The Power Of Twitter

Image via CrunchBaseI was interviewed by Mark Shaw @MarkShaw today as part of his series of Twitter Your Business Interviews.

You can listen to the full interview here.

One of the things that we both agree on, is that Twitter is a powerful, social networking tool and not just in the traditional sense.

We've seen just how powerful it can be in recent news headlines about who said or did what, as reported on Twitter -  super-injunction, stealth operation or not.  Breaking news now often happens on Twitter first and not the 24hr news channels.

On a smaller scale, Twitter can be just as powerful for you and your business.  It's about giving and sharing - the more you give and share, the more you'll get back in return.

• Respond to requests for information.
• Pass on requests (RTs).
• Share information and advice.
• Offer your words of wisdom.

Last week someone posted an urgent request for a photographer for her wedding the following day.  It got passed around the Twittersphere and within a few hours, she'd found a photographer - at the last minute, for a Bank Holiday weekend.

I've seen things like this happen time and time again.  People make a request or plea and within minutes or at the most a couple of hours, people on Twitter will come up with a number of referrals, recommendations, suggestions, options and support.

Paul Smith, otherwise known as @Twitchhiker, managed to hike to the other side of the world in just 30 days using the goodwill and generosity of the people on Twitter.

There aren't many means of communication that can be as instant, responsive and supportive.

What examples have you had of how Twitter has helped you or how you've helped others?

Related articles

• http://www.markshaw.biz/is-rfr-the-spirit-of-twitter/

The Phone Is Dead, Long Live The Phone

You might be thinking that landlines are on the way out and mobile phones are taking over and will become the communications method of choice.

Image by davinci.daniel via FlickrWhile mobile phones are great for being contactable when away from the office or away from your landline, they still have their issues, which means they have a way to go before landlines become a thing of the past.

Many people seem to function solely on their mobile phone - using it while at home and work, I still prefer the good old landline, especially as most of my work is done over the phone.

Reception is better.  Mobiles still sound like a mobile phone.  You can get cut off, especially if the person on the other end is on the move and moves out of range.

Signal strength varies.  Sometimes you get a full strength signal, sometimes none.  With a landline - it's always there (well, except for the occasional BT glitch).

It's cheaper - while many people may be questioning why they're paying for a landline - it's a relatively low cost when compared to mobile phone charges.  Low cost bundles include landline, broadband and free calls.  While mobile phone, all-in packages mean you get hundreds of texts and minutes - it comes at a cost.

International calls have improved.  In the past you'd hear an echo, there was a delay on the line and the call quality wasn't great or probably pretty poor.  Now we make an international call and the quality, speed and connection is as good as making a local call.

It's rare for people (especially those in business) NOT to have a mobile phone and we wonder how we survived without one.  When was the last time you used a phone box?

I'm not physically attached to my mobile phone.  I can switch if off, I do leave it behind at times, it's often on silent and I rarely answer business calls outside of working hours.  That said - my mobile phone isn't critical to my business for some people it is.

Which do you prefer?

Are you a mobile only person or do you use both?

Related articles

• Is this the death of the telephone? (guardian.co.uk)
• VIDEO: Have landlines lost their appeal? (bbc.co.uk)

Networking Tips #10 Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

There's a temptation when you go to a networking meeting to stick with people you know rather than talk to complete strangers.  You feel more comfortable, it's not as intimidating, you can catch up.

Aim to talk to 5-6 new people you don't already know.  This isn't too difficult, as most meetings are a couple of hours long.  Yes, it's great to catch-up and reconnect with people you know but balance this with meeting new people.

If you go with a colleague - split up.  You know what each other do - divide your time and speak to different people, you'll cover more ground than going around in pairs.

Talk to the new people who are possibly standing on their own looking a little lost.  Introduce them to people you know after you've had an initial chat with them.

Be bold.  Go up and introduce yourself to someone you don't know.

If there's a sit down meal involved or a presentation, sit next to someone you don't know.  You can swap notes with your colleagues later.

Go to a meeting you wouldn't normally go to.  While I like to balance this with not attending every meeting going.  Sometimes a fresh environment can bring surprising and rewarding results.

Related articles

• Networking Tips #9 - What To Say (clareevans.blogspot.com)
• Networking Tips #8 - What It Really Costs (clareevans.blogspot.com)
• Networking Tips #7 - Who To Talk To? (clareevans.blogspot.com)

Mental Health In The Workplace

Today's news stories have, yet again, highlighted the issues of mental health in the workplace and the very different attitudes that employees and employers have to those with mental health problems.

One person - admitted to their problems and then became the subject of ridicule and abuse from fellow employees.

Another person was supported by their management and able to continue with work, although they still had to take time off work.

An increasing number of people are having to take time off work with mental health problems and related illness. However, they're unlikely to talk about it and keep it hidden from both friends, family and their employer.

Health problems can vary from stress; mild to severe depression; post-natal depression; anxiety - leading to panic attacks and phobias; bi-polar/manic depression; personality disorders; drug or alcohol abuse related to mental health.

One in four of us will suffer from mental health problems at some time in our life.

Undiagnosed and untreated - mental health problems tend to get worse, resulting in poor performance, loss of productivity and increased absenteeism at work, which ultimately affects the bottom line.

Treatment varies from self-help for milder symptoms to mediation and psychiatric treatments.  There's a lot you can do to look after your own mental health.  Recognise the symptoms before they get worse.  Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you and your particular situation.

If you can or feel comfortable doing so - talk to your manager, HR or occupational health about your situation.

Don't suffer in silence and don't feel you're alone

Related articles

• Mental Health Problems in the workplace (Harvard Health Pulblications)
• Just how common are mental health problems? [Graham Wilson] (ecademy.com)
• Work related stress (Health and Safety Executive)
• Mental Health Foundation

May Newsletter: How To Give Your Business A Boost

It's not easy trying to find time to grow your business when you're just managing to get everything done in a day and working long hours as it is.

When your time is limited or if you want to avoid working long hours, evenings and weekends, it's important to know what works for your business.

Make sure you focus on the key activities that are really going to make a difference.

Read the rest of the article here.

Register for the free monthly newsletter and get additional tips, information and resources to help grow your business and improve your work life balance direct to your inbox once a month - www.clareevans.co.uk.

Related articles

• April Newsletter: How To Survive The Bank Holidays (clareevans.blogspot.com)
• March Newsletter: Never Be Late Again (clareevans.blogspot.com)

Twitter - To AutoDM or not to AutoDM

If you use Twitter you'll be familiar with AutoDMs - otherwise known as Automated Direct Messages.  These are the automated messages you receive within minutes or hours, whenever you follow someone.

It's possible to set this automation up in a number of Twitter related applications but what's the benefit and why do people do it.

Interestingly when I asked the question - most people hate AutoDMs - they see them as impersonal and too spammy.  Some dislike them so much, they'll unfollow the person when they receive it.

Personally I don't use AutoDMs - I did think about it and was thinking about it again recently but for me I prefer to send a new follower something a bit more personalised - although offering my free Time Audit could be seen as being 'spammy' in itself.

So if so many people hate AutoDMs and will actively unfollow - why do people do it?

What do you think - love it, hate it, use it?

Networking Tips #9 - What To Say

Image by Darwin Bell via FlickrSo, you've arrived, you've found someone to talk to, now what?

Talk about the event - have they been before, are they a member, do they know many people, have they come far ...?  All good openers.

Don't talk about you and your business and what a great job you can do for them.  That comes later.

One of the best things you can do at a networking event is to listen - ask open questions and get them to talk about themselves.

Find out about them - what are their challenges, what keeps them awake at night?  How are things going for them at the moment?

You can even talk about anything but business.  Weather is always a great topic of discussion - especially in this country!  Holidays, hobbies, interests - get to know them as a person.

After all - people do business with people they know, like and trust.

Webcast: Prioritising For Profit - Essential Time Management Strategies

Join me for this 45 minute info-packed webcast on 5th May at 2pm.



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