Girls Who Code Partnering with IBM! Summertime fun in 2015!
I'm so excited to announce that IBM is sponsoring Girls Who Code, a national non-profit dedicated to empowering teenage girls with computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities! 
I love it! Being a mother of two girls, I know how important it is to nurture girls to embrace STEM-type skills, like coding! And, even better, the girls love it! This Summer, IBM and Girls Who Code will host a group of 20 young women each day for 7 weeks as they learn everything from mobile app development to robotics to web design and ultimately get a chance to build the app they want to see made available. Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 Summer Immersion Program. Current 10th and 11th grade girls with a passion for tech are encouraged to apply. The program is free for participants and no prior experience is necessary.
This is sure to be a life-changing experience! We hope you will spread the word about this fabulous opportunity and encourage the 10th and 11th grade young women in your life to apply today at http://www.girlswhocode.com/applynow.
Here are some tweets you can use to help spread the word! And be sure to follow them on Twitter @GirlsWhoCode!
- Awesome org @GirlsWhoCode is accepting applications for summer 2015! High School girls who love tech can apply at http://girlswhocode.com/applynow
- Learn to code, change the world! High School girls can apply now for @GirlsWhoCode Summer Immersion Program at http://girlswhocode.com/applynow
- Join the movement! @GirlsWhoCode is recruiting teen girls for the unforgettable Summer Immersion Program. Apply at http://girlswhocode.com/applynow
Get enterprise-level analytics on a startup-level budget: IBM Analytics Starter Program
You know one of the biggest obstacles as a startup is having the revenue to buy or get access to software that could enhance your solutions. It gets even tougher when your clients are clamoring for analytics solutions to address their business challenges. You've got to get the solutions they need and fast!
We have the solution!
That’s why we’ve created the IBM Analytics Starter Program for startup ISVs! It can help you break through barriers and integrate proven, enterprise-strength software in the solutions you deliver to your clients!
Start-ups don't have additional funds to invest in software. The IBM Analytics Starter Program takes away that barrier to entry! We offer software for no charge and no royalties for 18 months.
Who qualifies for the program?
If you are a member of IBM Global Entrepreneur, you’re already most of the way there! In addition, you must meet these two criteria:
•Company must integrate IBM software into their application
•Company’s application charge is less than $150,000 USD for one on-premise license
Great, where do I sign up?
To apply and learn more about the IBM Analytics Starter Program, visit our website or reach out to starter@us.ibm.com. You can also contact your assigned Global Entrepreneur Relationship Manager. The program will be offered to qualified Business Partners in the US on 20 Jan 2015 and available worldwide in mid-February.
We look forward to helping you deliver better value to your clients with the power of business analytics!
Not a member of the IBM Global Entrepreneur? Now is a great time to become a member!
Helpful links:
- IBM Analytics Starter Program -> https://www.ibm.com/partnerworld/page/isv_com_smp_startup_analytics_starter
- IBM Global Entrepreneur Program -> http://www.ibm.com/isv/startup
Do you have a Young Spirit? Try it on Social Networks!
I heard many people say that they are "too old" for social. I don't buy this at all. Social has nothing to do with age..... but a young spirit. We all need to keep a youthful attitude instead of not changing or adapting. This works in life as well as with Social Networks!
Social networking is not just used by the young and the restless. Which age groups are using social media?
Did you know that:
- 72% of all internet users are now active on social media
- 18-29 year olds have an 89% usage
- The 30-49 bracket sits at 72%
- 60 percent of 50 to 60 year olds are active on social media
- In the 65 plus bracket, 43% are using social media
(You can see more stats at: http://www.jeffbullas.com/2014/01/17/20-social-media-facts-and-statistics-you-should-know-in-2014/#V5IbWy4JKG1D2bpu.9)
Also per Pew Research:
Some tips!
1. Learn some tools like Facebook, Twitter, or whatever your "crowd" leverages. Do this in person at social classes that are offered for free (our library did free classes this weekend!) or online. You can do it!
2. Set goals. That means we need to chase our dreams and work toward our goals. It could be personal like keeping in touch with friends or grandkids. Or it could be work related. When you wake up with something to accomplish, and you don't settle for watching the world go by, you keep that spirit young and fresh!
3. Keep laughing! If you ever watch a child, they laugh and have fun. You may not get it right away but don't get down on yourself. Keep moving -- have a laugh and collect the stories.
We know that digital natives love technology and social networks but the fastest growing group on social today are those digital immigrants. Immigrants always take risks and drive forward!
Start today!
It's not always about you!
How many brands discuss nothing but themselves in social networks? About 62%. Too many brands do nothing but talk about themselves. But the millennials and Gen Z want to be part of the "sharing" culture! They want this "relationship" to be a win - win.
Look for opportunities to comment on your clients comments and POV. Set up ways you can have them participate. I love what Taylor Swift does in her Social Media empire. She fills up up Tweets with undiscovered artists singing her songs, fan collages, and wedding videos using her songs. This past Christmas she did #SwiftMas and sent out gifts to those fans out there engaging and documented their openings of the presents on video. TD Bank did a ATM - Automated Thanking Machine - to say thank you to their clients documenting their responses.
What will you do to recognize and talk about your clients and their interests?
The Best Ideas: Entrepreneur creates WishPop
Yesterday, I had a wonderful meeting with Rob Ross who is a natural techy, developer, and entrepreneur.
His creation -- an app for the iPad inspired by his daughter. WishPop allows kids to create wish lists and thank yous to help their "grown ups" know what to buy them!
And Rob did all the right things:
1. First, he got a first class team. While the team was only 8 people, he had experience from Nickelodean, Disney, National Geographic Kids, Game Designers from Ramps, and Acclaim Entertainment. This drove an incredible design.
2. Second, he knew his "client's" pain points. His own daughter served as a chief requirement giver and her 15 BFFs gave constant and consistent feedback.
3. And finally, he learned and pivoted. He noted that the technical platform that he chose to build on didn't allow flexibility. He has since switched over to a developer platform Xamarin.
I love this app and the story!
Every Social Network Is Different !
Dogs are different than cats, and therefore we treat them different. We walk a dog on a leash and leverage catnip for kittens!
The same is true of social networks. The audience of Twitter is different than that of Google Plus. They are different and those that win, treat them differently!
While people know this, we still see content cross promoted on brand's social networks. Your team should be leveraging the differences and be creative to craft the story differently for the different social networks.
One of my favorite brands finds new and unique ways to engage with their fans. They strategically use social to report sentimental stories about how fans’ lives intertwine with the product, thereby growing their social engagement.
What are you doing in your brand?
What is Growth Hacking? Hint: Content is queen!
Everyone is talking about growth hacking ... but what is it?
Well here are some facts!
- It was created by start ups and entrepreneurs as a way to do "marketing" but I really consider it an intersection of product, marketing, and data.
- It is typically low cost alternative to costly ways to get attention
- It is part of an online marketing ecosystem!!!
- Growth Hacking runs on the engine of "content"
- Skills needed are techniques such as search engine optimization, website analytics, content marketing and A/B testing which are already mainstream.
Some examples include:
An early example of "growth hacking" was Hotmail's inclusion of "PS I Love You" with a link for others to get the free online mail service. Another example was the offer of more storage by Dropbox to users who referred their friends (these were featured as well in Wikipedia)
One way to learn Growth Hacking, is to do Growth Hacking!
Maybe start simply with a blog! Why a blog? Well, a lot of growth hacking is about content marketing --- But don’t let the word “blog” throw you off. "The better you become at creating content, promoting content and sustaining an output of content, the better you’ll be at growth hacking. Start simply on this one! " Entrepreneur Magazine
To be continued!!!
Cloud, Analytics, Mobile and Social were in ALL the 2015 trends - but what are they really?
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