Wednesday 31 October 2012

The #1 best opportunity for content marketing in the Middle East


The people in the Middle East are fast adopters of technology. The region, in-fact, leads the world in technology adoption. Internet usage is skyrocketing, with major global social networks siting growth in the region as their best.  Some of the world's best news networks spawned from the region, creating a legacy of content.

Despite all the reasons the Middle East should lead in content marketing,  arabic web content remains at only 2% of the world's content and consumption products are still largely originating from outside the region.

This represents a fantastic opportunity for businesses to stand out. Compare competing for ranking and search optimisation on the web in English and Arabic.  Creating relevant, engaging content in Arabic should be a key part of any marketing strategy in the Arab Middle East.

The info-graphic below illustrates how marketers are measuring the success of their content marketing.

Next blog post: creating strategic digital content including my #1 tip.



Tuesday 16 October 2012

We all need an Eddie Obeng in our Lives



"You are sitting at the headquarters of a global corporation if you are connected to the internet.

"it's called smart failure because you can't put it on your CV"

Monday 15 October 2012

What did Felix say as he took the leap?



Post Jump Press Conference with Felix He talks from 7:42 Minutes.

What did you say before you jumped? 
 
"When i was standing there on top of the world you become so humble--the only thing you want is to come back alive. You don’t want to die in front of your parents, your girlfriend and all those people.”


"I know the whole world is watching now and i wish the world could see what I see…Sometimes you have to go up really high to understand how small you are.”

Felix Baumgartner's supersonic freefall- Highlights



The most exciting thing I have watched live  - ever. Apparently 9 million people live streamed this event. In my mind - it should have been more. 

Likely reminiscent of watching man landing on the moon.  

And now a brand, Redbull has a better space program than the US. 

WOW!
 

Sunday 14 October 2012

Daily Creative Juice


Is Sheryl Sandberg still "leaning in" at Facebook?


I became fascinated with Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, after watching her TEDWomen video. She was criticizing women taking a back seat and not aspiring to their full potentials in the workforce. Her advice: lean in, come to the (meeting) table and lean into the dialogue.

I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by strong women in my professional life and haven't experienced what Sheryl described in her talk. I do respect her experiences in Washington and Silicon Valley. She was very convincing, her delivery authentic. 

Apparently Sheryl spent one year preparing for that TEDtalk and hired her own researchers to get the facts right.

Sheryl later appeared on Makers talking about authenticity, a topic near and dear to my heart. After seeing her interviews and commencement speeches,  I liked her even more.

Sheryl pitched for Facebook's new business strategy in early October

http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000119449 

Having followed this convincing woman promoting her thoughts, Sheryl's televised Facebook pitch appeared to lack her usual authenticity. The delivery left me questioning if  Sheryl still believes in the Facebook she is selling.

If you no longer believe in something, and you deliver speeches on authenticity, you best let someone else do the promoting - or even better go find something you believe in and lean into that.

Do you think Sheryl is still leaning in as her authentic self?

Tuesday 2 October 2012

When People Say You're Crazy - You're Onto Something Arabstarts GEW 2012 Series

I can't agree more: When People Say You're Crazy - You're Onto Something

Ghassan Halazon of Team Buy (Canada) Speaks at TedxDeadSea talking about; starting up, pitching on Dragon's Den, punishment as a reward, company culture, the power of a threat, the need for failure and getting people to feel something 

Inspiring talk in English and Arabic

Shy away from people who belittle your ideas!  Big thinkers are those who support you (Mark Twain said it first a little differently - now startup legend speak)