Archive for January, 2009
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian and pastor who opposed the Nazi Regime. Eventually he was banned from any form of public speaking in Germany. He was offered a teaching position on the safe shores of the United States but chose to remain in hostile Nazi Germany in order to love and serve his people. […]
Make Someone’s Day!
Closed Published by Business Networking in Austin Blog January 25th, 2009 on Business Networking in Austin BlogIn the last few weeks I’ve managed to elicit a couple of e-mails where I was told I’d made that persons day. These weren’t just any old friends either. One was a VERY well known best-selling author.
It struck me that it is incredibly simple to make someone’s day. Each of these incidents literally took a total of 2 minutes of my time. Think about the last time somebody made your day. How much effort did it take on their part? My guess is almost none! Why not try to make someone’s day every day?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Say "thank you" in a very specific way
- Nominate someone for an award you know they deserve
- Call an old friend
- Make an introduction
- Publicly praise someone (you can even do this in an e-mail… Copy their boss and others)
- Write an unsolicited testimonial
- Did I mention say "thank you?"
I think you’ll find that making someone’s day rarely takes longer than 2 minutes. You have 2 minutes don’t you? Go make someone’s day RIGHT NOW! It doesn’t matter who it is. Just go do it.
Happy Networking!
-Scott Ingram
P.S. You may even find that making someone else’s day makes your own day (it did for me). Now go DO IT!!!
Free Preview: M. Ward’s “Hold Time”
Closed Published by Jonathan Dodson January 23rd, 2009 on Creation ProjectOne of my favorite singer/song writers is on the cusp of releasing a much anticipated new album. It’s been three years since M. Ward’s excellent Post-War. While fans have been pining Ward has been busy. In addition to working on his own Hold Time, Ward produced She & Him, as well as contributed to a […]
I didn’t even have to work for this one.
#79
Five Scientific Reasons A Zombie Apocalypse Could Actually Happen:
Click the picture for the link.
Great Book on Raising Teens
Closed Published by Jonathan Dodson January 23rd, 2009 on Creation ProjectIf you are looking for a book on raising teens, Get Outta My Face comes highly recommended. It sold 1000 copies in less than 48 hours over at Westminster Books. There are 500 left at an intro price of $4.88!
“Rick Horne knows from life experience how to do what seems impossible—how to connect with teens. […]
Makoto Fujimara: Why Art?
Closed Published by Jonathan Dodson January 22nd, 2009 on Creation ProjectMakoto Fujimara is a remarkably thoughtful and accomplished artist, an all-too-rare blend of artist meets theologian. He describes his medium as follows: “In my studio, I use ground minerals such as malachite and azurite, layering them to create prismatic refractions, or ‘visual jazz.’ Via my art I hope to create a mediated reality of beauty, […]
The typealyzer writing/personality analysis site tells me this about myself:
Good thing I totally manage no one…
It also alleges that I use some - a very small bit - of my brain here:
How Would You Rate Your Community?
Closed Published by Jonathan Dodson January 21st, 2009 on Creation ProjectAs I continue to read on community in the US, I’m struck by the steady decline of genuine human interaction beyond superficial familial, vocational, and patron-client relationships. Robert Putnam notes the decline of community in the United States stating that over the past 25 years, attendance at club meetings has fallen 58 percent, family dinners […]
Did you think I was kidding? Oh, no friends. When you turn this unexciting of an age and have nothing going on, you need to make your own party. This is a marathon. So my birthday (which was Monday) started last Thursday. I went shopping. At the outlets. And bought stuff. Shoes, a coat, a […]
Texas Social Media Awards
Closed Published by Business Networking in Austin Blog January 20th, 2009 on Business Networking in Austin Blog
I am honored to be a nominee for the Texas Social Media Awards.
The Texas Social Media Awards is a brilliant idea brought to us by the Austin American Statesman. The Statesman is truly leading the way not just in Austin, but nationally when it comes to traditional media’s usage of social media. They’re not eligible for their own awards, but I would argue that its the Statesman who really deserves to win the Social Media Award. With nearly all of their reporters on Twitter it’s now possible to truly have a dialogue with the daily paper. They really understand that the power of social media is creating community and conversation, and that’s just what they’re doing.
Currently there are 125 nominees. The top 25 will be chosen and displayed by Feb. 18. An overall Statesman winner will be awarded at a party on March 15 which coincides with SXSW.
It appears that much of the selection for the finalists will be based on the public comments about each nominee. Hopefully this doesn’t turn into too much of a popularity contest. I’d much rather see the individuals who set the best examples of social media usage be finalists, not just those who receive the most comments. That being said I’m personally not beyond doing a little bit of campaigning, and would like to ask for your help.
If you’ve benefited from the events and networking tips I share in the NetworkInAustin.com Newsletter or from any of the hundreds of blog posts I’ve written over the last 3.5+ years I hope you’ll share your comments about the specific value you’ve received. Also if you have learned anything from the way that I utilize LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter I hope you’ll share that as well.
Share your comments on Scott’s social media usage: Help me become a finalist!
I’m probably not the only nominee you know. Please also considering commenting on the nominations of some of the other nominees who you feel are deserving.
Here is a list of some of my friends and others I’m quite familiar with who certainly deserve a nod:
Doug Ulman (Lance Armstrong Foundation)
If you really want to learn what social media is all about spend some time understanding what these folks and the rest of the nominees are doing. Something tells me your time will be very well invested. I hope to find some time to do this myself. Congratulations to all of the nominees!
Happy Networking!
Scott Ingram