Marketers are learning that social media is far more than a sales tool. The big gains in this arena are coming from cost-savings in managing customer care, uncovering insights from the world’s biggest focus group, reputation-building PR and internal communications. In fact, boosting sales comes some way down the list.
Research by consultancy McKinsey has shown that 70% of the extra value generated by social media has nothing to do with marketing, but lies in embedding its use across businesses through customer care, market research and public relations.

Texting is rapidly becoming popular as a method of business communication. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the unwritten rules for business texting. So I wrote them down. Here they are:

1. Don't text a question you can Google.

For instance, if you've got a smart phone, there's absolutely no reason to be texting somebody for driving directions.

2. Don't text SPAM.

I don't know about you, but if I get SPAM text, that's the last time I'll allow any communications from that person or company.

3. Don't text anything indiscreet.

You never know if the wrong person might be looking over the recipient's shoulder.

4. Don't accidentally text a wrong number.

If you're typing in a phone number, double-check it before hitting send. Better yet, cut and paste it.

5. Don't text anything complex.

Texting is designed for short messages displayed on a small screen. Complex stuff should go in an email.

6. Don't text in ALL CAPS (unless you're pissed off).

If you must emphasize a word or phrase, use asterisks like so: "I'm not *entirely* sure."

7. Don't text whilst driving.

News Flash - innovation, growth and development cannot occur by pretending we live in a world that has long since passed us by. Leading in the 21st Century affords no safe haven for 20th Century thinkers. Old, static, institutionalized thinking will gate the pace of forward progress faster than just about anything. If you want to expose yourself as an out of touch, dated leader, keep trying to address today's issues and opportunities with yesterday's thinking.
Let's get right to it - history is useful for many things, but the experience and wisdom acquired from days gone by should be a springboard to the future, not an excuse for living in the past. Smart leaders simply don't waste precious resources on refining initiatives - they invest in reimagination efforts. Leaders would be well served to apply reimagination to all aspects of their business, but particularly with regard to constantly reimagining how they lead.

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