This week, instead of writing dissertations about brand management, social media operationalization, leadership or smart business, why don’t we open things up to your questions? Here’s how we’ll do it:

1. Think of something clever to ask.

2. Post your question in the comments section or shoot a video and link to it in the comments. (Do not send me questions via email. You can double down and send them to me via Facebook or Twitter, but if you do, link to them here. Let’s keep them all in one place.)

3. Starting Tuesday, I will start answering your questions right here on the blog.

Let’s give it a shot and see how things go. If this works well, we’ll make it a regular feature on the blog.

I look forward to your questions. 🙂

PS: If the video doesn’t play for you, go watch it here.

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Okay, let’s start answering your questions.

In no particular order:

Q1. Neicole Crepeau

Social media is another marketing “channel” but different. Of course, we want an integrated approach. I’m curious, when adding social media marketing to your marketing mix, what traditional tools and best practices would you apply to your social media strategy planning? And what new tools or techniques would you suggest using?

A1:

If the video doesn’t play for you, go watch it here.

Q2: Andra Watkins

I wonder why your dog isn’t on the cover of your book.

Ok, seriously.

It seems to me like Twitter is dying. How long do you think it has? What do you think will replace it?

I ask this question because you and I ‘met’ there. It used to be the place for me to be able to go and make connections with people I wanted to know, something Facebook and Linked In don’t lend themselves to as easily.

Congratulations on your book and on all of your success Olivier.

A2:

If the video doesn’t play for you, go watch it here.

Q3. Yvonne

I am very new to social media in terms of using them to “Build your Brand”. I have created a FB page for the company and am reading posts on Twitter and LinkedIn on a daily basis. My question is, how do I use social media to become an international luxury brand…we are currently a locally “Branded” company…or is social media the wrong route to build a luxury brand?

I appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!! I always enjoy your posts!! Yvonne

A3:

If the video doesn’t play for you, go watch it here.

More videos are on the way.

*          *          *

Q4: Dino Dogan

How do large organizations like Disney and Coke reconcile their brand’s image with their reality. As in, polished and pretty on the outside but socially unsustainable and even irresponsible on the inside.

And Im asking this from the perspective of leaders. I assume you’ve had dealings with leaders of many large organizations who want to present one image to the public whilst not matching that image internally.

I imagine having a polished image while being far from polished must take a tremendous personal tool on these people. The incongruence of it must wear on them. Or are they completely oblivious?

Moreover, Im more interested in your observations of people in these positions. The observations you’ve made to yourself without sharing them out loud.

Im asking you to share them out loud 

A4:

Q5: Cristian

Nice idea Olivier. I have a few questions I’d like to hear your thoughts on if I may.

1. What do you feel are some of the reasons that led to Pepsi dropping to the #3 spot in the cola wars recently. Do you feel “Pepsi Refresh” had something to do with the tumble, or do you feel it had more to do with other factors in their strategy and overall marketing vision for the brand?

2. How important do you feel social intelligence is when ideating social media strategies, marketing, and overall thought leadership?

3. What did you want to “grow up to be” when you were a kid? Does you current career path somehow connect with it?

A5:

Q6: Rob Frappier

Hi Olivier! Great idea for a blog series.

My question relates to “reputation scoring.” In the past, Reputation.com CEO Michael Fertik has written about the development of personal digital scores “that use our online information to rate our health, employability, financial index, romantic connection and so on.”

We’ve explored the privacy ramifications of this development, but I’m interested in your perspective on the social commerce aspects of a unified digital reputation score. Will companies like Klout find long-term success by quantifying social media influence?

A6:

Q7: Alastair Banks

Hey OB,

Hope you’re well. I would be interested in your thoughts on various types of monitoring software. Are they worth investing in and if so do you have favourites.

Look forward to seeing you for Likeminds again this year and hopefully getting my copy of the book signed

A7:

Q8: Chef Chuck

Hello Olivier, My name is Chef Chuck working on a brand name, Chef Chuck’s Cucina food line out of Italy. We have five companies wanting to use my name Chef Chuck’s Cucina as a testimonial, with me on the label. Very new and exciting for me can you give me a few pointers on how to spread the word wide and far, that these products are coming to America ?

A8:

Q9: Waqas Ali

Hi Olivier,

Want to know what’s on your regular reading for brand-building and web2.0 stuff? Other than sites like Mashable and TechCrunch.

Secondly, why you haven’t selected Tweet & Facebook Like button on your blog? Is there any specific reason?

A9:

Q10:  Jeannie Walters

Bonjour, Olivier!
I would love to know your assessment of the best way to “audit” social media success. I’ve seen it done many ways, and lots of times it seems success is ill-defined. How can you really evaluate if social media is working within a defined time/format?

Bonus question: have you read all those books behind you in the video?

Hope to see you in Chicago soon!

A10:

Q11:  Rick Rice

Olivier,

I’d be interested in your thoughts on the importance of the employee audience for marketing / branding campaigns and what you would measure for ROI on that part of a program.

A: 11