Successful Blog

Be Visible but not Annoying

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by Patty Azzarello

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Invisible doesn’t work

Good work does not stand on its own.

But if you are annoying in the way you pursue visibility, you are also not doing your career any favors.

Visibility is not selfish

Visibility is not just about you. Your visibility is good for your team and your business. People with visibility get more done. Get over thinking you are on the high ground by refusing to pander to politics, because you believe good work should speak for itself. Maybe it should, but it doesn’t.

If you remain uncomfortable with visibility, you remain invisible. So even though you keep delivering great work consistently, you will be disappointed by the lack of recognition, appreciation and rewards you receive.

Get more done

And you’ll also have a harder time getting resources and support for what you are trying to do. No one is comfortable giving great projects and big budgets to people they don’t know.

Visibility = progress for your business and your career.

1. Visibility for Real Results

Annoying: Go for publicity without results to back it up.

I am never advocating visibility INSTEAD of results. It’s always about great work and results FIRST.

You never want to be seen as managing your career more than you are doing work. (We all know and wish bad things for those people.) You don’t ever want to be viewed political with no substance.

Valuable: Be seen as doing and delivering high impact work.

The being seen part is as important as the high impact work. As long as you base the visibility on actual work that delivers value, there is nothing hollow or shallow about it.

2. Visibility with Executives

Annoying: Stalking Executives

Don’t talk to an executive when he has to go to the bathroom. I have seen people keep executives outside the door to the bathroom, and refuse to let them in. How much are they really going to listen to you at that point?

Don’t corner them at parties to pitch your agenda or complain about your issues. They are at a party. Don’t drag them down, they get enough of that when they are not at a party.

Don’t Blame them for things, with no proposals for improvement – Don’t bleed all over an executive about how everything is screwed up in their business, and think your analysis will make you look smart. If you have a complaint, have a proposal. Otherwise you are just annoying.

Valuable: Have a good reason to connect with an executive.

Pay attention to what they care about. Give them positive feedback or valuable inputs to solve issues or expose opportunities. Share a personal point of interest. Don’t start with an ask.

Have them know you as a person, not just a climber. Update them briefly when your work matters to THEM. And be careful that your work actually matters to them before you go on about it.

3. Visibility at Important Meetings

Annoying: Don’t go to meetings just to be seen.

The important people at the meeting notice if you have no function or reason for being there, and subtract points from you career. It backfires.

Valuable: Do high value work. Tune your job to deliver more value over time. Be the reason for an important meeting to happen around your work. Find ways to make that work visible in other ways.

4. Visibility based on truth.


Annoying: Never take credit for work you didn’t do.

You may get a blip of visibility, but it will backfire because it is not real. You get no real benefit from promoting yourself on any false foundation. Ultimately people will see right through it.

Valuable: Make other people famous.

Give credit to other people for good work that they did. The great thing about this is that you still get the visibility for doing the communicating. When you give the credit where it is due, based on the truth of who did the high value work, you get recognized for cultivating stars.

How have you seen people get this really right or wrong?

Let’s hear your best stories — the good, the bad, and the ugly in the comment box below!

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Patty Azzarello works with executives where leadership and business challenges meet. She has held leadership roles in General Management, Marketing, Software Product Development and Sales, and has been successful in running large and small businesses. She writes at Patty Azzarello’s Business Leadership Blog. You’ll find her on Twitter as @PattyAzzarello

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Social Media Book List: Scrappy Women in Business and The Social Media Bible

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A Weekly Series by Teresa Morrow

I’m Teresa Morrow, Founder of Key Business Partners, LLC and I work with authors to help manage their online book promotion. As part of my job I read a lot of books (I love to read anyway!).

This week I will be highlighting I book that I am working with Kimberly Weifling, the author of ‘Scrappy Women in Business’ (along with her co-authors, Julie Abrams, Carole Amos, Eldette Davie, Mai-Huong Le, Hannah Kain, Sue Lebeck, Terrie Mui, Pat Obuchowski, Yuko Shibata, Nathalie Udo, and Betty Jo Waxman) and the other book I have had on my reading list, ‘The Social Media Bible’ by Lon Safko.

The books I discuss in the Social Media Book List Series will cover a range of topics such as social media, marketing, blogging, business, organization, career building, finance, networking, writing, self development and inspiration.

‘Scrappy Women in Business: Living Proof that Bending the Rules isn’t Breaking the Law’

by Kimberly Weifling

Scrappy Women in Business book, inspiration for women in business

Excerpt from ‘Scrappy Women in Business’:

Each chapter of this book is one women’s fascinating perspective on what it means to be a Scrappy Woman in Business, and all of them are teeming with personal insights and practical tips to encourage you on your journey toward your own goals and dreams. Each of these women has traveled a very different road, but they all ended up in the “Scrappy Women in Business Hall of Fame” because they are ordinary people who created extraordinary results through sheer determination, willpower, and scrappiness. They could have easily thrown in the towel at any point and led easier (albeit far more boring!) lives. But they didn’t. They kept going! By doing so, they demonstrated in eleven beautiful ways what’s possible when you refuse to be “realistic.”

Three Magic Wishes by Kimberly Weifling
1. It is my sincere hope that this book will ignite a flame inside of you that leaves you restless to discover what you’re capable of.
2. I further hope that, after reading, you think to yourself, “Hey, if they can do it, so can I!”
3. Finally, and most importantly, I hope that you will take action with the intention of making a positive difference not only in your life, but for this planet.

Story of Scrappy Woman and co-author Hannah Kein:

I was actually gainfully employed until 1997. Some of my jobs were like a Dilbert cartoon, and I figured: “Why not change my role in the cartoon?” Refusing to change my hairdo, I became the
non-pointy-haired boss when I founded ALOM in 1997. My team and I have grown this company to become a leading global supply chain company headquartered in Fremont, California.

Prior to founding ALOM in 1997, I held various management and executive positions, with a wide range of experience in the packaging industry dating back to 1990. I earned three university degrees (B.S. in political science, M.S. in communications, and M.B.A. in marketing), and I’m a frequent lecturer and speaker, and a published author of a popular textbook on market analysis, now in its fourth edition. It is by now outdated, and it is in Danish, so don’t rush to buy it, but it was fun to write a textbook that was mandatory. And, no, I did not include any convoluted formulas to make future generations suffer like I did. My unwavering focus is on customer delight and quality.

This focus led to a successful ISO certification for ALOM within a year of starting the business and has fostered long-term business relationships. I have extensive international management experience including many plane trips and bad airline meals, and am involved in numerous governmental and educational agencies and business groups (read: constantly in meetings). I’m a board member of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and Women’s Initiative Silicon Valley, a nonprofit organization. I believe in giving back to the community. I have been so blessed by supportive men and women surrounding me and encouraging me with awards, such as 2009 Enterprising Woman of the Year. Thank you, all!

You can read more about Hannah and her dad and her gut instinct through the pages of ‘Scrappy Women in Business’.

A bit about Scrappy woman and co-author Pat Obuchowski:

I believe that when you own your own company you can give yourself any title you want. I am the CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of inVisionaria and a Scrappy Businesswoman whose passion is to coach other Scrappy women (or Scrappy wannabes) to be Scrappy leaders in our world. We need them. I have a long bio because I’ve lived a full life, but it’s not written on this page. You can read it all in my story. My life escape is DUI—Dancing Under the Influence (of loud music)—while driving my convertible with the top down and my trusted dog, Maggie, at my side.

You can read more about Pat and her desire to be a nun at a young age and then a teacher and then a journalist and then a…. through the pages of ‘Scrappy Women in Business’

And then there is Scrappy Women and co-author Eldette Davie:

After graduating with a diploma in marketing, I joined a computer company and found what I liked doing most—being around computers. My sins include time in blue chip companies, “Big 5” consulting houses, and work in presales and business consulting in Europe and Africa. I thrive on learning new things, and I’m intrigued by metaphysics and the concept of world connectedness.

I am passionate about all things outdoorsy—photography, sport (the more extreme the better), my family (especially my four-footed children), and music you can listen to without going deaf. I dislike more than words could express: injustice, dishonesty, thoughtlessness, and prejudice. At the moment, I’m a program manager for the largest technology-only consulting house in South Africa, working on a project that is making me go grey. (As a result, I dye my hair!) I can’t tell you how valuable Scrappiness has been in my life, never more than in my current challenges.

You can read more about Eldette and her journey in the army and and how she discovered her passion for computers through the pages of ‘Scrappy Women in Business’.

And there are the amazing and inspirational stories of the other truly scrappy women, Julie Abrams, Carole Amos, Mai-Huong Le, Sue Lebeck, Terrie Mui, Yuko Shibata, Nathalie Udo, and Betty Jo Waxman.

About the Book:
Although some people make it look easy, the reality is that the path to success is often convoluted and messy. It’s tempting to believe that the professionals surrounding us somehow have their act completely together while we lurch fitfully onward, but the real story is often much more complicated and chaotic. This refreshingly honest book provides welcome reassurance for every businesswoman who’s ever wondered, “Is it me, or has the whole rest of the company gone nuts?!” Each chapter is a fascinating description of one woman’s unlikely journey, and every story is teeming with personal insights and practical tips to encourage you along the way toward your own goals and dreams.

The human side of each achiever comes alive as she shares her challenges, choices and achievements in a “just between us” tone that educates as it entertains.

You can purchase a copy of ‘Scrappy Women in Business’ online at ThinkAha Books or on Amazon.

*I have received a complimentary copy of ‘Scrappy Women in Business’ by the author as this book mention is part of a virtual book tour I am conducting.

A book on my reading list that I have had the pleasure to read is ‘The Social Media Bible’ .

The Social Media Bible

“Social media and customer care are rapidly coming together. This Second Edition is a must-read for any professional who wants to stay on top of this rapidly changing topic. From the basics to long-term social media strategy, this is the only resource book to have on your desk.”
—Scott Ross, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, NCO Group, INC.

“Lon Safko is a serial technologist who really understands social media and is also blessed with the gift of being a great com-municator. His book deftly takes you from ‘Social Media 101’ all the way to PhD status in a format that is easy to browse, informative, and powerful.”
—Tom Asher, Director, Consumer Relations, North America, Levi Strauss & Co.

About the Book:
The Social Media Bible, Second Edition (www.TSMB2.com) is the most comprehensive resource that transforms the way corporate, small business, and non-profit companies use social media to reach their desired audiences with power messages and efficiency. In this Second Edition, each of the three parts – Tactics, Tools, and Strategies – have been updated to reflect the most current social media trends.

* Covers all major new software applications, including features and benefits, in detail
* Lists more than 120 companies integral to the social media industry with updated data, products, services, and links
* Includes advanced topics like measuring social media return on investment (ROI) and how to develop and implement the Five Steps to Social Media Success strategy plan
* Includes dozens of social media ROI case studies
* Author is a widely acknowledged social media authority with numerous media appearances and speaking engagements

The Social Media Bible, Second Edition gives you a fully up-to-date toolbox to revamp your marketing strategy and create new opportunities for growth.

About the Author:
Lon Safko is a remarkably creative person. He is the creator of the “First Computer To Save A Human Life”. That computer, along with 18 other inventions and more than 30,000 of Lon’s papers, are in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. He has created numerous hardware and software solutions for the physically challenged, developed the first CAD software for civil engineers, designed the archetypes for the Apple Newton & Microsoft’s Bob Operating Systems, and is also responsible for those handy little Tool-Tips help-balloon pop-ups!

Lon is the founder of eleven successful companies, including Paper Models, Inc., which developed Three-Dimensional Internet Advertising for business, promotions, and education, for which Lon holds two patents and a third pending.

Lon been recognized for his creativity with such prestigious awards as; The Westinghouse Entrepreneur of the Year, Arizona Innovation Network’s Innovator of the Year, The Arizona Software Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year, twice nominated for the Ernst & Young / Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year, The Public Relations Society of America’s, Edward Bernays, Mark of Excellence Award, and nominated as a Fellow of the nation’s Computer History Museum. Lon has also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, PC Novice, Inc. Magazine, and Popular Science Magazines just to name a few. Lon was recently selected by the Smithsonian institution to represent “The American Inventor” at their annual conference.

Lon is an author of remarkable breadth, writing six innovative books, which have shown corporations how to train managers to think creatively, detailed the secrets of launching a successful on-line business, offered advice to new homeowners on reducing building costs, and related amazing stories about the serendipity of life. His latest book with John Wiley & Sons “The Social Media Bible,” unlocks the mysteries of the hottest new Internet wave, Social Media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for business. This book is transforming corporate, government, and non-profit marketing strategies and how they use these new media to reach their desired audiences with powerful messages and efficiency.

Lon is a professional speaker, wowing audiences in a hundred cities nationwide with his insights into innovation, creativity, and how to be a successful entrepreneur / intrapreneur in this global digital age. Said one executive of First American Title Insurance, “This is the best presentation I’ve been to in 25 years.” Teledyne said Lon’s presentations are “Informative and entertaining, packed with useful information.” And the U.S. Postal Service called Lon “Inspiring and Motivational.”

Lon also privately coaches Fortune 1,000 companies on harnessing Innovative Thinking and social media strategies to create higher productivity and profits. Lon’s presentations are personalized to help corporate, government, and non-profit executives improve their operations and performance by capturing the innovative potential now wasted or overlooked. As Lon says, “When you see your world in a different perspective, you see new ways to do everything!” Lon Safko sees the world in a new way every day.
*this information was provided by Amazon

You can purchase a copy of ‘The Social Media Bible’ on Amazon.

I truly hope you will check out these books and please comment and let me know your thoughts on them.

Man, This is all screwed up…

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by Patty Azzarello

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As a leader how do you deal with with negative energy?

Leading in rough times

This has come up a lot lately, so I wanted to talk more about this point I often mention as one of my top Leadership Values:

It is never the wrong idea to be positive and to lead.

When I say this I do not mean you should bury the problems and pretend everything is OK. Quite the opposite.

Face reality.

I mean jump in with both feet, acknowledge how ugly it is, and personally help find a way out of it.

When it gets bad…

OK, so they said there would be no layoffs, and now they are laying people off. They are treating people like crap. They don’t care. People are pissed off. Now there is even more pressure on schedules and cost cutting. My boss has checked out. No one has my back. I am getting blamed for things that are not my fault. My organization is likely to be shut down, so why should I care. Nothing I do matters.
What will you do next?

Winston Churchill once said,
“If you are going through hell, keep going!”.

You have a choice: Jump on all the crap with an equally negative attitude, or face it head on as leader who intends to make a positive difference for the business and the people.

Why do people choose to be negative?

It’s funny.

It is a wonderful comedic platform to go on about how messed up everything is and how stupid all the managers are, and how no one gives a damn about the employees.

It’s cool.

Being cynical and subversive is way more cool than being the boy-scout, showing that you are aligned with the lame corporate way of doing business.

You look smart.

If you can use a lot of details and data about why everything is screwed up, and dive into endless root-cause analysis, and catalog all the blame at a very granular level, some people will think you are really smart.

It’s easy.

Being negative and generating lots of data and commentary absolves you of having to do any work to fix anything.

But…

Being Negative is Toxic

It doesn’t help.

Nothing moves forward or gets better. This type of negativity draws people in because it a source of energy, and camaraderie in the absence of positive leadership. It becomes the way things are. And then it defines the future.
What does it look like to be positive and to lead?

Acknowledge the bad.

This is a really crappy time. I’m disappointed too. What do you think?.

Invite some discussion.

Let people tell you how this is impacting them. But then close that discussion off and make it clear you are planning to go forward. Ask for their help.

You have my commitment and support to create a new plan of attack. We can’t keep doing things the same way because it is killing us, but we need to move forward. Let’s focus on one thing that we can do well and start doing it right now. Or, at a minimum, let’s focus on how we can build our career capital for the future.

Life is long

If you choose negative path, or if you choose to checkout, or broadcast how screwed up everything is, in reality it might not make a big difference in that moment. So what are you hurting? You are having some laughs.

Sometimes there is no way practical way forward. Your organization could be being dismantled, outsourced or eliminated entirely. So who cares, right? What’s the big deal if I check out? It doesn’t matter anyway..

I have faced this many times at the helm of an organization who was being acquired or laid off… it might not seem like anything we do matters right now because this is all going away.

What you do now matters to YOU

Just remember that even though it might not matter in the current business situation, all of those people around you will eventually move on to other jobs in other places.

They will remember how you acted NOW.

Will they remember someone taking cheap shots at everyone and everything and checking out? or will they remember someone who stepped up tried to find a way to help?

If you can’t help the business, help the people.

People need you to be positive and to lead. It is never the wrong choice.

If it’s too bad, get out

If it’s really bad, get out. But while you are on your way, it is still the right choice to be positive and help others — if for no other reason, because it’s better for you.

You can build a hugely positive reputation for leadership in tough times.
People are always watching. It always matters.

How have you dealt with negative energy as a leader?

It’s so important (and at times really difficult) to stay positive. How do you it? Please share in the comment box!

—–
Patty Azzarello works with executives where leadership and business challenges meet. She has held leadership roles in General Management, Marketing, Software Product Development and Sales, and has been successful in running large and small businesses. She writes at The Azzarello Group Blog. You’ll find her on Twitter as @PattyAzzarello

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Social Media Book List: #SPORTStweet and The Power of Less

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A Weekly Series by Teresa Morrow

I’m Teresa Morrow, Founder of Key Business Partners, LLC and I work with authors to help manage their online book promotion. As part of my job I read a lot of books (I love to read anyway!).

This week I will be highlighting I book that I am working with the author and football legend, Ronnie Lott, co-author of ‘#SPORTStweet’ and the other book I have had on my reading list, ‘The Power of Less’ Leo Babauta.

The books I discuss in the Social Media Book List Series will cover a range of topics such as social media, marketing, blogging, business, organization, career building, finance, networking, writing, self development and inspiration.

‘#SPORTStweet: What I learned from Coaches about Sports and Life’

by Ronnie Lott and Keith Potter

#SPORTStweet: book from Ronnie Lott and Keith Potter

“Ronnie is a winner in life. You will learn, as I have, about what it means to be a role model, proud parent, and the hardest working person to better your team. Winning is his life and he embodies greatness.”
Baron Davis, Star NBA Point Guard

“This book is a fun read and Ronnie touches on great points!”
Marcus Allen, Heisman Trophy Winner and NFL Hall of Fame Member

Here are a few inspirational and motivational tweets from ‘#SPORTStweet’I would like to share with you:

#6: Racial diversity always means something. Think about your teammates; really appreciate each other, and even your difference

#19 You want assistants who own your basic values; but dare to hire people who are strong where you are weak.

#47 It’s possible to be the toughest guy on the field and the nicest guy off the field. If you need evidence, look at Merlin Olsen.

#59 When we lost, Coach Robinson always said that it was his fault, not ours. “I didn’t do enough to get you ready.” That’s leadership.

About the Book:
In ‘#SPORTStweet: What I Learned from Coaches About Sports and Life’, football legend Ronnie Lott has thrown open the doors to the secrets that made him the toughest defensive back of all time and unearths his driving motivations in short, readable profiles from his days before, during, and after the NFL.

Get behind the scenes to see the synergy between Lott, Montana, and Rice, and sneak a taste of the coaching geniuses that made the 49ers and the USC Trojans iconic sports dynasties. Get personal with Ronnie as he reflects on life and relationships and get pumped up by his inspirational words.

“If you can just get in the periphery of greatness,” writes Lott, “some of it is bound to rub off on you.” This book gets you close to a champion. It shows you the heart of greatness—the heart behind the hit!

#SPORTStweet is a treasure-trove for every athlete, coach, student, teacher, and parent. After reading this book, sport-lovers of every age will be inspired, informed, entertained, and even changed by the influence of Ronnie’s brief but power-packed words. Like a hit from Ronnie Lott, this book will get your attention.

#SPORTStweet is part of the THINKaha series whose 100-page books contain 140 well-thought-out quotes (tweets/ahas).

About the Authors:

The name Ronnie Lott screams toughness and excellence. As a ten-time Pro Bowl selection and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Ronnie is one of the most respected figures in professional sports. Add his four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers to what was arguably his best season, leading the NFL in interceptions with the Oakland Raiders, and you’ve heard only part of the story.

Off the field, Lott is known as a tireless advocate for children. His nonprofit, All Stars Helping Kids, has raised millions of dollars to improve the lives of at-risk young people. Even more, Ronnie is a coach and catalyst for other athletes who have a heart for making their communities a better place.

Keith Potter is an author, faith-coach and inspirational speaker, committed to empowering champions, rejuvenating marriages and revitalizing organizations. After leading and launching non-profit enterprises for twenty-five years, Potter understands the passions, principles and priorities that mobilize people for both goodness and greatness. As the creative force behind the nonprofit The Champion Project, Keith Potter coaches leadership teams and emerging leaders internationally. He is the consummate teacher, catalyst, and friend to influencers in numerous fields.

You can purchase a copy of ‘#SPORTStweet’ online at ThinkAha Books.

*I have received a complimentary copy of #SPORTStweet by the author as this book mention is part of a virtual book tour I am conducting.

A book on my reading list that I have had the pleasure to read is ‘The Power of Less’ .

The Power of Less by Leo Babauta

With being someone whose life does revolve around the internet, I know all to well, the influence the web has on my life and the lives around me. And that is one of the reason why this book interested me. With being so able to connect with people so easily, it is good to find the balance (or at least our own definition of balance) in our lives with living more simple the way it works for us.

About the Book:
With the arrival of the 21st century we have encountered a mental and material explosion in the Western world: we have near-unlimited information at our fingertips, we can have children who are healthy and safe, and we have wealth and possessions beyond what most of the world can dream of. Yet we are more stressed than we have ever been: the majority of us are profoundly unhappy. Though we are surrounded by what we want, our desire to keep and still get more creates a pressure that we cannot tolerate. But the flipside of our society is that we can choose what to accept, and what not to accept: what to keep, and what to lose, joyfully and consciously. With this handbook of simplicity, Leo Babauta shows us why less is powerful, the difference between what you want and what you need, and how to clear out what you don’t.

About the Author:

Leo Babauta is the author of several motivational books and the creator and blogger at Zen Habits, a Top 100 blog with 130,000 subscribers — one of the top productivity and simplicity blogs on the Internet. It was recently named one of the Top 25 blogs by TIME magazine.

Babauta is considered by many to be one of the leading experts on productivity and simplicity, and has also written the top-selling productivity e-book in history: Zen To Done: The Ultimate Simple Productivity System. It has sold thousands of copies and has reached tens of thousands of readers.

Babauta is a former journalist and freelance writer of 18 years, a husband and father of six children, and lives on the island of Guam where he leads a very simple life.

He started Zen Habits to chronicle and share what he’s learned in his life transformation that started in 2005.

*this information was provided by Amazon
*I also received a complimentary copy of this book to offer a book mention/review on Successful Blog. However, my —> (my comments) are mine solely and I was not compensated for these.

You can purchase a copy of ‘The Power of Less’ on Amazon.

I truly hope you will check out these books and please comment and let me know your thoughts on them.

Cool Tool Review: Eventbrite

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Todd Hoskins chooses and uses tools and products that could belong in an entrepreneurial business toolkit. He’ll be checking out how useful they are to folks who would be their customers in a form that’s consistent and relevant.

Cool Tool Review: Eventbrite
A Review by Todd Hoskins

Months ago, we looked at Plancast, a great tool that has gotten even better. Plancast allows you to share and learn the events people are planning on attending.

What if you want to plan an event yourself? Eventbrite remains the leader in planning, promoting, and managing your events, especially if you are going to charge a fee.

I love Eventbrite for a few reasons. First, it’s well-designed – it does exactly what you expect it to do. Second, it allows you to collect funds without needing to use a third party. Finally, it takes just minutes to set up an event, email attendees, or place a widget on your site.

eventbrite1

The one downside I’ve experienced is that the search engine results could improve. It makes sense to list the event on GarysGuide and Upcoming as well, in addition to Plancast, Facebook, and Twitter. Eventbrite can be used for setting up registration, than the other services become marketing tools to direct traffic to Eventbrite.

Summing Up – Is it worth it?

Enterprise Value: 4/5 – Even if you have registration on your own site, an Eventbrite page should be set up

Entrepreneur Value: 5/5 – The small cut Eventbrite takes for paid registration is worth avoiding the hassle

Personal Value: 2/5 – Family or class reunion? Sure. Maps, contact info, attendee list – it’s all there

Let me know what you think!

Todd Hoskins helps small and medium sized businesses plan for the future, and execute in the present. With a background in sales, marketing, and technology, he works with executives to help create thriving organizations through developing and clarifying values, strategies, and tactics. You can learn more at VisualCV, or contact him on Twitter.

Social Media Book List: Competing for Global Dominance and The New Social Learning

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A Weekly Series by Teresa Morrow

I’m Teresa Morrow, Founder of Key Business Partners, LLC and I work with authors to help manage their online book promotion. As part of my job I read a lot of books (I love to read anyway!).

This week I will be highlighting I book that I am working with the author, Jack Katz, author of ‘Competing for Global Dominance’ and the other book I have had on my reading list, ‘The New Social Learning’ by Tony Bingham and Marcia Conner.

The books I discuss in the Social Media Book List Series will cover a range of topics such as social media, marketing, blogging, business, organization, career building, finance, networking, writing, self development and inspiration.

‘Competing for Global Dominance: Survival in a Changing World’

by Jack Katz

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“Jack Katz has the rare ability to look out over the horizon and see the future that is bearing down on all of us. His vision of globalization and the survival of corporations and individuals is startling and compelling
—another outlook for those wishing to compete in global markets.”
Aviad Kamara, President, Israel Operations: Sagent Management
and Founder of HiTechCare

“Jack Katz presents a comprehensive guide for businesses that are either contemplating entering the U.S. market or have already begun the process. In his book he lays out the foundational legal, cultural, and financial strategies for success. Too often foreign businesses do not appreciate how much time and money can be lost without a comprehensive guide like this showing them the way. I highly recommend this book to my clients—both domestic and international.”
Michael Moradzadeh Esq., Rimon Law Group

Here are a few more powerful experts from ‘Competing for Global Dominance’ I would like to share with you:

Page 9 – “Today, thanks tomodern technology, for the first time in human history the world marketplace is open 24/7. The “sun never sets” on the world market. For the entrepreneur, the entire world is now
within reach in ways that weren’t possible a few years ago.”
—> (Teresa Thoughts)So true, the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and gain new clients from any part of the world is well within reach in today’s society and being able to be communicate and “compete” is a great skill to have in this market.

Page 11 – “For companies to become successful in their target markets they will need to identify and appreciate the differences of their diverse consumers.”
—>(Teresa Thoughts) Ideal point to make. Knowing your target market and what they need and want is another key ingredient to be successful to all businesses.

Page 43 -To compete with the world’s best companies requires foreign manufacturers to design and produce quality products incorporating the latest in technology with the leanest supply chain and
manufacturing principles. It also means promoting the uniqueness of your product. Vying for recognition against numerous competitors, you need to differentiate yourself by your country or history.
—>(Teresa Thoughts) No matter whether your company is based in the US or in another country, staying on top of the trend, new products and latest technology is key in staying competitive in most industries.

Page 57 – Products become exceptional when a consumer is impressed but they don’t expect to be.
—>(Teresa Thoughts) Perfect point to emphasis—-create a product or service that is not expected. See what is out there and find a way to make it new, updated and/ or better.

About the Book:
‘Competing for Global Dominance’ sets the stage for a new paradigm required for growth of the globalized market in the 21st century and outlines the issues that entrepreneurs and businesses will face as they compete for survival in a world marketplace no longer hindered by time and distance.

As the Silicon Valley success model moves into its adolescence and transforms its methodology more into using social and business networking as demonstrated on web sites of Facebook, YouTube, LinkIn, LinkSV, Twitter, Ecademy where groups of individuals and businesses from around the world can meet, communicate and collaborate together to expand their influence and market share by developing new ways of doing business. But before this can be effectively accomplished, a new approach needs to be established for how to compete, grow and survive in this new globalized environment. Many governments, educational and private organizations have tried to duplicate the success of Silicon Valley with limited degrees of success, most without really understanding the new dynamics of global competition and how to enter new markets.

This book shows the thought leadership from a practitioners viewpoint who works with entrepreneurs and companies from around the world to position them for survival and expansion in the new world of globalization.

About the Author:

Jack S. Katz, is identified as one of the ten top people to know by Technology Decisions Magazine, Jack is noted for his knowledge and delivery of accurate high technology and business solutions that have had a dramatic impact on the bottom line of global companies.

With over three decades of Information Systems Management, Marketing and Business Development experience in such diverse industries as Retail, Healthcare, Financial Services, and Information Technology, Jack is an internationally recognized author, speaker and business technology expert.

Jack co-founded Red Hill Partners International, LLC a premier market-entry company which works with emerging companies to define, develop and expand their products and services worldwide. He has previously held senior level management positions with Cisco Systems, Sun Microsystems, Providian Financial Services, Blue Shield of California, and Safeway, Inc.

You can purchase a copy of ‘#Competing for Global Dominance’ online at ThinkAha Books.
*I have received a complimentary copy of Competing for Global Dominance by the author as this book mention is part of a virtual book tour I am conducting. However, my comments (highlighted by —>) are my own solely and I have not gotten compensated for those.

A book on my reading list that I have had the pleasure to read (a little bit and eager to read more), ‘The New Social Learning’ by Tony Bingham and Marcia Conner.

The New Social Learning

by Tony Bingham and Marcia Conner

Here are a few gems I found within this insightful book on social media:

This book starts off with The New Social Learning Playground Rules (here are just a few rules):

1) No loitering in the playground areas. The value is in participation and engagement.
—> SO TRUE! Value comes in with social media with two areas—participation (you must be a part of the networks you are a part of or be sure you are adding value to the conversations)

2) The playground is for people of all ages.
–>Yes, within the social network you can be 20 or 80..and you can enjoy the wonderful benefits of being a part of the conversations and connections.

3) Only people interested in having influence are allowed on the premises.
—> It is good to remember when you are involved in social media, to remember you are there to engage, inspire and support others.

Another gem (page 38)—
“Because online communities are not constrained by the need for anyone’s physical presence, we have greater flexibility with our ability to join, learn, and congregate with people who have similar interests no matter their location.”
—>To me this is the great GLORY of social media!

Another helpful nugget (page 81)
“For busy people who need to find ways to manage their attention stream, micro sharing seems just little enough to not seem like a burden. It’s akin to writing a paper or a blog without the time commitment. It’s sufficiently lightweight to fit into the spaces between the critical work people do.”
—>Yes, I agree that micro blogging, such as Twitter, allows people to share their expertise with people in small bits, however, I do feel that it is a piece in between where blogging and marketing goes.

Additional tidbit (page 110)
“To support keeping information current, create systems that support updates and contributions from many people who are affected or who have additional perspectives–where the group can capture, organize, share and use it’s emerging and dynamic knowledge.”
—> Share, share and share—-offer tips, ideas and support to others by using social media tools that can help you get the message out there. (i.e. I use HootSuite to organize my social media accounts).

About the Book:
Most business books on social media have focused exclusively on using it as a marketing tool. Many employers see it as simply a workplace distraction. But social media has the potential to revolutionize workplace learning. People have always learned best from one another—social media enables this to happen unrestricted by physical location and in all kinds of extraordinarily creative ways. The New Social Learning is the most authoritative guide available to leveraging these powerful new technologies.

Tony Bingham and Marcia Conner explain why social media is the ideal solution to some of the most pressing educational challenges organizations face today, such as a widely dispersed workforce and striking differences in learning styles, particularly across genera-tions. They definitively answer common objections to using social media as a training tool and show how to win over even the most resistant employees. Then, using examples from a wide range of organizations—including Deloitte & Touche, IBM, TELUS, and even the CIA—Bingham and Conner help readers sort through the dizzying array of technological options available and decide when and how to use each one to achieve key strategic goals.

Social media technologies—everything from 140-character “microsharing” messages to media-rich online communities to complete virtual environments and more—enable people to connect, collaborate, and innovate on levels never before dreamed of. They make learning dramatically more dynamic, stimulating, enjoyable, and effective. This greatly anticipated book helps organizations create a contemporary learning strategy that is as timely as it is transformative.

About the Author(s):

Tony Bingham is President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), the world’s largest professional association dedicated to the training and development field. ASTD is focused on helping members lead talent management, build their business skills, understand the impact of social media on informal learning, close skills gaps, and connect their work to the strategic priorities of business.

Marcia Conner Partner with Altimeter Group, works with leaders every day to bridge the gap between the promise of collaborative technologies and the practice of putting them into action. She aligns digital strategy with corporate culture, engaging people and invigorating the value chain across an organization. Former Vice President and Information Futurist at PeopleSoft and Worldwide Manager at Microsoft, she now advises corporations, writes the popular Fast Company column “Learn at All Levels,” and is a Fellow at the Darden School of Business. Follow her on Twitter @marciamarcia.
*this information was provided by Amazon
*I also received a complimentary copy of this book to offer a book mention/review on Successful Blog. However, my —> (my comments) are mine solely and I was not compensated for these.

You can purchase a copy of ‘The New Social Learning’on Amazon.

I truly hope you will check out these books and please comment and let me know your thoughts on them.