The Great Amplifier

by Roger Pynn

Pal Josh Hallet writes at his Hyku blog about the timeless truth that it pays to listen more and talk less.

Interestingly, social media only amplifies the problem of those who don’t know how to shut up and listen. Amplifies may be the greatest understatement ever when you consider the enormity of the cocktail party that is the Web.

It Won’t be Over Until it is Over

by Roger Pynn

Just as the talking heads asked for months whether we were actually in a recession, now they are asking whether it is over or when we will know if it is over. The answer is simple: it will be over when you stop hearing them talk about it.

Swine flu helped, but as it appears to be petering out they are back to two things: the recession and heinous crimes (in our town, that translates to the all too oft’ reported Casey Anthony case; in Boston it is the Craigslist Murder; there’s something awful almost everywhere).

In South Florida, The Sun Sentinel must not have had much crime to talk about because they rather thoughtfully pointed to real indicators of an economy on the mend.

Next thing you know ad sales could be up and people could begin buying again.

Don’t you wish you knew what the next big thing they’ll want is? Makes me wish I’d studied science and engineering and inherited a tinkerer’s genes.

Face to Face Networking Goes High-Tech

by Elizabeth Buccianti

Today I came across what very well may be the next evolution of face to face networking. According to PokenPlace.com, a Poken is a key-ring sized USB device that lets you exchange contact details instantly – with the touch of a Poken hand.

You see, the USB device is disguised behind a cute little critter with an outstretched hand. Right now, Pokens are available in alien, bumble bee, panda and for the more adventurous – the Vodoo Poken.

Here’s how it works: first load your contact information onto your Poken. You can set up your information to appear like a standard business card, add all of your social media names, or opt for both. When you meet someone else with a Poken simply connect your Poken’s hands together and viola! contact information exchanged. Contacts can later be retrieved by visiting a Web site and a Poken can hold up to 64 contacts at a time. I’m sure that will change as the product gains in popularity.

Ever meet someone you really didn’t want to share your business card with but felt obligated? Not to worry, press the button on your Poken twice and it only appears that your Poken exchanged information. You still get that person’s contact information and can opt for them to receive your information at a later time.

I really hope this catches on. What an imaginative way to streamline the sometimes lengthy process of collecting business cards and later manually entering data into your computer’s address book – and that’s only if you don’t lose the business card first. Plus it’s a great way to save paper and cut out one more, albeit small, line item of your operating budget.