Digital Leadership 2.0

February 18, 2013 at 3:29 am | Posted in Business Tips, Leadership, Social Media | Leave a comment
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When I first joined Twitter back in 2007, I followed a lot of different people. I was bullish very early on regarding social marketing, and a number of people who I followed helped to shape and reinforce my experience and opinion.

Over time, I began to find my own voice and at the same time, began to unfollow a number of those influencers – it was an evolution and a healthy one not unlike many “real world” relationships. Those days were a very optimistic time for the social media industry, when the arrival of tools like Facebook and Twitter were seen as a democratization of marketing where the tools of real-time, mass dissemination, “free” communication were at hand. The future was limitless, bright and fun. It was almost a revolution, as converts were continually faced with the challenge of having to “sell up” the benefits of social tools o the executive level.

Many digital leaders at that time were rife with appropriate optimism. Digital Leaders 1.0 were also inherently “cool” as these marketing practices were explosive and truly game-changing. Terms like “rock stars” were abound, with “killer apps” and strategies to “make your content explode”, we were a bit caught up in it. Rules changed over night, and the possibilities kept expanding.

But there is still this lingering evangelicalism that has been outpaced by the progress and acceptance of social marketing. The current landscape is not composed of renegades and rock stars, but professionals at all levels. I often see tweets continually punctuated with exclamation marks! Because everything is awesome!!! There is also this penchant for “life coach” type of advice; Tony Robbins-isms if you will.

Is it just me, or are these the kinds of people you avoid at parties or gatherings? Why aren’t more people rolling their eyes at this kind of activity?

I see effective leaders (in any industry/setting) as catalysts. This is a time for transparent experience when over 100,000 Twitter profiles claim to be social media experts. It’s time for a grounded approach, focused on business outcomes. We don’t need hype, what we do is not radical. A catalyst initiates and enables. A leader is not the hammer, it’s the nail. It’s time for Digital Leadership 2.0.

If you want to be a leader – don’t get in line, find your own voice. Start today.

Social Media Adoption: Slow Process for Teams

September 16, 2009 at 2:15 am | Posted in Leadership, Social Media, Sponsorship | Leave a comment
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Last year, many teams and leagues recognized the potential and flat out requirement to be more involved in social media – but how far have they come in adopting these sites for fan engagement or integrating sponsorship opportunities?

This is the high season for sports – the kick-off of the NFL season, MLB playoff races, the NHL season is about to start and the NBA is just around the corner. There are more eyeballs on more teams and leagues than any other time of year. Right now.

But is this opportunity being leveraged?

For the most part – I would suggest the answer is no. Despite interest, there is a lot of tire ticking and/or reluctance. There are also teams who are looking to be leaders but are not willing to put up the investment in time or dollars without the classic ROI path in advance.

There are some teams who are fully engaged – nothing new for the Phoenix Suns – well regarded as thought leaders in the sports and social media field. And there are other teams out there I am in conversation with and aware of who are taking the steps now to organize and launch major social media initiatives and sponsorship integrations.

This is the exciting future path – this is where thought leaders are taking the industry, and this is where the others will follow in time.

The Dangers of Sales Success

February 26, 2009 at 2:56 pm | Posted in Leadership, Sales Tips, Uncategorized | Leave a comment
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One of the dangers that many sellers come across is that when they get to a place of success, they start to slow down. They don’t have the drive to meet their quota, beat their competition or strive  among their peers to be the best.

And if you get to the top, someone is constantly trying to knock you off the pedestal – it’s tough being #1…

So how can you avoid this? Here’s a few ideas:

  1. Don’t let off the gas – the second you think you are safe is the second you are in trouble.
  2. When you close a sale, make a cold call (or 10) – Ride the wave of excitement/confidence and allow those feelings to resonate with some new business development.
  3. Ask your customers for referrals – keep the momentum moving by networking with your new customers – and be sure to give some referrals to these new contacts as well.
  4. Never look back - find some time to enjoy your success, but remember how you got there, I bet it wasn’t easy…

Just remember what’s like at the top of the pile, it can be a great place to be. But, now your colleagues and peers are looking to beat you – just as you were recently with the former top performer.

Keep at it and good luck.

364 Reasons

January 1, 2009 at 2:19 pm | Posted in Leadership, Personal Brand, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Happy New Year! But don’t forget that it’s also just Thursday.

We embrace the concept of “new-ness” and improvement every January 1st. There’s a lot to be said for a fresh start, a new look, positive change… we wrap this holiday in the concept of “new” and also spend a great deal of time in reviewing and rating the events of the past year.

True success through innovation and introspection is a daily process for both individuals and for business. Don’t put all that pressure on one day, or one concept surrounding January - it needs to be a core belief.

One of my colleagues has a similar idea…

Having said that, it is a philosophy that I am bringing to my day today and will work to do so every day. Don’t take anything for granted, and don’t let crisis be the driving force for change. Be ready and open everyday…

What do you think? Are you ready?

3 Steps: Challenge = Opportunity

November 25, 2008 at 2:52 am | Posted in Leadership, Productivity | Leave a comment
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It may be out of season right now, but baseball is always the analogy with work, life and (yes) love. For my purposes, let’s keep this in the ballpark of work.

Let me set the stage – Actually, the stage is set already in the “Challenge Economy” (a nice spin, but not my own words). It’s bottom of the 9th, 2 outs… and you are up to bat…

For some, this is a moment they do not wish to be in – but in reality, this is where difference makers can shine. Now is the time for the most resourceful and dedicated to “show up” and rise to the challenge. Opportunity is where preparation and timing meet – and in every challenge there is an opportunity or two.

Back to baseball… If you are a professional baseball player (I’m betting you are not), then baseball is your work or your job. It’s time to wait for your pitch and swing the bat. For the rest of, our work can throw any number of challenges our way – and some of them could be the turning points of the game. Knowing that this is your moment is an important step in stepping up, but it is only half the battle. If this is your moment, what exactly are you going to do?

Try starting with these 3 ideas:

  1. What can you directly control or influence? Focus on your role in the organization. What areas arer you responsible for? Plan to take action on something that falls solely on you to drive.
  2. Don’t swing for the fence when a single will do. Sure – a home run is amazing, but in baseball – in the bottom of the 9th, a single is all that is really required to keep you in the game. Sometimes, its the best play you can make. Keep it simple and…
  3. Think short term goals. What impact can made this week – or better yet, what impact can you provide today? If there is a big, daunting project – what bite can you take today that begins to address it or begin to manage it?

This is where the best arise, when the chips are down it is time to rise the challenge. And you need to have a plan to do it.

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