@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody, and welcome to Twitterview No.2, this time with @GiaLyons as the guest. Let roll!
Q – #1 So @GiaLyons, where did you grow up, and what were some of the steps that you’ve taken in life to get you where you are today?
A: I grew up in Tulsa, OK, graduated from the University of Tulsa, and moved to Milwaukee in the early 90’s to live with friends.
I should point out that Tulsa and Milwaukee are a bit different from each other.
I majored in Organizational Communication, which is the study of how people communicate within a company.
one of my college classes involved me observing my dad (RIP), an elementary school principal, conducting a staff mtg.
After Milwaukee, I moved to Minneaspolis/St. Paul, while I was a consultant at Whittman-Hart, doing Lotus Notes dev.
Q – #2 So what is it that you do now, and how did you schooling help you to adapt to the various social media tools?
A: I’m the Program/Community Manager for the Jive Cmty ( http://bit.ly/9efvfb ), which is a branded cmty running on Jive
Studying how people communicate helped me understand the basics of how folks REALLY work together, regardless of tools
how ppl communicate really hasn’t changed, wrt WHAT is communicated and what’s expected in the exchange.
o, no matter what tool or platform you use, the art of effective communication remains unchanged. Give, get, repeat.
it’s helped me design/develop collaborative apps in the past, and today, helps me help others use Jive the best way.
I guess the biggest lesson in online communication is this: respond, if you care. Pretend you’re F2F.
Q – #3 What SM channels do you primarily use, and who are some folks on Twitter that you’ve benefited from following?
A: Twitter is #1 channel. I’ve learned MUCH from @armano @amcafee @jasonfalls @jaybaer @sarahkayhoffman @theCR @spikejones
Also learned much frm @20adoption @cflanagan @greg2dot0 @meganmurray @jcorsello @sofresh @jakrose @Maggiefox @stoweboyd
I should say I’ve been INSPIRED by @spikejones. ;)
I think the best thing about being in social media today is the constant state of learning. I LOVE it. #jectv
Q – #4 With your background and experience, are there tools/channels that you see untapped or yet to be developed?
A: I think brick&mortar places where ppl naturally congregate could make some longtail $$ by better accommodating meetups.
places like @Caribou @starbucks places of worship, @lifetimefitness etc. could capitalize on ppl’s desire to congregate
esp. when we want to congregate ad hoc, about topics other than what those places sell. Mini-piazzas. #
how many times has a meetup/tweetup been uncomfy because the coffee shop/bar was crowded/too small? Give us mini-areas.
a great example of this is @AmoreCoffee. they have this awesome little room that you can schedule, & you get fab coffee
@JoelECarlson – Interesting! I totally agree with you on loving SM for all of the learning! @UrbanBeanCofee has a great room too!
Q – #5 Now for your FAVS: Favorite – restaurant, store, summer activity and tech gadget.
A: current fave restaurant is @hautdish. UNBELIEVABLE food on Washington in dt #Minneapolis. The hype is true.
Fave store? @zappos, baby! Hands down. IRL store? @shopmama. Both know what cust svc means, which makes me crazy-loyal.
Fave summer activity is jogging outdoors. NOT. Seriously though, fave thing is dining outside at restaurants.
and fave tech gadget? #iPhone4. Almost always in my hands.
sorry, that should have been @hautedish. Believe the hype, and eat there ASAP.
Q – #6 You’re a great guest! :) So do you @Foursquare, and if so, what badges do you have?
A: I’m a late @foursquare adopter, and I check in when I remember to. current badges are: Superstar Swarm Bender Crunked..
… Explorer Super-User JetSetter Photogenic Local Adventurer and Newbie
Q – #7 So to end the week and start the LONG weekend, final question: what idea or mantra would you like to share?
I used to sing PowerMan 5000’s, “This Ain’t a Song About Nothin'” before big presos, but I think my latest mantra…
My latest mantra is, “Don’t get too big for your britches, don’t get your panties in a wad, and pick your battles.”
we people of passion must remain calm when it is right to do so. ;)
@JoelECarlson – Thank you @gialyons for your insights, sharing some of you personal history and of course, sparing some of your time.
@gialyons – btw, you’re really good at this Twitterview stuff!
@gialyons – see you soon at #CaribouChat21