Alberta Business Marketing

At this today’s Regular Meeting of Council, Calgary City Council passed their Open Data Motion.

Obviously I’m beyond excited about the City of Calgary transitioning into a period of openness and accountability. Passing an open data motion should be seen as a gigantic step forward in rethinking how a government interacts with citizens and who really runs ‘the show’. The people.

I thought I’d take advantage of this moment to shine the light on how this motion came to be.

On May 27 I saw something come across the CBC Spark Twitter feed that caught my eye. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, in writing this post I am able to go back and see exactly what it said: “Just posted full interview with @andreareimer about open data, open source, and cities that think like the web: http://bit.ly/129Cox “. It was that bit about cities thinking like the web that interested me. What did it mean? So I clicked the link.

After listening to Nora Young’s interview with Vancouver city councilor Andrea Reimer I thought to myself, “Why can’t Calgary have something like that? What’s stopping us?” The next day on May 28 I had a coffee meeting with Calgary Alderman Joe Ceci and the former president of my community association. Following the meeting Joe offered me a ride to work downtown. We got to chatting and I mentioned the project Vancouver is undertaking. He was interested but it was nothing more than a conversation during a car ride. On June 6 I was having a coffee with Ald. Brian Pincott on Olympic Plaza to talk about ward boundaries and how things had gone so wrong. Hoping to introduce something of a little more hopeful tone to the conversation I mentioned the Spark interview and the Vancouver Open Government project. He too was interested.

Somewhere in there I came up with the ludicrous idea that I should get these two aldermen to talk with their Vancouver counterpart. And it just so happened that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities was meeting in Whistler the next week. Knowing both Ald. Ceci and Ald. Pincott were attending I contacted Cllr. Reimer via Twitter. She too was attending. So I sent the three an email saying they should get together while in Whistler. (I also attempted to include Cllr. Don Iverson of Edmonton, but as he just had a baby he told me he would not be attending. We talked more about the project however when I drove up to Edmonton to attend TransitCamp on May 30. Edmonton, as it turned out, followed Vancouver and Calgary’s lead and actually got their open data motion passed months ago.)

After a couple friendly emails over the next couple weeks I found out they did not get a chance to meet up with Cllr. Reimer in Whistler but Ald. Ceci met with another Vancouver councilor. Toward the end of June Ald. Ceci and Pincott had met with the city’s IT department and the text of a motion was being drafted.

On November 17 I heard from Heather Reed-Fenske, the City’s Manager, eGovernment Strategy with some of the direction they were heading with the research for the report. She wanted to chat to update me and gain any insight I might have around the issue. On December 18 we met for coffee; where she joked she had been in her job for all of one week when City Council passed the notice of motion I recommended, she’d been working on almost nothing since, and thus hated me. We talked about several different things that other jurisdictions have done and I’m happy to see much of our conversation was incorporated into the final report.

The Report was being prepared for December 2009, but Heather and her team asked for an extension to the February 10 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance and Corporate Services where it was to be debated, edited and (hopefully) recommended to move to Council for a full vote. They needed the extra time to do more research. As I told Heather at the time: “It’s okay. It’s not a race, it’s a marathon. Just finishing is what’s important.” As February approached Ald. Pincott and Ceci realized they would both be in Ottawa for a conference that week and so asked for another delay until March 10 because, as the movers of the original motion, all agreed they should be in attendance.

The March 10 meeting was painful for me to watch. I had to be at work that morning and could only get away from my desk for an hour from 10am to 11am. This meant I missed the public input window and arrived in time for the last two thirds of the debate and the vote – which passed with only Ald. Chabot, Connelly, and Hodges against. It was painful because I just wanted to jump up and answer all the aldermen’s questions. Instead I had to rely on the answers of Heather and her boss – both relative newcomers to the issues surrounding open data. I knew I couldn’t answer questions about the City’s implementation of open data nearly as well as they could, but there were many other questions about what other jurisdictions have done and what the purpose of open data was that I could have answered that would have helped. (For example, one major issue brought up by more than one alderman was around the risk of hackers. What they did not understand is that open data eliminates the need for the majority of hacking because open data is giving the information away. Not to mention open data 1.0 does not open a portal to actual databases. All the information pulled for a data catalogue is exported information with no additional danger of a hacker access to the database.) I wished I would have been able to give them a streamlined version of the open data presentation I did at DemoCamp on January 26.

After all that the motion came to council today and following another debate, which I understand was once again fraught with misunderstanding about what open data is and what it does, it passed with a vote of 10 to 4 with Ald Hodges, Connelly, Fox-Mellway & Chabot voting against it. (Mar was absent.)

I know this might sound a little corny, but I’m elated at this moment. After almost one full year of work, today a motion brought forward by a single citizen passed City Council. A motion that could be the beginning of forever changing the way the City of Calgary thinks about the way it interacts with citizens and how democracy can work in Cowtown.

THAT is a big deal.

And I’m happy to have been able to play my small part in the process.

I can’t wait to play a part in the next steps of the process too.

A collection of my previous posts on open data coming to Calgary:

Open Data presentation at DemoCamp

Calgary open data report delayed

Open Government starts to expose what’s in the shadows

Brian Pincott on Open Data at Calgary City Hall

Help ensure Calgary’s “Open City” initiative is framed in the right light

“Open Government” coming to Calgary?

Tags: Andre Chabot, Andrea Reimer, Brian Pincott, Calgary, calgary city council, DemoCamp, Heather Reed-Fenske, Joe Ceci, Joe Connelly, Nora Young, Olympic Plaza, open data, open government, Politics
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This week (by complete coincidence) on International Water Day, we’re heading to the Amazon to spend a bit of time living among the Achuar people of Ecuador.  In working towards a balanced approach to life (and lacking Internet access), things will go quiet round these parts for a couple of weeks.

I hope you’ll take the down time on this blog to connect with some of the interesting, engaged people who are members of this blog – see them in the sidebar there?  There are quite a few folks there worth following.

You might also try the search box at right to look up a topic or two and see what I’ve written about it in the recent past or better yet, head on over to the AllTop Tourism List – if it matters in tourism and technology, you’ll find it there.

When we return I hope to share stories of what the Achuar people have to teach us about living a more connected existence with a deeper appreciation for the spirits of nature, and the value of our dreams.  There is a bit of a travel blogger in all of us.

Adios.

Tags: free web marketing stuff
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And the hidden Challenges of B2B Branding.

The first time I ever noticed Little Giant ladders was in a series of Billy-Mays-type television ads the campaign featured a serious looking ladder that could be adjusted into 24 different configurations: the traditional A-frame look; the scaffold for uneven terrains; the extension to reach tree tops...and so on. You wouldn’t even consider taking this ladder out of the box without reviewing a demo video. Nobody in my household will climb a ladder higher than 4 feet – but I didn’t care. I just thought it would make a wonderful house accessory regardless of practicality.

A few years later a research project on industrial ladders warranted a closer look at this market: industrial ladders are a very serious business on both sides of the U.S./Canada border:
• Serious buyers (such as contractors) rely on serious (and complicated) looking comparison charts – detailing three or four basic ladder categories grouped by key factors (such as weight and height limits). In Canada these are based on CSA ratings and classifications.
• Ladder companies don’t sell ladders – they sell ladder systems. Even the 24-in-1 is available in three different models.
• And don’t forget key features – like tip and glide wheels and triple locking hinges and Light Wave Technology.

Little Giant is not much of a competitor in Canada’s industrial market but the company has developed a unique marketing (and branding) approach:
• It leverages its corporate brand name especially with the 24-in-1 ladder (which is targeted at consumers).
• On the industrial side the company has developed some sub-brands – the Synergy; the Big Trex; the Skyscraper.
• Little Giant also markets a whole series of ladder accessories: leg levellers; wing spans (for uneven surfaces); ladder racks.
• And there’s an info centre: with instructional and demonstration videos focussing on ladder configurations, ladder safety and ladder maintenance???
• Major players in the Canadian market adopt similar approaches – but not to the same extent.

There are many industrial product categories that have become more complex – the residential basement insulation market in the U.S. is dominated by three types of products: tar; membrane sprays; the much more complicated air gap drainage systems. Air gap products are fairly new to this market and are much harder to market.

There are several implications for the marketing of more complex business products. There has to be more of an emphasis on:
• Communication strategy - making sure target audiences understand all aspects of the product category (think about the home insulation company that realized its sales staff did not understand how its product worked).
• Target audience priorities - what messages to articulate and emphasize (think the marketer of construction materials emphasizing a 40-year warranty to homeowners who move every five years).
• Differing priorities among various groups – for ladders this could mean owners versus purchasers versus users.
• Understanding the difference between purchase requirements versus brand differentiators.
• The role and importance of the various distribution channels in the purchase process, as a source of product information; as a source of influence (think about research where we underestimated the role of retailers like Home Depot in the distribution chain).

Tags: Branding
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I remember way back in the day when I got my first computer.  It was a Compaq Presario 433.  It was a great computer, loaded with Windows 3.1, Tabworks and a bunch of other great software.  I remember connecting to the Calgary Freenet at 2400 bps and I was off to the races.

Viruses were small files that were attached to files on a floppy disk that spread by people passing infected disks back and forth.  Not really a big threat to the average computer user, we just had to be cautious about scanning any type of floppy disk that came our way.

Wow, lots has changed since those days…

I received an email today from my colleagues at CRN Canada about a brand new type of cyber threat to hit the social networking circles.  Yes, now the popular pastime for many is now being targeted.  CRN informed me this morning about a Facebook password scam making its way around the Internet.

Social Networking Services are an obvious and very attractive avenue for password scams, phishing sites and other malicious activities which our out there just like the old virus on the floppy was, to disrupt life for the unsuspecting computer user out there.  However, these malicious and “pain in the butt” activities are now out there to steal our personal and perhaps corporate information.

Important reminder about password requests via the Internet

If or when you get an email from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or any other social media service or website in general asking you about your password…Don’t follow the instructions. Legit companies of any shape or size would never send you an email asking you information about your password or requesting you follow some sort of instructions about changing your password.

These types of scams are nothing new and they have been around for a while.  So all you security freaks out there, don’t go running around saying social networking is bad (the same thing happened to a number of industries out there).

I am sure the banking industry is thankful for social media because the pressure and the focus may be off them for a while.

Read more about the Facebook Password Reset Scam.

Tags: Compaq Computer Corporation, Computer virus, Facebook, Facebook Inc, LinkedIn Ltd, password, Phishing, social media, social media service, social networking, social networking circles, Technology/Internet, Twitter Inc, Windows 3.1, World Wide Web
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As someone who has migrated more and more strongly to using Gmail as my principal e-mail service, I am now frustrated by the forced insertion of Google Buzz. In fact prior to this, the Google Gmail spam elimination process seemed very effective in leaving only Gmail messages that I wished to receive. The labeling system allowed me to store most messages that came in in a very efficient retrieval system. Now the incessant buzz is adding in a whole cloud of irrelevance. It is no accident that Buzz rhymes with fuzz. Your simple, clean Gmail Inbox is becoming increasingly fuzzy.

I am not the first to complain. Immediately after its introduction, many were hoping that Google would offer Buzz independently from Gmail. According to Danny Sullivan,

Google says it may allow people to participate in Google Buzz without having it integrated within Gmail, in addition to offering a combined Gmail service. That may be a welcome move for users of both products, especially in light of the substantial privacy concerns voiced this week about Google Buzz.

“It’s clear that interest in Buzz may extend beyond the current Gmail base, and we’re open to serving that community,” said Bradley Horowitz, Google’s VP of Product Marketing, when Danny SullivanI spoke to him about some Buzz issues. Horowitz stressed that Google would still offer a version of Buzz within Gmail, in addition to any independent version. “We think that Buzz within Gmail is a great experience, and we’ll keep offering that as well,” Horowitz said.

Unfortunately that independent version has never appeared even now six weeks later. Still there is no way of easily separating out Buzz items from the regular Gmail stream. Any examination of items such as Sent Mail will list together sent messages and Buzz comments or status messages. Since Buzz by its nature is more voluminous, this makes it really difficult to home in on the regular e-mail items.

The only way to avoid this confusion between buzz items and regular e-mail is to switch off the display of Buzz entirely within Gmail. It is a pity that it cannot be segregated but Google offers no choices here.

It is annoying to have many Buzz updates appearing as emails to the Gmail account. If you want to turn off or remove the Google Buzz from Gmail then there is no way to do it easily. The only way to maintain one’s sanity is to avoid creating any buzz items whatsoever. Others may see buzz items that your applications such as Twitter or Facebook create. However if you decide to create buzz items within Google Buzz directly, then at that point you will be polluting your Gmail stream. That price is too high for me and perhaps for many others.

To an extent, the problem is the new Google regime whose tagline is Mobile First. If you check out how Google Buzz will work on your mobile phone, then it makes a lot of sense.

Introducing Google Buzz for mobile: See buzz around you and tag posts with your location.

We are announcing Google Buzz, a new product that integrates with your Gmail inbox and makes it easy to start rich conversations about the things you find interesting. Google Buzz lets you share web links, photos, videos, and more with those who are important to you. Rather than simply creating a mobile version of Buzz, we decided to take advantage of the unique features of a mobile device – in particular, location. We go through many experiences when we’re on the go, and while there are lots of ways to share these experiences with your friends or even the world, there isn’t always an easy way to let your audience know where you are when you post. Your location brings valuable context to the information you share.

You’re on the go. You want to know what is going on around you and Buzz can provide that window on the world. In a way it is like Twitter on steroids. If I was using Buzz only on my smart phone, then I would not be complaining.

My rant concerns only how Google Buzz overruns your Gmail when you are working on your PC. Google would like me to pay more attention to Buzz so it insists on linking it inextricably with my Gmail. The only choice I am left with is to bury it. That may well be the solution for many other Gmail users.

Related articles by Zemanta

• No, Buzz Is Not Being Removed From Gmail. It MAY Get A Separate Web App Though. (techcrunch.com)

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Post from: The Other Blokes Blog

Separating Buzz and Gmail

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• July 2, 2009 -- BWelford’s Monthly Round-Up For June 2009 (0)
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Tags: Danny Sullivan, google, google buzz, Mobile phone
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