by Bruce Newman

(This is the first part of a two-part article.)

Social media is rapidly evolving. Even programs that we frequently use are offering new functionality. Increasingly, this functionality involves additional interactions with other social media platforms although sometimes, it still remains within the application itself.

Two recent changes in Facebook that epitomize this evolution can also greatly affect your privacy. While Facebook has a mixed record when dealing with issues of privacy, it has rapidly grown despite dictating that it believes it knows best what is good for you (and for Facebook).

Facebook’s Instant Personalization

Imagine going to a new website that you have never visited before – such as Yelp (for example), and seeing your image staring back at you. I personally, would find this creepy. That’s Facebook’s personalization. It takes your information including your birthday, descriptions and preferences and makes it available to selected sites. When you go to those sites, they already know what you like – which consists of anything you have made public. They can then automatically tailor their appeal including music, gifts and advertising to your already known preferences.

Suppose you have posted a review of a restaurant on Facebook. Facebook can then provide this information to Yelp which could then provide your endorsement in an advertisement to your Facebook friends on the restaurant (and vice versa). To me, that almost borders on theft since my content was appropriated and used for purposes well outside of my original intention.

Facebook calls this “enhanced” feature a “magical experience”. I call this a money grabbing means by which Facebook can generate potentially significant additional profits solely by providing the free content of its users to other social media platforms.

Fortunately, to counter this usage (and possibly some potential lawsuits), Facebook provides a means of turning off this “feature”. (Note that Facebook’s default is to automatically turn it on.)

Here is how to turn Instant Personalization off:

1. Go to Privacy settings (under Account - top right)
2. Click on Edit your settings (under Apps & Websites)
3. Click on Edit settings (under Instant Personalization)
4. Unclick the checkbox (Enable Instant Personalization on Partner Websites) and confirm at the prompt.

That’s all you need to do.

Bruce Newman is the Vice President at The Productivity Institute, LLC. An expert on social media, Bruce constantly writes and gives talks on many facets of social media including branding, social media strategies and policy.  He has developed winning social media strategies for companies of all sizes along with several well-received social media courses, services and products. Bruce is also the editor of the Productivity Institute Newsletter, a free content-is-king newsletter and thought leader. Follow him on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and the Productivity Institute blog. Bruce can be reached at bnewman@prodinst.com.

by Dave Walker

   This cartoon was published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter

We welcome your thoughts and comments on this cartoon.

Dave Walker
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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/davewalker

by Bruce Newman

This article first appeared in The Productivity Insitute (PI) newsletter.

Consultants are defined as experts in their area with considerable knowledge and experience. Frequently, outstanding consultants have a wide range of knowledge that not only enhances their specific areas of expertise but also offering new alternatives to additional situations.

Advantages of consultants include:

1. a wealth of in-depth knowledge and experience
2. the ability to quickly get up to speed which is helped greatly by their knowledge and experience (point 1)
3. understanding that the duration of the job is finite and not a long term commitment
4. training is usually not required
5. having the skills to identify the problem (if one exists), design a solution, sell that solution to management (if necessary) and help ensure that it is properly implemented.

Successfully working with consultants entails several important aspects, the most important probably being good communications. While good communications is important for any business, with consultants it is essential. It is through these communications that you relay your business needs to the consultant (and how in turn, the consultant helps provide the solution). The success of almost every project lies upon the understanding by the consultant of the company’s business and project goals. For this reason, you should know beforehand the specific goals of what you want to accomplish. A detailed scope document is usually very helpful. Furthermore, should the project go off track, a project scope document will help pinpoint where the problems occurred and help facilitate corrective measures.

It is also important to also understand that consultants do not walk on water. Do not expect the consultant to be a miracle worker. For example, if your specific needs greatly exceed your existing software application, no amount of consulting for that application may be able to save it. You might need a new application or at least some type of workable solution. The consultant may be equally - or more - important as advisor when developing a solution. Their background and knowledge may help direct you towards additional resources and available services.

Even if the consultant has the solution, remember: it’s your decision. Don’t abdicate final decision responsibility to the consultant. You know your business and needs better than the consultant. Whatever decisions and paths you take, you and your business are the ones that have to live with it. Staying involved with the project and retaining decision responsibility helps ensure that project goals are understood and met.

Finally, make sure you learn from the consultant. Having the consultant explain certain aspects of what has been done and most importantly, what you can do and need to do once the consultant is no longer actively working on your project will great facilitate acceptance and use of the completed project.

Rated outstanding consultants can greatly help companies and provide excellent prodinst and value. Being able to work with them before, during and after a project will help ensure long term success.

 
Bruce Newman is a consulting guru and the Vice President at The Productivity Institute, LLC (http://www.prodinst.com) which provides prodinst by matching the specific software products and services needs of companies to rated outstanding consultants who can meet those needs. Need an outstanding consultant? Any company that wishes to improve their productivity can sign up for this free service and be contacted by up to five rated outstanding consultants. Also available is an informative blog and free newsletter.