I'm a social media strategist, business coach, author, blogger, international speaker and podcaster. My focus now Having had my own small business for 21 years now I am passionate about the way Web 2.0 technology and social media have levelled the playing field for small and medium business in their previously outclassed contest with big business. I have re-designed my business around that passionate interest - it's taken me a while to get here but now I do what I love and love what I do. A bit of background Before I went into business for myself I had a range of work experiences, from teaching high school English and History in Australia and England, teaching English in Germany, being a taxi driver in Sydney (great education, that!) and then working my way up the public service from base grade clerk to the senior executive ranks, in the process being responsible for a lot of exciting projects in education, the arts and public event planning. In 1988 I set up my communications consultancy and spent the next 14 years on various consulting, research and industry training projects for government agencies, businesses and non-profit organisations, together with an occasional stint as a temporary executive. The communications technology bug bit me Along the way I became increasingly interested in how technology can help us all communicate more effectively, more globally. In the 90s I became fascinated, and involved, with online groups and how they could link people around the world, in real time. Social Media In 2003 I started blogging, which subsequently led me into the wider, rapidly expanding world of Web 2.0 and social media. My main blogs currently are at Des Walsh dot Com and Thinking Home Business . Not being a technologist (at university I majored in History), I've had to learn a lot, quickly, the hard way. One benefit from that is an ability to explain in plain language how social media technology can work for business. To help business owners blog I wrote the e-book 7 Step Business Blog. With my colleague Bill Vick I co-authored LinkedIn for Recruiting, as well as the audiobook Big Biller. I am currently developing a range of products and services under the heading of Social Media Roadmap, aimed at helping business owners and others develop their own roadmaps for the use of, and involvement in, social media. I also manage sales and support in Australia and New Zealand for the social media platform PitchEngine and have a partnership agreement with social media platform provider WordFrame. Speaking With many years of speaking and presenting to small and large groups, I relish opportunities to work with like minded people internationally, across industry sectors and geographical and cultural barriers. I don't do freebies any more, except for really close friends and a few causes I relate to. Volunteering
Specialties Social media, social networking, coaching, blogging, podcasting, online networking, business vision, government enterprise, small business, home based business, transition, mature executives Contact Find me, with lots of links on the social web, at http://xeeSM/deswalsh |