SOB Business Cafe 08-22-08

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

Technosailor sees the gaps.
Gap Marketing is the idea that, when you’ve done everything you can to cover the large target audiences, there are still small gaps to fill.

Leadership Ramblings sees how leaders changes their view of leadership.
I started out on my young career wanting to be a manager, wanting to lead a team. My main motivation was that “being a manager” would look good on my resume. It would look good in the eyes of others. It would look good professionally, and it felt good personally. Essentially, I was in “lust” with leadership.

Beth’s Blog sees a distinction between starting a conversation and starting a community.
A critical factor for success in both is having an engagement strategy. An engagement strategy can help your organization attract more traffic, loyal supporters, more content, more links, and other values. But it requires investing the time to build relationships with people (yes, even one-on-one interaction) or “network weaving skills.”

Global Neighbourhoods sees the personal side of personal branding.
In social media, it seems like the people who give the most valuable or interesting information establish the strongest brands. They become trusted sources. The trust of others builds influence. Your personal brand may or may not help your employer. But what makes it personal is that it moves around with you wherever you go.

leah in chicago sees the value of being with people in person. Her cat might disagree . . .
It must be working, because now people say to me, “you go out every night, don’t you?”
My knee jerk reaction to that is to say, “No, I’m a total homebody, I never go out.” But then I go home and my cat yells at me, “Where have you been all week? I need some attention and a treat!”

BawldGuy sees the need for a little perspective.
At a family dinner tonight we had three generations at the table. We were at one of our favorite places, and were enjoying several appetizers. Grandma came up in the conversation as we were talkin’ about the Great Depression. The usual stories were told, but then my daughter asked me to tell her favorite Grandma story.

Here’s some perspective against which you can evaluate our current economic challenges.

Related ala carte selections include

David Bullock sees you on the Olympic track running against yourself.
It is you, your track shoes and your opponent seems to be the rest of the field.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

–ME “Liz” Strauss