Social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Linked-In, Twitter, and more continue to search for ways to monetize their sites and business models beyond commercial advertising.  In the past it has not been easy to target mass media advertisements at people on these sites because they are busy with conversation or are just plain better at ignoring ads.  To make money by improving and optimizing the overall end-user experience and in searching for other ways that could potentially result in a revenue stream, there is a strong need to analyze the user behavior and traffic, gathered from large amounts of data. Through better social network analysis, the value of the network can increase for everyone.

For example, improved data analysis allows social networking sites to quickly identify the difference between normal and suspect/abusive user behavior.  This quick detection helps prevent spam and curb malicious user abuse. Other ways of increasing network value include promoting u

Nearly 3 in 4 people say they’ve noticed those who get ahead in life practice proper etiquette, according to a new survey from Hyatt Place.[1] In today’s competitive job market, professionals need to know how to get ahead and set themselves apart from the competition. Hyatt Place announces a partnership with etiquette expert Anna Post to empower today’s professionals with advice for embracing contemporary etiquette in order to succeed. 

[1] On behalf of Hyatt Place, StrategyOne conducted a nationally representative online study of 1,000 Americans, ages 18+. The survey was conducted between July 14-17, 2008.

BizBuySell.com, the nation's largest online business-for-sale marketplace, just released its data on what businesses are selling for across the country. The company offers numbers for individual U.S. cities, and also takes a look at the national trends each quarter. Results may be surprising to some, considering the troubled economy.  

Information for various specific industries are likewise available. Visit http://www.bizbuysell.com/ for more details.

What if you could use satellites to see the future?

A Chicago-based business enables millions of dollars in gains, with extremely accurate crop estimates long before the USDA gets to their number. Last year, Lanworth had the final crop productions in corn, soy, and wheat, months before the USDA was able to calculate their final estimates. They analyze images for local geographies, and are also expanding to emerging global markets, such as the palm oil of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are still a little-known company that has just started to gain attention because of their accurate predictions last October.

This month, as investors anxiously await the first release of the USDA crop production report, Lanworth already has their number. Based on daily analysis of satellite images, digital soil maps, and weather patterns, their report takes into account the full picture of data to provide an extremely accurate estimate on the final production numbers.

I recently introduced a new website that lists and honors breakthrough technology and innovative thinking: http://www.jumpintotomorrow.com. Everyday the site is updated, and everyday we hand out an award for the "Technology of the Day."  There are over 100 different technologies and innovations on the site spanning 24 different categories, from aerospace to fitness, business technology to nanotechnology with lots and lots in between. Visitors can group their interests from products they want to see and buy, to companies they can invest in to causes they want to join and more.  Because we're incredibly discerning about that which we put on the site, we hope that what's there feels more objective than subjective.  In the end, we're just trying to bring some more attention to companies and individuals doing really amazing things.