Posted by Shaun Callahan
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:57:00 GMT
Besides being a great song from the old Schoolhouse Rock series, “3 is a Magic Number” is a great rule of thumb when trying to analyze something.
1 is so absolute, (and according to Three Dog Night, is the loneliest number).
2 puts you in an either / or dilemma but
3 actually gives you some choices.
That being said, here are 3 sets of 3 ways to look at this whole Web 2.0, Social Media, Social Networking thing:
3 Types of Networkers Online Today
1. Those looking to find something.
2. Those looking to be found.
3. Those looking to collaborate to get things done.
Those who are looking to find use search engines, read blogs and usually have very little of their profiles complete on social networks.
Those looking to be found, try to be at the top of search listings through SEO, write blogs and usually have very lengthy and extensive profiles on social networks.
Those looking to collaborate and get things done create Groupsites on CollectiveX where they invite others who can help them achieve their goal collectively.
3 Reasons People Are Creating Social Networks
1. Get credit
2. Get paid
3. Get things done
Those who only want to get credit believe they must private label their own social network so they are seen as the place to be. Many believe if they built it (and brand it) they will come.
Those who only want to get paid see the social networking craze as a gold rush where profits come to those who move quickly and take advantage of the buzz.
Those who want to get things done are looking for tools to help them be more effective, regardless of who gets the credit and most realize that using social collaboration is a means to an end which will help them get paid doing whatever they do best.
3 Types of CollectiveX Groupsites
1. Private – Not visible to non-members (80% of our clients)
2. Public – Everything is visible to non-members except member profiles
3. Limited – Only Summary page is visible to non-members.
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Posted by Shaun Callahan
Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:37:00 GMT
Enhanced Groupsites
CollectiveX users are always coming up with great features and functionality they’d like to see in a Groupsite to take group engagement to an even higher level. Our design challenge is to incorporate these powerful new features in a way that keeps the user experience simple and intuitive.
We’ve been working diligently. I’m pleased to announce that next-evolution Groupsites will release in July 2008! I can’t describe a user experience (by definition, it is yours). But, it’s gonna be really cool!
Here’s what’s coming:
- A new look, including a redesigned menu bar. To make it even easier for you to navigate and use your Groupsite. This new design also allows Groupsite Managers to add more features and functionality to a Groupsite without crowding its simple navigation structure.
- New features, including integrated blogging, tagging, new calendar views and an eMail Blast archive.
New features—and modified existing tools—will improve your ability to communicate, share and network. Many of the new features will also enhance your ability to locate and view content.
- Improved “My CollectiveX Network” views, with filtering capabilities.
Create exactly the views you need to locate information or stay organized – for any, some or all of the Groupsites you participate in.
- New features, for Groupsite Managers: customizable content modules, role-based permissions tagging, site customization and more.
To give you more flexible options and to make group engagement even easier.
- More bells & whistles.
A feature or two to surprise our geeks and techies, and expand Groupsite capabilities.
Of course, you won’t need to download anything to use enhanced Groupsites. Once they launch, you’ll just log in as usual and all of the new features and benefits will be there.
GETTING UP TO SPEED
To make it easy for you to learn the new features, we’ll be posting a “What’s New” page. This page will appear when you first log-in after enhanced Groupsites are released. At that time, we’ll also have FAQs for you to reference.
Any questions or concerns about this transition? Tell us by emailing support@collectivex.com.
We appreciate the opportunity to continue serving you – and, look forward to even better things happening with enhanced Groupsites!
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Posted by Shaun Callahan
Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:57:00 GMT
Stephen Gould is the Associate Director of NETWORKS! Out & Equal™ Workplace Advocates. He’s been traveling like a madman, but graciously took time to share with me this quick story about Out & Equal’s success with CollectiveX:
“Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is a national non-profit organization that works with employees, organizations, employee resource groups and HR/diversity officials to help create workplaces that are inclusive for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Our flagship event, the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, occurs once a year, and draws nearly 3,000 participants. We also have 12 volunteer-based regional affiliates, all of which are hosting educational and networking events.
Out & Equal had been searching for an online solution that would not only help us streamline communications for all of our affiliates and the national organization, but also be a way to take the incredible excitement that occurs at our annual event, and keep that momentum going throughout the year – or, as I call it, the “in-between times.” However, our community of constituents also have issues of both personal and corporate privacy. They also require that any online group they join be professional, goal-oriented and easy-to-use.
After searching for over a year for an online network that would connect our diverse constituents from all over the globe, I had reached the point where I didn’t think that all of our needs would be met. (I had looked at Ning, Hivelive, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google groups, Yahoo! groups and a host of others—all which were either too open, too cluttered, too restrictive, or didn’t give me the flexibility as the owner to really own the information that was in the group.) I was prepared to make some serious compromises in the months before we were due to launch, until I found CollectiveX.
CollectiveX has allowed us to easily create groups that are secure and private, and not only are easy and fun to use, but are designed to eliminate clutter for our busy professionals (in many industries and job areas), and be functional and fun. We have just hit a milestone with 1,000 users across over 15 Groupsites, and they are growing. Our affiliates are using lots of different features, including RSS feeds from blogs and other news. Yet our constituents are able to choose what they like, get work accomplished and make connections not only in their regions, but across the globe.
We are excited to see how CollectiveX moves forward and are excited to move forward with it.”
- Stephen C. Gould, Associate Director of NETWORKS!
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
San Francisco, CA
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Posted by Shaun Callahan
Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:34:00 GMT
Today’s Manager Tip comes from Torin Ellis, creator of the Monday Mover Groupsite at mondaymover.collectivex.com.
Torin shares:
“Monday Mover is a unique group of professional strangers. While 80% of CollectiveX groups today are private, Monday Mover is a public, professional group. Anyone can join. We’re vibrant and productive, but also growing “not in the typical group” kind of way. We don’t have a pre-existing connection or association from which we spring.
Knowing that going in, I developed a solid process to keep members engaged after joining. From day one, I’ve found that consistent and demonstrative communication is extremely effective. I send an email blast to my entire group every Monday. Every message includes a few things each of them can do to become more engaged with the group and see a greater return on involvement. I then try to follow my own advice by being a regularly active member myself.”
Here are some examples of Torrin’s messages to his group…
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Posted by Shaun Callahan
Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:15:00 GMT
Since our goal is to allow groups to communicate, share and network, we’re delighted to find that many Groupsites begin primarily as a place to share files and documents. Groups choose CollectiveX because they can share files, instantly and hassle-free, without requiring consultants’ services or lengthy training before participants can actually begin collaborating.
Our Files & Media section allows you to easily upload files (docs, presentations, PDFs, photos, etc.) so they can be shared with the group.
You can create New Folders to keep these files organized, and search your files. Our search function not only searches the titles of the files, but also does a word search within the documents themselves, making it easy to find what you want.
Another effective way to make use of document sharing within a Groupsite is to attach files within a discussion. When in the “Discussion” tab and you are either creating a new topic or replying to one, simply click the paper clip icon (all the way to the right on the Basic Editor tab) and you can attach any file you like.
A free Groupsite comes with 25 megs of file storage space. When you need more, you can add 3 gigs easily for only $9/month (available under the “Manager” tab then the “Account/billing” subtab.)
This space is only used when you upload files. The following Groupsite activities do not take up file storage space:
- Member profiles
- Shared calendars
- Discussion forums (unless you attach files)
- Email blasts
- Private messages
- Embedded video
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Posted by Shaun Callahan
Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:12:00 GMT
How do you make Groupsites most effective? Invite the right people in. The strongest groups include like-minded people who share in their beliefs. Power and passion spring forth. Energy grows. More things happen.
Do you know others like you, who share your interests or values? If your Groupsite settings allow, send that person an invite. If not, raise your hand – shoot a message to your Groupsite Manager. You’ll see, and have a hand in making, even better things happen.
If your group allows all members to invite others, you will see an “Invite” tab at the top of the page.
Clicking this tab will take you to the page where you can type in the email address of the person you want to invite as well as customize the personal message. Once complete, simply hit Submit.
If you group is not set to allow members to invite others, you can use the Feedback link at the bottom left of any page to reach the Groupsite’s Manager.
Quality matters. Consider the purpose of each Groupsite and invite those who you feel will make a valuable contribution to the group. You don’t need to connect all of the dots; just those that will help your group make things happen.
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