RT @EconomyLeague w00t (hint: it's not an html error message)

Philly's list of shovel-ready stimulus projects- http://tr.im/gAqg -has anyone seen lists from the counties?
16 minutes ago from tr.im

RT @delaware_gov Submit your suggestions on how Delaware can reduce costs and increase fiscal responsibility. http://ideas.delaware.gov/
about 4 hours ago from web 

NYT on Nutter's first city budget forum - http://tr.im/gufe
9:23 AM yesterday from web

Nutter's budget and library woes examined by current issue of Economist Magazine, take a look at the chart- http://tr.im/grz6
11:00 PM Feb 17th from tr.im

CityPaper responds to Erik's question if Philly is ready to be hated as an athletic powerhouse - http://tr.im/gprh
3:11 PM Feb 17th from tr.im

Norristown studio plans scaled back- http://tr.im/gnrp -some other ideas for Norristown from our 2008 Leadership Exchange- http://tr.im/gnrv
10:01 AM Feb 17th from tr.im

Should Philly charge for trash pick up to save money? Pros and Cons here - http://tr.im/gcxq
12:15 PM Feb 15th from tr.im

What appears to be nonsense above is actually a snapshot of the Economy League's Twitter feed. These tweets are 140 character tidbits of information posted on Twitter and "followed" by other "Tweeple." 

Translation:  The communications team at the Economy League alerts people to new reports, articles, news, events, and other items germane to our work in less than 140 characters per post. Other individuals and organizations subscribed to Twitter can link to @EconomyLeague and view our posts. Those without an account can also view our posts and even subscribe to the feed using an RSS reader.

"Technologies known collectively as Web 2.0 have spread widely among consumers over the past five years." This gem of insight into the interwebs is thanks to the latest edition of the McKinsey Quarterly. I suppose I shouldn't be too harsh as a young whipper-snapper, but it's been clear for some time that social networking technology will not only continue to create new types of business models, but will also fundamentally change the ways organizations interact with their stakeholders.

Twitter may or may not be the latest Facebook of Web 2.0, but it's gained enough traction for major publications and corporations to join the Twitterocracy. There was really no choice. Tweeple post comments about anything and everything, and those in the business of monitoring a brand have an easy way to measure the temperature and tap into the wisdom of the crowds by using Twitter Search.

At its best, Tweeple share thoughts and ideas, break news, and publicize events. At its worst, unscrupulous Tweeple selling scams try to follow everyone on the site. Twitter minimizes this potential inconvenience by not requiring relationships to be mutual. In Facebook language, I don't have to be your "friend" for you to see what I'm posting about.

While Twitter may not be for everyone, we at the Economy League are always searching for practical tools to engage our stakeholders and reach new audiences. In the few weeks since we've joined Twitter, we already have more than 100 followers--some working in the same areas we do, but many just regular folk from Greater Philadelphia interested in what's going on in the region.

But it's not just a one-way conversation. By following others in the region, including news outlets, other nonprofits, businesses, and even the State of Delaware, we can stay on top of the issues important to us and find out about new trends, people, and organizations worth watching. We can even ask our followers for tips on social media or links to information we're looking for.

So why are you still reading this Friday Journal? I've far exceeded 140 characters.

Now, go and join Twitter and follow @EconomyLeague posthaste - http://tr.im/gBXO

--Christopher Scoville, Communciations & Development Associate