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How many of you have a working relationship with someone who lives in your city that’s nevertheless been purely virtual – conducted only over email, phone, and IM?
Your mission: Ask someone you know only virtually to meet you in person for coffee or a meal. Or do the virtual version: Have a video call on skype.com. (Skype is incredible, and one-on-one video conferencing is completely free. If you haven’t used it yet, give it a try.)
Need a script? You could say, “We’re wasting an opportunity by not sitting down for a real conversation – I want to hear more about you and your business. I bet there are ways we could be helping each other.”
Here are two reasons why I want you to do this:
Information share: I guarantee you each have info valuable to each other’s business that you just haven’t thought to share. You’ll benefit from their knowledge, their perspective, and perhaps, their network. Who knows what new opportunities you’ll spin up for each other.
Getting Personal Feels Good: It’ll take an hour to have this meeting. But it will have a profoundly positive effect on what it feels like to interact with them from here on in. That’s a great investment of your time.
So fess up: How many local-but-virtual-only biz relationships like this do you you have? Ever thought about making the leap?
Today’s guest post is from Phil Simon, a fellow speaker at Inc’s Grow Your Company in April. He’s got great ideas on how growing companies can get a leg up with new technology.
Compared to big companies, many small businesses are adopting new technologies at both greater speed and lower cost. These represent two sources of a new competitive advantage for these nimble, agile companies. At the New Small, new technologies are enabling a completely different mindset and definition of work. Smaller outfits and startups are attracting top-flight talent because, to some extent, they allow work to be done anywhere: from home, on a beach, or in a coffee shop.
This tech-friendly ethos is allowing employees to work on their own terms, addressing the work-life imbalance from which many people suffer. In this vein, the New Small is using technology strategically to win the war for talent.
So, there’s good news for small businesses on several fronts. Emerging technologies are allowing progressive companies to leap ahead of others still struggling to figure things out.
But which technologies are making such a dramatic difference? There are five specific ones. I collectively refer to them as the Five Enablers. Here’s a primer:
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is one hot technology, and for good reason. At a high level, cloud-based applications allow employees to access company information from wherever they are. Data and applications in the clouds are simply more accessible than those stored in a single location. Although there are security implications related to de-perimeterizing the enterprise, cloud applications are gaining momentum as organizations try to improve accessibility and information -- and reduce the cost of getting it.
SaaS
Software as a service (SaaS) is kind of a cousin to cloud computing. In fact, the latter enables the former. SaaS is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet. SaaS is becoming an increasingly prevalent delivery model as underlying technologies that support Web services and service-oriented architecture mature and new development approaches become popular. Meanwhile, broadband service has become increasingly available to support user access from more areas around the world.
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
FOSS alternatives to traditional (read: paid) offerings have been gaining acceptance for years. For those who doubt the penetration of open source (OS) software in ordinary life, consider that it is now penetrating even the hallowed -- and traditionally conservative -- halls of academia.
Mobility
Mobile technologies extend the capabilities of certain applications, particularly in retail, manufacturing and inventory-related environments. The number and variety of consumer-oriented applications are absolutely astounding. The bottom line with mobility is this: People no longer need to be chained to desktops or laptops to access or receive information. The potential of mobility is simply massive. Collectively the New Small has embraced the use of smartphones and productivity-enhancing apps. Mobility is unquestionably useful. Unfortunately many companies are too scared to embrace a mobile world. Others are intrigued by its possibilities but, for whatever reason, cannot make any headway.
Social Technologies
Social networking and media are piping hot topics these days. Many people at least particularly understand how to use social networking tools on a personal level. However, fewer are sure about what -- if anything -- these tools can do at work. Many people wonder whether they should even be on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn while on company time.
Ignore these technologies at your peril. As Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
You've just read an excerpt from Phil Simon’s new book, The New Small: How a New Breed of Small Businesses is Harnessing the Power of Emerging Technologies, available for purchase from Motion Publishing LLC. To learn more about the book please visit thenewsmall.com and www.philsimonsystems.com.
Work on purpose: Keep your actions connected to your goals.
Stop procrastinating: Don’t subdivide tasks. Subdivide time. Even schedule time for your distractions so they won’t pop up during important tasks.
Conquer technology: Choose a timeframe to email, text, etc. If that doesn’t work, physically rearrange your workspace so you are separate from your gadgets.
Focus: Just say no. You set your priorities.
How do you stay focused and productive throughout the day?
This is a four-part series sharing lessons in joy, success, and even fidelity, that I brought back with me from a 2-week service trip to Thailand and Cambodia at the close of 2010.
Lesson #3: Your fate is not controlled by the prejudice of others.
Happiness is in you and those you choose to hear. I was reminded of this while visiting an organization called Baan Gerda. In Thailand, there is still a huge stigma against those with AIDS. Baan Gerda was founded by a German chemical executive stationed in Thailand, and started out as a place to take care of orphans dying of the disease – to give them love, respect, and comfort in their last days. These kids’ parents had all died from AIDS, and passed the disease to the children at birth. Their relatives had typically dropped them at mass centers where they would die untouched, unloved, and uncared for.
Then as new drugs came along, Baan Gerda’s mission changed to helping find a way for these children to live beautiful, productive lives. And they do. The story is amazingly told in a movie yet to premier. You can watch a trailer of the film and buy the DVD at the website www.livingwiththetiger.com. (If you have any way to help the movie maker bring the movie and story to the world, let us know.)
As I met with Baan Gerda’s director, Mike Thomas, I was struck as he told me about the children’s active decision to lead normal lives despite so much prejudice against them. Their decision to look to a future when they can marry and live productively among society. How did they find the strength, I wondered?
I think I saw the answer as I watched these children in their daily routines. They are actively serving others – they volunteer to help the elderly and they care for new children entering their home, many of whom are very sick because medicine hasn’t been available. At so many orphanages, I’ve seen children saving their food to give to others. Generosity is healing, even when we have almost nothing.
These children gave me hope that we can stand tall in the face of others who’d like to tell us who we are and what we can become. I'm the first one to advocate listening to feedback, but I'm also the first to support your right to listen or not if you feel you have been thorough in your own self-assessment. Then find those who will feed you toward the direction your heart knows you should go, as the kids at Baan Gerda have.
Want the answer to information overload? You'll find it in your network - if you can harness technology to get directly to the information and opportunities you need. Members of my Relationship Masters Academy were lucky to get help straight from the horse’s mouth on this one: T.A. McCann, CEO of Gist, the company and cool new business tool, gave a 30-minute masterclass presentation on how to use the application to stay constantly on top of what's important to the people who are important to you.
People always ask me how I prep for meetings and I feel a little stupid telling them, “I have my relationship management assistant pull together a 1-page dossier.” Clearly an assistant’s not in everyone’s reach (although you should look into virtual assistance a la Tim Ferriss – surprisingly affordable!). So I was so happy to hear about Gist - this is the best technology I’ve seen so far to help you aggregate your contacts’ online imprints so that you can DO YOUR HOMEWORK with ease. It doesn’t replace my assistant, but it makes it a lot easier to get the “gist” of what my contacts are up to at any point in time.
Here are three of T.A. McCann’s top strategies for leadership success, almost straight from the pages of NEA:
1. Be a connector. Introduce people. Technology makes it so easy!
2. Make yourself "public" and interesting. The more people can get to know you online, the more they’ll be interested in finding out what you’re up to – and helping you make it happen!
3. Create "thought leadership" through content and connections - think Twitter, blogging, and podcasting. Again, compelling content wins you respect and interest.
Who out there’s using Gist? Cool tips, hacks, or feedback for T.A.?
I compiled links to my favorite content on the web (some mine, some from other great experts) to help you get primed and ready to navigate this time of year. No month is as rich with opportunities and permission to deepen the relationships around you – hope these links help you take advantage of it. Enjoy!
My team recently pulled together the top apps for CMOs on iphone, Android, and Blackberry. Thought I'd share them here. These are all useful for more than just CMOs - check them out and share your "don't leave home without it" app in the comments.
Top 5 iPhone apps for CMOs:
1. Keynote: As a CMO, you'll be making presentations. The iWork Keynote app is ideal for on-the-go presentation development. You can also import Microsoft Powerpoint slide decks with ease (Note: Also available as an Android app).
2. Dragon Dictation: There's only one way to get more done if you need to communicate with lengthy messages or compose marketing prose. In addition to sending lots of staff-related email messages to delegate tasks, the CMO is typically at the center of all corporate messaging. Dictating messages and documents is far more productive than typing and provides a highly productive solution.
3. Instapaper: CMOs are constantly on the prowl for competitors, partners, and marketing opportunities. Grabbing links is an inefficient method of capturing things to read and especially useless when you're not online. Capturing pages and articles is a breeze with InstaPaper which allows you to cache your reading requirements offline.
4. HootSuite for Twitter: This app is ground-zero for the CMOs social media intelligence dashboard and outbound messaging platform for his or her entire marketing team. HootSuite helps you manage multiple Twitter, Facebook, and other social media accounts in one place. It also provides automated content posting features and persistent search queries to keep tabs on partners and competitors. Because they provide such a robust web version, you can hop to any system (including iPad) and all configurations are live. Plus, your team needn't install and setup native clients. This system also provides integrated social team management features that allow you to control and commend the social media process from one application. HootSuite is only available for iPad (presently) but that will change soon. On the iPad, the native iPhone app works fine, and the web-based interface also works pretty good in Safari.
5. Gist: Gist is a comprehensive contact, company, and social dashboard for all your business relationships. Presently only available as an iPhone app which works fine on iPad, it also includes a Safari-compatible web interface. This tool will make it easy to stay abreast of all your ongoing and past communications with customers, colleagues, and partners.
Top 5 Android apps for CMOs:
1. TripIt: This app gives frequent travelers instant access to their trip planning needs. Users can keep track of their itineraries, even when they're offline, as well as maps and directions, flight alerts, links to hotels and restaurants and alternative flight options in case of delays.
2. Seesmic: Multiple Twitter accounts can be managed with a simple interface with Seesmic. View timelines, private conversations, post tweets from a single or multiple Twitter accounts, share photos and videos and be notified of new replies as they happen.
3. mShare: Share files of any size with other mobile phones and computers or use the app as a way to backup and store mobile device files. The app works the same way as an FTP server and an instant messaging service.
4. iSkoot for Skype: Also available on the Blackberry mobile platforms, this app allows you to make calls over the Internet. Make calls to those on your Skype contacts list, instant message and place calls to anyone in the world.
5. Lookout: This app provides mobile antivirus protection while backing up important data at the same time. The app can also help locate your phone if it's lost or stolen, with a handy siren that goes off to alarm its misplacement.
Top 5 Blackberry apps for CMOs:
1. Documents To Go, Premium Edition: The app, which is available on all three of the smartphone platforms, allows users to open native Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and PDF files. The Premium version also provides the ability to edit and compose documents.
2. Exgis Time and Expense Pro: Mobile professionals use this app to track their mileage, time and expenses when they're working in the field, or using the information later for invoicing clients or their employer. Data can be exported from the phone to a spreadsheet and saved to a computer for future use.
3. CardSnap: Stop collecting stacks of business cards and quickly convert a photo of a business card into a contact on your Blackberry - the app takes unlimited card "snaps."
4. MyCaption: MyCaption is ideal for those who compose emails, text messaging and calendar items while they're away from their desk.
Users can dictate emails, memos, tasks or calendar items and have it transcribed to Microsoft Outlook, Gmail or the appropriate software application.
5. WiFi File Transfer App: This app is best for professionals who need to instantly send files from their BlackBerry to a computer or printer all through the same web browser - it's like using the smartphone as a wireless memory stick.
Sitting in the Delta Sky Room of Los Angeles Airport, I had the great pleasure of interviewing social media relationship expert Chris Brogan—who was for once not in the airport himself but in his office in Northern Massachusetts – for, among other things, an RMA Masterclass that we called “Never Eat Alone Meets Social Media Mastermind.”
Chris gave ME great advice – “more @replies Keith!” – and gave listeners a ton of act-now info on how to rev up your LinkedIn profile, create door-opening currency online, and bring customers to you instead of having to go find them.
Click through to read part of Chris’ awesome LinkedIn advice:
over email, phone, and IM?
