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Google + My Thoughts

Posted By Vanessa Mentor as communications, on the web

Posted 07.12.2011

This past month Google launched the much anticipated Google+, the social networking site that is said to finally be competition for Facebook. As with most Google products Google+ is currently invite-only during this initial launch. Like most people who are into this sort of thing I was (impatiently) awaiting an invitation. Saturday morning I finally got it. These are my initial thoughts on the new kid on the block.

Sealed with a K.I.S.S. – The look and feel of this site is very simple and clean. The Keep It Stupid Simple principle is most certainly applied. With social networking the content is driven by users whose content cannot be anticipated. Keeping the site design simple allows the website to avoid looking cluttered.

Easy Catch – The usability of the site is also pretty intuitive. The different sections on the site all have catchy names that make it easy for you to associate them with their purpose. All your updates and friends updates can be found on the Stream, Your friends can be found and grouped together in the Circles section, conversations happen over in the Huddle, and Spark is the section dedicated to showcasing and discovering things that interest you – a strategic repurposing of Google’s all powerful search. Finally if you need some face time with a friend or two head on over to the Hangout section for video chatting.

Seamlessly Annoying – Since this is a Google product naturally the site seamlessly integrates all your Google accounts into your profile. No need to upload pictures. Your Picasa (soon to be Google photos) automatically feeds into your Google+ account. As much as I enjoy having one less thing to do this ended up being even more of a hassle as I had to go into my Picasa account and change the visibility settings to a ton of my albums.

Out of Business – If you are wondering how and if your company should set up a Google+ account the only answer is no. Google has yet to open up the new site to businesses and brands and in this early stage most users are just familiarizing themselves with the network and are more focused with building their personal circles.

Even though Google+ isn’t a place for brands just yet I think Google definitely has the clout to make this a top contender in the social networking scene which in the future could lead to a new venue for online advertising. I encourage you to bookmark the site and keep your eye on it for future marketing opportunities.. In the interim take note on Google’s simple, clean, and catchy approach to social networking which is a + in my book.

Tags: blue daring, blue daring consulting, business, chicago, Creating a buzz, creating buzz, facebook, google, google+ for business, marketing, social media, social networking, usability, Vanessa Mentor, vmentor
Posted in communications, on the web | No Comments »

It Takes Work to Look This Good

Posted By Vanessa Mentor as branding, communications

Posted 08.04.2009

My sister is all about working out these days. She is pretty fanatical about the gym and if she misses a day of working out I can read the panic all over her face. I’ve never been much of a gym rat so I always give her a hard time about it. “It’s just one day what’s the big deal?”, I say. This always triggers her to go into a whole shtick about the importance of consistency in a workout plan; as the younger sister I hate to admit she is right.

I’ve mentioned before how a company’s identity is much like a person. Imagine then that a company’s brand is the equivalent of a person’s physical appearance. In either case, time is invested to ensure that the appearance of said person (or company) is reflective of the person within. Let’s assume for Company X; this means professional, efficient, and intelligent. Great. Now let’s say an employee of said company sends a customer a proposal. They aren’t quite sure how to futz with the formatting on Word and send over a document with a logo thats been distorted just out of proportion. It’s just one document; they can fix it tomorrow, right? WRONG! Although the document can be fixed tomorrow, the impression made on the customer cannot. A strong brand identity means being consistent; no exceptions.

No matter how small, inconsistencies ruin a brand’s integrity and more importantly a company’s credibility. A company that shows a lack of detail and consistency in its own matters, is evidencing to its customers that it wouldn’t do much better with theirs. Further, with companies taking advantage of social media and the Internet (two channels that can easily run uncontrolled), setting guidelines to how your brand is represented cross media, is of even greater importance. Similar to missing one day in the gym; a company that fails to convey its brand consistently risks a wasted investment and even a risk. To you look good (and be successful); you have to work (consistently!). Doing so will give your brand power and a positive perception that is sure to differentiate your company from the rest.

Tags: blue daring, blue daring consulting, brand integrity, branding, business, chicago, identity, image, logo, marketing, people, social media, twitter
Posted in branding, communications | 2 Comments »

The Importance of Umbrellas

Posted By Vanessa Mentor as branding, communications

Posted 04.15.2009

These past couple days here in Chicago the weather has been so off and on. One second it’s a sunny spring day and than out of nowhere it becomes a rainy cloudy mess. Carrying an Umbrella has become a must have! You might be asking what does this have to do with marketing. I’m not being a stereotypical weather complaining Chicagoan in vain. Bare with me folks the aha moment is about to happen!

It is becoming more and more common that we are seeing clients whose main brand and vision are becoming diluted in a sea of departments, subdivisions and initiatives. Your company’s strategic marketing is that reliable umbrella I just mentioned.

Having a good strategic marketing plan and brand standards is critical to any organization that has many sub divisions because it helps protect your main identity’s integrity as well as connects the achievements and successes of your subdivisions that fall under the umbrella. Taking these steps is beneficial when marketing to your end consumer. Your target audience can’t grasp who you are if you are sending them a storm of different messages. A good umbrella helps everyone brave the showers and all that is left to do is sit back and wait for the spring flowers (or business opportunities) to blossom.

Tags: branding, chicago, marketing, strategic marketing, umbrella
Posted in branding, communications | No Comments »