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Earlier this year, I talked about the creative way in which Editoras Online integrated QR technology and Twitter to create a stunning viral-marketing campaign.  Now, Google fans across the country may soon have an opportunity to interact with QR technology through Google’s latest endeavor called Favorite Places.

What is “Favorite Places”?  Well,  according to Google:

Over 100,000 businesses were identified as Favorite Places. The list was determined based on the popularity of a business’ Local Business Center listing, as determined by how many times Google users looked for more information about a business, requested driving directions to get there, and more. Google users “decided” based on their actions, and we sent the decals.

What exactly does this mean for the average consumer?

The good…

It means that the most popular (i.e., searched) businesses across the U.S. may soon be equipped with a window decal containing a unique bar code, known as a QR code.  So, what’s the big deal?  Well, a major benefit of integrating QR codes into print ads is convenience.  QR technology is all about pointing and scanning, which eliminates the need to type in lengthy URLs.   Bottom line, it’s simply a faster way to deliver relevant content to a mobile device (e.g., reviews, ratings, special promotions, or store coupons if a particular business is offering one).

The bad…

Unlike the ubiquitous nature (and advantage) of using SMS, QR codes reach a limited audience.  For now, users with smart phones that have good quality cameras, and have previously located, downloaded and installed the QR software will get the desired results. There are many free and paid QR readers available on the market.  Some of the newer mobile devices have QR readers installed or bundled as part of another application.

Want to add a QR reader to your mobile device? Here are some common QR readers to consider:

» 2dSENSE» Barcode Scanner
» Beetagg
» Kaywa Reader
» Neoreader
» QRApp
» QuickMark
» ScanLife

Google’s move towards integrating QR codes is yet another example of how mobile technology can be used in everyday real-life scenarios. Although QR technology may not appear as “hip” as image recogition, it’s still a valuable technology that we should not overlook.

If not, you should take a closer look at Lori’s profile because she’s helping to drive some cool innovation in the mobile recruiting space. In case you were unaware, Lori is the creative mind behind AutoSearch, a desktop and mobile app that was specifically designed to enable recruiting professionals to easily source for new talent online.

Lori’s Story…

I had the opportunity to speak with Lori directly. I was particularly interested in asking what inspired her to create the AutoSearch mobile application. Like many of us, Lori took a class on internet recruiting to become better acquainted with how to create and leverage Boolean searches for prospecting new talent online. What Lori very quickly realized was that she was spending more time and energy constructing search strings than actually connecting with candidates. She was convinced that there was a better way. She wanted to make the process of searching for prospect candidates less complicated. The result: AutoSearch for the iPhone.

Key features of the AutoSearch iPhone app:

» Click here to expand image view.

AutoSearch offers users a very simple platform for conducting recruiting (sourcing) searches via the mobile device. Here’s how it works:

» Step 1: AutoSearch landing page.

» Step 2: Users are prompted to enter their primary key search terms and location preference. (Note: At the moment, there is no save search feature. I believe creating one would certainly help with addressing a valid OFCCP concern of searching for candidates while using a mobile device. While the save feature is not available on the AutoSearch app today, my understanding is that they are planning on incorporating this function into a future release.) Refer to screen-shot in step 2.

» Step 3: AutoSearch is pre-configured to run your search query against multiple sites including Yahoo’s search engine, Linkedin, Twitter, Zoominfo, and Jobster. (Note: AutoSearch uses Yahoo exclusively and does not currently run any searches across Bing or Google.) Refer to screen-shot in step 3.

» Step 4: The search results are rendered in a consolidated format, making it easier for the user to scan the results. Refer to screen-shot in step 4.

I have used the iPhone AutoSearch app on several occasions and have found it to be very intuitive and easy to use. AutoSearch delivers what it promises and makes mobile recruiting simple. You don’t need to be a “Boolean Expert” to obtain your desired search results. However, to get the best results, it is helpful to include all your critical keywords when entering the details in the search field. This will help reduce the amount of search “noise” you get back in the final results. Keep in mind, the app is still in its early phase so expect that it will continue to evolve and get better as more people use it.

AutoSearch is currently selling for $4.99. You can download a copy by visiting the iTunes store. If you want to learn more, or want to stay current with what’s new, you can follow AutoSearch on Twitter or become an AutoSearch fan on Facebook.

Finally, here’s a video that demonstrates what AutoSearch has to offer…

(*Disclaimer: The views expressed on this post are solely mine. I was not paid to endorse this product.)

According to a survey on The Future of the Internet III by Pew Research, the following were predictions about technology and its roles in the year 2020:

- The mobile device will be the primary connection tool to the internet for most people in the world in 2020.


- The transparency of people and organizations will increase, but that will not necessarily yield more personal integrity, social tolerance, or forgiveness.


- Voice recognition and touch user-interfaces with the internet will be more prevalent and accepted by 2020.


- Those working to enforce intellectual property law and copyright protection will remain in a continuing arms race, with the crackers who will find ways to copy and share content without payment.


- The divisions between personal time and work time and between physical and virtual reality will be further erased for everyone who is connected, and the results will be mixed in their impact on basic social relations.


- Next-generation engineering of the network to improve the current internet architecture is more likely than an effort to rebuild the architecture from scratch.

Today, we see a lot discussion around topics such as mobile marketing, mobile advertising, mobile search, SMS services, barcode technology, mobile video, augmented reality, touch screen technology, location based services (LBS), and the list goes on. However, I believe we are still only scratching the surface of what mobile has to offer. Who knows what the next 10+ years of mobile innovation will bring us. I am not sure about you but I’m certainly excited.

Isn’t it time to rethink our perspective on mobile? What do you think?

In Japan, a new generation of job-seekers are using a company called Otetsudai Networks to secure part-time work. While contract staffing is nothing new in the U.S., Otetsudai has come up with an interesting solution to hiring temporary resources. Otetsudai Networks is a geolocation mobile service that matches part-time employees with potential employers.

How does the geolocation service help Job-seekers?

Job-seekers subscribe to the service by completing a mini-C.V. detailing their core skills and expertise. The job-seeker have the option of getting job updates by taking a “GPS reading” on their phone. The candidate’s information is added to the pool of available candidates shown to prospective employers. Once a new opportunity becomes available, the job-seeker is immediately notified on their mobile device of potential employment opportunities within their proximity.

How does Otetsudai’s service help employers?

The service particularly caters to businesses seeking to hire immediate resources with specific skills. Once an employer signs up for the service, they can send requests for immediate help to the Otetsudai Network. Whether the employer is seeking someone for an hour, or all day, Otetsudai sends a list of available prospect candidates within the employer’s immediate proximity. The list shows each candidate’s qualifications, how other employers have rated their work and exactly how far away they are. Employers seeking immediate help will typically receive a list of half a dozen or more people within a few minutes.

As location-based services (LBS) increase in popularity, it’s not hard to envision a day when U.S. companies begin leveraging this technology as a method for staffing its temporary workforce. Although still in its infancy, Layar offers an augmented reality app that provides job-seekers a way to identify new opportunities by scanning what’s around you. It’s simply a matter of time before we see U.S. companies adopting the Otetsudai model of leveraging geolocation to help mobilize a ready-made talent pool.

Does this still sound too good to be true? Watch the video below…

Well, if I ever decide to create new business cards again, this is definitely the way I want to do it. Want more? Check out James Alliban’s talking business card.

TAT creates Augmented ID

TAT, a Swedish software and design company, recently developed a new concept called Augmented ID. Augmented ID uses facial recognition technology and offers a convenient method for viewing the digital identities of the people around you. This could prove to be an interesting way to “break the ice” and get to know people. Imagine having instant access to information about a conference speaker, trainer, new client, co-worker, or a person you just met at a Starbucks. Regardless of how it is used, the possibilities are quite exciting. However, at the moment, Augmented ID is not yet ready for prime-time. For now, see below for a brief video intro…

Want more AR videos from TAT? Check out their showroom for a peek at other cool apps.

Expect more AR apps for mobile devices in the future.

Editoras Online, have you heard of them?  If not, don’t worry – you are not the alone. Editoras is the Brazilian equivalent of Amazon.com and they recently launched an ad campaign to promote their online store. Ordinarily, you would write them off as yet another average online business trying to go mobile. However, take a closer look and I think you will agree that their ad-campaign was quite clever. Let’s examine why…

What was special about Editoras Online’s ad-campaign?

As part of their “guerrilla” marketing strategy, they incorporated the use of 4,000 QR code stickers posted throughout São Paulo.  Mobile participants quickly discovered that each QR code redirected them to select Twitter messages.  Each message related to either love or hate and refreshed every seven days.  The unique part of this campaign was that Editoras was able to produce a 200-page “living book” made up entirely of QR codes and messages from Twitter feeds.  To close the loop, the messages also carried a “call-to-action” that ultimately drove participants to the Editoras website.  The buzz generated from their guerilla campaign was so successful that copies of their book sold-out in less than a week.  Now, that’s ROI.

Mobile Recruiting via QR Codes & Twitter?

If you are frequent reader of my blog then you have likely heard me reference the use of 2-D barcodes in the past. There are creative ways to leverage QR code (2-D) technology as demonstrated in the Editoras example above.  As an employer, imagine being able to update candidates to your open jobs without having to manually push out the updates. The beauty behind 2-D barcode technology is that the content behind the barcodes can change while the overall framework remains the same.  What exactly does this mean? From the employer’s perspective, it means the 2-D barcode could theoretically represent a ‘company brand’ with the ability to render different content at different times. Today, we already see job updates pushed to Twitter, as seen here and here. Integrating the 2-D barcode would be the final piece of this digital marketing strategy.

The challenges with 2-D barcode technology in recruiting?

Yes, I know, all of this is easier said than done. I realize that not every prospect candidate (user) has mobile internet access, or a built-in 2-D barcode reader.  Plus, even if a candidate understands this technology, there many different 2-D barcode formats so how does a company decide on which format to use?  These are valid questions and they should be asked before attempting to launch this type of mobile strategy. However, there are over 270 million mobile subscribers in the U.S. and mobile internet usage is on the rise.  The point is, with the overall increase in U.S. mobile adoption, we are only limited by our imagination on how we connect with this vastly untapped audience.

1. JobCompass

JobCompass, is a free iPhone app that offers job-seekers the ability to easily view jobs within their immediate proximity. The app is completely intuitive. To start, users simply enter the job search keywords, then specify radius. The app does all the heavy lifting. See video below…

2. Layar

Layar, is the world’s first mobile augmented reality (AR) browser. In layman terms, Layar enables users to view the general surroundings (via a camera phone) and instantly retrieve “real-time” data based on a user’s geolocation and where the camera is being pointed.

Unlike JobCompass, Layar was not specifically designed with the job-seeker in mind. However, it only takes a brief review to understand the value this application offers to job-seekers, as well as recruiters. Imagine the ability to scan your physical surroundings, target key companies within your local proximity, and then view a list of real-time job openings for your target client. Layar is just that slick and it would offer an advantage for account managers working out in the field, or job-seekers looking for new employment.

Two Examples of Layar’s Location-Based Job Search feature:

1. Click here to watch the video below at the 6:00 minute mark for more on this topic.

2. Mightbe.me – Augmented Reality Job Search prototype developed by Bonnier R&D showing how you can find jobs in your surroundings through augmented reality. It’s built in Layar and uses data from Workey.se and Eniro.se. Created by Fredrik Davidsson, Paulina Modlitba Söderlund and Björn Jeffery during the Swedish Entrepreneur Event 24 Hour Business Camp 2009.

Layar is a free app that is available for the iPhone, T-Mobile G1, HTC Magic and other Android phones in Android Market. iPhone Mobile users may now download the Layar app here.

Do you believe location based services will change the way candidates look for work in the future? What do you think?