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Is Thinking Like Mark Zuckerberg The Key To Business Success?
By Alicia Fiorletta, Associate Editor

Since Facebook’s inception in 2004, the social networking site has evolved from a private outlet for Harvard students and alumni, to a swarming community for more than one billion users worldwide.

People tap into Facebook as a part of their standard Internet-browsing routines: Users check the site weekly, daily, and sometimes hourly to get up-to-the-minute updates from their social circles. They want to learn about what’s going on with their friends, family, former flames, and even the brands and retailers they love. I’m even guilty of checking Facebook at work to see if retailers are publishing any interesting offers or content. (For research, of course!)

Due to the widespread influence of Facebook, more retailers are leveraging the site to deliver innovative ways to connect with current and prospective customers via “wall posts,” contests, and even the Open Graph.

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Here are a variety of Facebook-focused articles and resources that we’ve published recently on Retail TouchPoints:

• “Facebook Storefronts Boost Sales For Smaller Retailers”
• “Social Advocacy Summit: Retail And Facebook Execs Discuss Shift To Converged Marketing”
• “Why Retailers Should ‘Like’ The Facebook App Center”
• “8 Tips For Turning Facebook ‘Likes’ Into Customers”
•  “Retailers Continue To Consider Benefits Of Facebook Login”
• “What Facebook’s Open Graph Means To Marketers”  

 It’s evident that Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg truly has changed the way we communicate and engage with one another. Now marketers, business owners and budding entrepreneurs are trying to tap into their inner “Zuck” in an effort to innovate and influence consumers worldwide more effectively. A new book from Ekaterina Walter, titled: Think Like Zuck: The Five Business Secrets of Facebook’s Improbably Brilliant CEO, is providing the best practices to help people do just that.

However, it’s important to note that the book isn’t focused solely on Zuckerberg. Walter spotlights a variety of companies that have “Zuck-like” qualities, such as Dyson, Threadless, TOMS and Zappos, and also uncovers the innovative business strategies they utilize to stand out against their competition. Top characteristics that make these organizations succeed, according to Walter, include the following:

• Passion: Having the passion to drive change.
• Purpose: Having a vision and a higher purpose to execute upon said passion.
• People: Building a team that will help take ideas and success to new heights.
• Product: Creating innovating products.
• Partnerships: Building powerful, long-lasting relationships with people and organizations that “fuel imagination and energize execution.”
  

It was so interesting to read about all these companies that are so different in terms of product and target audience, yet similar in their keen focus on innovating and creating compelling experiences for their customers. Rather than walking on the safe side, these organizations took chances to better connect with consumers across channels, generated long-term loyalty, and are in the process of becoming iconic brands.

Think Like Zuck also is chock-full of inspirational quotes that are invaluable to today’s business owners and executives. One of my favorite passages is as follows:

“Being a pioneer is the hardest job of them all. Just ask Mark Zuckerberg. Changing the world requires you to be a rebel. It requires the courage to stand up to critics and to continue on the path to your purpose. Driving innovation and creating extraordinary products or services is our way to leave a memorable footprint on earth, to make an impact, even if small. Our passion defines us, our purpose drives us, and our products show the world what we believe in.”

With that, I ask all retailers reading this blog: What are your passions, purposes and products? How are you connecting with your “inner Zuck” to bring your brands to new heights?

Follow Alicia on Twitter: @AliciaFiorletta