Twitter Success Story--Well Sorta

It's not often that you hear about a hugely successful Twitter story so when it happens it's worth sharing. Unfortunately it comes in the midst of questions of misconduct and a terrible tragedy.

Wyclef Jean, a notable singer/songwriter and activist, along with several other big name Twitter users tweeted out to their fans requesting donations for the people suffering in Haiti. Thanks to some software provided by Give on the Go, individuals could donate money via their cellphones. This combination of "spreading the word" via Twitter, the technology of mobile donations and a global disaster, caused about $1 Million to be raised in one day.

That's an insane amount of money--but you can see how Twitter actually can have an application and critical variable to the equation. Take Twitter out and you're forced to spread the word via news conferences, YouTube, maybe TV and radio commercials--all more time consuming and costly.

I guess the only sad part about this story is that people are raising questions about Jean's charity breaking the law, but let's just hope it's something that doesn't effect that money getting to the people of Haiti who need it most.

Finding a Balance Between the Natural & Built Environments

Great architectural piece worth mentioning. Whether you're an urbanite or a rural-type...something to be appreciated nonetheless and certainly relevant in terms of the quest for sustainability. http://homegrown.org/blog/2009/11/homegrown-inspiration-building-with-whole-trees-community-supported-foraging/

Also check out the NY Times dig on Roald Gunderson, a self-proclaimed forester-architect. http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/11/04/garden/20091105-tree-slideshow_index.html

Changes in the 2010 and Beyond Workplace

It's interesting to think about how people and the workplace has molded the last couple years--and even more intriguing to ponder what's coming down the road. How have team members been shaped psychologically? And how will this change affect their basic decision making in the future?

This change has implications across the board. From people management to firm management--your team is what runs your business. They are the vital organs--and they've evolved. Here's a couple things I have noticed:

Gen X is no longer the only generation that has severe distrusts in the powers that be...everyone does. That means in order to win back your teams trust, you have to offer other incentives during the downturn to keep them engaged and loyal. And you don't necessarily have to shell out the bucks to achieve this. Simply take a look at what your competition is offering--and offer something different. Another way is to ask your team members! Given the time, individual attention is always better in order to avoid group think.

Bad times makes people evolve into bargain shoppers--and good times make them revert back. To me that means one thing--right now you can get great people from the competition (or other places) by offering something a little better than what they have. Tomorrow you might not be so lucky.

Tammy Erikson of the Harvard Business Review did a good article on spotting workplace trends as well. Check our her spot here: http://blogs.hbr.org/erickson/2010/01/predictions_for_2010_five_chan.html

SMPS Virginia Annual Conference: Featuring "Wired..." author and BD guru David A. Stone

SMPS Virginia is gearing up for our 2010 Annual Conference, which is to be held in Charlottesville on February 15 + 16. That means more work for myself and the board. Luckily, we've had a great team assembling our speakers and panelists and we look forward to another great event!

The Annual Conference is easily SMPS VA's biggest event of the year. We have folks from all over Virginia and backgrounds ranging from Principals, to Engineers to Business Developers / Marketers. It's really an eclectic group and each year I always leave re-energized.

This year our topic will be Client Development. David A. Stone, author of a number of books, will be speaking on how to get inside your Client's mind to be successful in developing business and more importantly a solid relationship.

Find out more information about sponsorship opportunities or registration at our events page:

http://www.smpsva.org/events/event-detail.php?id=118

I look forward to seeing you there!

Does Smart Phone Technology Have a Place in AEC Marketing?

The short answer is yes. Unfortunately, if you viewed an innovation adoption curve for the industry, you'd probably resound "well...not until 2020."

Aside from the basic web-browsing and emails, firms and employees should take a hard look at how integrated technology on the smart phones today could help them work better and faster.

One of the neat features that Google's Nexus One is offering is voice-recognition for everything on the phone. Write emails, update social media, run apps, call people, find places--without touching the screen. (quick and cool video)

High-speed technology (1Ghz...that's faster than an iPhone) like this could be a life-saver for a high-level executive who might not be so quick on the mobile keyboard, or for the business developer who is on the road a lot, or for your field crew who might have their hands full or perhaps covered in mud!

But simple communication like the aforementioned is just the beginning. The shift that smartphones could bring to the industry could be very monumental. Talk about replacing your desktop CPU and desktop phone altogether. Instead of operating out of a bricks & mortar, you could have half your team cloud computing--and at the cost of a smart phone and service--you're talking saving your company thousands of bottom line dollars per employee.

To Make Time, Take a Break and Get Simpler

Nope, it will never end. There will always be something to do--and that's okay.

Probably the reason it's so hard to manage your time properly is because of perpetual to do lists. So, prioritizing is key...and unfortunately as humans it is our nature to try and accomplish everything. No one wants to sacrifice tasks, but it's a necessary element of life and to successful time management.

So, something that has helped me at times is instead of burning yourself out--take a break and simplify your life a bit. No, I don't mean go for a walk while updating your Twitter from your cell. I mean take a break from it all. No cellphone, no computer--nothing outside of primitive human interaction.

This works to make things simpler. Simple things demand simple solutions. It helps you think faster and clearer. Most importantly it allows you to build some positive momentum--ultimately carrying over into success in more complex and crucial tasks.

What My Dog Taught Me About Business Development

Until earlier this year, I wouldn't even consider getting a dog. The reason? Because I knew once I was set on getting one, it wouldn't take long cause I'm a sucker. Turns out the first place I went I found one.

Thinking back on it--I was very much like a Client at that point. I had made up my mind and was ready to move forward with my "project." The time was right. I also knew there were loads and loads of dogs out there that I could have. Little did I know Zohi was an excellent (and unintentional) business developer.

I actually saw her with her two sisters. I call this the "interview." While they were all cute, cuddly, energetic etc...Zohi was different. She carried herself in a different manner. She immediately came up to me multiple times while her sisters went off sniffing an assortment of scents in the yard. She was unique and she spent time with me--and that's why I picked her.

In attaining client share, our companies are much like the millions of cute puppies in this world. So many to choose from, most are very similar and have unique qualities about them that they must exhibit to differentiate themselves. But the main point here is simple: understand who your Client is and make sure that you cater to their needs. Of course Zohi didn't know this, but I wanted a dog that was unique and liked spending time with me. Lucky for me, she did just that.