Go Big Always

I’d have to argue that the environment in which we currently reside is a much different one than the one in which Scoble “became a household name,” or perhaps more appropriately “a geek household name.”

Not necessarily easier or harder in terms of social media. Just different.

While it seems that the power to talk and debate with millions of people is more accessible than ever, that also translates into a lot more noise than there ever has been.

That said, one thing remains consistent: Scoble says interesting–and sometimes inflammatory–things. And that makes him a center of conversation. And I see that quality in many of these folks, as well.

Interestingness(?) is not a product of technology or position. But it is what helps folks like you and the others listed rise above the fray.

Important and impressive posts all around. The hard work of smart voices getting some credit and is deserving of congratulations. Your list includes not only Jive evangelists, but also important voices across the collaboration board. Guy Kawasaki talks about lowering barriers to adoption by embracing the evangelists. He mentions the very definition of evangelists: “Bringing the good news”. Keep brining the good news Sam.

Aww, thanks for the link love! I’m honored! I hope my contributions to the global social media conversation are useful, and entertaining. Let’s get more people talking, so we avoid group-think… diverse voices breed innovation, I hear.

Wow, thanks for the mention and thank you for the list we are sometimes so involved in our own worlds we lose track of the other great people striving to make the conversations happen.

I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say - hey stop by and have a chat!

Thanks, Sam. Appreciate the recognition.

I think the second order question is, and what has the result been from all this social media evangelism. In your case, your blog and twitter presence has two effects: 1) raising awareness of Jive and your role there, in a very positive way, and 2) extending the reach of Jive and making the organization seem larger than it is. Both of those are really positive.

As for what I think the result has been for me, you’ll have to wait for me to hit “publish” on a blog entry in a few minutes

Sam - first of all, congratulations. No big surprise RRW chose to feature you in their write up. Your posts are always so thoughtful and engaging. I frequently mention your blog as a “must read” to friends who are interested in social media. It’s nice to see you get props for all your great work.

Second, I am not only honored to be mentioned on your blog but humbled to be included in the company of so many other rock star bloggers (including my colleague Jim who is a kick ass blogger). Thank you for the shout out.

Best,
Aaron (@astrout)

Sam, this is all good stuff. The whole “new Scoble” thing is just a shorthand for describing a highly-open, opinionated person who is public about their role in an organization.

In many orgs, the thought of allowing the level of open-ness you and the others @marshallk points to is seriously taboo. Accepting the risk and reward is a shift that is going to take some time, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It takes people like you and the other “new Scobles” to make the mistakes that will shape the future of corporate communication. Yeah there will be gaffes, but I can’t think of a better set of people to make them (and recover).

Just for clarification, when I said household name, I meant Microsoft, not Scoble. I think there are a lot of great things going on in social media and you note a lot of folks who are doing things well. But consider this… if someone started doing the same types of things you’re doing, except they worked for Google, who can deny that they would become more widely-known than someone doing it from within Jive?

That said, I’m glad you’re not trying to become an A-lister, or Scoble, or famous, or whatever. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and the right folks will follow.

Congrats, Sam! And I really mean that sincerely. I wish that I had more free time to blog, tweet, or participate in our community forums. You might be surprised that I actually agree with many of your ideas and viewpoints. We probably even have much of the same objectives with respect to helping our respective customers become more agile, productive, and innovative. The key difference is in our approaches on how to get our customers there. If we were to switch roles with each other, I suspect that we wouldn’t do anything different from what the other person is currently doing.

Hi Sam! What a great honour, my friend! Thanks for the link love and for putting together that list. It is actually rather funny that most of the folks you have been putting together as well in there are folks I have been following through their blogs, their tweets and whatever else for a while and somehow it feels like it is coming around home once again. One of the things that makes it really worth while for me to engage with all of these folks and whoever else whom I share a common passion with is the fact that you bring in a new round of fresh air with their own unique experiences, talent, passion, knowledge and expertise, to in the end make a huge difference of a conversation.

That is the whole point, to me, from all of this social media and why, despite having done it for the last 5 years, it still keeps me busy and still love it. It is through this social computing stuff that I get to meet, share, discuss and participate in conversations with an incredible amount of great talent. Talent that otherwise I would have missed all along!

So keep it up, Sam! Thanks for the link love once again, and see you online and very soon in person, I would hope! Thanks!

Atlassian do a bit of blogging: founder Mike Cannon-Brookes at http://blogs.atlassian.com/rebelutionary/ and President Jeffrey Walker at http://radiowalker.wordpress.com/ …

Thanks Sam! I appreciate the mention and link. You’re doing great things, and it’s good to be in such good company!

Ed Brill made two good points about the value of blogging, twitter, etc. raising awareness, and I think that’s what really matters here. Unlike traditional marketing where it’s a one way street and an org is trying to push a message at people, we’re building an environment where quality ideas, discussion of approaches, and interaction are the focal points.

That’s a heck of a lot more fun, and long lasting, than just being “on message.”

Cheers,
Stewart

Sam, as a master of acknowledgment of others, its good to see you getting well deserved public voicing of that same stuff you dole out so generously. Like Elusa I’m beginning to feel a real familiarity with some of these “names” and enjoy learning from them. In fact, I found myself quoting Elusa’s blog comment above in our own community forum threads this morning. Interestingly, when you step out of your own culture, firewall and the safety of your peeps, there are great learning opportunities. Your list provides other folks to learn from and with. Thanks. I’m honored to be thought of in this company.

Sam - thanks for the kudos - I appreciate it! Congrats on the recognition from Marshall. I love that we can compete with a high level of respect, appreciation and admiration. I look forward to continuing our mutual approach to sharing as our companies help others improve their businesses through people-powered social networking.

Keep up the great work! @mwalsh

Enterprise and the Twitter feature……

The topic of Twitter and the Enterprise is popping up yet again, as well it should - Twitter as a “feature” is ideal for quick and concise communication, it’s the water cooler, coffee corner and lunch room all at once and more reliable than any I …..

[…] Pode parecer que estou falando de um cenário de ficção científica, que Scoble seja o nome de um E.T., mas não só existem evangelistas atuando profissionalmente como eles estão em empresas respeitáveis. Este artigo listou sete, vou apresentar alguns e você pode conhecer outros ainda aqui. […]

Wow — I made your short list! I’m honored!