Google Mail - un-send your e-mail during 30 seconds

Just came across one interesting post-guide on how to enable very useful feature in Gmail allowing to correct what seems to be uncorrectable. Gmail unsend feature.

No stranger to mistakes, Google is now lending a helping hand to its users. Earlier this month, the search engine giant extended the time users can take before deciding to cancel a message. When Google introduced the undo feature in 2009, it allotted only five seconds for users to pull back a message.

But as of this month, Google will now have up to 30 seconds to scream mulligan on their latest message.

How's it possible, you might ask, to cancel a message if it's already been read? Well, the geniuses of Mountain View are actually testing a feature that enables users to set up a built-in delay before a message is actually sent.

Here is a guide to set-up the undo feature:

1. Log in to Gmail and go to Google Labs. If you've never gone to Labs before, click the word "more" in the very top left corner, then scroll down and click "even more."
2. In the column on the right, click "Labs." It's next to the icon of a beaker filled with green stuff.
3. Click "Gmail Labs" in the column on the right.
4. Scroll down almost all the way to the bottom until you see "Undo Send." Click "enable" and the feature is now on. Then scroll the rest of the way down and look in the bottom left corner for the "Save Changes" box. Click it.
5. Now, go back to the main Gmail page and click "Settings" in the top right. You should also see your green Labs beaker icon there now -- this will let you go straight to Labs from now on.
6. Scroll down to "Undo Send" -- it should be right above "My Picture." Your default should be set to 10 seconds. But you can use the drop-down bar to stretch that to 30 seconds.
7. Scroll down and hit "Save Changes."
8. To undo an email, just look for the box at the top of the screen that will have the words "Your message has been sent." After that, you should see the "Undo" option. Click that and you'll be sent back to the e-mail's draft form, where you'll have 30 seconds to edit or delete it before it goes out.

For TweetDeck Fans - how Buzz can help to write longer tweets

Dear TweetDeckers :)

All we know that Tweetdeck is a great tool for your Social Media activity, it's like your TwiBuzFaceLiSquare mission control center which allows you to be in all mentioned online venues simultaneously.

Now Tweetdeck can became your guide to the world beyond established by law 140 characters by uniting forces of Twitter and Buzz.

Cross-posting is what can help you. If you have something to say, but you cannot fit it all into 140 characters, why not cross-post your update to Google Buzz?

With both a Buzz AND Twitter account selected, you can continue to type way more than 140 characters. When you send the update, the full message will be posted to your Buzz account and the tweet will contain the first 116 characters with a link to the full update on Buzz.

Even if you don't want to use Buzz for anything else, adding a Buzz account in this way is a great method of sending longer tweets than normal without having to leave your TweetDeck.

Just remember that Buzz posts via TweetDeck are all Public, so it's best not to use this method for DMs.

The power of LinkedIn - real example!

Dear Readers!

I'd like to share with you my extremely pleasant feelings about the power of social networks in general, and LinkedIn in particular.

Being inspired by incredible attempt of fellow LI member to reach all his connections here on LinkedIn I decided to embark on my personal journey to personally get in touch with all people to whom I have an honour to be connected.

I decided to test the power of Linkedin, to find out more about my network and see what's the potential and common interests we share with my connections. To my greatest amusement and satisfaction I found that not only people in my network, but fellow group members friendly reacted on my appeal. More than 100 responses across the groups during first days, and this figure is growing fast.

Thanks to this little, still undergoing experiment I'm not only reaching out my friends, but getting the new ones as well, very interested and socially active people. That said I'd like to call for being more socially active, be open and welcome. By doing this we not only can enhance our personal experience and opportunities but contribute to the development of the LinkedIn as well.


Thanks to all of you reacting on my appeal! Special thanks to fellow member in the following groups for being so welcome.

1. Health Informatics Technology (HIT)
2. Information Technology Contracting
3. CIOs.com: Chief Information Officer Network
4. ThoseinMedia
5. On Startups - The Community For Entrepreneurs


P.S If it happens that reading this message you connected to me through 1st-2nd-3rd degree please respond with simple comment - here is my public profile

Hey Linkedin - Need a Social Media Strategy to reach Milla Jovovich

I know it might sound crazy, but sometimes we all think about crazy things, aren't we :) So, my crazy idea, actually it might be not so crazy, in fact many colleagues in Linkedin expressed their support and courage in this social endeavor :)

So, let me explain, recently I created a very short and clumsy Youtube (didn't find more appropriate word for it) presentation with tribute to Milla for her spectacular role in Resident Evil franchise on the premiere of four part: Afterlife.

Being a social media enthusiast my believe (proven by practice in business world) is that social media can help you to reach almost everyone, almost everyone, if he:

1. Participates in SM himself - not through agents
2. Not political, military, UFO-scientifical special department agent....bla bla bla
3. Know what is the Internet

Applying my passion to Social Media in my work I saw incredible results in getting in touch with people who was unaccessible otherwise, so full of optimism I started discussion on Linkedin.

Is Social Media powerful enough to help me reach Holywood star?

In which I asked other professionals if Social Media has enough potential to help me realize this "crazy" aim. To my surprise I found quite a positive reactions, with quite a realistic agendas on how to implement it.

But still, I think it's not so easy...and will take a lot of efforts, reasonable efforts (excluding rains of messages and status updates). I need a strategy - real-word practical strategy!

Started from analysis I found that Milla or her authorized profile on Twitter being a Ukrainian-born doesn't have any Ukrainian she follows, she has a Russian - popular comic guy Ivan Urgant (who I like as well) and one more, but no Ukrainians, so I wrote her about it :)

Question: do you give any chance for my Twitter soon being followed by Mila?

I would be extremely glad to know opinion of other colleagues as for the feasibility of this "crazy" idea and steps that can help me.

Here is the tribute itself, hope it makes you smile at least once :) Thanks!

LinkedIn Discussion - DirectAds VS AdWords - Keywords VS Demographics - my experience

Recently I took a part in Q&A debates on "What network would you choose to place your business ads if you could afford only one? LinkedIn, Google Adwords, Facebook or smth else?".

While there is no golden option, and each marketer should fit the platform according to his specific needs, target audience and many other parameters I decided to consider this question in terms of comparison of targeting approaches. From one side Google with its predominantly traditional (keywords) targeting versus demographic targeting of those social phenomenas Facebook and LinkedIn.

Without much knowledge of Facebook ads, except that fact that they appear on the right place, right time and in the right format, and in the right quantity. (Although, I have nothing against Google AdWords with their 10-11 ads per page, the Facebook format is less crowded therefore more convenient for advertiser)I would like to focus on LinkedIn and its Direct Ads.

There have been much said about Pros & Cons of this systems, so I'd like to give my personal opinion, if you don't mind :)

What strikes me most in Direct Ads is their targeting system, no keywords, no placements, just aimed fire at the category of people you think represent your target audience, brilliant isn't it :) With more than 70 mln professionals from 240 industries and sectors, as well as almost entire corporate hierarchy it offers you unbeatable targeting possibilities, although I love Google and it's still my major ads platform, I think this system is the future, sorry Google, unless you preparing something similar, hope you are :)

During first two weeks of my campaigning on DirecAds I saw the real power of LinkedIn, so did my wallet :) Let me give you a brief overview of bidding options on DirectAds, first you can go with Pay-Per-Click model - quite popular and accepted model throughout all networks, second is relatively new Pay-Per-Impression model, when you pay your bid per 1000 impressions.

Having experience with both models in Google Adwords my decision was to test them both here as well. Results - well, PPC brought me fifth times more clicks that PPM costing twice (or third) times less. (more details below)

In overall Linkedin DirectAds appears to be more expensive delight for marketer than Adwords with relatively similar exposure. Reasons:

1. Bids - Linkedin assigns higher bids for both PPC and PPM models, the suggested rate for IT sphere is 4-5 USD/click, or 3-4 USD per impression. However, there is such thing as minimum bid which stays at 2-2.5 USD per click/imp, so I advise to take something between, at least for me it works.

2. Clicks/Impressions - what amazed me particularly in DirectAds is the amount of impressions, it's just stunning!!! on average 60-80K per day, to compare in Adwords the figure is 30-40K per day for relatively broad targeted campaign.

3. Limiting Options - You can set a limit for your campaign (min 10$ per day) and LI should automatically stop running when campaign reaches its limit, but in practice LI stops it with 20% surplus. IMHO - AdWords works more accurately

To summarize: LinkedIn DirectAds has an astonishing targeting approach, allowing you to reach precisely your target audience, moreover your ads circulate in the environment of extremely active and business oriented people, which is a big benefit comparing to Search Engine Ads Networks. But this opportunities are not cheap, if you going with DirectAds your bill will be 20-50% percent higher than one with Adwords, so if you new to this I persistently recommend to sharp your skills with Google Adwords - The Ads network by default for everyone.

What is LinkedIn

Blog & Website - do we still need this differentiation?

With blogs and blogging software making such a substantial progress over last years it became difficult to distinguish modern blog from a website, and vice-versa.

Of course, in essence each blog is a website indeed, but the purpose used to be different. However, today it seems that each website should have a supporting blog, while each blog should provide more than traditional two-column divided information. Today I see many web venues combines these functions in one medium.

From other side I see leading blogging platforms, such as Blogger and Wordpress provide more and more website features for their blogs, including design and structure customization, dynamic elements and many other features making it really easy to create almost full functioning website on the basis of your blog. You can create customized design, add flash elements and pages, so when thinking about establishing your web presence you have a very viable alternative to full-featured coding website. You can pick a unique domain name as well.

That said, I'm thinking of why do we need to this division anymore? And what is your forecast for the future of blogging and blogging software? Will we see CMS for blogs? or maybe anything else?

Does your brand have its own story? How to tell your personal brand story - tips from the expert

Being recently inspired by an amazing article "30 Minutes To Craft a Remarkable Personal Brand Story" by Lana Kravtsova in her Daring Clarity blog I decided to tell my own story while retelling her advices to help you create yours. So below you can see what is the result of this.

First of all, I want to give credit to the author as her personal story in about section has inspired me to embark on this creation work and help spread those great tips she kindly provided.

So, lets clarify, why you need your story? - according to Lana your story can set you apart. Make you stick in your customers’ (readers, followers) minds. Motivate and inspire your employees as well as ignite emotions, dialogs and call to action - exactly what you need from your customers, readers, followers to take.

There is almost nothing to add, except that fact that your story will give a personality to your brand or service. The Humanization of the Brand is what will drive people to learn more about you. In many cases we usually find that the existing architecture leads people from a very vibrant and interactive experience (social networks) to a static dead end (our web sites, ads or materials). In order to stand out in this environment we need to become social architects, and build the roads necessary to lead customers to a rich and rewarding network, full of valuable and interesting information - and your story, personal story, unique story is what should be at core of this architecture.

Lara starts her guide from simple question - do you tell your story?

Too often people focusing on what they do.

I sell great custom made dresses. I sell great soaps made from organic ingredients. I am a great life coach. I am a great social media expert.

But probably most people, not specifically looking for that service will forget about you in two minutes if all they saw on your website is focused on “what”.

You need to tell your why. Tell who you are. Tell your story.

Don’t try to be someone you are not. Take time to find your story. We all have one.


Your story generally consists of 3 main elements:

1.Your values and beliefs. In other words your “whys”
2.Your experiences
3.Your personal unique characteristics

Let’s take 30 minutes and write your story.


You might add more to your story later as more things surface. Self discovery is a never ending process. But let’s start now.

Take a blank sheet of paper. Answer the following questions. Don’t think or over analyze. Just answer. Write whatever comes to mind.

1. What do you do?

What comes to mind when you hear that question. Write it all down.

My example: I help people to improve their marketing communications, increase their presence online and facilitate conversations on popular information platforms. I also strive to raise an awareness about Ukraine, it's people and culture through the social media channels and platforms.

2. What are you attracted to?

Concepts, things, people etc.

My example – creativity, personality, people, stunning web experiences, favorable dialogs and unique design concepts.

Yours?

3. What do people praise you for the most?

Inspiration, enthusiasm, authenticity, creativity. What about you?

4. Why do you do what you do?

This is the most important question. Why do you think the world needs what you have to offer?

5. What are your goals for the future?


6. Three words that describe you.

This are essential questions you should ask yourself while essaying, however you can add some more, something like

What are you passionate about the most in your business (career, vocation)? What makes you feel alive?

What did you learn for years being in business? How has it changed your attitude over time?

Or any other question that springs in your mind during essaying

Now look at your answers and tell me your story.

See what’s appropriate to include and what’s not. See how you can incorporate your values, your experiences, your personality traits that make you unique into your story.

Play with it.

Your story is the most important part of your brand. Use it everywhere you go. About page, which is mostly associated with the story is one of the most visited pages on blogs and small businesses’ websites. Align your story with your corporate message and use this tandem exponentially throughout your communication channels.

Linkedin Discussion - Gmail Priority Box

In the beginning of the week Gmail launched a new feature Priority Box, which is an algorithmic solution to email overload. It automatically processes your email by factoring in variable such as who the email was sent by, how many people it was sent to and the keywords included in the subject and body of the message in order to determine which email is important. Emails that fit to the category (which you can set by yourself) appear in the dedicated box.

Seems like the feature is something very useful, but to find out if it proves useful on practice I decided to start a discussion on Linkedin. Here are results:

1. Many respondents found this feature very useful for those who deals with abundant correspondence

2. Learning Curve not so steep

3. Automatic recognition is seen very helpful


Among the main features there are:

1. Prioritize Filters
2. Customize Sections
3. Start With a Clean Slate
4. Use Your “Inbox” for Folders
5. Test Priority with Multiple Inboxes


To see the full discussion on Linkedin please follow this link

Testing the power of LinkedIn - reaching my connections!

Being inspired by incredible attempt of Barry Wills - a proactive networker and distinguished editor at Minerals Engineering to reach all his connections here on LinkedIn I decided to embark on my personal journey to personally meet with all knowledgable professionals to whom I have an honour to be connected.

I decided to test the power of Linkedin, to find out more about my network and see the potential and common interests. So, if it happens that you reading this message and connected through 1st-2nd-3rd degree please respond with simple comment on Linkedin - here is my public profile

LinkedIn Community - Can we do better?

Today I came across one great article “Getting the most out of LinkedIn”, where one well-connected and knowledgeable professional speaking about LinkedIn as a huge virtual conference, exhibition or gathering attended by millions of professionals directly or indirectly related to your sphere. He calls Linkedin as a place where you can find familiar “virtual coffee breaks”, chats, new acquaintances and discussions in specialist subject areas.

I can say it’s hard not to agree with all above said as Linkedin is a real one-stop-shop for today’s business networking and interaction, especially in those IT enabled areas, curiously enough but the person I was talking about belongs to the mining industry and boasts more than 500 connections and 2 million (other in 2nd, 3rd degrees) professionals in his network. I’ve been seeing people from other areas joining the network, so it means that Linkedin spreads to more sectors and already covers 150 industries around the world. With the expansion of LinkedIn to more language and geographical areas it might became truly international business communication platform.

According to the statistical data Linkedin demonstrated a faster growth that Twitter in the first half of 2010. LinkedIn sits in 56th place in the list of most visited websites with 1.7 billion monthly views. LinkedIn has over 75 million members in over 200 countries and each two weeks website adds more than 1 million new users. The figures are stunning, and it seems to be an amazing success, so I just was curious can it be better.

With this question in mind I decided to look at things from perspective of those leaders in today’s web, guess who came first :) exactly! Facebook, eternal competitor, maybe not direct yet, but very serious. I clearly realize that there is no reason to compare websites as they mostly serve for different purposes, again yet, as Facebook unequivocally shows his intentions to come on Linkedin territory, anyway most people still differentiate them from each other. So I found some interesting statistics with regards to them.

Not covering the user base, traffic and newcomers (for obvious reasons), nevertheless I found some areas, where the best business social networking website can do better! Here they are (comments below):

1.People spend half an hour on Facebook but only 5-7 minutes on Linkedin -

not sure if it can be comparable, but it seems that Linkedin, with it’s meaningful discussions, polls and business interactions should at least not to give up in time spent on website, but figures suggest otherwise.

2. According to opinions if you are looking for a job, Linkedin has a much more formal jobs database but, if jobs come through personal connections then Facebook may be your answer -

that’s honestly strange, isn’t LI is referred as a best recruiting-through-connection website?

3. Linkedin is 57% international while Facebook is 70% international

As I mentioned LI is on the right way to spread the world, however much work should be done, not only by site, but its members as well, Facebook and Google actively involve their members to help translate their websites, and it’s good!

4. Load time - Facebook 0.118 seconds, Linkedin 2.516 seconds

no comments

5. Annual Growth: Facebook + 159.60%; Linkedin +86.58%

Not bad for both, but LI has a bar to aspire to :)

What I found interesting is that the two websites features very close demographics (according to stats):

Facebook - 25-34 years old, Female
Parents, Some college

Linkedin 25-34 years old
Female, Parents, Master’s degree

So there is no way to say that Facebook deals with extremely proactive youngsters, while Linkedin serves busy-with-other things middle-aged people. During the last years I saw many business people joining Facebook, and on the other side many graduates took first steps in professional networking.

What I found, instead is that for both sites critical success factors are community, participation and trust. These are main foundations that make both Linkedin and Facebook what they are today - best business platform, and a life-style and most visited website over the web. That said, I truly believe that we, the Community can make our favorite virtual business venue even better! Having a solidary community, especially one where membership is unified with the common purpose (as my example is spread the word of Linkedin among friends, colleagues and other people) will be a huge bonus and main driver for further growth and perfection!!! Do you agree?

Join the discussion on Linkedin here

Will advent of AutoCAD to Mac & iPad mark the new era in design and architecture

Autodesk introduces its flagship software AutoCAD to Mac, iPhone and iPad! What seen by many as a logical step might present a start of new trend for developers of architectural, design and other professional software.

This step presents even a big deal for Apple, as it gives it's tabled a much-needed validation of a productivity tool rather than a pure media consumption device.

While the Mac version of AutoCAD will get full version and support multi-touch gestures from trackpads and the Magic Mouse, and iTunes-style cover flow for browsing design files, the one for iPad will allow users to edit, review and share their design files.

Even though AutoCAD iPad app won't have the full functionality of its desktop counterpart -- it is free software and provide much greater portability and flexibility. The idea behind the AutoCAD iPad app, and a similar app for iPhone and iPod Touch, is that users can carry a lot of design files in a small package, which can be easily presented, reviewed or modified from the road without dragging around a Macbook or printing out a mound of pages.

These might facilitate the new wave of tablets and software designed to create small-scale tablet versions that make their desktop counterparts more useful.