The "Not So Early" Adopters

In my last post, I discussed why it's a good time for small, local retail businesses to start considering using social media outlets for marketing. Considering being the key term. There are a few caveats to this emerging trend that could be a recipe for disaster.

A great example was brought up by Kevin Palmer at Social Media Answers in his post about Chipotle's experience with this and brings up the concern that, while some small business owners aren't aware of the technology, neither are the customers. In order to take advantage of a Facebook Deal, you have to have the latest version of the Facebook app on your iPhone or Android (Blackberry has Places but not support for Deals yet). This may not be an issue for iPhone (I wouldn't know, being an Android user) but it is for Android. Mostly, I suppose, because there are so many versions of Android on so many different platforms. Just a week ago or so I had to show a friend that Places existed and he had to install a newer version of Facebook to use it. Good news being that he has been using it since, just for the sheer social aspect of it, not Deals. The caveat here being, while it's a great pitch to owners to say that there are 200 million mobile Facebook users, but what percentage of them know of, and how, to use Facebook Places. And furthermore, how much confusion, anguish does this bring to a customer who sees Deals offered to a select few; those willing, and know how, to use Facebook Places.


Another issue worthy of note is how tech savvy should a business owner/manager be, or expect their employees to be? Angie Henderson Moncada, over at The Virtual Water Cooler, shares her exploits using Deals at Macy's - one of the other early adopters of Facebook Deals - and proves how troublesome it can be. I can just imagine how puzzled a cashier would be when I show my phone screen with a discount code and they have no idea what they are supposed to do with it and whether they are being Punk'd or not...

How much training would be needed for employees to do something like this? Maybe not much for Hot Topic employees perhaps, but a department store? I would venture to say, quite a bit! I can just imagine handing over my EVO to someone who still owns a flip phone so they can see the discount code / image / whatever and wonder if they're going to drop it because they're holding it so loosely afraid to break it. All the while, me making sure the screen doesn't time out during, or else it's just chaos after that...

But let's flip the tone of this, because I'm more concerned with the small business owner. Your local convenience store, bar, restaurant, etc. that would benefit from starting something like a loyalty program. And a simple solution is to just have a code they can use at the register / POS system for the current Facebook Deal so the cashier doesn't have to handle the customer's device.

Geolocation for Business - It's a Good Time to Start

Aside from my normal occupation (which has nothing to do with social media) and random lifestyle, I have not yet learned much in the realm of social media for businesses. I have however been an early adopter to whatever flashy comes my way. I've been hearing about Foursquare and Gowalla (mainly from the TWiT network) for some time now but did not bother to investigate, until now.

When I heard the announcement of Facebook Deals and Facebook Places for Android, I figured it was time to investigate. After being extremely jealous of my iPhone friends being able to do something I couldn't. I've been on a 2 week binge of learning about these services and "games" and installed them all on my Android to give them a try. BrightKite, Foursquare, GetGlue, Gowalla, SCVNGR, WHRRL, YELP, Google Places, and Yahoo Local to be exact, thanks to Checkin Addict .It usually takes me about 15-20 minutes to check into them all at once - if I don't have to create the place of course...

What I've learned so far is that they are quite fun. GetGlue being my favorite because you are able to check in to absolutely anything and not tailored to geolocations. And because of this, I'll mention it no further. For the rest, I couldn't stop but to constantly think about how useful this could be to small business owners. I live in a small Wisconsin town and usually end up at the same bar if it's one of those nights. There are, however, about 15 more to choose from in a 5 minute radius.

So imagine the benefits; someone is a Facebook fan or friend of one of these bars (most small businesses aren't aware there's a difference) and sees a promo for a free draft if checked in via Facebook Places. The curious patron visits the bar, whips out their Android or iPhone (the majority of the market today) and sure enough sees a Deal icon next to that bar's name in the list of places to check-in. They accept it, show it to the bartender, get their free draft (costing the bar $0.10?)  and then it shows up on their Facebook wall. The average Facebook user has 130 friends and considering the age range that includes, that user who has one of these phones and at the younger bar-going age, probably has more.

More than likely, one of those friends is at the same time wondering where they're going to head out to first, and while pondering this, they are scrolling their Facebook Feed. On which, is a mention that one of their friends just got a free beer somewhere. 'Nuff said. But let's continue. They head out, get their free drink, and meet up with the friend that is already there, leading to conversation, and more drinks being bought at this cool bar that offered them something seemingly free.

Pretty darn good way to advertise your bar I'd say...

Back for Another Go-Round

Well it's been a while since I thought about blogging again. Since the last post I've been enjoying the EVO and I certified as a Knowledge Manager through Knowledge Management Professional Society (KMPro.org).

My new found interest and hobby is the "check-in" craze and social media / geo-location advertising / location based services for small and medium business owners. We'll see where this adventure takes me...

To Tablet, or not to Tablet...

Stopped by Best Buy last night and tried out the iPad. I was extremely amazed at how fun it was. The racing game that was on there was very responsive and in HD. By far my favorite feature was the book functionality. Too see all your books as cover images on a book shelf was tantalizing. Being able to highlight a word and bring up a definition and copy text into a notepad also very cool. However, until we can go to a library and scan bar codes to transfer the book onto there, it's not extremely useful; yet.

Another downfall is that it's Apple. One of my own personal preferences; don't buy anything Apple. Not because of a bad experience, just my own stubbornness. When the iPod craze hit and everything was iSomethingorOther, it just annoyed me. I just feel uncomfortable conforming to the masses.

Two other things of note: (1) Google is working on a tablet with the Android OS, and I'm perfectly comfortable jumping on their bandwagon; (2) I'm waiting on the release of Sprint's HTC EVO 4G. While the EVO is comparable in price to the tablets, and money doesn't grow on trees, it's only one or the other. And my HTC Touch Pro is getting tired. More to follow in the future on the EVO, as that will be the obvious choice for me before summer's out...

SharePoint Server 2007

MOSS? Microsoft Office SharePoint Server? I use it as an end user. See it required on KM job descriptions. But still not sure what is required to know.

I need more IT training. I intend to add a minor in Computer Information Systems at Columbia College of Missouri. Guess I'll have to wait until I learn some programming language from those classes.

Circle of Concern, Circle of Influence - CoPs

I'm going to take a valuable lesson from my favorite book - a.k.a. "life guide" - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. That lesson is:

Stretch your area of influence out to your circle of concern.

If I want to make an impact, I must concentrate on my circle of influence. Then gradually expand that out to my circle of concern. I want to become proficient in the world of Knowledge Management (KM) and in order to get started, I have to have an effect on my circle of influence. I have access to a CoP in my organization that I do not believe has an assigned manager for it. If I can become that manager, that is the first step in expanding my circle of influence.

Thanks to http://www.breakoutofthebox.com/circle.htm for the images.

Life Coaching

I once joked around with an individual, telling him I'd be his life coach. This was months ago. Today the idea came back to me and I did a little Googling and Wikipedia says it's an actual profession of sorts.

Several organizations offer a certificate for it. It usually falls into wellness categories with massage and therapy. After only about 10 minutes of Googlin' around, the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts seemed an organization I'd be willing to give my money to for their certification. Although I'm not sure about $1,800!

It seems it would be interesting though, helping people help themselves, and getting paid for it.

Just another random thought...