How High Will You Jump For A QR Code?

December 11, 2011 By Jeremiah Staes Leave a Comment

QR codes are the shiny new object of the social and digital tech space, a physical representation to many that they are “with it.” If a place doesn’t have a QR code, they must not “get it” (quotes added for ironic emphasis).

But how high will you jump for a QR code? On the way to a birthday party, we found this out.. and that two slightly out of shape guys can’t quite get the pro basketball level “air” to be able to snap it with our phone. We were trying our best Michael Jordan impressions to read this QR code off a banner from the street, which was placed a good twenty to thirty feet off the ground. Suffice it to say, it didn’t work.

Here’s the deal. We were both into this social stuff. We’re going through a lot of work the normal person just isn’t going to do. These QR codes were put on these banners to look cool without a single thought of usability.

And I see this all of the time.

Funnily enough, days after, I was meeting with a client of mine who the folks on high at their office were all high on QR codes. “Where can we put them?”

I then pointed to the billboard across the road. Thing is, if there was a QR code on it, there’s no way either of us could scan it. And while you’re driving? Forget about it. And here comes the intrinsic problems with QR codes.

QR codes sound cool at first, but usually they’re implemented without thought so they become useless decoration.

To most of the population (i.e. your likely customers), they’re funny looking boxes that take a lot of work to use. It seems silly to put so much work and devote so much visible space to something when you don’t actually understand how to use it to your benefit.

Simply, a QR code is a visual representation of a link that your phone can read.

There are times – when it’s right in front of you – a QR code can work. But even if it physically works, so many people are doing things like sending people to flash sites and other non-mobile optimized places, rendering them useless to most mobile devices.

See, if someone is using a QR code, they’re probably on their phone. So you need to make the experience an easy one, as well as a clear conversion point (that is, know what you want people to do). It needs to be a page that initially loads fast and gets the point across immediately. But many marketers, in their zeal to up-sell clients for extra bucks and make them “look cool,” throw user experience and conversions out the window.

So in certain print situations, I can see a use and have seen efficacy for them (as opposed to a list of ‘theoretical’ ways someone could). And when you’re in production, always have a phone that has a QR code reader and TEST what you are going to put out there and make sure it’s truly easy before you green light.

Here’s some ways QR codes have been or could be useful:

1) Facebook and Twitter - I’ve seen some good user stories around taking people straight to pages. But the social outpost you take them to needs to be engaging.

2) Mass transit – if you could scan the QR code on the sign that is right at your level, and it gives you the next bus or subway time at that stop, that would be awesome (already being done in Florida).

3) RSVP – You have an invitation and the link takes you to a mobile-optimized page where you can sign up/RSVP to an event.

4) Enter to win – Contests have seen a modicum of success in tech-savvy areas.

5) Tour or historical info – I could see a QR code next to a landmark or other site and that takes you to a mobile info page for that exact site with possibly an audio MP3 that plays on your phone as part of a tour.

And some dubious suggestions I’ve seen on the internet:

1) On billboards – Really? Are you serious? Have you practically tried this? I’ve tried numerous times and it doesn’t work.

2) In e-mail – Pointless. You’re already on a computer. QR codes work best on mobile, they’re intended to take the physical digital. Provide a link.

3) Foursquare – Most people are not logged into their mobile browsers and a QR code with your Foursquare address will not always work. And if you think people are going to do the work to log in, you’re wrong. Scanning a QR code for check in is not currently embedded in the app, either. So that’s a pipe dream. Once it is native to the mobile app, people would truly take advantage of it.

Another thing to note – I’d cite some data about who uses QR codes, but research shows lots of contradicting information right now. It’s up 50%, 500% or 1200% or some other number depending on the study, and some will tell you it’s 18-35 and others will tell you 25-46 or some variant. Some studies will say more iPhone users use QR codes, other say more Android users. In short, there’s no consistent data because so to say that the “data” proves it’s good for “x demographic” would be incorrect.

However, if you are literally street smart and focused when you use QR codes, you can connect with new customers. And once app makers include QR reading in-app, you could see a lot more usage (i.e. Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter, etc).

Filed Under: Foursquare, Location Services, Rant, Social Media, Tips Tagged With: Are QR Codes Good For Business, Business, foursquare, How To Use A QR Code, QR Code Tips, QR Codes, Social Media

Chalupas and Networking Inspiration

June 17, 2010 By David Lingholm Leave a Comment

Taco Bell is rarely considered a place for a business epiphany, but it is exactly where I had my latest one.  We were discussing my plans for engaging more potential clients when it hit me — I have been growing my network but filling it only with people I feel are on my level professionally.  My focus has been on strengthening relationships with people I am already comfortable with.  I have been doing very little in terms of building aspirational contacts.

There is nothing wrong with networking at your level. In fact, it is highly beneficial.  You will find people to push you, you will find people to comfort you, and you will find people you can learn from.  Being a connector of people is a great position to find yourself in. You need to be able to connect people from many walks of life, so there is a great case for continuing to build relationships with people you are comfortable with.

As a strategy however, you have to push yourself to grow your network.  The cliché business phrase, “if you’re not growing, you’re dying,” is absolutely true when it comes to networking.  And if you are not happy with your business results, you’re probably not growing your network of people who are better at business than you are.

While I’ve been thinking about how to grow our business, I have also been reading Malcolm Gladwell’s book, The Tipping Point.  He identifies three types of people that get trends moving.  One is the Connector, someone who seems to know everyone and is great at making beneficial relationships happen.  Another is the Maven, who is like the Connector, but who have an unusual expertise in an unusual number of subjects.  The third one is the Salesman, someone who is so enthusiastic about what they do that they attract people to them and the causes they champion.  This book has helped me sharpen my focus on which people need to be in my network.

All three would be great additions to my network, but personally, my aspirational contacts are what Gladwell would refer to as Mavens.  They’re the people that make things happen.  Titles are not as important as their business acumen.  They have an amazing grasp of several subjects and can speak clearly on each topic.  Recommendations they make are golden because they have a unique understanding of people and situations.  Their networks may not be as large as Connectors, but their understanding of their network is stronger.  In short, they understand people, know business and can eloquently merge the two.
So, who do you need to meet to move forward?  Do you have Mavens in your network?  If so, how did you attract them, and what are you doing to keep your relationship with them strong?  If not, why not?  If you treat them well, they’ll only help your business!

Filed Under: Business, Tips Tagged With: Business, networking, taco bell, tipping point

And Then There Was One.. Identity

June 2, 2010 By Jeremiah Staes Leave a Comment

The past few weeks have been tumultuous in regards to the online world and privacy, specifically Facebook. Is there privacy? Was there ever a promise of privacy? How do people handle that? What do widely different demographics think?

The thing is, the right answer is all of the above. Everyone and their view of Facebook and privacy is right because it’s emotional; privacy is, after all, a personal thing. Someone shouldn’t necessarily judge someone else because they feel uncomfortable — it’s their feelings and they have a right to them. The data coming from various trusted sources doesn’t help because there are studies and anecdotes proving every opinion every which way. I read one thing last night, I heard another today, etc. all from people with solid track records.

That said, I’ll share the advice that I put to clients:

It’s all one and the same now.

I do believe a promise was broken, and I also believe Facebook needs to learn some PR basics as they’ve handled the situation horribly by not communicating well, but it gets down to the reality of today’s online world. That reality is: There are no longer any boundaries between the “work you,” the “personal you,” and the “family you.”

That choice has been decided for all of us. Online society has “opted us out” of that choice.

In this “new” era that some of us have been living in for a while, there is no separation. That’s a boundary I know many will have issues dealing with and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a whole new practice of psychology to deal with this.

It’s nothing less than a cultural shift at our very foundation.

Cultural expectations and boundaries are being re-written as you consume these pixels.

Although more subtle, this is a time of cultural change not unlike major shifts in American history. In other countries, the results are more visible — for instance, in Germany, Google is in extreme hot water over their use of Street View because it feels so wrong to German society to have that “invasion of privacy.” I use quotes because that is, and should be, defined by them, not us.

You need to be the arbiter of what you share, knowing that absolutely everything online that you produce could get out. Don’t want that picture to be public? Don’t post it. Did keg stands and it’s on Facebook? Yeah, your employer will see that. Political affiliations, religion, the whole deal. And there will be people who don’t like you. Good and bad. The seal is off — and in many ways, has been off. Want to have a private conversation? You probably should use the phone or see them in person. After all, due to errors, your chat logs could leak out.

In some ways, I see a trend coming back to the internet of old — I know plenty of folks who do not use their real names on Facebook. In fact, many “kids” do this now. It’s not much of a foil, but some people do it. I know marketers who have many Facebook accounts (as many as 20), and others with two — one for work, one for personal. Forums, message boards and blogs are still alive with traffic (and you should always have a place that you own that has YOUR content for a lot of reasons, which is another post for another day).

You can either choose to live in the digital world – and be smart about what you share – or go dark. But going dark will become less and less possible.  To be honest, the ones I see getting jobs and advancing in this economy are the ones who are “in” and yet maintain privacy simply by not sharing everything with the world — and sometimes, sharing things that make them people. Because at the end of the day, you’re a person.

After all, even Steve Jobs is answering his emails these days.

Filed Under: Social Media, Tips Tagged With: Business, facebook, privacy, Tips

How Good, Really, Is Your Presentation?

April 28, 2010 By Jeremiah Staes Leave a Comment

I gave a presentation last night on a passionate topic of mine – improving the Detroit region.

But as I got back into the office this morning, I thought about what I consider the GREAT presentations and presenters (FYI, I’m totally not there yet).

The difference? If you listen to the audio alone, they didn’t need the slides to convey their point. If you just listen, the story is there, almost like sitting around a campfire – and there isn’t a reliance on the slides as a crutch. The slides are simply there to help you take notes on the big points.

If I had a dollar for all the presos I sat through where there was a new slide for every single sentence, I’d be rich. It’s a sure harbinger of boredom, as well as having no ability for group input.

You might think you’re important because you’re presenting in front of a group. In fact, you’re a servant of that group. It’s your responsibility, for taking up the time and attention of that group, to deliver real value. To answer questions. The last person I want speaking at a conference or training is the divebomber who dashes in five minutes before and is gone before the crowd can ask a question.

If your presentation can’t stand up to questions, you need to question your presentation.

I’ll leave you with a parting thought, having taped or attended easily over a thousand presentations over the last decade:

Be a salesperson first, and the only product that will be moving will be the danish at the back of the room, because nobody will be listening. Be a storyteller first, and your presentation will connect.

Filed Under: Business, Rant Tagged With: Business, good presentation, presentations, Tips

This Post Sucks!

August 12, 2009 By Beverly Cornell 2 Comments

Guest-written by Beverly Cornell – Check her out at her Global Business Blog – Follow On Twitter

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Where are all the Social Media women in Detroit.. or anywhere for that matter?

I don’t want to write this post – really, I shouldn’t have to write this post. However, I’ve read an article this morning that confirms what I’ve known for 2 years, or really most of my life.

After all, women are around 50% of social media users.

I am not a mommy blogger or social media blogger – I blog about an unpopular topic, especially in Detroit (an historically union town) globalization. I know, it’s a niche, and reading my Twitter DM’s many think I should be tarred and feathered for living in and encouraging a global world.

I accept that I talk about the elephant in the room so I’m not as popular as others.  But why do I feel frustrated that more women aren’t present and accounted for? Even better, why are women not leading the way?  Are there not the invites from the social media conferences? Are women not branding themselves to get noticed? What does it take to get noticed?

Historically speaking, aren’t we the gender that supposedly “gets” relationships, the very basis for social media? Oh I know there many wonderful women in this space – to name a few, Amber Naslund, Ann Handley, Katie Paine, Shannon Paul – but where are the social media femme rock stars, especially in Detroit? Do we need a social media Lilith Fair?

To be clear, I don’t usually spend a lot of my time in women’s only groups.  I think it is great to support each other and I do some mentoring but I enjoy spending time at the table where all decision makers not just women hang out.  And to be really honest, I like men.  I like their straightforward no nonsense approach to business and often times find myself the only woman present and for that I am actually quite grateful.  My offline business relationships with men are respectful, engaging and insightful.  I feel welcome at the party!

I know that women have long battled the conservative boys club in this automotive town – so is social media equality too much of a cultural shift?  Are we just not ready for the stage?  Or is the world not ready for us?

Is there a place at the table for educated career driven women who understand social media and use it and have some modicum of success in the space.. but aren’t “in” social media?

After all.. I’m so excited to be in this space. Sometimes I feel like the kid in the back of the room with their hand up, saying, “Pick me! Pick me!”

Filed Under: blogging, Business, Rant, Social Media Tagged With: amber naslund, ann handley, Beverly Cornell, Business, fastcompany, katie paine, respect, Shannon Paul, social media women, women in tech