Erik T. Ford

Susan Boyle video virality

We reside in an interesting times.  This has nothing to do with the economy or government, although these days any conversation seems to be tied to one of those two culprits.  This is about the unbelievably grey transition of technology in its most modern, potent form.

We have come a long way, and I often tout that the best technology is truly ubiquitous; it seamlessly and naturally blends in with our lives as if it were there all along.  Cell phones are certainly a fortuitous example.

But where are we now?  We are at a time where a never heard of British phenomenon has received more attention and awareness than what Superbowl ads strive for at millions a pop.  Yet… YET, YouTube has still yet to find a way to monetize this monumentally mammoth sensation.  Ironically, sensation is the name of the game.  Where’s the capture?  Modern news media focuses on sensationalism daily; gotta go for the attention-getters.  Sex sells, etc.

So where does this all leave us?  Well, a gap for one.  We are at a turning point where conventional media is turning to social media.  The burdens of overhead are shifting to outsourced expenses for services, to sacrifice the silver lining that contributes to the bottom line.

It is time to innovate.  It is time to stick our heads forward, confidently.  I am not a large proponent of ‘2.0′, as I believe the term to be thrown around so loosely, much like HD and going Green.  Yet, we are emerging on business 2.0, across all spectrums.  Much like the industrial revolution inherently set the landscape for the 20th century, we are now embarking on a new journey.

We have set foot on the technological revolution; the digital revolution.

Erik Business Innovation, Digital Trends, Usability, Web Development Conversion, exposure, monetization, social media, social networks, social videos, susan boyle, viral, youtube

First off, I love this word… Much like the “a picture is worth a thousand words” adage, certain words encompass various thoughts that succinctly coincide.  Imminent is one of them; notwithstanding the fact that often words carry multiple meanings as well.

I digress-

Seth Godin in his recent article titled Imminent, describes venture capitalists in a certain light: “The brilliant venture capitalists are the guys who invest their money months or years before everyone else realizes how imminent the success is. They have better radar than the rest of us.” Seth does an excellent job of having a foresight and big picture recognition of need.  Ironically the context of what I’m describing is the parent of just what he mentions.  I wholeheartedly intend on being someone positioned much the same way.  I enjoy the way I understand how systems work.  Beyond that, I have a passion for figuring out how they play into the grand scheme of things.  Whether it’s projections on future trends of technology, or strategy in business, these passions energize me.  Find out the true passions that exude the feeling of imminence to your situation, and capitalize on those.

What do you believe to be Imminent in your life?  No matter the focus -a business venture, career advancement, life changing events, potential relationships etc- what are the factors that speak to you voluminously to the fact that these are truly imminent?  What is it that gives you that ‘gut feeling’?  Identify, analyze how they motivate you, and capitalize.

Seth goes on to describe the success by being able to identify and leverage such factors: “Your job as a marketer or entrepreneur is to amplify the signals that buyers and investors look for. Spend your money on the right stuff, ignore the rest. If you try to market and spend on every element of your story, you’ll be merely average. If, on the other hand, you can focus on which signals represent an imminent success, the leverage kicks in.”

I have great faith that they are imminent for you as well; but as most point out, the world isn’t listening until you get its attention-

To your [imminent] success!

-E

Erik Philosophy Life, Personal Development

Incredible insight on Stress from Breakfast with Fred.  The article is called Holding a Taut Line and can be found below.

A few highlights that I found particularly powerful:

“Botanists teach us about the importance of turgor – that normal fullness that comes from the tension produced by fluid flowing through veins of plants.  Lack of proper tension makes plants droop.  We are no different.  Without a healthy degree of stress and tension, we wilt.

Certainly we must control stress, but we must not eliminate it.  One of the finest ways to control it is by learning to appreciate it, rather than fearing it.  If you didn’t have tension, you wouldn’t have enough ambition to become successful.”

“The same thing is true in life.  We either face problems as challenges or withdraw into the shell of inertia.  We can choose to see obstacles or opportunities.

This week think carefully about: 1) How am I using stress to my advantage? 2) Where am I causing stress for others? 3) What is my biggest current challenge and am I running forward or backward?

Words of Wisdom: “We either face problems as challenges or withdraw into the shell of inertia.”

I love the analogy of plants and turgor.  The necessity to have a healthy tension that perpetually propels us to succeed is essential to personal sustainability.  Often I, as well as loved ones around me, continually gripe of the tumultuous battles with stress.  I find enlightenment in the fact that stress has a healthy, pull you forward degree as well.  As an opportunist, I’ve always imagined problems as challenges with an opportunity lying on the other side.  However, tying such opportunism to the inherent nature of stress is, well, stress relieving.  I will reflect on the “this week think carefully” points and urge you to do the same.  Our greatest successes often emerge from victory over such challenges.

-E

Below is the article in it’s entirety as it has yet to be posted on the Breakfast with Fred Website:

”

Successful leaders have learned to appreciate tension.  I am convinced that positive stress is a wonderful thing.  Where else would we get the energy to carry out our responsibilities?

Botanists teach us about the importance of turgor – that normal fullness that comes from the tension produced by fluid flowing through veins of plants.  Lack of proper tension makes plants droop.  We are no different.  Without a healthy degree of stress and tension, we wilt.

Certainly we must control stress, but we must not eliminate it.  One of the finest ways to control it is by learning to appreciate it, rather than fearing it.  If you didn’t have tension, you wouldn’t have enough ambition to become successful.

We had a young man who, when asked the question, “How long have you been working for the company?” responded, “Ever since the boss threatened to fire me!”  This young man didn’t have the eye of the tiger, nor the fire in the belly that true leaders need.  Successful men and women have an intense rhythm and energetic pace.

I sometimes hear wives complain about how tired their husbands are at night.  I think this is part of the price of being a leader.  You can’t have the placidity of a mule and the winnings of a racehorse!

A psychiatrist friend of mine was sent to Guadalcanal following the bloody battles with the Japanese in 1942  to talk with both the cowards and the heroes to see why each reacted as he did.  My friend told me that both were motivated by the same great fear, but the heroes ran forward and the cowards ran backward.

The same thing is true in life.  We either face problems as challenges or withdraw into the shell of inertia.  We can choose to see obstacles or opportunities.

This week think carefully about: 1) How am I using stress to my advantage? 2) Where am I causing stress for others? 3) What is my biggest current challenge and am I running forward or backward?

Words of Wisdom: “We either face problems as challenges or withdraw into the shell of inertia.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.” (I Corinthians 16:13 NET Bible)

_____________________________

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To read more writings of Fred Smith go to www.breakfastwithfred.com”

Erik Uncategorized Life, Personal Development