry

3:30-4:45pm, OM 320
Brad Mays, Mike Cearley, Miker Stovall, Fleishman-Hillard Digital
Three Texas State Alumni with very different backgrounds are now working together at Fleishman-Hillard to meet the needs of the new agency climate. They’ll discuss how they got from San Marcos to Dallas and the work they’ve done along the way, what they’re doing now and how it may help you understand the companies you may interview with.

Showing of documentary “Abe Osheroff: One Foot in the Grave, the Other Still Dancing

5:00 pm, ASBS 315
Dr. Robert Jensen, professor, University of Texas School of Journalism

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 27

Social Media Concepts and Policies in Texas State University Marketing

9:30-10:50am, OM 320
David King, Texas State University
In this session, learn how Texas State’s Marketing Department is helping our university grow.

The Voice of the Spurs

11am-12:20pm, OM 320
Bill Schoening, San Antonio Spurs
In this session, get play-by-play insight into sports broadcasting.

Bobcats with Great Internships

11am-12:20pm, ASBS 315
Jessie Spielvogel, Discovery Communications; Anisia Morales, Comcast Entertainment Group; Leigh Morgan, Texas Monthly; Aimee Villalobos, San Antonio Express-News; Lisa Carter, San Antonio Express-News
Come learn what you need to land a great internship and what these students learned while interning in the industry.

Some Assembly Required: Networking Guide for Graduates

11am-12:20pm, OM 234
Thom Singer, Business Development Consultant/Author
Networking. You hear about it, but how do you do it? Come to this session to hear Thom weigh in on how to create a sustainable career through networking.

Trends in Online News

12:30-1:50pm, HINES 204
Matt Stiles & Niran Babalola, Texas Tribune; Christian McDonald, Austin American Statesman; Jacqui Maher, New York Times
Online news interactives, programming, data and news apps are tools pushing innovation in news. Hear from some of the most progressive organizations using these techniques.

The Radio Audience and Arbitron Ratings

12:30-1:50pm, OM 232
Jenny Tsao, Arbitron
Find out how radio audiences are measured in the 21st century, and the challenges smartphones and new technologies present.

Creating Advertising with Impact

2-3:20pm, LBJSC 4-16.1
Brent Ladd, Group Creative Director, Sr. VP, GSD&M
In this session, learn what goes into creating an advertisement that impacts the masses.

Fashion Journalism

2-3:20pm, OM 320
Michael Quintanilla, San Antonio Express-News
Check out what’s in style in fashion journalism at Mass Comm Week 2010.

Dealing with the Media

3:30-4:50pm, ALK 250
Rich Oppel, Public Strategies
Gain insight into business PR from the unusual perspective of a longtime newspaper editor who crosses the Rubicon to help business executives deal with the news media.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 28

New Rules of PR: Game Changing Tips and Tools from the Trenches

9:30-10:50am, HINES 204
LuAnn Glowacz, WordCove; Jenna Oltersdorf, Snackbox; Rachel Farris, PetRelocation.com and Huffington Post
In this session, learn new tools to research and track media, how and who to pitch, traditional PR rules that stand the test of time, the future of social media and PR: the good, the bad and the ugly.

How We Survived Economic Uncertainty

9:30-10:50am, OM 320
Michael Vivio, publisher, Austin American Statesman
What does it take for a newspaper to survive? Learn what the Statesman has had to do to have the number one online reach of any newspaper.

Social Media Marketing: Social Action for Social Good

11:00am-12:20pm, OM 320
Sarah Vela, Lights. Camera. Help.; David Neff, Lights. Camera. Help.; Ehren Foss, Prelude Interactive

The Future of Television

11:00am – 12:20pm, HINES 204
Bill Stotesbery, KLRU
See how KLRU has remained a sustainable non-profit medium in an advertising-laden media.

Advertising: Art or Science?

11:00am-12:20pm, OM 234
Jake Frick, Lopez Negrete Communications
From the point of view of a Hispanic advertising agency, learn how population and metrics are affecting the way agencies are approaching advertising and what it takes to get a job in an ever changing field.

In Times of Crisis, Get Creative

12:30-1:50pm, OM 234
Bob Rivard, editor and executive VP of the San Antonio Express-News

Creating a Sustainable Model for the Radio Industry

12:30-1:50pm, OM 201
Dee Kapila & Hawk Mendenhall, KUT Austin
In this session, learn how this public service committed station has sustained and flourished in the radio industry.

Shark Diver Magazine

2:00-3:20pm, OM 201
Eli Martinez, Shark Diver Magazine

How to Use Social Media in Marketing Your Event

2:00-3:20pm, OM 320
Jette Momant, Public Relations and Event Production Consultant, Jette Momant PR & Event Productions
We are all on social media. So use it to your advantage. Learn how Jette Momant uses social media to create buzz about an event.

In Times of Crisis, Get Creative

3:30-4:50pm, ASBS 315
Bob Rivard, editor and executive VP of the San Antonio Express-News

PR and Advertising Alumni Panel

3:30-4:50pm, CENT 157
Cassandra Harrison, Noble Strategic Partners; Tracy Hinson, American Advertising Federation; Francisco Garcia, media specialist
Texas State graduates will discuss their experiences in the public relations and advertising industries.

Journalism Alumni Panel

3:30-4:50pm, OM 320
TBD
Texas State graduates will discuss their experiences in the journalism and broadcast industries.

Welcome to Korea: The Country, The Culture, The Communications

6:30 – 7:15, Round Rock
Dr. Hanjun Ko, Kookmin University in Seoul, South Korea

Via CNET: Earlier this year, Matt Cutts stated that Google “tends to make a change to our core search algorithms at least once a day.” In a recent interview with CNET, he reiterated that that pace continues: just last week Google search engineers met to consider 27 separate changes to the more than 200 factors that Google uses to rank search results.”

Behind every algorithm, and therefore behind every search result, is a team of people responsible for making sure Google search makes the right decisions when responding to your query.

No Google employee sits there and responds to individual requests for “wedding venues in Lake Tahoe.” They do decide, however, how Google’s algorithms consider content to be relevant to such a query, and which sites are eligible to be presented in those results.

Read more about The Human Process Behind the Algorithm

For help finding an original, descriptive, and memorable domain name for your web site, here are some great tools that will make your search more efficient.

Bust-A-Name:

This is my favorite place to search for an available domain… because the results are instantaneous. I use the “quick domain check” tool on the top right. The availability of the typed name is updated on every keystroke. This is much faster than waiting for a page to load every time. Plus it saves you the 5 seconds of anticipation before the big let-down: “HOMES4U.COM” is already taken! You can also add words to a list and let Bust-A-Name find all of the available combinations. This is great for finding descriptive domains.

Dislexicon:

This tool will help you nail that brilliant name by fusing a root word you enter with popular prefix’s and suffix’s. For example: Type “HOME” and it will return words like: Homeium, Homability, Endohome, and Homeize. This may not give you exactly what you need, but it is fun for inspiration.

DomainsBot:

This tool will take a string of words and search for available domains that are similar to that query. It will take each word, and use related words to offer suggestion. So if you type HOME FINDER, it draws similar words to HOME (house, pad, residence) and FINDER (seeker, explorer, digger) and display a long list of available and for sale domains.

JustDropped:

This is a great free tool that will search for names by keyword that have recently been dropped from the ICANN registered index. Many domains are dropped daily. You may find a great name that contains your chosen words that somebody else let expire. If you have some time, check back daily for the prime pick’ns.

Afternic & Sedo:

Two popular places to bid for pre-registered domain names. If you are willing to spend a few hundred bucks, you may be able to find a prime domain that someone is trying to sell. Some of the domains seem ridiculously over-priced, but if you look into the recently sold domains area you can see what some of the domains are actually selling for. The ultra-high-priced domains are usually set by the seller, and you will rarely see bids on these.

PickyDomains.com

For an easy and risk-free way to get the best domain possible, consider outsourcing your search with PickyDomains.com. For a fifty dollar deposit, you give them the criteria, and they mail you lists of possible names. If you don’t like any of the names offered, you get a refund. See the left sidebar on their site for a list of some of the best domains they have come up with.

Other sites of the month in the showcase include The Guggenheim Museum, IHOP, and Oklahoma State University.  We love working with the Joomla platform and some of the extensions offered by the community are incredible.

Who Uses Joomla?

• MTV Networks Quizilla  – http://www.quizilla.com
• Harvard University  – http://gsas.harvard.edu
• The Green Maven  – http://www.greenmaven.com
• Outdoor Photographer  – http://www.outdoorphotographer.com
• PlayShakespeare.com  – http://www.playshakespeare.com
• Senso Interiors  – http://www.sensointeriors.co.za

Realize the Importance of Authenticity

Not only is word of mouth one of the most influential forms of marketing (always has been), it is now spreading rapidly through new social media channels. One could argue that creating the perfect ad copy isn’t really what should be at the top of your priority list. People do not use tag-lines in normal conversation. They do not recite your ad word-for-word when making recommendations.

Create Story-Worthy Customer Experiences

They will tell their story (experience with your company) or your story (something interesting worth telling about you). Either way, you must give your customers, clients, and prospects something to work with if you expect them to spread your message and/or converse positively about your company, online or off. Most importantly, is it even compelling or interesting enough to get someone talking about it? How remarkable is your story or product? In addition to key differentiators, highlight your people, values, heritage, missions and origins. Identify your company purpose (something beyond profits and growth). The goal is to create a compelling story or message that is worth telling that is actually true (and different).

Align Your Message With Your Genuine Experience

This is where being authentic and genuine always carries you through. Compare your product or service to the message you are delivering in your copy (or would like to). Would a reasonable person conclude that the two are consistent?  If your message and product/service to not line up properly, or you have an uninspiring story, you have two choices: Find a better message, or change your product/service. If your product/service is not up to par with the desired message, try to add something (new feature, unique design, model, service offering) that will make the statement and story authentic.

Build a “Cultural Base” Within

Michael Hogans’ manifesto, We Need a New Word for Brand, calls for authenticity and stresses the importance of having that “cultural base” that you can rally around:

“So authentic brands are not about marketing. They are not products. They live inside the company. And they are held and enacted of the people, by the people and for the people! Just like the Declaration of Independence created the foundation of a nation, so does your brand act as the foundation of your company. Its principles are the framework for thought and action by everyone in the company. Without it there is no consistency, no alignment between what you say and what you do, no synchronicity between who you are inside and the way you present yourself outside.

You may ask—“well isn’t that the same as culture?” The answer is yes and no. Authentic brands are in many ways the identity of the company culture. They help that culture become visible. They also embody the values and purpose of the company, giving all these things a face and a voice that can be seen and heard by everyone the company touches. But especially your employees. As the people who most keenly impact the day-to-day beliefs and actions of the company it is constantly amazing how little they are considered when brand is discussed. It is employees who show the brand to be true or not.

Authentic brands live or die with the people in the organization. If they don’t believe the brand, if they don’t feel it is their cause, no campaign or change program on earth will help it succeed. Authentic brands feel natural. There is no need to “educate” the employees—they feel it immediately. There is no need to launch the “new” brand on your unsuspecting customers—they have known it for years. When you are doing it day in and day out, saying it becomes almost superfluous.”

Achieve Genuine Long-Term Success

People will notice, and soon the company will be establishing a firm foundation with true brand authenticity. The excercise may not be easy, but it will pay off in the long run with credibility, recommendations, and ultimately, more sales. It will get you much further than generic or grandiose claims or crude humor found around every corner. Your customer will recognize a genuine company when they see it. Honesty with more sales, how refreshing!

Photo by Jeff Poskanzer

The level of complexity in most organizations today is staggering-and it’s only getting worse. There are so many choices to be made, people to involve, processes to manage, and facts to analyze, it’s impossible to get things done. And in today’s hypercompetitive world, that can be fatal. Yet complexity doesn’t happen on its own. Managers unwittingly create it, often through well-intended decisions.

In Simply Effective, Ron Ashkenas provides a playbook for regaining control, focused on the four major causes of complexity:

• Constant changes in organizational structures
• Proliferation of products and services
• Evolution of business processes
• Time-wasting managerial behaviors

The author provides a diagnostic for identifying how these causes of complexity are affecting your organization-and presents practical tactics for combating each one. Ashkenas also explains how to craft a strategy that will make simplification an ongoing driver of your company’s success-no matter where you work in your organization.

“We live in a world of ads, and those ads need to be guarded by men with big ideas.”
-A Few Good Creative Men

People often champion the use of social media to reach customers and enhance marketing efforts…but what about using these tools to innovate from within? In this video, Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson describes how they have used social networks, Wikis, and other Web 2.0 tools to harness the expertise of it’s 175,000 employees and spur collaboration among them.

Peter Hirshberg, co-founder of The Conversation Group, interviews Anderson about several of their internal social media initiatives. As they grow, the scope of their business is evolving from “product distribution company” to a “service and solutions company”… and to address this challenge they have to reverse the roles of leadership and turn the structure upside-down.

Best Buy realized that the employees interacting with customers on a daily basis were the ones who could provide the best feedback. They gave them the tools to collaborate and gave management the power and resources to nurture and execute grassroots ideas. This has created a culture of innovation and creativity in the organization. They are experimenting more and utilizing employees in order to reverse the sluggishness and lack of innovation that is often the side effect of becoming an incredibly large company.

I can’t help but think of the leadership style of Sam Walton, who often interviewed his own employees to get serious feedback about processes. He knew that they were where the rubber truly met the road. The Best Buy social media initiatives take this philosophy to a new level.