Improving productivity through teamwork
Recent changes have enabled me to work more closely with the Project Managers at Fusework Studios. Part of this transition has required all of us to get to know each other a little better and get better at teamwork. One of the most important tasks at hand was to find a way to increase productivity to keep up with the current workload as well as the new work filtering in to the company. Most of this work required web development and this required us as a team to work on a system to be able to support our clients in a positive manner.
Use your corporate blog as an extension of your business
I often get asked why would a business write a blog. I often reply "Why not?" Corporate blogging can give a business a new voice and way to communicate with its customers beyond the traditional norms that business was once operated under. The world has gone social with blogging, social media and everything in between.
Streamlining communication
You often hear about companies or people that don't communicate enough. This is frustrating because not enough information is flowing back and forth between key roles, and when information is needed it simply is not there. There is a point in which too much communication can be just as costly or even more costly. The question is where do you draw the line to determine there is too much communication? Joe Spolsky from Inc. magazine asks how hard could it be to streamline communication?
When was the last time you scheduled a meeting and invited eight people instead of the three people who really needed to be there simply because you didn't want anyone to feel left out? When was the last time you got into a long discussion over the color palette for the new brochure with a programmer, who has nothing to do with the brochure but sure knows that he doesn't like orange?
Joe Spolsky believes these are symptoms of a common illness: too much communication.
Seth Godin: Modern Procrastination is right on
Seth Godin speaks to the staff and I at Fusework Studios in a lot of ways. He has made great points in marketing and how to design Web sites to maximize conversion. In my position as a programmer he hasn't spoken a great deal to me personally, but a friend of mine had posted a link to this article about modern procrastination that absolutely caught my attention.
I feel this article is right on about any modern workplace. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed and that you're always busy. Once you finish a project you're immediately on to the next task. Then add the distractions of social networking, and then you're doing all you can to keep your head above water.
Corporate blogging to win search
The trend for most businesses is corporate blogging to win search. The funny thing I'm beginning to learn is that you don't have to have some profound "ah-ha" blog post every single time you write. The key is to focus on the keywords that will drive the traffic through search engines to your corporate blog. There is still no reason to use only keywords and write complete jibberish, but the keywords need to be prominent and early in the post.
What kind of business are you looking for?
I sat down and thought about where I work. I work at Fusework Studios. I thought about the hard things that most people don't think about. The question I asked myself was "What kind of business would I want Fusework Studios to be?"
So I prepared a list of things that I look for in a business that I work for or that I'd run. I think this exercise really helps to find out if you're the fit for a company or the company fits you. Here are some things that come to mind for myself:
Building a Web based strategy around search engine marketing
Business blogging has been becoming much more important in a solid Web based strategy. The reason for this is search engines are favoring content that is not only relevant but new and fresh. This fresh content tells search engines that you are actively putting out information to your visitors on a regular basis. This encourages them to send their users to those sites or blogs because they know it is much more likely the visitor gets what they want and will return or spread the word how reliable they are. It becomes the "quid pro quo" relationship between businesses and search engines.
Why “I’ll do it tomorrow” is not good for blogging
Search engines give more attention to fresh, new content. It's that simple.
If you're a business looking to start corporate blogging or may already have a blog you're most likely attempting to do so to keep your customers abreast of news and innovation within your industry. You may also be doing so to give a personal touch that surpasses your corporate exterior to develop trust. With each day that you miss putting out another blog post you are actually missing on an opportunity to build your business or your online brand presence.
Just as you wouldn't choose to follow the tactic of "we'll take today off and be open tomorrow" you should apply the same reasoning behind corporate blogging. Every well-defined blog post you write opens so many opportunities. Here are a few:
- Search engines will view your blog as active and may begin to give it a little more attention and higher ranking.
- Every defined post acts as a door or window that a customer can see into to find out more about your company.
- By focusing on your business and your customer in relation to the post it can be a lead generator.
- Practice. It will never hurt to write about your business or industry.
- Create a personal touch with your customers.
I have fallen victim to "I'll do it tomorrow" when it comes to this blog. I regret it when I realize I have several days in between posts. I know that every day that I miss an opportunity to write I miss a chance to connect with you.
What are some ways you have taught yourself to stay current in your blogging habits?
Why Web developers must understand business too
I see and hear about it too often. The typical stereotype of a Web developer or software engineer is a pocket-protector, glasses, algorithms, socially awkward and tends to be an introvert. These individuals are generally portrayed as out-of-touch when it comes to how their work truly has an impact on the business of their company. The guy portrayed to the right still rings true in modern pop-culture on what a nerd, Web developer or software engineer is like.
During my tenure at Ball State University I primarily studied code, applications and databases. I was completely on my path to Nerd City (does not really exist...I think). I opted to also study Information Systems Management to get a better feel for how IT and software engineering really impacts business. I actually saw quite the dynamic between most engineers I was studying with and the students that took the Information Systems Management courses. The students in IS Management generally understood practical business applications of IT and software engineering more than those who did not study IS.
Why is this important? I am always trying to find ways for the work I do to have a positive impact or effect on my company and our clients. Understanding practical business elements of a project it harnesses my focus to deliver more reliable code in the end. Many times Web developers and software engineers can get so hammered by the details of classes, objects, third-party applications, algorithms and the question of "does it work" rather than "why does it need to work"?
If you are in Web development or software engineering try to take a moment on the next project and think why does this client need this feature? The answer will almost inevitably give you more focus and a better understanding of what you need to do. The steps will become more clear on how to get to the end result. The question of "does it work" is still important in the end as you don't want to deliver a product that simply fails, but the question of "why does it need to work" will expand your insight on a project to catch potential traps or better methods to deliver a better product.
Consider blogging as a personal sales tool
In most cases, blogs are not selling you a product or service - at least not directly. Corporate blogging tends to have some ultimate sales goal in mind. You want your customers to feel they can trust you. You want your customers to come to you for guidance and hopefully turn that into a good relationship. Good business relationships usually evolve into sales in business. Blogging can also help your career. Many industry leaders maintain blogs and use them as personal sales tools to land or keep their dream jobs.
If your blog is structured properly search engines are going to notice which will in turn hopefully earn you more readers. More readers mean more eyes on your blog. Whether or not you're looking for a job you will be observed and other businesses will take notice. Your blog can be your personal sales too.
Much like employers searching through your social media, many also read blogs on a daily basis. If you have a blog you could possibly be found by the search engines and your blog is out there for everyone to read. You don't have to completely watch what you're writing as this is a free platform for you to impose your will, but keep in mind that if it's extremely controversial or rated for "mature" readers that it could damage your chances.
I suggest writing a blog about what you're passionate about and topics relating to your career path. Establish yourself as knowledgeable in the field. Structure your categories and keywords to be found via search engines so that you can win search for powerful industry keywords and phrases. Include your blog address in your resume to direct your employers and potential employers to your blog and show that you are a solid choice. If you're not looking for a job at least you're writing about what motivates you, and you will possibly uncover some research that will make you a more valuable asset as well.
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