CK's Blog

Official Guide-o-Fun Unveiled: Yes, it's "official" and yep, it's tons o' fun!

Regular marketing posts will resume shortly...but for now, I'm pleased to unveil the Official Blogger Social '08 Event Guide.

Zoinks! WoWsA! Yippie!

Jam packed with events on land, at sea and in Times Square, our events span gatherings that are elegant, elaborate and downright fun--along with ways to make your own meetups, contribute to the official Photolog...and even some specialty drinks for our special occasion.

Yup, everything you need to know about everything that 80+ marketing bloggers--hailing from 8 countries and 20 U.S. States--will be doing during our oh-so-social weekend can be downloaded (PDF) right here.

Again, download your Event Guide right here.

What's that you say? You have many questions? No problem! We have an entire packet dedicated to answering them...and that PDF is located right here.

So if you want to get excited for Social: go here to read the Official Event Guide.

And if you're in need of answers to your questions: go here to review a host of FAQs.

See you at Social in 34 DAYS!

PS: We'll shortly have a packet for you that focuses on the event's attendees, so you can get to know a little about them...before you actually get to know them. Hold tight, that information is coming. For now, we've given you plenty to read! (And you can check out the attendee list here.)

PPS: Want to see lots of funny pictures? Just go here.

Shouts: The Event Guide and FAQs would be nowhere near possible without the generous, heaping help of: Ryan Karpeles, Luc Debaisieux, Lori Magno, Gavin Heaton, Doug Meacham, Cam Beck and, of course, my event dance partner Drew McLellan. And gratitude to Mike Sansone for helping to keep the blogger-social.com site so spiffy. I cannot thank these fine people enough (and thanks to Red for that snazzy picture of Drew and me "Dancing like the Stars!")

About as low tech as you can get (Friday Fun)

For those that didn't catch this amazing act from David Letterman last week...it's so worth the watch (this clip is from another awards show but it's the same extraordinary talent). In a high-tech world, it's amazing how truly "low-tech" this is--which makes it all the more wonderful.

So take a couple minutes and enjoy this Friday fun. RSS and email subscribers, please click through to the blog (you'll be glad you did).

Thanks to FireStarterUT for uploading it to YouTube for us all to enjoy.

Please take a moment to send well wishes to Arun's Family (thank you)

I have closed comments on this post as I'm asking you to please go here instead. (And please apprise others.)

A valued member within our community, and treasured friend of mine, Arun Rajagopal, lost his mum this week and our hearts and prayers go out to him and his family. We have compiled a site right here for you to leave some comforting words, a prayer, a poem and even a donation.

To be sure, the only thing that Arun has asked for is that we keep him in our prayers.

Thank you for doing just that ;-).

And now a few words for my friend: Arun, you are high in my thoughts, heavy on my heart and within my prayers. I've told you this during happier times but I wish to underscore it now: your dedication and kindness just floor me. They also give me hope about the purity and goodness that exists in every corner of this world (and this community).

Even though you may be located a world away, your tireless, exhaustive work for the Age of Conversation book, Blogger Social and all other initiatives that you are the first in line to take upon your strong shoulders, always makes me feel like you're right "here".

I am better for knowing you and I only wish I had a magic wand. Alas, I only have words...but your words have lifted me on many occasions...so I hope these give you and yours even a moment of comfort.

PS: Readers, to see even an inkling of the mammoth work and community promotion that Arun has done, just go to this post. And I do so love that picture of him with his "pet" monkey up there (the monkey actually belongs to his friend, and, yes, it's a real monkey...and truly my favorite picture of him).

Feel like you just can't win? Then stop playing that (losing) game.

Competition is a curious thing to me. Hey, I get that brands and companies need to compete and I well understand there's a leader, a (sometimes) strong second and then "the rest." I also get "You don't win silver, you just lose gold."

I'm all for brands and careers getting ahead, I just wonder to what degree competition is serving them as it seems so many times it's no longer about the passion surrounding their product, just about how the other ones are performing in relation to it.

I always find it most easy to figure out just how competitive people are not in business, but in board games. And I will be honest enough to say that, yes, I've stopped a relationship early on because the otherwise great person became so fiercely (ridiculously) competitive during one of those (silly!) trivial pursuit games --at a social gathering--that I was stunned. And, as I told him, "Congrats, our team won the game, too bad you lost the girl."

See, the problem with too strong a focus on competition is that many times we become so centered on winning that we wind up losing out on what's important. How many marriages tank on the race up the corporate ladder? How many brands lose what was once good and different because they continued to focus on outdoing the competition and became diluted...instead of focusing on providing customers a high-impact product, service or experience?

(Btw, the answers to those two questions are "lots" and "lots".)

For example, if I were focused on, say, winning rankings, I fear I would lose out on the advancing relationships I've made. I'd be so darn focused on link love that I would miss out on the real stuff (focusing on building relationships, not rankings is advice I give a lot). While rankings come and go, as I say in my article over at TalentZoo, relationships--if you treat them with care--tend to stick. Endurance (and value) is my game of choice any day.

And, for me, if I were focused on how to be better than the next blog, I would be less focused on how I can get my message out there (which is one of my goals), and I'd be much less focused on creating clever programs and pieces (which is one of my passions).

Another example is how I treat most of my work: instead of always trying to compete with existing brands and categories, I posit creating entirely new ones--and always focusing on the customer far, far more than the competition. Odd that most companies allot budget to competitive research (which they should) but next to nothing on Customer Advisory Boards...or just plain listening to those very customers (which they must).

See, many times customers don't want 'better' than the existing, they want altogether 'different'. Where competing so many times results in me-too products, creating results in memorable ones that win hearts, minds and markets. That's the (winning) game I choose to play.

A chain by any other name

While I respect the hell out of what Starbucks has accomplished (I truly and genuinely give 'em major props), it seems that I--and I alone--seem to be the coffee chain's only non-fan.

It's not that I have anything against Starbucks personally...well, I don't really like the coffee, or the prices. For some reason the coffee always tastes bitter (or burnt?). But it's really that I can just never, ever feel comfortable hanging out in a Starbucks. I understand it's become the "third place" to many but, for me, it feels like the "forced place." Why? Because it's not a cafe. Nope, just like McDonald's, Mangia or Taco Bell, it's a MEGA-chain. And if I'm going to a chain, I'm going in there to get out of there as quickly as possible.

But if I'm looking to enjoy some leisure time, I'm lucky to have many cafes around NYC that are not chains but independently owned where every table, chair and coffee pot are unique. And I'll never, ever understand this idea of "Let's meet for a coffee date at Starbucks." Please, let's not.

Nor will I ever comprehend how freelancers actually get any work done there. Sorry, I can't take client calls from a public place where coffee orders are echoing left and right, nor can I worry that my computer battery won't last until that crowd next to me stops hogging the electrical outlet.

So, unlike the masses, Starbucks just doesn't work for me and I find that I'll get a coffee from Starbucks only when there is no alternative in sight (instead of it being the only alternative). That said, I have no problem popping into Dunkin' Donuts for a cup--but again, I pop-in, not hang out, because DD feels like a chain that's happy to be a chain. It's not at all a place to hang out. But I will say that I do get confused now that Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins have merged because there's all this ice-cream there now. (I just don't feel like ice cream with my coffee...but maybe I'm in the slim minority there, too?)

All that said and shared, there is a terrific series that is circulating on how Starbucks can do better by so many of its beloved fans, and that series is indeed worth checking out--and I sincerely hope that Starbucks is listening to these smart marketers working to save a brand they've loved for years.

Another thing worth checking out? The smart (!) tactic by Dunkin' Donuts. You see, Starbucks is closing down all its stores today (Tuesday, Feb. 26th) for 3 hours for employee training. And Dunkin' Donuts is seizing the opportunity. According to CNN: "'To ensure that no coffee lover is denied a delicious espresso-based beverage' - Dunkin' Donuts announced that it will offer small lattes, cappuccinos or espresso drinks for a promotional price of 99 cents on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m."

Should you find yourself in NYC,I believe there are something like 1,000+ Starbucks to choose from. And then there are these two gems that I highly recommend: Tea and Sympathy in Greenwich Village and Cafe LaLo on the Upper West Side. If you're coming in for Blogger Social, I think either would be wonderful for a meetup but--be forewarned!--there's usually a wait and I don't believe they take reservations.

PS: My BIGGEST advice to Starbucks? Incorporate 2 lines just like at a grocery story: one for those who are simply looking for a quick coffee to jump-start their day and another for those who looking for a $5 customized concoction, along with Mr. Right, to jump-start their love life.

Creating a new category based on what it's NOT. (Or, "It's NOT a seminar, it's a "Social," dude!)

I love brand categories. Because people think in categories. For instance, I think to myself, "Self, I'm in the mood for a cup of coffee." No, no wait...I'm in the mood for a specialty coffee. Nah, what I'm really hankering for is hazelnut coffee--ergo, I'm gonna pop into Dunkin' Donuts for a cup."

And when I think cola? There's no substitute for the real thing (and preferably in a glass bottle like momma used to drink).

But what I'm really in love with is coining new categories. Yet while amazingly fun and fruitful, the process is truly challenging. So choose, and name!, your new categories wisely.

And even then be prepared to have to explain, re-explain, really, really explain and then explain until you're blue in the face, both what your category IS....as much as what your new category Is NOT.

Let's take a recent (and fabulous!) example with Blogger Social. We coined it "Blogger Social" because it IS for marketing bloggers and it's wholly, completely, totally and fully a social event. Let's face it, the name ain't even clever but it got the point across. (note: categories shouldn't necessarily be clever but explanatory. For example, the brand names "Red Bull" and "Grey Goose" are clever, but their brand categories of "high-energy drink" and "high-end vodka" are explanatory.)

So what is Blogger Social not? It's NOT for people who don't blog and it's neither tradeshow...nor conference...not a seminar...and nowhere near an industry summit.

I'm not saying that smart stuff won't be discussed (nor am I saying that really smart folks won't be attending), I'm just saying that it's not the kind of event where you stand up and address the audience on how marketing has changed. Nope, it's the kind of event-filled weekend where you run around the city--with those that you already discuss how marketing has changed every other day of the year-- to see many sites, many colleagues and newfound friends, until all hours of the night (true to the category, our events socialize until 4am).

And it definitely isn't the kind of event where you have exhibitor booths or keynote speeches. Why? Because it's a social, dude! Now, we as event planners think, hey, it's really, really super obvious and oh-so-crystal clear what this is, and, more to the point, what it's not.

But that's the thing about creating new categories, it's a bit of an uphill climb for the marketer and a mountain of a learning curve for those we're marketing to. Why? Because new categories--be they in tech, fashion, media or manufacturing--are, well, new.

And while the value of flying into a designated city--driven only by the value proposition of having time (and much fun!) together for a very special weekend is obvious to many, we need to be sensitive that it's not obvious to all.

But what have I found that's really funny since we announced it June 1, 2007? When I tell my friends about it that do not blog--yes, I have many friends that only use computers for spreadsheets, musical scores and production schedules--they instantly get it. Why?

Because they only do the very simple act of putting the two words "Blogger + Social" together and say..."Oh, so you're holding a weekend full of events."

But many folks that are marketers (who are not active in the online marketing community) have very much struggled with it. Why? Because they're working to nestle the event under an existing 'category'. (And they can't figure out why myself and so many others would do all this planning on a pro-bono basis.)

They keep asking me things like, "So how many conference tracks will you have?" or "Do I know anyone who will be speaking at it?" Or my all-time favorite of "CK, are you going to hold a happy hour or special dinner along with it?" (they too find that many conferences leave little time for networking and fun).

Alas, it has been so much fun getting this new event category off the ground, but it's certainly underscored for me just how challenging creating new categories can be--precisely because of what new categories are not.

PS: In all honesty, those guys up there didn't understand the event category either...actually, they didn't really care, they were just excited to have their picture on these things they've heard of called "blogs". (Which to them, are a new category of "websites" ;-).

It occurs to me that perhaps I'm conservative. Or, perhaps those school buses are just really bogus.

In reading Ryan Karpeles' blog, I happenstance upon a post explaining how the South Carolina Board of Education will begin allowing advertising on school buses. Kinda like exactly like they do on the subways here in New York City.

Except when I ride the subways I'm not on my way to calculus. And the subway's primary intent is for commercial, not educational, use.

My immediate reaction? It's completely bogus. It's inappropriate. A mixing of church and state, if you will.

And I'm thinking, of course people find it offensive! I mean, aren't kids bombarded enough with marketers wanting their (parents) disposable income outside of school? Isn't it so clearly poor form to have our school buses become advertising vehicles (yes, the pun on the 'vehicles' is intended. I'm being clever while they're being bogus).

But the comments at Ryan's blog aren't what I expected. It just doesn't seem a big deal.

Sorry, I find it to be a really big deal. (And now I'm thinking that I'm a closet conservative.)

Why does this bug me so? Because it sets yet another poor precedent. And because we business folks are notorious (!) for pushing the envelope once we've got an in. Hey, that's our jobs. But it's the school's job to prepare youth and, to a point, protect them.

Listen, I get that schools are hurting but I just believe we should find another way than, well, selling out. Yeah, that's a terrific example to be setting during example-setting years.

According to the piece, "For its part, SAC promises the ads will be age-appropriate, promote a healthy and productive life, and are directly approved by district appointed personnel." (Because of course the majority of advertising promotes healthy, productive lives, folks.)

So let me get this straight: they'll now have appointees that gloss over ads to ensure they're...appropriate? The fact that you have to appoint people to review potential ads should be your first clue that this is a bogus idea.

Alas, I guess this liberal city girl is actually conservative. Or perhaps I just have very strong principles when it comes to the actual school being a pathway to promoting to youth. But now the school bus is part of the media buy.

(And while I don't have kids, I do care about youth and our failing public educational system--I promise you, advertising will NOT be the panacea, just short-term profits by selling-out to kids. Great precedent ;-)

Dancin' fools and heart-shaped cheer

Sending out some BIG thanks to all those who've registered for a (hearty) Blogger Social '08.

And a happy Valentine's Day to all readers.

We've so much to announce shortly on Blogger Social...and between a full-time work schedule and working to get everything set, I'm one tired valentine.

That's OK, I'll be ready to dance again soon.

Oh, wait, there I am dancin' away with my event partner Drew already.

(um, guess I couldn't wait until Social)

There's only 24 hours left to register...so dance your way on over to registration right here. It beats a dozen red roses any day.

And yes, I do dress this way for Valentine's.

(But I'm in color.)

The funny (and fruitful) nature of authenticity

Authenticity is a funny thing. Funny in that it shouldn't necessarily be tough to do, or hard to be. Being authentic, after all, means being genuine and being true to one's personality, passions and beliefs. So in that vein, being authentic is, or should be, second nature (maybe even 'first' nature). It should just come naturally.

But where it gets funny is that we find it, confirm it...and give ourselves 'permission' to practice it...in the wildest of ways.

I'm going to make a BIG note here before delving further: in this post I'm speaking about authenticity from the angle of people NOT from the viewpoint of "authentic brands" and "authenticity in branding." The reason I point out this difference is because authenticity in branding--while it still means and implies "genuine"--is a different topic. It's altogether different when were talking about upholding a brand's authenticity (a non-human entity) that is created and maintained by a company (by several people in that entity). Yes, a lot of the same principles absolutely apply...but this post focuses on people, not brands. Just wanted to be clear as I write on both (being I'm both a person + a marketer of brands ;-).

Recently my pal David Reich posted on "10 Steps to Happiness," a piece that was inspired by a great post from Lewis Green that tagged several people to voice-in with their advice (Lewis, you tagged me on this same exercise and I apologize that it's taken me a while, but this truly qualifies as my answer on your great question).

In his post, David included a list of many steps and then asked us our take. I responded that I had but one step for happiness as I see that all else stems from there: just be true to yourself. OK, so it's not a very groundbreaking answer but its effects sure do make a mountain of difference.

See, being "true" is being "genuine" and, ergo, being "authentic". I find that when people are unhappy, the leading reason is simply because they're not being true to what they want and what they need...be that out of a job, a relationship, or even an issue that they need to come to peace with due to it becoming an obstacle to what they really want to get out of life.

Pretty simple way to be happy, eh? Yup. The rub is maintaining it.

What do I mean? Well, for me to be true I need to work for myself. Why? Because in this format I'm assured of new challenges, lots of independence, always learning new competencies and forever being open to a host of new opportunities. Lots and lots of new is what I seek...and what I find.

But, in making this choice, I'm also assured that I'll have crazy (!) business quarters where I have too much work and other times when I'm wondering if I'll have enough work. Still, even with the roller coaster ride of working for oneself, being true to what I want and need absolutely wins out, and thusly works for me.

Another example is this very blog and the programs I create. While the tool is a blog, it's really a platform for my voice and ideas--and of course a tremendous vehicle for learning from the viewpoints of others. But in making the choice to put my true/authentic self out there, "Hello world, love or hate me, this is who I am!", I also run some risks.

You see, I have to make the decision on whether I'm willing to be silly enough to promote initiatives and principles I so very much believe in...and if I'm brave enough to speak out about initiatives and precedents that I so very much disagree with. Because I genuinely am a tremendously silly person, but I'm also very serious when it comes to best practices. Yep, I run the risky mix of silly CK (I've donned 'marketeer' ears, hitchhiked through Times Square and sailed the high seas) and serious CK (I've been very mouthy on spamming bloggers, botched blogger relations programs and efforts that violate privacy and work to manufacture WOM).

And while I find the two approaches are altogether natural, since they exemplify my passions of advancing the profession, the community and customer-centric practices, I run the risk of confusing or (eek!) even irritating my readers. Alas, I'm just not that girl that goes gently into that goodnight. So when I find an opportunity to create or improve--and while I might not always be right--I act upon it. Anything else would be untrue.

Which brings me to some feedback I received via email this week that really impressed upon me. Here's the feedback: "I love that you keep your personality and are so upbeat, it makes me feel like I can be who I am and make a mark in the business world."

Why did it impress upon me so much? Two reasons. First, it was a very kind note and it felt good to be the recipient (the first half of that statement). But, second, and more to my authentic point, because of the courage and confidence it gave to the person writing it (the second half of that statement).

I've posted on Mike Rowe before, the creator of the great TV series "Dirty Jobs," a show that goes to the depths of the dirtiest jobs on earth (sewers, food processing plants, alligator-infested swamps, etc.). He's profiled in this month's FastCompany and it really speaks to how, in finding his dream job, as dirty as it is, he found his authenticity.

Rowe used to look at acting gigs as "jobs between vacations" and now, even though he works harder than ever, he doesn't really feel it's a job (nor is it "acting" being he's keeping it very real). Moreover, it speaks to how--now that he's found his authenticity--he protects his brand, and is careful not to let it be tainted by overexposure or vis-a-vis the 'wrong' exposure.

So, in being true to his passion, Rowe found his inspiration and success. And the person that emailed me, in being authentic, found that they can make their mark. Lastly, as I explained above, in being true to myself through my work format, my voice and my actions, I've found my fulfillment.

Thusly, authenticity is a deep well of reward. It's so very much worth exploring and really worth sharing, even amid the risks. What's the kicker? While we're barraged with so many ways, practices, paradigms, methods, models, matrices and methodologies telling us how to be successful in business...the very basic principle of authenticity is what will likely get us the furthest in our careers (and happiest in our lives).

Told ya authenticity is a funny (and fruitful) thing.

B2B Social Media: Where's the Share, B2B Marketers? (PDF)

In November 2006 I riddled on The "Share Economy" as the concept just rang so true as to what drives the Web 2.0 era (and because I'm fond of riddling). It fascinated me so much that I wrote on the concept for my chapter in The Age of Conversation collaborative ebook.

Here's the concept in a nutshell: in racing to define this new era, pundits and professionals have been coining catchphrases ranging from the "knowledge economy" and the "innovation era" to the "conversation age." But, from where do knowledge, innovation and conversation stem? The answer rests in sharing: individuals actively and openly sharing information, insights and ideas with others. 

Therefore, the exchanging of ideas--how freely they're traded, how dynamically they spread, and the new ideas they inspire--is most aptly and accurately labeled "The Share Economy."

At first I was more 'consumer' focused when writing on the concept. But, as time marched on, I became ever more perplexed as to why the majority of B2B marketers have been so slow to move on the tremendous opportunities of social media... as B2C marketers have been much more involved in the social media space (social media 'race'?). 

As I've written many times, I'm not at all of the mind that all companies need to blog. But I am most definitely of the (marketing) mind that all companies should be listening (see post & PDF on that front here).

Why? Because when our markets are talking--be it about our company, a competitive company, a need, or a new idea--they're doing us a tremendous favor. What's more? They're making our jobs much easier and far less precarious.

Listening qualifies as research and the core reason for research is to "reduce uncertainty"...but listening to online conversations is also a great way to identify new opportunities (reward) and gauge customer satisfaction levels (risk).

Now, along with being a fan of listening, I'm a (huge!) fan of creating value and facilitating idea exchanges--and all of these principles apply to B2B's use of social media. Think about it for a moment...if I, as a consumer, am more likely to buy an MP3 for ninety-nine cents or a marketing book for nineteen dollars due to its high value being recommended to me by trustworthy sources... then it follows that I, as a professional, am going to be much more apt to invest in a nine thousand, or ninety-nine thousand dollar solution that has been authentically recommended or discussed when I'm looking to make such investments for my business.

Ergo, with purchases small and BIG, a real-world recommendation is most valuable when it comes to purchasing motivators and purchase decisions.

Yes, it's key to ensure these recommendations are authentic--and it's really easy to tell the difference when they're mock posts or seeded sales recommendations. But what is more key is that business professionals do not act differently than consumers. People do not step out of their cars after a long day at work, remove their "business hats" and put on "consumer hats" (but it would sure be silly if they did, eh?). Sure, they have different responsibilities and accountabilities when at work then when at play--and they need to look at purchases rationally, not just emotionally--but they follow the same habits of trusting "like people" more than "sales people" when making a consumer or a business purchase.

Sure, the businesses selling the offerings are going to regale their greatness ("For your dough, we're the best darn bread since sliced bread!"). But professionals, just like consumers, want to hear how great it is from people who've used the product and, moreover, from people who don't profit from recommending it. And that applies to any industry, be it communications, cars or construction equipment.

Net net: all this talk (sharing!) leads to a whole lotta purchasing action...and a heaping load of opportunity for B2B marketers.

So, why oh why aren't more B2B marketers hip to these social media opportunities? It could be skepticism, it could be fear, it could be inertia. Or it could just be that more of them need to better understand The Share Economy. And that's where this B2B social media piece comes in. It's longer than a post, much shorter than a book. I'm hoping it will provide some rationale and reward for B2B companies to open up to the opportunities and I'm also hoping it teaches best practices, too. (Psst: these best practices are as 'Marketing 101' as they are 'Web 2.0'.)

And, since I'm sharing this piece with clients and colleagues, I also want to share it with you (um, get the "share" theme?). It's located right here.

Social Media Tips • Social Media *Extras* • Social Media Training • Contact CK

Time to rethink what 'being global' really means

I enjoy BtoB magazine very much. It's the darn online publication that annoys me...because it doesn't allow comments. You see, some of the subject matter and authors I'd very much like to interact with. But I can't. Bygones.

A great piece that I'm calling attention to here has to do with America's not-so-great image and some potentially great strategies to improve it. Dick Martin, author of "Rebuilding Brand America," submitted a piece titled, "It's time to improve America's image." And boy do I agree with him.

In fact, I find our sinking image to be a mission- critical issue that we need to address outside of America...and our high-school dropout rate to be a dire issue we need to address inside America.

I fear we're otherwise headed to becoming a very disliked + dumb nation...and those two don't = superpower. Nowhere near.

See, America just isn't the same country it was when I was a teen when there was that pesky cold war going on that made being separate from the world that much more shrewd (and gave us the perception of "safe").

Nope, now it's global...and that's a big learning curve. Because having offices in 5 countries doesn't really make one global, it just makes it so one pays rent in five different currencies. Being global, at least to me, is working with various cultures. Not just selling them happy meals.

In fact one of the most rewarding comments I ever received on this blog--and, yes, I find all your comments rewarding!--was this:

"Since I'm reading you (and a lot of other great American bloggers), I must say that you managed to change my image (I should say my fear and my clichés) of the USA."

I've long said that it's relationships, not rankings, I'm after with my blogging--be those relationships colleagues, clients or friends. But if I can contribute to changing some hearts and minds? Well, then, I feel I've contributed something (truly) worthy. That's the stuff that makes me walk on air. (I know, I know, I should be thinking how all I can monetize this blog...but that's not at all the reward I'm seeking.)

Speaking of reward, these global relationships teach us all so much about other countries' business practices, lingo, languages, laws and, yes, idiosyncrasies. But, most importantly, they help us shake enemy #1 of all marketers (that devil's name would be 'myopia').

Yet I'm just one little blog. Changing and improving American perception is going to take some heavies. Which brings me back to Martin's piece, in which he writes: "Despite recent accounting scandals, American companies have more credibility than the U.S. government in most corners of the world. They also have more feet on the street; and best of all, those feet aren't clad in combat boots. More than 6 million people work for U.S. companies abroad. They're all potential ambassadors—not for U.S. foreign policies, but for American values of individual freedom, equal opportunity and fair play.

Alleviating anti-Americanism is not a matter of patriotism, it's good business."

Martin encourages that global companies take some concerted steps toward righting our image, including, educate employees in working across cultures; encouraging employees to get involved in organizations that promote international understanding and supporting organizations that facilitate cultural and educational exchanges.

(Notice how they all involve interacting with these cultures? Yep, I noticed that, too.)

I'd also suggest these companies sponsor some local initiatives in these countries so they're not only investing in America's growth but in America as their growth partner. Also, reach out to their universities to see if they might be open to panels--or a series of seminars--where executives could interact with students and, in turn, let them see that we're approachable and invested in others, not just ourselves.

(If you want to change perception, youth is a great place to start seeding that message, plus it's pressworthy.)

Yes, business comes first, but bettering America's image, as Martin implores, is mighty good business. 

(And we really need the boost.)

The way I see it? The remedy, or the road to it, begins and ends with rethinking what "being global" and being a "global citizen" really means. Because when we start thinking about "them" it does a heck of a lot of good for "us".  (Ya know, the basic marketing 101 stuff that knows no borders ;-)

I can be (really) silly. But I am being (really) serious: do it by 02.15.08, or you'll (REALLY!) miss out.

Have you not registered for Blogger Social '08? Because a lot of diverse, amazing and equally unique people have. In fact... another one just did!

Have you not heard of Blogger Social '08? Geez, where to begin? It's a weekend full of fun with an entire site right here.

Are you waiting until the last minute? OK. But the sands of time are quickly passing through the hourglass. You have until next Friday, February 15th to register. And you have choices (hey, we're flexible), you can come in for the full weekend with 3 events...some on land, some at sea...or just the very cool event on Saturday night.

So, silly as I may be (and, um, silly as I look), I'm serious: this is my LAST post on getting registered! And when I say that this is a one-of-a-kind, never-been-done-before event I'm being serious. But in that picture I'm being silly. My partner-in-social crime Drew is being silly, too (silly is contagious). And during this oh-so-social weekend, you don't have to be serious, either.

Will we make you wear a silly hat if you come to social? Nope. But you can if you want...because, basically, at Social, anything is possible.

Where is everyone coming in from? Um, everywhere. Literally. We're hosting marketers from: Australia, Canada, Belgium, Italy, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Middle East, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Austin, Louisville, Cleveland, Richmond, Wilmington, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Hartford, Alexandria, San Francisco, The O.C., and many, more. A full map is right here.

Will you remember this event for the rest of your lives? I posit a BIG YES.

Who's coming? Here is the most current list (watch for updates):
Susan Bird Tim Brunelle Katie Chatfield Terry Dagrosa Matt Dickman Luc Debaisieux Gianandrea Facchini Mark Goren Gavin Heaton Sean Howard CK Valeria Maltoni Drew McLellan Doug Meacham Marilyn Pratt Steve Roesler Greg Verdino CB Whittemore Steve Woodruff Paul McEnany Ann Handley David Reich Tangerine Toad Kristin Gorski Mack Collier David Armano Ryan Barrett Lori Magno Tim McHale Gene DeWitt Mario Vellandi Arun Rajagopal Joseph Jaffe Rohit Bhargava Anna Farmery Marianne Richmond Thomas Clifford Lewis Green Geoff Livingston Kris Hoet Connie Reece CeCe Lee Jonathan Trenn Toby Bloomberg Seni Thomas Darryl Ohrt Joe Kutchera Paul Dunay Marshall Sponder Chris Kieff Tara Anderson Jason Falls Paul Soldera Roberta Rosenberg Saul Colt Todd Andrlik Nathan Snell Ryan Karpeles Mike Sansone Jennifer Laycock

And here's the video (which will be updated with more faces soon, too). RSS/email subscribers, just click through to the blog.

You're too young to be (acting) so old

Many of my colleagues and friends lament to me that they "Don't possibly have the time to learn about social media." (and oddly, many of my colleagues are in Web 1.0 work). They almost say it annoyed, like learning is a tremendous chore.

Hey, I get that the 2.0 world is overwhelming. And I get that it's a lot to understand on top of a full day.

And I really get that it's hard to understand why "All these people just chatting away" can seem, well, ridiculous.

But that's not the point.

Because these people chatting are our markets talking (so we need to be listening to them). And these tools are the latest technologies (so we need to be learning them).

But, more to the point, "I don't have the time to learn anything new," actually equates to "I'm OK getting old."

(because old is the opposite of new, no?)

Hey, change is tough for many. I'm an oddball here. I was raised moving to vastly different cities every few years and I'm as content as can be hopping from project to project and knowing not what the future holds... except for more change and more challenge. In fact, I get (really) freaked when things are too stagnant. It makes me sort of edgy as that's just not the way I was raised or the way I was taught to look at the world (there's just too much to see, too much to do and too many people to meet).

But when I hear the line that "I just don't have the time to learn anything new," I now just retort--"Oh my gosh, so this is the time you decided to get old."

And they quip, "What does that mean?"

So I explain, "Remember how we laughed at older generations when we were younger because they were so out-of-touch with the latest technologies?"

And they say, "Of course."

Then I continue, "And you know how we said they just didn't get it?"

And they say, "Yeah."

That's when I finish with, "Well now we've become just like them...oh, wait, we haven't become like them, but YOU now have. And hey, that's cool because it's your choice."

It's just not my choice.

Yep, they get really annoyed with me. And then they email or call me a few days later asking me more questions about these "new" technologies and some places to start. It works like a charm. It's hard to argue with rationale :-).

(Because no one wants to get old...or worse, act old.)

But, the fact is, age really isn't a number. It's a mindset of "I've learned enough, I don't need to learn anything new to get through my day/career/work/life." (ergo, it's a choice, just like most everything else in our days, careers, work and lives).

I find learning to be the best part of life and our choices to be what define our lives. So the "I've learned enough" mindset is not one that I'm ready to pay any mind to. And I'll take new over old any day of the week.

I better, as I have far, far more to learn in front of me than behind me. And I'm still too young to be gettin' so old. Aren't we all?

Note: A post I've written--on my father teaching me the best business advice I've ever learned on "fearing obsolescence"--complements this one. It is right here.