Established in 2005, the mission of Simmonds Ballentine, LLC is to empower marginalized communities by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations and businesses providing services to and/or interfacing with that community.
It's transition time in America and thus in the "Halls of Power." Countries, organizations, businesses, and groups the world over are positioning themselves for the new Administration. President-Elect Barack Obama has already placed drastic limitations on lobbying his Administration to curb influence. So, how do you prepare yourself to effect the "CHANGE" that has become the buzz-word of this age?
Watch this short video to gather a sense of where things could be heading:
Could President-Elect Barack Obama be to government what Google is to the Internet?
Microsoft builds its platforms without much external input. For those that want to see certain features become a part of a new Microsoft platform, they must pay large sums of money to buy into the platform. And if they don't buy into the Microsoft platform, their software simply will not work. (Think of all the programs you have that don't work with Vista, for example.)
On the other hand, Google is more open source. Their platforms are built from the bottom up. If someone wants to see something become a part of Google's platform they only need to build it (take GrandCentral).
President-Elect Barack Obama says: CHANGE Comes from the Bottom Up. What's that Mean For You?
Well, for one it means you will have to change the way you work. You will have to revamp the way you advocate your cause. Less reliance must be placed on direct lobbying and more on indirect (grassroots) lobbying. Greater reliance on indirect lobbying - especially in the Internet Age - necessitates employing what I call "The Obama Model."
If you cannot rely on high-paid lobbyists to influence policy to your advantage, you must turn to the people en masse. And, to reach the people en masse you will need an Internet strategy that enables you to harness the power of your constituency in advocating your cause. You do not need something as expansive (and expensive) as that which was used by the Obama Campaign - unless you're trying to reach 300 million people. But, for a lot less than you think, you can develop something that will enable you to reach those who are vital to the success of your cause.
This potentially represents a "leveling of the field," giving access to all. The basic tools utilized in "The Obama Model" make it possible for developing and emerging nations to galvanize expatriates and those sympathetic to them. Social networking makes it possible for smaller nonprofits to engage stakeholders like never before, enabling them to better fulfill their missions. Web 2.0 technology enables small business owners to expose their goods and services to a wider audience and compete with those who've ruled marketing through traditional media.
The beauty of early American is that the Liberty, for which this Country was founded, was secured by a "government of the people, by the people, (&) for the people." Ours is a government that is to be made from the "bottom up." Let us help you "get organized."
For starters, the http://change.gov web site allows any American the opportunity to share his/her vision for America's future, led under a President Obama.
That is true, and exactly why organizations need to get ready for this Change. This President will engage the people as we've never seen. And, regardless of politics, your organization, Country, City, State and etc. are better served if you have a way to corral the opinions/sentiments of your respective constituencies. Then you can turn that information over to the Administration through such mediums as "Change.gov"
Without the Internet, would there be a President Barack Obama? Could a Democrat compete in the South and Mountain West without using emerging technology? If not for Social Networking, the outcome of the 2008 Presidential Elections could have been very different.
On this past Tuesday, Senator Barack Obama became President-Elect Barack Obama and is the first Black Man and first non-White Man elected to the office. How did he do it?
After the 2004 Presidential Elections, Joe Trippi wrote a book entitled: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. In this book, Trippi describes how the Internet could be used to dramatic effect on Democracy and the Democratic Process. Through an unprecedented Internet Campaign, Barack Obama was able to shatter fundraising records and engage millions upon millions of Americans in his call for change.
That is the power of the Internet. With an effective Internet Campaign, you will be able to raise unparalleled sums of money for your cause. You will be able to engage manifold more volunteers in your efforts. You will gain access and exposure to numerous supporters, beyond your geographic location.
If there is anything that demonstrates the need of a strong internet presence, it is the Obama Campaign.
At Simmonds Ballentine, LLC, we can help you create a strong Internet presence to effect the change you seek. If you are interested in having a greater impact in your efforts Email us to request a Consultation for Web 2.0 services.
