Episode 29: Informality of Job Searching, Comcast, and Cuil

Astute listeners may notice that there is no Episode 28. There is somewhere - accessible - but we decided we were going to do the good communist thing and control the message. It was a bomb last week with technical difficulties, etc. So… there is no official Episode 28.

Welcome to Episode 29, though. Geoff and I kicked off the discussion talking about job searches and a story originally posted in the Wall Street Journal. The story talked about how many college grads are playing it a little loose in their job searches, using shorthand, etc. I wrote about it on Technosailor. You can also read what Jen Nedeau, who was quoted in the story, had to say on her blog.

We moved into the New York Times story discussing Comcast and their Twitter personality, Frank Eliason (aka @comcastcares). Geoff is a bit skittish of this new found new media presence being a lasting (and changing) effort within the Comcast organization. Does good customer service on one hand actually speak to a cultural change across the board?

Finally, we discussed the new Cuil (pronounced “cool”) search engine that members of the traditional media branded as a Google-killer. Bloggers drank the kool-aid too. However, Jeremy Tanner called in to discuss the FAIL aspect of this engine. I think we all agree here.

Enjoy!

Episode 29 - MP3

Episode 20: Plaxo, LinkedIn, Comcast, Twitter and Technosailor

Aaron’s turning 40, according to Geoff. That’s only partially true. Actually, Technosailor.com just turned 4. Livingston Communications, Geoff’s firm, is a sponsor. He notes that next week they are launching a new service they are calling a “Social PR Firm” that transcends typical social media marketing and communications.

Aaron asks Geoff what the best way to move into this venue of Social PR if you’re not focusing primarily on social media. Geoff thinks it depends on the stakeholders. At the end of the day, social media is a tool and not the end-all, be-all of communications.

Aaron talks about how he is trying not to refer to his site as a blog, and instead, as a site. The concept of blog vs. media property.

Geoff segues into Twitter pitching. Every time he comes online on Twitter, he’s getting pitched by people. He’s tired of it. I don’t blame him. But unlike him, I’m not taking time off from Twitter.

Can you take off from Twitter? It didn’t work for Hugh Macleod who came back after a very small amount of time because all his business contacts were there.

Caller Tobias Bray calls in and shares some insights. He asks, why do you go to a social network? Why do you do it and what do you get out of it? Toby compares Twitter pitches to multi-level marketing efforts.

The Mac Mommy was chomping at the bit to talk about the Comcast-Plaxo deal. Geoff thinks it’s “Shiny Object Syndrome” that causes Comcast to buy a crappy service such as Plaxo.

Toby, who has history in the cable industry, thinks that Comcast is trying to remain relevant in the the social space.

Aaron has a bright idea and thinks Comcast is trying to get the massive address books database to tie into their phone service.

Regardless, no one really has a clue what the Comcast play means or what the end goal is.

Aaron wonders who LinkedIn goes to and Mac Mommy asks, “Where’s the beef?”

Then the show went downhill… You’ll just have to listen to it. ;-)

Episode 20 - MP3