That's some smokin' underwear!

After a nice holiday Season sabbatical, I have a few observations about our latest threat to our national psyche, the roots of more to come, a bit of research to share, and, hopefully, a stimulate of thought about what we can do moving forward.

This past decade has brought us what each seems to every ten years...tremendous innovation, creation, and acceleration of free information, content, and potential solutions. The greatest of which must be the exponential growth and reach of the most powerful communication and freedom-feeding beast ever created by many around the globe - the Internet. From Vannevar Bush's first concept to Norbert Wiener and his "cybernetics" to AI research at Dartmouth and on to many real electronic "networking" evolutions over 5+ decades...our Internet of today almost fits all of the conceptual bills of great minds who just needed technologies to catch up.

A very similar catch-up trend has occurred with users of Internet potential as well. We here in North America have more than doubled our numbers of users over the last decade and have almost 75% of our population on-line now, compared to one-third of that, overall, for the world. However, our increase is weak in comparison to the top two regions of growth - the Middle East and Africa, which experienced approx. 16- and 14-fold increases in Internet connectivity over the last decade, respectively (see www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm).

Why is this important?

Well, think about our country and other places of relative political and economic freedoms and those who would like to knock us down a notch or two...or destroy us with one virus, hacker effort, dirty bomb, or worse at a time. The gifts of communication and networking via the Internet have now offered any exporter of hate the same affordable and efficient means to destroy, as Apple has to market it's line of handheld, content solutions.


The next decade holds as many challenges as any before now, as we do our best to harness the power of the Internet for economic growth, community building, content-sharing, and expansion of free thought and democratic ideals (Iran, for example) like never before. However, it also brings the greatest downside potential from those who use this great equalizer of communication to network, train, and destroy. Cyber-terror is so much more than a bad virus taking out your hard-drive and/or email address book. It's a threat to the world that requires everyday folks, web professionals, and governments to pool their collective creativity, web ingenuity, and cyber-solutions to keep ahead of the those who now communicate and organize on-line with greater skill than those we are chasing between caves.

It is, indeed, a very connected world that forces us to take the proverbial bitter with the very, very sweet. This world just needs about one million of us for every one of them, stepping up to notice those on-line, in public places, in positions of influence, and anywhere damage can be done...and be ready to quickly alert authorities when something just does not seem right...preferably before anyone's underwear starts to smoke.

Let's get real...

Thanks to our downtown Rotary and John Bailey, plus a mutual friend in MI, I was introduced to Michael Angelo Caruso. Look him up on FB and LinkedIn. He is a natural speaker. No notes, no ppt presentation, just a natural conversationalist. This morning's seminar at our downtown Riviera Theatre was engaging and entertaining....two adjectives that are missing from most seminars.

As you can tell, if you scroll down, it's been a few weeks since I've had something blog-worthy to post. The fact that I am now involved and managing a great org of talent in interactive and "what now?" on-line marketing should be enough. However, it took meeting someone, a kindred spirit so-to-speak, to share not only the person, but just how we met.

As I've posted before...never underestimate or blow off another conversation and/or meeting. You never know just where it will lead. I first crossed paths with Michael just a few weeks ago via an invitation from a mutual friend to connect on Facebook. After a few days, I looked Michael up, saw our mutual contacts, and then clicked to "friend"...because you just never know..... Then, I received a note that he would be in our hometown for a seminar and that we should discuss our potential business connection. Fast-forward to last eve and a great conversation with friends at our Pub and then the invitation to attend his seminar this morning.

Never, never blow off any conversation that could lead you to unanticipated connections.

Michael is a sales and marketing pro. We have a lot in common there. Cannot say where this goes down the line, but I'll guarantee that we have many more conversations and mutual business interests to pursue.

Nano Networking is not just a catchy phrase...it is a daily way of connecting and making great things happen.

Have a great weekend to come,
Brad

Now is the time for those searching for great opportunities...

We certainly have had quite a year or two. Political turnover, financial firms collapsing, and one of the worst economic downturns in history...and those are just the highlights.

However, every downturn produces opportunities for personal and professional renewal. I have an opportunity for any company or individual to benefit from the timely launch of our social media/web crawler technology and interactive platforms with EyeExposure...the world's first turnkey, rifle-approach, web marketing firm that is affordable and effective in ways no other firm can claim. Learn more @ www.EyeExposure.com .

We all know more than a few people in need of a boost for their business and/or a career renewal...feel free to forward anyone in your network to me and let me see what I can do for them, as we seek to fill our network of marketers all across North America.

What's your elevator pitch?

I'm not sure who first coined "the elevator pitch", but an easy guess would be someone with little patience who was just confined to an elevator with another who just could not explain himself nor his business in a clear, concise manner. The phrase has been historically attributed to pitching a business, investment, or both to any given audience, in one minute or less. I say a lot less. In this day and age, one minute can take forever to pass in a one-way communication. Email is now too slow...text messages and Twitter "tweets" are the new email...short and sweet, just like any given "elevator pitch". God be with the stationary and ink pen manufacturers.

My elevator pitch? Having managed a variety of businesses, including direct-response ad firms and now in the interactive web world...there's too much to explain and most people, frankly, just don't care. Thus, here's my simple and sweet EP:

"I manage and profitably grow businesses for guys who are just tired of doing it themselves."

That's it. No background about my education, the types of businesses I've owned and/or managed, the family and/or emotional exhaustion that typically leads others to bring me in...none of that. Just a short and sweet EP that any target audience can understand.

As opposed to one person and one pitch, think about the potential for something much bigger. How about our national healthcare debate. Here's the elevator pitch that is winning, as evidenced recent polls taken just this past week:

"A government take-over of our healthcare system, like anything the government does, will be a disaster."

Maybe. Why can't we talk about Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security in such terms? Why shouldn't our gov just get out of those businesses too, if the government always leads to disaster?

What if the Cheerleader in Chief came back with this elevator pitch/sound bite at every meeting, town hall, press conference, and press interview:

"After decades of ideas and talk, now is the time to make affordable and secure healthcare available to all children and working families in America, which will result in improved educational, career, and economic development opportunities for decades to come"

No mention of "public option", insurance competition, social and class warfare issues, taxes, etc. Just a boiled down elevator pitch that hints at "sick kids cannot learn like healthy kids", "healthier families are more productive families", "pre-existing conditions are not an issue anymore", and "our economic future depends on a healthy, educated, and productive workforce". Most of all, no mention of the enemies of any change or reform of any kind.

Whether you are a CEO, a PR pro, a preacher, Commander in Chief, or Joe Six-Pack, the short and sweet explanation of your mission, passion, or advocacy of any given issue will serve you well, as long as the one you are pitching will give you the time of day.

Please be one of the few, the proud, the catalyst for others...

In just a few minutes, it will be August 2009. Not much to crow about there.

However, this has been a very interesting, crow-worthy year, so far. Lots of meetings, lots of conversations, and plenty of strategy, positioning, and all-around guessing as to where relationships and this economy will take us, individually and collectively.

We have no shortage of talent and brains popping out of our higher-ed institutions and corporate America. Never has our generation, and others, seen such competition between those just launching their career and those who find themselves in a "restructuring" pickle.

In short, few people can or will help those in such a situation...and I speak from experience.

For the few reading this, please offer yourself in mind and spirit, plus connections, to those who are seeking their next frontier of win-win. It's just not that difficult to take a few minutes per workday to connect others, who need talent, to those who will almost give that talent away. Tough times require exponential creativity...from talent and those who hire such talent...and, especially, those who know how to connect the two.

Think about anyone you know who needs their next challenge, anyone you see with a sign in his or her hand, and anyone you hear about...you just could be the next, totally uncompensated ($'s) agent for greatness. Isn't that enough? You will be far richer for such an effort.

Have a great weekend,
Brad

It IS a small world, after all...

In my little world, there seems to be a different surprise, lesson, or person everyday that adds value to what others, and/or this guy, are/is trying to accomplish in one or more corners of our community.

Yesterday was a perfect example. One meeting in the morning and another in the afternoon....each allowing me to make the right introductions, spark initial conversations, and intro multiple business models and projects in need of added-value. Never mind that there were great connections, a la "Making Connections", initialized at each locale...the merging of talent in the business and web savvy worlds was just what was needed yesterday and should provide ample mutual benefits to come in just a few weeks. We shall see.

My point is this. I am thinking everyday about just who is doing what, who knows what, who has talent or not, and just who needs to meet who to help add value to thier given project, mission, or worthwhile cause of helping others. Here's my guess at a Matrix of Benefit from just one day and four hours of effort in meetings:

2 meetings
5 people (total)
6 challenged projects in need of added value
Over a dozen projects/start-up's to benefit over the long-term
How many talented people and org's will be involved....who knows???

That was just one day.

Think about how you approach each meeting, each networking event, and each cocktail hour with those who know you or need to know you. Find your "hedgehog" concept, your mission's elevator pitch, and pinpoint those you can help and connect to bigger and better things to come. Then, you can really forge your path in your current role and, most of all, in future roles where your talent is appreciated even more.

Have a blessed weekend and week to come,
Brad

What goes around, comes around again....

This blog is about business. It's about personal character and motivation to source the best mix of reality and hope, as well. I cannot write in words how the past few days really delivered another "that's why that happened", "those stars aligned", "God just pulled off another one"...take your pick.

In an earlier post, I detailed a meeting I attended in the late 1990's with apathy, if not dread. That turned out to be a really special business deal and relationship....not to mention lucrative. The takeaway? Again, respect the relationships and don't predetermine outcomes. That is just foolish.

Now, I have a better one. I worked with one of the most engaging, entertaining, and Zig Ziglar-esque professionals for less than a year or so back in 1995. He was a force of nature. Well, we both found other entrepreneurial opportunities and went our separate ways. Except for one time @ the airport, living in the same town, we never crossed paths again...until this past week.

A mutual friend invited both of us to a meeting, neither of us knowing that the other was coming. This was supposed to be a simple business discussion over coffee and it became quite the reunion. Who knows where it goes from here, but I was reminded again that all of us need to respect every conversation, meeting, and the potential of what may be just a few degrees away from where we think we are headed. As always, keep your eyes and ears open, look for what you can do for the other person as he or she hopefully returns the intent, and then explore the mutual potential past any given conversation, meeting, or gathering of any kind. You just never know where those nano-networking moments will take you, as was reaffirmed for me again today.

Just launched today...

Here's another tool in the relationship-building, contact nurturing, and nano-networking arsenal:

www.talkfusion.com/1609602

No more clutter...just the personalized video message you want to deliver and that your contact, customer, client, funding source, or even family member prefers over text email or voice mail messages.

See what you think and I appreciate any feedback at ginnyandbrad@msn.com

Have a great Father's Day weekend,
Brad

Starbuck's tip from a friend....

Having lunch today with a good friend, Hugh Nystrom, was a treat. We discussed business and just how to help his team's mission (see Childhelp Tennessee ) here in our home region. Then, Hugh had a very interesting observation regarding networking...or NanoNetworking, as I see it.

Think about how many times you go through the drive-through at your favorite coffee shop. Hugh did that too... before he realized that almost every other time he went into the coffee shop, he reconnected with an old friend, acquaintance, or just met someone that he knew would help Childhelp's mission. Sometimes the simple acts end up resulting in great ways to reconnect or meet those you would have missed by taking the usual path. Think about your daily routine and consider the possibilities moving forward.

Worthwhile causes...I'm talking to you.

I've sat in meetings over the years with one too many great groups of community leaders who perpetually struggle with the Big Ask of those who are faithful contributors and with those who know nothing of the given mission within that non-profit organization. Much like a for-profit business, you must first know your various audiences and plan events around preferences, demands, and support potential. Here are a few examples, including Labor Intensity vs. ROI:

* Golf tourneys, 5k runs, boating, other large scale athletic/outdoor events - keep in mind that these are mostly about the sport or event, not the cause. You cannot adequately share emotional, meaningful, and lasting stories while a bunch of guys just want to tee off, all are stretching and waiting for the starting gun, or cocktails are being served on the Lido deck....talk about failure to launch. These events are opportunities for big supporters, especially corporate, that can do their part for the community at-large, invite those who mean a lot to their business, and have fun with a diverse groups of participants. These are certainly great publicity events, as well, but are super labor-intensive. Big players with deep pockets must be involved before taking on such an event or this will be a net loss for any given mission.

* On the other extreme, there are "friendraisers". Groups of a dozen to a few dozen potential supporters gathering at the home of someone or a family that everyone there knows, admires, and values their opinion. Your mission now has a heightened credibility and all are ready to learn more about the value of the mission, what it means to our greater community, and just what greater support would mean for all involved. The Big Ask is expected and should be delivered in the way that best suits the generous host or hosts, with the most tactful means to continue the conversation via newsletters and on-line communication in perpetuity. The Big Ask could include the host "passing the plate" so to speak and/or sending everyone away with a small token of appreciation, including a reply envelope. These events, with an engaging and committed host, are not as labor-intensive, have very little expense involved, and well worth most organizations' time and energy.

* There are plenty of great events in-between that offer great publicity, boosts to top-of-mind awareness of the mission, volunteers, and also financial ROI per event. However, any event is only worth its salt if enough engaged volunteers step up or answer the call, engage, and help the organization's staff pull off the best effort possible. A shabby volunteer effort will lead to a lessened event and potentially a lasting, poor image of the mission and those involved. That cannot be an option. You are better off networking like mad, one-on-one, than throwing large, lousy events that demean the daily struggle to better our community.

Obviously, any event creates NanoNetworking diamonds among a sea of various stones gathered. However, organizations with limited resources, and a primary focus on the daily mission, must seek the paths of least resistance and greatest ROI potential and not waste time and energy on more distracting events that leave little impression and long-term growth potential. As I advise worthwhile org's on a regular basis, it all starts with the core group of support and this group must be strategically explored and walked through a thinking process that leads to the people and places that can mean the most to that mission's success. It takes a different way of thinking and exploring minds and hearts, which is one of my favorite things to do.

Should you be all a-Twitter?

Maybe so. Beyond those with celebrity followings and/or narcissistic tendencies, there are plenty of applications and motivations to join the world of Twitter and keep other like-minds informed.

Here are a few general categories of value-added, real-world applications:

* Worthwhile causes should tweet their best, daily to weekly, success stories to the benefit of staff members' morale, confidence of financial contributors, and an overall boost in positive publicity, mission credibility, and pride in what is accomplished everyday

* Small-businesses can differentiate themselves with timely tweets to drive clients and customers to win-win deals during certain day-parts or seasons in need of a revenue boost

* Houses of Faith could re-connect and tweet their congregations - with celebrations, opportunities of service, mission trip reports, and even bereavements - as never before.

* Politico's and other public servants can tweet their worth to supporters, voters, taxpayers, and competitors alike...creating a record of, hopefully, routine accomplishments

* Networks of professionals could collaborate to tweet mutual opportunities for community and business growth and prosperity

* Any successful and beneficial mission can tweet their way to greater top-of-mind awareness, support, and competitive advantage with a following that appreciates their contributions to our community

We can all think of organizations, groups, and businesses that can greatly benefit from any given following of fans.

The key to really tweet success is cross-promoting a variety of what works best in a healthy community of diverse interests, personalities, and culture.

Now, go get all a-Twitter.

What the devil is NanoNetworking?

NanoNetworking is very simple. First, you must consider the scale and scope of your relationships. We all know people and those people know more people and so on. Now, think about what you need to achieve your goals, expand a bigger mission than just you, take on new opportunities, etc. How do those achievements to come and those who can help you come together? The answer is you.

No matter if you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, a high-powered CEO or a non-profit Executive Director, a youth director or a church elder...you have circles of influence that can easily be explored one conversation at a time. You just have to start with those closest to you, offer a specific goal to achieve, and be open to where and to whom each conversation may take you.

Most of us tend to stick with what and who we know, stay in our respective comfort zones, and avoid the Big Ask like the swine flu. My advise is to push those boundaries, while appreciating and honoring the relationships that you have today. The Big Ask is nothing more than a face-to-face conversation with each of those you admire, trust, and would help, if asked yourself. After 20 years of so of Big Ask's, here are just three case studies of mine that you may find interesting:

* In the mid-1990's, a fellow marketer/friend of mine called up with a Big Ask to meet with a guy about a product he created. I agreed, but did not look forward to the meeting. In our business, 99% of product ideas never make it to market. This one did. We sold over $100 million in product in just a few years. Answering my friends call, respecting the relationship, and seeing the opportunity through all of its usual up's and down's paid off quite well.

* A few years ago, I decided to stop at a golf-related business I had passed over and over again traveling along the interstate. I bought a few things, met some nice people, and eventually met the owner. I invited him to play golf, visit with us in E. TN, and get to know one another better. From stranger to friend to business associate in no time flat! My Big Ask was simply to get to know one another and our businesses better. Business deals came and went and we are still friends and exploring other opportunities to come.

* Recently mentoring the #1 worldwide, non-profit brand, I advised this group of leaders to stop thinking about "who we know" in global terms and start thinking about the same in very specific terms. Three leaders answered my Big Ask with their take on this mission's ties to another well-known, service organization, to companies in need of federally mandated training they offer, and to initial effortsin the philanthropic and fundraising communities. Each example of circles of influence led the expansion of conversation and thought that eventually defined a NanoNetwork road-map for each to pursue and greatly benefit their part of that mission. Still to come... we must drill-down with each of the three team leaders to see that each road-map is maximized and allowed to twist and turn as needed.

Thinking "outside of the box" is as cliche' as phrases can be. However, there is wisdom in getting outside any given boundaries and keeping one eyes and ears open for known and unknown opportunities. It just takes a spark of thought sometimes to get there.