Don Bulmer, the SNCR-award winning head of influencer relations at SAP, is forming an informal think tank project on social influence, and in particular, best practices for social influence. He’s issued an open invitation to participate and contribute content.

He’s outlined an ambitious agenda. In his words,

“As I think about this I am inspired to look more deeply at how social media has affected the dynamics and rules of ’social influence’ across a number of areas of society (business, politics, philanthropy/giving, personal productivity/advancement, etc.). To understand how the phenomena has affected the behaviors and motivations of people for greater benefit and activism.”

I’m in. Looks like a good opportunity to ponder influencer dynamics beyond the business setting and to do it in the company of great minds. Get the scoop at his blog. Or if you work inhouse on the corporate side, consider collaborating in concert with the Influencer Marketing & Influencer Relations Group at LinkedIn.

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I’ve been away on personal business most of the month, and am catching up on what’s been going on in the world of influencer marketing. I’m pleased to see that Jeff Pulver has announced a new event, The Social Communications Summit or SocComm. He’s put out a call for speakers. If you’re aware of his ability to sway a market, you know you want to follow up early and pass the info along to colleagues.

Jeff is one of those people who comes to mind when I’m asked whether influence follows influencers from company to company, or remains affiliated with the influencer’s company. I think of influence as an aspect of a human relationship. Some of it can be transfered from one person to another at a company. That’s residual influence.

However, influence tends to remain intact as part of the relationship between two people.

Hat tip to Andy Abramson!

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