Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - This week I learned first hand that the world really is more connected than ever. Thanks to Zanerva, an events company based here in KL, and Buzz Corps, a word-of-mouth firm based in Austin, Texas, I had the opportunity to visit with a number of Malaysian businesses this week about social media and other related topics.
In addition to being very impressed with the beauty and cultural and ethnic diversity of Kuala Lumpur, I was very pleased to learn about how connected our two countries are on the internet. After meeting with prominent bank officials, a communications company executive, insurance company managers, a major airline's marketing team, an e-commerce company's key staff and the marketing team for an interactive children's museum, I can report that there is total awareness, on the opposite side of the world from where I live, that online marketing and communications are on the minds of people around the globe.
My purpose for visiting Malaysia was to conduct a two-day seminar on social media marketing for high-level professionals based in this part of Asia. The seminar was excellent and the awareness of the participants on all areas of social media marketing was impressive. Fortunately I was able to share some new concepts with them. Of particular interest, given the timing and its success, was the Obama campaign's online efforts.
We were able to analyze the campaign's online features while simultaneously monitoring the election results using other online resources. I enjoyed being able to be right on top of all the information, while getting an Asian point of view on our election process, and simultaneously conducting a successful seminar. (As a side note, the seminar participants were also happy to know that we have early voting and that I had taken part in the election before joining them for the week.)
The FG SQUARED website accurately points out that the world today is faster, more complex, and more competitive than ever. To truly connect with the people who are essential to your success, you have to reach out to them and interact across multiple channels and platforms.
This week I got to live that in a great way. Even as I was preparing to return to North America, I made a new friend on Twitter, from right here in KL, even as I was drafting this post. Hello Carolyn Chan. I look forward to seeing your beautiful country again. In the meantime, I'll be right across the globe, and only a few seconds away.
Author's Note: I want to especially thank Maria and the rest of the Zanerva team for making me feel like I was 'home' while visiting KL. Thank you.
