I’m slowly becoming a fan of Google wave. If you haven’t heard of it, you can read more here, but basically it’s a tool for real-time communication and collaboration. I’ve used it about 4 times now and I’m slowly getting the hang of it and understanding the power of it. Plus it’s kind of fun (and creepy) to watch someone in another state type on your screen.

The best use I’ve found for it so far is project collaboration amongst our staff. But I know there could even be more uses. It’s a tool that has the potential to be immensely helpful for our large organization. I think we should get to know it.

Has anyone else used Google Wave in a way that’s been helpful? What’s the value of this web 2.0 tool?

FYI: You have to have an invite to use it. Let me know if you’d like one to start waving.

Other LTI posts kinda like this one:

1. Google Maps
2. Geography is our friend – Google Mashup
3. Collaboration across the organization

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A while back I connected with Russ Martin, who serves as the operations leader for Power to Change (Campus Crusade for Christ) in Canada. I thought I’d share how it happened, because it gives some cool insight into the power of online communication.

1. I wrote a post on video conferencing and somehow Russ found me and commented.
2. I tracked down his blog and various insightful and witty comments ensued.
3. We began following each other on twitter
4. I posted a tweet wondering if anyone had some contact management software recommendation. (I know…I’m a nerd)
5. Russ send me a message saying he would demo the software they’re using
6. At the scheduled time I logged into a Dim Dim webinar and was added to a Skype conference call with Russ and Josh on the operations team up there.

Interesting notes: Russ and Josh live a long way from me…I would have never met them if not for my blog. The first time I talked to Russ was after a lot of online communication, and by then I felt like I knew him already. All of...

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So you’ve finally caught the social media bug…or at least want to test the value of it. There are so many social media applications available that the thought of learning them all will burst that bubble quickly. I believe that if you have limited time and capacity the best way you can invest your time is with a blog…if you work hard at it.

Why? Blogging gives a face to your position and ministry, it connects you to like minded staff people and helps you sharpen your thinking as you write and collaborate with people who comment. It doesn’t have to be perfect, I’ve stopped and restarted a blog at least 3 times. The crazy thing is that I have friends all over the U.S. and Canada that I’ve never met in person and only know through my blog. It’s given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise and has even helped recruit for our new staff team in Portland, Oregon.

How? There are plenty of applications out there to set up a blog with. I recommend if you’re brand new to try Wordpress.co...

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Yesterday I got to hear Mitch Joel at the Art of Marketing in Toronto.

One quote he shared really impacted me.

“It’s not longer all about idly surfing and the passively reading, listening, or watching.  It’s about doing,  sharing, socializing, collaboration, and, most of all, creating”  Eckart Walther – Yahoo!

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If you missed it there has been some great discussion on my last post regarding the barriers that keep people from engaging with Web 2.0 tools. Here are some of the highlights:

• Benson: “For some, I think the fear is that they don’t know enough to be “good at it” and don’t feel they have the time to learn about it.”

• Jocelyn: “It might come down to one, simple question: Do you want to be a leader or not?

• Carolyn: “I have to limit my distractions and choose the “noise” in my life. Even if the noise is good, useful, or informative.”

• Jody: “It just seems overwhelming to me to have to keep up with the new things.”

• Darren: “we are almost always against something until we are for it. Is there really anyone out there that says “I love twitter!” or “I love blogs!” that isn’t actively using/consuming them? It seems the switch flips when people understand a practical way it can help them in some defined way and begin engaging.”

• Jennifer: “until I have a clear felt need...

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