Friends

The time is NOW! Enjoy the words of Seth Godin!! If you aren’t registered to receive his daily dose of wisdom, I encourage you to do so.

At the same time that our economic engines are faltering, something else is happening. Like all revolutions, it happens in fits and starts, without perfection, but it’s clearly happening.

The mass market is being replaced by multiple micro markets and the long tail of choice.

Google is connecting buyers and sellers over vaster distances, more efficiently and more cheaply than ever before.

Manufacturing is more of a conceptual hurdle than a practical one.

The exchange of information creates ever more value, while commodity products are ever cheaper. It takes fewer employees to generate more value, make more noise and impact more people.

Most of all is this: every individual, self-employed or with a boss, is now more in charge of her destiny than ever before. The notion of a company town or a stagnant industry with little choice is fading fast.

Right before your eyes, a fundamentally different economy, with different players and different ways to add value is being built. What used to be an essential asset (for a person or for a company) is worth far less, while new attributes are both scarce and valuable.

Are there dislocations? There’s no doubt about it. Pain and uncertainty and risk, for sure.

The opportunity, though, is the biggest of our generation (or the last one, for that matter). The opportunity is there for anyone (with or without a job) smart enough to take it–to develop a best in class skill, to tell a story, to spread the word, to be in demand, to satisfy real needs, to run from the mediocre middle and to change everything.

¡Note! Like all revolutions, this is an opportunity, not a solution, not a guarantee. It’s an opportunity to poke and experiment and fail and discover dead ends on the way to making a difference. The old economy offered a guarantee–time plus education plus obedience = stability. The new one, not so much. The new one offers a chance for you to take a chance and make an impact.

¡Note! If you’re looking for ‘how’, if you’re looking for a map, for a way to industrialize the new era, you’ve totally missed the point and you will end up disappointed. The nature of the last era was that repetition and management of results increased profits. The nature of this one is the opposite: if someone can tell you precisely what to do, it’s too late. Art and novelty and innovation cannot be reliably and successfully industrialized.

In 1924, Walt Disney wrote a letter to Ub Iwerks. Walt was already in Hollywood and he wanted his old friend Ubbe to leave Kansas City and come join him to build an animation studio. The last line of the letter said “PS I wouldn’t live in KC now if you gave me the place—yep—you bet—Hooray for Hollywood.” And, just above, in larger letters, he scrawled, “Don’t hesitate—Do it now.”

It’s not 1924, and this isn’t Hollywood, but it is a revolution, and there’s a spot for you (and your boss if you push) if you realize you’re capable of making a difference. Or you could be frustrated. Up to you.

Seth Godin

Defining what we value begins by recognizing who we value. As a former educator I always tried to lead with passion. I wanted to establish my sincerity as I helped shape my existence and the existence of my former students. I wanted to make sure my passion and commitment caused those around me to revel in it and inspire them to tap into their own passion. Passion is a choice! I tried to lead with passion, honesty and commitment, so others would not only follow, but follow the students I was mentoring. The passion, excitement and comradery between all of us, is front and center. As we continue in life’s journey, we realized; success is our journey, not our final destination.  We’ve already been rewarded being part of each other’s journey! Our journey is measured in the friends we have, rather than the miles we travel! Our commitment to excellence and each other is prevalent. Even after so many years, nothing has changed! We continue moving forward!

How many of you spend your days listening to other people’s perception of you, whether they’re friends, family or colleagues who devote their efforts trying to devalue your talents/gifts?

Too often people bask in this sea of negativity and try to figure out why their life is mediocre or unfulfilling.

Have you ever wondered why? Could it be their insecurities or your own?

Maybe the reason why people devalue you is because you’ve placed yourself on the clearance rack?

Your price tag has been marked down and you’ve become the bargain basement special.

There has to come a point in your life when your own self-worth shouldn’t be determined by others, but by yourself.

If the value you place on yourself is small, rest assured the world will not raise your price.

Orlando Espinosa

Emineo Media

Plenty of information has been written about leaders and what makes them successful. A successful leader will exhibit many characteristics, traits and actions that will cause others to follow them. Why? Because they see something in them worth following.

Here are a few thoughts on what I believe are key to a successful leader.

• Lead because you want to

• Lead with compassion and truth

• Deliver a message that inspires and motivates

• Live by the code others will emulate

• Provide a vision for the future. Offer hope

• Provide those you lead a chance to shine

• Make other people feel important and appreciated

• Live a life of integrity. Not only by words, but by your actions as well

• Set the standards others are willing to follow

• Cultivate the talents of those you lead

• Continuously learn and educate others

• Create an environment of constant development

• Set the pace through your expectations and example

• Provide opportunities for people to grow, both personally and professionally

• Care and act with compassion

• Everyone has potential. Look beyond their short comings

Remember! Just because you have a title doesn’t make you a leader

I’m not easily moved by what I see, nor moved by what I hear. Too often we are bombarded with videos from speeches that try to move and inspire us, but end up going nowhere. When you start a business you search for inspiration from others who have paved the way to success and have done so by delivering a simple message that resonates with the audience.  Here is a simple message that moved me from Simon Sinek that asks, “Start with the Why.”

10 Inspiring TED Talks for Startups.

Nike built their brand through simple lessons and created one of the best know taglines in marketing, “Just Do It.” Sometimes business owners over think their brand and a simple concept becomes convoluted through a complicated thought process. Here are 12 simple lessons from Nike to help build your brand!

1. Create it: Not everything you create needs to be a production like the one above. In fact, none of it does (although that would be cool). Just think outside the box a bit and try to create something interesting.

2. Tag it: Make sure to label, tag or categorize your content using relevant keywords so it is easier to find for those looking for that type of information.

3. Enjoy it: Creating content doesn’t have to be the arduous and dreadful task a lot of folks make it out to be. Let yourself get creative. Create something with a small group. Let yourself have fun and you’ll probably create something pretty cool.

4. Say it: Don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Differing opinions, ideas and insights are what make content and the conversations they spur interesting. Take a stand. Pick a side. Push back on conventional wisdom.

5. Shout it: Spread the word. Once you’ve created something interesting, make sure everyone who might be interested in it hears about it. Use your social networks, but don’t forget about traditional channels like email to get the word out.

6. Push it:  Get outside your comfort zone. Challenge yourself. You’ll be amazed what is possible.

7. Bite it: Rather, don’t be afraid to bite it. Risk taking doesn’t always have a happy ending. Calculated risks have better odds, but there is always a chance things aren’t going to pan out they way you planned.

8. Perfect it: From the point above. Learn from your experiments; the failures and the successes and use that new knowledge to move ahead smarter and more savvy.

9. Believe it: Trust that you have the knowledge and ability to contribute to your community in interesting and meaningful ways.

10. Face it: Inbound marketing must become a part of your marketing mix. People are finding the products and services they need and want online more than ever. The opportunity is right there for the taking.

11. Live it: Creating and sharing content should not be one-off, “special projects” that get assigned periodically. This is an investment that will pay off well into the future. Make it part of your company’s culture.

12. Love it: Reap the benefits. Inbound marketing works. Everything above will add up to a greater awareness of your brand. Couple this with a strong conversion strategy (offers, calls to actions and landing pages) and you’ll see more leads and customers.

Are you ready to JUST DO IT!

Emineo Media

When you lead a population of students who mirror the United Nations, you have to go outside of your comfort zone and brace yourself for a lesson in Diversity. As a leader I’ve never been one to limit anyone with a label or a tag because that’s not part of the big picture. The big picture represents delivering a message to a wider audience and not defining that audience because they don’t share the same language or skin color.

Essential Leadership Through Diversity!.