Introducing The Social Compass

October 8, 2009
42 Comments

An excerpt from my next book…

A compass is a device for discovering orientation and serves as a true indicator of physical direction.

Inspired by a moral compass, The Social Compass serves as our value system when defining our program activities. It points a brand in a physical and experiential direction to genuinely and effectively connect with customers, peers, and influencers, where they interact and seek guidance online.

The Compass features the artistic talents of Jesse Thomas and JESS3 the team that helped me bring The Conversation Prism to life.

For a larger version, please click here.

Connect with Brian Solis on:
Twitter, FriendFeed, LinkedIn, Tumblr, or Facebook

—

Link to this
http://www.briansolis.com/2009/10/introducing-the-social-compass/

RECOMMENDED POSTS

http://hawkinson.cloudprofile.com ahawkinson

Your Social Compass looks very interesting. One reaction I had as I tried to absorb the image – how will time / temporal issues act as a filter across this? Urgency and expediency and the “real-time” dynamics of how people interconnect and get value out of these networks is a factor that I'm also very interested in. The real-time web doesn't necessarily alter the elements that I see in your Social Compass, but will impact the recommended behaviors and actions that are most important at any given moment.

I'm looking forward to learning more.
http://twitter.com/DragonI Shane

@briansolis is the king of social marketing visualization encapsulation
Morgan Lyons

The graphic suggests layers or texture to me. I don't get that with a compass. I don't have a sense of present location with a compass. Now, a GPS gives me my present position, lets me experiment with possible routes and adapts to the input I gather along my path. Maybe I'm missing something. I'm looking forward to seeing more. Thanks.
Clemence Ko

Wow. The poster looks really cool. And I like your definition of the social compass – “serves as our value system when defining our program activities. It points a brand in a physical and experiential direction to genuinely and effectively connect with customers, peers, and influencers, where they interact and seek guidance online.”
http://vancopytotcontent.blogspot.com/ Copydimitri

Very clear and insightful overview. Thanks!
http://twitter.com/managementsushi Bernie Ritchie

Check out Brian Solis' latest stroke of genius – The Social Marketing Compass!
Pingback: Introducing The Social Compass
Pingback: Inbound Marketing Summit 2009 – Day Two
http://twitter.com/amsall Amadou M. Sall

Brian has done it again. Awesome! Thanks a lot for making things easier for all of us.
http://www.polarunlimited.com/readitfor.me stevecunningham

Brian, when is the next book coming out? I'd love a review copy for http://www.readitfor.me Love your work, and in particular your ability to simplify complex ideas through visuals. A true talent indeed.
http://www.briansolis.com briansolis

Please note, the name is changing to “The Social Compass”
Pingback: innovation604 News Portal » The Psychology of Twitter with Dr. Drew
adamsscott

A very detailed description thank you.
Pingback: Brian Solis Now Debuts ‘The Social Compass’ | Flack Me
Morten Wang

The compass looks stunning, and the different labels are interesting, but I fail to understand it. In a regular compass, the different sides are opposites, and you're only able to go in one direction at any given point in time. The social compass seems to have several labels that aren't close to being mutually exclusive. I'd appreciate it you could take the time to ellaborate a little on the ideas behind it.
Morten Wang

The compass looks stunning, and the different labels are interesting, but I fail to understand it. In a regular compass, the different sides are opposites, and you're only able to go in one direction at any given point in time. The social compass seems to have several labels that aren't close to being mutually exclusive. I'd appreciate it you could take the time to ellaborate a little on the ideas behind it.
Pingback: Defining Social Media | Brian Solis
Pingback: The Social Compass | Andy Merchant
Pingback: JM » Defining Social Media: 2006 – 2010
Pingback: noveltyshoe (noveltyshoe) « Introducing The Social Compass | Brian Solis « Chat Catcher
Pingback: INNOVATION604 News Portal » Defining Social Media: 2006 – 2010
http://www.thebuzzinsurance.com.au/ Jacki Johnson

Brian the social compass great way to describe what is quite a complex topic. I will be using it as a framework (properly referenced of course!) in my discussion as I go into the strategic review session of the launch of The Buzz Insurance company with my corporate Board. We developed our bsuiness model through on line and offline co creation. We are now 10 months old and have been working on an integrated engagement model but it is often hard to explain to those operating with older business model lens. Thank you.
Pingback: There’s an I in Twitter and a ME in Social Media
Pingback: There’s an I in Twitter and a ME in Social Media | Simple, effective and affordable small business marketing
http://www.straydogmarketing.com/ Rachelle

Very cool! Interesting how you related it to the moral compass…

ABOUT ME

Brian Solis is principal at Altimeter Group, a research-based advisory firm. Solis is globally recognized as one of the most prominent thought leaders and published authors in new media. A digital analyst, sociologist, and futurist, Solis has studied and influenced the effects of emerging media on business, marketing, publishing, and culture. His current book, Engage, is regarded as the industry reference guide for businesses to build and measure success in the social web.

Follow @briansolis

RECENT TWEETS

- @briansolis And at the center of this infographic...is Benevolence - http://t.co/9fIqAn8u
- @briansolis It’s time to push the bar higher for social media to shape meaningful experiences & outcomes http://t.co/QfEQbxE2