On March 26, we opened up our doors to more than 50 startup, healthcare, and digital enthusiasts to host a panel on the digital future of the healthcare industry. We were fortunate to have Kyle Rolfing (Savvysherpa), KC (Optum), J.D. Blank (TreeHouse Health), and Dr. John Hitt (HCMC) on our panel to provide unique perspectives on healthcare’s present and more importantly, its potential future. Here are five key takeaways from #DigitalWayFinder:

1. Data, Data Everywhere

“We have a lot of data, but not a lot of information” #DigitalWayFinder healthcare @spyder_trap

— Kim Hecomovich (@khecomovich) March 26, 2015

One of the first questions the panel addressed was “What does the healthcare industry need to get better at?” The answer was simple: converting data into useable information. Dr. John Hitt noted that the industry has tons of data. What is doesn’t have is information. He explained that the difference is context and actionability. Data means nothing without being able to turn it into solutions. The industry must get better at turning its mounds of data into something useful.

2. Financial Glass Half-full or Half-empty?

70% of healthcare costs are personnel, 50% of their time is paperwork. Lots of room for efficiency #digitalwayfinder @spyder_trap — Celarity (@Celarity) March 26, 2015

When predicting the future of healthcare, there’s plenty of room for disagreement. While our panel often shared some of the same opinions, one area they differed was on the state of healthcare innovation financing. Kyle Rolfing took on the role of panel pessimist in that area, presenting a case from his own experience on how hard it is to fund good ideas. The industry itself has a lot of money, and has no problem spending it. Unfortunately it’s not always spent on the right things. Administrative costs eat up a lot of budget, not to mention time. Rolfing is hopeful for a future where those funds find the right audience or technology to increase the industry’s efficiency and effectiveness.

3. Is Minneapolis the New Silicon Valley?

Growth requires seeders and feeders. #DigitalWayFinder #startup

— Andy Meyer (@aloumeyer) March 26, 2015

While the Twin Cities has a wealth of talent and a bright future, the panel agreed that there is a lot of work to be done. One major roadblock to success in Minneapolis: the winter. No matter how creative and innovative the metro area is, the harsh winter months will drive away some top talent. J.D. Blank, and others on the panel, believe the way to turn that around is by having some big wins. He noted, “success builds on success.” While the Twin Cities is home to huge healthcare organizations like UnitedHealth Group, Rolfing added that it would take a technology-focused success on par with Google in the Silicon Valley to bring the area to new heights.

4. The Goal Will Be Healthy Patients

Future of healthcare is wellness not illness – #digitalwayfinder @spyder_trap — Celarity (@Celarity) March 26, 2015

Technology and innovation is transforming healthcare in many ways, but the panelists agree it need to shakes things up in the area of patient treatment if healthcare is going to be more effective. Several panelists conceded that a healthy patient isn’t always the goal of present day business decisions. In their ideal future, every decision will be made through the lens of the patient, and not shareholder value — or rather that firms would realize shareholder value can come from healthy patients. Another patient-centric theme that popped up in the discussion is that the future is in wellness, not illness. The panelists see technology and innovation leading to a more proactive approach to health.

5. Innovative Technologies Need Innovative Implementation

“It’s amazingly challenging to institute change in healthcare” ~ Dr. John Hitt (@HennepinMedical) #DigitalWayFinder

— spyder_trap (@spyder_trap) March 26, 2015

There were very few certainties expressed last Thursday about healthcare’s future, but KC stated something he felt very confident about: technology will end up disrupting the top two to three organizations in all industries, including healthcare. He cited evidence in other industries such as Uber in transportation, and Airbnb in hospitality. The patient-centric future will help drive these changes, but implementation in healthcare is never easy. Great technology alone won’t be enough to affect change; the industry will have to come up with effective ways to drive wide-acceptance.

The post The Future of Healthcare: A #DigitalWayFinder Event Recap appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

From a few hundred attendees in 1994 to more than 32,000 registrants in 2014, the history of South By Southwest (SXSW) Interactive echoes the history of the digital industry: a little rocky at times, but in the end victorious. Now that the interactive part of this year’s festival is over, we’re taking a look back at our four favorite tech bites from the SXSW Interactive 2015 panelists.

Meerkat Takes Center Stage

Since the launch of Foursquare in 2009, SXSW has been lacking in the emerging digital product department. But the magic came back this year with the development of Meerkat, a live streaming app that allows users to host spontaneous video sessions through Twitter.

The rules of Meerkat? Be kind. And buy a T-shirt.

Countdown to The Internet of Things

In the Internet of Things, data is gathered and used for a variety of devices. From fitness wearables and watches to food packaging sensors and appliance monitoring, real-time connected technology products are slowly changing the way we live.

Gartner Inc. has predicted that by 2020, nearly 26 billion devices will comprise the Internet of Things. Others estimate 30 billion. There’s still plenty of infrastructure work to be done, but technology leaders like Samsung are predicting that products will be connected within the next five years. At SXSW, CEO of Cotential Erica Dhawan also weighed in on the topic:

“Those who understand how to engage with these new tools and technologies—it will be like the printing press and the steam engine, where people will look to use them as a force for good,” she told Adweek in an off-stage interview.

How does digital mesh with everyday people? We look forward to helping companies and industries figure this out.

Get Ready For The Third Wave

In a SXSW keynote speech, AOL co-founder Steve Case took the stage to talk about the history and future of the Internet. He broke it down into three waves.

1. Wave 1: 1985-2000 — The Internet comes to life, with AOL being one of the leading pioneers
2. Wave 2: 2000-present — Entrepreneurs built on top of the existing Internet (think Google, Twitter, Facebook and big name apps) to expand digital industry
   1. Industry disruptions: communications, media, commerce
3. Wave 3: The future — Entrepreneurs think bigger, ushering in the rise of regional innovation economies and social-purpose investing.
   1. Every industry will be digitally impacted, including healthcare, education, transportation, energy and food.

Case says entrepreneurs will need to create strategic business partnerships —especially within government, healthcare and education — in order to thrive.

“The government spends more on health and learning than anybody else, by far. So successful third-wave entrepreneurs will need to engage more not only with governments as their principal regulator but also as their potentially largest customer,” Case said.

• Spyder Trap will be hosting its own event to talk about the future of healthcare innovation and its partnership with the digital industry. Click here to learn more.

Google X Gets Humble

After less-than-satisfactory performances from Google Glass and Project Loon, the head of the Google X division Astro Teller talked to SXSW attendees about his blueprint for success: failure.

“I don’t believe a mistake-free learning environment exists,” Teller said. “Failures are cheap if you do them first. Failures are expensive if you do them at the end.”

According to Teller, Google uses negative outcomes to fuel future success. As the age old saying goes, if you are going to try something new and fail, you should at least learn something from it.

What’s next from Google X? We’re looking forward to the self-driving cars everyone keeps talking about.

The post Seen and Heard: Highlights from SXSW Interactive 2015 appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

Register Here

Last November we hosted a sold-out Digital Way Finder event with the help of our friends at Celarity. We ate. We drank. We learned and networked. And now on March 26, we are going to recreate that magic with a new twist on an old favorite. While we always love sharing our expertise on the digital landscape as a whole, sometimes it’s worth drilling down into a more defined focus. So, without further adieu, we’re happy to announce Digital Way Finder round two: healthcare edition.

Digital Way Finder: Healthcare Perspectives

On Thursday, March 26, Spyder Trap and TreeHouse Health will be hosting a #DIGITALWAYFINDER event. The night will include food, drinks, plenty of networking and a panel of digital marketing and healthcare experts who will answer your questions while discussing the digital challenges and opportunities facing today’s healthcare system. Join us to gain digital insights through the various perspectives of healthcare providers, payers and creative partners.

Tickets are only $10 if pre-ordered and $20 after March 23. Here are some other things about the event we thought you should know:

• 5-8 p.m. (panel questions start at 5:30 p.m.)
• Food and beverages will be provided
• Free valet and street parking is available
• Send your questions via Twitter using #DIGITALWAYFINDER
• Please call us at (612) 871-2270 with any questions about the event
• RSVP by Monday, March 23

Why Healthcare?

Spyder Trap has had the opportunity to work on digital projects with a multitude of clients in the healthcare industry. Within those partnerships, we’ve discovered numerous digital trends and challenges faced in that industry on a regular basis —trends and challenges that are worth discussing.

This Digital Way Finder panel will be an open dialogue designed to continue moving healthcare innovation forward. The benefits of digital health innovation are clear. It can help decrease costs, increase ease of access and increase quality of care. Once more professionals in the healthcare industry grow comfortable with technology, the more these benefits will be felt. A big part of nurturing that comfort will be to resolve privacy and security concerns within the industry.

Why Attend the Digital Way Finder

Signing up for this event is a good move for anyone in the healthcare industry, anyone who enjoys innovation, or anyone who just enjoys learning from talented panelists and meeting new people. This event will provide a forum for gaining a new understanding about innovation in the healthcare space and provide attendees with the opportunity to ask questions that matter to them. Plus, if our last Digital Way Finder event proved anything, it’s going to be fun! Register for the event today.

Register Here

The post Announcing New Event – Digital Way Finder: Healthcare Perspectives appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

As you may already know, at the outset of each year we put our heads together at Spyder Trap and come up with a list of top digital trends for the year. With the Consumer Electronics Show behind us, the first month of 2015 has already delivered on some fascinating technology and marketing trends. So, what’s next? Read on to discover Spyder Trap’s predictions for the remainder of 2015.

1) MOBILE PAYMENT SYSTEM GROWTH
When Apple unveiled Apple Pay in October 2014 many retailers, including CVS and Rite Aid, blocked customer usage of the mobile payment system. But the tides are slowly turning. According to McDonald’s, Apply Pay accounted for 50 percent of its mobile payments in November. And in early December, dozens of banks and other retailers signed on to work with Apple Pay. With competitors like Google Wallet and Softcard also gaining speed, 2015 will see large growth in the mobile payment space. Among all of the 2015 digital trends to watch for, this one will be paramount.

2) EMOTIONALLY DRIVEN CONTENT
Forget the catchphrase, “supersize me.” Simply providing more content is not the answer to a company’s marketing problems anymore – it’s personalized content that will take center stage in 2015. Think about it. Consumers are already inundated with obscene amounts of content on a daily basis. But massive amounts of content won’t captivate a consumer unless you make it emotional and tell stories that are authentic and reflect brand values. It’s time to get real, people.

3) CONTEXTUAL RESPONSIVENESS
It’s not enough to reorganize content based off of the size of a device anymore. Responsive sites are no longer cutting-edge; they are quickly becoming industry standard. A newer digital web design trend revolves around contextual responsiveness. Imagine a restaurant site that knows whether you’re looking for the happy hour menu vs. the breakfast menu based off of the time of day you’re online. Or sites that change colors because they know it’s after sunset, and they can improve readability knowing that you’re viewing your screen in artificially lighted environment. Sites could also change content based off of your location. Take for example, Wonderful Colorado‘s site (below), which changes content based on the season and time of day. Fun stuff indeed.

4)  USABILITY INFLUENCES SEARCH
Among this year’s digital trends to watch for, the confluence between usability and search engine marketing will prove one of the most talked about. Why? Last year, Google began testing its use of “not mobile-friendly” icons next to poorly optimized sites. In the past, Google has penalized sites that produce errors for mobile users, therefore de-prioritizing them in mobile search. Not convinced that your site should be optimized for mobile? According to Ovum, one billion people will use mobile as their only form of Internet access in 2015. That means a lazy or difficult online experience could dissuade a consumer from engaging with your brand and keep your website from being seen in search engines.

5) CONTENT QUALITY TRUMPS KEYWORD SATURATION
In the wake of the Panda 4.1 Google Algorithm update, topic targeting has become more important than page-by-page keyword focus targeting for SEO. The quality of content is now more important than keyword saturation. But, how will Google gauge quality? They will look at the amount of sources cited within the content, authorship and in some cases, they will have real people review a site’s material. Panda 4.1 also penalizes sites that lack content, display duplicate content or produce machine-generated content. Domain authority, which is partially based on backlinks, will also be important and sources should be linked to establish quality. Among 2015’s many digital trends, this one may impact businesses that rely on the web more than any other trend.

6) WEARABLES EVERYWHERE
Despite the lack of widespread adoption, the wearables fitness trend isn’t going anywhere. Technology is continually being improved to support it. We saw the success of wearables with the FitBit in 2014, and we’ll see more fitness devices become available this year. Keep an eye out for the Microsoft Band, Apple Watch, Salesforce Wear Developer Pack, and Samsung Gear and Jawbone devices.

7) RESPONSIVE & INTERACTIVE WEB EXPERIENCES
The need for responsive websites that tell interactive stories is nothing new – we get that. Even more so this year, brands are going to have to understand this necessity, or pay the cost. If you want to be seen as unique and offer a friendly user experience, responsiveness and interactivity are core website requirements.

8) BEACONS GALORE
Beacons made a splash as one of the most talked about digital trends in 2014. This year, we will continue to see a rise in applications that rely on beacons (low-cost transmitters that operate via Bluetooth technology). Look for innovations in retail, healthcare and home appliances. Keep an eye on Apple’s iBeacon, Estimote, Gimbal beacon, Swirl networks and PayPal’s beacon.

9) R.I.P. GOOGLE+
We believe Larry Kim says it best when it comes to this one: “In 2015 Google+ will die a slow death. Integrations with existing Google products will be removed or made optional. The most popular components of Google+ like photo sharing and hangouts will be de-bundled and made available separately. G+ engagement will fade over time.”

10) BIG BRANDS BECOME BEHEMOTHS
Four companies have dominated – and will continue to dominate digital trends in the technology sector: Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook. We predict these brands, which make up what some are calling the new tech bubble, will become more rounded all encompassing platforms and behemoth companies that make significant investments in 2015. Each is continuing to diversify and play in each other’s space as they buy up competition, drive innovation and grab land. They want to be everything to everyone, and this year the race will really heat up.

The post The Top 10 Digital Trends of 2015 appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

1) CGI British Penguin Goes Viral and Captures Our Hearts

It only took 24 hours for the British retailer’s new commercial to hit 1.3 million views and for Twitter to fawn over #MontyThePenguin 60,000 times. With the addition of a hyper-realistic CGI penguin, John Lewis stuck with it’s tried-and-true formula of soft pop, nostalgia and sap- proving that sometimes you don’t have to do something different if you can do the same thing very, VERY well. Watch #MontyThePenguin and feel your heart melt.

2) Google Reinvents the Email Wheel with Inbox App

In the past two weeks, Google has been teasing us with an app that attempts to make the email experience more intuitive. What could be more intuitive than seeing your emails in the order they were received? Well, Inbox “bundles” similar messages together, and highlights more important emails, sets reminders, “snoozes” messages, and puts it all into a Facebook-esque newsfeed featuring image thumbnails. Sounds like great news for people like me, whose brain immediately forgets everything it reads on a phone screen, and for email marketers who will have to deal with promotional emails being bundled with the other ads. But we won’t know quite yet because Inbox is still invite-only. Read the Tech Crunch review here.

3) Amazon Unveils Echo, A Standalone Personal Assistant and Music Player

The already-sprawling Amazon continues to reach in all directions with the introduction of Alexa, your personal concierge to the Amazon ecosystem. The device, called “Echo” but answering to “Alexa,” will tell you the time, weather, add items to your Amazon wishlist, purchase music and stream that music on-demand. Over time, Alexa is supposed to get to know you and become smarter (i.e., store more of your data). Sound enticing? Between the lukewarm reception of the Fire Phone, the content-rich but not-so-buzzed-about music, TV and movie streaming and, of course, the drones, it seems like Bezos is throwing anything and everything in our direction, hoping something will stick.

4) CSR and Tracking the Internet of Things

In an era of corporate social responsibility, combining the emergence of the “internet of things” and strong growth in the digital marketing sector, BMW is priming itself for the future. BMW is working to create charging stations that are integrated into streetlights in order to foster the “seamless charging infrastructure” necessary for the wider adoption of electric vehicles. This creates plenty of opportunity for BMW to leverage digital to promote itself as eco-friendly and to add digital to streetlights worldwide. As online marketers, we realize that if it’s digital- we can track it.

The post Weekly Web Picks- Vol. 33 appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

This week’s picks are in! Check back each week for news on all things digital and tweet us @Spyder_Trap to share what you’re excited about in the world of digital marketing and technology.

1) Windows 10 Brings Back the Modal Start Menu

Microsoft decided to skip over naming their new OS Windows 9 and jumped right into Windows 10. Naming conventions aside, Microsoft paid attention to the poor reception of Windows 8 and is trying to clean the slate by reintroducing a true start menu. Get the technical preview at Microsoft.com. Warning: The preview is a very early version of the new Windows build, so it may have bugs and may not run some software programs that you use on a daily basis.

2) Bing / Yahoo Own Roughly 30% of Search Market in the U.S.

Speaking of Microsoft, their affiliation with Yahoo’s ad network has created a case for paid media campaigns to include a Bing Ads strategy. Bing Ads allows AdWords campaigns and Google Shopping product feeds to be imported into Bing Ads accounts. According to U.S. search engine market share statistics, Bing and Yahoo own almost 30% of the search engine market. This opens up a window to reach beyond the roughly 68% of search users that are using Google.

3) Samsung Adds Oxygen Saturation Measurement to its Phones

Using the sensor on the back of your Samsung phone, you can now measure your oxygen saturation. New functionality also allows you to measure your sleep. Some of the new health-focused features require a compatible wearable device, such as UV exposure and weight loss monitoring. You can download this update by going to Galaxy Apps on your Samsung device.

4) Android is Unbeatable

According to Strategy Analytics, Google’s Android operating system shipped with 84% of all smart phones globally for the third quarter of 2014. Android’s open source software development model and low device price point combine to put the web in the hands of global citizens. Seamless integration with Google apps and services also draw those already in Google’s ecosystem into the Android universe.

5) BlackBerry Messenger: Now You Can Take Back Your Texts

If you have ever instantly regretted a text that you just sent, then BlackBerry feels your pain. One of the new features of the newest version of their BlackBerry Messenger service is called message retraction and it allows you to remove a message that you sent and instantly regretted sending. Another new feature is timed messaging, which can be likened to Snapchat’s vanishing content feature. Read the full story.

The post Weekly Web Picks – Vol. 32 appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

This week’s picks are in! Check back each week for news on all things digital and tweet us @Spyder_Trap to share what you’re excited about in the world of digital marketing and technology.

1) Bing Ads Rolls Out Universal Event Tracking

Bing Ads has developed Universal Event Tracking, a way to define and track goals for performance and conversions, the company revealed at Thursday’s Bing Ads Next event. The new tracking capability replaces the current Campaign Analytics conversion tracking functionality. Tracking across devices will also be of huge benefit to advertisers. The tracking tag will enable remarketing such as bid modifications and the ability to define and target custom audience segments. Read more from Search Engine Watch.

2) Foursquare Announces a 54% Usage Increase

Foursquare separated itself into two entities earlier this year: a new version of Foursquare that features customer reviews and Swarm, a location-based check-in app. This week, the company announced a 54% increase in usage since the change. The new Foursquare continues to challenge other local review apps like Yelp, OpenTable, YellowPages, and Urbanspoon. Foursquare reports the site now has 55 million registered users, according to Search Engine Land.

3) Twitter Launches In-App Music Streaming Service

This week Twitter launched an in-app audio streaming service that allows users to play music or podcasts directly from their timelines. It’s called Audio Card, and it allows people to click on a tweet with a song in it and listen while continuing to browse the site. iTunes is also on board, so users can listen to music in their timeline and then be transferred to Apple’s service to buy the song. Tech Crunch has the full story.

4) Apple Introduces Maps Connect Local Listings Portal

There’s a new, free self-service portal to add or edit local business listings: Apple Maps Connect. It’s intended for small business owners or their authorized representatives (not agencies) to be able to quickly and easily add content directly into Apple Maps. The service is free and the listings appear on Apple Maps. Apple says updates or new listings will take approximately a week to show up. Read more.

5) Apple Pay: Recap of the First Week

During its first week of availability, Apple Pay is catching on with consumers and retailers, but there has been mixed opinions about the mobile payment system. While many report rave reviews and high adoption rates for the service (launched Monday) many early users have been dealing with glitches. There have been reported double charges on the Instacart grocery app and Uber private driver app, and users say merchants accepting Apple Pay need to better train their staffs. Full story.

The post Weekly Web Picks- Vol. 31 appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

This week’s picks are in! Check back each week for news on all things digital, and by all means tweet us @Spyder_Trap to share what you’re excited about in the world of digital marketing and technology.

1) The Future of Storytelling

Some super-savvy creatives met in NYC this week for the third-annual “Future of Storytelling Summit.” The two-day event also featured some cool technology including a 20-sided speaker that captures 3D sound, a choose-your-own-adventure based video creation platform, and a mobile accessory that emits combinations of scents. What will they come up with next, right? Take a look at the highlights.

2) Phablets and Fast Fashion

Fitting the new iPhones into your pocket has become a real challenge for some. Amazingly, the fashion world is already responding. American Eagle, Levi’s, L.L. Bean, H&M, and J. Crew say they are adjusting their designs to accommodate the 4.7 inch tall iPhone 6 and the 5.5 inch tall 6 Plus. Mashable tested out the new iPhones compared to various retailers’ pocket sizes via video this week.

3) Google: Penguin Refresh May Roll Out Next Week

At Search Marketing Expo East, Google Trends Analyst Gary Illyes announced that a major re-write of the Penguin algorithm that took Google almost a year will hopefully launch next week. Google says the update is designed to make both users AND webmasters happy. Complaints from webmasters have been common. Largely, because refreshes have been painfully slow. Penguin 3.0 will support faster refreshes, perhaps on a monthly cycle like Panda, said Illyes. Again, the release may be delayed if tests show issues, but Google is optimistic. Read more from Search Engine Land.

3) Facebook Responds to Real-Name Enforcement

Facebook came under fire in LGBT communities this week after accounts by well-known drag performers were disabled on accounts where they did not use real names. Historically, Facebook has required users to provide a “real” name to prevent bullying, trolling, impersonation, etc. However, Facebook’s chief product officer issued an apology to the LGBT community this week along with a promise that the company will build better tools for flagged accounts. This comes as new social network Ello is causing an LGBT exodus from Facebook due to new anonymity and ad-free features. Read more.

5) Facebook’s Atlas Platform Allows Cross-Device Targeting

On the heels of Facebook shutting down ‘like-gating’, they’ve released what could be the most powerful tool in their history for advertisers. Facebook’s cross-device targeting ad platform will allows advertisers gain more eyeballs and be smarter with their ads. In their words, this update is, “game-changing in our ability to understand the consumer journey and correctly value and budget our mobile ads efforts.” Read more here.

The post Weekly Web Picks – Vol. 29 appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

Spyder Trap brings you the latest and greatest digital marketing and tech news in this week’s roundup of Weekly Web Picks.

Check back for weekly news on all things digital, and by all means tweet us @Spyder_Trap to share what you’re excited about in the world of digital marketing and technology. Enjoy!

1) iPhone 6 Release Delayed Until October

If you were getting ready to stand in line to buy the iPhone 6 on September 9th, it looks like you’ll have to wait a bit longer. Unfortunately, Apple pushed the launch back to October 14th. This week, Forbes highlighted pros of the 6; These include a larger screen, which is why tech enthusiasts have dubbed it, “a phablet.” In this article, Mashable speculates on why Apple has delayed the launch.

2) Google Rolls Out Custom Shipping Rates

Google launched new features this week to help merchants customize shipping rates in Google Shopping. The updates were spurred by complaints from customers who reported finding higher shipping costs on a company’s website versus in Google Shopping. The new features will not only make sure shipping costs are more accurate but also offer more tailored shipping options – read on here.

3) Content Creation: Just Like Brewing a Good Beer?

It’s beer o’clock on a Friday, so let’s talk beer! No matter what channel you choose, content is the heart of your brand. That’s why the content creation process is so critical. Check out this infographic that compares content creation process to brewing a whole bunch of delicious beer!

4) 7 Essential WordPress Plugins For Content Marketing

An effective content marketing strategy is key. So too is a great content marketing plugin. Search Engine Journal compiled a nice little list of  WordPress plugins that help improve conversions and enhance site functionality. Check out the full list here.

5) Why You Shouldn’t Google Yourself

We’ve all done it. Unfortunately, Googling your business or brand will not provide a holistic snapshot of your SEO performance. Search engines continue to customize search results based on browser history, caching, previous queries and much more. Google, for example, uses over 80 factors to determine what gets served to a specific person. Steve Slater’s got more details on his blog.

And yeah, I googled myself. Unfortunately, I’m not a bestselling author.

The post Weekly Web Picks – Vol. 26 appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.

Whether small or large, a crucial mission for every organization is finding a process that enables amazing work, keeps employees happy and yields profit. In practice, it’s hard to iron out – but not impossible. At Spyder Trap, we’re always aiming to evolve and better serve our clients in an ever-changing technology landscape. The following is a brief overview of the Agile methodology, and a few ideas on how it can be combined with other project management theories to produce amazing digital results.

Matthew Renze makes a compelling case for an agile software development process. It seems nearly every organization throws this buzzword around, but few can appropriately explain how an agile development process works in practice. Even fewer can implement the theory. In truth, agile is a methodology that is fluid and has not yet matured into a concrete set of practices. It often consists of traditional project management practices mixed with agile sprints and iterative development processes. This results in versions of ‘modified agile’ that are practiced in digital shops and corporate environments.

The Case for Agile

In late 2012, Eddie Obeng gave a TED talk in which he outlined how traditional rules for businesses and organizations may have become obsolete roughly fifteen years ago. He maintains that we now live in, “a world after midnight”: A metaphor for the paradigm shift that brought about the rapid technological change that has caused traditional project management to lag in both delivery and innovation. Our learning curve as humans can no longer keep pace with the explosion of new technologies and information.

Consider the following:

An updated set of practices is needed for software development within the modern digital ecosystem. Traditional project management is slow moving and can’t keep up with the rapid evolution of technology. It delivers obsolete software, often with feature sets that remain unused in the wild. Agile is a set of practices adapted to the new rules of the game. Agile software development is iterative. It pushes out “sprints” of working software in a continuous process that prioritizes features based on actual usage statistics. Low-value features are scaled back, and test-driven development dictates the continuous refactoring of the project.

Continuous and rapid feedback, smart failure, and a flexible scope allow for the project to evolve as it runs through iterations. Testing each iteration with casual users, combined with expert analysis and client feedback, allows for a fluid process that delivers higher value than most fixed-scope projects. The world of business no longer waits for long, drawn out processes in planning and development. Creating a minimum viable product and constantly working to align the product with its user base acknowledges the new rules of business, and delivers the best possible experience.

Finding Middle Ground

All that said, elements of traditional project management remain indispensable. The upfront planning, initial research and documentation generated by traditional project management methods ensure strategic advantage and solid products for end users. Of all of the Agile/Waterfall hybrids that have been proposed, a simple, “middle ground” approach represents an optimal model for digital projects.

Photo: www.enlighten.com

By taking a hybrid approach, we are able to benefit from the top-drawer components of the two primary methodologies. We are able to give strategic recommendations, deliver intelligently-planned architecture, and provide tested results. We are also able to communicate closely with the client as they experience each stage of a project and rapidly incorporate their feedback into the product. Agile may be a popular buzzword, but hybrid methods deliver in the world of digital.

The post How To Bake Agile Methodology Into Your Digital Project Management Strategy appeared first on Spyder Trap Online Marketing Blog.