Portland bloggers have another valuable resource coming their way - the newly-formed Portland WordPress User Group is hosting their first meeting on Thursday, January 15 at CubeSpace. The meeting will go over future meeting times and dates; topics, ideas and speakers; ideas for regular help sessions; and an overview of cool new WordPress 2.7 features.
Portland is definitely a blogging town: on January 16, check out the one year anniversary party for Beer and Blog. Beer and Blog meets every Friday between 4:00pm and 6:00pm at Green Drago.
Portland has lots of opportunities to get involved with the blogging community, network, and learn some new tricks - all bloggers are encouraged to come out to these meetups!
During a recession, the business landscape transforms itself. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Lucrative opportunities come about that are otherwise unattainable during better and brighter times. I believe when the going gets tough, truly great entrepreneurship shines. After all, you are forced to be more creative with your efforts to build value. You will likely consider new partnerships; new sales approaches; dump business models, projects and people that don’t perform; empower your remaining staff to do more; and, most importantly, reevaluate your marketing strategy.
Often, the natural inclination to recession-proof a business is to slash marketing costs. That is the last thing you want to do. Studies completed on marketing during the recessions of the 70s, 80s and 90s show that the smartest thing to do is to spend on marketing. In fact, a study published by McGraw-Hill shows that companies that continued or increased their marketing spend during a recession had 256% higher sales than the companies who chose to cut or halt their marketing budgets. Moreover, companies that went into hibernation and tried to reestablish their brand position after recovery paid 4 to 5 times the amount saved by their marketing budget cuts. (If you are a marketer and contemplating how to talk to your CFO, read this).
There is no doubt that marketing is costly, but we have to remember that it is what drives sales. Like every other aspect of a business, when there is less money to spend on marketing, we simply have to become effective.
Mobile marketing is an ideal recession-proof marketing tool. Text-message and mobile site campaigns let you initiate an opt-in conversation with your target audience for a fraction of the cost of any traditional media campaign. Depending on how you do it, you can typically pay only upon success (e.g. when a message has been delivered or a mobile site is viewed). Because of this performance-based marketing approach, you can clearly measure the ROI of your efforts. In August, I published a Techvibes article listing the various studies that emphatically showed the positive correlation between mobile marketing, brand awareness and intent to purchase. Mobile Marketers’ Mickey Khan recently published an excellent SWOT analysis of mobile marketing. It is a must read if you are looking to shake up your marketing strategy with new and more cost effective tactics.
Despite industry analyst forecasted cut backs on traditional media and even online marketing, mobile marketing spend is poised to double this year. Of course, that’s not really all that difficult. Despite the very clear benefits of mobile marketing, it still remains a miniscule piece of the marketing pie. Thus, the only way it can really go is up. In a recession, that is a good sign. We should all be using it to differentiate ourselves and drive sales in the same direction.
Mozilla Messaging has unveiled the first Beta release of Thunderbird 3, calling it a "milestone" but acknowledging that it's still a work in progress. CEO David Ascher is very happy with the release:
"We've gotten Thunderbird to the point where we'll be able to experiment with exciting new ways of managing, viewing, sorting, and processing mail. And lots of other people will be able to as well. Out of that, we should be able to figure out ways to make email work better for millions of people. That's pretty exciting to me!"
His enthusiasm is contagious - a lot of upgrades have been made since Thunderbird 2, incorporating feedback and suggestions from previous releases. Highlights include faster message loading for IMAP, a tabbed mail interface, an improved reader view and a better Address Book interface, a new Add-Ons Manager, integration with Windows Vista search and Mac OS X Address Book, and better import from other clients.
"In some ways, this is a typical beta," says Ascher in his blog, but "[i]t's also a good beta in that we've moved the product forward." However, he continues, the release of Thunderbird 3 is also "far from a typical beta" because major feature changes and upgrades are continuing which will (or will not) be integrated into future beta releases.
Ascher previews some cool experimental add-ons, including improved (and simplified) account configuration, a slick tabbed UI, and the ability to save messages by conversations (though that's not the default). The search function will also be drastically improved - much smarter and more efficient, without requiring users "to think like database programmers, which most of us aren't," Ascher notes wryly.
What I love most about this release is its forward-thinking aspect: Ascher's excitement is evident, and he is genuinely looking forward to all the ways in which foundational parts of Thunderbird can be "platforms for experimentation, whether by us, or by others." The open source nature keeps Thunderbird naturally dynamic.
Developers and the curious are invited to read the Release Notes, test it out, and give feedback.
Portland-based Ontier is remaining secretive about exactly what they do, but the buzz is building after the acquisition of two major Oregon tech players. Les Fahey and Paul Gulick have both joined the Ontier's board of directors and put money into the business.
Fahey is known for running Fehey Ventures and working as a tax partner at KMPG, and Gulick started InFocus and Clarity Visual Systems.
CEO Sebastian Rapport told Silicon Forest's Mike Rogway that Ontier is finishing up their angel round and hoping to secure Series A funding by spring of 2009.
Ontier's beta relese is supposedly coming in early 2009. It promises "the power of in-person interaction" and "the end of long, confusing email exchanges." Ontier still isn't making any concrete promises on what they can deliver; however, beefing up their board could lead to some great results.
Ontier, Inc. was founded in early 2008 in Portland, Oregon. The company is comprised of a global team of experienced managers and product... [more]
The Web 2.0 world is a great environment for connecting people and causes in ways that until recently were unimaginable. One example of an excellent peer-to-peer philanthropy platform in www.globalgiving.com.
The mission of Washington, DC-based GlobalGiving is to sustain a “marketplace for good” that connects donors directly to the causes they care most about. Since its launch in 2002, GlobalGiving has helped thousands of donors give over $11 million to approximately 1,000 projects worldwide.
Theodore Malloch, an advisor to GlobalGiving, recounted to me several stories (which are also included in his upcoming book titled Generous Giving) of individual giving that were enabled through GlobalGving.
Malloch described the story of Paula Diley, Durham, NC, who was raised to be a “giver.” She comes from a family of nine and learned how to share at an early age. Through her siblings, she saw the importance of celebrating with others when they are blessed. Diley set out a goal to give to all one hundred and ninety four nations of the world.
Diley maintains a running list of all the countries of the world and crosses each one off as she is able to give. So far, she is up to 69 projects in 67 nations! Diley also makes sure to support a variety of different projects, from play pumps in one country to healthcare issues, water quality, education, schools, economic development and aids awareness.
One of Diley’s giving inspirations is Muhammad Yunus, an economist from Bangladesh and the founder of Grameen Bank [ www.grameen-info.org ]. Yunus is a Nobel Peace Prize winner known for his work in micro-credit loans. Yunnus started with a small amount of his own money, and it spread to so many people. After Diley read Yunnus’ book “Banker to the Poor” she realized that although she only has a small amount to give, combined with others, needs can be met all over the world. Today’s web facilitates the process of aggregated giving.
Malloch also recounts the story of John Burg and Heather Haines, Washington, DC, who instead of asking for traditional wedding gift items like a blender or toaster, decided to register on GlobalGiving. This couple believes that have been so fortunate that it made sense to be able to give back.” Haines explained. “In the spirit of giving, we wanted to be able to give our guests another option.” The couple is excited about a project in India, the destination of their honeymoon. In addition to putting the India project on their registry, they are making a contribution of their own in honor of their guests.
Malloch also cites the example of Timothy Campbell, New Delhi, India, who is a habitual GlobalGiving gift card buyer. GlobalGiving allows people to make a charitable gift to somebody while allowing them to choose the cause, and perhaps find a new project or organization in need. Campbell’s family has always enjoyed the tradition of giving each other donations as well as gifts. He says, “I have recently begun to feel that it is more important to a lot of people I know to be able to support a cause they believe in rather than to receive a physical gift.”
A final example highlighted by Malloch is Nicole Shampaine, Washington, DC, who also uses GlobalGiving gift cards. Shampaine likes the idea of giving recipients the option to choose the project they would like to support, instead of picking something for them. GlobalGiving has something for everyone with projects ranging from environmental issues to bringing poor girls out of poverty through soccer.
The various examples that Malloch cites with respect to the GlobalGiving platform illustrate how giving has changed in today’s world. Individuals through GlobalGiving are empowered to engage in widespread peer-to-peer giving. Givers are typically more motivated when they see the impact of their gifts; web sites can facilitate this process of giving.
How can some one be generous? Further, can a generous spirit be more effectively put into action in today’s Web 2.0 world?
Theodore Malloch thinks so. Malloch is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Roosevelt Group, a leading strategic advisory and thought leadership company. He has written a book called Being Generous, which is scheduled for release this coming year. After having read the preview text and spoken with Malloch, I believe this is a valuable book for socially responsible that will be of great benefit to business people. Even Oprah endorses it saying, “This book is a true gift. It can bring the whole world together in acts of generosity.”
Malloch has direct experience with Web 2.0 companies. He is on the board of Global Giving, a Washington, DC-based network for peer-to-peer philanthropy. He is also an advisor to MakeGood [NOTE: I am the founder of this company] which enables businesses to effectively communicate social responsibility.
Malloch chose the title for his book quite deliberately. In 1995 MIT Media Lab’s Nicholas Negroponte wrote a best selling book with the title, Being Digital. It was a non-fiction science and technology forecast, describing a future world free of wires. It became an instant classic and in many ways came to define the Internet era. Malloch explains that Being Digital provided a general history of several digital media technologies; many that Negroponte himself was directly involved in developing in the labs.
Negroponte argued that humanity is inevitably headed towards a future where everything that can be digitalized, will be digitalized and he was very soon proved right. Negroponte's book was as much about change as it was about the future. We can no longer describe the future or the process of change without mentioning digital technology.
Malloch’s book is about being generous: but generosity exists only because of people and what they feel and do. It is a virtue, a habit that governs the way of life and the expectations of generous people and causes them to look on the world as though others, and not themselves, are the principal reason for the world’s existence.
Malloch cites Jeff Skoll as an example of generosity in today’s Web 2.0 world. As eBay’s first President, Skoll prospered early in life. He retired at age 34 and used $34 million from the proceeds of the company’s IPO to set up his own foundation. A $7.5 million gift to Oxford University to integrate social entrepreneurship into business skills is indicative of his visionary interests. He is now financing and producing films on social responsibility. His foundation, set-up in 1999, pursues his vision of a world: “where all people, regardless of geography, background, or economic status enjoy and employ the full range of their talents and abilities.”
Malloch describes how Skoll is looking to lead lasting social change. He invests in social entrepreneurship through his flagship Awards program. He connects people through the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Said Business School. He sponsors forums with thought leaders; and has built Social Edge, as an on-line community where like-minded people can network, learn and inspire one another.
Like Negroponte, Malloch’s sees the overthrow of the paradigms of the past and how this is creating new potential for being generous in a Web 2.0 world. Malloch explains that, “We are beginning to share our traditions, religions and moral philosophies. And we appear to be ready to forge something new—a global civilization. At the core of that new way of being is the virtue of generosity. It too can become ubiquitous.” Malloch’s book is a valuable attempt to see what being generous means and might entail for everyone in our interconnected, digital future. The Web 2.0 world will expedite the process of being generous.
Tuesday, November 18
SAO: The Future of Targeted Marketing: Micro-efforts with Macro-thinking
7:30am - 9:00am: Governor Hotel
Jefferson Grapevine (new business development meetup)
5:00pm - 7:00pm: RCC/SOU Higher Education Center
Portland Java User Group
6:30pm - 8:00pm: Oracle (Downtown Campus)
WhereCamp PDX Meetup
7:00pm - 9:00pm: White Eagle
November 19, 2008
OEN Webinar - Quality Market Research on a Shoestring, with Mike Riley
10:00am - 11:00am: Online
Winning International Customers Online
11:30am - 1:00pm: US Bank Tower, Ground Floor Conference Room
SAO Poker Night (Special Networking Event)
5:30pm - 8:30pm: Kell's Irish Restaurant & Pub
Negotiating Better Deals: Insights into the Psychology of Decision Making in Contracts
5:30pm – 7:30pm: Schwabe, Williamson, & Wyatt
PDX 501 Tech Club/Net Tuesday: Nonprofit Tech Extravaganza
5:30pm – 7:30pm: Lucky Labrador Beer Hall
XPDX - Agile Methodologies: A Matter of Survival
6:30pm – 9pm: CubeSpace
PLUG: Linux Advanced Topics Talk
7:00pm - 9:00pm: Jax Bar
Thursday, November 20, 2008
SAO: Life Inside an Iteration
6:00pm - 9:00pm: Governor Hotel
The Showdown in Stumptown: 2008 PAF Rosey Awards
5:30pm - 10:00pm: Antoinette Hatfield Hall
WordIgniteBarCampCampCampCampPalooza… PDX
6–8pm: CubeSpace
Friday, November 20, 2008
Portland Business Journal 4th Quarter Sustainability Luncheon
11a:00m – 1:00pm: The Nines Hotel
Monday, November 24, 2008
MIT Enterprise Forum: The Future of Wireless Communication
4:00 – 6:00pm: OTBC (The Round)
DorkbotPDX Meeting
7:00pm – 10:00pm: Lucky Labrador Beer Hall
PDX Critique
7:00pm – 9:00pm: CubeSpace
WestSide Polyglot Programmers
7:00pm – 9:00pm: OTBC (The Round)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
OTBC Open House
3:00pm – 5:00pm: OTBC (The Round)
Last fall, six computers were stolen from Workspace Cafe in Gastown, a popular Vancouver coworking space that hosts numerous community events. With nothing to go on except a low-res security cam video, it looked like the computers were lost, until an unexpected picture was uploaded to Workspace Flickr account. One of the iMacs was set up as a kiosk where folks could take pictures and upload them directly to Flickr. This picture quickly made the rounds on the web, hitting the top of Digg and getting covered by mainstream media. The man in the photo turns himself in (he was supposedly the second hand buyer, not the original thief) and the iMac is recovered.
If this sounds like a fun way to foil theft, you might be interested in MacTrak, from Portland-based GadgetTrak. MacTrak uses any Mac's iSight to take a picture every 30 minutes and upload it to Flickr (you can set these photos to private by default). It also uses WiFi-based location finding to attach the location to that photo. If a thief connects to the Internet at all, their picture and location will be revealed immediately. GadgetTrak also makes theft recovery and remote data wipe software for Windows PCs and mobile devices.
Based in Portland, Oregon, GadgetTrak provides theft recovery and loss prevention solutions for mobile devices. Through our unique and... [more]
Mobile entrepreneurs and developers should think about heading to the Mobile 2.0 Conference in San Francisco on November 3. Mobile 2.0 is designed to bring together experts, leaders and entrepreneurs from all aspects of new mobile technology. It is a great opportunity for networking with startups and investors, connecting with carriers and manufactures, and developing relationships with mobile app developers and web technologists.
The event runs from 8:30am - 6:00pm at the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco. The conference focuses on new mobile apps and services, the future of the mobile web, and disruptive mobile innovation.
Speakers include Tatsuki Tomita, SVP of Opera Software; Omar Hamoui, CEO of AdMob; John Faith, GM & VP Mobile at MySpace; Henri Moissinac, Director of Facebook Mobile; Maurice Thompson, Director of Open Development at Verizon Wireless; Jay Sullivan, VP Mobile at Mozilla; Sumit Agarwal, Mobile Product Management Lead at Google, North America; and a heap more. Presenting start-ups include Zipipop, Nimbuzz, Rummble, Seesmic, Dial2Do, Wubud, and aki-aki.
