Members on the move
Rohan Hall Founder & CEO Cool Mojito
By Theresa Mills

Social networking web sites started as a way to connect with friends, family and colleagues via the internet.  Yet they’ve rapidly expanded into a global phenomenon that has been responsible for changing the way the world communicates.  Thanks to social networking web sites, people who once had no voice can now be heard, censored information has been shared for the first time in history, the oppressed have used it as a tool to help change government and unknown talents have become famous overnight.

There is, however, one area that remains relatively unexploited.  Social networking as a business tool.  This month, we are interviewing Rohan Hall, a visionary who has grabbed hold of this idea and used it to create a software tool that helps small and medium business owners promote and monetize their businesses utilizing the immense power of social networking.

Originally fromJamaica, Rohan worked in theUnited Statesas a technology consultant.   He worked for companies such as HP, Honda, Oracle and Lockheed, eventually starting his own company rSitez and writing a book Stop Working.  Hall’s successes in the States led him to look abroad for other opportunities and three years ago he moved his family toBarcelonawhere he set to work on his latest endeavor – Cool Mojito.

Cool Mojito was born out of the idea that social networking web sites had the potential to be used as highly-effective marketing tools for small and medium businesses, giving them an advantage in this new emerging market.

“Many people still don’t see the value of social networking sites as a business tool,” said Hall. “Social media is the most critical tool that businesses can have today and going forward.  In the past, businesses relied on offline media like television, newspapers and radio to market their businesses.  This was expensive, very untargeted and a great barrier for the small business owners to acquire new customers primarily because of cost and access to resources.  Social media changes this because it offers “word of mouth” endorsements that can create viral marketing opportunities for businesses.  Businesses can promote their brands and sell their products to a global audience easily and affordably.  Social media levels the playing field significantly for businesses and Cool Mojito is playing an important role in this.”

“This will be a new Golden Age for business,” he continued.  “If you already have a company, this is the time to reinvest in your business and prepare for what’s coming in the future.  If you want to start a business, there’s no better time than today.  Tough economic times create gaps in the market.  People need to think creatively and utilize every tool at their disposal to get the edge on the competition.  Cool Mojito offers this edge, and best of all, it’s free.”

Despite his strong ties to online social networking, Hall still believes that face-to-face networking events like the Business Lunch, remain an integral part of social networking. “Events like the Business Lunch offer serious business professionals the opportunity to meet when they might not otherwise have the chance.  They share ideas, information and most important, valuable contacts.  I have been attending the Business Lunch for three years and will continue to go.  You never know who you’re going to meet or what opportunities you might find.”

To learn more about Rohan Hall and Cool Mojito, visit: www.coolmojito.com