3% of all business owners make 84% of all private biz income. Why? They’re not covering for unknown weaknesseses.
3% of all business owners make 84% of all private biz income. Why? They’re not covering for unknown weaknesseses.
This article was published on October 31, 2008. So far, 2 people have left their thoughts. Share your own thoughts.
Do you buy from the Ambiently Aware? Are you Ambiently challenged? Can we stuff more syllables into a smaller space?
In the September 5th New York Times, there was an article called Brave New World of Digital Intimacy exploring how relationships have changed now that we’re sharing our lives on-line via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and others. It didn’t take long for intellectuals to create fancy compartment labels for online business relationships.
According to the article, social scientists have named this ongoing, open, online contact as “ambient awareness.” They say it’s like picking up on somebody’s mood by being physically close and observing the little things they do; body language, shrugs, random thoughts.
The idea is that online relationships offer us a similar “close” relationship. People share simple, random, and “close” thoughts on Twitter that they would never call someone to share (“The sun looks warm today”, “The guy on the park bench looks angry”, I spent too much on lunch just now.”, “I’m a little bored.”)
Probably all true, but I get a kick out of the need for big business mavens to constantly create new opportunities to play buzzword bingo. “Ambient awareness”? – gag me with a spoon. Why do we feel a need to sterilize things like this?
I’m guessing it has something to do with the need to compartmentalize life and make it nice and tidy. But relationships are always more complex than this.
Online updates can:
Online “talk” will do the same thing for us (or not) as any other kind of communication, depending on how we approach it. If we talk online, it should have the same objective as getting a cup of tea with someone; building a few meaningful relationships that will help each other grow their businesses.
Let’s not encourage the social scientists by adopting big business buzzwords like “ambient awareness”. People buy from people, and they buy more from people they like.
I’ve never bought anything from someone who was a master of “ambient awareness”. Talk to somebody (online or off) and build a relationship. You’ll make more money in less time that way.
You’re too busy making money; no business can survive that. Your business should give you both time and money. Not just money.
I started Crankset Group out of a desire to help small businesses in the Denver, Colorado area grow and mature. It continues to mature itself as we bring a lot of the tools and practices that I’ve created working one-on-one with business owners over the years online. Now these tools and resources are available to you.
Twitter is a great way to get ahold of me or interact with me.
I’d love to let you know what I’m up to from time-to-time.
Add Your Own
Thoughts
Megan McDonald
11/03/08
Chuck,
First thing is first – you used “gag me with a spoon” in your blog-that is fabulously fabulous. I used to be a Valley girl, so, just by your comment ONLINE, I’ve like, totally, like, connected with you…ok, but in all seriousness, your philosophy of build a network in lieu of networking could be its own blog. I will say that yes, I’m a Facebooker. It has served its purpose. I just went to my 20th reunion and was able to connect with many of my classmates prior to attending. Outside of that experience, Facebook is much like IM (instant messaging) – in my opinion, under most circumstances, it’s a complete waste of time and a distraction. People send me “plants” to stop global warming, they send me links to get me involved in their agendas and frankly, who has time for this?
On the other hand, if you watch a 4 hour football game or get lost in Facebook, it’s up to you and an escape from reality – perhaps we could all use that. I would just prefer getting together with a group and connecting that way instead of sending them virtual kisses or plants, or lady bugs for good luck.
Respectfully,
Your resident past Valley Girl and avid Team Nimbus Fan,
Megan
Carolyn Dawn
11/18/08
I’m interested in what you say. If we can use the social media tools to help us grow local community, this fragmented world may find new ways to link.
Stop networking and build a network is great advice, Your network will be the network, We try to be too many people at once rather know that the right people will come at the right time and relax into this amazing process of living.
I don’t know about you, but my life works better when I focus.
“No stream or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined.”-Harry E. Fosdick
Carolyn Dawn