Oct06
13
My Top 10 Non-South African Blogs
I recently put a list together for a client of my 10 recommendations for marketing / consumer-related blogs (there is a business in building custom rolled-up feeds for corporate clients - geeks take note). This is partly a reincarnation of that email. It also harkens back to a convo I had with Rich…! last Friday about how difficult it is to keep the ol’ RSS reader to a manageable size - eventually concluding with him that just ten good feeds would be ample, provided you had at least two or three really prolific AGGREGATORS in that list.
Now by aggregator I mean the kind of blogger who picks up on news from around the web, slaps a little interpretation on it and publishes it. It’s not really (or very seldom is) their own content (often some of their original content is interspersed inbetween), but it helps you keep abreast of the latest developments in the industry. Every sector has an aggregator. If you want the latest on Web 2.0 startup and company news you’d do well to go to TechCrunch for example - news aggregation and reviews (and you only need to look at founder Mike Arrington’s success to understand that aggregation can be a whopping nifty business). I have nothing against aggregators - I love them to bits. I think I happen to be one.
I’ve put together a list of my top 10 non-South African blogs - the stuff I just can’t afford to miss. Bear in mind my work is all about social software in the enterprise so this is through that lens. Regardless you should find some good resources between the AGGREGATORS and ORIGINATORS in the list.
So here’s my top 10 non-South African web (blog) feeds:
1. Micro Persuasion by Steve Rubel.
Steve is a phenomenal aggregator, but always has something useful to the phenomenal amount of content he generates. He’s currently vice president at an Edelman firm in the US, so he’s got that to worry about too, but a silly little thing like en exec position at an enormous PR firm is certainly not going to slow this man down. He’s prolific, engaging, and for me - the one most useful feed on the web for me, right now.
2. B2Day - The Business 2.0 Blog by Erick Schonfeld.
Consistently the best tech / web 2.0 / business blog in my reader. Erick seems to have so much time (or so much talent) to provide such great content. My first stop if I want to know what’s really happening online (although BusinessWeek and startups like GigaOM are great options too).
3. Church of the Customer by Jackie Huba and Ben McConnell. I have a crush on Jackie This blog is an outstanding resource for news on how web 2.0 is impacting the consumer, and in turn how this evolving consumer is impacting society and therefore business. There’s hovels of great case studies and examples and reading material on the site. One-stop shop for citizen marketing and customer evangelism insights.
4. Gaping Void by Hugh MacLeod. Hugh’s a marketing guru of note, and a pioneer in micro marketing strategies. Bottom line, read his blog. Oh and he has this whole cartooning thing on the side too. Not the most popular blog in the UK for nothing.
5. All Kind Food by Dennis D. McDonald. Dennis is the first blog I read when I want profound insights, advice and seriously thought-provoking updates on ‘enterprise 2.0′ - the integration of social software into the enterprise. Besides his expertise, Dennis is a really cool guy. If you’re trying to get your IT department to take blogging seriously, start them here.
6. Seth’s Blog by Seth Godin. Seth is a master marketing mind and an all round nice person. He sees things other people simply don’t see and challenges the geeks to make tech accessible to the rest of the planet. He speaks his mind, is honest and backs it up with some profound success. Not many geek marketers out there who don’t regard Seth as a hero.
7. Innovation Creators by Rod Boothby. Rod is unique. Not because he speaks about social software in the enterprise (God know there’s a bunch of us wrestling with that), but because he IS IN THE ENTERPRISE fighting the war. He is the inside man. He is the real thang. Rod knows what it’s like to struggle to get progressive ideas past archaic fear and trepidation. And it comes out in what he writes. Highly recommended.
8. Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds. Pure wisdom every time. This blog is so good I am loathed to tell people about it. If you ever speak in public, you need go no further… That said, if you want the best in the world at actually designing the presentation FOR YOU, speak to the Links.
9. Read / Write Web by Richard MacManus. For me, a better blog than TechCrunch or GigaOM. Richard has a more global outlook and is more comprehensive and objective in his writing. I love his stuff.
10. Two Point Ouch by Ian Delaney. The only real ‘up-and-comer’ (ok along with Dennis and Rod), Ian is one to watch. His posting is detailed, informative and insightful. He picks up on news quickly and commentates really well. Good luck and keep up the legendary work dude!
So that’s that. Hope some of these make sense for you as you wade your way through heaps of good blogs to find the great ones. Enjoy!
Thank you for sharing Mike. The gapingvoid cartoon is so true. I’m not sure if this happens to you but I’ve found that people who find your thoughts via your blog & eventually become your clients, remain your clients & are on the same wavelength as yourself so there will not be any personality clashes
Working with poeple that want to work with you. Have you ever heard the words ‘cold call’? It doesn’t exist in this world.
[...] What inspired this post? Mike ‘Corporate 2.0′ Stopforth’s Top 10 non-ZA blogs 4. Gaping Void by Hugh MacLeod. Hugh’s a marketing guru of note, and a pioneer in micro marketing strategies. Bottom line, read his blog. Oh and he has this whole cartooning thing on the side too. Not the most popular blog in the UK for nothing. [...]
Greetings from Canada!
Discovered your blog this morning here in Toronto via Google Blog Search on”startups, web 2.0″. Will check in daily for a few weeks to get the flavor of your thought processes and orientation.
Of your top 10 list… Hugh MacLeod’s Gaping Void is an essential daily read. Seth is of course well-known however I almost never read his blog.
Observation… People have differing reasons for reading blogs, in my case, looking for original and creative ideas and initiatives including web 2.0.
Question… What is your primary reason for reading blogs?
Hey Sheamus - thanks for the comment. I must be honest and say I understand your comment on Seth - I find that his content has golden moments I wouldn’t miss for the world but the rest is average. I’m happy to wait for the golden moments though
My primary reason for reading blogs…
To stay abreast of industry happenings and be challenged to keep my blog current and interesting.
Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a top ten list before. I am very flattered. I’ve been lazy this week, too. Will try to justify your recommendation in my next post!
Lol no pressure Ian!
Return on (your blogging) Investment…
Quick Fact: Return on Investment (ROI)
Acronym for return on investment. ROI refers to the amount of profits or savings a business will realize from any given use of money.
A define:roi in google will unveil many many more definitions, most of you read…
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PHILOSOPHY OF “REALISM AND PRACTICALISM”
BY ALTAF HUSSAIN
The philosophy of Realism and Practicalism is a criterion for checking the righteousness, evilness, wrongness, truthfulness and falseness of everything. This includes philosophies, ideologies, theories, policies, concepts, systems including medieval, modern and prevailing system of governing a country or institutions. It is also helpful for checking the truthfulness, concoctions, lies of statements, analytical write-ups, columns, versions and perceptions either generated, created, emanated or given by different quarters, elements, institutions or individuals.
What is Realism?
Realism is an act of accepting reality in its actual spirit and essence including facts, physical universe, events, necessities of life, ground realities, favourable or unfavourable situations, conditions and atmosphere, as they are, as opposed to the abstract or ideal. In this regard a practical approach be adopted rather than having ideal, moral, religious or romantic approach. It does not matter whether one likes or dislikes things as they are or appear to be rather than as one might wish them to be. For example, Sun rises from the east whether one likes or dislikes the phenomenon.
Similarly, there are many systems of running the governments prevailing throughout the world (existence of systems of governance), which are prevailing in all sovereign countries for example democratic system, socialist system, monarchical system and medieval feudal system etc. One may like one or two or may be more but some may dislike all.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan, since its inception (1947), medieval feudal system is still in vogue. The existence of feudal system in Pakistan is a reality but in 21st Century it is a common knowledge that this medieval system is a great hurdle in the progress and prosperity of the country and the nation as well.
Likewise with all existing fruits and vegetables like bananas, mangoes, cherries, carrots, onions etc. Whether you like or dislike them, their existence is a reality. Real existing things have other realities in them. For example, some fruits and vegetables have bitter or sour taste. If one knows this fact that some people are allergic to those fruits that have sour taste and whenever they eat such fruit they might get a problem of sore throat. So, they should avoid eating such fruits having sour taste. Fish, eggs, etc are also a reality but some people are severely allergic to them, therefore, those who are allergic to them must avoid having it or eating it.
The existence of eatables is a reality and this is also a reality that some foods are not good for health. So the existence and accepting things in its actual spirit and essence must also be understood and this fact also be taken into consideration that what is good and what is bad and what is beneficial or what is harmful for human beings at large. This way of realising things is known as Realism in its actual spirit and essence.
What is Practicalism?
An act of doing things, making or taking decisions, adopting means and ways in accordance with the actual spirit and essence of reality (realities) and realism is called Practicalism.
For example when one sees and observes that there are lackings and shortcomings in any prevailing system and one thinks that positive steps and corrective measures should be taken to make the system better and beneficial for the people at large. To obtain better and beneficial results, one has to take positive steps and corrective measures through committed, well-determined manner and hard work. This way of acting and making all efforts practically is called Practicalism.
In other words Practicalism means an action taken or a policy made after detailed analysis and consideration – taking into account all the consequences and repercussions of such action(s) rather than theory, dogmas or creed – ensures successful results.
OR
Practicalism means that any idea, theory or doctrine should be applicable practically not only verbally or theoretically.
OR
Practicalism also means that ideas should not be based merely on truth but can change the world with success practically.