Leadership

Tuesday Buzz: People Who Use Google Glass Shouldn’t Throw Stones

Some early adopters of Google Glass are giving it a bad rap by kinda being creepy jerks. Don't let your "lead users" do the same to you. Also: Tumblr gains two-step authentication.

Google Glass is a fascinating device with a lot of appeal. Google Glass users (present company included), not so appealing.

It seems that people have become frustrated with the hype or annoyed by the users—and Google recently found itself having to offer etiquette notes to its early adopters, whom it calls Glass Explorers. (There’s even a derogatory term for a person who wears the devices, which Google used, but we won’t.)

Citing a recent Harvard Business Review post on the topic, National Fluid Power Association CEO Eric Lanke ponders what your “lead users” might say about you. Despite some bad luck Google has had with its Explorers,  Lanke sees some inherent value in the lead user strategy.

“Recognizing how difficult it increasingly is to capture the attention of your members and deliver effective communications to them, imagine how productive it would be to have a community of ‘lead members,’ interacting with your larger community in the ‘real world,’ demonstrating the value of your programs and services,” he writes.

Lanke’s board members work well in this role for him. As we all know, a well-chosen board can drive your strategy.

Google apparently chose poorly.

Talking Event Tech

Event technology is currently a pretty popular topic on the #eventprofs feed. (Check out a few highlights of the coverage above.) What’s your stance on it: Have you seen anything cool lately, or is it all kind of a bore?

Other good reads

The number of social networks that don’t offer two-factor authentication is declining by the day. The latest to offer it? Tumblr.

Here’s a philosophy for dealing with your email that only a gamer could love: Clear it line by line, like a game of Tetris, Lifehacker suggests. (By the way, take a gander at Classically Trained, where author Jon D. Harrison offers business advice with a retro motif.)

Hit the links: On Frank J. Kenny’s blog, Christina Green suggests how chambers of commerce can leverage golfing events to raise revenue.

Speaking of golf, Steve Drake offers the example of a golf course superintendent who managed to quash a rumor effectively.

(iStock Editorial/Thinkstock)

Ernie Smith

By Ernie Smith

Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. MORE

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