dunlop|DEVELOPMENT

Evernote


When I get asked what my favorite app on either the iPhone or iPad is, Evernote is the first app that I tell people about.  Immediately they ask “what does it do???”, thinking I’m going to give some amazing explanation about the wildly technological gizmo gadget of an app. Once I get done saying “you use it to take notes” it’s pretty clear and further interest in any suggestions about apps is questionable. However, I can safely report nearly 100% of the people that take me up on the suggestion to download it come back and say something in the neighborhood of “I get it, and I love it.”

Took this screenshot using Evernote clipping tool

My usage of Evernote goes beyond just note taking, even though that is a primary use for me. Before finding this amazing tool (which is used daily), I had a pretty significant crush on Dropbox (still a very useful, still use daily) because of my constant switching between PC and Mac platforms. And by constant…I mean constant.  I paid for the Premium Account because it allows me to upload files in any format (like Dropbox does), along with any notes, photos, or anything I can dream up to include in the same place.  So, if I’m any of my offices (I’m still not sure how many there are) working on a project in any application, I can dump it into Evernote, jump in the truck or on a plane, and pick up where I left off on my iPhone or iPad without missing a beat.

Sharing notebooks within Evernote has proven to be one of the best collaboration tools I have at my disposal as well.  And if you’re working with someone else, or a group of people, it’s a great way to setup a list of task (big fan of the little check boxes), write a letter or author a document together, or even post photos, screenshots, or whatever you can draw a box around on your screen.  I even use it for a daily blog post collection from Seth Godin (tip: I used my Evernote email address to sign up for the daily posts, keeps my inbox a hair less full).

So until I can come up with a better elevator speech besides “you take notes with it”, it’s probably best if you just give it a try and see what you end up using it for.  I promise, you’ll find some use for it.  Check out their Quick Intro video.  www.evernote.com

 

The Beginning of Infinity

“…the role of human imagination is to conceive of all these delightful futures. Choose the most amazing and exciting and exstatic possibility and then pull the present forward to meet it. That is what we do. We bring our imaginings into existence.”

Social Media Sessions

I’ve had a number of conversations lately about various social media applications and how I’m using them in the businesses and non-profit organizations that I’m associated with.  After a handful of people made the comment that I ought to consider providing consultation or even running social media campaigns for other people, I decided to schedule a few sessions where people can come together and learn in more detail about the various options and how they can be used.  There’s more information available on the Sessions page, along with links to register for those interested in joining.  Hope to see you there!

Efficient Kyoto Hotel – 9h

From the Moncle Report, Mr. Gabriel Lee asks a good question in this video: Is western culture in the position to utilize this type of hotel?  Having lived in Jackson, Wyoming (commonly referred to as Jackson Hole) for the past +10 years, it is clear that we have a transient population, many of which I think would be thrilled to have an inexpensive and quick place to sleep before moving on to Teton or Yellowstone National Parks (or ski resort, pending the time of year).  Many ski resort towns have this same situation.  So, the question begs: would you stay in a “capsule hotel” in the U.S.?

Twitter: what makes you click on the follow button?

What’s the key to making Twitter actually do something for you, your cause, or your business? I’m sure there are a number of blogs that have host of great “to do” lists, or the absoulte do’s and don’ts about this amazing tool. It would probably be a good idea to study them before making any snap judgements on what is the right way to maximize the impact of posting in 140 characters or less.

Currently I have the privilege of caring for and managing a couple of Twitter accounts:
@dunlopDEV - my consulting firm, dunlop|DEVELOPMENT
@jdunlop - I use this for just being a wise guy…venting occasionally…but mostly just being a wise guy…which is really how Twitter started.  True story.
@bigdsignature - this one is for the job that actually pays me for the work I do.
@teamjacksonhole - a non-profit cycling team that rides and races to bring attention and benefit other non-profit organizations.
@usgbcwyoming - a non-profit in Wyoming that I spend lots ‘o time with (currently the Vice-Chair and Communications Chair).
@usgbcmontana - a non-profit in Montana that should have started their own account, but didn’t…so I did.
@usgbctrichapter - another non-profit group comprising of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming’s USGBC Chapters.  I call it the MEGA CHAPTER.
@teamgazelle - a racing team of friends that really, really love quoting lines from Nacho Libre at 3am during endurance races.  We have masks.  And capes.

All of these accounts have a purpose.  Some of which are more noble than others – but noble all the same.  And over the course of three years of playing around and seeing what makes Twitter tick, I’ve come to find that there’s a trick that works for me in building an actual follower-ship…and it’s this: there is no trick.  As soon as you think there is and you try to implement said trick(s), you might as well forget it.   Tricks are easy to spot in the Twitterverse.  You get a “used car salesman” (with all due respect) vibe from the 140 characters you’re seeing and in a micro second judgement the human will skip clicking on the glorious follow button and continue on.  But, if those 140 characters capture one’s attention – or if your cause is recognizable or noble enough – the button gets clicked and you have another electronic notch in your follower-ship belt.

Often people ask how Twitter could possibly be useful in business, accompanied with that sarcastic tone that is typical to comments made about “that Facebook thing”.  When building my network on @bigdsignature, I found a group in Park City that was involved in interior finishes and furnishing – Alder  & Tweed (@aldertandtweed).  So…I read through a few posts, liked what I saw, and I followed them.  A few days later, I got a public reply from them asking if I’d like to go to lunch at the newly opened Montage at Empire Pass.  Long story, short – our two companies have been strategically working together for a few months, assisting one another in networking in Park City and have had a number of small, but impacting successes since that single micro-second decision to click on the follow button.

I’d love to hear what other people have seen be successful with Twitter, and what makes you click on the follow button.