All in a Daze Work

Caught on Street View, London

AM Lewis — 2009-03-22T21:10:44-04:00

I am now somewhat famous, in my own world.

I was snapped by Google Street View, having a beverage outside of a cafe during my visit to London last summer!

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Twitter Has Jumped the Shark

AM Lewis — 2009-03-18T20:45:00-04:00

Yes, it is true.

I am not the first to think it.

While the GigaOm article linked above focuses on search recency (SEO) and Twitter's ability to support its waves (pun intended) of users, I think the shark-jumping is all about reach and credibility of the user base. (Sorry, I can't help focusing on the user, it is all I think about)

Ellen is on twitter? Really? Really? So, she really tweets? And it is not some glorified intern with a script who has been told what not to discuss? Or worse, some typist is fed each and every 140 characters via a team of PR people? Ok, whatever... I hope it is real. But I doubt it. Because Twitter costs.. and if you want Twitter fame, well right here is where you start pain and sweat. You have to tweet, a lot! You have to be entertaining for your new and needy Tweet audience. I think McHammer actually tweeted at first, but in time it grew boring or tedious... Now, I Ihink only ShaQ tweets for real.... the voice seems authentic and he keeps it simple and realistic.

Twitter love takes TIME and dedication... like any other social network, it is best if you are you.

Let's keep the magic alive.
Keep Twitter real!
Keep Twitter real!
Keep Twitter real!

The Value of the MBA

AM Lewis — 2009-03-16T09:00:00-04:00

I have long since had doubts about the true value of an MBA degree, especially in the realm of digital media. Granted, MBA study is an appropriate training ground for good habits in finance and marketing, but when it comes to entrepreneurship, I tend to regard "book" learning as less valuable than practical experience. All that said, I have a few MBA interns working on several of my current projects and their creativity, hard work and brilliance is unparalleled and invaluable, so I respect the programs highly... but I also think that the MBA students I tend to hire are the exception and not the rule.

An article in the Sunday NY Times caught my eye because it draws attention to the preponderance of the MBA degree given the current financial crisis and the less than stellar performance of financial leaders:

The master’s of business administration, a gateway credential throughout corporate America, is especially coveted on Wall Street; in recent years, top business schools have routinely sent more than 40 percent of their graduates into the world of finance.

But with the economy in disarray and so many financial firms in free fall, analysts, and even educators themselves, are wondering if the way business students are taught may have contributed to the most serious economic crisis in decades.

The article also shares some interesting figures from GMAC that demonstrate that the MBA degree is used by students as a credentialing effort to gain entrance to financial companies: the majority of students entering business school come from varied backgrounds, but the majority then switch to finance and consulting once they graduate.

It should be interesting to see how the current graduates of MBA programs enter the job market this year and next. In the end, I agree wholeheartedly with the Times piece and think that it may be time for a bit more scrutiiny of the training of those who are put in charge of our financial markets. Indeed, it is time for the MBA to gain a conscience and sense of social obligation.

"98 percent"

AM Lewis — 2009-03-09T09:00:00-04:00

I have been enjoying the Charlie Rose interviews of prominent people in new media.

I also appreciate Techcrunch's transcription work and the enthusiasm they show in spinning the interviews.

Just read their Eric Schmidt write-up and it is incredibly eye-opening. The transcript is a must read.

Charlie Rose:
And advertising is now, what, 90 percent of the revenue?

Eric Schmidt:
98 percent.

The two men also chatted about the current economy, stimulus package, and how it affects business:

Eric Schmidt:
Well, we needed the stimulus package because the stimulus package had, among other things, $20 billion of science funding.

Charlie Rose:
Right.

Eric Schmidt:
Science and education funding and essentially to move the ball forward. One of the things about economics is everyone assumes the economics are static. Real wealth is created by businesses, not by financial engineering. And by businesses that build new products that solve new problems. In American jobs, and this is primarily in American — obviously American stimulus package — need to be high paying for a reason. We’re losing out to low-cost manufacturing economies when we have the best scientists, the best innovators, the best educational system, and it should pay off. And what it pays off is innovation, new products that pay well.

Social Media and Web Traffic

AM Lewis — 2009-03-03T12:47:24-05:00

Yahoo: Social Media and SEO

View more presentations from Gravity Summit. (tags: business media)

A great slideshow for beginners and boot-strappers learning the ways of SEO and using social media for content distribution and marketing.

Suddenly Blogging

AM Lewis — 2009-02-18T09:00:00-05:00

I am working on several projects that inspire me to return to this blogging platform.

Though, the ultimate reason is that I miss sharing thoughts and hearing feedback from the world.

At this point, I feel like a digital media dinosaur as the next generation of brilliant, naturally digital kids take hold of their entrepreneurial leanings and invent things I can barely comprehend. I am not talking about Facebook. I am talking about the next, best, and better.

I recently interviewed a seasoned M&A executive in the biotech field and she said "in no time, small companies learn to behave like big companies... and all efficiencies and acceptance of risk is lost."

I can't help but agree with her because, in such a very short time, I have begun to see the same behavior in digital media companies.

Twitter Madness

AM Lewis — 2009-02-16T09:41:00-05:00

I am currently working with a few digital entrepreneurs who are scrambling to devise the better business plan, finalize prototypes and beta versions, and secure the currently elusive "angel funding."

Given all the hope of these entrepreneurs, it is interesting to see the sheer maddening brilliance that is Twitter and their darling status in the social media-sphere.

Hmmmmm, what can we learn from this investor love affair???

I especially love this quote: "In fact, Twitter did not even actively seek out the current, third round of $35 million in funding lead by Benchmark Capital and IVP, Chaffee said."

On The Rebound

AM Lewis — 2009-02-15T10:12:49-05:00

I really can't call myself a blogger any longer as I have been so very neglectful of Dazework.com and I sincerely wonder what audience I have lingering, if any.

Still, if by Google fluke you find yourself here, let me re-introduce myself:

I've been digging away at Internet endeavors since 1999 and have yet to strike my dot-com gold. Regardless, I persevere because few things are as fascinating to me as the individual's pursuit of digital happiness. Currently, I am hell bent on studying the intersection of digital media and social psychology as it applies to the modern world.

This morning, following reflection on recent miracles and tragedies that hit so very close to home, I have been asking myself how I use my public, digital platforms for my personal versus professional expression.

*Photo used on Creative Common's license from Flickr user.

Chat Box

AM Lewis — 2008-10-26T20:28:00-04:00

Twitter Spectrum

AM Lewis — 2008-10-26T19:13:55-04:00

Just playing with some cool tools on the web: Twitter Spectrum