Why did you get out of bed this morning?

Because the alarm went off?

Because you had to go to work?

Because you wanted to change the world?

This may be a tough question to answer some days. Why?

As I get older I take this question seriously. I span my career and think of why I got out of bed to go to various jobs. Some were more inspiring that others. Few had a cause or purpose that served as motivation.

I'm on a mission to raise awareness about purpose in our lives. In our work..in our home...in our communities. Cruise control doesn't work anymore. More and more people are searching for meaning. When purpose is apparent it will naturally raise the satisfaction in what we do.

Imagine going to work at ESPN in 1979? Apple in the 1980's? Twitter in 2006? All of these entities changed the world. Being a part of something much larger than any individual is exciting. We have to take that feeling and make it contagious.

So tell me...why did you get out of bed this morning?

Email marketing...a thing of the past?

How will we communicate 6 months from now? Who knows. It wasn't long ago that email was believed to be one of the world's greatest communication inventions.

Today, email is being scrutinized as a marketing platform. With the ongoing evolution of social media as a marketing tool email has become another form of "interruption" marketing. We use TiVo and subscribe to HBO to avoid commercials on TV. Sirius and the iPod are alternatives to the frequent interruptions of commercial radio. Email marketing is slowly falling into that trap. I follow my favorite brands on Twitter and Facebook. Do I need the daily prodding through email to remind me where I can find coupons and other promotions?

By no means is this a blanket suggestion that everyone abandon email marketing. It's simply another example of why we need to be conscious of where our customer wants to hear from us. Are you tracking the "unsubscribes" from your campaigns? Is your email marketing generating the ROI you expected?

This aspect of Twitter surprised me

Athletes tweet. The President tweets. Your friend Sally tweets from Starbucks as she sips her mocha latte. Sally kept me from joining Twitter because it appeared to be one big mosh pit of irrelevant information.

I was WRONG.

After reading a few books and dipping my big toe in the water I saw the light as it relates to the value of Twitter. Twitter became a place to research my favorite topics and engage with experts. Marketing, social media, leadership. You name it...it's there. Twitter for me is a place to become educated.

Twitter is better than your best class in college. You learn from people just like you. They share, inspire and give you a unique perspective. You are welcome to do the same. If you want to jump in and get started I will be happy to assist.

Ten years ago I wouldn't eat sushi...because it was gross! Ironically sushi and Twitter are now two of my favorite addictions.

Authenticity: It's measured by what you do!

Search #authenticity on Twitter and see what you find...

• Always be yourself; everyone else is taken! #authenticity
• Authenticity is priceless. #authenticity
• “Only the truth of who you are, if realized, will set you free.” ― Eckhart Tolle #authenticity
• Lead while no one is watching and serve when no one expects.  #authenticity

Authenticity is important in social media, no different than in business and life. When you share your beliefs, desires and purpose you will showcase your authentic self. When disciplined to do so you will find others who can relate will be attracted to you. 

There's no need to "leap tall buildings with a single bound", or boast that "your company is the greatest thing...since sliced bread". We can see what you do...and we can see when there is a disconnect. 

What businesses, and which people come across as truly authentic? 

Bored?...Start a Movement

It's easier now than ever!

Did you know that tomorrow is Generosity Day? Sasha Dichter had the idea. All he needed was a blog, Facebook page and Twitter account. He asks that the day be about love, action and human connection..."because we can do better than smarmy greeting cards, overpriced roses, and stressed-out couples trying to create romantic meals on the fly."

What is your movement? And why is it important? 

Is your marketing plan as sophisticated as the State of Connecticut's?

If it isn't, you need to do some serious soul searching.

I awoke this morning to news that the State of Connecticut's Judicial Branch was beginning to use Twitter. They will post information about public hearings, state regulations, Supreme Court rulings and court closures due to weather among other things. Let's hear it for the state.

While the term government efficiency is an oxymoron you have to take notice of the state's ability to react to what the public desires. Instead of dismissing Twitter as a meaningless tool for adolescents hanging out at Starbucks, the state has developed a presence on one of social media's most effective communication tools. They choose to live among "their customers".

Acceptance of social media is in direct proportion to your business' desire to understand your customer. We are transitioning from "talk at you" marketing (radio, TV) to engagement marketing. Your customer will tell you where they are willing to listen to your message.

I believe that you must embrace the idea of engagement with your customers.  If you don't your competitors will. Do you want to lag behind a government agency when it comes to understanding this phenomenon?

My Top 10 Favorite Brands of 2011

There were many in contention...but these rise to the top in my eyes:

1. The Masters - Live from Augusta. It's even better when you are live at Augusta. Thank you God! 
2. Twitter - A mesmerizing tool for communication, information, branding and connecting.  
3. P90X - The days of wasting time and money at the gym are over. Hard work, lots of fun. 
4. Wounded Warrior Project - We've come a long way since Vietnam. This is where you find true heroes. 
5. Forward Motion - An emerging small business specializing in helping you take control of your career. 
6. Tim Tebow - A mix of faith, integrity, athleticism and work ethic. It's why he stands out. 
7. Vail, Colorado - I'll skip ski season...but in the summer there are few places better.  
8. Seth Godin - marketing and business genius. Thank you for letting us be part of your world. 
9. Southwest Airlines - A large brand with a great personality. Defying the odds in a challenged industry. 
10. David Feherty - Golf announcer, ambassador, humorist, role model. Makes me proud to be a golfer. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! 

Twitter battle: Alec versus American Airlines

This recent event highlights the need for someone to be the eyes and ears for your brand.

In one corner...irritable, belligerent, narcissist actor Alec Baldwin. In the other corner, American Airlines.

This is a story where one of two brands has something to salvage...the one being American Airlines. Alec Baldwin, of the famous Baldwin brothers has a long track record of embarrassing behavior. Please Google "voice mail rant intended for his daughter" if you are not familiar with his temper. The episode last week that lead to him being thrown off of an American Airlines jet at Los Angeles International on a flight to JFK is another chapter in his turbulent (pardon the pun) life. He had refused to turn off his electronic device and after a spat with flight attendants, was tossed from the flight.

Alec's brand leaves a lot to be desired, but TV producers and advertisers continue to look beyond his transgressions and hire him.

On the other hand American Airlines has a need to protect its brand when under attack. Once Alec let loose on Twitter with invective that would make you think he had been beaten by flight attendants, American responded with "tweets" that explained the situation and that their crew was following federal safety regulations. American Airlines deals with Baldwin-types a thousand times a day. They knew how to react to this hostile situation and made certain the flying public heard another version of the story. Great job...you will get my business!

Your business can learn a lot from this story. If I ran American Airlines I would add Alec to the "no-fly" list.

Who are the eyes and ears for your brand?

Time is a valuable asset to any business owner. How is your time managed? How do you prioritize your tasks? Are you missing out on something because you don't have time? Are you willing to delegate?

The business owners I speak with often say something like this...

"I wish I could spend more time on marketing"
"I don't understand social media"
"I don't need to advertise"
"Marketing is tough because you can't measure it"

Each statement has merit because it represents how the owner feels. I pose the following question to illustrate the value of understanding how your business is being perceived in today's market:

Who are the eyes and ears of your brand? 


Say what?

The evolution of social media has seen the transformation of "let's shout it from the mountaintops" advertising (TV, Radio, Billboard etc...) to conversation and engagement marketing (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter etc...). Your ad in the Super Bowl or in the Seinfeld finale had impact on the masses. Who knows how they felt about you, and they had little choice but to watch and listen.

Engagement and conversation has changed the landscape. Your business must adapt.

Who will be the eyes and ears of your brand? It needs to be someone you trust. Someone who will take "ownership" in your business even if they aren't the owner. Someone who understands social media and its intricacies. Someone who understands the impact of all comments tied to your brand. Someone as interested in your business' success as you are.

No small task.