Salma likes the Social Network

Last night, I watched The Social Network. What particularly struck me while watching the movie was how Mark Zuckerberg's character was depicted as socially-unadjusted. Perhaps the movie would sell better if he were painted in such an interesting light. Either it's an irony that the founder of the giant social network is socially unadjusted, or seen in a different light, it is the reason he founded facebook. Maybe Zuckerberg was so engrossed in cyberspace that he didn't know how to interact in the real world. But he was aware of how popularity and social circles worked in the real world, and he just thought it would be great to bring the "entire college experience" into the virtual world. He's right, alright, and I won't fuss any more about how great facebook is.

Another thing that got me thinking about the movie is how conventional business thinking is just not enough to make it in the IT industry, let alone make it big. I think that's where Eduardo Saverin is lacking. As Zuckerberg's most trusted friend, his financial acumen just wasn't enough. Saverin was actually able to earn $300,000 from smart investments during his undergraduate studies at Harvard, headed an investment organization, and graduated magna cum laude! But not enough.

It's also not enough to just have an idea or even the cash. Without a radical and clear vision and the geeky capacity to actually get it done, you'll just end up like a kid whose triple-layered ice cream fell on the ground before you even got the chance to actually lick it. Tsk, tsk, tsk... That's the tragedy endured by the twin rowers and their weirdo friend.

The movie also shows how important it is to keep one's image clean. There's really no distinction between business image, social image, or online image. So it's important not to be an asshole or to try being one in an effort to be cool (Zuckerberg), not to torture animals or seem like torturing one in an effort to conform (Saverin), and not to engage in anything illegal, no matter how innovative (Sean Peters' napster) or just plain stupid (the heroin bust implicating Peters).




Salma F. Angkaya
Entry #16

All About BROGAN.

Last week, I talked about color-empowering websites. Today, let's talk about the wonders (maximizing) online presence could do for businesses.

I came across two books by Chris Brogan (one is co-written with Julien Smith) discussing how social media could be used in brand development. (1) In Social Media 101, he discusses how one could build an effective blog and website, as well as how to monitor one's online reputation. After all, in the business world, negative publicity IS negative publicity. (2) In Trust Agents, they discuss how online tools are used to build "networks of influence" through key people who act as your trust agents.

In another related site, Chris also lists down the 50 ways marketers can use social media. And of course, the power of blogging. It's crucial for businesses to maintain an ongoing blog where they can talk about their company and what they have to offer in an engaging way.

Remember: hard selling is offensive, soft selling is classy.
*Practical application in the Philippine context to follow next week :)*

Disclosure: I am in no way related or affiliated with the said author. This blog entry is purely for information's sake, and not intended as a marketing move to promote his books. (But. Truth be told, it did achieve that effect as well, right?)

Entry No. 10
Rachelle Mayuga

Good News, Bad News

Here’s something to cheer you for the holidays—or not.

Good News: People who download illegally may seek refuge in a new business model. According to the New York Times, FreeAllMusic.com will allow users to download songs for free without any digital rights management restrictions. The only trade-off ? One has to first endure watching 15 to 30-second advertisements.

Bad News: It’s not available in the Philippines—at least, not yet.

But just as plagues like the A(nH1N1) reached Philippine shores in no time, there’s reason to hope that this business model will be available here soon.
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6th Entry
Ralph Vincent Catedral