As one example of B2B marketing teams aggressively managing the skillset transition, consider the example of Cisco starting to “badge” and reward its marketers on their social media impact. I wrote about this in a blog post on the Present and Future of B2B Social Media. See MLC’s resources on global marketing organization structure , and then get ready for new best practice case studies, showcase profiles and tools to help marketing leaders manage the global transition, due in Q1 2012. Each year, MLC surveys our members about their top challenges looking ahead.  Disruption. MORE >>

There continues to be momentum in the use of social media in the financial services industry. Last week, I wrote about what is happening in the futures industry and the impact of social media , but a host of other changes have shown that the industry is becoming an industry that understands the transition. While the industry has often been branded as a laggard in social media, there is growing evidence that firms have the people and processes in place to integrate the right tools. Are you ready for these five trends? Other voices: Julie Meredith, Radian6. MORE >>

'Despite the occasional “death of blogging” pronouncements (often made, ironically, in blog posts), blogs remain the core of a robust social media strategy. The proliferation of themes, tools and plugins have transformed blogs from mere online text collections to powerful interactive, rich-media sites that can attract, engage and educate your potential buyers. more here in 30 of the best business blogging guides and resources of the past year. Why You Want To Be the Last Blog Standing by Outspoken Media. Why Blog. Reporting that “the number of Inc. MORE >>

First let’s get the obvious trends off the table: Mobile, integration, location, group buying, privacy, tablets. Social Media “re-set&# – Some time next summer as the 2012 budget planning process commences, many marketing executives are going to look over their budgets and figure out they’re not getting any traction from their social media efforts. Companies leaped in simply because they were afraid of being left behind; They assigned ineffective resources to the task; The hyped expectations cannot possibly align with reality. MORE >>

A lot has been happening in the world of social media, and I do mean the world. 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. New research in late 2011 according to Burson-Marsteller shows Asia’s top companies double their social media presence (Slideshare) compared to 2010. Last year, Edelman published its study and infographic of Asia’s key digital and social media markets. Even European MBA programs have embraced social media. But what abo0ut Sina Weibo ? MORE >>