Image via CrunchBase

Many of you probably got an e-mail last week from Google announcing its new privacy policy. Every site has a privacy policy, and as a marketer, I understand the need to make some use of the information. After all, Google gives a lot of stuff for nothing–I depend on Gmail, Google Calendar, and many other free functions–so it is only fair that we give something back. I personally am fine with allowing Google use of my data, but I do like to read exactly what they are allowed to do. That’s where I ran into trouble. more »

Image via Wikipedia

My monthly Biznology® Webinar yesterday was called “Global Social Media Marketing.”  I talked for 30 minutes about how to apply your social media strategy on a global scale.    Social media is becoming part of every marketer’s toolkit, but is your international marketing being left behind? The Web gives every customer a printing press that competes with yours, but are you reading what they are writing? Marketing has become a global conversation instead of a one-way message from the marketer. Sure, Twitter is important here, but how about in China? Do you know where the conversations are happening in each country market you’re in? Moreover, how do you decide which social media tasks should be done in headquarters and which should be done in each country? more »

If you want to succeed in running a kitchen for the homeless in Washington, DC, or have wildly successful social media marketing campaigns, it all comes down to one thing: do you respect and appreciate your guests? Do you cut-corners and just serve slop or do you prepare organic, healthy, and delicious meals with an obsession for presentation and taste?

I volunteer as sous chef at a Washington, DC, homeless kitchen. They serve fresh, organic dinners to folks who really need a healthy meal. Miriam’s Kitchen treats everyone who dines there as respected and honored guests. I have learned a lot about how to be a much better social media marketer as a direct result of working both in the kitchen as a sous chef and also as dining room captain. Can someone who isn’t in love with the taste of food be a top chef? You know what they say, “never trust a skinny chef.”

more »