December 12, 2009 43 Comments

Be a Sociologist – Overnight Success

In this next installment of the Overnight Success series, I come to you from Paris, France. My point: that we can’t just stay in the trenches, least of all the tech trench. We have humanity to consider, and human behavior to take into account. Without us practicing our armchair versions of the “ologies,” we’re going to have worse results.

If you can’t see the video, click here.

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lynnelle

In order to know what 'they' like, you have to think from 'their' perspective – - And don't you have to first be aware of your own perspective, or paradigm to do so? (there's that word) Not sure which 'ology' that would be, but I've found this one of the hardest things for people to do; understand that we all have 'a perspective' and not 'the answer'. Good one.
http://www.dawncomber.com/ Dawn

Your post dovetails nicely with a post from Copyblogger (yesterday I think). You talk about all the “ologies” and that is great thinking but but you are also talking about taking TIME to think… take a global perspective and be strategic in pinpointing the human need. Thanks for the reminder.
http://www.soultravelers3.com soultravelers3

Love it (as usual, spot on)! So fun having you on this side of the pond with that awesome background as well!

I continue to be amazed at how fast our world is changing lately and how we must all learn new ways of being.
http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

Both sociology and anthropology have this series of exercises to try and rid us of our anthropomorphism (whoa). It's tricky, but that's required, too.
patrickroden

No one cares how much you know…until they know how much you care (not my line, but essential to understand).

Right on target again, Chris.

Patrick Roden
http://dresramblings.com Andre Natta

It's something that all of us need to be reminded about – perhaps taking a step away from what we think we know so that we can listen and learn more.

I'd say that we can't be helpful to folks if we stay in our comfort zones. It also helps us actually BE more human when we get out of the trench… that's important too.
http://twitter.com/Ed Ed Shahzade

Now you're speaking my language :)

While others can consult with companies with
great expertise regarding the uses of technology,
I've been a voice in the wind throughout 2008/2009.

The platforms and tools which Silicon Valley types
provide are wonderful and important,
but a far smaller priority in the advancement of myriad business
communication needs than they're credited with.

There has been a hyper-paced roll out of new applications
and methods (technical tactics), the past year,
as technoventuredom seeks to survive and thrive despite
competition and a failing economy.

Because these capable shops have been creating and offering
'productivity solutions', we we've credited them as though it was
providence.
In that focus, we've lost perspective.
I've watched as the Googlers, Twitter engineers, apps makers
and the “Scobles” have pounded the airwaves with such a left-brain approach,
that THE HUMAN CEO's, trench workers,
CUSTOMERS, have been assigned a singular nomination: user.

The double PhD Chemist/Scientist who adds too much
pure, enabling Oxygen to the room, simply makes everyone
too high to remember why they were there in the first place.

So it is with “social media in business”.
The new “elite media trainers” need to learn many of the core
attributes of a tiny 1920 mom & pop shop,
or plan to suck ans wash out in the next
“you're all redundantly blathering the same crap 2.0″
purge.
What makes a USP, is being real, human, other-centered,
one contact at time.
Not scalable you say?
Too bad. Go home.
Because the person on the other end doesn't give a damn
that you don't have time to give them 100% while you're busy 'scaling'.

Think like a consumer every time you open your mouth with an offer.
You'll be successful “over night”.
http://www.softwareprojects.org Bas de Baar

So true! An are that might be of interest to you this respect is project management and running virtual teams. We learn a lot from online communities and I think the online crowd can learn a lot from the insights from running teams. Sociology provides a lot of useful insights here. If anyone is interested in “Project Sociology” i have a free ebook for any one to grap (no sign up, i have nothing to sell etc. just hope it is useful :))

http://blog.softwareprojects.org/project-shrink…

Your blog is one of my favorite because as an Project Manager I learn a lot from how online communities operate. So thanks!
http://hungrypeople.posterous.com/ Jay Jaboneta

Wonderful Ed! It seems up what's on my mind all this time. And its the same everywhere. I'm based in Manila and many companies are not only clueless but doesn't have the balls to do what's right.
http://uptownuncorked.com geechee_girl

I've never used my psychology education more than the last few years doing social media outreach, strategies and education.
http://twitter.com/virtualvip Jeff Yablon

Ties in with yesterday's post-LeWeb comment from my blog following something Scoble ( http://twitter.com/scobleizer ) said: http://answerguy.com/2009/12/11/social-media-ma… .

Having spent a bunch of time over there I can tell you that after you get past the stereotypical nonsense (which among the educated class is mostly false at this point), you're still left with cultural differences that it takes time, effort, and a open mind to grasp.

Think about it this way: You know how Applebees waitresses are over-friendly / familiar? Traditionally, the French are just as offended by that kind of communication between acquaintances They reserve familiarity for their family and close friends. And by the way, have a few drinks with a French person and you become a close friend.

Vive le differance!

Jeff Yablon
President & CEO
Answer Guy and Virtual VIP Computer Support, Business Change Coaching and Virtual Assistant Services

Answer Guy and Virtual VIP on Twitter
http://www.reinventionqueen.com/ Maryellen Smith

Regarding: “So it is with “social media in business”. The new “elite media trainers” need to learn many of the core attributes of a tiny 1920 mom & pop shop…”

I wholeheartedly agree with Ed's statement. People think that social media is so new and innovative and different than anything that we've ever seen. However, with social media we've come full circle back to good old fashioned customer service. Listen to your customers, give them what they want, treat them with respect and they'll love you.

If you're using social media for business, you need to have the same kind of honesty and transparency in the interactions with the customers as you would if they walked into your brick and mortar store.
deannaalbrecht

I just heard an engaging speaker quote that “we aren't going to be remembered for our tweets (ouch!) but for what we do for others.” and I would add how we make others feel.

What motivates people, the needs they have, and how we can (and maybe can't) meet them in our tech communities.

Thanks for the post!
http://subject2.com Nick Johnson

There are way too many great responses here in the comments for me to add any value. I would like to mention comments like the ones here and what you Chris express is exactly why I care about being involved and a part of this community even if it means I'm a blip on the radar in the corner of the room
http://www.MarkMcCulloch.com Mark McCulloch Success Coach

Absolutely amazing blog you have here.

I love the video made in Paris, France.

Anytime I visit there I have a great time and of course I have enjoyed reading the amazing content you put onto your blog here.

Thank you so much

Mark McCulloch
http://www.brandtailers.com Cheril Hendry

Wow Ed, beautifully put! Great analogies. Hopefully we'll hit a tipping point in technology where people realize true success only comes from acts of humanity. I hope it happens soon. My head hurts!
http://ariherzog.com Ari Herzog

Intriguing use of single and double quotations throughout; my English instructors would have a field day teaching you why some are right and others wrong. But in concept, we are on the same page as I was a sociology undergraduate major.
http://www.onlineinvestingai.com/blog/ George

Awesome video! I was never much of a fan of video posts, but that one is great!

Must be nice hanging out in France. Where do I sign up?

And, about the content, I agree 100%. As a former programmer, it is so easy to just think about the details about creating a software or a web site. But when we change our focus and think about how we can create value (for humanity, as you put it), then it multiplies our value by huge amount.
http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

Thanks, Mark. Glad to see you visiting. : )
http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

Communities matter, Nick. Never feel like the blip. Feel like part of the larger wave.
http://www.jungleoflife.com/ Lance

Great thoughts Chris! If we can touch upon what motivates people, or what it is that deeply 'moves” them, inspires them, touches off some sort of an emotional connection – we have touched a place that really connects us to that person. I love that thought!
http://www.questforbalance.com/ Lisis

Lance, you are already an expert on that… truly connecting with others! :)
http://thoughtbythought.net Tre

thanks for asking these questions…what do humans need, want, what drives them…not sure any of these have finite answers…my own answers to those same questions have shifted…some. way back when i was in the public ed system, one of the things i found most enlightening was studying child psychology. call it what you will, my now answer for all 3 questions: really feel what humans want, need and what drives them always goes back to love…no matter how you stretch that word…no matter if you call it connection, validation, meaning, purpose, acknowlegement….for me…for my now…everything goes back to that yearning. just my 2 cents. grateful to see you got some digs. hopefully Delta foot the bill since they lost your luggage.
http://twitter.com/StewNoBS Stew Shaw

Chris – took me quite a few replays, but grasping the true import of what you were saying I transcribed your exact speech: 137 words (plus intro & signoff), 46 seconds. Not one fumble, grammatically flawless. Telling a message that can completely transform all our businesses. How'd you do that? Thank you so much for sharing this brilliant insight. I'm making a 180 degree turn, and starting NOW I'm off to think deeply.
Jackie O

Love this! I try to explain this to people, and they get so freaked out by the unknown tech portion that they close down and stop listening. I'll rework my approach from the HUMAN side! Love the series – btw.
http://www.aaat.com/ Miguel Covarrubias

Hi everyone! I'm just getting started on backtype… Drop me a comment if you've got some ideas on what to do first – or just to say, “Hi!”

Please add me in your friends list.
Joaquin de Castejon

I think this isn't just true for programmers, the tools are just easier to get a handle on and they make you feel like you're making progress. Getting to really know people and thinking about how to create value are more abstract and more difficult. That's why they can be such a great differentiator.
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marryroy01

The platforms and tools which Silicon Valley types provide are wonderful and important,but a far smaller priority in the advancement of myriad business
communication needs than they're credited with. I want to know certain new rules for the approaching success.

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marryroy01

The platforms and tools which Silicon Valley types provide are wonderful and important,but a far smaller priority in the advancement of myriad business
communication needs than they're credited with. I want to know certain new rules for the approaching success.

external hard drives
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Hi,
I really enjoyed the video.This was what we everyone wanted to know.Thank you very much for sharing.
http://www.movetransport.com/ John

I like this concept. I like paris……… I love you so much
sandrageo

That's great Ed you had great thoughts towards humanity but do think the society consider person to be success in his/her life to be socialist not at all our society consider people to be success who is rich enough to owns everything.

But i don't know why people went back of money there is a nice saying Ed- “In general people has to be loved and things have to be used but now it's vice versa like money was been loved and people have been used. “

But i enjoyed your saying it was like an alarm to people to think it off of humanity in our shot span life. Thanks Ed…
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I'm a little late finding this article, but I loved it.
http://www.MyTreasureBox.com sarit

Hi Chris,
I'm in the business of premade and custom scrapbooks, you can see it here: http://www.MyTreasureBox.com. I'm a good networker and very social but when it comes to my business I shy from promoting it. I think it's because I was educated that you shouldn't tout your own horn. Any advise?
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There are way too many great responses to my comments here to add any value. I refer people here like to express comments and Chris would be like you why I really care about being involved and part of the community even if it means I corner room on the radar 'm a blip
http://www.yuregininsesi.com yuregininsesi

I just heard an engaging speaker quote that “we aren't going to be remembered for our tweets (ouch!) but for what we do for others.” and I would add how we make others feel.

What motivates people, the needs they have, and how we can (and maybe can't) meet them in our tech communities.
ashok

good
Voipphoneservices

I like this video,,,http://voipphone-info.blogspot.com/
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Be a Sociologist – Overnight Success

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