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By Tai, June 27, 2009 1:34 pm

1.With Facebook, blogs, forums, Twitter and such, you and I - normal people - can make our voice heard. Just 5 years ago, we could not have possibly done that when mainstream media still dominated (via @TanNg).

2. Michael Jackson-related traffic doubled Twitter’s update frequency, tripled Facebook’s

The event of Michael Jackson is not an excuse to assess whether Facebook or Twitter has won , but an opportunity to see how many more people Social Media as a whole have conquered, and how much change Social Media have created.

Outcoming Influence, not Incoming traffic.

And appropriate collaboration would enlarge the pie for all.

3. The event clears doubts of the power of Social Media (via baekdal)

4. Michael was a true Innovator (via @xoai). He invented the shoes for Anti-gravity lean

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By Tai,

When more analysis brings more risks

It is frequently equated that more analysis reduces the risks in decision making. However, there exist cases that the more analysis is done, the more risks are produced.

1. When analysis slows down decision making

Excessive analysis can slow down decision making.

Early mover advantage is shattered and thus, more risks are introduced in the rivalry.
Excessive efforts for analyzing data and networking for relevant information increase costs and make the firm less competitive.
The longer it takes for analysis especially networking, the higher the probability of information leakage is.

2. When analysis increases sunk investment

Investment in R&D, analysis and innovation initiatives become sunk investment.

While these practices are increasingly seen in strategic perspective as opportunities drivers, they are still viewed as fixed costs in traditional accounting perspective.

Accounting risks are reflected in risk assessment of the firm nevertheless.

3. When analysis conflicts with intuition

Imagine you’re an ambitious entrepreneur and your intuition whispers so powerfully “go for it!” while analysis shouts “don’t!”.

Conflict in communication and conflict in roles (especially in startups) are inevitable.

4. The risk of structure and process

More mature enterprises have structures, processes, role definition and division of labor in place. The risk of this is people fulfiling their roles can lock themselves within their frames and aggressively defend their ideas.

Analysts might hinder certain innovative, risk-taking efforts. The risk of politicking decision making is also a concern.

Insights

In short, these examples prove that analysis and risk taking are not mutual exclusive. They are not on the two ends of a string, but intertwines at some points.

What to do

Roles

Know your roles and your workmates roles. Respect their standing and seek mutual understanding.

Some smaller firms don’t hire professional analysts, so one person can take multiple roles. In this case, techniques like the six thinking hats can be helpful.

Blended decision

In the blurry literature cases of uncertainty, an advice is often to balance different views. This does not recommend a ’straight’ balance of determinant factors. What should be aimed for is a wise mixture of practices in lights of the situations. At the end of the day, your logical mind and judgement are best.

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By Tai, June 20, 2009 6:57 pm

1. Know how to read profiles

Why

People have profiles on Facebook and reading their profiles saves you from asking unnecessary questions.

How

See the Tabs on a profile named “Wall”, “Info”…?

Simply click on Info.

2. Create a Page, not a Group for your business

Why

1. A group is not intended for promoting stuffs
2. One person can normal only join 200 groups (though the cap is lifted for some), while the number of Pages a person can be fan of is unlimited
3. You have promotion options & free data analytics for a Page

How

Use this link

http://www.facebook.com/business/dashboard

3. Skip the invitation form on applications

Why

Sending unsolicited application invitations is annoying and sometimes considered spam.

Many applications prompt you to invite people just before releasing results. But did you know an option to skip that is required by Facebook that the application creators must follow?

How

Look for the “Skip” button somewhere in the form. The application creators always try to hide it, but you can find it, I bet.

4. Join networks

Why

1. It gives people an impression of who you are. Look at my screenshot, you have the knowledge without asking me
2. Because networks require authentication, joining networks certifies your legitimation.
   For example, some people enter “Harvard” in their college field while they can’t even write a proper English sentence.
3. However, some networks don’t require an email, so virtually anyone can join. Beware
4. Joining networks expose you to more search options, as Facebook search would search for people in Networks
5. It makes it easier for your friends to do the following things because if your friend has two “Tai Tran” in your friend list, s/he won’t know which “Tai Tran” is the person s/he’s looking for
   • Search for you
   • Tag you in photos, notes, videos
   • Invite you to events

How

Use this link: http://www.facebook.com/editaccount.php?networks

Or

1. Hover over “Settings” on the top right corner
2. Select “Account Settings”
3. Select tab “Networks”

5. Use privacy settings

Why

Many of my friends deactivate their Facebook accounts as they felt that their privacy is affected.

The truth is Facebook provides very good privacy settings so you can choose to expose certain information to only the people you designate.

How

Use this link: http://www.facebook.com/privacy

Or

1. Hover over “Settings” on the top right corner
2. Select “Privacy Settings”

6. Use your real name

Why

People will want to

• Search for you
• Tag you in photos, notes, videos
• Invite you to events

If you use your nick name, you make it hard for your friends.

How

Use this link: http://www.facebook.com/editaccount.php

Or

1. Hover over “Settings” on the top right corner
2. Select “Account Settings”

7. Upload a real photo of yourself to your profile picture

Why

Because being on Facebook is about being who you are.

Using your real photo makes it easier people to

• Search for you
• Tag you in photos, notes, videos
• Invite you to events

How

1. Go to your profile
   • by selecting “Profile” or “Your Name” on the top menu bar
2. Hover over your profile picture
3. Select “Change Picture”

8. Write on people’s Wall, not comment on anything available to you

I have had some people comment things on my status what should be on my Wall. This happens as my status appears on their newsfeed which is the Facebook homepage.

Why

Because information should go where they are meant to be.

Imagine you comment “Hi! Nice day!” on a status of someone who is mourning “My brother is in hospital”. How would you look in front of people?

How

1. Go to their profile
2. Write on their Wall
3. If it’s private, send them a private message

Bonus

Well this is a personal practice only. Facebook has a birthday reminder and I make use of it. However, I’m not online 365 days so sometimes I’d rather wish you happy birthday a few days ahead just in case I don’t go online on the exact date of your birthday. I hope you understand

Conclusion

These are basic, but they save you from appearing awkward. Many more on how to optimize your efforts on Facebook have been written and are coming.

If you enjoy this, connect to me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/taitran

What about you? What tips do you want to share?

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By Tai, June 16, 2009 8:42 pm

The Stream

We’re living in the stream era.

Twitter, FriendFeed, Facebook newsfeed, Tumblr … all feed our frenzy for stream.

And some scream at the Wave for breaking the simplicity and authenticity of the Stream…

What is the feeling of those living in the stream?

A glance at the details

How about you? What do you think/feel about living in the stream?