 A friend of mine who I’ve come to know through the online community known as #UsGuys, is a popular DJ in Vancouver, British Columbia. His name is Dave Reynolds of 99.7 FM The River, the morning DJ of a rock station with an eclectic playlist. He has a voice you can’t stop listening to and a heart bigger than the Great White North. Put it all together and his show is irresistible. Every year at this time, Dave raises money and food donations to feed those less fortunate in the Campbell River area. But how he does it is quite a story… The River Relief TruckDave lives in an extremely big but unfancy 53' transport trailor, called the River Relief Truck, until he fills it with food. This year, he suffered through freezing cold nights when his heater wouldn’t work but he had a bigger mission and a higher call. Somewhere along the line, he cut his hands adding blood to the equation (and perhaps, a certain amount of symbolism as well). Helping Dave get out of that truck became almost as important as feeding the hungry and people responded — not just those local to Campbell River, but from all over the nation and even the world. The power of communityRemember that online community I mentioned? Well, it’s a pretty special group of people and Dave leveraged not just the power of radio, but the power of social media to get the story out (my friend, Ty Sullivan, wrote a wonderful post on this). Live video streaming along with his live radio show brought his efforts home for us all and inspired people all over the world. Over time, Dave has forged bonds with many people online — through Twitter, Facebook and even through some live video chats I hosted where you really get a sense for a person (somehow video makes smoking cigars and drinking tequila as you are shown the outside of somebody’s home very real). Now it was time to bring this all together in an effort to help others. When the first truck was filled and we thought Dave would finally be able to go home to a warm bed, he threw us a curve ball: he announced that he was staying on and would now fill a second truck too! People responded again. A third truck, over 1000 turkeys, countless boxes of food and A MILLION DOLLARS later, 9000 families would now have a holiday meal that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. In fact, they were able to not only fill the Campbell River Food Bank, but went on to fill the Gold River Food Bank too! Creativity and labor of love in actionDave put a stake in the ground and together with the help of countless volunteers, the world responded. He inconvenienced himself in a creative, dramatic display of helping others. And it worked! It kind of makes me think of someone else who suffered to help others, especially during this time of year. I don’t think this idea was lost on others, either — and the payoff was turkeys, food and dollars. As Dave said, it was nothing short of a miracle. But we can do this stuff. Happy Holidays!
Here’s a great video on the River Relief Truck and this news article did a nice job introducing the initiative. Image courtesy of Alistair Taylor/The Mirror
Second in a series of posts by Peggy Fitzpatrick and Paul Biedermann.  Attention spans are short. Do you know how long your brand has to hit your target audience? You have only a few seconds to make your first impression. “The addictive nature of web browsing can leave you with an attention span of nine seconds — the same as a goldfish,” said the BBC in this article. “Even if a brand could reach everyone, it still can’t break through most of the time. People simply shut out a message by fast-forwarding or clicking to the next one”, says Sally Hogshead in her book “Fascinate”. Can you and your brand break through the short attention span of the people you are trying to reach? Roger Ebert wrote a brilliant post on “The quest for frisson”, which is the French word for “a brief intense reaction, usually a feeling of excitement, recognition or terror”. This translates into online behavior as the need to “Like,” Plus One and Tweet away — searching for the next buzz. It may be a challenge to capture your audience at warp speed but it is not impossible. To give yourself half a chance, your brand must be targeted and effective. In order for brands to be successful, they must be:
 1. Sharp
Run-of-the-mill won’t cut it. Get rid of those old hand-me-downs and get stylish already! Remember: image is everything. Frumps need not apply.
2. Succinct
Get to the point and shed those extra words. There is no room for verbose fluff, and nobody will read that dense text anyway. So, make sure your most important points are seen loud and clear! Bonus points for making them memorable.
3. Quality
People recognize quality when they see it. Even if only subliminal, high quality is recognized and rewarded. Don’t be mediocre — strive to be the best!
4. Consistent
Brands must present a cohesive message and image, so each time somebody experiences the brand it correlates to the larger whole. The all too-frequent alternative is a disjointed, fractured image that fights itself. There is no difference between a brand with mixed messages and a competitor’s message — they both fight your own brand in the exact same way! There is no room for confusion in branding.
So, what is your brand's message? Can you summarize it in eight to nine seconds or are you missing the mark?
Want to check your attention span? Try this: Psychology Today Attention Span TestImage of dartboard courtesy of raspberreh and licensed via Creative Commons.
First in a series of posts by Peggy Fitzpatrick and Paul Biedermann.  Truly memorable brands, whether personal or business, sprout from their essence. Brands that resonate with people don’t just focus on the product or service they provide, but do something much more palpable: they dig down deep and find what makes them special, and by this we mean more than just their latest sales proposition.
Take a manicure salon for example — is it a business that trims cuticles and polishes nails or is it really more about making people feel good about themselves? What if this brand were to find that one thing that really makes it special: making people feel pampered. Obviously, this would make a far better emotional connection beyond the more ordinary promise of good personal care.
If you are an accountant, is it about how good you are at crunching numbers, or is it that you help people’s financial dreams come true, thereby changing lives? Which makes for a more interesting brand? Which message speaks to people and captures their attention? The more impact your message carries, the better your brand!
Speak to me
Remember, good branding speaks to people. This is as true for companies as it is for individuals. It is easier for businesses to forget this, of course, but there is a change in the air and the savvy business owner or CEO is getting with the program too, humanizing their brands as they increasingly listen to, engage and interact with their customers.
Who are you?
One way to go about defining you, and what your brand should be, is to think about the three things that exemplify your true essence or core. Then take these core brand values and weave them into your total branding message.
What things are as natural to you as breathing and are what make you uniquely YOU? What are your true talents and skills, and what impact might they have on the world? What have people complimented you on over the years? What has made you stand out?
Self-analysis can be a challenge, yet it is critical to brand creation. If you get stuck, you may also try asking close friends to share what they feel makes you the special package that is YOU. Define those elements you feel are most important in achieving your personal or business goals and those that best represent your brand. This is where your true interests and passions lie, and perhaps even intersect with a viable business idea.
What this process also does is guarantee that your brand will be an honest, organic realization of all you are and all you have worked towards. This is what makes great brands shine, but even more, it is also what will make you happiest as you pursue your dreams. Creating a brand for yourself or your business may seem daunting at first, but taking the time upfront to nurture and develop it gives your brand the best chance to grow into something original and long lasting.
Tell your story
If you are able to tie this all together into a captivating story, so much the better. This is what creates an irresistible brand and piques interest in your pursuits. People respond to heartfelt stories, so if you can demonstrate the genesis of how your brand came about and that it was through a natural evolution of who you are, then you could really be onto something special! It will then be more than just a business, and nothing short of the embodiment of your life’s work. Never forget that authenticity is key to any good brand — the goal is to reveal the most honest, real picture of you and/or your business to the world.
 Package your brand
Once you have done the introspection required and honed in on what your brand should really be saying, then you need to take it to the next level. Listen closely, because this is where so many brands falter: you need to package your brand in the best, most effective way possible that expresses all that you are — one that speaks to your market, community, audience, or constituency and conveys your message loud and clear.
Through the smart, strategic use of design and sharp, concise language that gets your points across clearly and succinctly, you will be able to communicate what you or your business is about in a way that engages and brings people into what you have created. Utilizing good typography, color, imagery and other visual components, you will bring your brand to life in a way that either excites or achieves its impact by more subtle measures.
Do it right the first time
One would be wise at this crucial step to go the extra mile and not cut corners, as so many brands mistakenly do. Make your brand image the most desirable, effective one it can be. Many make the mistake of either throwing something together quickly just to get something out, or trying to do it all themselves when an experienced professional would be the smarter course of action.
Please don’t fall into the trap of doing something “good enough for now”, in hopes of redoing it later when resources are more plentiful. Many brands end up dissatisfied with their image but feel stuck, because they feel their logo and brand image already has vested equity and they will lose brand recognition. False starts can doom your brand, or at least become a costly redesign later.
Plan, budget and leave the proper time to get it right upfront. The old adage holds true: you only get one chance to make a first impression.
Well-nurtured, shiny apples stand out and taste the best!
Smart, cohesive branding that is coordinated with all your other marketing efforts and touch points from the beginning, will continuously reinforce itself, speaking with one powerful voice. In today’s busy, distracted, noisy world, it is the only way to ensure your brand has the best shot at being seen and heard. Integrated with your core, your true brand essence, you will have the makings of a brand that cannot be ignored.
Be your brand! And shine.
Images courtesy of www.themeetingplacenorth.co.uk and *Brunna Peretti Loureiro* licensed via Creative Commons.
 Your logo symbolizes all that is your company, product, service or event. It is also the “handshake” for when you can’t be there in person, so it is vital for a business to get the logo right from the very beginning. Conversely, if done incorrectly, it will be a poor reflection on you and your business for a long time to come. Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to breathe life and energy into your business, providing something tangible for people to rally behind. And for Pete’s sake, don’t let your niece or nephew “do your logo” unless they have the proper training and professional background. Countless brand identities have been compromised and otherwise good businesses relegated to the lowly rank of amateur status, simply because their logos looked like Sally or Joey whipped them up in five minutes on their iPod Touches. I hope the following list helps you understand all the things that need to be considered when designing a logo. It is much better to be prepared from the outset, rather than caught off-guard later in the game, with deadlines looming and business opportunities hanging in the balance. 1. SimpleSimple is anything but simple to do. Taking a complex set of business objectives and distilling them down into one simple symbol or logotype that encapsulates everything a particular business is about, while still accomplishing the eleven things that follow, is anything but simple. 2. Unique and memorableWe have all heard there are no new ideas, just a re-hashing of the old ones. However, a first-rate designer will find a way to give your logo a new twist that makes it compelling, triggering a positive association with your business every time it is seen. 3. Don’t be trendyIt is important for logos to be current, but that doesn’t mean trendy. Things that follow the latest gimmicks and hottest trends get old really quick. Shoot for quality design that will stand the test of time — I am sure your business plans to be around for awhile, so your business image should follow suit! 4. On targetNo matter how attractive or memorable a logo is, it won’t mean much if it doesn’t satisfy the business and brand objectives determined at the outset (you did take the time to do this before beginning number 1, didn’t you?). As your business identity continually reinforces your brand, it should also be emphasizing the right things. 5. Work cross-mediaLogos need to work both online and in print. Experienced designers account for this in the earliest stages and design accordingly. This needs to be addressed when producing final art files, as well. Depending on the particular circumstances, it may also need to work for things such as embroidery, engraving, etching, embossing, etc. These may even require alternate logo versions to be created but not all logos are that easily adaptable. 6. Hold up at all sizesLogos need to look good when scaled up to the largest billboard or when reduced to fit the slimmest of pens. There is nothing worse than a logo that reveals its imperfections when giant or looks like a squished bug when small. And here’s one little tip: be sure your logo is designed in vector format (if you don’t know what this is, skip immediately to number 12!). 7. Effective in full-color and one-colorThere will be occasions when a logo still needs to look great when there isn’t the luxury of using multiple colors and costly inks. From low cost promotional items to fancier items such as crystal awards, metal plaques, and embossing on special papers, one-color art is required that will exploit these special manufacturing processes to the fullest. 8. Ease of useA logo that even a professional designer has trouble using is not a good logo. Nor does it help if the usage guidelines are complex and difficult to understand. In fact, it practically guarantees that the logo will appear incorrectly more often than not, thereby fragmenting the brand. 9. Mass appealWhile I believe strongly that there is good design and bad design, logos can be very subjective and what appeals to one person may not appeal to someone else. In fact, many people seem to enjoy shooting down logos as some new kind of blood sport. A quality logo, charged with functioning effectively in the world of commerce, should appeal to more people than not, leaving a positive impression that drives business. 10. Fit the big pictureA logo, no matter how good, is only one component of any comprehensive branding program. It should fit seamlessly with the overall design strategy, ideally forming the foundation of a cohesive program that speaks with one, powerful voice. In the best of situations, the logo provides the visual impetus from which everything else is derived. 11. On budgetWhether you are a fledgling startup or a huge mega-brand, there is a designer or agency that fits your needs. An expert designer will partner with clients to arrive at the best solution, while working within the available resources determined at the outset. 12. Hire a professionalTo ensure that the 11 steps articulated above are taken into full consideration, work with a professional designer or agency. A professional will partner with you to create the right logo for you and your business. It will save time, headaches and money in the long run, and be one of the most important investments your business can make. Designers and branding experts enjoy seeing their clients succeed as much as the clients themselves — pick one you trust and see the results for yourself! If accomplishing all this in one logo seems a bit like standing on your head, chewing gum and rubbing your tummy all at the same time, it is. Only more difficult. Logos are widely misunderstood and their simplicity can deceive one into thinking they are easy to do. But if you look at the list above, I think you will see that a good logo which may look simple on the outside, is anything but simple on the inside. In fact, most designers consider logos to be among the most difficult of assignments. So, what has your experience been with logos? Are you happy with yours and has it been effective for your business? Is there anything you would have done differently?
This post first appeared on the best list site on the web, 12 Most. Image by Paul Biedermann
 New York, New York — the city so nice they named it twice, also happens to be one of the more expensive places on earth. But it doesn’t need to be that way! Having lived and worked in the City (as it’s known to locals) for many years, my favorite things to do have always been those not requiring expensive ticket purchases. I’m here to tell you why. The City inspires me, and in it, I am always a tourist. A friend of mine used to make note of how I would always walk through its streets as if it was my first time; looking up, down and around. Even when walking to work each day, I would take different routes in hopes of catching glimpses of and discovering things I hadn’t seen before. I was rarely let down. Magnificent in the sun, New York City glistens as light bounces off the Chrysler Building, turning it into a shimmering upside-down icicle. But in the rain, the City is moody, magical, and every bit as special. Here is proof that you can find endless entertainment there, no matter what the weather, without spending a lot of money: 1. Wander aimlesslyExploring the City’s streets on foot is always an adventure. The diverse array of stores, art galleries, alleyways and nooks and crannies have given me some of my biggest kicks while living and working in Manhattan, not to mention some of my best photographs. Even with a young child in tow, the multitude of languages spoken, world music played and sights to behold is sure to stimulate all of our baby Einsteins. 2. Experience Central ParkSurprises at every turn, this is where one can do everything from strolling through Strawberry Fields as John and Yoko once did, to climbing the steps of Belvedere Castle, riding an antique carousel, jogging around the Reservoir, watching street performers of all types, roller-bladers and even the occasional passerby with a ten-foot boa constrictor. All the same day. 3. Hike the Brooklyn BridgeAbout a mile each way, this iconic bridge offers grand views. Walking it is like walking history. Both sides of the bridge have much to offer, with the South Street Seaport on the Manhattan side and Brooklyn Heights on the other. By the way, there is a separate level for walkers above the cars, so one need not worry too much about safety. 4. Wade through the Strand BookstoreA treasure trove of books, both new and old, the Strand is nothing short of a New York City landmark. One can get lost in its stacks for hours during the day, only to exit when dark. Many people leave several pounds heavier, lugging giant bags packed with their newly-purchased discoveries. But sticking to the theme of “free”, you can do all your reading in the store. 5. Explore Grand Central StationRenowned as a place where busy commuters act out scenes of turbo-charged urban chaos on a daily basis, there are also hidden secrets lurking in its quieter corners. I have ventured behind the giant windows that make up the iconic facades at both ends, and walked across their thick glass floors. I have witnessed the “Whispering Gallery” in action, which is a nifty acoustical trick near the famed Oyster Bar & Restaurant. Along with a few other noteworthy restaurants and bars, the Station is also home to a wonderful gourmet market, several great stores, and the annual Holiday Market at which I have found many unique, handcrafted gifts over the years. 6. Walk the High LineThis new city oasis is an inspired idea, transforming areas once left to rot into a place of beauty and reflection. The old elevated railroad tracks on the west side have gone through a spectacular metamorphosis, not unlike the butterflies which inhabit its gardens. Now a park hovering 20 feet above the street, it is wonderfully designed with both places to wander and benches to sit and ponder. Within the nuanced urban landscaping, the artist’s hand is ever present, including the many sculptures and other works scattered about. This spot is a jewel to behold. 7. Find a street fairEspecially during the Summer months, street fairs in New York are as common as the yellow cabs themselves. I find the ethni-specific ones to be especially fascinating, as they have different wares being pedalled from the tents than the more ordinary street fairs and always new, interesting foods to experience. 8. Visit the Chelsea art galleriesHome to hundreds of galleries, this is where the most interesting art is found these days. The streets outside capture much of the same creativity energy you will find inside, except the art is directly on the walls, rather than hanging in front. 9. Rummage through Canal StreetFrom millions of strange little plastic doohickies, odd mechanical parts from an era gone by, mirrors of all shapes and sizes, every kind of art supply imaginable and just general bric-a-brac, Canal Street is a dizzying experience to behold. Bordering on Chinatown, one will also find Peking Ducks hanging in windows and fish so fresh, they at times jump right off the ice at the outdoor markets, sometimes even landing at your feet (happened to me!). 10. Lose yourself in the NYC Public LibraryThis great, massive institution can only be appreciated by experiencing it firsthand. Huge, dark and musty, it is a relic to times past. Outside in front, the steps are a popular place to take a breather and perhaps catch a mime doing his thing. In back, Bryant Park is another jewel of the City that must not be missed. A favorite lunch hour spot, it is a far cry from it’s less-than-spectacular past, when it was dark and dingy with drug dealing so rampant it was nicknamed “Needle Park”. 11. Browse through Colony RecordsLocated beneath the famed Brill Building, the Colony is another great place to get lost for awhile. With the feel of a flea market, it is just plain fun to rediscover music from the past; from records and CDs to sheet music and memorabilia. If you couldn’t find it someplace else, you will likely find it here. I once saw Dwight Gooden picking through the thousands of CDs — same as I, except I didn’t have to pitch that night’s game. 12. Sit in Times SquareI never thought I’d be saying this, but sitting right in the middle of Times Square at an outdoor cafe is a safe, enjoyable experience. It is also a great way to feel the beat of the City at its heart, and watch the many different people go by. If you had tried doing this just a few years ago, you would have likely been run over by a car. Now please understand, this is a post for 12 Most, but I could have easily also filled a list for 24 Most. Fortunately, there is plenty of room for comments below, and I look forward to seeing what your favorite, fantastically-free things are to do in NYC!
This post first appeared on the best list site on the web, 12 Most.
 I belong to an online community called #UsGuys. Just seven months young, it has already become a shining example of how people can get to know each other online, nurture these relationships, and then push them offline as well.
Many of us are astounded by how well we already seem to know each other upon meeting “in real life” (hugs are commonplace). This has powerful business implications because, in essence, it is networking on steroids with global amplification. Before actually meeting, we have already shared business information, stories, photographs, and even personal crises in our lives. We have celebrated holidays and special occasions; we have laughed and perhaps even cried.
Begun as a Twitter tribe focused on business issues around marketing, branding and social media, #UsGuys quickly went beyond the platform’s 140 characters. Starting with Facebook and LinkedIn groups, there is also an #UsGuys website, lots of blogging, emails, Skype calls and weekly live video chats. There have been many meetups in cities around the U.S., Canada and the UK.
 One of the great things about #UsGuys, besides the 24-7, global engagement, is how a special group of smart, respectful people with similar but diverse interests all found each other at this moment in time — just as social media is taking off. We are helping push the medium forward and having fun in the process.
Yet, having grown exponentially in just a few months, the inevitable has happened and #UsGuys is at a crossroads. Many of us are not surprised by this, but now the question is: what keeps #UsGuys from becoming just like any other Twitter stream? Sure, there have been peaks and valleys — but for awhile it has seemed to be missing a certain “je ne sais quoi”. While plenty of people still enter the stream, many have left too.
Navigating the current
Maybe it can never again be what it was when it was smaller, but lately I am sensing some new energy again. At times it is still as active and vibrant as it has ever been, but those times are fewer.
Although the stream might be different now, maybe that’s OK. Ever-evolving, #UsGuys lives, breathes and behaves like the mix of people in the stream at any certain time. But while it may be changing, I think there is a way to maintain some of the qualities that have made #UsGuys special for me and so many others: the constant energy, excitement, fun, innovation, ideas and yes… friendship.
Although #UsGuys already has an established tradition of weekly Twitter chats (#UsGuysChat) and group blog-offs (#UsBlogs) around selected topics, and has even run a successful three-day virtual conference (#usXsw), many people want more. There has been serious discussion about running conferences, getting involved in charitable causes, and perhaps even developing those business ideas that are hatched in the stream so often into viable #UsGuys products and ventures.
The thing is, these kinds of efforts take more structure than a Twitter stream allows and this has been the sticking point that has impeded progress on these fronts. People get uncomfortable whenever “structure” is mentioned in a Twitter stream. And following closely behind “structure” comes that other dirty word, “leadership”. But if people want to do more, one can’t just think of #UsGuys as a Twitter stream. Simply stated, some structure is required to capture this waterfall and bottle it. As things move along, someone has to call the shots or else nothing gets done, because people either wait for someone to take charge or wheels keep spinning as the conflicting opinions of so many are sorted through. But continuing along as we have, I fear the community will lose whatever made it special in the first place — and the longer we wait, the more diluted the stream becomes.
Ripples along the way
Sometimes the stream looks just like another social club, leading to criticism that #UsGuys is nothing more than a clique for people who like to chat. Well, I’m not sure about you, but I don’t like being classified that way, nor am I interested in reliving my high school and college years through #UsGuys. Been there, done that. I am in #UsGuys because of the talented people who are as serious about their careers as I am. And I know that when great minds meet, great things can happen. Don’t get me wrong, I like to have as much fun as the next guy and some very witty people give me daily laughs in the stream. But it must be more than that.
I know that trying to do more with something that’s essence is an open stream poses challenges. But there are a couple of things the members of #UsGuys can do. Besides establishing a strong visual identity which, among other things, will anchor our appearances at events and give us something to rally behind, there is also need for a more robust and professionally designed website. This has been discussed before but never really got off the ground. It would be the place where all the various #UsGuys content comes together. Basic information about the group and a code of conduct should be posted there as well. It could also contain scheduling tools, making events easier to organize. Not an easy task, I know, but this alone would help crystallize what #UsGuys is and serve as a necessary foundation from which to launch other things.
Dive in!
So, I believe it is up to each of us in #UsGuys to make it whole again. When things seem a little slow or frivolous, start a conversation that gets the sparks flying. Ask a question, state an opinion, post an insight — be the catalyst that starts the good, honest debate that has been an #UsGuys hallmark. If someone says something that triggers an idea, jump on it! Engage that person and encourage others to jump in too. That’s the spirit of #UsGuys, and is what makes it different from other streams.
When new folks enter the stream and show sincere interest in staying around, welcome them enthusiastically! Point them to some of the great posts written by #UsGuys members about the group and what has made it special to them.
And, of course, don’t forget to ring the tribal bell! Don’t be shy, anyone can do it! It’s proved itself to be a fantastic way to engage newcomers and have some good laughs in the process. Bring your own creativity to the ritual — the more variations the better. Don’t forget to attach a few @ names too. Others who join in can replace them with their own @ names to spread the introductions around. Those who aren’t in the stream at the time will respond when they can, and the bells will start ringing all over again!
>> Please share your thoughts about what #UsGuys has meant to you in the comments below and any suggestions you might have. And if you are not in #UsGuys, check it out and see if it’s a place for you.
Photos by Yayatoon and John Dunn, Newsday More about #UsGuysMetrics and Statistics about #UsGuys
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 Some friends of mine from the Twitter tribe, #UsGuys, had the novel idea to stage a three-day virtual conference named usXsw for those people not able to attend this year’s SXSW extravaganza in Austin, TX. Rather than sit home and pout, they know it’s always better to get in gear and turn a negative into a win. With more than 250 participants and over 4000 tweets, the event was a resounding success. As an add-on, a few of us orchestrated a live video chat and billed it as the usXsw After Party. Jeff Namnum of Socialisle, @SocialSchoolLI and a recent member of #UsGuys, suggested the idea and hosted the event. Of course, meeting by live video provides several possibilities for engagement. We tossed around the idea of focusing the chat around selected topics, similar to what was being done in the Twitter conference, but quickly abandoned that after a test drive proved it was fun simply spending time together in our virtual party hall. We decided real value could be derived just from giving people the opportunity to finally see each other and talk together after weeks of tweeting, strengthening the relationships of those we’ve met online. It was a blast! And if you don’t believe me, then you weren’t there for our virtual fist bump!
 Exploring new ways to share and develop real, meaningful communities online, requires venturing beyond Twitter’s 140 and Facebook “Likes”. Oddly enough, pushing these online relationships deeper increasingly means driving these relationships further offline. This is how many of us are propelling our newly assembled, globally-amplified networks to bigger things and richer experiences. Beginning with short tweets and comments, posting photos and then moving onto email, video and finally to real life meetups — this seems to be the natural progression of meeting strangers online and converting them into truly meaningful friendships and business relationships in real life. The world is indeed getting smaller. Lights, cameras, actionAs #UsGuys continues to expand and grow globally, perhaps even venturing into other endeavors, video is the right thing at the right time to push our relationships to the next level. It’s also a great tool for facilitating virtual work meetings and planning discussions since geographical realities make meeting in person impractical. Many of us have Skyped together, but video conferencing is offered as a premium service requiring member fees so it’s not practical for larger groups that desire the flexibility to video chat at any time. Other services are available, however, that allow people to join in chat conferences at any time for no cost. A service called Tinychat allows up to 12 people on camera simultaneously and up to 400 others joining in through live texting (and tweeting out these same messages if they choose). People can also join by sound only without activating the camera, but it uses up one of the 12 assigned video slots (replaced by a black box). The texting function is good too and adds a whole other dimension to the communication. It gets really fun when additional commentary flies under the radar, and sometimes at the expense of those speaking on camera (kind of like talking behind someone’s back except this is right under their noses). Being able to tweet out any of these comments at any time is an additional bonus. Early adoptersOur forays into video have already offered value, even though the technology has been glitchy at times, usually because of either broken video or sound dropping out. Sometimes poor connections are at fault; sometimes it’s because people have difficulty finding the correct setup that works best; and sometimes it’s because people haven’t switched off other applications using a camera or microphone, causing interference. And yes, sometimes people just don’t notice their microphone is muted. I’m guilty of that one (for some reason, Tinychat defaults to a muted microphone — I assume to protect the user from inadvertently broadcasting a private conversation). #UsGuys Afterhours PartyAs we continue to familiarize ourselves with the technology and how best to utilize it, I like keeping it simple for now. I thought it would be a good idea to hold a regularly scheduled #UsGuys Afterhours Party every Thursday at 10:00 PM EST (hosted on this website). Pure fun may seem trivial to some, but just as other people prefer to “fill the world with silly love songs”, anything that helps strengthen bonds and deepen relationships is a pretty strong benefit in itself. What’s wrong with that?
 Striving for success. A worthy mission. But isn’t this just a nice spin on what we’re really trying to do — not achieving failure? Or at least avoiding mediocrity? Be honest — we’d simply rather talk about kicking ass than not having our ass kicked. It shows better form. Charlie Sheen says it’s about “winning” but I’ll bet his true ambition is far more modest: not self-destructing.
If we’re honest with ourselves, I think the true motivation for many of us is not falling short. It’s the reason most of us get out of bed in the morning. Sure, we say we’re ready to “face the day”, but isn’t it more about what we’ll face if we don’t? C’mon, be honest! Our need to “be positive” is so ingrained that it’s uncomfortable to consider that it could be anything else. It’s scary to think that fear of failure could be the true driving force.
We all know that our time here is limited, but we also know that having a deadline is a great motivator! We go to school, study, learn and work hard in our careers to make the most of the time we are given. When I stop to think about it, it’s why I try to make every design better than the last and why I played so hard during my tennis match this morning. It’s why I’m not just dashing off this post, but rewriting it several times to tighten it up and make sure it says what I want. I don’t want to suck! And I don’t want others to think I suck! That’s really what it’s about — I’m driven to do what it takes to ensure the opposite result of failure. Or just mediocrity, for that matter.
Aside from the things that are simply out of our control, we are the masters of our own destinies. Life is what you make of it. In life, in work, in business, this blog — you’re only as good as what you’ve done last.
In fact, I’m so afraid of sucking that I don’t suck. Or do I have this all ass-backwards?
 I know when I’m spending too much time online. It’s when my eyes bug out and feel like they’re going to fall out of my head. Everything I see past three feet is blurry.
Intense work, nose to monitor, reviewing thousands of photographs looking for the perfect image, kerning the type for a perfect fit, aligning elements to the grid, creating color palettes, sliding a graphic element over so it “kisses” a hairline rule… the hours fly by.
While this happens, and well aware of the dangers of multitasking, I check emails and respond promptly. I may look at the news and see what the market is doing. Now throw in some Facebook updates and a lively Twitter chat or two: those never-ending updates and flickering streams of information. Scanning multiple columns in HootSuite — reading from bottom to top, left to right, up down, right left — Grand Blurry Station! I’m sure many of you can relate.
 The antidote? My chair
That’s right, my chair — that beautiful, big leather recliner out there in the family room. That’s where the really great things happen.
It’s where my online self ends and my offline one begins. It’s where I think things through, without the “help” of Google. No alerts vie for my attention when I’m in my chair, telling me I’ve received another email or a new mention on Twitter or Facebook. No links are being pushed at me by well-meaning friends portending to have the answers for this or that (as long as I leave my iPhone behind, that is!). It’s when I get away from those things that the real answers come — the deeper answers to things I may be struggling with.
My best concepts and design ideas always seem to come from the chair. Admittedly, there are distractions there too: someone may switch on the television, a magazine beckons, sometimes I doze off… I know I eat far too many meals there and the mini-fridge is within arm’s reach. But that’s fine — it’s all good. It’s still where great things happen.
Clout vs. Klout
There’s a social media metric called Klout that aims to measure our online influence. It can be a helpful gauge for one’s online activities, as long as it’s taken in context with all of one’s other endeavors. Although flawed at measuring true influence on many levels, it scores one’s online stature with a number. Being flawed beings ourselves, it plays to our weaknesses and egos — even those who acknowledge its various shortcomings get caught up in the gaming aspect and become obsessed with their Klout scores. Mine stands at a respectable 62 (just checked it this morning!).
Now, as I sit in my chair (okay… lie in my chair), the ideas keep coming. The cat strolls by and meows. My youngest child jumps on my lap. I can practically hear my Klout score dropping… but so what? Everything is starting to make sense again. Clarity.
Klout be damned.
Below are links to other wonderful points of view about online vs. offline influence. All bloggers are part of an online Twitter community called #UsGuys. Check it out and if you like what you see, you may also want to follow them on Twitter.
 Businesses will need to stir up their creative juices if they’re going to succeed in the coming decades. Innovation. The word is everywhere and is the necessary ingredient for businesses to stay vibrant. The status quo just won’t do it anymore, and actually hasn’t been working for quite some time now.
In order to ensure innovation, the best leaders will be creative thinkers who know how to inspire teams to produce the best new ideas. A new mindset will be required, where people are encouraged to take risks and aren’t afraid to fail in pursuit of something special. This will be the only hope for busting the doors open to capitalize on new opportunities in an increasingly competitive world.
For far too long, companies have played it safe, enabling a culture of mediocrity. Annual reviews, the way they’ve been done, have proven nothing. New leaders will take calculated risks, because playing it safe won’t cut it. That’s not the way the game is played anymore.
Increasingly, 21st Century leaders will be those who can build teams of diverse people that brainstorm and grow ideas together, recognizing which ideas to capture and which to discard. Then, they will make the best ideas happen.
Companies must now foster creativity up and down the entire organization. Nothing great, I mean truly great, has ever been produced without risk. It’s time to either put up or shut up.
Throughout history and now again, even with the most amazing technologies readily available at our fingertips, one thing remains consistent: the best ideas still start on a napkin.
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