Just wanted to take another snapshot of my search rankings for the term “online marketing Calgary”. This time I got to #2 bypassing Vovia. Please note that the results are “depersonalized” and are based on Google.com. So, what was done to create this change in rankings?

• regular blogging activity, I’ve recently created a number of resource pages as well as a few relevant posts
• link building campaign focusing on terms “online marketing Calgary” and similar terms
• change in site architecture (please see the main navigation)
• online community participation, answering questions, commenting on relevant blogs, found through StumbleUpon.

One last thing I wanted to note is that prior to focusing on the term “online marketing Calgary” I wanted to rank well for “digital marketing Calgary“. Over time I’ve reached #1 on Google.com. Then, I changed focus to Online Marketing related terms and for the first few months I was still dominating. However, today I noticed that I’m #4. Morale: if you don’t do the work to rank  high for a particular terms, others do, and over time you loose positions.

Digital Alberta is one of a few organizations I follow in Calgary. I used to be a member and a volunteer but with too many things on the go these days I’m only an observer. Anyways, if you’re interested in technology and digital arts and you live in Calgary, Alberta, you might want to consider signing up for Digital Alberta newsletter to follow what’s going on in the industry. Also, consider signing up as a member.

This Tuesday Digital Alberta had one of its after-hours mixers. As always, Seven Restolounge was stylish, fresh snacks, networking and, of course, the discussion panel.

This time we talked about best practices in building successful teams in technology / digital start-up companies. A discussion panel (Jennifer Aubin of Techbent and Marc Wachmann of Grow Wireless) moderated by Kurtis Lesick of ACAD and a room of 20-25 people made for an intimate conversion about teams.

Here are some of my takeaways:

• It’s more difficult to get a good team together than to motivate it, especially in Calgary.
• Very tricky to get senior developers on board as they are looking for life-work balance.
• It is possible to create committed remote teams of senior developers.
• Respect is crucial in keeping the talented individuals in a team.
• Team events (even just going for beers) really helps.
• How do you screen a great team member? 1) ask behavioral questions, 2) talk about things not related to work (hobbies, interests).
• Start-up teams are a certain breed. How to choose the right team members for a start-up? 1) make sure he / she is right as a person, ready to do many things, very adventurous
• Something that has circulated in discussions before the event was

Another week went by fast. I’m still reading “who’s got your back” by Keith Ferazzi. Also here is a few articles on the business of digital media I wanted to share with you. This time I wanted to focus on transitioning of traditional media companies into the digital age.

Media business at crossroads as deals pick up

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The growing influence of the Web to distribute news, video and other content, combined with the lingering economic malaise, have left many media executives and investors uncertain about where to make their next bets. Read the entire article at Reuters.com

Newspaper brands that manage the transition to digital models can thrive

“Newspapers are dying.” Lately, that’s the constant, gloomy chorus. But it couldn’t be further from the truth. Certainly, the newspaper industry faces significant challenges, including a tough economy and the mass migration of readers and advertisers to the Internet. But newspaper brands that successfully transition to digital models can thrive — without giving up their streamlined print products. Read the entire article at Reuters.com

Tough times turning newspaper lenders into owners

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Newspaper headlines have skewered money lenders for dubious decisions that stoked the recession. Now the financiers are starting to headline newspapers in a new way – as the owners.

These newspaper novices are taking control through bankruptcy proceedings and giving few clues about their turnaround plans. Their decisions will be crucial because this new age of media ownership is unfolding at a time that could make or break some of the largest publications. Read the entire article at Associated Press