*Star In The Margin

Is It Spam?

[Your Name Here] — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:22:13 +0000

Here's an old list worth rereading if you're into email marketing.

My favorite is the last one...would you send the message if you had to pay postage?

Treat People Like Family

[Your Name Here] — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:57:36 +0000

As a leader, a large part of earned respect is dependent on your delivery...not what you say, but how you say it. Here’s a simple rule I follow...treat subordinates as you would your own family. If you wouldn’t say it to your loved ones, don’t say it that way to the people at work. Now, extend that to customers, peers and others in general.

A slight twist of the golden rule...and very effective.

Which One Is Your Job?

[Your Name Here] — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:38:05 +0000

Not long ago this occupational hybrid was unheard of. Your "job" was what you did to give you some freedom to go fishing on the weekends. Computers, broadband access and the internet have changed that. Now, you can have four jobs...and the lines between work, passion and play are significantly blurred.

Cool times!

Growing Your Tribe

[Your Name Here] — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:29 +0000

The folks at Natural Running Store really get it. They understand that you aren't buying shoes. Rather, you're buying attention, special treatment and the feeling that someone cares about you.

This is a powerful example of how technology can amplify hospitality and help you build an audience of loyal, raving fans vs. simply applying digital to traditional marketing methods, i.e., email blasts and banner ads.

Don't create billboards, create engagement.

Inspiration

[Your Name Here] — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:56:10 +0000

Most people fall into one of two categories. They are either more prone to wait for instructions. Or, they choose to initiate and inspire. Waiting for a road map is easier and seems safer. Unfortunately, it also leaves you in an unenviable position...being indistinguishable. And as a commodity your value is determined by someone else, instead of you. On the other hand, taking a chance by executing an unproven idea or stepping up to solve an interesting problem is tough...and a bit scary. But, that’s leadership. And that’s what separates you from the pack...and creates tremendous value.

The world has way more followers than we need, leaving plenty of room for those who choose to inspire. I hope you do.

Choosing

[Your Name Here] — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:03:50 +0000

There’s been a lot of riffing and ranting about Facebook’s recent IPO announcement, particularly how wealthy Zuckerberg and key FB execs will become when the company finally goes public. You hear things like “boy, I wish I would have done that.” My response is, “why didn’t you?”

The first rule of becoming an expert, starting a company, executing a great idea, becoming a billionaire, etc., is to choose to do it. Way too often, however, we simply choose not to.

The second rule is to choose remarkable. Choose a path that departs from average, that ends in a place that people will talk about. Don’t settle.

The third rule is to choose to immerse yourself with people who are aligned with you in your pursuits. Find others who make similar choices...people who act like you do.

The last rule and probably the most important is to not make the wrong choice...don’t choose not to do something. Instead, please go get started.

Resumes

[Your Name Here] — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:00:38 +0000

If you insist on showing me a resume, please dispense with the traditional format and go with something more meaningful. Instead of the "objective" tell me your dream. Listing experience is fine, but how about adding your core values. Your competency isn't as important to me as what you stand for, what your passionate about and how you live your life. If we're well aligned in those areas, we can overcome competency deficiencies. If not, it's probably a losing battle for both of us.

The Importance of Ecosystems

[Your Name Here] — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:00:25 +0000

Taking a chapter out of Apple's fully integrated "system", the others (Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.) are now in a full throttle war to get you to buy-in to their ecosystem. It's a simple formula...how much of your on-line experience stays in one portal? In order to secure more of your attention (translates into sales), each of these organizations must build both physical and on-line systems to make you feel completely comfortable. It needs to appeal to your tastes and be really, really simple and intuitive...a la Apple. Google isn't adding YouTube movies to sell movies per se. It's another reason for you to stay at home on the Google ecosystem. Why go to Netflix?

Kindle Fire, Nook, iPad...designed to keep you in the system.

Not so long ago, the measuring stick was which site you had your browser home page set to. Now, it's which ecosystem do you spend most of your time in.

Changing the World

[Your Name Here] — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:25:46 +0000

Remarkable work changes things. And you can't get there without people who are willing to risk being labeled creative, daring or even crazy. More likely, these are people who are willing to be inspired, to be a part of something bigger than themselves. The key then is to steer clear of the cogs, people afraid to contribute anything more than the required 8 hours.

If everyone on your team doesn't subscribe to the idea that changing the world is important, even in some small yet important way, I'd start changing the team.

Free Work

[Your Name Here] — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:29:20 +0000

One of the cheapest and most effective ways to advertise is to give your work away for free. In the right hands, this sort of immersion is very powerful and the idea spreads, almost effortlessly. There are two risks...you give it away to the wrong people, people who would otherwise have no interest...and that your product is average. Both produce the same outcome...the price they are willing to pay is at or near zero. The pressure then is to do something so remarkable that even in the wrong hands it seems satisfactory.

Then there's the fear factor. People who are afraid to give anything away, a song, an ebook or a recipe are hiding behind the false notion that this somehow protects them and their pricing strategy. The worry is that someone will steal their idea and benefit from it. In reality, this sort of theft isn't that difficult anymore. So, the protection effort and the associated annoyances to the fan base are hardly worth it. But, more importantly, what they don't understand is that most people don't want something for free, especially if it's really great. There is an inherent quality in most of us that wants to reward people for brilliant work. So, again, the ultimate form of protection is to do something that matters, that creates such a stir that it compels people to talk about it.

All roads lead to remarkable as the best insurance policy.