Parts Understood

April 24, 2013 — Leave a comment

Americans rally during times of crisis.Along with so many others across the country this week, I paused for a moment of silence, on 2:50pm, this past Monday.

There is a distinct difference between a stunned silence, and a silence offered out of respect.

I still find myself at times in a stunned silence as I try to answer questions my children have about events taking place across the country, and around the world.

I learned of the Boston Marathon bombing shortly before picking my son up from running club, at his school. There was a silence on the drive home, as I tried to come up with the right way to explain it.

It was simpler to communicate with my son about it, than with my daughter.

My daughter is in middle school, and as is the case with most children her age, there is a mobile phone attached to her life.

Sometimes news events can be delivered to her quicker than I can come up with an explanation. Often the answers are more detailed and follow the transition from childhood to adulthood, with more complexity.

There are things we see and hear about in life that we cannot understand. I don’t understand the types of evil we witness – the type of evil that assimilates itself among others and strikes when we least expect it.

I cannot understand what drives some events across the country, and around the world. I’m at a loss for words when it comes to explaining the death of innocent people – empty bedrooms where children used to sleep, now filled only with memories.

It is during these times when I hug my children a little tighter, and become more watchful. During these times, I hold on to my faith, as I do during the good and challenging times.

The only explanation I can possibly offer at times such as these is that we live in a broken world.

It isn’t an easy explanation, but it is the only way I can possibly understand events and how to discuss them with my children.

I find it much easier to focus on the parts I understand.

There are things I’ve always understood about mankind in general and America in particular – things that I saw and heard about last week.

These are the things I choose to focus on and honor with an explanation.

Most people are good. Most people do all they can to push back evil, and protect others.

While many Boston Marathon participants did not cross the finish line, many made their way to a different line – a line to donate blood to those in urgent critical need.

The Boston area is not at a loss for blood, or heroes, at this time.

Many ran towards the blasts to help others. Several removed belts and shirts, in order to create makeshift tourniquets.

Many more might have died if it were not for the care and quick actions of others – the people who choose to run towards danger instead of away from it.

We saw the same sort of actions in Texas after the fertilizer plant explosion, later last week.

There are moments when Americans just spring into action with generosity – often times those moments do not make the front pages, or the news. It is part of who we are, as Americans.

There are times when it is much easier to explain the parts understood.

In Uncategorized
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Plastic Box Night

April 12, 2013 — Leave a comment

Last Wednesday night, it all went into the plastic box – the iPods, iPads, Kindle, and cell phones.

My wife came up with the idea to designate a night with no electronic distractions. Maybe you have done something similar, with your family.

Plastic Box NightThe idea was much more popular with my wife and I, than it was with our children.

At 7pm, prompted of course from an alarm set on my phone, it all went into the box.

My laptop was also turned off, preventing me from working during the night.

Needless to say, it did wonders for us. We spent the night taking a family walk, talking, eating ice cream, and watching a movie.

No Foursquare check-ins. No Facebook postings. No tweets. No texts.

No distractions for one night. No interruptions from the outside world.

Everything stayed in the box until Midnight.

The box remains dusted off, and in its place.

I think we might just have found ourselves a weekly tradition!

In Family
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The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.

Dr. Jonas Salk

Posted on March 26, 2013 In Quotes
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Like an Elephant in the Catskills

March 25, 2013 — Leave a comment

Elephant in CatskillsThere have been times in my life when I felt just like an elephant in the Catskill Mountains.

As you can imagine, it is very rare to find an elephant in the Catskill Mountains, unless you were to venture into the Catskill Game Farm.

Unfortunately, I learned that the Catskill Game Farm closed in 2006, while I was preparing this blog post. I wonder just how many people had the chance to visit the Catskill Game farm during its 73 years of existence!

There were so many times when I felt out of place, like the elephant, as I was growing up.

When I was born, one of my legs was significantly shorter than the other. I grew up wearing a right shoe, with a lift on the bottom. Each new pair of shoes never looked new, as I had to stick with shoes that offered added ankle support.

As the years passed, the lift got a little shorter – due to medical advancements I did not fully understand, but appreciate today.

As a result, I was physically different than all of the other students in school, for quite a while.

As you can imagine, students in Schenectady have a way of being very observant, and a little opinionated, as is the case of so many other places.

And of course there were nicknames from other children, and some strange stares – from adults and children.

The lift on my shoe eventually went away, but the journey for greater self-confidence was a long one – like that of an elephant trudging along in the Catskill Mountains.

It was during a challenging journey that I became the person I am today – the journey made me stronger, and allowed me to appreciate and see things that many others pass by.

In fact, the journey continues even today.

As a result, I see value in many who are overlooked, and believe in being relentless in the pursuits that truly matter to me.

Just as importantly, I have very little patience for things that are petty to me – in a way, I believe that I’ve earned that right by standing in the “other person’s shoes.”

I’ll bet that nearly everyone who reads this post has been on a similar journey. We’ve all had challenging times in life, to some extent.

I hope that you’ll take the time to remember and celebrate your own victories over adversity.

And if today you feel like the elephant in the Catskill Mountains, stand tall and proud.

The challenges and unique times make us stronger during the times that truly matter.  They make our journey much more interesting – as if we were taking a trip across the Catskill Mountains on an elephant.

In Adversity, Motivation, Personal Development, Self Improvement ,
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It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.

Henry David Thoreau

Posted on March 23, 2013 In Inspiration
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Growth is a Team Sport

March 16, 2013 — Leave a comment

During the past two days I have constantly been reminded that Growth is a Team Sport. Selfless volunteerism and mentorship provide us with a very bright future.

On Friday and Saturday, I attended WordCamp Atlanta 2013. The entire event was successfully planned, and implemented by talented volunteers – many of the same people we see at local WordPress Meetups, in the Atlanta area.

They could have done so many other things on a weekend that was “picture perfect.”

WordPress LogoThey all came together to act upon their passion for WordPress – a completely open source software, used by millions of people to deliver their personal messages to the world, via blogs and websites.  Each could have done so many other things, on a weekend that was “picture perfect.”

It was inspiring not only to see the commitment from sponsors and volunteers, but also to speak with others who are using this platform to make their voices heard – I can tell you that the words they will share are worth reading!

If you have never been to a WordCamp before, you owe it to yourself to go!

On Friday night, I attended the Georgia FFA Foundation Blue & Gold Gala, immediately after the first day of WordCamp. By the time I drove the eight miles from one location to the other, I was feeling a little tired.National FFA Logo

Atlanta traffic can have that effect.

Once I entered the hotel, all thoughts of fatigue were a distant memory.

I was so impressed by the young people who are a part of Georgia FFA, as well as their mentors. I’m totally convinced that we’ll be hearing more from these young people in years to come – just as we did from Keynote Speaker, Georgia Governor, Nathan Deal.

Governor Deal was also a member of Georgia FFA, growing up. He attributed part of his successful leadership path to the ideals instilled upon him by the organization – and by his father, who served as his Georgia FFA mentor.

I sat at a table with some friends of mine, who were also members of FFA, growing up. Today they are proud business owners, and dedicated supporters of Georgia FFA.

The past two days have surely served as reminders that growth is a team sport, with countless mentors and leaders on the team.

In Mentorship , ,
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More Phone Book, Less Facebook

March 15, 2013 — Leave a comment

TelephoneYesterday, I did something that would be nearly unthinkable for someone who is involved in the profession of marketing – I removed all of my Facebook friends, with the exception of five people.

Those five people are my wife, daughter, my wife’s parents, wife’s brother, and sister-in-law – -only so I may tag them in photos, that they may share with their friends.

I took time today to call some of the people I “unfriended,” to let them know that we are still friends in real life.

More calls will follow this week.

It was my strong belief in social engagement, which caused me to “unfriend” so many people.

Social media is a powerful tool for branding – for personal branding, as well as for increasing business brand awareness.

In fact, I help several businesses (small, medium, and very large)with their social media communications – I refuse to use the word “campaign” in regard to social media.

If done well, social media serves as a platform of engagement. Engagement never ends, while a campaign does have a “shelf life.”

Unfortunately, I do not see as many businesses engaging as properly as they should. Instead, I see many instances where Facebook is used as a virtual “bulletin board,” lacking any sort of luster, and capturing little interest.

So if that is the case, why would I “unfriend” my friends?

Here is part of my personal Facebook experience, in a nutshell:
- Most of my friends I knew well, but some not well at all. Those whom I know, I can call.
- I am able to see some of my friends when I step outside my door. I can visit with them anytime.
- Each month I come in contact with some of my friends. If we need more time, we can grab coffee.
- Some of my friends live in other states, or countries. We can call each other, or visit via Skype.
- Then of course, there are the friends that sent me Facebook emails, asking me to call them. Really??

The last experience mentioned happened to me yesterday, and served as the “last straw.”

In other words, we may contact each other anytime we choose. Friendship is much more than a digital experience.

So what am I giving up, by scaling back my Facebook contacts?
- The chance to see tons of political content – some of which is beyond absurd.
- The ability to see the same joke, shared without any sort of comment whatsoever.
- Comments from some people (not my friends), who find very few positives, in ANY situation.
- And of course, there are the braggarts.

I will miss seeing the family photos, however. I suppose that means I will need to visit others more.

As a marketing consultant, I am fully aware that social media is only part of a solid integrated approach to selling.

Yes, I did say selling. The number one job of marketing is to increase sales, not just exposure.

Just as social media is important, each action the member of an organization takes is also part of the marketing effort.

So how does this apply to our personal lives?

Very simply, many of us have forgotten how to apply a solid integrated approach in dealing with our true friends.

We post, and read. Take a photo, and post. See a photo, and “like” it.

The importance of true dialog often seems lost.

If you don’t believe me, ask yourself why a handwritten thank you note, or phone call seems to be so extraordinary these days.

I intend to remain very engaged with the people I have yet to call close friends, across the various social media platforms. You can easily find me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Google +, and of course on this blog.

As I become closer with others, they either make it to my email address book, Skype account, or my mobile phone.

I’ve always believed in treating those persons in my life that are special, as if they truly are special.

If everyone is truly the same, nobody is truly special.

That is why I will be placing a heavier emphasis on the phone book, with a lesser emphasis on my personal Facebook account – yes, if you are reading this post from a link on the FlexMarketing Solutions Facebook page, there truly is some irony.

I plan to make a much more concerted effort to live a little less “on the cloud,” and a lot more “in the flesh.”

After all is said and done, it is the personal interactions that truly have meaning – in business, as well as in our personal lives.

In Communication ,
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