Monica O’Brien: Social Pollination and Lisa Sims: Stretching A Dollar

Monica O’Brien is a Marketing Consultant specializing in marketing strategy and consumer insights at the juncture of new media and traditional marketing.

Her Story
Monica spent 5 years analyzing data and drawing conclusions from her findings as an IT professional at various companies. She worked as an analyst, a quality engineer, and a software engineer before taking an avid interest in online marketing and social media. She started several successful websites including an affiliate marketing business and a leading Gen Y workplace blog, which later landed her work with various Web 2.0 start-ups. These opportunities taught Monica how to use social media to get marketing and sales results.

At the same time, Monica was learning how to collect data using various marketing tools in her MBA program at the Chicago Booth School of Business. She spotted three trends:

A need for traditional marketing theories and frameworks to be translated into new media strategies and tactics A need for an increasingly technology-savvy marketer who can collect, manipulate, and analyze her own data A need for data-driven marketing to drive the strategy of small to mid-sized technology businesses Monica noticed she had the perfect skill set, work experience, and education to fulfill each of these needs in the marketplace.

Her Philosophy
Monica O’Brien is a firm believer in using marketing research to gain insights that help drive the strategy of a company. She knows that the internet has created low barriers-to-entry in many industries, which has increased competition across the board for technology companies. Small, innovative technology companies need marketing professionals more than ever to help them understand and interact with their end consumers. The most savvy executive teams will use marketing to gain a competitive advantage and provide insight into the right long-term strategy.

Monica does not think that “old marketing” is dead; but rather that traditional marketing theory can be applied to new media strategy to help companies make the best decisions for their businesses. She differs from self-proclaimed “social media experts” in that she is a resourceful marketer, drawing from several disciplines, sensible business training, and new marketing trends and tools to produce tangible results.

Her Education
Monica O’Brien is earning an MBA at the Chicago Booth School of Business, ranked the #1 MBA program in the country by Business Week in 2008. She is finishing her studies in marketing, strategy, and entrepreneurship. She was one of the 2007 Chicago Business Fellows and also serves as the VP of Marketing for the Graduate Women in Business.

Monica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, with a minor in Physics, from Truman State University. She was President of her local sorority and built websites for several student organizations.

Monica has been blogging and building online communities since 1998. She is a gadget geek and early adopter for social media.

Who is Lisa Sims?
I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit since the age of 8 when my brother and I started our first business as the neighborhood soft drink and ice cream provider. Even though I’ve worked in Corporate America in various roles such as software developer, web developer, webmaster, and consultant, I still couldn’t shake the calling to have my own business. In January 2004, I enrolled in a six-week entrepreneurial training course where street-smart entrepreneurs shared their business experiences with us. I was mesmerized. Towards the end of the course I decided to resign from my job as a web/database developer and start my own business. In 2004, I stepped out on faith and started my own web and internet marketing company called The IT Mechanic for about $500. Of course, there have been peaks and valleys along the way but I’ve learned a lot about myself and operating a business.

I’ve spoken to over 600 aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners about the good, bad, and ugly of being in business for yourself. Likewise, I launched The Business Professionals Network in 2005 to help individuals learn how to network and provide helpful resources to small business owners.

When I’m not working in my business, I work as an adjunct professor for The University of Phoenix Online, Kaplan University, and Troy University’s Covington, Georgia campus teaching technology courses. I enjoy teaching because I’m helping students make a positive investment in themselves and their future. I strongly believe the words of Hosea 4:6 when it comes to knowledge: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Feel free to listen to my radio show, Stretching A Dollar For Entrepreneurs, on Blogtalkradio for more money-saving tips for your small business.

The High Velocity Radio Show is Brought To You By:
PSI Digital Media Experts and High Velocity Blog
Tune In Live Mondays 10am Eastern

CLICK HERE to receive email notifications of the latest High Velocity Radio Show podcasts!