Really interesting...
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/drTFoQ
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Seth's Blog: The corporate conscience
This should be part of every new employee handbook and training!
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/aeWguc
Monday, August 30, 2010
Am I Cleopatra Or Thomas Edison?
It has been a very challenging year. Personally and professionally I continue to face obstacles I could not have imagined.
I asked myself last night at 2 a.m. if like Cleopatra I was in denial. Were the problems so big that I really was going to have to flat out just take it on the chin? I know I can get up, dust myself off and start over. I've done it before and it has always led to something better.
On the other hand I thought maybe this was the 9,999th time I didn't come up with the right plan and like Thomas Edison I would find the solution(s) on the 10,000th try.
What I have learned over the last year is that you don't solve problems with the same thinking that created them. You have to do whatever it takes to clear your mind so you can think creatively. You have to control fear so that you don't become obsessed with what you woulda/coulda/shoulda done. Living in the past is one thing - trying to recreate it is insanity.
So, again today I chose perseverance. I found my way through two seemingly insurmountable and strangely related problems. Will it be easy? Hell no! Can it be done? Hell yes!
I don't know if that's how Thomas Edison felt but I know he died a lot happier than Cleopatra!
I asked myself last night at 2 a.m. if like Cleopatra I was in denial. Were the problems so big that I really was going to have to flat out just take it on the chin? I know I can get up, dust myself off and start over. I've done it before and it has always led to something better.
On the other hand I thought maybe this was the 9,999th time I didn't come up with the right plan and like Thomas Edison I would find the solution(s) on the 10,000th try.
What I have learned over the last year is that you don't solve problems with the same thinking that created them. You have to do whatever it takes to clear your mind so you can think creatively. You have to control fear so that you don't become obsessed with what you woulda/coulda/shoulda done. Living in the past is one thing - trying to recreate it is insanity.
So, again today I chose perseverance. I found my way through two seemingly insurmountable and strangely related problems. Will it be easy? Hell no! Can it be done? Hell yes!
I don't know if that's how Thomas Edison felt but I know he died a lot happier than Cleopatra!
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/bbDotr
Social Media Policies And The Workplace
Any employer who believes that reducing or denying access to social networks on company desktops and/or laptops prevents problems is kidding him/herself! A social media policy is imperative...but only if you want to stay in business!
Amplify’d from geofflivingston.com
A social media policy is a living document reflecting management’s ethos about how much latitude the organization encourages with online public conversations. As an organization becomes comfortable with social media and its interactions with the Fifth Estate over time, the policy will likely encourage more transparency and authenticity. It will also reflect lessons learned, some of them painful, but necessary experiences on the path towards more extended networked communications.
Read more at geofflivingston.com
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/9kzDJ8
Seth's Blog: Professionals, amateurs and the great unwashed
What group do your customers think you're in? Thought provoking.
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/9SUT7C
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Who wins the lottery? The state. - Holy Kaw!
It's not always fun to find out what you thought was true all along really is.
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/9MLWZM
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Weapons Of Self-Destruction
Imagine what the world would be like if every brilliant idea had been given proper care and feeding. If when it grew too large to contain it was sent off into the world so others could benefit. If it spawned other brilliant ideas once it found the right partners.
Sigh.
It's a little depressing to think of all the problems in the world and how we might have already found the answers if it weren't for weapons of self-destruction.
We do it to ourselves and it ends up hurting us collectively. Here are a few I see every day.
Mistaking work for production or sales.
Refusing to look for inspiration outside our own industries.
Keeping the same relationships whether it's friends, colleagues or a networking group.
Failing to be direct.
Fear of expanding services or offerings because someone else already does it.
Unwillingness to say no when necessary.
What weapons of self-destruction do you see? How can we help ourselves and others stop using them?
Sigh.
It's a little depressing to think of all the problems in the world and how we might have already found the answers if it weren't for weapons of self-destruction.
We do it to ourselves and it ends up hurting us collectively. Here are a few I see every day.
Mistaking work for production or sales.
Refusing to look for inspiration outside our own industries.
Keeping the same relationships whether it's friends, colleagues or a networking group.
Failing to be direct.
Fear of expanding services or offerings because someone else already does it.
Unwillingness to say no when necessary.
What weapons of self-destruction do you see? How can we help ourselves and others stop using them?
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/c9hBp2
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Social Train
Best take on it yet!
Amplify’d from www.relationship-economy.com via Google Reader
Corporate leaders demand that management follow them. Managers demand that employees follow them. Organizations think the consumer will follow them and their offerings. The game has changed and people are following people rather than brands and institutions. To lead the game or change it you have to hear what the market is saying. Listening to your own rhetoric is not listening to the market. The ROI from social media is called listening and learning to predict based on the conversations of the market.
Read more at www.relationship-economy.com
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/bVU358
Monday, August 23, 2010
Don't Give Up The Niche!
I went to a multiclass reunion over the weekend.
It all started on Facebook as "The Liberty Center Experience". Liberty Center is a small town and in the last forty years has graduated in total fewer people than some large schools have in two grades.
It was great! We did the same things we did in high school: Ate, gossiped, laughed like mad.
We spent some time discussing why only half the people who signed up showed up. There were a variety of reasons brought up and I wasn't sure. Shoot - most of the organizations I know have the same problem.
Here's the thing. I think we spend too much time worrying about why we can't get more people to want to be there.
We're a niche. We're not worth less because there weren't more of us. Do I wish others had come? Absolutely. But renewing old friendships and even talking to someone I had never spoken to before was so enjoyable I don't want it spoiled by focusing on the quantity.
Like every other niche quality is the only thing that matters.
It all started on Facebook as "The Liberty Center Experience". Liberty Center is a small town and in the last forty years has graduated in total fewer people than some large schools have in two grades.
It was great! We did the same things we did in high school: Ate, gossiped, laughed like mad.
We spent some time discussing why only half the people who signed up showed up. There were a variety of reasons brought up and I wasn't sure. Shoot - most of the organizations I know have the same problem.
Here's the thing. I think we spend too much time worrying about why we can't get more people to want to be there.
We're a niche. We're not worth less because there weren't more of us. Do I wish others had come? Absolutely. But renewing old friendships and even talking to someone I had never spoken to before was so enjoyable I don't want it spoiled by focusing on the quantity.
Like every other niche quality is the only thing that matters.
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/b4xSbU
Friday, August 20, 2010
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Near Universal
What smaller sites will pop up when these become universal?
Amplify’d from www.marketingcharts.com
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Near Universal
Read more at www.marketingcharts.com
Results from “Social Media Usage, Attitudes and Measurability” indicate that 87% of companies currently use LinkedIn as part of their social media strategy, while 12% plan to in the next 12 months. Similarly, 84% use Twitter and 16% plan to in the next 12 months, and 78% use Facebook and 22% plan to in the next 12 months.
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/9natmD
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Success Porn
Definition of porn: Publications or broadcasts that demonstrate an unhealthy or voyeuristic interest in a particular subject.
There are a lot of fun variations on that theme: Food porn, house porn, car porn. Pimp My Ride or House Hunters International or Paula Deen can make us swoon about all the possibilities of the good things in life. That's okay.
Ever met anyone who was involved in success porn? Bet you have.
These are the people who attend every webinar possible. They refuse to listen to music in the car because they want to hear the latest update of "you're smart, you're successful and people really really like you". A fiction book or non-business magazine hasn't been on their reading list for years.
Here's the thing. When you are obsessed with finding the next big thing or the magic carpet that will transport you to the bliss factory or the single thing that will make mountains of cash you cannot make it happen. Reading, watching and listening are important in the success of any person or business but not when that's all you do.
If you write, write. If you sell widgets, sell. If you fix toilets, fix.
Just like the danger of regular porn don't just watch and pretend it's real. You must participate.
There are a lot of fun variations on that theme: Food porn, house porn, car porn. Pimp My Ride or House Hunters International or Paula Deen can make us swoon about all the possibilities of the good things in life. That's okay.
Ever met anyone who was involved in success porn? Bet you have.
These are the people who attend every webinar possible. They refuse to listen to music in the car because they want to hear the latest update of "you're smart, you're successful and people really really like you". A fiction book or non-business magazine hasn't been on their reading list for years.
Here's the thing. When you are obsessed with finding the next big thing or the magic carpet that will transport you to the bliss factory or the single thing that will make mountains of cash you cannot make it happen. Reading, watching and listening are important in the success of any person or business but not when that's all you do.
If you write, write. If you sell widgets, sell. If you fix toilets, fix.
Just like the danger of regular porn don't just watch and pretend it's real. You must participate.
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/df8yTK
The Gravest Threat to Your Job Isn't Illegal Immigrants: It's The Robots!
The failure in creating jobs? Too many elected officials and bureaucrats don't understand the massive change in information and technology. I will never again vote for someone who doesn't use the internet on a regular basis.
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/cqewQR
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Are We At The Tipping Point For Retail?
It's been nearly two years since Wendy's matched McDonald's $1 double cheeseburger.
Like the supermarket sale on bananas I thought this was a good way to gain the extra profit on other items like soft drinks and french fries. (I am not considering health concerns in this post.)
What I didn't expect was how much this would spread. Not to other fast food places. I knew that would happen. What shocked me was how many menu items got included. The intro to this video shows all the food that $1 can buy at Wendy's today.
I learned a long time ago that discounted prices become the ceiling instead of the floor. Trying to increase prices after dropping them is virtually impossible.
Americans do not expect to pay full retail for anything: Food, clothes, cars, computers, you name it. And online deals have made it easier than ever. Want a one day best deal ever? Groupon. Want to get a 25% discount at The Gap? Check-in with FourSquare. Need a two nights for one at a campground? The been around forever Entertainment Book is online too.
That doesn't include all the offline discount cards and weekly ads.
Here's the thing. We don't know when we've reached the tipping point until it's way too late. Are we there with restaurants and retail establishments?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4EYuGnr8eg
Like the supermarket sale on bananas I thought this was a good way to gain the extra profit on other items like soft drinks and french fries. (I am not considering health concerns in this post.)
What I didn't expect was how much this would spread. Not to other fast food places. I knew that would happen. What shocked me was how many menu items got included. The intro to this video shows all the food that $1 can buy at Wendy's today.
I learned a long time ago that discounted prices become the ceiling instead of the floor. Trying to increase prices after dropping them is virtually impossible.
Americans do not expect to pay full retail for anything: Food, clothes, cars, computers, you name it. And online deals have made it easier than ever. Want a one day best deal ever? Groupon. Want to get a 25% discount at The Gap? Check-in with FourSquare. Need a two nights for one at a campground? The been around forever Entertainment Book is online too.
That doesn't include all the offline discount cards and weekly ads.
Here's the thing. We don't know when we've reached the tipping point until it's way too late. Are we there with restaurants and retail establishments?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4EYuGnr8eg
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/czwnrA
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Writing A Don't-Do List
I finally had a chance to sit down with a woman I have known casually for a long time. She is one of those people who seems to be able to jam thirty-six hours of activity into twenty-four without looking totally frazzled while doing it.
Almost immediately out popped "How do you do it? I write a to-do list almost every day and I can't seem to get half the things done you do!"
She said the most amazing thing. "I had the same problem for a long time. What helped me was writing a don't-do list."
What?! I could not believe it. So I asked for an example or two.
"I don't wait to go through the mail until it's two inches thick. I don't walk into the drugstore to pick up a prescription refill without calling ahead first. I don't let my gas gauge get below half."
"So in an extreme example", I said "you wouldn't get an hour behind because the car was on empty and you ran out of your prescription this morning and if you'd only looked through the mail you would have gotten an extra discount."
She laughed. "Exactly. It frees me up for the stuff on my to-do list."
Wow. I went home and immediately wrote down four things: Don't watch any TV shows that are not recorded. Don't hesitate to ask for help. Don't spend more than an hour a day on personal social networking. Don't wait to make a decision.
What would you put on your don't-do list?
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/biNSx3
iPhone Spy Stick Recovers Your Deleted Secrets
Android App Inventor's idea fabulous – fabulously hyped | HeraldTribune.com
Seriously? It's for DIYers who want to make their own games and quiz questions databases? What a disappointment...
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/bA5hM9
Monday, August 16, 2010
Optimizing Facebook Status Updates For Local Marketing
Let Your Customers Take Their Business Down The Street
At a party over the weekend I caught up with a niece I hadn't seen for some time. Her husband owns a remanufacturing company that works only on very large compressors used in hotel, retail, office building air conditioning systems.
She was very grateful for the scorching humid summer because the economy has dictated that equipment is repaired rather than replaced. I spent most of my working life in refrigeration so I understood completely.
What shocked me was her husband's business had $60,000 in receivables.
Companies still have receivables?! I asked her. When was the last time air conditioning contractors didn't get payment immediately after the service? Weren't his customers responsible for keeping malls, hospitals and hotels cool? Didn't they get paid right away?
Her husband's reasoning? If we don't use invoicing and terms customers will go down the street to someone else.
Sigh.
He has trained his customers to use him as their bank. Who needs a line of credit or adequate cash flow?
I suggested it might be better to let the people down the street hold the debt. Let them have all the cash flow problems. Talking to the choir my niece said.
Do you have receivables? How do you handle customers who want extended terms or threaten to use someone else? Have you made a recent change to pay in advance or payment upon delivery? Interested in hearing your story!
She was very grateful for the scorching humid summer because the economy has dictated that equipment is repaired rather than replaced. I spent most of my working life in refrigeration so I understood completely.
What shocked me was her husband's business had $60,000 in receivables.
Companies still have receivables?! I asked her. When was the last time air conditioning contractors didn't get payment immediately after the service? Weren't his customers responsible for keeping malls, hospitals and hotels cool? Didn't they get paid right away?
Her husband's reasoning? If we don't use invoicing and terms customers will go down the street to someone else.
Sigh.
He has trained his customers to use him as their bank. Who needs a line of credit or adequate cash flow?
I suggested it might be better to let the people down the street hold the debt. Let them have all the cash flow problems. Talking to the choir my niece said.
Do you have receivables? How do you handle customers who want extended terms or threaten to use someone else? Have you made a recent change to pay in advance or payment upon delivery? Interested in hearing your story!
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/aCZklR
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
If We All Followed Our Bliss How Would Anything Get Done?
Follow your bliss. Such a wonderful sounding philosophy.
It's also a trap. When we don't always feel blissful about something we've chosen to do we don't question the concept. We start feeling like failures. We start comparing ourselves to others we think are doing it "right".
Here's the thing. Bliss is a moment.
When the children learn some new skill we would have missed had we chosen a career.
When we receive a promotion on the next rung of the corporate ladder.
When we advise a business to try something new and it works better than expected.
The rest of the time? It's just work. That's how we accomplish what we want. On really good days we get a moment of bliss.
It's also a trap. When we don't always feel blissful about something we've chosen to do we don't question the concept. We start feeling like failures. We start comparing ourselves to others we think are doing it "right".
Here's the thing. Bliss is a moment.
When the children learn some new skill we would have missed had we chosen a career.
When we receive a promotion on the next rung of the corporate ladder.
When we advise a business to try something new and it works better than expected.
The rest of the time? It's just work. That's how we accomplish what we want. On really good days we get a moment of bliss.
See this Amp at http://bit.ly/dv1SwL
Saturday, August 7, 2010
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