Wait! Before you damn the Social Network

It is the heart throbbing buzzword of the day.

Its way beyond the dreams and imagination of those who started electronic communication, even those closer in history who started the world wide web

It is certainly an enigma that has kept many behavioral experts baffled

Marketing researchers and media experts too are left in bewilderment, trying to gauge its impact and future course.

Unlike the rocket science advancements of yore, "The Social Network" is an up-close-personal reality of our over-communicated and over-connected lives. Its proliferation has gone beyond the realms of the modest desktop or laptop computing devices, to the omnipresence of mobile devices. However, with the growth of its usage, and more importantly the way it has become a close part of our lives, we do find amongst us certain negative trails. Trails from the lagging edge of the double edged sword of technology.. as always..

The dark streets of social networking

It is not uncommon to find amongst us a feeling of paranoia about what we should and shouldn't be doing on our social media presence. In few unfortunate cases, there have been unpleasant experiences leading from embarrassment to even suicides, as an aftermath of something uncalled.

I have had friends seeking counselling from me, narrating how their addiction or affairs on facebook messed up their life. Some of them who were new to the online connected world were confused and scared by daisy-chaining applications asking them to be a "mafia lord" or getting friend requests from total strangers.

Way out of the dark streets

In wild woods it is prudent to stick to the beaten path, unless you are game for an adventure at your own risk.

So is killing your presence on facebook or twitter an answer to end your paranoia? Maybe a temporary answer.. but thats not a solution. So what could be a way out.

The answer begins by understanding what the social network is in the first place.

Social.. and Network

These two words have been in existence for a very long time.. much before they have been used together in a strong context to name the big wave sweeping us.

Social Networks have been in existence much before our devices got wired and wireless connected. We have been calling it different names... clubs, Society, Social Circle, alumni groups, interest groups.. and different ways through which we bonded.

So what makes this new Social Network driven by technology so scary?.. If we analyze deeply..

The problem lies in our own tendency to let our own hair free and loosen our clothes, and go blabbery blab till we realize the weight of the first word out of the two... Social.. and that the new and improved ... Network.. makes things spread as wildfire.

The Social in social networking is there for real.. Being tempted by the "non-physical" nature of the medium can lure you into enjoying a self-proclaimed freedom.. But yes, the rules of a SOCIETY.. apply here too.. There are certain norms each society has... You are free to rebel, you may be applauded.. but be prepared to be backbitten with twice the speed as the real world.. thanks to the faster NETWORK.

The next time you feel you are being trapped by the Social Network.. ask yourself these questions .. and you will find your solution..

1. What does being Social mean to me? Does it mean a right blend of being cordial informal, and at the same time knowing the distance to maintain?

2. Am i applying my knowledge of being social... on my social network? 

That means certain terms like.. Not accepting friend's request from strangers without knowing the risk associated with it. Using privacy features of each social networking platform whether it is twitter, facebook or youtube.. to help maintain the demarkation between your private and public life.. even online.

3. Just like in a real society locking oneself up in a dark room is not a solution, can staying away from the social network keep me away from its benefits derived from prudent use? - Same old Dad's principle.. Running away from a problem doesn't solve it.

The answers to surviving in the inevitable onslaught of social media and modern day networking lies in being prudent and self-disciplined individuals of the online society. Any deviation from this has its own risks.. and possible pitfalls. However, that doesn't negate or superceed the potential of the medium to do immense good to our lives when used with diligent moderation.

From Amazon:
The Social Network (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Get Connected: The Social Networking Toolkit for Business
The Lawyer's Guide to Social Networking: Understanding Social Media's Impact on the Law

Graduating as a Prof

The weekend thats about to end in few hours, marked two very memorable events. Apart from the launch of Balaji Seva Samiti website, there was one more event which was very special and unique in its occurence - the convocation ceremony at NMIMS University, where my first batch of students passed out. Around 140 in all across three classes - all decked up in their convocation gowns.

Its been three years since i got the wonderful opportunity as a visiting faculty at the prestigious institution, adding a new facet to my life (read weekend life) at large. The greater privilege was being given a chance to address students who were no less than a panel of experienced professionals from various reputed organizations, who sweated out their evenings and weekends to get their masters degree. Being a part-time MBA myself, makes me totally empathize with the amount of sacrifice and tight-rope balancing needed during the course through a bermuda triangle of - Family, Profession, and Studies.

The Reminder

I was at work when i got a call from Mr. Dharmendra Kumar, my student and a seasoned professional from the Pharma industry. He informed me about the convocation ceremony and asked me if i could be a part of the event by invoking Saraswati Vandana - a Prayer to the Goddess of learning. He was entrusted the task of getting someone with a classical music background, and it was kind of him to remember me. I pounced at the offer and readily agreed for the event that was scheduled in two days time.

At The Venue

Bhaidas Hall was abuzz with activity of the post graduates passing out, but what surprised me further was familiar faces at the entrance.. These were students of my first batch! "Its been 3 years already!"  I thought with glee to myself. My students and i had pleasant exchanges. Was totally humbled when some of them introduced me as their prof to their family members. One of the elders even blessed me with a caring hand over my head.

I told them that i was giving them a surprise .. as i left for the backstage :)

Backstage -- Frontstage

I was introduced to the compere of the evening who briefed me about the flow of the event and my entry and exit. The curtains opened and the crowds cheered to the young and beautiful compere, in many more decibels than the applause to any other guest for the evening.. ahemm!

The convocation parade comprising of senior faculty and distinguished guests marched to a ceremonial tune of bagpipes and lit the ceremonial lamp. I was called upon the stage where i sang the Saraswati Vandana i had learnt in my college. I was humbled when my name was mentioned in the vote of thanks for the tiny participation in the prestigious event marked by its achievers.

My students got their degrees and felicitations... and i Got mine when they reciprocated my surprise stage appearance for them .. and Goddess Saraswati :) 

Felt like i was convocated 140 times for each of my students passing out... ..A feeling that had never hit me before. My students got their degrees and i got mine in my joy filled heart.

Icing on the cake



When i was having my dinner (actually high tea) with my students, a senior visiting faculty walked up to us, congratulated me for the 'degree' and wished me all the best for the future.... He thought i was a student :-D. I was reminded:


" Life is a university that admits you in the Womb, and graduates you in the Tomb"

Many Smiles ... scaling... Many Miles 

 

Google Chrome Full page ad - Browser Wars - Now at a desktop near you

Everybody loves watching Google and her moves, with the curiosity of watching Magician Pasha with his hand in the top hat. Presto! and we have here today -- Google Chrome Full Page color ads in leading Indian Dailies...

Blogs, Tweet-o-sphere, and all modes of communication is abuzz with the question... What made Google, the largest medium by itself on the planet, resort to newspapers in India? and that to for promoting not its cash register - Adwords, not its milking cow - The Google search engine... But... its browser Google Chrome..

As the rhetoric exclamation of these questions spread like wildfire i am sure ol shrewd pals - Larry and Sergei are laughing all the way to the bank, since one half of the objective for the campaign was done successfully... Which was... the huge buzz factor.. News of the day across multiple media by just few ad inserts in a daily.

Now what could be the other half of the objective? Let me add my two cents to the buzz, and to the grins of Larry and Sergei.

1.First thing in the morning :
Why did Google choose English newspapers as a medium, that has almost the same reach as its search engine? The size of the ad, of course was for the reasons of getting impact and showing dominance. Dominance in the wake of newer versions of Internet Explorer, and rising popularity of Firefox and other browsers.

Size aside, the ad was not seen on television or on hoarding (may follow later). Newspaper was the unsuspecting first choice..

Pondering over the reason for this choice took me to a conversation i had with a former senior colleague of mine.. who told me about a pitch he did to a prestigious client for organizing a large corporate event. His competitor was the number one business TV channel known for doing custom events.

When his turn came, which was after the TV channel's, he was asked- " My dear Sir, you just now saw the largest business channel walk out of the room. What is it that you can give us that they can't?"

To which my friend replied -" We reach your audience, much before any other medium does in the morning..... Not everyone has a television in the Washroom.. and busy people usually read a newspaper in their most intimate morning moments :-)". ..... The pitch was won..

Bottom-line... Newspaper gets there First thing in the Morning.. however this may change for different audience.

2. Why Google Chrome? Why not other products?


Before Google, it was Yahoo and Rediff that did a multi-crore blitzkrieg to promote relaunch of the complete portal.. However, Google here chose to do it only for its browser, not for any of their other cash cow products.

There could be two reasons for this.

a. The browser, which began long back as a modest, good-to-have, add on tool to browse the Internet, is poised to become the most important and core application on your machine.

Cloud computing and Software as a Service, are becoming jargons of the day, which primarily use the browser at its core. Very soon, all the applications that you would ever need would run from a remote server, which can be accessed through..... the good old browser.

Hence to gain a good share of the browser user base is very important for any online brand, to gain a ready platform to offer overall computing service in the future. It is not a matter of surprise, that the Google Chrome Desktop operating system is touted to run on online application.

Having said this, for India, we are still away from the day when we can have reliable connectivity. However, the day is getting closer.


3. Dominance during a competition launch - "Who is the boss?":

With over 2 million downloads reported for Microsoft's Internet Explorer ver.9, six days ago, the battle lines had to be drawn between the Redmond Giant and Mountain View Monarch.

The stakes are too high for this one, and hence Google Chrome perhaps wanted to show its dominance - First Thing in the Morning.

Newspaper was its best bet..


PS: Imagine the sight of Google Chrome and MS IE bidding on each others keyword on Adwords as well as bing!! Keep watching!