Moving From Me To We.com

Learn Faster. Be in a Class of One. Or Teach and Make Money.

Kare Anderson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:36:09 +0000

Imagine learning a new language or about another culture – and get the full attention of a great teacher you chose? You could take or teach the one-to-one class online from your home. For the first time would-be students and teachers can find each other for free through Myngle. The online community and support tools to teach or take a class online are free. Classes are conducted via Skype (audio or webcam) and a digital blackboard.

As a teacher, you set your price, organize the class and create support materials. In this free global marketplace students and teachers can find each other based on teacher topic, skill level, fees and rating by previous students. As a student, see whether a teacher is right for you by taking a free demo lesson. Teaching takes place via skype and a digital blackboard. And if users have a webcam, they can also interact face to face.

Here’s two what-if scenarios.

1. What if experts on a locale teamed up to provide an immersive experience for cultural tourists? For example, a Chinese visitor to San Francisco might want to hone her English skills in advance - and, from other teachers in the one-on-one online environment, also learn about the food, architecture, history and the Chinese American community in S.F. Myngle might branch out and attract “amateur” and professional experts on those topics. Those who are highly-rated by students may want to band together to co-offer their courses for a fuller understanding of the culture.

2. What if you bought the Myngle template or created a version of it to offer a place for would-be teachers and students for ANY topic to find each other? Topics and Teachers and students could self-tag their interests and teachers could tag their classes to make it easier for people to match-up. Tag clouds of all classes, all students and all teachers could provide real-time snapshots of what’s hottest in the community right now. That helps teachers hone their class descriptions, students find popular classes they may not have initially considered taking and attract experts to teach classes that are sought by would-be students who are members of the community.

Other online communities such as TeachStreet provide a place to propose a class to teach a group at a place you provide. And at Voxswap you can find people who are also learning a foreign language. Then pair up to practice speaking each other’s language. How cool.

Ways We Are Smarter Together (Success Stories Covered So Far)

Kare Anderson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:33:33 +0000

Get unstuck. Hear how others have done something remarkable together - something they could not have accomplished on their own. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a method you can adapt to your situation.

Make Your Next Conference More Participatory

How to Give Away Others’ Products to Make Money

Nine Ways to Create More Success Via Partnering

Enlarge Your World. Lead a Mutual Support Group

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A Gradeschooler Changes How Kids Give

Kare Anderson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:10:15 +0000

Eighth grader, Talia Leman recruited other kids to trick-or-treat for coins for Katrina victims. After appearing on The Today Show she raised $10 million. Next step? Make it scalable. Like any social entrepreneur, she found a complementary partner to help other students replicate her success. At her site Random Kid young people can organize their own campaigns for a favorite cause.

Enabling others to evoke the power of collective action is mighty popular. Grobanites learned the same thrilling lesson.

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Become an “amateur animator.” See your creation …

Kare Anderson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:24:44 +0000

… on a big screen in a theatre – as part of a short-film before the feature movie.

For the first time anyone can create an animated cut on their computer with tools provided by Intel, Facebook, Dell and others in this Mass Animation project launched today. The crowd votes on submissions. Winners get moments of fame via on-screen credit and $500. 5,586 people have already signed up.

At Facebook, see the storyline of the short – called “Live Music,”

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We Do Better Together – Books That Show Us How

Kare Anderson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:41:36 +0000

I started this blog soon after The Age of Engagement morphed into a flood of

ideas on how “we” can accomplish more together. Here are the books I’ve mentioned and authors I have interviewed. Crowdsourcing (Jeff Howe), Here Comes Everybody Clay Shirky), groundswell (Charlene

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Quick Tour of Ways to Accomplish More – With Others

Kare Anderson — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:27:41 +0000

From Jake, the wine bar owner to free samples provider, Aliza Freud, individuals are collaborating on ways to tap the collective intelligence. They become more successful and savor their work - with others. Avoid GroupThink. Adapt one of their methods to your situation.

Visit Elance, crowdSPRING and elsewhere to ask the crowd for help.

Try another Me2We method, co-creation. For example, together, make a custom (more…)

What Does Compassion Mean to You?

Kare Anderson — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:37:11 +0000

Don’t talk about sex, politics or religion. Remember that advice? What happens now

that Muslims, Jews and Christians and others around the world are invited to contribute to a Charter for Compassion? To collaborate and come to group decisions. Aided by social media tools. No anonymity for nasty

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“The Iraq War is Over”

Kare Anderson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:28:35 +0000

Today many New Yorkers were given the faux-copies of The New York Times with that banner headline. Other stories concocted by this liberal cadre of volunteers announced that universities would now be free to attend, ex-secretary apologizes for W.M.D scare and Thomas Friedman was resigning. Even the ads are fake. Unlike the Onion, the issue is not laugh out loud funny but it is clever and attention-getting, now going viral. Now that (more…)

Five Obama Campaign Lessons For How We Can Thrive

Kare Anderson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:43:02 +0000

Former Medronic chair and True North author, Bill George believes companies and non-profits thrive by adopting the “we” approach that enabled Obama to win. (Working on the campaign I know, first-hand, how powerfully efficient and satisfying such “we” experiences can be.) George offers these lessons, (more…)

“I may seem like a boring pundit …

Kare Anderson — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:47:54 +0000

…whose most exotic fantasies involve G.A.O. reports, but deep down, I have dreams,” wrote David Brooks.

In his column, he delivered the money quote of the week for me: “Walking into the Obama White House of my dreams will be like walking into the Gates Foundation. The people there will be ostentatiously pragmatic and

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Don’t look away (as we instinctively do)

Kare Anderson — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:38:18 +0000

What do I mean? See this very short Me2We-style story shot by Jason van Genderen. On his cell phone video camera.

Unfair! Revenge. How Women and Men Act

Kare Anderson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:49:10 +0000

Neuroscientist, Tania Singer and her team recruited volunteers to play a game. Some were asked to play by the rules. Others were instructed to ignore them. To not play fair.

After all participants played the game together, they were then asked to observe each other in a second activity. Scientists measured some of the volunteers’ brain activity as they observed some of their former game opponents apparently being subjected to different levels of pain. Result?

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Got Expertise? Want a Livelihood, Sharing it With Others?

Kare Anderson — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:01:08 +0000

For nine years Jake ran a lively, lucrative downtown wine bar. From movie-themed “Nights of Flights” wine tastings to cash flow-by-month analysis he knew his business inside out. But he got tired of managing people. He wanted a change. One that would leverage all that he’d learned. Sound familiar? So he did a very smart thing.

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Hear How That Foreign Word is Pronounced

Kare Anderson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:27:31 +0000

From cinema to cities to sports, from places to people, hear how words and names are pronounced in their native tongue. In other words, “avoid the faux pas of mispronouncing the phrase ‘faux pas’” advises Finding Dulcinea.

Also help others hear words in your language by participating in this ambitious Me2We-style start-up project called Forvo. For yourself, type out a word you want to (more…)

We Can Help Make Sure Every Vote is Counted

Kare Anderson — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:38:09 +0000

Even our highest court isn’t immune from making political decisions about voting results in a presidential campaign, Jeffrey Toobin found. It’s a tight race. Turnout is already record-breaking. Some have already been given the wrong polling address. It’s up to us as citizens to ensure every citizen can vote and have every vote count. Now we can cover what we find at polling stations. Traditional media invites us to get involved. Document any interference, malfunctioning machine or long line at a polling place and post it at Video Your Vote - co-sponsored by PBS and YouTube. Judy Woodruff promises the best videos will be shown during election night

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How We Can Argue Better

Kare Anderson — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:08:04 +0000

“Presidential candidate George Bush will be active in making pronouncements in the coming weeks… He wants to define himself before his opponents do it for him,” intoned a radio commentator when the previous Bush became president. Yes, nicknames stick. “To name a thing is not the same as to know a thing,” Richard Feynman wrote, yet naming is a potent persuasion tool.

In fact, your ability to successfully label a person, product or political campaign is probably the most powerful way to influence others’ perceptions of their choices. (Too many choices frustrate us.) Consequently, be armed to argue well. As hot opinions swirl around our presidential campaign and economic troubles, here are some nuggets from Anthony Weston’s pithy Rulebook for Arguments:

1. “If you can’t imagine how (more…)

4 Successful Ways We Achieve More Together Than Alone

Kare Anderson — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:50:47 +0000

Tired of self-promotion? Would you like to make work and life easier, more productive and fun – with others? Here’s four ways others accomplish more together than you can on your own – and sometimes forge friendships.

1. Co-create (more…)

Be Helpful in Ways Would-be Customers Will Admire

Kare Anderson — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:32:48 +0000

Want to stand out from the competition? Take a cue from a bank. Some people in Orange County, California, will be walking into a local bank branch to vote. Many will be assisted by bank volunteers who have been trained as poll workers. This SmartPartnership made local and international news. Would you like customer-attracting media coverage too? Read on. (more…)

It’s OK to Make Money in Your Social Media Business

Kare Anderson — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:14:28 +0000

Many social media businesses offer everything for free. Founders want a strong base of users before charging. Some start-ups might take a closer look at charging sooner, as the battle between Twitter and Yammer demonstrates. (more…)

Spend Less on Gas & Other Car Costs, #3 of 5 Ways

Kare Anderson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:43:49 +0000

Find the cheapest gas near you plus change how you use and care for your car. Try these easy-to-use sites: GasBuddy, MSN Auto and Mapquest Gas Prices. On a cell phone? Try GetMobio. In true Me2We fashion, some of these sites ask for your input.

We can also alter our driving habits to reduce costs. Buy regular unleaded fuel mid-week at independent gas stations away from expensive neighborhoods or highway exits. Conserve gas by avoiding idling, clearing out your car and trunk, using cruise control and keeping tires full and balanced annually. (Steel-belted radial tires can increase gas mileage up to 10% per year.) A poorly tuned car uses between 25% and 33% more gasoline each year so change the oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles. Keep the air filter changed, engine tuned and the windows closed. Check fluid levels regularly including coolant, battery, automatic transmission, brake and clutch. Drive your fuel-efficient car for 5 - 7 years.

Of course we can all use our cars less by combining errands, carpooling, sharing cars and walking or biking to some places– perhaps in the company of friends.

Save Cash. Swap or Give it Away, #2 of 5 Ways

Kare Anderson — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:22:25 +0000

In a bad economy like this cash is king. You can trust the rules and reputation of some online trading sites now that they’ve been up and running for a while. From books to clothing here’s some stalwart sites to save your cash and still get something new to you. Popular freecycle enables you to give or get what you want from someone near you. Local groups are moderated by a volunteer. You join (more…)

Who Are Your Heroes - And Why?

Kare Anderson — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:48:27 +0000

Who are your heroes? To me they are those who create ways we can accomplish more together than on own. They bring out our best sides. A positively mutually-reinforcing effect. We are more likely to spiral up into great accomplishment together rather than down into conflict. We’re more likely to go to dinner together rather than to war. For starters look how a small firm and five volunteers (kudos to Fuad Ta’eed, Collis Ta’eed, Leo Babauta, Easton Ellsworth and Cyan Ta’eed) attracted a legion of participants on this blog action day to spotlight poverty. They embody the Me2We approach to leveraging value – with others.Painting others as villains seldom helps. The truly extraordinary heroes don’t (more…)

Help Each Other Through a Bad Economy, #1 of 5 Ways

Kare Anderson — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:23:35 +0000

Instead of staying in a hotel, rent a room from a local. Travel cheap. Discover more. Try the “temporary bed and breakfast” peer-to-peer sites, AirBed & Breakfast or Roomorama where a night’s stay can range from $45 to $100 or so. Anyone with a bed, airbed or couch can rent it out for the night. Reserve your night online, paying with a credit card or via PayPal. AB & B charges guests a 5 to 12 percent service fee and Roomorama charges 8. Live in a hotly-contested state for the upcoming presidential election? Then AirBed & Breakfast suggests you host at your home a visiting, get-out-the vote volunteer.

Want to sidestep the service fee oh brave one? See house swaps or vacation rentals at the venerable Craigslist. Braver still? Get a free room through couchsurfing. (more…)

How to Care for a Lively Online Community

Kare Anderson — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:15:37 +0000

Why do Yankee fans flock to their favorite online community, YanksBlog? Perhaps, it’s because they feel welcomed and supported, as you would want to be at the site for your passionate interest. Patrick O’Keefe is a gracious and savvy host for this avid baseball fans. He manages several communities including PhotoshopForums, KarateForums and BadBoyForums.

Like Augie Ray, he can help you decide whether to join or build a community.Now, would you like to launch and manage a lively online forum for people who share your favorite interest? And perhaps make money? Or (more…)

What do you do when your fans disagree with you?

Kare Anderson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:08:59 +0000

Obama faced that quandry. Are your customers revolting? What’s your organization’s reputation… really? Alternatively, how can you inspire customers to improve your product, brag about it to others and otherwise help you become the top-of-mind choice in your market?

Get ideas from the co-author of the most talked-about book on “tapping into the power of customers connecting with one another” - using the right social media tools. Charlene Li shares her insights on this exciting and uncontrollable power shift. (more…)

Buy the Safest Products for You and the World, With the Help of ….

Kare Anderson — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:53:12 +0000

… a good guide. Now here’s a new company I’ll use and hope will succeed. GoodGuide has recruited scientists and other “trusted advisors” and gathered facts from a wide range of resources to enable you to make wiser choices about the consumer products you buy. It rates products three ways: health, social and environmental. At home or on your mobile, standing in the store, get (more…)