Conversation Agent - Valeria Maltoni

Systems Need to Change, How to Shape Your Next Strategy, and Rhetological Fallacies

We're all interested in what's next. Part of our discussion at re:think was about time and sense of timing as respects social networks and direct communications. On time -- the past is a reference point, the future is here, only unevenly distributed. On timing -- this is the opportunity for business, the moment we have right now. Why miss it? Systems Need to Change, How to Shape Your Next Strategy, and Rhetological Fallacies This Saturday edition of Conversation Agent links uncovers patterns in how time/timing affects change in systems, strategy, and the errors and manipulations of rhetoric and logical thinking.... Read more →

Standoff on Value

The problem with binary thinking is that we're usually not faced with just two choices. So it becomes a standoff -- this, or that; black or white, red or blue, gray or yellow, and so on. However, in business -- and in life -- there is a myriad of choices and consequences. Making sound business decisions requires exploration, a rich conversation where we can unconver and combine assets to trade creatively, and action. At every step of the way, there are many small decisions that contibute to pulling it off. Because business is made of bits called promises -- the... Read more →

The Forces Shaping What's Next in Social

This morning I'm addressing the topic of rethinking business in the age of the social customer in conversation with a group of professionals at re:think in Oslo. Despite the globalization of digital and commerce, especially with the help of social, people still live and make things locally. The other day I was buying vegetables and cheese at the open market in Modena, Italy. At first blush many of the stands have similar products. Quality and convenience, with a smile. When that happens as a shopper you look at price, don't you? Until you meet Massimo. A kind word for everyone,... Read more →

Does Big Data Make You Fat?

[YouTube 11:51] Probably not, it does make you complacent. How? By thinking that the data you have is not helpful. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Helping us demystify the distance between data and business intelligence is Robert J. Moore, CEO of RJMetrics. After talking about how to start a company by replacing your own job, how Fab.com raised $40 million with data, and where is the line between relevant and spooky? For the final installation of our series of videos on utilizing data, Moore talks about the pass along value of brand marketing. We keep taking about how... Read more →

How to Make a Good Investment in Content

[YouTube, 5:08] You know what they say, you get what you pay for. Is cheap content going to cost you more in the end? How can you think of content in more holistic terms and get more bang for your buck? The prevalent thinking, says Wil Reynolds, CEO, SEER Interactive, is how can I write a piece of content for $25, post it on a site, and get a link. That's fine, you get a link today. We talked about how what we learned in the sandbox applies to search, then we got more granular and took a pragmatic look... Read more →

How Hiring Makes Uniqlo a Success: More is More

I discovered the Japanese fashion chain Uniqlo from walking by the retailer's store on 34th Street in New York City. The windows got my attention because they reminded me of what Benetton stores used to be -- colorful and fun -- and all mannequins were wearing Moon Boots (it was winter). Made by Italian sports firm Tecnica, Moon Boots were all the rage when I was little. I still have mine, albeit they are in need of replacement -- they were the white and blue model. The article in the New Yorker caught my attention because it talks about the... Read more →

Why Google+ is as Special as Macintosh

At about this time last year we were talking about how technology and humanism meet to help us realize our potential in organizations. Opportunity is still embedded in the connections we can make in our environment. The stream is the place where serendipity meets our social graph and new choices emerge. The role of strategy as the motivating element for what's next in execution and innovation is still by and large untapped. It was great to catch up with Guy Kawasaki at Ignite Austin 2011 and to hear him talk about Enchantment, his new book. Kawasaki has a new book... Read more →

Coldcalling Deadmau5 on Twitter, Never Mind the Facts, and Lessons in Brand Strategy from Games

We all like stories of ingenuity, and this one is a good example of the idea of being human, in the moment, and ready to see opportunities to connect. It also takes coldcalling to a whole new, artistic level. If you get caught embellishing the facts, you can always claim you're taking an artistic license to impact retention -- and give the world an example of good writing. Does your product give customers a brand identity they can authentically relate to and rally around? Are you consistent across product lines and service touch points? Coldcalling Deadmau5 on Twitter, Never Mind... Read more →

Are you Connecting with a Growing Industry?

Each year, the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) delves into the “Economic Report of the President” (ERP). In 2012, the CEA worked with LinkedIn to glean further insights into industry trends both during the recent recession. Which ones are the growing and shrinking industries as defined by the volume of jobs added or lost? How are they faring in relationship to each other? What place does your brand occupy on the list based upon the people, processes, and technologies you offer? Most importantly, where are you more likely to find opportunity? Which industries are ready for disruption? If you're looking... Read more →

The Return to Influence

At first blush, influence sit at the opposite end of the commodification problem. It's the GPS, portable version of your own brand -- you can wear it any time, anywhere to find your true North. Because influence starts with you and the return you derive from where you choose to spend your time, it is highly personal. Yet it is also a socially-recognized phenomenon -- influentials -- and a term adopted in social media. + This was how I started a post on Return on Influence October 30, 2007. It is still being widely quoted and linked to, which is... Read more →