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Here is a short list of seven social technology firms I admire. Each firm listed here is in a category of its own — social business design, emerging technology consulting, enterprise 2.0 consulting, social media marketing, word of mouth marketing, technology consulting and interactive advertising — but they are listed here together because I want to learn something from each one of them.

I have earlier written about the difference between “social media + marketing” and “social + business strategy” (see the 20:20 Social Position Paper on Social Business Strategy). I have also earlier listed Indian social media agencies under six distinct categories. My understanding of the international social media agency landscape is still evolving, but you can expect a similar categorization soon.

So, here are the seven social technology firms I admire –

- Altimeter Group: For putting together the great team, the Altimeter Wiki and the ENGAGEMENTdb report.

- Dachis Group: For putting together the great team, coining the “social business design” label, and buying Headshift.

- Headshift: For building a strong enterprise 2.0 services practice.

- Gaspedal: For creating the Social Media Business Council.

- Beeline Labs: For the thought-provoking Tribalization of Business report on branded communities.

- Sapient: For building a strong practice at the intersection of technology consulting and digital marketing.

- Razorfish: For being at the cutting edge of design and technology and for the thought-provoking Fluent report.

Here are some other firms that I am watching: Ant’s Eye View, Forum One Networks, New Marketing Labs, Social Media Group, Ignite, Powered, Allyis, Customware, Blinkit, NextModernity, Made By Many.

The McKinsey Business Technology Office is also getting into the social technology game with its global survey on how businesses are using web 2.0 technologies.

Rachel Happe and Jason Keath have also made similar lists recently and the Altimeter wiki lists social media consultants, social media agencies and interactive agencies.

I am still searching for more social technology firms who approach the intersection of social technologies and business strategy from a strategic perspective. I’m specifically looking for firms that go beyond conversational marketing, and focus on creating large community platforms and collaboration programs, both inside and outside the organization. Do let me know in the comments who I have missed.

Related posts:

1. From Social Media Marketing to Social Business Strategy
2. Dachis Group’s David Armano on Social Business by Design
3. Position Paper: The 20:20 Social Approach to Social Business Strategy
4. Decoding Social Media Marketing and Social Business Strategy
5. Social Media Strategy is Business Strategy Plus Technology Plus Sociology