As a former gymnast, I am an Olympics nut. I’m pretty much going to turn into a couch potato for the next 2+ weeks. I wholeheartedly admire the athletes that represent any country and I believe in the spirit of the Games. Those of you who have competed in or committed to a sport in some shape or form know the discipline, persistence, sacrifices and hard work it takes to perfect a skill or improve your speed.

As I think about gymnastics, inevitably my mind starts drawing parallels between this graceful yet challenging sport and social media. Here are 8 lessons social media practitioners can learn from gymnasts.  Read More »

Tags: best practices, engagement, experiment, how to, Listening, London 2012 Olympics, social media, sports

Several months ago, we launched the Cisco Social Rewards loyalty program on blogs.cisco.com. Users can register via a social connection such as Twitter or Facebook. The program tracks behaviors and activities in order recognize and reward top participants of the site. We’d love to hear your feedback on how the program is performing as well as any suggestions you may have for future enhancements to the program. Read More »

Tags: contest, social media, Social Rewards, survey

In Part 1, I explained that both sides of the customer experience equation—what I am led to expect, and what I perceive I received—are both heavily influenced by today’s hyperconnected world. Let me recap briefly before I explain how we can approach customer experience in this new world.

Today, I can easily compare products across the globe—and get any number of reviews on your products versus any others. Perhaps even more influential are the social media networks, where those I listen to most—my friends—can quickly influence me and make or break your product. Read More »

Tags: Cisco, collaborate, collaboration, customer, customer experience, expectations, experience, hyperconnected, hyperconnectivity, IBSG, perceptions, rich media, social media, socialminer

By Steven Shepard, Contributing Columnist

In late spring of 2012 my friend Gary Martin and I attended a photography workshop in Death Valley. Rather than fly into Los Angeles from the east coast, we chose instead to drive from Gary’s home in western Wisconsin to California.

The trip took four-and-a-half days; we drove through Minnesota, where we had the pleasure of visiting the one-and-only Spam Museum (yes, there really is one; that’s an article for another time); South Dakota; Wyoming; Utah; a tiny sliver of Arizona; and the southern cone of Nevada, before we made our way into California.

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Tags: business technology, communications, photography, social media, social networking

My busy schedule allows no time for negativity or newsfeeds with an agenda.  Pinterest connects me to the brighter side of womankind.

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Tags: best practices, collaboration, internet generation, Pinterest, social media