Sounds like garbage to you? Then you need to read Duct Tape Marketing's guide “Beginner’s Guide to Using Twitter for Business”  You can learn how to:

1) Would you like a way to connect and network with others in your industry
or others who share you views? It’s a good a tool for that.
2) Would you like a way to get instant access to what’s being said, this
minute, about your organization, people, products, or brand? It’s a good
tool for that.
3) Would you like a steady stream of ideas, content, links, resources, and
tips focused on your area of expertise or interest? It’s a good tool for that.
4) Would you like to monitor what’s being said about your customers to help
them protect their brands? It's a good tool for that.

I tend to use Twitter only once in a while and mainly as an archive of thoughts or comments that are logged on the website HERE

If you use TWITTER or love or hate it tell us your comments …

 

Your solution = Particular>General>Particular

What? So What? Now What?

… guide the conversation

… what spreads wins

… Don't communicate, facilitate

… Information interchange – information is a one way street, conversation is not

… Communication is the transfer of emotion

All good concepts to adopt for daily interactions but easier said than done.

For more rigorous research and note taking I use Evernote and Clipmaks for extracts or for bookmarking – FURL (great as it saves an actual copy of the web page not just a link.) and Del.icio.us

What tools do you use to keep track of all the gems that you find across the web?

[NOTE: first published 23 April 2007 ]

 

I have to own up to being the author of one such campaign – Hands off our Coops!  The e-petition is powered by gopetition.com for free. The online software gives a good selection of management tools to keep track of thousands of signatures albiet with the ubiquitous (not too intrusive) google ads. There are many other on-line petition sites but this one seemed to me the most robust and easy to manage. The trick with  all such campaigns  is the  effectiveness of the  publicity – an existing network that can be set running virally is the key. Petitions supporting football issues seem to do this without any effort.

Have you used on-line petitions? Tell us your experiences and whilst you are at it  sign the "Hands off our Coops!" petition

 

* Research on, and analysis of, the relevant political issues of the day.

* Support for political briefing and contact activities.

* Identification of key decision makers and policy influencers.

* Strategic advice on the most effective means of approaching decision-makers.

* Help in creating strategic alliances and working with third parties.

* Early warning of forthcoming legislation and major policy initiatives.

* Web Page Editing and Content management

* Communication Management with members/clients using audio, video, weblogs, newsfeeds, email alerts and newsletters.

If POLICOMM could add value to your work and you want to 'make change happen' contact us and together we could design a strategy to meet and even exceed your goals.

 

This issue was recently addressed at a conference: the 5th International forum on Online Dispute resolution in Liverpool, England (I didn't attend) The conference adopted a Respect Pledge for use with Information and Communication Technology (ICT). I have signed up to this pledge.

In short I pledge to:

• communicate online with respect
• listen carefully to others in order to understand their perspectives
• take responsibility for their words and actions
• keep criticism constructive
• respect diversity and be tolerant of differences

We embrace full and open communication and recognize the unique opportunity for expression in the online environment. We support freedom of speech and reject censorship. These principles are not intended to address what ideas can be expressed, but rather the tone with which communications take place.”

If you communicate online I encourage you to take the pledge at Respect Pledge. Thank you

 Look at About POLICOMM for more information regarding our 'code of conduct'

 

The "Blue flower" is a symbol of today's Portugal: modernity, harmony, the oceans, transparency and openness to the future.

The petals are arranged freely but concentrically, symbolising the individual contribution of each Member State to the joint endeavour of building Europe.

At least the explanation is a little less pretentious than usual. What does the logo say for you?

Check out our previous 'logo' related posts:

http://policomm.info/listing/125/does-the-logo-says-it-all-for-you/

http://policomm.info/listing/234/the-logo-says-it-all/

 

A new dawn for Europe; new, new, new and change, change, change for the UK government and Tony Blair is off to the Middle East to form New Hamas and New Fatah.

You may be skeptical about real change happening or are optimistic for moving forward but the scenery and the arenas for influencing decision making are certainly different today or are likely to be in the near future.

These events of the past week or so offer opportunities for lobbysts and PR practitioners to recast their programmes to influence Public Affairs. Are we ready to do this and have we got the tools to make effect? Every new administration is keen to be seen to be listening to, consulting with and understanding what they now call their stakeholders. The new Europe and Gordon Brown's ministers will no different.

Strike now whilst the iron is hot and reset the networks of influence. Exploit the inexperience of the new brooms and use your experience and knowledge to get a foot in the door. All cliches, but in reality, its what your competitors who are worth anything will be doing.

Don't just rely on the blogs and Web2.0 apps, get in their faces and shake their hands. Be like a peacock and make a show! All the so-called advisors need the knowledge and they are keen to impress their new or not so new bosses. Make sure it is your message and is your network that is the one that is called upon to stand next to them and to guide the conversations.

 

Thanks … Ray

PS if any one has ideas how to fix the problem please do not hesitate to put your ideas in the comments.

UPDATE:

Problem seems to be resolved – a conflict with a plug-in (external links?) and an issue whether using www. or  not.

Let me know if problems continue to exist

 

Thanks for your patience!