So many kids these days seem to look elsewhere for fun and excitement. You know what I’m talking about: all those Xbox’s, PlayStations, movies and so many other things, not to mention all the false heroes.

Alone time is considered “boring.” It seems kids just aren’t comfortable in their own skins these days, constantly looking outward for stimulation and gratification. Little time is spent with only themselves, creating the quietness conducive for introspection and true creativity.

When my children were young, I took advantage of the time I had with them before they would be old enough to protest. I knew those days wouldn’t last forever… when they were a lot more open to my way of doing things, instead of everything being “me, me, me.” I thought if I “brainwashed” them young, they’d be good to go when the teen years hit.

Well…

The teenage years hit… and I only met that hunch with limited success. But my wife and I did do a few things right and I think our kids are the better for it. One of the things I always made sure of, was that we look at things together — I mean, really LOOK! I exposed them to beautiful design, wonderful storybooks and “adventure” drives where we would make our fun as we went, being open to serendipity and continuously pointing out everything along the way.

It is also important to nurture dreaming and the imagination — we would make up your own stories together, especially at bedtime beneath the glow-in-the-dark stars covering their bedroom ceilings. Holidays are another great opportunity to dream. For Halloween, we would invent costume ideas and do sketches to plan the pumpkins we would carve later. Everything should be part of the creative/learning process. Even a breakfast with Cheerios was turned into a game. There are so many ways to nurture creativity in kids and a dozen of them are discussed in this other post I contributed to, 12 Most Loving Ways to Spark Creativity in your Child.

Once kids truly show an interest in something, I think it’s extremely important to go with their passions. Rather than dictating what they should like, or pushing certain talents we think they possess but they show no interest in, it is much better to nurture what they naturally gravitate towards instead. And then feed those interests by always having the supplies they need at the ready, from simply having enough drawing paper available to buying the right creative software that fulfills their needs. 

Fight the good fight

Although we can’t determine what it is exactly our kids will show an affinity for, we can still influence them. And while it may be a thankless job many times, I believe our kids are better off in the long run for the encouragement we provide, enabling them to follow their passions. It is the way to a rich, enjoyable life and offers a myriad of alternatives to the ready-made ways of having fun that are always so prevalent. Forming this foundation for creative thinking is important to establish early on, so children grow up with a creative outlook where possibilities are endless. It can even alter the brain itself as the post, Pondering: Brain Overload, discusses so nicely.

There is plenty of time for the world to try and put its own restrictions on things. Most schools do little to encourage individualism and place limits on it by a one-size-fits-all mentality that does little to foster creativity in our children. Companies do the same, where toting the corporate line and appeasing one’s bosses largely keeps the boat from being rocked and provides the best chance for a good review.

But our leaders of tomorrow will be those who see things differently, for innovation never comes from the status quo. Successful companies will depend on them. So will whole societies and the world at large. Bigger populations fighting for a smaller piece of turf will naturally increase competition substantially — successfully navigating this and coming out on top will require even more crafty ways of doing things a little differently and a notch above everybody else. Likewise, the many challenges we face in the world will increasingly require inspired thinking to get us out of trouble. It all begins by raising creative children.

Why is nurturing the creative spirit important to you? I’d love to see what you have to say in the comments section below!

Many brands are caterpillars, lounging and crawling along without a clear message and without direction. But realizing this is just the first step to progress, next comes the cocoon stage in which dreams begin to be shaped into something palpable — a dynamic brand that commands attention.

The planning phase sets the stage for your brand, supporting its evolution into a butterfly. Once your brand’s core message is in place and your unique story is defined; once you determine exactly whom you want to engage and what you want to accomplish: it’s time to spread those wings and fly!

Many brands fall short and fail to execute properly. Don’t skimp on these final steps — refine your image and turn it into a dynamic brand force! A carefully-executed, smart design will polish your brand and give your message the professionalism and oomph it needs to make one clear, powerful statement. A well-crafted brand takes everything you are and distills it into one succinct, compelling message that is packaged in a way that slices right through today’s busy, noisy world.

Consistently used throughout all of your media touch points, both online and offline, your fully-evolved brand will speak with the same, unified voice no matter where it appears. The hard work of your brand evolution pays off in its authenticity, it’s clarity of message, its focused strategy and its intelligent design that is both appropriate for your audience and packs a punch.

But remember: your brand cannot forego visual impact! So much more than trite decoration, it is what delivers your message and gets your brand noticed. Strategy and message alone won’t cut it — a strong brand will unify both for an effective, integrated program in both traditional and new media.

Just like the most wonderful of butterflies, your brand needs to soar and captivate its audience. The wind beneath its wings is your carefully crafted brand message that comes only from determining who you truly are and what you really want.

Design built upon strategy: the secret sauce to becoming a beautiful butterfly and for realizing your full business potential. Now fly!

This post first appeared in Business 2 Community.

Once your brand has passed the caterpillar stage of being stuck and it’s not sure of the best way forward, it is time for some serious evolution! This begins by defining your core values.

Take the time to assess, evaluate and examine the unique elements of your brand that will transform it into a beautiful butterfly. There is no rushing and skipping the cocoon phase. Think and reflect — what makes you and your business special? Try to go beyond the obvious to get to “a new obvious”. Ask others what they think and listen to what they have to say. The answers may surprise and even enlighten you.

Perhaps using self-evaluation tools will help get to the root of who you are and what you do. No doubt, this is not always an easy process. We become so used to who we think we are and what we think we do, that it can be difficult to see past these preconceived notions. But soar beyond the obvious you must, because that is where the sizzle is that will set your brand apart from the rest.

Shape a dream into a reality by defining clear goals. After allowing the proper time for self-reflection and determining the best, unique you, make sure that your goals are realistic and sustainable. Be clear and defined. Don’t let things just happen anymore and don’t be fuzzy — that’s for caterpillars! Let the spark and sizzle of your ideas inspire and invigorate your brand. Take charge now and make it happen!

Honing your core values and unique story into a sharp, clear, concise message will take you to that next level of brand evolution and growth. No more waiting on a branch searching for that next leaf to eat! Plan your metamorphosis into a dynamic brand by:

•  Defining your core values
•  Finessing a dream
•  Creating your message

Next? Become a butterfly.

Stuck. This is the caterpillar — slow, fuzzy and… stuck! As in a crawling-around-a-branch-all-day kind of stuck. Let’s face it… being a caterpillar is not very exciting. It also won’t create the awareness you need for your brand or business.

So, how does one get unstuck and evolve past this sorry state?

First, stop for a second. Listen and focus. All the answers are there. You may think you are just another typical business owner with just another product or service to offer just like everybody else, but that will never bring the attention you crave. Why would it? You are thinking just like everybody else!

Think: what is it you are really offering people? Is it financial security so that people can buy that vacation home or start that pipe dream of a business? Is it beauty so that people can feel secure and be who they really are, allowing them to be the best they can be? Or is it a series of seminars, thereby imparting knowledge and maybe even inspiring others to achieve new things they didn’t know how to do before they met you?

Discovering who you truly are and the wonderful impact you have on the world, will give you all you need to craft a message that resonates and gets you out of the caterpillar stage. This will take time, effort and careful planning but everything worthwhile in life does. This is not the place to rush and go with something half-baked — don’t fall into the trap of doing something “good enough”, thinking that you will just change it down the road. That never works, because you will soon have so many materials and online pages that it will be a major inconvenience (and expense!) to change it all later. And you will be stuck with a brand image you can’t stand. Do it right the first time!

By the way, this is exciting! Don’t rush the process. This is the heart of your new brand and is where you lay the groundwork for all that comes later. Your powerful, new brand will focus all your business efforts like a laser beam exactly where they should be — on the target and with the clarity of message you need.

Before there is a brand, there is a spark; an idea; a twinkle in an eye somewhere. Capture and harness this, so your brand can zip out of the caterpillar stage and metamorphosis into a full-blown butterfly!

This post first appeared in Business 2 Community.

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 Truck

Dave 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 community

Remember 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 action

Dave 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.

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 Test

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. 

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. Simple
Simple 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 memorable
We 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 trendy
It 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 target
No 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-media
Logos 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 sizes
Logos 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-color
There 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 use
A 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 appeal
While 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 picture
A 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 budget
Whether 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 professional
To 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?

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 aimlessly
Exploring 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 Park
Surprises 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 Bridge
About 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 Bookstore
A 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 Station
Renowned 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 Line
This 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 fair
Especially 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 galleries
Home 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 Street
From 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 Library
This 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 Records
Located 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 Square
I 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!

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.