Social Media Discussions at the Online Community Roundtable

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We shouldn’t be surprised that Social Media Strategists know how to share. Forrester was pleased to host the Online Community Roundtable, you can continue the discussion in the Facebook Group.


(Update: I uploaded this video with the Flip Camera, man it’s easy capture, edit and publish with this thing)

Bill Johnston is a community servant (Update: he posts his thoughts from his blog), and I mean that in the best possible way. He organizes events for the Social Media industry that serve those who are practicing, it’s really a very valuable service. Every other month, he organizes the Online Community Roundtable for anyone who’s struggling with the day to day job of reaching to customers using online tools, a different company hosts this event each time. Update: Chris Kenton provides his thoughts from the event, he was expands off the idea of Identity Escrow. Ken Kaplan gives context on his presentation on storytelling, I’d like to see Ken speak more often.

To me, perhaps the most interesting topic was one around the “Future of Social Networks” and Chris Kenton’s historical look at marketing, and how technology has empowered and disabled marketers

This is actually a ‘user group’ or in Forrester terms, what we call a ‘support community’ where friends, colleagues, peers (and competitors) come together to share and learn from each other. The size of the event is limited, around 35 yielded quality conversations, any more would have caused fragmentations. Bill is masterful in not letting anyone pitch, and anyone who wants to share puts their name up on the board, here’s the list of presentations.

One social network even got up and told the group that they were having challenges growing in a particular market and asked for opinions and help. A few questions from the crowd asked for demographic information, objectives, and clarification, then a barrage of suggestions from seasoned community folks came back to help, now that’s community.

There’s a “Soft NDA” in place, so if a member wanted something to stay confidential, then all will have to respect this, it leads to greater sharing and trust. Some of those who attended included those from Intel, Webex, CyWorld, Charles and Helen Schwab Organization, Cadence, YouTube, Lithium, Leverage, LiveWorld, Ringcube, Intuit, Symantec, VM Ware, Wyse, Babycenter, Tesla Motors, Joyent, SixApart, On24, ZapTXT and hosted by Forrester. (who did I miss?)

I think I can speak for Charlene, that for us this was a real treat, these are the folks we research for, these are the problems that we’re also trying to find out what works and what doesn’t for. I’d like to to thank Forrester’s Frans V.E. for funding the food and drink, Frank C. for helping drag the tables around, and Joan M, the Foster City office manager for all her work and preparation.


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14 Replies to “Social Media Discussions at the Online Community Roundtable”

  1. I am quite interested the discussion on the future social networks. Particularly in opinions on those which are defined bt their infrastructure(MySpace)vs those which are organically created and defined by their topics.

  2. That was actually presented by Charlene Li, my colleague. She’s giving the full blown preso on Monday as the keynote at Graphing Social Patterns in San Diego

    I video’s the first few minutes of her talk last night, I’ll get around to posting, so watch for it!

  4. Hey Jeremiah, thanks for hosting the event down at Forrester last night.

    As someone who attended (that’s me in the middle there) it really was refreshing, open, considerate, and insightful. We all have a long way to go in terms of making social media “right”, and events like these, where thought leaders and practitioners can essentially collaborate as a group, only help to influence our collective efforts, inching us close to a more “ambient” or “ubiquitous” user experience.

    Bottom line: It was a lot of fun, and I hope to be invited next time around.

    btw Jeremiah: I don’t think Webex was there, but was mentioned. Could be wrong though.

  5. Pingback: Online Community Roundtable: 2/28 @ Forrester - a report back « Bill Johnston: Online Community Strategy

  6. Jeremiah,

    Thanks to you for hosting the event and to Bill Johnston at Forum One for organizing the Community Roundtable Sessions.
    Charlene’s vision is compelling and I believe right in terms of social media being like “air” and our profiles and permissions being controlled by the user – as the center.
    Last night was great for the mix of companies and experiences from veteran community experts to new people trying to understand how to get started and evangelize communities internally.

    Jeremiah — Diane from Webex was in attendance last night.

  7. Thank you so much for hosting a wonderful event! It was also my first time, and we hope to be included in the next.

    Also, love this blog!

  13. Jeremiah, great write up and video.

    I found all the talks interesting and engaging and I really enjoyed meeting everyone.

    Kudos to Bill Johnston for make it all happen!

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