BusinessCasualBlog.com: Business and Management

January 16, 2010

7 Ways To Reinvent Yourself

Below is an excerpt from one of the recent "manifestos" from the ChangeThis site. This one by Seth Godin, Author of Linchpin: Are You Indepsensable?

Years ago, when you were about four years old, the system set out to persuade you of something that isn’t true. Not just persuade, but drill, practice, reinforce and, yes, brainwash.

The mission: to teach you that you’re average; That compliant work is the best way to a reliable living; That creating average stuff for average people, again and again, is a safe and easy way to get what you want.

Step out of line and the system would nudge (or push) you back to the center. Show signs of real creativity, originality or even genius, and well-meaning parents, teachers and authority figures would eagerly line up to get you back in line.

Our culture needed compliant workers, people who would contribute without complaint, and we set out to create as many of them as we could.

And so generations of students turned into generations of cogs—factory workers in search of a sinecure. We were brainwashed into fitting in, and then discovered that the economy wanted people who stood out instead.

When exactly were we brainwashed into believing that the best way to earn a living is to have a job?

I think each one of us needs to start with that.

If that stirred any interest at all, feel free to download the full text in PDF format below. The cost? Only for the price of being interested. How cool is that?

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Posted by mel on January 16, 2010 in Business and Management, Career, Marketing | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

January 15, 2010

Two types of change dynamics you need to know when implementing social media in your company

Ron Ploof's blog post on Slaying New Media Dragons conjured up tales of old... well, at least posts of old.

I had written a couple of articles in the not so distant past about the emotional and productivity dynamics that run through all organizations experiencing some sort of organization wide change. Ron's post points to three types of "dragons" that threaten to derail those who might try implementing New Media solutions in their company. His points are consistent with some of the ways in which resistance to change can manifest in organizational dynamics.

In this video, I talk through those dynamics and bring back my old posts about the differences in organizational dynamics between changes that are negatively perceived and those which are positively perceived. Different dynamics in each.

And, while it's important to recognize the different characteristics in each of these change curves, it's also worth being aware of how management efforts to implement change are made even more challenging because of the fact that both change curves are happening simultaneously throughout the implementation life cycle. As with social media, communication and relationships are key.

(Bigger dimension and embed code here.)

Posted by mel on January 15, 2010 in Business and Management, Web videos | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

December 13, 2009

SWOT Analysis Revisited. Narrowing Your SWOT Using Mindmaps.

Last week I posted an article about conducting a SWOT analysis. One of the metaphors I used in that post were tools of paper and pen or flipchart and marker to facilitate a SWOT analysis. But, as you can imagine, there are a lot of ways to facilitate group activities like this.

In this video, I want to show you another way I've facilitated these kinds of meetings using flexible mindmapping software. (You can enlarge the video, by the way, by clicking the expand button next to the volume bar.) The SWOT shown in the this video is an actual analysis for a client I worked with in the past. While I have permission to show it, I did take time anyway to sanitize it for any references to company names, people and product labels.

Also, on a related note, I've already gotten a few sign-ups from folks who wanted to be notified when I post the e-book that compiles the facilitation tips and tools I've used and have written about in past articles. Click here and I'll make sure I keep you updated on the timeframe. Which, with the holidays and so on, is looking like sometime soon after the first of the year.

Also, on a related not, I've already gotten a few sign-ups from folks who wanted to be notified when I post the e-book where I compile the facilitation tips and tools I've used and have written about in past articles. Sign up below and I'll make sure I keep you updated on the timeframe which, with the holiday and so on, is looking like soon after the first of the year. (And, no worries. I don't spam and won't sell your information to any third-parties.)

Posted by mel on December 13, 2009 in Business and Management, Facilitation Tools, Meeting facilitation, Tools and Gadgets, Web videos | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 18, 2009

Live Blogging - ASTD Orange County's November 2009 Meetup With CEO of WD-40

In this morning's post, I mentioned that I was considering liveblogging this evening's keynote with Garry Ridge. I'm still thinking... thinking... (don't pressure me!)... thinking... okay, yes! Unless you're attending in-person at the meetup venue (registration required), feel free to join us here instead at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 18. (Note: Dinner served only at the live meetup.) :)

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=b1d789d525" >ASTD-OC (Orange County Chapter) Monthly Meetup & CEO Keynote - Garry Ridge, CEO WD-40</a>
This event hosted by ASTD-OC
(American Society for Training and Development, Orange County Chapter)
(Join!)

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Posted by mel on November 18, 2009 in ASTD, Business and Management, Training, Web videos | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 17, 2009

A 7-Step variation on the tried-and-true brainstorming technique for new ideas.

Sometimes I just want an alternative to the same 'ol brainstorming session. Here's a simple alternative that I learned during my good 'ol days as a consultant with Andersen Consulting. (Now Accenture.) It's called the 5-3-5 method. (Don't ask... I'm not sure who came up with that name. But, in case you're wondering, "5-3-5" supposedly derives from the concept that this variation to brainstorming requires "five people (though this can vary), three ideas, five minutes."

Purpose:
Use this as an alternative to the traditional brainstorming session. It makes use of structured idea-generation while allowing equal participation among participants.
The Tools:
You'll need: A pen or pencil for each participant; prepared "idea forms" (see below); Flipchart; tape; and markers.
Setup:
Although it's easy enough to create the "idea forms" on the fly during the session, it sometimes helps to just go ahead and have these prepared ahead of time. They're easy. Using a sheet of paper (or flipchart paper), create a form with room for a theme statement (the central issue about which you'd like to generate ideas), three columns and five rows. It should look like this:

Make sure you make enough copies for every participant.

Procedure:
1. Group participants into teams of 3 to 5 people.

2. Introduce the issue statement. This will be the central issue for which you want to generate ideas.

3. Give each group member a copy of the idea form discussed above.

4. Allow the participants no more than about five minutes to write three ideas on the first available row of the form. At the end of the allotted time, instruct participants to pass the forms they just wrote on to the team member on their right.

5. Tell participants to read the ideas on the form which they received from the team member on their left. Then, take five minutes to write three ideas of their own in the cells of the next available row on the idea form.

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until all cells in each row of the idea forms have been filled in.

7. Collect the sheets and post them where everyone can see them. (Alternative: Allow the participants to take a break while you and a helper write all the ideas on a flipchart.)
Result:
This activity will have produced a lot of ideas for you in relatively little time. It also has the added benefit of allowing each participant to submit her/his idea with some degree of relief from any pressures inadvertently brought on by co-mingling supervisors and subordinates at the same meeting.

In order to bring the larger list down to a manageable/actionable set of ideas, try using a focusing technique, such as the 8-step process I discussed in a previous post that uses Post-it notes to help generate consensus.

I hope this helps!

If you have other ideas or tips for facilitating meetings, please share. Post the steps in the comments below, or on your own blog and then share the link below. Thanks!

Related posts:

Posted by mel on November 17, 2009 in ASTD, Business and Management, Facilitation Tools, Lists, Meeting facilitation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 16, 2009

Busy weekend - REBarCamp San Diego - NAR Convention - ASTD-OC Leadership Meetup

The weekend's activities started last Thursday with RE BarCamp. Then, there was the NAR Convention that ran through the weekend. And, of course, the ASTD-OC Chapter leaders transition meeting last Saturday.

RE BarCamp was a hit with over 500 people in attendance at the Stingaree in San Diego's Gas Lamp District. In a nutshell, in addition to getting a whole buncha folks in the real estate profession together for a day to learn from each other about various topics ranging from Facebook, video blogging and social media to Google Wave, professionalism and legal issues of social media technology, we also had the pleasure of raising funds to sponsor schooling for two under-privileged children in a third-world country.

What's a barcamp?
In case you've never heard of a barcamp, it's basically a grassroots gathering where like-minded folks come to help each other learn. It's typically a free event run entirely on volunteerism and the occasional sponsorship from a company, organization or community. Frequently, there's also some kind of charity-sponsorship activity that attendees raise funds for. As I alluded above, last Thursday's event was honored to raise funds to help send a couple of kids to school via Mothers Fighting For Others.

BarCamps can form around any theme and can form anywhere in the world. Folks like YOU and me make it happen. Last Thursday's event happened to be themed on the real estate profession. It coincided with this year's NAR Convention (National Association of Realtors), which was also kind enough to sponsor part of the event. In many ways, a barcamp is like a convention, in the sense that there are breakout sessions where some expert facilitates discussion to learn about a certain topic. Unlike a convention, however, these sessions are free to attend. Also, cross-selling and cross-promotion of products or services by session speakers are discouraged. The event is strictly about learning. Well, learning and lots of networking.

How are session speakers selected for a barcamp?
You think it, you decide to do it, you sign up on "the board", it happens.

It's like this: event organizers identify sections of the venue to split up into rooms. (Rooms can be formal rooms, or they can be a group of chairs pushed together in one corner of a large room.) Meanwhile, in some central gathering area, a large white board is posted. On the white board is a matrix. Columns in the matrix identify rooms. Rows specify meeting times, typically in 30- to 45-minute increments. In the cells of the matrix is white space for anyone -- any attendee -- to write the name of a topic and, of course, their own name to identify the facilitator.

Attendees regularly visit the white board to see the list of topics. If one interests you, simply show up in the designated meeting "room" at the appointed time. If there's a topic you'd like to discuss that isn't on the board, simply fill in your name and the name of the topic. Of course, lots of networking also tends to happen during the session breaks, lunch gatherings and the evening mixer that typically happens at the end of the event.

Barcamps are a great way (and did I say free?) for professionals to come together to network while teaching each other about trends and current events going on in their industry. Some industries have more critical mass than others. The RE BarCamp (real estate industry professionals) happens to be one of those with critical mass and seemingly a new event someplace in the U.S. happening at least quarterly. You can learn more about barcamp here. And, real estate barcamp here.

Posted by mel on November 16, 2009 in Business and Management, Current Affairs, Local Events, Meeting facilitation, Real Estate Professionals, Social networks, Training | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 03, 2009

Free Social Media Listening Tools You Should Use. Part 2 - Search Results In RSS

Okay, if you weren't already optimizing your efficiency before with an RSS reader, then you should be now. That is, assuming you read--and followed--the instructions in my post yesterday about RSS. At the end of that post, I promised to show you how to automate your searches by adding keyword search results to your RSS.

First Things First

You need an RSS feed reader set up. If this isn't the case, do so now. Read yesterday's post to find out how. (Uh, no. I wasn't trying for a rhyme just then. It's one of those things.)

Now that you have an RSS feed reader going, congratulations! You're doing it right. :)

Now keep it up. Do the following.

9 Steps to Set Up Search Results In Your RSS Feed Reader

1. Navigate to blogsearch.google.com.

2. Type your name (in quotes) in the search field. Here's an example.

3. Click the Search Blogs button.

4. In the left sidebar of your search results page, find the link that says "RSS". Right-click it and select "Copy Link".

5. Open a New Tab or New Window in your web browser and navigate to your News/Feed Reader page. (If you followed yesterday's post, this will likely be www.Google.com/Reader.)

6. In your feed reader click the Add Subscription button. (The image below assumes you're using Google Reader.)

7. In the field that appears, Paste the link you copied from Step 4 above.

8. Click the Add button.

9. Wash, rinse, repeat for other keywords or phrases that have interest for you. Here are some suggestions you might want to consider:

Create an RSS feed for search results using the name of your business in quotes.

How about the name of your product(s)?

Create another for a major project (or projects). For example, I've created variations of search results for a book I just wrote. A chapter was dedicated to the topic of Monitoring the Conversation. I can tell you I've already had a couple of readers test me and my co-author to see if we were listening. (Hmm... how'd I know that, I wonder?) :)

How about the name of your blog?

Consider search results for causes, charities or activities you care about. In this way, you can be contribute with your own comments and join conversations where they happen online.

Those are just a few things you might want to consider. The sky's really the limit. And, if the number of feeds you have created begin to feel a little unwieldy, group RSS feeds into folders. Google Reader, as with most other feed readers, allow for the creation of folders to help organize your feeds. (I have about a hundred feeds at the moment, for example, all grouped into about a dozen folders.)

Don't Forget Twitter and YouTube

Of course, the steps above only account for instances of your searches that appear on most blogs that syndicate their content via RSS. Since a lot of conversation these days also happen on Twitter, you should consider doing the same steps above, only this time use search.twitter.com in place of blogsearch.google.com in Step 1.

And, if you're inclined, I'll also encourage you to create similar feeds for favorite keywords and phrases for searches on YouTube.

RSS Syndication Doesn't Prevail Everywhhere

Finally, it'll help you to know, too, that not all search engines give the benefit of RSS syndication for all search results. Even Google, for example, doesn't offer an RSS feed for search results for the web in general. i.e., those that go beyond blogsearch.

It's for this reason, that in tomorrow's post, I'll show you how to set up a few key alerts. Alerts are similar in purpose to the steps I showed you above. Like RSS, they help you monitor conversations online that concern you. But, they function a little differently in the sense that alerts come to you by way of email, instead of RSS.

I hope this helps! I'll see ya in the next post.

Posted by mel on November 03, 2009 in Business and Management, Career, Social networks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 25, 2009

5 Nice Finds From the Week of Oct 18 to 24, 2009 - Presentation Support Tools

Here are some nice "finds" I came across last week that I've added to my list of productivity tools. Then I had a thought: rather than keep 'em to myself, why not share them with you? (No brainer.) Here you go.

o FontCapture. Create your own custom fonts in your own handwriting. (Kudos: Tom Kuhlman, Rapid E-Learning Blog.)

o How to snap an iPhone screenshot. (Kudos: @TawnyPress for the find. Daniel Nations for the post.)

o And then there's this set of tools from Olivia Mitchell (Speaking about Presenting blog) for those who want to embrace Twitter to be a part of your presentation. I included the three that resonated with me the most. But Olivia includes seven others in her post. In case you're interested, click-through to the link I included above for the full list.

Keynote Tweet. (For Mac users to use a simple Applescript to automatically send tweets from Apple Keynote during a presentation.)

SlideSix Presenter Desktop (beta). (Kudos, too, to Todd Sharp on his blog at cfsilence.com.) This is a tool that Todd is creating. It allows users of SlideSix online presentations to show a Twitter Monitor window to the presenter that will allow her to see what discussions are going on in Twitterdom related to some keyword or hashtag, say.

PowerPoint Twitter Tools (beta). (Kudos, also, to Timo Elliott over at the SAPWeb2.0 blog.) This is a set of tools that Timo created to allow presenters using PowerPoint for Windows to see and react to tweets in real-time.

I haven't worked through all the tools yet, so if you've tried any of them and have some opinion--good or bad--please drop a comment below.

For my part, I'll update this post if I discover something, well, icky about any of them. In the meantime, let me know in the comments below if you found this post helpful.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Posted by mel on October 25, 2009 in Business and Management, eLearning, Facilitation Tools, Meeting facilitation, Social networks, Technology, Training | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 23, 2009

Am I still on track with what you come here for?

If you're a blogger yourself, then you'd likely agree that It's a good idea to go through your blog's stats every now and then to see what your visitors are reading most, which keywords they use to find your site through search engines, which sites they come from, and so on.

More than simply checking page views, visitor counts and other "eyeball metrics," I like checking what you and our other friends here read most. I do that so I can make sure that what this site's about (business x learning x social media) is still aligned with the topics I predominantly publish, and the reason for your gracious subscription.

And, while I'm on that point, let me again say thank you for subscribing.

So it was that I took a gander at the stats and scanned the content that receive the most visits in the past 30 days; it was interesting to see Google Wave make a resurgence, and from keyword trends, it seems networking activities are a big deal. (Though I can't say that those are necessarily the terms I was trying to rank on. But, maybe I change that moving forward since I've obviously built some momentum with it.)

Here are the Top 10 titles, in order of popularity:

1. Google Wave's Rosie--new possibilities for online collaboration across languages. (Posted 5/31/09)
2. Two activities to maximize networking opportunities at your next meetup. (Posted January 29, 2009)
3. Where to get pre keyed (green screen) video footage for your web video or online project. (Posted September 7, 2009)
4. Favorite 10 Tools For Creating Learning (Posted May 28, 2009)
5. Recommended Facebook Privacy Settings For Kids? (Posted August 10, 2009)
6. A parody on client-vendor negotiations: "I will gladly pay you Tuesday, for a hamburger today" (Posted October 11, 2009)
7. Guest topic: 8 Questions to help you identify victims of Human Trafficking (Posted September 29, 2009)
8. An eight-step process using Post-it notes to gain meeting consensus. (Posted April 25, 2009)
9. My New Book is Out... STOP! Don't buy it...! (Posted yesterday)
10.The Change Curve On Death and Dying. (Posted December 10, 2008)

Now, I've scanned the list above and (leaving keyword search terms aside for a moment) am reasonably comfortable that I'm still publishing topics that are aligned with social media, business and learning.

But, the way I see it, I'm not the final arbiter of that. You are.

So, let me know. Am I still doing well by you?

Posted by mel on October 23, 2009 in Business and Management, Lists, Trends | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 11, 2009

A parody on client-vendor negotiations: "I will gladly pay you Tuesday, for a hamburger today"

I promised a colleague a couple of days ago that I'd dig this video up for him. It relates to an informal exchange he and I had about rates for a contractor who's on the short list for sub-ing some work to on a client project.

At one point, the idea was presented that we "dangle a carrot." The suggestion being that we imply the possibility of additional work for that contractor on other future projects if we can get a break on rates today.

I chuckled. I told him, you don't think they've heard that line? 'Matter of fact, it's so cliche that someone made a video parodying all the ways clients try to get cheaper rates.

To my colleague's credit, he laughed good-naturedly. He has enough experience himself to concede the point.

The thing is, many of us have dangled the "future work" carrot ourselves. I can attest to having done so myself early in my career. But, I've since come to believe that most contractors who have the kind of experience that would serve their paying clients well, would recognize that carrot for what it is: a largely empty promise.

But, it also won't be the last time any of us hear it from any of our own prospective clients. And, as service providers, it wouldn't do any of us any good, either, to simply march off with righteous indignation.

Rather, the next time the "future work" carrot gets dangled--especially if it comes from someone in my own camp--I'd love to hear the contractor give a counter-offer that suggests baking into the current contract a promise for the second project. With that promise offered contractually as good faith, the contractor might then be more inclined to offer a blended rate for both projects that reflects a discount on the first.

Failing that, then I think the following response would be highly appropriate:

"You know, Mr. Client, that sounds promising. But, to be fair, I want you to have the opportunity to first experience the quality of my work before you promise assigning any future work to me. So, how about we agree to revisit that rate reduction when the contract for the next project materializes?"

What are your thoughts? Am I off-base? Have you dangled the "future work carrot?" How have you managed it when you were on the receiving end?

Posted by mel on October 11, 2009 in Business and Management, Web videos | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)