Blogs

Somewhere along the line it has become unappealing to let others see our emotions. More and more we rely on highly impersonal means – text messaging, social media and emails – to keep in touch but also to convey confidential information, conduct negotiations and build relationships. More and more we are talking at everyone but not really connecting with anyone.

Among the belly-flopping corgis, astonishing Indian Pole Gymnastics and Justin Bieber clips that rise to the top of YouTube's most watched clips on any given day, it's rare to find something of substance. That's why it's forever reassuring to witness the rise of an opinion that is not built on a sound-bite or caters to the common view.

Yesterday, we received the following 'pitch' through our editorial ideas submission form: "We are looking for a charismatic solo entrepreneur (or aspiring entrepreneur) to take part in an innovative documentary film project... available to travel overseas for up to two weeks sometime in the next couple of months." Sounds like fun.

It's been an election dull enough to bore even the most Machiavellian of political pundits. With nothing much ado on the frontlines, the only option left for those in the commentary box is to... well... comment on the commentators. Fortunately, in the era of digital media, analysis has never been more interesting.

It's been an election dull enough to bore even the most Machiavellian of political pundits. With nothing much ado on the frontlines, the only option left for those in the commentary box is to... well... comment on the commentators. Fortunately, in the era of digital media, analysis has never been more interesting.

Authenticity and trust will be two of the key cornerstones for corporate reputations in this Era of Responsibility. This will come not only from your policies and public pronouncements, but from the actions and beliefs of your employees.

“Like Big Brother they are inaccessible and omnipotent,” says Victoria Buckley through a statement distributed by AAP Medianet. You may wonder what got Victoria, the owner of the elite Victoria Buckeley Jewellery Company, so worked up? Well, it all started with the nipples of an enchanted doll making headlines the world over.

Based on dim-memory, subjective reasoning and a (slightly self-conscious) desire to create a traffic accumulating list of massive link bait longevity (like this one), we've created what we've (rather ambitiously) called, "The seven stupidest marketing stunts of all time." (The stunts are presented in no particular order.)

In his last article, marketing consultant Steven Howard argued that businesses must invest with a social purpose to win back the trust of consumers. Here, he continues his analysis of a recent worldwide survey on consumer preferences.

In his last article, marketing consultant Steven Howard argued that businesses must invest with a social purpose to win back the trust of consumers. Here, he continues his analysis of a recent worldwide survey on consumer preferences.

Picture it: a packed basketball stadium with fans going wild. It’s my son’s basketball grand final. There are four seconds on the clock. His team is down by two points. And he’s just been fouled – meaning he has two free throws. He makes his way to the free-throw line – the enemy of even the most accomplished NBA player. If he nets both shots, the game goes into overtime. If not, his team will lose the game.

Picture it: a packed basketball stadium with fans going wild. It’s my son’s basketball grand final. There are four seconds on the clock. His team is down by two points. And he’s just been fouled – meaning he has two free throws. He makes his way to the free-throw line – the enemy of even the most accomplished NBA player. If he nets both shots, the game goes into overtime. If not, his team will lose the game.

Yesterday, in Sydney, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Dell's Richard Binhammer. According to the company bio, he's "a core member of Dell’s Social Media Advisory Council and responsible for designing and implementing digital media and blog outreach, with a special emphasis on communities and corporate reputation." What does this mean? He's the guy largely responsible for Dell's pioneering moves in social media over the past four years.

Yesterday, in Sydney, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Dell's Richard Binhammer. According to the company bio, he's "a core member of Dell’s Social Media Advisory Council and responsible for designing and implementing digital media and blog outreach, with a special emphasis on communities and corporate reputation." What does this mean? He's the guy largely responsible for Dell's pioneering moves in social media over the past four years.

Imagine this... You are one of one hundred and thirty women walking into a room to learn about networking with men to gain board positions. As you walk in, you see the only male presenter standing there, smiling, next to the door. He is not directly in your way. However, he is standing just far enough from the doorway that you have to change direction to make your way around him to enter the room and find your seat. Do you make an effort to say hello or walk on by?

Four weeks ago, David Moore commenced his expose into the secrets of computer maintenance -- rules that are carefully guarded or simply too embarrassing to share. This week, he reveals some of the reasons computer technicians do what they do.

Today, the Twittersphere is alive with speculation over whether the controversial internet filtering policy will be ditched and what the future holds for Senator Conroy. The general consensus seems to be one involving a Cabinet shuffle, letting Conroy keep responsibility for the NBN and passing the Communications portfolio to fellow Labor Senator Kate Lundy. Many pundits would be pleased with this development. And so, it could also be argued, might the good Senator himself.

We've all heard the horror stories. Someone we know who has taken a photo of their privates, uploaded it to a web site to show their friends, only to be surprised when they become the darling of the Friday afternoon email set. A friend of a friend tweets about an evening's indiscretion and wonders just how the hell their partners, friends and partners of friends found out.

We've all heard the horror stories. Someone we know who has taken a photo of their privates, uploaded it to a web site to show their friends, only to be surprised when they become the darling of the Friday afternoon email set. A friend of a friend tweets about an evening's indiscretion and wonders just how the hell their partners, friends and partners of friends found out.

What's the difference between tragedy and comedy? According to Mel Brooks: "Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die." For the rest of us, the difference is usually just a matter of timing. Is it too soon to start making fun of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (also referred to as the BP Oil Spill)? Well that, according to the folk at UCBComedy, depends entirely on who you are making fun of.