I frequently talk about mentoring occurring in moments, and this was evident at mediabistro’s Socialize Toronto conference last Friday. Profound conversations can take place over seconds and minutes. By watching conference attendees you could tell by the look on their faces that it was worth their time to attend the conference. People were not shy about asking questions, and they were interacting with each other during the breaks. You could feel the upbeat energy in the room. People who had only known each other online, now had the opportunity to talk offline.
Jim Hedger shared some great Search Engine Optimization tips with me during a two-minute conversation. Though it was a short time, I felt that I was mentored during that time. It was great to discover that conferences are great places to not only meet people and learn, but are also great for people to be mentored in sound bites.
In the EdgeRank (Facebook) vs. PageRank (Google) session, a tidbit that stuck with me is that when you think of Facebook, it’s the place to ask questions, and for Google, the place you find answers – that’s how you build engagement. That short answer by one of the panellists opened up a whole new world for me.
A Few Mentoring Moments at Socialize Toronto
- When writing, think AIDA: Attention-Interest-Desire-Action (attract Attention, arouse Interest, stimulate Desire and present a call to Action).
- Videos that go viral appeal to body, mind and spirit.
- There is a button on your Google+ page that allows you to pull in YouTube videos into your updates.
- Anayltics for Twitter – Edelman TweetLevel, and Twitalyzer
- To find a schedule of Twitter Chats https://bitly.com/bundles/kmullett/4
- For more engaging stories, move from one-way storytelling to dynamic storytelling.
There were lots of tips at Socialize Toronto, but the biggest highlight of the conference for me was learning about 40 Inventive Principles. The reason I found 40 Inventive Principles to be so fascinating is it’s another tool to help us to be more creative, and to solve problems more creatively. Just reading through some of the examples given for each principle will give you ideas on ways to change the way you do work. For me, that was another mentoring in moments.
Examples of 40 Inventive Principles
“Principle 1. Segmentation
- Divide an object into independent parts.
- Replace mainframe computer by personal computers.
- Replace a large truck by a truck and trailer.
- Use a work breakdown structure for a large project.
Principle 4. Asymmetry
- Change the shape of an object from symmetrical to asymmetrical.
- Asymmetrical mixing vessels or asymmetrical vanes in symmetrical vessels improve mixing (cement trucks, cake mixers, blenders).
- Put a flat spot on a cylindrical shaft to attach a knob securely.
Principle 6. Universality
- Make a part or object perform multiple functions; eliminate the need for other parts.
- Handle of a toothbrush contains toothpaste
- Child's car safety seat converts to a stroller
Principle 17. Another dimension
- To move an object in two- or three-dimensional space.
- Infrared computer mouse moves in space, instead of on a surface, for presentations.
- Five-axis cutting tool can be positioned where needed.
Principle 22. “Blessing in disguise” or “Turn Lemons into Lemonade”
- Use harmful factors (particularly, harmful effects of the environment or surroundings) to achieve a positive effect.
- Use waste heat to generate electric power.
- Recycle waste (scrap) material from one process as raw materials for another.”