Google+ for Business – Book Review

A few weeks ago, I was on Google+, and came across an update referencing Chris Brogan’s “Google+ for Business: How Google’s Social Network Changes Everything“. Within seconds, I was checking out from BN.com, thankful for my membership which offers expedited shipping (yes, I still like real, printed books!).

Do we really need another social network?
Simply put, Google+ will be a game changer. For starters, it’s owned by Google, and there are already more than 90 million users. Additionally, your +1 links may rank higher, and sites on Google+ get indexed quicker.

The intuitive circles for organizing your following, hangouts to formally or informally chat with others, and the ability to create a page for your business make Google+ a sure winner.

The book is broken down into 14 chapters, including:

  • The Opportunity of Google+
  • A Day in the Life
  • First Moves with Google+
  • Circles
  • Posting
  • Growing an Audience
  • Sharing

And more. My favorite chapter was “A Day in the Life”, where he cleverly detailed daily suggestions for seven different types of occupations. This chapter also features interviews, including Problogger Darren Rowse and Scott Monty from Ford Motor Co.

I also liked Chris’ explanation of how he set up his circles. It wasn’t a how to, as much as it was a here’s how I did it, and why.

Clearly, the opportunity on Google+ is authorship, focusing on the person, rather than the company. The book is easy to read, and  makes the case why you and your business must get on Google+ sooner, rather then later.

Don’t forget to circle me up on Google+ !

Find Your Next – Book Review

Could this book help your company find it's next competitive edge?

Could the Business Genome ® approach help your company find it’s next competitive edge? The answer is yes, and Andrea Kates clearly lays out the reasons why in Find Your Next (McGraw Hill, 2011). Her thesis is simple: traditional management, product development and marketing require radical change.

Follow her four-step blueprint to uncover your business’s DNA, evolve your strategy and build your future:

  • Sort through your options and assess hunches
  • Match your genome to other successful business models
  • Hybridize your company by grafting new ideas with proven successes
  • Adapt and thrive by breaking old habits and starting new trends

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The Social Media Sales Revolution – Book Review

Hang up the phone, get online and start selling more today!

There no doubt — the future of sales is in social media. The Social Media Sales Revolution by Landy Chase & Kevin Knebl (McGraw Hill, 2011), lays out the new rules for finding customers, building relationships and closing more sales through social media and online networking.

The way we communicate with prospects and customers has changed, and your sales skills need to change if you want to stay in the game. Traditional methods, like cold calling are no longer effective — social networking sites are now your best tools to get in front of clients. The opportunities for developing relationships and selling are enormous on social media, and is based on six simple, yet fundamental, shifts the Internet has created for the future of selling in the B2B marketplace:
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This Meeting Sux – Book Review

A field guide for meeting participants

Anyone who works has attended meetings of some sort, so carefully read, take notes and use “This Meeting Sux” as your field guide to change meetings for good.

The 12 acts contained in the book are simple keys towards meeting success. They outline the knowledge, skills and actions you’ll need to take the lead in meetings as a participant, rather than relying solely on the meeting’s leaders.

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Enchantment Book Review

Enchantment by Guy Kawaski

I’ve just finished re-reading a review copy of Enchantment, by Guy Kawasaki. It’s his 10th book, and he’s done it again. We use enchantment (as he explains it) in our social communications to create relationships — whether with other people or with a brand.

If we want to accomplish something, whatever it may be, we’ll need to influence another person to either buy our stuff or buy in to us. It’s the process and use of enchantment that allows it to happen.

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