I have decided to do a weekly review of my noteworthy activities that may interest and hopefully benefit you in some way.  This is my first entry, so you can expect the structure to improve a lot in future posts.   However, I view this entry more so than others as my personal journal.   Accordingly, I would like the presentation to stay fairly organic.  Also, if you have any suggestions on how I can improve the way I present things to you, or simply would like me to write about an area of my week that I do not mention, I am all ears.  After all, I am here to serve you.

Books: a list of books I read this week with a short summary paragraph.

Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith

Snippet: Using the web to build influence, improve retention, and earn trust.
After reading their manifesto Trust Economies which definitely gave me a much clearer perspective on how marketing is evolving, I decided to buy their book which was published this August.  It did not disappoint.  The book is now highlighted from cover-to-cover–it was that good!  I think we all recognize that a shift is taking place.  The key is understanding why and how the business landscape is changing.  Social media provides us with a network of friends that extends beyond our town, city, country, and even spoken language.  More and more buying decisions are being made based on blog posts and comments in the social domain.  So, unless your involved in an industry that is still in the stone age, I suggest you join in the conversation.  A blog is the foundation for your online presence, Twitter is a close second.  To learn more, you could read my post about the 5 Major Reasons You Should Start Blogging.

The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki [executive summary]

Snippet: Everyone should be careful to observe which way their heart draws them, and then choose the way with all their strength.
I learned something vitally important from this book.  In the past, I have always struggled writing mission statements because they seem, well, superfluous, and I am don’t like waste of any kind.  Guy says mission statements are long, boring and irrelevant.  I think he is right! His solution is to make a mantra.  I have since authored several mantra’s and mantra-like statements to support my business endeavours.  Why does your business exist?  Our mantra at jiveSYSTEMS is “Connecting People.” It has much more meaning than our service description “Video Email and Web Video Marketing System, with Unlimited Coaching and Support.”  The root of a mantra is meaning and therefore it brings meaning to your daily tasks.  Take 10 minutes and author your mantra, right now.  It’s easy, ask yourself: 1) who do I serve; and 2) how do I serve?

Kaikaku by Norman Bodek [executive summary]

Snippet: The power and magic of lean: a study in knowledge transfer.
This book is about manufacturing.  I am not in the manufacturing business.  However, Norman defines “lean as an all out war against waste.”  I like that!

Here are my cliff notes in bullet form:

• Maximize people and processes will improve as a result.
• Trace issues to the cause. Ask “Why” over and over until you identify the cause.
• Implement systems for continuous improvement.
• Business is not about a series of tasks, it’s a flow of events toward a result.
• Encourage your team to find the answers to their questions.
• How can I please my customers by giving them exactly what they want?
• One way to improve motion is to improve the equipment.
• Engage your team in bottom up innovation by providing them with a voice.
• Create the ideal work conditions.

Blog Posts from Other Blogs: Noteworthy posts from my Google Reader

The Best Sounds for Getting Work Done

Music motivates me–it’s a fact, I have known for quite some time.  I have about 3 tracks I put on repeat when I am writing.  Right now, I am listening to Basement Jaxx, ‘If I Ever Recover’ on repeat.  The track has a moderately fast pulsing sound that I latch onto and it keeps me focused.  However, the track depends on my mood or the task at hand.   If you haven’t already, you could pick a couple of tracks that is has a fairly constant beat and little to no vocals; next time you need to write a long email, stick your head phones on and give it a go–place each of the tracks on repeat and see which one works best.   It can be a little annoying at first, especially if you fail to focus your attention on the task.  When you do get into the zone though, the repetition of the song often freezes time for you, though it will fly by in the real world.   This heightened level of focus can significantly improve your output.

Two Posts on the new FTC Rules for Online Marketeers

1. FTC Drops the Banhammer on Undisclosed Reviews by Joe Manna, Infusionsoft Community Manager
2. FTC Imposes New Rules for Online Marketeers by Dave Kaminski, CEO/Founder of Web Video University

I was going to write a blog post myself about this topic.  However, Joe and Dave have done an absolutely stellar job.   Dave is a 10 year direct response marketing veteran who successfully made the transition into new media.  Joe manages Infusionsoft’s online community which includes their awesome blog.  Infusionsoft has made the Inc.500 list 3 years in a row.

What do these changes mean to you?  I don’t really know.  The new rules are so bloody ambiguous.  What have I changed since learning about the new rules?  Nothing.  We always present jiveSYSTEMS in a fair and totally honest light.  We are not spammers and our blog is packed full of tried-and-true information, nearly all of which is from my own first-hand experience.  Never-the-less, if you market your business online, I do recommend that you read both Joe’s and Dave’s blog posts.  It took me about 20 minutes at a lesuriely pace to read both posts.

Closing Thoughts

As we (jiveSYSTEMS) make the transition from start-up into small business, I am constantly reminded that life and therefore business is about people.  The more and more I learn, the less and less I realize you have have to know to become successful.  To build a business that will stand the test of time you need to: know yourself, understand your team, assiduously interact with your customers, and study your competition.

I do hope you have found this entry useful.  Please feel free to leave questions, comments and feedback below.

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