Marc Leibowitz

VP Business Development and Marketing, StumbleUpon

In the beginning, there was search. With the rise of Google and its competitors in the early 2000s, search became the primary way of locating relevant web content. But this method of information retrieval has its limitations, requiring users to provide a highly specific query and have a clear idea of their wants and needs. Today, as most of the offline world now has an online counterpart (even down to our social relationships and personal libraries of discoveries), the information retrieval challenge has become more complex. The question created by this crowded online world isn’t how technology can help users find what they want – it’s how it can help them discover what they didn’t expect to want. In other words, how can the Internet evolve beyond fetching and towards recommending?
This is a question that many innovators are tackling today, making content discovery and curation an exciting and crowded space. The term broadly includes traditional recommendation services like Amazon, Netflix, and Pandora, but also social networks like Facebook and Twitter, search engines like Google and Bing, and vanity curation sites like Pinterest and Flipboard, which present content feeds in a new way. But while these companies are contributing great research, ideas and products, are they really delivering on the promise of showing the most relevant undiscovered content at the right time to the right users?

Here are some Do’s and Don’t's of online recommendations that educate, entertain, and enlighten:

DON’T Just Make the Content Look Good  Several companies are innovating in this space by displaying content in a new and engaging way. However, there’s been little discussion in the media about their recommendation mechanics – how they decide what to show to certain people. What’s exciting about Pinterest, for example, is that it gives users the opportunity to discover what their current friends are exploring and sharing. Flipboard consolidates users’ social and content feeds into a newspaper-like interface, which is a wonderful step towards marrying old and new technology. These sites are undoubtedly fun to use and are very suited to the mobile world we’re living in. But the trouble here is that these sites aren’t really helping users sidestep the ordinary – they’re presenting their current connections in a new light. That’s valuable, but that’s not going to break the mould. Recommendation sites shouldn’t just build on the social and content connections that users currently have, but they should also focus on the new connections they want to make. That’s how the Internet will introduce people to new things in efficient and effective ways.

DON’T Rely Too Much on Social  We can’t deny that social networks have changed the Internet forever and for the better. But relying too much on social connections will keep our worlds smaller when it comes to what we read and discover. Social connections are the means but not the end for content discovery, and here’s why: Your friends on Facebook, and even in real life, don’t necessarily like what you like. You’re connected by circumstances and experiences, but not necessarily by passions or tastes. At StumbleUpon, we don’t pretend that one way of making friends is better than the other (although many couples first met through our platform, despite the fact that we aren’t a dating site), but we recognise that people look to different relationships in their lives for different kinds of experiences – and different kinds of recommendations. That’s why it’s important to match users by their potential to be like-minded, without assuming too much from their expressed likes and dislikes or from their stated social connections. This best reflects the serendipity that can strike in real life when you discover an unexpected compatibility with a person that you never expected.  In the future, we envision social to evolve to be more feature-based rather than the core of a product.
…But DON’T Be Too Technical Either  On the other end of the spectrum are sites that are too technical in the approach to content curation. Some companies rely too much on an algorithm and don’t successfully integrate human curation methods. This approach stays too close to the shore, surfacing content that’s contextually related to the last site, video, or photo that a user viewed or watched but that doesn’t satisfy the user’s appetite for the fresh and unexpected. There’s an engineering term for this approach called “exploitation,” where a recommendation system makes a very safe guess on what to introduce next based on a user’s clearly defined preferences, such as thumb-ups and thumb-downs. But a great recommendation engine also employs “exploration” methods, probing the user with content with a high likelihood of resonating with them based on a host of other signals.

DO Bring Back Serendipity  To create high quality, relevant, and fresh recommendations, both human and algorithmic approaches are needed, and technology must rely not only on input from the user, but also on all of the implicit signals that a user provides when interacting with a piece of content. Do they share the content? How long do they linger on it? What time of day is it when they consume it? Do they like reading about the hottest trending topics, or do they prefer more evergreen, niche subjects? We’ve been asking dozens of these questions whenever a user arrives on a site using StumbleUpon since we came on the scene in 2002. And we’ll keep coming up with more questions, because recommendation technology is a fascinatingly complicated science that’s currently transforming the user’s experience on the Internet.
More fundamentally, before leaders in this space can take any steps towards truly recommending new and interesting content, they must embrace the latest paradigm shift in online user behaviour as it moves beyond search to discovery, and we must acknowledge that this problem is far deeper than how content is displayed on our iPads. Because human beings are curious explorers, and we don’t always know what we want (or want what we think we do!), we welcome thoughtful recommendations from trusted sources that can help us break our routines and stumble upon the unexpected. If the Internet follows its historical trend of becoming more and more like the real world, recommendation engines must satisfy the use case where users don’t know what they want or what they should look for. Such conditions are ideal for setting the gears of inventive thinking in motion, leading to ideas and experiences that turn out even better than originally intended.

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Courtesy of www.b2bmarketing.net

The government has announced that it is going to close down kitchens at hospitals. The catering will be done via an outsourced model through two centralised distribution areas (Christchurch and Wellington). What does this mean?

• There will be some job losses
• Hospital food cannot get any worse so no issue here.
• Airline food is a good example of how this can be done. The quality of food on most airlines is far superior to what you get in hospitals and they cater for all cultures and dietary requirements. The airlines also outsource and centralise their catering.
• If the money that is saved goes black to the health care system (as the government maintains) to support more critical functions that must be a good result.

What about all the recent noise about spying and the GCSB?

• We need to get over ourselves. If you are not dong anything wrong this should not concern you. We are already being watched from multiple angles via CCTV, bank, insurance etc etc.
• The question we should be asking is whether we need three different agencies and how much overlap they have. If it is determined that there needs to be separation then it makes sense that they should share technology. The sharing of technology between departments and ministries should be a key tenet of any government as the cost savings are huge.
• Does the law need to change? It probably does – it might be worth going to Helen Clark and asking her thoughts as she tried to carry out law changes around the GCSB but was stymied by the Greens. As a side bar how can anyone take the Greens seriously?

What about the Storage of water in Lake Taupo?

I don’t know too much about this whole scenario to be perfectly honest. However should the iwi charge for the storage of water my main question is what do they do with the money. If it goes towards helping the maori youth in skills education etc I am not totally opposed to the idea. I would also add that if they are charging for storage they should be held responsible for the upkeep of the lake – it is not polluted but does have pollution – they should clean this up.

With that in mind, global consulting firm Vivaldi Partners has published a new study measuring the impact of “social currency” and which brands are using social media effectively to target consumers. Vivaldi defines social currency as: “The degree to which customers share a brand or information about a brand with others.”

The complete top ten in the Vivaldi study is below. Click here for the full study.

1. Subway (Social currency score: 712)

Subway not only benefits from a large Facebook and Twitter audience but it also gets very high engagement scores. Subway fans and followers are very active.

2. Google (709)

Google’s success follows from its large branded ecosystem of products that consumers access in their daily lives.

3. Target (688)

Target succeeds because it attracts consumers using a 360° presence through numerous channels and in different functions to create buzz and awareness.

4. Heineken (665)

Heineken continuously creates high visibility for its brand through social media. Its users engage with its viral campaigns and innovative concepts. 5. (tie) Verizon (661)

Verizon ranks high because of its presence in classic social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. Presence includes running customer support and engaging with customers’ social behaviors.

5. (tie) Dunkin’ Donuts (661)

Dunkin’ Donuts invested heavily in social media support with dozens of people engaging with customers and tracking responsiveness via social analytics and monitoring tools.

7. Home Depot  (652)

Home Depot tries to get customers to think about home improvements, materials and renovating ideas. This happens successfully through Facebook quizzes or innovative design ideas on Pinterest that draw customers back into store. Competitor Lowe’s finished No. 12.

8. Amazon (649)

Amazon has high social features implemented on its site that enhance the shopping experience, resulting in very high affiliation scores that drives repeat purchases

9. Microsoft (647)

Microsoft has integrated itself across social platforms with its push in the mobile operating system market.

10. Wal-Mart (646)

Wal-Mart’s engagement with its customers focuses on a social media strategy, which aims at building local communities to deliver shoppers more personal and targeted deals, as well as information about its stores.

1. Make time for family and friends. This is especially important for those who don’t spend much time with their loved ones during the week.

2. Exercise. Everyone needs to do it, and if you can’t work out 4 to 5 days during the workweek, you need to be active on weekends to make up for some of that time, Vanderkam says. It’s the perfect opportunity to clear you mind and create fresh ideas.

“I know an owner of a PR firm who takes walks in the park with his dog to spark ideas about how to pitch a new client, or what angle to take with the press for a story,” Kurow says.

Cohen suggests spin classes and outdoor cycling in the warmer months. “Both are energizing and can be organized among people with shared interests. For example, it is not uncommon for hedge fund folks and Wall Street professionals to ride together on weekends. It is a great way to establish and cultivate relationships based on membership in this elite professional community.”

3. Pursue a passion. “There’s a creative director of a greeting card company who went back to school to pursue an MFA because of her love of art,” Kurow says. “Pursuing this passion turned into a love of poetry that she now writes on weekends.”

“Successful people make time for what is important or fun,” Egan adds. “They make space for activities that add to their life balance.”

4. Vacation. Getting away for the weekend provides a great respite from the grind of an intense week at work, Cohen says.

5.  Disconnect. The most successful people avoid e-mail for a period of time, Vanderkam says. “I’m not saying the whole weekend, but even just a walk without the phone can feel liberating. I advocate taking a ‘tech Sabbath.’ If you don’t have a specific religious obligation of no-work time, taking Saturday night to mid-day Sunday off is a nice, ecumenical time that works for many people.”

6. Volunteer. “I know a commercial real estate broker who volunteers to help with cook-off events whose proceeds are donated to the Food Bank,” Kurow says. “The volunteer work provides a balance to the heavy analytical work she does all week and fulfills her need to be creative — she designs the promotional material for the non-profit.”

Cohen says a lot of successful people participate in fundraising events. “This is a great way to network and to meet others with similar interests,” he says. “The visibility also helps in branding a successful person as philanthropic.”

7. Avoid chores. Every weekend has a few have-to-dos, but you want these to take the minimum amount of time possible, Vanderkam explains. Create a small window for chores and errands, and then banish them from your mind the rest of the time.

8. Plan. “Planning makes people more effective, and doing it before the week starts means you can hit Monday ready to go, and means you’ll give clear directions to the people who work for you, so they will be ready to go, too,” Vanderkam says.

Trunk agrees. She says successful people plan their month and year because “if you get stuck on short-term lists you don’t get anything big accomplished.”

9. Socialize. “Humans are social creatures, and studies of people’s experienced happiness through the day finds that socializing ranks right up there, not too far down below sex,” Vanderkam says.

Go out with friends and family, or get involved in the local community.

“It has been demonstrated that successful people find great satisfaction in giving back,” Cohen says. “Board membership, for example, also offers access to other successful folks.”

10. Gardening/crafts/games/sports/cooking/cultural activities. This is especially important for those cooped up in an office all week.

“For the pure joy, some folks find great satisfaction in creating beautiful gardens,” Cohen says.

Kurow knows an attorney who uses her weekends to garden and do mosaics and tile work to satisfy her creative side. “Filling her life this way enables her to be refreshed on Monday and ready to tackle the litigation and trial prep work. Artwork for her is fulfilling in a way that feeds her soul and her need to connect with her spiritual side.”

Bridge lessons and groups can also sharpen the mind and often create relationships among highly competitive smart professionals, Cohen says. “I once saw a printout of a bridge club’s membership list; its members were a who’s who of Wall Street.”

Theatre, opera and sporting events can also enrich one’s spirit, he adds.

11. Network. “Networking isn’t an event for a successful person, it’s a lifestyle,” Trunk says. Wherever they go and whatever they do, they manage to connect with new people.

12. Reflect. Egan says truly successful people make time on weekends to appreciate what they have and reflect on their happiness and accomplishments. As Rascoff said, “weekends are a great chance to reflect and be more introspective about bigger issues.”

13. Meditate. Classes and private instruction offer a bespoke approach to insight and peace of mind, Cohen says. “How better to equip yourself for success in this very tough world?”

14. Recharge. We live in a competitive world, Vanderkam says. “Peak performance requires managing downtime, too–with the goal of really recharging your batteries.” That’s how the most successful people get so much done

1. It takes many years to become an overnight success.

2. Good intentions are just the beginning.

3. Your reputation is their first impression.

4. Show people that you care about their needs.

5. A promise should be as binding as a contract.

6. Never sacrifice a long-term relationship for a short-term gain.

7. Don’t expect people to look up to you if you look down on them.

8. Give credit where credit is due.

9. The danger of shooting from the hip is hitting yourself in the foot.

10. Be knowledgeable and remain current in your field.

11. Follow through on every commitment that you make.

12. Take the time to provide the rationale behind your recommendations.

13. Stay focused. Trying to be all things to all people is a guaranteed recipe for mediocrity.

14. Be objective.

15. Opinions held in secret never make a difference.

16. Never cut corners.

17. Stand up for the things that you believe in. (Waffles are for breakfast.)

18. Be a thought leader.

19. At the end of the day, you’re judged by the value that you provide.

20. Be straight with people. Tell it like it is.

21. Don’t be afraid to present bad news. It’s worse to sweep it under the rug. (People appreciate honesty.)

22. Remain calm, cool, and collected during difficult times.

23. Present both sides of an issue. (Let them judge for themselves.)

24. Be a good listener.

25. Disclose potential conflicts of interest.

26. Even a tiny exaggeration can destroy your credibility.

27. Once you make a decision, don’t look back.

28. Always tell the truth or the truth will tell on you.

29. Surround yourself with people who have a high degree of integrity.

30. Your actions “off-stage“ (i.e., at an office party or on Facebook) impact your trust and credibility.
31. Typos and grammatical errors loom larger than life.

32. Remain transparent. (You’ll never be faulted for communicating too much.)

33. Never ask someone to do something that you’re not willing to do yourself.

34. Reliable and consistent behavior on your part allows people to anticipate what you’ll do in the future.

35. Do what’s right, even if nobody is looking.

36. You are judged by the company that you keep.

37. Your actions must match your words.

38. Being an expert in one area doesn’t make you an expert in everything.

39. Admit when you’re wrong.

40. Don’t submit unfinished work as complete.

41. Never confuse quantity with quality.

42. Think before you open your mouth.

43. People who “hard sell” don’t always have the facts on their side.

44. You gain more by making others look good than by singing your own praises.

45. Trying to be excellent in everything leads to mediocrity.

46. “Everybody does it” is a poor excuse for doing it yourself.

47. Words spoken in confidence are words spoken in trust.

48. Learn how to disagree without being disagreeable.

49. Repeating a rumor is as vicious as starting one.

50. People will test you in small ways before trusting you outright.

51. The only thing worse than talking about others is talking about yourself.

52. Great talent means nothing if you’re not dependable.

53. Few people will fault you for being tough, if you’re fair.

54. It’s not only what you bring to the table but how you serve it.

55. REMEMBER, trust and credibility take years to develop but can be lost in seconds.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German: [ˈjoːhan ˈvɔlfɡaŋ fɔn ˈɡøːtə] ( listen), 28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German writer, artist, and politician. His body of work includes epic and lyric poetry written in a variety of metres and styles; prose and verse dramas; memoirs; an autobiography; literary and aesthetic criticism; treatises on botany, anatomy, and colour; and four novels. In addition, numerous literary and scientific fragments, and more than 10,000 letters written by him are extant, as are nearly 3,000 drawings.