New video clips

The whole web 2.0 thing is pretty neat and getting easier. Several years ago I had a demo video produced and when it was done the videographer, me, and the web designer had a long conversation about what format the video should be in, should it be on the web, should we mention it on the web site and then send out hard copies? 

Things have changed, I just posted two short video clips on my web site and it took all of 10 minutes. No conversation, worry or hassle. 

What's next in the world of web 2.0?

Authentic Customer Service

I am sitting in the Panera's on Miller Av. in Dayton, Ohio. I am a big fan of Panera's and when I am traveling I frequently look for them. Heck man, free coffee refills, great food, and free Wi Fi. What more could you want. 

I want great customer service to go along with those other great features, and that is just what I got about 3 minutes ago. 

I ordered my favorite sandwich, a smoked turkey panini and a cup of soup. I noticed they had a "new" soup so I thought I would give it a try. 

Two bites into this soup and it was not for me. It was good if you like that flavor but it just was not for me. 

I took it back up and asked the lady if I could swap this cup for my old standby broccoli and cheese, that I just did not like it and I was sorry I ordered it but it just did not suite me. 

Without hesitation she took the cup, smiled and said, "you do not have to eat something you don't like, what soup should I serve your?" I apologized for ordering it and not liking it but she assured me it was not a problem and thanked me for the chance to "get me what I liked."

This is a great example of authentic customer service, no hesitation, no questions just a desire to get the customer what they want. 

Thanks Panera's I am more of a fan now than before. 

In The News

I am blown away with the response I have gotten to the article in yesterdays Akron Beacon Journal. What an honor and what fun!

Me in the paper? you've got 2 be kidding me!

Blogging, Boring, Main Stream and Working

I am a student of web 2.0. It is easy for an old guy to toss the idea of web 2.0 out the window with the following talk:

• That is for young people and music.
• Real business would never use all that stuff.
• If I am doing all that social media stuff when am I doing real work?

Feel free to add your own excuses to the list. 

Today I came across a blog which talks about Facebook and how a company uses it. A "real" company. An insurance company no less. Now don't take this the wrong way, but insurance is boring and it is main stream and what in the heck are they doing on Facebook?

First how did I find this blog?

I was doing some work in my LinkedIn account.

I saw the name George Nemeth in the "people you may know" section. 

It said he is a social media expert. 

I clicked over to his profile.

Saw a link to his blog, Brewed Fresh Daily.

Saw a link from his blog to Diva Marketing a blog on marketing.

I read the latest blog about the company Embrace Pet Insurance. 

Minus the time reading the clicking part took all of about 20 seconds. So in 20 seconds I, a "real" possible customer of a "real" company like Embrace Pet Insurance are connected, and at NO cost to me or Embrace Pet. 

So if I had any doubts about having a planned presence in the web 2.0 world it just vanished.

Do some "real" work? This web.20 is like a gift to a guy like me with ADD!

you've got 2 be kidding me!

Ned 

Web 2.0

If you don't know what web 2.0 is yet, um, you are behind the times and I suggest you go check it out. What is interesting is web 2.0 is here, which is the "now" of the web world. My question is what will be "tomorrow"? 

I just found a new video posting site called, viddler. I have no illusion it will take over youtube but I can promise you I will post all my videos there as well. As I read two of my favorite local bloggers, Chris Brown and Deborah Chaddick-Brown I am reminded that the web is so big ignoring it is at your own business peril. 

As an small example when I send an email to my 15 year old I then send her a text telling her she has an email, unless it does not matter that she will not read the email for a week or more. At dinner a while back we were having this discussion and I was informed of the following, "Dad email is so yesterday." I can ignore texting as a part of web 2.0 but at my own dad peril!

There is talk floating around that blogging is on its wayout as is discussed in a really good "blog" no less written by Richard MacManus in New Zealand. 

I don't think blogging is dead or on the way out, I don't even think it is a mature use of the web, I do think it is changing daily and I know for sure that it is the "now" of the web and there will be a "tomorrow" of the web. The trick is figure out the "tomorrow" by at least the day after tomorrow so our kids don't end up telling us what we think is so cool is so "yesterday!"

"Email is so yesterday"- I just figured out I can color code my emails!

you've got 2 be kidding me