Conversation Agent - Valeria Maltoni

When we Build

This talk by Wilson Miner at the Build Conference is remarkable for a couple of reasons. The format of the presentation itself is conversational. The dialogue between interactive designer and himself as well as that between him and the audience feels intimate and comfortable. The topic is treated with originality and sincerity. The things we make change the environment. Our outlook, attitudes, how we relate to the world are changed by the things with which we choose to surround ourselves. Paraphrasing from the salient parts of the video: We put so much of ourselves into things, but they’re just things.... Read more →

How do you Use Your Superpowers?

When life bounces off you, when people and situations conspire to challenge your positive operating zone and seeing things through the lens of compassion, do you? Do you make use of what you know to support the projects of others, their growth and success under most interior conditions, including upset? Have you learned to give yourself a time out to recollect and be thoughtful and appropriate about your actions? Do you do that on behalf of your clients? How do you use your superpowers? Are your superpowers more like those of a super hero or akin to that of a... Read more →

Resist the Temptation to be a Control Freak

“Don’t sign on for more problems than you must. Resist the temptation to involve yourself in other people’s zones of expertise and responsibility. Monitor troublesome situations if you need to, but don’t insert yourself unless you’re running out of time and a solution is nowhere in sight. In short, stifle your inner control freak.” [Twyla Tharp] +++ We talk a lot about creativity in the context of individual pursuit and achievement. Learning to collaborate with each other effectively often means learning to let go of the inner control freak. +++ Valeria is an experienced listener. She is also frequent speaker... Read more →

Bursting at the Seams with Content

I remember the first time I posted to a Web site. The idea that you could write directly in the form and push the publish button was still remote. We put a lot of work into every article we posted. At the time I was working in a smaller and highly specialized firm. We placed a lot of value on developing client relationships through everything we did. Clients could sign up for our yearly Rendezvous, get access to presentations and abstracts from the event, and provide feedback all online. The monthly newsletter was actually produced on paper and mailed. I... Read more →

Will the Real Conversation Agents Step up?

Conversation with the right intent, or influence, is about turning together, connecting. Conversation is the opportunity. You don't get that just from throwing content over the fence. You need to go along with it and be present as the active ingredient. Conversation needs to be invited and facilitated. It needs negotiating, and interpreting, and teasing out. You know why? Because people don't buy you or your stuff -- they buy how they feel about themselves as they talk to you or use your stuff. Conversation is the white space The reason why conversation is a fundamental part of commerce is... Read more →

Some Brick Walls are Made of Flesh

"Love is the virtue of the heart. Sincerity is the virtue of the mind. Decision is the virtue of the will. Courage is the virtue of the spirit." [Frank Lloyd Wright] +++ I came across this quote as I was reviewing old files in my home office yesterday. It was annotated behind a team dynamics diagram I was working with quite a few years back when we confirmed that sales is from Mars and marketing is from Venus. You may remember when we talked about how you select your team. I start with the people -- experience teaches you to... Read more →

Occupy Makes Headlines. Inhabit Makes it Work.

Let's be clear -- I am never too busy to answer a message written with the recipient (me) in mind. Better yet, if you have taken the time to build a relationship or craft a compelling, respectful note. This is what makes the Web work. Discovering new projects, learning and expanding horizons, meeting new people and getting to know them through shared interests. Every month, Colleen Wainwright reminds me how powerful it is to make connections by earning them. This month her newsletter talked about this very topic: How social networks are filled with "sell, sell, sell". These days the... Read more →

Joining Empathy Lab to Drive Business Strategy

[UPDATE: Because this is such exciting news and I want people to see it, I'm keeping this post on top of Conversation Agent home page for a while. Scroll down to read newer posts.] I'm very excited to share good news: I’ve joined Empathy Lab as Senior Director of Strategy. I also want to take a moment to express my gratitude for my Conversation Agent clients in the last year+. It has been a joy working with you. I’ll be working with the agency and its clients to extend Empathy Lab's roster and track record of delivering digital and social... Read more →

Taking Responsibility

"I think I've done okay. I take responsibility for my successes as well as my failures. But when I look at my professional mistakes, I'm always left with the feeling that maybe I should have done more." [Jack Nicholson] +++ Who doesn't, right? Pick a person who's not been afraid to try different things and have fun with them and you get some insights in hearing their take on life and work. I agree with Nicholson, we don't have a very good understanding of leisure and the importance it plays in our lives. I'd add "in the U.S." to that... Read more →

With Gratitude

This morning subscribers received the August issue of the Premium Newsletter. This will be the last issue of the paid publication. Started in May 2011, the Premium Newsletter was meant to be a one year project to explore a different, more intimate, format where you would have greater access to my thinking and I could have more feedback from you. On both counts, it was a great success. Given the enthusiasm and number of new subscribers who joined in June of this year, I continued well beyond the indended time frame. I realize that a monthly subscription to anything is... Read more →