There's hype and then there's the reality of a true step-change in the way we live and do business. 

The language of conversations in business are now real and happening.

Already companies that speak the language of the pitch, the dog-and-pony show are no longer speaking to anyone.

That was written 10, yes TEN years ago.  It's numver 17 in the Cluetrain Manifesto .

I was re-reading it (helpfully scribed into a slide show by Micheal Specht thanks!) 

And here are some of the others that resonate

27.  Public Relations does not relate to the public.  Companies are deeply afraid of their markets.

 41.  Companies that do not belong to a community of discourse will die.

54.  There are two conversations going on.  One inside the company.  One with the market.

75.  We are immune to advertising. Just forget it.

96.  We are waking up and linking to each other.  We are watching.  But we are not waiting.

And some with a recessionary theme

32.  Networked markets can change suppliers overnight.  Networked knowledge workers can change employers over lunch. YOur own "downsizing initiatives" taught us to ask the question: "Loyalty? What's that?"

72.   Your tired notions of "the market" make our eyes glaze over.  We don't recognise ourselves in your projections – maybe because we know we are already elsewhere.

77.  We've got some ideas for you too: some new tools we need, some better service. Stuff we'd be willing to pay for.  Got a minute?

Nuff said, really.  But please do reappraise your own company website and other media.  How good are you at joining the conversation?  As I posted before,"If they don't do it themselves, chances are they aren't as knowledgeable about it as they should".  Would you hire an agency to do social media for you if they weren't active in social media themselves?  How about public relations, or direct marketing? 

There are new agencies being founded on this principle.  Check out We Are Social, Brando Digital and The Conversation Group.

and Flourish are using 'the art of conversation' as branding

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