As our business expands and we look to reach our customers around the world I’ve been reading more about the growth of social media globally. Using social networking sites in B2B businesses? A lot has been happening in the world of social media, and I do mean the world. As many B2B companies move into using more social and digital tools we continue to read about case studies involving the big three — LinkedIn , Twitter and Facebook. But what abo0ut Sina Weibo ? Orkut ? Renren ? Are these networks a part of your strategy? Do you know who they reach and what they do? MORE >>

In terms of personal skills to develop, respondents feel they need to focus mostly on developing relationships outside of the business (23%) and presentation skills (22%). At the bottom of the list were developing business acumen (13%) (see my previous post on business acumen ) and creating/engaging writing (8%). Getting Your Degree in Business Acumen. I was fortunate enough to be invited to and attend an event last week hosted by VMA Group in London rolling out the latest survey results of communicators in the financial services industry. The Trust Economy. MORE >>

Using social networking sites in B2B businesses? One of the myths around B2B communications is that the industry lacks creativity – or the drive to be creative. can’t think of anything that’s farther from the truth. And while it’s true that B2B companies don’t buy the flashy Super Bowl ads or use various mascots to win over customers, we are challenged day in and day out to think differently. Another Lego creation at home. Just like with B2C companies, creativity can be driven by a company’s culture. But there are some rules and guidelines to follow. MORE >>

As a life-long student of economics, I decided to focus my byline on how trust is becoming more and more part of the business equation. If you like this post you may also enjoy: Getting your degree in “Business Acumen”. Last month I was asked to contribute to the London-based magazine CorpComms — a must read magazine for practitioners who work for organizations. ’ We need to understand that success in social media will be different for all of us. Trust is complex and confusing. It can be dangerous to an organisation’s reputation when mismanaged. MORE >>

encourage you to think about what you want to accomplish, how you plan to achieve it and how does it fit with the overall strategy of the business. If you enjoyed this you may also enjoy reading: Getting Your Degree in Business Acumen. There’s a lot to be said for comparing social media strategies these days and supporting your favorite team in sports. In fact, much of the reason sports teams do so well in using social media is that they understand the value of a loyal following. How are you attracting and keeping fans? You are What You Read. MORE >>