What Is Online Collaboration?

Online collaboration is a virtual meeting on the Internet. Just like a face-to-face event, you can:

1. Hear every word that is being said in the conference call portion of the session
2. See and share the documents being used, and best of all
3. Make changes on the spot — so that everyone agrees

Is online collaboration the same thing as a teleseminar or a web conference?

Not really. In the first place, teleseminars are voice only. Everyone calls into a conference call number and listens to a speaker talk about a specific topic. There may, or may not be, a time where attendees can ask questions.

A web conference is a teleseminar with visuals. In this case, not only do you call in, you also log onto the Internet to see a presentation (typically PowerPoint) that supports what the speaker is saying. The interaction in these cases is usually limited to asking the presenter questions in a chat box. There is no real back and forth interaction.

Is Online Collaboration Only For Large Groups?

With online collaboration you can meet with just one other person or an entire group. You can schedule a meeting ahead of time or start one instantaneously when you need it. You can use this software to meet with someone in the other room, across town or in another country. The big advantage is that both parties can see what is being talked about, see the changes that are being made, and see how much more quickly you can reach agreement. All you need to get started is two things: 1) online collaboration software (usually a monthly subscription fee), and 2) a new mind set about how to conduct meetings.

The Industry Leader Web Tool: GoToMeeting

The software we use is GoToMeeting and costs $49 a month. This entitles us to unlimited use with up to eleven people at one time in a session. (Licenses for more attendees is possible and equally affordable.) There are many applications available for online collaboration with similar features. We like the award-winning GoToMeeting because it is developed by Citrix. This means the price is reasonable, the feature-set is high, and the ease of use is extraordinary. Plus, you get phone support whenever you want it – which you don’t need very often! Also, when anyone in your meeting first signs on, the small bit of software that gets downloaded does not mess up the computer nor does it take up a lot of space. Because of the way it is built, it is readily accepted in high-security sites including most Federal agencies.

Changing How We See Meetings

One of the biggest challenges is changing our mind-set about meetings. Instead of rushing off to an appointment across town, we now realize that we can call up a client, link them into GoToMeeting and have an extremely fruitful session – saving time and dollars – and working more efficiently by taking real-time action. Gone are the days of taking notes, going back to write-up what was said and sending the document for approval through email. Now, we jot down what is being said, everyone sees it, we make instant changes, gain concurrence and move on.

More Benefits

When you are using GoToMeeting, another benefit is that you can have others actually participate in the session. You’re able to take turns being the presenter – which means anybody can show his or her desktop to the rest of the attendees. Plus you can make it possible for one person, or anyone, to use the mouse and keyboard. Imagine how much more interesting a meeting is when everyone shares typing the notes and driving the discussion.

Here’s another idea! What if you want to demonstrate something in a software package that not everyone else has, such as Visual Thesaurus, CAD-CAM, or QuickBooks? You can’t send them the document, because they won’t be able to open it. But, you can show them what you’re talking about and how it works, while you’re in the collaborative online session. Will they see it? Yes! Anything on your screen will appear on theirs. It’s a powerful, awesome tool and productivity enabler. There is no doubt that you will save time and make money once you jump on the online collaboration bandwagon!

I’m not talking about SPAM, pop-ups and unwanted email. I’m referring to messages you get from the people you know and respect — colleagues, clients and vendors.

Many of us spend so much time with email that it has become routine. And, if we’re not careful, we don’t give enough attention to what we’re saying or how we’re saying it.

Why Care About Email?

There are two reasons why you should care what your email notes look like:

1. You want people to understand, act on, and respond to the messages you send.
2. The impression others have of you is enhanced (or diminished) by the quality of your communication.

Email is no exception. In fact, in many instances it is more critical than other methods as it stands alone. There is no body language, tone of voice, or snappy outfits to temper your message.

“It’s Just An Email”

Recently a friend of mine sent a note out to a long list of people that had several grammar errors in it, sloppy formatting and no signature. When I called and asked if he would like to hear some ideas on improving the effectiveness of his email, he said, “Yes, Definitely!”

After showing him a variety of helpful changes, he remarked, “I normally do those things for a document, but this was just an email – I didn’t think it was critical. It was a quick note,” he added. “It didn’t seem that important. I just wanted to get it out.”

However in his haste, at best, the professional image he was trying to convey to his network of people was not enhanced. At worst, his credibility was questioned.

A Missed Opportunity?

Here’s another first-hand example of what can happen when you think, “it’s just email.”

Someone I did not know sent an unsolicited message to me. My dilemma was deciding whether to open it or not. When I see this type of email, I have to consider two things:

1. Who does it appear to be coming FROM
2. What’s in the SUBJECT line.

It looked strange!

Imagine the “From” appearing as: Pat S*DOG Smith

And a “Subject” being only one word: Alliance

Would you open it?

Because I’ve been the recipient of viruses and spam more often than I like, I don’t want to take chances with email that doesn’t look professional. I thought hesitated.

Decisions Are Made Based On The Image You Project – Even In Email

I finally did decide to open the note because I use a company that filters out spam before it reaches my inbox. However, when I read the inside message, I doubted the professionalism of the sending organization. It had at least seven different types of problems. I thought, what kind of company can this person be involved with having these communication skills?

If I had made my decision based on the image the email had created, I would not have responded. In fact, I would have blocked any further messages.

However, my instinct told me it may be worth one response. I indicated that she could call me, and gave her my number. I thought that if she contacted me, I would be better able to judge whether or not her ideas were of value to me.

The Rest Of The Story

As it turns out, it was good to have taken the chance. Here was an individual who was quite well-known for her innovative work combining business and art. She was interested in developing an alliance with us, believing that our visions were synergistic.

This woman was lucky. You don’t want to count on that. There are three things you can do to give a truly professional image:

1. Make sure you take email seriously as a sender. Consider each one to be important.
2. Learn how to change your “From” information to be your real first and last name. Be personal; don’t use your company name in this slot.
3. Always put a message of some type in the subject area. Never, never leave it blank. You need to be sensitive to the fact that the receiver will not have you in mind, so write something that they will recognize.

Many of you may have read, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, a book written several decades ago — and still going strong. Then last year The Secret DVD was launched — a 90 minute movie that everyone started talking about.

I’m sure you all know that the main point of discussion is the idea of thinking about things as the answer for getting what you want out of life. Some say, Yes, others say it’s what you do that counts. In my opinion, we would be best served to do both and not pick one or the other.

So, here’s my four-part formula for — taking the best from all views. This is what I try to do, and firmly believe is essential for life and Internet Marketing:

1. We have to think high enough .
2. We have to be specific in asking.
3. We have to listen to the answer.
4. We need to take action quickly.

1. Think High Enough

Too often we find ourselves with visions that are just a step above where we are right now: we want to be a little wealthier, have a better relationship, or get a bigger client. To get what we want out of life, we have to be able to dream high. Write down what you really desire. Don’t be afraid to think big. By the way, Dr. Robert Anthony, author of “The Secret of Deliberate Creation” says to use the word “desire” instead of “want” or “need”. It opens up your heart and mind to abundance.

When you apply this type of thinking and imagining to your business, you create tremendous growth potential for the long term. Think about how you want to be positioned in the eyes of others around the world? Do you desire to be known across the nation as the leading expert in a a particular topic? Think big in every area. Let your imagination and inspiration soar!

2. Be Specific In Your Asking

So often we are afraid to ask for what we want. We think perhaps if we are good, it will just appear. We believe that if we deserve it, it will happen. Unfortunately, we do have to ask. We have to articulate what we want before it will materialize. One technique Joe Vitale, author of The Attractor Factor, uses is to ask, “How can I . . .” You fill in the blank. In business, “asking” may take the form of planning and brainstorming. The clue is to be specific and be open to receiving. In online marketing, make sure you have multiple links that “ask” for the sale in some fashion.

3. Listen To The Answer

And that leads us to the listening phase. Too often we ask – in some form or another– and then turn our attentions to something else. We forget to put up our antennae and be on the lookout for the answer. We may tense up and worry, which only makes it much more difficult to be led to the solution. We need to be open to receiving. We need to trust that the solution will present itself — if we pay attention. Sometimes the answer takes on a different form than we expect, so its important to think outside the box, listen to your gut, and watch for signs of any type.

When you use this step with online marketing, make sure you have tracking mechanisms in your links. Watch the numbers. Listen to what your visitors and email subscribers tell you by analyzing the report statistics.

4. Take Action Quickly

And once you get that little niggle of thought, or have a brilliant idea, take action on it immediately. Too often we think the opportunity will always be there. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Openings are fleeting. We need to capitalize on the inspirational thoughts as soon as we think of them. That’s not to say that everything you come up with is something you should just go out and do without any thought or deliberation. But what it does mean is that when you have a high vision, you’ve identified specifically what you desire, and you’ve received an idea that excites you — something that is in sync with what you’re trying to achieve — then act on it. Take a step forward. Try it out! Just don’t sit on it for later. Do it now!

Fast action and quick response – using the technology tools that are available – will be the key for this step in marketing. Don’t sit on information. Quick action wins the day.

So, when it comes to getting what you want out of life, you determine it. You shape it — by what you think, what you specify, how you listen and how quickly you take action. So go for it! Don’t let up. Start with your thinking and carry it all the way through. I think you will be amazed at the results.