Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt, announced the future of the search engine; It will understand what you want, give you what you’re looking for and jumpstart the age of “augmented reality.”

Personalized Information At Your Fingertips

Google’s biggest step in expanding its search capabilities is delivering personalized information at a much faster pace. The new Google would deliver information even if it hasn’t been indexed yet. Schmidt emphasized this point when he spoke at the IFA consumer electronics event in Berlin.

The CEO also praised the expansion of the mobile web noting that small, connected devices such as tablets and phones could deliver a stream of information that is fitted to what you’re searching for. Eric’s vision is only made more appealing as he noted the mobile web is growing 8 times faster when compared to the desktop web we’ve come to know and love only 10 years earlier and that more mobile search queries, about 33% have to do with where a user is.

Schmidt had this to say regarding personalized search:

“Ultimately, search is a personal activity. Ultimately, where search goes is not just the web, but literally all of your information — your email, the things that you care about. This is with your permission, I might add. This is personal search for you and only you, because ultimately search is about finding what you want right now.

And the next step of search is doing this automatically. So, when I walk down the streets of Berlin — I love history — what I want is the computer, my smartphone to be doing searches constantly. ‘Did you know? Did you know? Did you know? Did you know? This occurred here. This occurred there.’ Because it knows who I am. It knows what I care about. It knows roughly where I am. So this notion of autonomous search — this ability to tell me things I didn’t know but am probably very interested in is the next great stage, in my view, of search.”

This notion of autonomous search – to tell me things I didn’t know but am probably interested in, is the next great stage – in my view – of search.”

Implementing Personal Search

Hugo Barra, a Product Management Director, demoed a new, upcoming feature for Google Translate called “conversation mode.” The new feature would allow users to speaking into a mobile phone or device to translate their words in to a different language on the fly.

Schmidt urged businesses that rely on the “economics of scarcity” to convert to the “economics of ubiquity” which would help monetize “augmented humanity.” His example was the monetization of YouTube which is helping push the augmented age and create “healthy debate” about pressing topics. Schmidt also noted that YouTube receives more than 2 billion views per day and an addition 160 million mobile views per days. Advertisers are also up 50% in the last year and 45 billion ads are served each day by DoubleClick.

Via: Search Engine Land

Yesterday Google launched a new feature that is sure to have hardcore Gmail users jumping for joy: Priority Inbox.

Priority inbox is your virtual mail clerk for managing your massive email overload. At the heart of the feature is a comprehensive algorithm that sifts through emails and replies to find important keywords, people you email the most and other important relays between you and others. All of this information is factored in to how Priority Inbox categorizes important email over non critical replies.

Besides the alogorithm, starred emails are grouped in to Priority Inbox. What Google hopes to accomplish with grouping starred emails with pre-sorted email is that users will be more diligent in grouping emails that need acting upon.

In your Gmail window, you should see a tab above inbox showing off the new menu item. If it doesn’t show up for you, don’t worry, the feature is being rolled out slowly to users throughout the week.

Priority Inbox Makes Users The Number One Priorirty

Priority Inbox is not new by any means, it was originally included in Gmail but was taken out before launch to undergo further refinement. While the feature was being tested internally, Google found users saved 16% of time checking emails.

The Official Google Blog further refines the purpose of Priority Inbox:. “Gmail has always been pretty good at filtering junk mail into the “spam” folder. But today, in addition to spam, people get a lot of mail that isn’t outright junk but isn’t very important–bologna, or “bacn.” So we’ve evolved Gmail’s filter to address this problem and extended it to not only classify outright spam, but also to help users separate this “bologna” from the important stuff. In a way, Priority Inbox is like your personal assistant, helping you focus on the messages that matter without requiring you to set up complex rules.”

Bringing efficiency to email checking is Google’s next major step with Gmail and is a drastic step towards refining spam filters. Users who receive hundreds if not thousands of emails a day are the ones that will benefit the most from this new implementation in Gmail. Google estimates users who spend 13 hours per week on email will save a week’s worth of time after a year of using Priority Inbox.

However, the feature is considered Beta so Google Apps users won’t be able to take advantage of Priority Inbox unless their IT department configures beta features to be used.

As a Gmail user, I’m really excited Google is taking active steps in going above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to Spam filtering and instead focusing on filtering emails that are relevant to me and other Gmail users. Let me know what you think of this feature.

Via: PC World

Foursquare is more than just a simple check in service, it can be leveraged by businesses to promote their brand and connect with consumers.

Foursquare Marketing Campaigns

Don’t knock Foursquare as just your regular check in service, businesses are already using it to promote themselves; by having users check in to them.

Starbucks, one of the biggest Foursquare promoters created a special campaign just for its loyal customers. The coffee chain instituted a special that gave users who checked in to five different Starbucks a Barista badge. The badge gave Foursquare users access to promotions other customers couldn’t take advantage but the offers varied between locations.

However, the campaign fell flat on its face. While the coffee titan created the campaign on a company wide basis, not many outlets were informed of the offer or even what the Barista badge meant on Foursquare. This left Foursquare users looking at a dumb founded manager when they requested an offer that could only be unlocked by the badge. This shows poor management on Starbucks’ part on what could have been a great social media opportunity.

Foursquare Promotions & Deals

But there have been brands that have successfully used Foursquare to create some awesome marketing campaigns such as lifestyle brand Diesel. The company launched one of the most elaborate social media marketing campaigns the fashion industry has seen; “Be Stupid.” The Ad was combined with a special one day event at Diesel’s flagship New York store as part of the company’s experimental organic social media campaign. During the one day event, users who checked in to Foursquare within a three-city block radius were alerted a promotion available directly from the store. When those users checked in to the store, they were treated to special printed tees; a great marketing tool for Diesel considering four people within the first hour of the campaign took advantage of the Foursquare offer and dozens more walked in.

Foursquare Business Tools

If your business is interested in using Foursquare to generate buzz without generating a marketing plan from an ad agency, the company has tools you can leverage. Their services for business allow them to create specials for Mayors (those who check in the most to a venue in the past two months), multiple checkin specials (which Starbucks implemented, albeit on an unsuccessful scale), frequency based specials and wildcard specials which require staff to see you’ve met certain conditions to receive an offer i.e. “show us your swarm badge and you’ll get a discount on this product.”

If you do implement Foursquare specials for your businesses, remember some basic etiquette. If you add tips to your venue, avoid making them sound spammy. The purpose of tips for a venue is to turn on new users to what’s hot or any deals. Even more important is alerting your staff to Foursquare specials. If Starbucks has taught us anything, you can’t rely on word of mouth for your employees to automatically know about the latest and greatest in social media offers. Make a graphic to detail what each badge means and what special is associated with it. Chances are a lot of your customers will show you their badges on Foursquare’s mobile App or website automatically matching up a badge with its corresponding offer is critical to good customer service.

Are you already using Foursquare to promote your brand or business? Let me know what tips or practices you’d recommend.

Google unveiled a feature for Chrome that sends links within the browser to an Android phone and new enhanced voice commands for the mobile operating system.

Chrome To Phone

“Chrome to Phone”, a feature that has been available since early May in beta form has been officially released today. As detailed in the above video, setup is extremely easy and integrates nicely with your Google account. As Mashable reports, the extension available for Chrome, takes the link of any webpage within the browser and pushes it your Android phone while maintaing the original website design without conforming into a mobile optimized format. Google engineer Dave Burke revealed the new Chrome extension as something “built in his spare time.” Besides pushing web links and web sites the feature can send maps, currently selected text, YouTube videos and phone numbers to your Android phone. However, the feature is only available on version 2.2 or later. The extension is very simple to use; by clicking the mobile icon in Chrome, the data is automatically sent to your phone. Pushing the same data between and Android phone to a Chrome browser on your desktop is not available as the feature only works one way.

Google also released the source code for the extension which should entice developers to create a similar extension for other browsers such as Safari, Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Enhanced Voice Commands For Android Phones

The above video shows how awesome Android’s voice command function is. The feature allows you to search for a local business by reciting the name and calling the location for you. Messages such as texts and emails can be sent out by merely saying “send message to [person] [message].” By saying “drive to (location” your Android powered phone with the Voice Action App installed will open up Google Maps and show you a route to your destination. The voice command features extends to other third party and the list of supported Apps will increase.

Via: Engadget

If you are like me you may be wondering what to do every time you go to a networking event to get the most out of your time, money and effort.  I have been to Meetups, Mixers, Social Networking Groups and I have always walked way asking myself what could I do differently so that when I am in a situation where I am meeting new people, I can make meaningful and long lasting relationships.  Here are some tips that may help you that have helped me.

1. Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.

2. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.

3. Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.

4. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.

5. In networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.

6. Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

7. Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.

8. Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, “How may I help you?” and no immediate answer comes to mind.

9. Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.

10. Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.

If used properly LinkedIn can be a great tool for creating opportunities.  This is a great article with some pointers on what you should do.  Again, be sure not to join groups and sit on the sidelines without getting involved.  Do not spam since constantly pushing your products or services all the time without interacting with people individually could be a turn off.  Try and connect on a personal level with people and the best way to do this is customize your invitations by adding their first name and why you want them to join your network.  If you are an Open Networker and you are just looking for volume be careful about who you accept especially if you are sharing your connections.  Learn More

Submitted by Leon Altman on Sun, 06/28/2009

Here are six common Linkedin mistakes you need to watch out for.

1) Not using keywords properly
This is perhaps the most prominent Linkedin mistake people make when crafting their profiles. They focus so much on polishing their profile’s looks that they totally forget to put keywords in their profile headline and summary.

If you do not enrich your Linkedin profile with keywords, you will never appear on the site’s list of results when a prospective client or employer types in their needs. For example, if you are a marketing consultant, then the phrase “marketing consultant” needs to be placed in your headline and profile summary in order for people searching for that phrase to find you on Linkedin.

2) Joining groups but not participating
Another very common type of Linkedin mistake is to join a myriad of professional groups but never taking the time to join in the discussions.

Groups are one of the most powerful tools available in the Linkedin networks. They allow professionals to share their ideas and opinions about things, and users are empowered to display their professional competence in these discussions. Join a group and take the time to share your own professional thoughts on the topics at hand.

3) Trying to sell yourself on group discussions
Linkedin is NOT the place to explicitly advertise your products and services, although you can do so in a subtle and unobtrusive manner.

People bluntly promoting their wares are not welcome in Linkedin. Advice and professional feedback are the topics of discussion, and these are your primary tools for marketing your products and services. Help out potential employers or give some advice to prospective clients and you are already marketing yourself.

4) Emailing people you don’t know
Some of the more common Linkedin mistakes involve emailing people out of the blue. This can quickly get you kicked off Linkedin if people report “I don’t know this person.”

Emails are closely guarded on Linkedin, and are meant to be used by close contacts and professional associates. If you want to contact someone you don’t know on Linkedin look for connections on the network who might be able to introduce you.

5) Not using a custom URL
Linkedin allows its users to create a customized URL in place of the default URL, and this feature is often ignored by newer users.

Not taking advantage of this tool greatly reduces the chances of prospective clients and employers finding your account. You can change your URL where it says “Public Profile/edit.” Use your name, if it is available, as this will greatly increase your profile’s uniqueness and visibility in the network.

6) Not focusing on results in your profile
Aggrandizing yourself will not work in Linkedin, but your achievements will work wonders in influencing others.

One of the most common Linkedin mistakes users make on the network is being too general and abstract in their profiles. Be as specific as possible about your accomplishments in your work history and you will do a much better job selling yourself to potential clients and employers

By carol@carolrossandassociates.com

If relationships make the world go round, then effective networking is the axis on which the world spins. If you haven’t brushed up on your networking skills, take some time now, to create longer lasting, deeper relationships that can get you to where you want to go, in good times and bad. Here are nine networking mistakes I see from individuals of all experience levels, including seasoned career professionals. Many of these are mistakes I’ve made myself:

1. Networking sporadically. During the holidays I noticed a distinct uptick in people reaching out and re-connecting. But what happens after the seasonal cheer wears off and everyone is back in the office, under the gloom of mid-winter blues? Yeah, see you next December. Networking is a continuous effort, in good times and bad. Find reasons to connect, whether it’s an article that someone might like or a conversation that made you think of a specific person. Don’t be someone who connects only once a year, when everyone else is trying to do the same.

2. Being a “taker” rather than a “giver.” Networking works best when you adopt a mindset of giving to others first. Be willing to let the relationship evolve from there. Remember that making deposits to the “emotional bank account” now can’t help but accumulate interest over time. Be a giver first, rather than a taker, and watch how it creates bigger opportunities and better options for the future.

3. Failing to follow up. At the start of a new relationship, building trust is important. The quickest way to sabotage a new relationship is to promise something and not deliver. No matter how small, do what you say you will do, whether it’s passing on a name to someone in your network or emailing the url of a blog that was mentioned in your conversation.

4. Lack of acknowledgment. People want to know that their effort to give to others is appreciated, no matter the outcome. If you get an email introduction to someone who can help you, always thank the person who made the introduction. Copy them when you attempt to connect with the person being introduced. Give them the courtesy of hearing the outcome of their efforts. If someone takes the time to give you feedback (e.g., on your website, on the impression you made on them, on how you are proceeding with your job search, on whether you are a fit for a job), let them know that you heard the feedback—even if you don’t agree with it. Complete the conversation. Silence is not always golden.

5. Expecting others to network for you. In the course of meeting new people, you may get an offer from someone to help you network—by sending on a resume, talking with a neighbor, or checking with a hiring manager on openings. This willingness to help is great and it’s misdirected if you count on having a middleman. Ask for the contact information of the person you are hoping to get the attention of. Or ask for an email introduction to that person. It’s your responsibility to move the ball forward, not someone else’s.  Be proactive.

6. Missing an opportunity to be a connector. These last four mistakes relate to playing the role of a connector when networking. In this role, it’s not just about making a connection with a new person, it’s making connections between people. What people often forget is how they can add value by connecting someone in their network to someone they are just meeting for the first time. Be on the lookout for these opportunities. It will take your networking effectiveness to another level.

7. Providing a weak introduction or none at all, to two parties. A weak introduction is akin to no introduction. Take the time to do it right. People will remember you for it. When playing the role of a connector, make it appealing for both sides to meet. Give specifics on what makes each person so special in your eyes. Speculate on what could happen if they meet. Don’t rely on the fact that because you think it’s a good idea, both parties will, too.

8. Connecting two people where there isn’t a perceived win-win. This is sometimes the reason for a weak introduction, because the person making the introduction can’t articulate why both parties would benefit in meeting. Sometimes, only one party benefits. Consider carefully why both parties would want to meet before making a solid introduction.

9. Passing on bad apples, without warning. If you are a great networker, people in your network will trust you to introduce them to quality people—responsible adults with good intentions, integrity, and a generous spirit. Don’t connect two people if you think it might undermine that trust. At the very least, let the person who might end up with the short end of the stick know what they might be getting into.

It’s easier than you think to be remarkable when it comes to networking. The more you do it, flawlessly, the more momentum you’ll have in achieving your goals. By avoiding these nine mistakes, you’ll set yourself apart from other professionals and reap the full rewards of spending time and energy on networking.

By The Pachera Group Executive Search

Be honest. How much time do you devote to building your personal or business network? Do you spend 15 minutes a day? Ok, how about 30 minutes a week?

Make Time To Network Online and Offline

If you answered yes to the latter, don’t worry because you are in good company. Most people spend 60 minutes or less a month on maintaining or building their network. It’s not that people don’t want to have hundreds of movers and shakers in their network. It’s just that the stuff of life gets in the way and pushes this extremely important task to the back burner. Actually, “task” isn’t quite the right word…networking is more rightly called a “discipline”.

“Job seekers and executives routinely admit that one of their regrets (prior to losing their job or quitting a job they didn’t like) was that they ignored their network,” says Mike Vanneman, partner with The Pachera Group, an executive recruiting firm. “All of a sudden, they look at contacts in their Blackberry, Outlook or (gasp!) their dog-eared day planner and realize the only people in their “network” are family members, former classmates or people with whom they would have preferred to lose touch.”

Networking Must Be One Of Your Top Priorities

Building and maintaining your network has to become a top to-do item! At the very least, once a week and ideally every day. Why? Because your network is tantamount to food, water and shelter! It is an asset that pays dividends in the present and in the future. For this reason, it’s a good idea to consider investing in one or a couple time saving online job search tools. This way your time can be focused on expanding your network and getting out there meeting new people.

The good news is that the rise and popularity of sites such as LinkedIn, Plaxo Pulse and even Facebook makes building a network easy and even fun.

All you need to do is:

1. Make the decision to start or restart your networking efforts

2. Commit yourself to networking at least one hour per week and ideally for 15 minutes each day

3. Set a goal for how many contacts or connections you want to establish each month

Networking Requires Constant Care and Nurturing

While networking online, be somewhat selective. Invite people that you either already know or who have been recommended to you by a trusted friend. Be careful of what you post on your page. Whatever you post is there for all to see! Be consistent with your online message and professional profiles. Networking sites are like gardens, they require constant care, feeding and nurturing. Don’t let content stay up for too long. Change your profile picture periodically. Contribute to conversations and join discussion groups in your industry.

Use Time Saving Job Search Tools

Using online networking sites and job search time-saver tools should become as much a part of your personal workflow as e-mail and your mobile phone. Maintaining and expanding your network on a daily basis is essential especially in today’s times because you never know when you may need to reach out and connect with someone.

The Pachera Group Executive Search works with technology and media clients nationally in search of sales, marketing, business development and technology leaders. Their unique advantage is their partners — they have all been successful operational executives in the fields they now practice in. Learn more at www.thepacheragroup.com or blog.thepacheragroup.com.