Exploring the Stages of Engagement to Connection

What came first the chicken or the egg? That is what comes to mind when hearing different perspectives of Engagement and Connection. Sometimes these terms are tossed around like they are interchangeable. Depending on the view you are subject to, you may have to do some digging to ascertain the direction of the message. We view Engagement and Connection as two very different stages within what ultimately enables a Cycle-of-Courtesy.

Many still question engagement as a good source for online and mobile lead generation, opting for intrusive messages via SMS, email, or newsletters. The problem may not be engagement, but within the idea that engagement is a standalone solution.

      Engagement within social media is only the first step. The difference between engagement and true connections lives within how you prepare, respond and adapt

Social Media: “Engaged” to “Connected”

Effectively integrating social media within traditional marketing strategy requires an understanding of the value of social connections.

Engagement within social media is only the first step. The difference between engagement and true connections lives within how you prepare, respond and adapt…

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and the AMA have released the February 2011 CMO Survey.

The results reflect a likely 18.1% increase in social media spending over the next five years, yet, at the same time, it seems many have concerns with the effective integration of social media.

Defining What Is Truly “Innovative”

At a recent conference, speakers boasted about innovation ratings for major corporations.  Looking at the screen, I immediately panned down the list to see what was missing…  I mumbled to myself “this just isn’t right” and in my mind I completely jumbled the list. Moving some companies to the top and a few from the list all together.  My husband set there laughing, expecting me to jump out of my chair.

Dig a little deeper…Why did this list trouble me so?

NIKE Plays with Curiosity, Imagination and an Infectiously Creative Mindset!

Serious change through curiosity, imagination and an infectiously creative mindset.  At the heart of this mindset…a constant pursuit of collaboration and absolute communication.

Nike naturally attracts great ideas internally and externally

Recognizing the importance of diverse real-life events with a clear athlete and fan vision makes Nike’s future possible.  Constructing extreme opportunities to co-create with professional athletes, Nike continues to design and deliver PERFORMANCE.  Don’t feel left out; Nike puts just as much effort into creating products that enhance our personal athletic endeavors, with a keen eye on enabling and encouraging an active life. Collectively designing and developing “people-oriented” products and services.

Moving from a Nike-centric attitude to a MY-NIKE  style takes… Ambition,  Passion, Personalization, and PERFORMANCE

“The opportunity is greater than ever for sustainability principles and practices to deliver business returns and become a driver of growth, to build deeper consumer and community connections and to create positive social and environmental impact in the world” NIKE

Nike – Can Your “LIFE” DO ALL THAT?

Creative efforts are impressive and clearly shifting the way we think about sportswear. Nike is integrating “life” into products and developing items that enable a more personalized experience for all things Nike.

In recent years, Nike has produced several social media and community offerings, each leading to new ideas and new ways to connect. During World Cup 2006 / 2010 and Olympics 2008 /2010, efforts to bring people into the game with communities and interactive player insight proved overwhelmingly successful, but more importantly, a tremendous learning experience.

Bringing everything into play…Nurturing innovation and creative minds…

Nike knows the difference between engage and connect, inspires emotion and creates absolute influence.

Introducing and perfecting life tools, like Nike+, takes a great deal of lifestyle insight.  Nike remains committed to interacting with people and enabling people-to-people connections.  Nike+ continues to improve runner-to-runner experiences, building on their interactive Nike+ community, making even the act of uploading information easier, faster and more relevant with the new GPS enabled iPhone app.

Speaking to Fast Company, Mark Parker declares “What we learn from them is who we are”

Setting the stage for the Mobile Olympic EXPERIENCE…

Collective research and development with Olympic Athletes and Olympic Fans will guide Nike’s strategy.

Perhaps, for the 2012 Olympics, Nike will think about constructing branded occasions, circumstances where people fancy sharing their Olympic encounter(s).  Nike would play a significant role in the fan-based occurrences.  Given the implications for mobilized life these will be location based, tagged and shared.

Just as Fans celebrate how social connections bring them closer to an Our-Game frame of mind, Nike hopes to bring people closer to a MY-NIKE way of thinking.

More: Nike + Castro Nike Air Live Show -