Stuart Breyer

 
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November 29, 2009

Twitter - How it got me out of a jam!

I recently experienced the day that everyone fears: back to back meetings and a seemingly endless 'to do' list.  Time was not on my side - I didn't even have a chance to open my FT, as I was already out the door.

The first two meetings were a success, but I did not know what was going on in the world.  I needed to get connected, I needed a summary, it needed to be comprehensive, and I needed it - NOW.  I reached for my iPhone (a great piece of kit).  As a phone it is alright, but the 'i' bit, everything else, is amazing.  As I loaded the Twitter app, I walked through the front door and told reception I had arrived. "It will be two minutes Mr. Breyer, would you like to have a seat?"

"Thank you." My internal monologue started: I have two minutes until I'm toast.  

Twitter loaded, and I had a quick scan of the most recent tweets.  In 75 seconds, I got an update on what was important, direct from my community (people I am following).  It was a combination of news updates, reactions, discussions, and personal views.  In less than two minutes, I was able to get a quick snapshot of what was going on, what was considered important by my community, and a collection of links and sources for further reading.  With a few seconds remaining, I breathed a sigh of relief.  Twitter had delivered.

I discovered twitter earlier this year and was initially very skeptical. How could anyone communicate anything in 140 characters (yes, characters, not words!)?  Furthermore, how on earth do I find people who say anything useful?  

I admit, I still don't see how twitter is useful on a personal level, but am now convinced of its power in the professional world.  When I first signed in, I typed '#pensions '. I was met with a mild sense of disappointment. There was almost no one there, just a few people. So I started, as did a few of my colleagues (@robertjgardner, @dawid1, @mackenziehowe) sharing, discussing, and meeting new people.

Twitter helps build community, bringing like minded indivduals together. I connect with new people daily. By following people, I am using this group to filter and sift a vast amount of information for me. And I'm doing the same for them. The result is that the crowd is determining what is best.

How do you use twitter? Have you had a similar experience? I'd be interested to hear.

Filed under  //   Community   Social Media  

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October 31, 2009

Making an Informed Decision - Seat 14 B: The Kindle or Sony Reader?

Last week, on a flight to New York, I was introduced to the Kindle : an online electronic book reader.  It holds up to 1,500 books, is as light as a paperback, and almost as thin as a magazine.  Brilliant I thought - and the person sitting next to me agreed - asking how the owner what she thought. Excited to share her story, she recounted how her husband had surprised her with it only a few days ago, and she had already grown to love it - and did not know how she had lived without it!  A strong testimonial I thought.

So did the man sitting in seat 14 B.  'Don't be fooled' he said, coming in over top of the conversation.  'You need the Sony Reader'.    The plane had landed, and people were gathering their belongings, waiting to get off the plane, and many now lending an ear to the conversation.  'It's so much better, a screen that is perfect for reading, and cheaper' he touted holding his in the air.

'Ah, but I can download and browse for books at the click of a button' refuted the now standing Kindle owner.  The debate was interrupted as the cabin doors were opened and people started to exit the plane.  On the train to Manhattan, I realised I had seen something remarkable.  I, as well as everyone else around me, had witnessed an debate between strangers, both who were strong advocates of their respective products.  Why did the man in seat 14B speak up?  He didn't have anything to win.  Did he have a stake in the success of the Sony Reader?  Unlikely, as he was behind me in cattle-class!  He simply wanted to help, and share his views.

Recommendations from strangers, and conversations like this one, happen every day.  I wanted to know more.  At my hotel, I fired up my computer and went online to check out a comparison to see if what I had heard was correct.  It was.  I read through the first 10 comments and ratings on Kindle - I was sold.  Easy to use, long battery life, access to 350,000 titles...it had everything I needed.  I had just taken a view and formed an opinion based on recommendations from total strangers.  I had listened to the collective wisdom of the crowd.

Still not sure if I will get an online electronic book reader.  But what I do know, is that I have the tools at my fingertips, whenever I need, to make an informed decision.   

Filed under  //   amazon   Community   decision making   kindle   social media   sony reader   technology  

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October 4, 2009

An Interactive Scrap Book

It was my friend Ben who first told me about Facebook on a road trip to Philly from the Gathering.  My reaction: facebo….what?  ‘Why would I use that?  ‘Man, I don’t have time for another thing to do everyday.’  ‘Dude, I am busy enough as is…’  ‘I hate one dimensional forums of communication, it removes emotional connection’.

But, being locked in a car for 7 hours and hostage to his conversation, I reluctantly agreed to ‘check it out’ – code for, let’s move on in the conversation.

Philly was hot – hazy, hot and humid.  Too hot to be inside, too hot for Yuengling, too hot for movement.  So we sat on the porch, Ben fired up his computer and what was the first thing he did?  Log onto Facebook.  

There were photos, comments, stories, already online from the week - memories, laughter, and moments flooded back.  It was like being in an interactive scrap book that actually responded!   It was as if I was still with the community I had shared an amazing week with.  But the experience was short lived, as I had an early flight back to London to return to the shackles of my dissertation.

On the flight, I realised that I had misjudged, and missed the point. My concerns around Facebook were based on lack of understanding.  I suddenly woke up!  It wasn’t there to replace my mobile, skype, or gmail.  Social media is actually a tool to facilitate communication, and help me interact with and expand my community.  Mackenzie has done a great job explaining this one – you should check out her latest post: Staying in touch, waterfights, ebay and Iran. 

Now, you have the ability to meet Ben (a DJ in Philly), see a humorous yet accurate explanation on a Quaker meeting for Worship, or best yet, find like minded people.

After I landed, I signed up to Facebook and soon discovered LinkedIn.  If Facebook could do this for my personal life, imagine the power of building and maintaining professional contacts on both sides of the Atlantic!

This post is the first in a series on how social media facilitates knowledge transfer, connectivity, and community. What is your experience?  Were you initially sceptical like me?

Filed under  //   Community   Facebook   Social Media  

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