Today, I have a request, and it will take you 10 minutes, or less.
Every year, Drexel University showcases 40 people under 40 years old who are making a difference in the world. They are currently accepting nominations.
My request: If you feel moved to do so, please consider nominating me. Go here: http://drexelmagazine.org/40u40/
Info You Would Need
My Address:
125 N.3rd St, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
My Email and Phone:
215-948-2012
My Age:
34 (I know, I know, I look 25-29)
My Headshot
or
My Resume
What you may also need to know
Many of you that read this blog probably know a little bit about me. But you may not know exactly what it is that I do, or why I do what I do for a living. You may not know why I started my company, or what drives me to keep growing my company.
So if you feel like you don’t know enough about how I’m trying to change the world to nominate me, but would like to, please read on…
This is the brief introduction to the what, how and why of my career:
Starting with Grad School
I graduated from my MBA at Drexel in 2008, and by that time I already knew that Social Media had the potential to change the world. I believed (and still believe) in the disruptive power of giving everyone a voice. I knew people would rush to be heard, to share their views, and to connect with one another.
Early Work in Social Media
Before starting my company, I worked for two other companies, one, a management consulting firm, and the other, a PR firm.
In both cases I was fanatically passionate about how Social Media could change everything for the company. I knew that an open and transparent company would not only be more appealing the customers and employees, but would also benefit from being more collaborative and connected.
The Birth of my Company
I started my company in 2011 after being laid off from the Public Relations firm. They had hired me as the Director of the Social Media Practice Group, but within a matter of months, it became clear that we viewed Social Media through entirely different lenses.
So in March of 2011, I started my company, True Voice Media. Philadelphia (and beyond) needed an agency that focused on using Social Media to drive business results, while at the same time bringing a new level of respect and connectedness with customers and employees. We couldn’t just stuff Social Media into the PR or Advertising box, or use this two-way platform to talk AT people.
Today…
Today, I get paid to think. I work with companies to design strategies to accomplish their individual business goals, not just marketing goals. I help them understand how social media tools are best used in their specific situation.
I was talking about Social Business back in 2008 before the term Social Business was even in use.
I do what I do because Social Businesses benefit everyone, including the company itself:
- They have more marketplace brand awareness because both customers and employees share information and experiences.
- They generate more leads because they expand the company’s touchpoints beyond “official” marketing and sales channels which empowers the entire company to bring in and find new opportunities.
- They have better products and services because they listen to feedback from customers and employees.
- They provide better customer service because they use technology to be faster and more responsive.
- They have more engaged and loyal customers because they are given the opportunity to participate in the success or failure of the company, and value being heard and appreciated by a company that is responsive to their needs.
- They have more engaged and purpose driven employees because they can see the mission of the company unfold in real time everyday, are acknowledged for their contributions and therefore take ownership in the success of the company.
- They have greater social awareness because they understand the causes that are important to their employees and customers.
In Summary
If only 30% of businesses in this city, or any city, became Social Businesses, it would change the world. It would set a new precedent work what work could be, and what interacting with a company could be.
I believe the work that I’m doing can fundamentally change the face of business everywhere.