Tech Talks-part 1: interviewing Digital Sisters founder & community tech leader Shireen Mitchell
December 30, 2008 :: Jill Foster
She’s been called a Heroine in Technology
It was a fantastic opportunity to speak with Shireen Mitchell for Solutions Are Power. Earlier this summer both Shireen and I blogged the DNC in Denver but her background & advocacy for digital literacy far exceed the political blogosphere. She’s a social media and technology strategist, founder of Digital Sistas/Sisters, Chair of the Media and Technology Task Force of the National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO), and president of the Community Technology Centers’ Network (CTCNet) Board of Directors.
We met recently to discuss small business mindsets toward social tech, networking online and off, the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer…and then some.
On the right tech: what small business should know
Knowing which technology your stakeholders use is critical.
When it comes to engaging communities in so many instances, using social media technology itself is great but those tools prove powerless if they are not also used by your actual community.
Social media is based on a frame which assumes community exists.
But if that community does not have the experience or skills to participate online then basically what’s the point of that particular tool or social media campaign?
On getting too stuck on certain tools
Next we – as social media strategists – want to make sure we aren’t forcing ourselves or our organizations to be stuck or overly restricted in a specific tool – like using only Twitter or only Facebook. Strategists and advisors need to look at multiple tools that can still engage successfully without being overly dependent on only one web based tool or mobile platform, etc.
On staying connected: online networks impact offline collaboration
I talked recently to people in the digital divide field, and how they stay connected with events and their specific communities. One colleague in fact just got on Facebook for the first time. And once they got started, they realized they should have signed up much sooner. Events and meetings announced on Facebook make it possible for me to be involved in my multiple communities.
Online networks help me stay more informed and available offline.
On the ‘Alert Factor’
Online networking tools help me expand opportunity to be more aware of what’s going on in [my tech & political] space. And even the whole idea around marketing, Google alerts and Blog RSS feeds notify me of articles I need to read. This ‘alert’ factor becomes really noticeable when I see links to the same article posted via email but then also on Twitter (more on Twitter for business) and Facebook (more from Small Business Trends-Facebook podcast ). Then I really know what’s important and what I need to read.
My online social networks help me realize valuable resources – like thought leader articles, etc – that I might have missed if I wasn’t involved online.
On her must reads
Mashable and Wired – they’re must reads – plus CNET is a daily must read as well. And I receive email alerts on certain topics. I used to spend $80 each month on tech magazines but thanks to the blogosphere, I’m not that dependent on print issues anymore. Even though Wired sometimes comes in late to the conversation, I do find it generally keeps me informed (even though they are void of women’s voices on thought leadership too often).
Want more technology resources?
Don’t walk but run to read fellow Solutions Are Power blogger Joe Loong’s series ‘Fake your way to being a social media expert‘.
Join us for more…and soon!
Later this week, Shireen continues talking with Solutions Are Power on the nation’s first CTO, technical literacy, and economic stability.
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