(A new cartoon from Hugh MacLeod)
Seth Godin on when data and decisions collide
Charlie Jacobs explains why metaphors are problematic
Shel Israel recommends corporations start a social media department
Rick Smith on finding potential in bad situations
According to Michelle Archer over at USA TODAY, one of the books you should be on the lookout for this month is TWITTERVILLE: How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods by Shel Israel.
She writes, “With field stories ranging from a local handyman to the tweeters of Starbucks, the Mayo Clinic and Comcast, author Israel argues that businesses can no longer ignore the conversation on Twitter.”
You can read a free excerpt from TWITTERVILLE right now on Shel Israel’s blog.
And here’s the rest of the USA TODAY feature which highlights several books and TV shows to enjoy in September: Watch, Listen & Read
If you’re like me, then you’ve probably been hearing about Twitter for a while now. If you’re a lot like me, then you probably wondered vaguely about what it was but never actually took the chance to find out (probably because you were too busy updating your Facebook status.) But, whether you are or aren’t like me, if you’ve been paying any attention whatsoever, you’ve probably noticed that, recently, the buzz about Twitter has grown to a dull roar.
We at Portfolio started using Twitter a few months ago after our very own David Moldawer (also our resident tech guru) signed up a book (due out this September) about the site by social media expert Shel Israel. At first we were skeptical (“Wait, how the heck does this work?” and “Why are all of these random strangers following me?” were common exclamations during the initial trial period). Since then, however, we’ve cottoned on and some of us have embraced it wholeheartedly. I even find myself wishing I had an iPhone so I could tweet (i.e. post) remotely.
The media have also shown a burgeoning interest in the site in recent weeks. The current issue of New York magazine features a piece about the creators of Twitter, and David Pogue, the New York Times personal technology columnist and self-described newly converted Twitterer, wrote a combination of a defense and a how-to piece that, as of the time of this posting, was the most e-mailed article in the tech section of NYTimes.com.
So, Facebook is out. Twitter is in. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can join the conversation.
If you’re already tweeting (or if you’ve just decided you’re going to start), feel free to check out the updates from some Portfolio staffers while you’re at it. (The secret’s out. We tweet at work!)
