Can't remember where you put that note?

Memory not quite what it used to be?

Maybe it never was?

So you take notes... but then you gotta FIND'EM 

Well unless you're gifted with a photographic memory,  your conscious mind can only handle about 7 items at a time... so you "take notes".. on everything, don't you!

Now the two most important questions I have for you are:

1) How do you store all of those notes?

2) How quickly can you retrieve the information when needed?

Unless you're the "ultra organizer", it takes tons of time to store your stuff in some type of database.... which requires a specific entry format, AND that requires a specific time consuming method of retrieval..  meaning you often say "Ahhh forget it!!" .... And you DO, "forget it" that is!..  And you probably "forget" WHERE you put the info as well... 

Check out the video below!!    

For "today's total information overload",  this could be the single most critical tool to keep your notes and information "at your fingertips".

 

Go to:  http://www.vladonai.com

Social media has ruined marketing.

Social media has ruined marketing.

First of all I am old. How old, let's just say I remember a time when Beatles music was not played in elevators. Therefore I remember fondly the “old days”. So I get a bit nostalgic thinking back on time when there was really just newspapers, TV, radio and direct mail as key advertising elements (ok billboards too). It was a great time here are 5 reasons why.

1. WE REALLY DIDN’T LISTEN TO CUSTOMERS - Ok we had focus groups, but we conducted a monolog with our customers. Not a dialog. Customers couldn’t moan and groan about our poor customer service, or faulty products to the whole world. We could crush small business with the strength of budgets, not the quality of service and products. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT - Because now small business can compete on a more level playing field, and the strength of your marketing does not necessarily have to rest with the size of your budget.

2. WE COULD USE EXPENSIVE COMPELLING CREATIVE FOR MAGAZINES, DIRECT MAIL AND OTHER MEDIA - Ok, there are still magazines and newspapers, but unless you have been living in a cave you have seen them get smaller and smaller. Direct mail is down substantially from a decade ago and the USPS will be bankrupt by December, without a government bailout. magazines are on iPads. Now we have text ads (little things), tiny banners, or 140 character tweets, social groups, fans and likes. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT - Because now we have to get even more creative than ever, in the way we present our company, on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin (and other Internet media). We have a smaller canvas on the Internet and therefore must get much better with our brushes.

3. WE COULD MEASURE - With Nielson, Arbitron, ABC, and so on we could get reliable numbers that had been proven for decades. Today we are bombarded with statistics, but how much is necessary to make marketing decisions. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT - Now we need to reduce our metrics to actionable and relevant statistics, instead of just pouring over data dumps.

4. WE COULD KEEP OUR JOBS - In the old days, in order to make your numbers and keep your job, all you had to do, is what you did before. With social media looming, and new technologies and devices appearing out of thin air, we do not have the historical data to ensure success. So we have to take chances. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT - Because marketing is no longer "safe" - and the risks are higher than ever, but so are the rewards.

5. WE COULD DRINK MARTINIS AT LUNCH - Doesn't seem like that’s being done much anymore. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT - Because it was fun.

THANK YOU - with the advice of Kevin Lee, Yale Graduate and CEO of http://www.didit.com
and YOUR HELP, WE HAVE BUILT THE LARGEST MARKETING NETWORK GROUP IN THE WORLD - 331,849 (LINKEDIN) as of a minute ago.

Enroll in our social marketing course below (the most distributed on the Internet), and get an edge on your competition as well as boosting your career. sign up for our conference in Providence, we will focus on social media and have a great program (ok, you can also get a martini at our welcome reception). Use the promotional code for a 10% discount. (pssst discount code is linkedin). Code expires on July 15th.

REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE:

http://www.emarketingassociation.com/2011/PROV/register.html

SIGN UP SOCIAL MARKETING

http://www.emarketingassociation.com/ecourse_social.html


3. Speakers and panelists' interested in participating in our east coast event should email: reed at eMarketingassociation.com with a bio, photo, speaking experience, area of expertise, and contact information (principals only).




Cheers,

Robert
Robert Fleming

President/CEO
eMarketing Association
www.eMarketingAssociation.com

Be sure to power-charge your network by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/emarketingassociation
Twitter: http://twitter.com/eMarketingAssn

This Critical Communication Skill actually "conflicts" with your Basic Conditioning: Its called LISTENING

Do you realize that you may NOT KNOW 

How to Listen Properly?

A point of interest is that most of us are taught and encouraged to "speak". Not counting "womb-time" you might say the very first thing you learned was that your "speaking" was rewarded.

Moments after your birth, the very first sound you made, your first cry, got you immediate attention, warmth, comfort, security, and cheers of joy. And with a few exceptions, your mind never forgets anything... ever!  And that's where you're "Basic Conditioning" started.


Fast-forward to present day, you were taught how to speak intelligently, to write, to read, to think, solve problems, etc., etc..  But can you recall ever being taught "how to listen"?  And I'm not referring to just shutting-up and waiting for someone else to finish talking for "your turn".

Regardless of the type, distance, or content of conversation, here are ten (10) items that a practiced "good listener" DOES NOT DO  (I'm certain that, as I found, some of these will bring an immediate "ouch!" to mind):

• Don't tell "your story". Being silent during the other person's volley is excellent, but when it's your turn, unless specifically asked, no matter how tempted you may be, DO NOT follow with YOUR STORY.. AT ALL!  Stay with THEIR SUBJECT.  Otherwise you'll be saying "I really wasn't listening to YOU..  but here's MY STORY...".
• Don't "formulate a response" while the other person is talking.  Wait until they're done.. Give a few seconds pause (to digest), and then respond.  If you were truly listening your response should come naturally. Sure you may take notes, but remember that you're listening for not just "content", but most importantly THEIR "emotions"!
• Don't "finish sentences" for the other person. Not only does it insult them with interruptions, it says that you are listening to only content and probably NOT what is really being said. It does NOT say that you "think alike".
• Don't "solve problems for them".  Unless you're asked, don't jump to the conclusion that you need to give them advice or a solution to their situation.  Don't automatically respond with YOUR solution.  Your job is to listen... They can solve their own problems.  They may simply be using you as a "sounding board". In which case they already have the solution.  If in doubt, ASK "And what may I do to help you?" (What do you expect of me by telling me this?)
• Don't "give broad reassurance".  In response to a dilemma saying things like "You'll be fine"... "You're tough, you can handle it"...  "Don't worry, everything will be OK" is useless.
  
• Don't "play God".  Doing "judgement" as to whether a person is right or wrong in your eyes is often aggravating and useless.  And you're probably telling them that at the point where you "judged them", you had already stopped listening.
• Don't do a "Me Too".  Refers to the "same thing happened to me.  Again, this yanks the focus "away" from them and onto you... Definitely says that you didn't care and you weren't listening!
• Don't do "Mind Reading". If you're not a bonafide psychic don't think that you can read the other person's mind. You may have a vague idea about what they're thinking, but chances are that you're only making an assumption.  Wait and listen to "what" they're saying and especially "how" they're saying it.
  
• Don't "Straighten them out".  As with "judging", folks certainly don't  need you telling them where they went wrong! Unless you're specifically asked, just DON'T! 
• Don't use a "hardened attitude".  If you use a mindset of "absolutes" as your guide, you've already lost.  Folks probably won't even bother to talk to you.  But if they do, you must remain "neutral" for YOUR mind to "listen" in the first place.   

 If you're going to be a truly successful listener, i.e.: a person that folks will really open up to, in addition to avoiding the "Don't's" try these DO's as well:

• DO emulate a "psycho-analyst" or a "psychiatrist".  
• DO Listen objectively with your heart and mind. Try to "feel" what the other person says...  and by all means let them finish verbalizing their thoughts before you draw any conclusions.
• DO take notes if you like.
• DO interrupt the other person ONLY if it's to gently "guide" them back on-track, or there's a matter that absolutely "cannot wait". 

Microsoft Outlook Calendar
"Making a Basic Appointment"
 

Another 5 minute lesson in using tools to streamline and simplify your life

 

Hints-n-Kinks with Baltimore Dave:


Got questions or suggestions? Please do "Post a Comment" or drop me a line at dave.dubrawsky@gmail.com

Entrepreneur's 10 Minute Morale Booster

Your 10 Minute Morale Booster

Even though you may know you're not, as an entrepreneur you may often feel down, alone, and isolated.  Here's a quick way to remind yourself why you're doing what you're doing.

Kick-start your morale at the start of your business day......  start here (Keep it quick and simple.. one question at a time, jot down the first answer that comes to mind.. ):

1. What am I happy about in my life right now?  How does that make me feel?
2. What about my life am I excited about right now?   What about that excites me?
3. What am I most proud about in my life right now?   What about that makes me feel proud?
4. What am I grateful about in my life right now?  What about that makes me grateful?
5. What am I enjoying most in my life right now?  What about that do I enjoy?
6. What am I committed to in my life right now?  What about that makes me committed?
7. Who do I love in my life, and who loves me?  What about them makes me love?  And how does that make me feel?

Once you've jotted down your answers, review them.   After a quick no-brainer read-back, I think you'll realize that you're in much better shape than you initially thought... 

Example:

17. What am I happy about in my life right now?  How does that make me feel?

1. I am free to live as I please.  Rids me of the burden of trying to please a boss of a company that doesn’t appreciate me.

17. What about my life am I excited about right now?   What about that excites me?

1. About the opportunities I see every day.  These Opportunities are massive (numerous).

17. What am I most proud about in my life right now?   What about that makes me feel proud?

1. Most proud of myself and my family for allowing me to "do my thing".  Feels "Accepted" and "Trusted"

17. What am I grateful about in my life right now?  What about that makes me grateful?

1. My Family, my community, friends.  That they have faith in me.

17. What am I enjoying most in my life right now?  What about that do I enjoy?

1. My freedom.  That I get to choose my destiny.

17. What am I committed to in my life right now?  What about that makes me committed?

1. I am committed to family, then my work.  I get to  practice my lifelong philosophy of "Work only to Live; Not Live only to work"!

17. Who do I love in my life, and who loves me?  What about them makes me love?  And how does that make me feel?

1. My family, friends, neighbors.  They care and trust me.  Thankful, supported, respected.

Enjoy,
"Baltimore Dave" Dubrawsky

P.S.. If you need practice to "enjoy" yourself, don't give up...  Many of us do.. It just means you're definitely not as alone as you thought!!