Thurston Forum a packed house

Clay and Blaine spoke to a packed Thurston Chamber Forum yesterday.

There were several hundred Olympia business people in attendance and from my informal poll, most were not using social media for their businesses.

I hope they came away with a greater understanding of the tools available, and certainly the new BE Online Community!

New Format! Social Media and Your Business- Social Media for Executives Workshop

The Social Media for Executives Workshop is part of the Business Examiner's series on leveraging social media tools to benefit business.

This seminar and workshop, presented by BE Online Community and Konnects, are perfect for those who are aware of social media tools, but are still determining how to best use them.

From blogging to Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Konnects and Twitter - business people are bombarded with invitations and pressures to "get in the game." If you are questioning how best to do that, join us for this informative and valuable conversation.

Spend the morning sorting out the best uses for each tool and how they apply to you and your business. We will also share strategies for saving time and energy while making the most of new opportunities to connect and grow your professional network online.

Bring your laptop and put your knowledge to work! Whether you are a novice or pro - this workshop is for you.

Light breakfast and refreshments will be served.

LACEY

Date: Friday, May 29th, 2009

Time: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Seminar

9:30-11:30 a.m. Hands on Workshop
Bring your laptop- or watch and take notes- as we help set up or
optimize various social media accounts!

Where: Washington State Farm Bureau Building- Harvest Room
975 Carpenter Rd NE, Suite 301, Lacey WA 98516

Cost: $45
Register on-line

Thurston County Chamber Forum on Customer Focused Social Media – Is it for You?

The Business Examiner is pleased to have helped coordinate Clay and Blaine, who have presented our last three Social Media for Executives seminars, to speak at next week's Thurston County Chamber forum.

Customer Focused Social Media – Is it for You?

Is embracing social media a choice or a necessity for your company? Are the barriers to getting involved real or imagined? And just what are the demographics of people currently using social media?

Answers to these questions and more can be found at the Thurston County Chamber Forum on Wednesday, May 13. It will be a great introduction to this emerging form of communications and it will help you become "conversationally competent" about the basics of social media, the terminology and its applications.

Our two presenters for this program – Clay Loges and Blaine Millet – are seasoned business executives interested in helping organizations gain a stronger, competitive advantage and increase their revenue.

The Forum begins at 11:30 a.m. and is $18 for members with reservations, $20 for members without reservations, and $30 for all others. Reservations are requested by Friday, May 8, at 360.357.3362 or online at www.ThurstonChamber.com.

Internet Privacy? Ethical Implications of Social Networking

I sat on a panel discussion today that the Center for Ethical Development at Tacoma Community College produced. On the panel were myself, Jim Crabbe, founder, Konnects and Valerie Zeeck, partner, Gordon Thomas Honeywell.

The intended audience was students attending Tacoma Community College. The Center for Ethical Development's intent was to encourage conversation regarding internet privacy and the ethical implications of social networking.

It was an interesting discussion with great input from the students in attendance. The discussion was also broadcast live over TCC's website. Here is the recording of the session:

Internet Privacy? Ethical Implications
of Social Networking, May 5, 2009