This book, by Sarah Lacy, describes in intimate detail the “rebirth of Silicon Valley and the rise of Web 2.0.” It highlights six local web companies, and their founders’ stories of navigating the often fickle landscape of the Silicon Valley.
Lacy does an outstanding job with her picks for case studies: Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Slide, Ning, and Linkedin. In-depth interviews with their founders help to flesh out the ambitions and fears of these generation 2.0 internet moguls.
Here are a few of my favorite excerpts:
On Mark Zuckerburg’s refussal to sell Facebook for $1 billion:
Maybe that’s the key to the so-called Mark Zuckerburg phenomenon, why so many of the largest Silicon Valley companies come from young guys in their twenties. They haven’t yet learned that when someone offers you a billion dollars, you should probably say yes.
On Google’s fear of Facebook:
That Halloween, at Google headquarters Brad Fitzpatrick showed up for work in all white, with blue bars and letters taped all over him, wearing a blue baseball cap. Ever the mischeif maker around the office, he was dressed as the scariest thing some Googlers could imagine: Facebook.
While this advice from good ole’ Aunt Gertrude may be about as ’sexy’ as she is, it really does make a lot of sense.
Whether you’re cliff diving on the north shore of Oahu (highly recommended), or just launching a social media marketing campaign (a different kind of fun), surveying the scene before taking action is highly recommended.
You may have noticed a lapse in time since my last posting. Or maybe not. In any case, I have been spending a lot of my time testing the waters. For a list of influential blogs that I’ve been reading, take a look at at my ‘Links’ section.
Being relevant to the conversation is not optional.
With that said, please check back for plenty of poignant, witty and terribly relevant posts. Your participation is *highly* encouraged.
A few weeks ago I listened to marketing/business guru Seth Godin’s free audiobook version of his new book, Tribes. He describes the unique opportunities to lead the groups of connected people, or tribes, that the internet and social media help create. The book is short, motivational, and filled with a colorful, yet disparate group of case studies.
A big, silly grin spread across my face when he mentioned one case study: Crossfit.
I first discovered Crossfit in early 2007, when I was working as a personal trainer. In the following days, weeks, and months, it changed the way that I thought about fitness, group interaction, and business models.
Each day, thousands of Crossfitters visit the website to discover the workout of the day, or WOD. This workout is posted by sports scientist and former gymnist, ‘Coach’ Greg Glassman. The workouts are brief, amazingly intense, competitive and highly effective. And free.
There is always a competitive aspect to the WOD. It is almost always related to time. Here is a classic example:
“Helen”
Three rounds for time:
Run 400 meters
1 1/2 pood Kettlebell X 21 swings (or 55 pound dumbbell swing)
12 Pull-ups
Post time to comments.
Watch the workout here.
Don’t know what a Kettlebell is? Not sure what a specific movement should look like? Want to learn about the history and theory behind Crossfit? Check out the extensive list of free, instructional videos.
Despite the brilliant theory, daring workouts, and loads of free content, Crossfit would not be what it is today without four little words: “Post time to comments.” This engages viewers to share their own experiences, turning a captive audience into an active one.
This is genius. Here’s why:
- Free Content. Content is King, and Crossfit offers loads of free, quality content
- Premium content. Crossfitters may choose to join their local affiliate gym, or become a trainer and start one of their own.
- Community. Group interaction allows Crossfitters to develop a strong, personal bond to the brand.
That sounds great, but how does this monetize? With the recent downturn, this seems to be a problem with some of the social media startups. Glassman offers a certification for trainers who would like to gain a better understanding for Crossfit thoery, and proficiency in the movements used. These training seminars are sold out months in advance. Once certified, Crossfit trainers can affiliate their own gym with Crossfit, for an annual fee. According to a NY Times article from March 2008, there are over 650 Crossfit affiliate gyms worldwide.
We are witnessing the birth of a revolution.
Societies have always been shaped more by the nature of the media by which men communicate than by the content of the communication.
-Marshall McLuhan
The 20th century was dominated by mass media. News media told viewers and readers what was important in their world. Entertainment media shaped pop culture. Mass advertising told consumers what to buy.
Today, social media enable users to create content and share it with anyone who cares to listen. As these technologies develop and grow, it allows conversations, not messages, to dominate.
How will this shift in media influence business, politics, marketing, news culture and everything else?