Saturday, May 25, 2013

Savvy Business from a Gen Y Perspective


When two generations close their minds, nothing gets done.

That is one of the takeaways from a +Virtual Newsmakers Hangout with +Daniel Newman and +Cynthia K Seymour this week.

Technology and social media is no longer about a generation gap, as you will see in the mobilenomics video by +Erik Qualman.

If there are over a billion people on Facebook alone, and eight in ten social media users prefer to connect with brands in social media; if mobile devices outnumber toothbrushes in every household, then how disconnected is Corporate Everywhere if only one percent of firms spend less than one percent in mobile?

Newman says many companies may be technologically connected, but they are not engaging.

Bridging the generation gap is easy. It takes a willingness to learn, to communicate, and attempt to put yourself in the other person's shoes.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Can't Is Not An Option





There is a story in Alvin Law's book: Alvin's Laws of Life where he is a frustrated kid who was accompanied by his therapist to a Canadian Football League game. Not his favorite team, but he was thrilled to be able to attend a live event.

Alvin was annoyed because doctors and therapist had been trying to "normalize" him to fit in for years. Born without arms, he had actually learned how to use his feet for hands, and quite well, at that. Meanwhile, the medical experts were forcing him to wear prosthetic arms, which in those days were uncomfortable, heavy, and cumbersome.

To play along with his therapist, he used these arms to pick up a cup of soda, but as the cup got closer to his face, the arms stopped working. They were stuck. So instead, he took off his shoes and picked up the cup from the security of the prosthetic arms and finally took his drink.

I love this story. To read how he tells it is has me rolling off the chair laughing every time.

But this story is a symbol.

If everyone conformed to society norms, then there would be no inventions, technology would not have evolved, we would not have a lot of the comforts we take for granted today.

Sometimes, you need to make up your own rules, as long as they are not hurtful to others.

I encourage you to visit Alvin's website to get a copy of his book. It's a good read and it will inspire you, no matter what types of challenges you face.


Monday, May 20, 2013

Cooking Up A Successful Show on Google



+Larry Fournillier will get you looking at cooking in a whole new and delightful way. 

It's a brilliant concept. Learn recipes with nine people from across the globe at the same time, having them help walk you through the process. It's like kitchen group therapy and people are having way too much fun doing it.

+Virtual Newsmakers was fortunate to have Larry on the show this past Friday. He talked about a few things, but the one thing you will get is how empowering it is for people to be able to connect with their common love of food.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Theater and Film Fraternity



Whether someone is an A-list actor or trying to break into the business, everyone needs encouragement now and then. 

While many of us have Facebook and Google Plus, sometimes we need to find support from a group of people who have been through the same journey. That is where +Stage 32 comes in. It was founded by +Richard Botto, a 10-year veteran of the industry.

If you have any aspirations of working in entertainment, professional speaking, media, or any performance-based industry, or you are already many years in, check out www.stage32.com and watch this Hangout. 




Monday, May 6, 2013

Traveling the World In Person, From Your Computer

Picture yourself dipping your toes into the Dead Sea from your living room couch in Glendale, Utah and the scene is so real, you can actually feel the heat of the sun.

This is what it is like to take a trip on  +Virtual Photo Walks™. It is where one screenshot is worth a thousand smiles.

Here is the story behind the photos with +John Butterill, +Bruce Garber, and +Cynthia K Seymour: