karim kanji

Moving

2010-04-20T14:29:00.000-04:00

I hate moving. Never have liked it. But the time has come, and I'm excited. Excited and nervous.

INSPIRationbyKarim.blogspot.com was my first online property. I then changed it to karimkanji.com but the "blogspot" was still here.

If you visit karimkanji.com you will be re-directed to a site that is "powered" by WordPress.

I'm a little apprehensive about my move over there.

But I hope you come and visit.

http://karimkanji.wordpress.com OR www.karimkanji.com.

Thanks.

Let's play ball fans

2010-04-15T10:07:00.005-04:00

I don't pretend to have all the answers. Nor do I look at everything as "the glass is half full." However, I must say that the current attendance numbers for our Toronto Blue Jays is a little concerning. Ok, very concerning.

The Jays, again, are off to a hot start. There is no competition from the Maple Leafs or the Raptors and Toronto FC are off to a horrible start again.

10,610 paying customers walked into the Rogers Centre last night. This was only two days after selling out the place during Opening Day.

This is the problem.

As a baseball fan and as a fan of the Blue Jays I want to help. And I'm hoping you want to help too.

So, for the next 7 days please leave a comment. Really, leave a suggestion or two. (If you're reading this on Facebook, please take the time to come on over to www.KarimKanji.com and fill out the comments section) And invite your friends and fellow fans to come hear and voice their opinion.

Here's the question I'm asking:

What should the Toronto Blue Jays do to increase the average attendance to games to 30,000 this year?

Why?

I'm going to set up a meeting with the person in charge of marketing and social media and share with him our thoughts and suggestion. (He is starting to listen and has agreed to meet with me and a colleague to hear our thoughts.)

Thank you for reading.

Let's play ball!

NOTE: I've been having problems with my Disqus comments thingy. I'm trying to get it fixed. Thanks for your patience. In the meantime, please email me your comments to karim @ techvibes dot com. Thank you.

Getting Ready

2010-04-14T10:56:00.002-04:00

If the stars align, the gods agree, and all that good stuff happen, I should be in Mombasa with my wife to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. From what I've been told (I haven't checked Google...yet) Mombasa is on a beautiful beach. And my body is not beach ready. By a long shot.

I've got just over a month to get ready.

Fit4lifenyc and the Fit4lifenyc Blog

Any tips or suggestions? Comment below or on any of my daily health vlogs.

Ok. I checked Google. Beautiful.

Born to Run

2010-04-11T22:05:00.000-04:00

With the sub title being ""A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never seen" I was hooked.

Author Christopher McDougall takes the reader on a journey that can only be described as breathtakingly fascinating.

I have read another book since I finished Born To Run but the images etched in my brain from reading it have remained.

Here's who I would recommend the book to: If you're an athlete, a wannabe athlete, a weekend warrior, someone who wants to get healthy, a health nut, a vegetarian, a runner, someone who is interested in anthropology....heck, I'd recommend this book to just about anyone who even just likes a good story.

#Loudshirt PodCamp Toronto now on film

2010-04-09T11:33:00.000-04:00

I'm excited!

I have yet to watch it. People have complimented me on the presentation. I know I wasn't perfect and I really do need to polish my presentation skillz. But here it is. I hope you enjoy and learn something. If not, I hope you at least laugh.

Please feel free to leave your tips and suggestions onhow I can do a better job. My next presentation is in a week!

Young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada

2010-04-09T11:26:00.000-04:00

The young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada (ysec.org) is an organization created by youth for youth interested in business for profit and social change. Assaf Weisz of "ysec" gave me the lowdown of the organization and what they are looking to accomplish.

Please forward the url of this post/video to people in your communities who are looking to support or be involved with this dynamic group of "do-gooders".

Matt Tod empowers youth

2010-04-09T11:16:00.002-04:00

Not too long ago I met a young man named Matt Tod. He's a very engaging person who is very passionate about what he does.

Here's a quick video I shot of Matt explaining a little bit about what he does.

Visit Matt Tod on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MattTod

Mainstream Media vs Bloggers - Part 2

2010-04-08T17:09:00.000-04:00

You can find Part One here. It was written by Eric Smith.

Some of you may know Eric. He's on The FAN590 here in Toronto. He's also the voice of the Toronto Raptors basketball team. He also blogs, tweets, does video blogs and makes himself available to the fans, public and to bloggers like me.

So, after Eric posted his article he got attacked. Viciously it seems. Unfairly as well.

I've had the opportunity to interview Eric for Techvibes. Back last December, this is a bit of what I wrote:

The ability for people to self-publish blogs creates the perception that all authours are experts which is far from true. Eric feels the ability to be properly accredited and cultivate important contacts is a privilege that most independent bloggers don't have. Traditional sports media are still able to access player and coach interviews as well as seek sources that the average Joe probably can't.

I'm not an expert in media or blogging. Although I report for Techvibes, I don't consider myself a reporter. I've even done presentations where I admit that I don't even consider myself "media". And I don't even think I can hold a keyboard to some of the more prolific bloggers out there.

But what really upsets me about this situation is that various sports blogs seem to have bashed on Eric's opinion. It's one thing to have an opinion. It's quite another to think that just because someone is a blogger this means that they are more objective or have more to offer.

As bloggers, here is what we have to offer. Our unbiased opinion. And really, that's all. What Eric Smith provides is opinion as well. However, he has the ability to access people, events and information that we can't. The only way we get information is from people like Eric.

There is a place for both bloggers and msm. To take the low road and bash someone because of their job is classless.

That's just my opinion. What's your's?

Weeks that were

2010-03-20T01:17:00.000-04:00

Did you miss me last week? Or yesterday? I know. Not yet. Soon. Very soon. Content is coming here. And fast.

In any event, here are the last 2 weeks that were.

Techvibes:

You can find my most recent Techvibes contributions here. However, here are a few you might find interesting or useful. Maybe both. And hopefully a little entertaining.
Canadian company takes location-based apps to another level.
Canadian Prime Minister Harper on YouTube.
Want to get paid to blog and travel? Yeah, me too.
Do you pay too much on your cellphone bill?
Last straw for WIND Mobile?
Julie Tyios of the Toronto Transit Commission Customer Advisory Panel.

iBizBook:

Mitch Joel on the value of promotional products.

As always, feel free to be my friend on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and watch my videos on YouTube.

In the meantime, please feel free to comment, or send me an email to karim_kanji at hotmail dot com.

And before you leave, please take off your caps, stand up as we sing the national anthem to celebrate the Paralympics in Vancouver:

Crushing It on Twitter

2010-03-18T16:51:00.000-04:00

Some people ask me about Twitter and why I use it so much. Others ask me how they can use Twitter. So, I thought I'd share with you some thoughts. But not by me. This is a snippet of Scott Stratten (@unmarketing) talking to some small business owners in Toronto.

How do you use Twitter? I'd love to hear your ~~tweets~~ thoughts.

Flip MinoHD

2010-03-18T10:16:00.000-04:00

So I got a gift in the mail a little while ago. A new Flip MinoHD. Do I like it? You betcha! Below is my answer. You can also check out my homemade videos on my own YouTube channel!

Twitterhood the new Prophethood?

2010-03-15T23:28:00.000-04:00

If you're on Twitter, and who isn't these days, then you've probably contemplated doing something drastic to gain more followers. Why?

I was just kidding about being on Twitter by the way. It's a pretty cool tool that has yet to be completed.

I'd love to hear what you think. Feel free to comment below.

the week that was

2010-03-05T15:18:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how fast this week has gone. It's been a really cool week. Lot's of opportunities have been coming my way recently.

If you want a pulse on what's happening with me follow me on Twitter. I've even been asked to do a meetup overseas. I'll let you know how that turns out the closer it comes.

Ready to go back to the future? Here we go!

Techvibes:

Everyone watched the Olympics. Well, almost everyone.
Shipgooder.com
Tweet & Win (another reason to be on Twitter)
TheBizMedia (video)
5 Questions...with Joallore Alon (a MUST follow for Torontonians in Toronto)
Julie Tyios and the TTC
Lavalife
Top 25 technology predictions from futurist Dave Evans
iBizBook's Community Manager (video)
Art of Marketing Twitter contest winners (another reason to be on Twitter!)
The Canadian Budget and technology

iBizBook:

Finding your online pulse (video)

Fadoo.ca:

Thoora.com "knows" what the most popular Olympic story was!

As always, feel free to be my friend on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and watch my videos on YouTube.

Have a great weekend!

Comments - Disable or Enable?

2010-03-04T09:44:00.002-05:00

I had a Google Chat conversation with a colleague late last night. He suggested (based on advice from a SEO "expert") that I disable my comments section in order to become popular. Watch the video below and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your honest thoughts about this.

(If you're reading this on Facebook, please come back to www.KarimKanji.com and feel free to cment.)

Thanks!

What do you think? Let me know below.

The Hammer

2010-02-27T21:31:00.000-05:00

Watching curling as often as I do....once every 4 years...got me thinking about the importance of the hammer. Having the hammer is having control. Are we in control of what we're doing? Do we have the last say in what we do or who we become?

Like curling, we're going to, one day give up control of our destiny. Maybe we'll need other people to become involved in our life in order for us to succeed. If so, don't settle for one point. Crush it!

I'd love to hear your thoughts about "holding the hammer."

Week in Review

2010-02-26T23:55:00.002-05:00

Well, another busy week has ended. Yet it began with a bang as I participated in my second PodCamp Toronto. The great thing about it was that it was also my first time leading a discussion at an unconference.

Here's this week's, Week in Review!

Techvibes

Digital book publisher Vook (you SHOULD check these guys out!) receives additional seed financing.
Ottawa flexes it's digital muscles.
General Motors Crisis Communications - Case Study.
Mark Evans on telling stories.
ShesConnected - A social networking site for the ladies.
In conversation with the Senior Partner of Bamboo.
Rogers has a new plan for roamers.
5 Questions...with Crystal Gibson.
Sprouter continues to sprout.
Justin Kozuch on the Toronto Transit Commission.
Mitch Joel.

iBizBook

Finding your online pulse - Video with Mitch Joel.

I was also preesent this week at Third Tuesday Toronto which is a monthly meetup featuring some of today's most thought provoking personalities in the marketing, public relations, technology and social media world's. At this meetup, Mitch Joel spoke and answered questions about branding. You can find my videos of the Q&A at THIS link.

As always, feel free to be my friend on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and watch my videos on YouTube.

Have a great weekend!

Viral Campaign

2010-02-25T09:50:00.000-05:00

If you do a lot of things that are great, people will find it and it will go viral. - Mitch Joel

We're all looking for it. We want it. We might not tell our friends about it for fear of being branded as vain. But is haunts us so. In fact, it's a main reason many people have a personal blog, website or even tweet. People want that feeling of importance. "My opinion matters to me and I want you to hear it!"

Even companies crave the attention. It feeds their bottom line. And it feeds their employees as well.

Whatever it is called we want it to do one thing: Go Viral.

How do we do it?

Do you know someone who is doing great things? If you do, tell us their story. Please.

Learning to speak

2010-02-23T23:51:00.002-05:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to speak at PodCamp Toronto. For those who may not know, PodCamp Toronto is organized as an unconference. A conference is a place/event you would go to to attend sessions. An unconference is organized by the attendees. And sessions are led. Which means I didn't really give a talk. I facilitated a session would be a better way of putting it.

PodCamp Toronto is a 2 day event which brings together podcasting and social media enthusiasts in an effort to learn from each other and connect with new and old acquaintances.

I attended some really interesting sessions and made a load of new friends. In fact, the best time was connecting with new and not so new friends at a greasy spoon on Saturday evening. I even managed to get invited and go see a Toronto Raptors game. And this by someone I never even knew 8 hours earlier! Amazing!

However, I wanted to share some lessons I learned myself. And these lessons were learned by facilitating my session. Although I have had the opportunity to speak in private functions, this was really my first public talk. And boy, did I learn a lot:

Have multiple slides per argument. People seem to love their power points!
Don't repeat yourself. I don't like over-preparing for presentations but I think I should start.
Always invite your fans. It's always good to have supporters in the crowd.
Don't be afraid to be real. People appreciate honesty and abhor people who are fake.
Involve the crowd. An active crowd is a happy crowd.
Wear a loud shirt.
Create a hashtag (#) on Twitter to connect with everyone who attended the session. Mine was #loudshirt. (Obvious, eh!)

A special thanks to @coleyeung and @zeppelinsocial for the pics! Video will follow soon.

Week in Review

2010-02-19T11:03:00.000-05:00

As you may know, I've been doing lots of writing on different parts of the interwebs. So what I've decided to do is to post here a weekly summary of my activities.

Techvibes

Marketing talk by WIND Mobile Chief Customer Officer Chris Robbins.
Jordan Banks - former NHLPA executive now an early stage tech investor.
New service for companies interested in social media - SocialTALK.
Sony Ericsson and Fido launch new eco-phone in Canada.
Video interview with Kunal Gupta of Polar Mobile.
5 Questions...with Dave Fleet.
Getting ready for PodCamp Toronto.
Video interview with Impact.org founder Kunal Gupta.
Sony Ericsson looking for app developers.
Macworld 2010
University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team.

Fadoo.ca

Inside the CFL replay room - Video.

iBizBook

Housing market cooldown.

As always, feel free to be my friend on Facebook (where you can also see this week's Raptors photos), follow me on Twitter, and watch my home videos on YouTube.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Blogging Continues

2010-02-12T10:54:00.000-05:00

Back in December I told you all about my new gig at Techvibes. I hope some of you have visited me over there and are enjoying some of the people, places, and companies I have been highlighting there. It's been really fun meeting some of Toronto's coolest, hippest and socially progressive tech entrepreneurs.

Today, I have some more blogging news.

You can now also find me at Fadoo.ca.

The Fadoo website is a Canadian website dedicated to bringing Canadians "a platform for dialogue and comment among people of power and influence in the sports world. And then, let everyone in on the conversation."

What you're going to get from me is what no one else in Toronto will be able to provide. I'll have the inside look into sports and social media and technology. So if that interests you then stay tuned (and please comment. I LOVE comments!). And if it doesn't interest you let me know, what you would like to see.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the Olympics!

UnMarketing Video

2010-02-11T12:51:00.000-05:00

Many people have been asking about the UnMarketing video I took at the Toronto Social Media Week & ReFresh Event. Some of them have been posted up on Techvibes. They can also be found on my YouTube channel.

If you're interested or curious about social media and why its relevant to you, your work/business and life, I would highly encourage you to watch the video series.

Why I started @karimsreplies

2010-02-11T12:23:00.000-05:00

It's been a while wince I've blogged here. If you're wondering why I've been so quiet, I haven't really. I just need to focus on when I'm going to write or video blog here. I have, however, been writing up a storm over at Techvibes. There's a link over to the right of this post to some of my stuff.

But before I go I have to tell you about @karimsreplies.

Many of you may know that I tweet. Alot. Not that much. Guess it depends who you ask. One of the things I found was that I was responding to alot of tweets. And that's a good thing. The problem was that everyone would receive these tweets. And sometimes this is not a good thing. There is something called "noise". Noise is the stuff on Twitter and other social media platforms that doesn't add any value.

The question about value is relative. If you don't like the comment then it's noise. And then there's the issue with Facebook. All of my tweets end up on Facebook. Some people think I'm the only one alive when they visit their Facebook pages.

So I have decided to fix it. Partially.

I'm still tweeting from @karimkanji. And I encourage you to follow me. Your IQ will actually increase as will your coolness factor.

However, I will respond to tweets via @karimsreplies to help keep the noise down. People can still follow me at @karimsreplies but now you know my purpose in tweeting from @karimsreplies.

I've been asked, "Why not just DM?" Two reasons: One, not everyone follows everyone. And to DM someone on Twitter we need to be following each other. Two, some people actually are interested in following the conversations happening over at @karimsreplies.

So, if I'm your friend on Facebook you can thank me for the noticeable decline in tweets. Also, if you're a heavy tweeter, think about opening another Twitter account just to reply to people. You're still engaging but you'll be a little less annoying. And my sister says that's a good thing.

The Audacity To Win

2010-02-03T14:16:00.000-05:00

Three books so far this year. Here's my book report video style.

I always appreciate your comments! Please keep them coming.

Podcasts

2010-02-01T12:18:00.000-05:00

I enjoy podcasts. Listening to them. I'm trying to figure out how to podcast but until then I'll be satisfied with listening to them.

Most of you know what a podcast is so I won't bore you with an explanation.

What I want to do today is tell you why I enjoy podcasts (the audio version for now). Then I'll tell you some of the one's I subscribe to.

So, why listen to podcasts? Here's my explanation: Most of them you can't get on the radio. There are alot of really smart people who just happen to podcast. For example, maybe you like archeology. Not many radio stations offer such programming. But maybe there's a guy or gal who podcasts about this subject. If you're interested, you'll listen. And, at a time when you want to.

And that's a great second reason. Maybe there's a radio program you do enjoy but don't have the time to listen when it's aired. Well, with technology being so user friendly, you can enjoy your favourite program when you have the time to listen to it.

Finally, podcasting gives me an opportunity to learn about things that interest and intrigue me from people who are experts. And that's priceless!

Karim's Favourite Podcasts:

Between The Ropes. I'm a mark for professional wrestling. Don't ask me why. It's the same reason some of you watch The Hills, Young and the Restless or even Poker. You just do. The show is based out of Orlando, Florida and the hosts are amazing. Brian, Vito and D'Lo offer their community amazing insight and commentary while interviewing some of wrestling's past and current stars.
Spark. Hosted by the amazing Nora Young, "Spark is a weekly audio blog of smart and unexpected trendwatching. It’s not just technology for gearheads, it’s about the way technology affects our lives, and the world around us."
The Moth. True stories told on stage without notes in front of crowds. That's the concept of this great podcast. This not-for-profit storytelling organization features unknown as well as popular speakers from various backgrounds and industries. Prepare to laugh and sometimes cry.
Media Hacks (Six Pixels of Separation - Twist Image). This is my newest find. And it's a gem. Media Hacks features Canada's and America's top marketing and social media personalities. Media Hacks (found on the SPOS-TI podcast) discusses "media, technology, publishing, culture and how we all interact with it and build community".

There's a few other I listen to on occasion and a few other I'm checking out. And maybe one day, I'll do my own podcast.

Do you podcast or listen to podcasts? What are your favourites? Have you listened to the one's listed above? As always, I look forward to the conversation...

Crush It

2010-01-14T11:35:00.001-05:00

I like reading. I think I always have. I've almost read every Hardy Boys books and many Robert Ludlum books. These days my reading includes stuff about social media. I've recently read Trust Agents as well as Accidental Billionaires. (To be honest, I think I need to get some more Ludlum in my veins - one can only get to serious.)

Today, I'm very excited to offer all my blog readers a chance to win a fantastic book called Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk. I recently put out a challenge on Twitter that if and when I reach 1000 followers on Twitter I would give away 2 copies of the best-selling book.

So, here I am. True to my word I will give away 2 copies. One will be the hardcover edition. The other will be a very cool online web-based version of the book from vook.com. (Check out the link. It's pretty cool!)

On with the contest! Contest? You bet. Here are the rules:

You must participate on my blog to have a chance of winning. (No Facebook entries please. Thank you.)
Leave a comment on WHY you deserve to win either copy of the book.
Winner will be based on what I determine as the best response.
I am looking for a minimum of 10, 8, 5, 3, 2 responses (so tell your friends to apply because I only know of 4 people who actually read this!)
Contest runs from now until I finish eating my lunch on January 22.

Ready. Set. Go.

Hire me - An Open Letter

2010-01-13T21:43:00.000-05:00

Open letter to cool brands who have hired celebrities and athletes to endorsement contracts:

Hire me.

Yes I know. That's a pretty bold statement. You can go ahead and ~~bing~~ google me. You'll find nothing of consequence.

I haven't won any athletic awards since before my mom bought me a Millennium Survival Kit. I have yet to be featured on any celebrity magazines or websites. Trust me. Perez Hilton does not know who I am.

The only red carpet I have ever been on was when my cousin got married this past summer. And I almost tripped over that one. I have never taken steroids or pleaded the 5th. People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" has never heard of me. If I ever applied to BeautifulPeople.com I would not be accepted.

You see, I'm just a regular guy. I have a wife and kid and live in a house in a quiet neighbourhood in the city.

I don't consider myself average. I'm just not a celebrity. People don't take pictures of me. Check Flickr if you don't believe me.

Here's what I CAN offer you: I'm real and authentic. That's my brand. I represent the kind of person you want using your product.

If you're a clothing company I can assure you I wear clothes. And being in Toronto (and this being winter) I wear lots of them. I need various kinds of shoes to tackle various kinds of weather. Sunglasses? Ditto. Food? I love to eat. Cars? I got my drivers licence. I'm a consumer. And I'm not loyal to brands (unless I get paid).

But not only that, I'm active. I'm all over this fair city of ours. (By the way, I will travel for money - Hello, Flight Centre!) You can find me at trade shows, meetups, social gatherings, at baseball and football games, and at various drinking and eating establishments. I'm an avid blogger and tweeter and my sister says I spend too much time on Facebook.

And if you ask anybody about me here's the answer you'll get: He's nice. Now isn't that the type of person you would want wearing your fine cologne or expensive watch? I think so.

And here's my guarantee to you should you decide to hire me: I don't have far to fall. Unlike Tiger, Phelps, McGuire, Clemons, Letterman and various other "stars" my fall (which you are concerned about) will not be damaging. To you. Because there won't be one. In fact, there will be no fall into the TMZ world.

Here's why:

I have an implied code of conduct. - Unlike Kobe, I live on a budget. There is no way in hell that I would jeopardize free swag just for a little late night shenanigans.
Although all press is not good press, you won't have to worry about neither. I won't generate any press. I'll melt into the crowd at the local grocery store as I buy your tasty cereal.
I'm very good at saying sorry. So if I forget to put the snow tires you send me on my car and something unforeseen happens, I'll say sorry. And you won't have to worry about a lawsuit.
And if I screw up really bad (meaning the media and those damn bloggers find out I'm being paid by you) I'll just lay low for a while. I'll stop tweeting, facebooking, and hobnobbing with Toronto's social media elite.

So what do you think? Don't you wish your high-paid celebrity endorsers followed those same 4 steps?

You see, these are the things that the average mom and dad teach their children:

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Don't do anything to embarass your mother.
Learn to say sorry.
And if you make a mistake, it's better to shut your mouth than to dig yourself into a bigger hole.

And it's something that I promise I will do for you.

Now if you deem it inappropriate to hire a brand like Karim Kanji, I understand. I mean, there is a chance I'll be BIG someday. I mean REALLY BIG.

So my advice to you would then be to hire that next person who fills your coffee cup tomorrow morning.

They know a thing or two about being human.

Hire them.

Regards,

Karim Kanji
karim_kanji at hotmail dot com

Accidental Billionaires

2010-01-06T16:58:00.000-05:00

We've (the boys) have all done something to impress the ladies. Let's see: I've gotten a tattoo, grew my hair long and also had it shaved, wore black rock concert t-shirts to mosque (church), and one night I even told every girl in a nightclub that I loved her. Yes, I've done some stupid things in my life. Who hasn't?

I have yet to create an online social network. That's what The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal is all about.

Authour Ben Mezrich tells the true tale of how 2 best friends from Harvard created Facebook. The story is told in a very fast moving pace.

Lessons.

There were a number of lessons I learned from this book. The first was work. Work hard. Work so hard that the work that you do becomes all consuming because it's what drives you.

Loyalty. There is something to be said about being loyal to your friends and the people who care about you.

Keep your (mine) eyes open. And I don't mean literally. To read about how numerous people, at the same time, were pursuing something new, innovative, cool and potentially popular was not only inspiring. It was motivational. It showed me that there are opportunities anywhere and everywhere. As long as we are keeping our eyes and minds open, opportunities will come.

Is this book worth reading. Sure it is. I'll tell you what: If you're on Facebook and use it, you should read this book. Find out how it was created. Learn about the people who created it. Read about how one of the most popular brands and largest companies in the world was birthed.

NOTE:

Keep your eyes on this blog and on my twitter feed. I will be giving away a couple of copies of a very popular current business book. Once I hit 1000 followers on Twitter I will write a post here. In order to win you must participate. And I promise you the prize is well worth it. Okay. That's all for today. As you were.

Trust Agents

2010-01-05T12:13:00.000-05:00

I've completed my first book of 2010 even thought I started in 2009.

Trust Agents - Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust was written by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. Click on the names to follow these trend setters on Twitter as well as on their own personal blogs.

So what is this book about?

Trust Agents, in my opinion, is the authours attempt to outline how to properly use the Web. You see, many people think that just by blogging, being on Facebook and tweeting is enough. The first thing I thought was that I will get on these tools and people will want to know what I know. They will want to buy what I'm selling. I'll be rich in no time flat. How wrong was I.

Over time I have figured out that it is very important to create something of value and to engage in the various communities. Trust Agents makes the case for this using examples and the authour's own personal experiences.

What's next.

Here's what I've done. First, I've renamed the title and focus of this blog. "Being helpful" is a simple yet very powerful statement. It means that I will attempt to be helpful in the blog posts here.

Second, on Twitter I aim to re-tweet (RT) interesting and informative tweets from other people. I do this because there are other people who have lots to offer. And I'm smart enough to know that I don't know everything.

Third, get involved. Join and attend a MeetUp. It can be formal or informal. But engage in and with the community you want to influence. Whether you are looking for a job, career change or want to sell your wares to. The technology may have changed but the rules of personal engagement have not. It is still important to place value on people and to treat them as human beings rather than just faceless consumers.

There will still be posts that I blog about that are personal to me. I might have another suggestion for the Blue Jays or maybe even a guest post or two. You'll also get an update on the books I have completed reading. And on Twitter, you'll also come across tweets on articles that I write for other sites. You may even notice that I also tweet about stuff I like. In 140 characters one can only be so helpful. Being human also means having a personality.

As Mike Wilner and the fine folks at Drunk Jays Fans says,

Reasonable and Rational comments are welcome!

Begin

2009-12-31T11:45:00.000-05:00

I know what you're thinking (thanks Magnum PI!)...

"Here's another New Year's Eve prognostication." Or maybe you're saying to yourself, "Not another Resolutions post!"

Wait. If you've read this far then you're hoping, feeling or thinking, "Maybe this will be different." And it is.

When a new year, or in this case a new decade, arises it is very easy to reflect upon the past and focus and plan for the future. You want to lose weight; make more money; have a better relationship with your family and friends. Is there anything else? If so enter it here--> _______. Get the point?

We all want to begin. Again.

But why? And how?

Let's tackle the why first. As humans, we all have an innate desire to improve - constantly. And that's cool. Who am I to argue? I want to improve. And I'm sure you do too. But why? Is it something you want to have? A brand new car or that condo downtown? Or maybe it's something you want to be able to do. Like start your own business or take one month to travel to Spain.

Here's my question to you: How long has this been your goal? My guess is that it's been in your mind or on your fridge for years. And if that's true then the question is not "What do I want to achieve?" The question to ask is, "HOW do I get my goals?"

Move forward.

So let's say you want to move to Africa. That's your goal. Move forward. What do you need to start doing to actually get there. Do you need a job when you get there? How about accommodation? I'd imagine you might need to get some sort of shot.

Personally, I have no idea about going to Africa. But the same can be said of anything. A goal you're reaching towards is something none of us has ever achieved. Besides asking ourselves what we need to prepare for, the next best step is to ask someone who has achieved what we want. So, let's say I wanted to go to Africa. I'd ask a few of my cousins and uncles who have actually gone to Africa. Simple. They've gone and they are willing to help me get there.

Want to start a business? Ask someone who has done so. Want to write and have your book published? Ask a published author. Want to learn how to play tennis? Hire a tennis coach. I know. It sounds simple. It is.

Let's begin. What do you want? Find someone to help you get there.

Happy New Year!

What do you want? Have you found someone to help you achieve what you want?

A Video Message

2009-12-24T10:47:00.000-05:00

Hey folks! (I need to come up with a better greeting than "Hey folks!" - What are your suggestions? )

So, here's my first attempt at video-blogging. Should I just hide behind my typed words? Is my face made for "radio"? I'm not the most techie guy (even though I've been known to write for a tech website) so excuse the amazing lighting, interesting background music and no make-up.

Other than that, enjoy.

What did you think?

Heroes

2009-12-16T10:52:00.000-05:00

Tina Turner once said that we don't need another hero. John Lennon sang about the working class hero. Def Leppard even wanted to be your hero. Heck, even Meat Loaf thought this was a time for heroes.

My brother once had an illustration in his bedroom that said "Have Heroes".

However, time and time again our heroes disappoint us.

Today, society "creates" heroes through the power of media. Whether it be television, radio, or the various social media tools on the interwebs we have created heroes to look up to.

We had heroes on the baseball field. We looked up to A-Rob and Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemons. Then we tore them down for taking performance enhancing drugs and "cheating".

We had heroes on television. Then we threw them on the curb when we found they were cheating on their spouse.

We even had heroes on the radio. But when he said something off colour we branded him a racist.

The latest hero. He used to be a Tiger - the most powerful brand in the world and maybe the most recognized face globally. Now, we can't wait to forget about him.

Why do we do this? Why do we build up heroes and then destroy them when they reveal themselves to be less than perfect?

The easy response would be to suggest that we shouldn't create these heroes. We should look up to our teachers, fire-fighters and people we actually know. We should have our dad, mom or brother or sister as our heroes. I'm not disagreeing. But to suggest that we never emotionally invest ourselves into a personality may not be realistic.

I'm a BIG fan of Neil Young. If, for example, I were to find out that he was involved in anything shady. Yes. Initially. But over the long term, I'm not so sure. I'll give you an example.

Chris Benoit. you remember him? One of the greatest in-ring professional wrestlers of all time. He also killed his son, wife and committed suicide a few years ago. I had a Chris Benoit DVD. some of the greatest performances you'll ever see. It took me a few years before I could watch it again. But I did.

Why? Because I wasn't "in love" with the person. I enjoyed the "performance".

You might like the service you get from a waitress or waiter at a restaurant. Are you interested in what they do outside of work? No. You care about what they are giving to you at that moment. You are thankful for their outstanding service. And you tip them.

Why is it different when that same person is now performing in the "public"? Is it because we choose to fall in love? We can change the channel or leave the stadium whenever we want to. But we choose to stay.

And cheer. Or jeer.

I know I haven't answered anything here. It's not as easy as black and white. What are your thoughts?

Blogging as fast as I can

2009-12-05T02:12:00.000-05:00

I have to admit it. I stole the title from a presentation I saw this past Monday. But I guess it's appropriate for the subject of this blog.

I've embarked on a new journey. I'm not sure exactly where I will end up but I do know that it will be exciting. Before I spill the beans let me give you a little bit of a professional update.

Presently, I work for a cool little start-up in Toronto called RealCash Bancorp Inc. They are a leading financial solutions provider for real estate agents in Canada. I am tasked with spreading good karma about the company all over the country. I also work with a good friend of mine at Rogers Centre shaking hands and kissing babies. I also spend some time helping out a couple of social enterprises. One is now a charity called Toronto Green Community. The other is a group I co-founded called GREENtuity.

And because I'm not busy (tongue in cheek) I've recently picked up a gig with an online publication called Techvibes. They provide hyper-local tech coverage in Canada. I am now one of their Toronto Community Managers. So I'll be blogging (as fast as I can) about the people, places, events, and companies that make up the Toronto tech and social media scene.

I hope you'll take the time to visit the site and especially read my posts. I think you will find them interesting. I'm still searching for my "tech" voice. A good friend suggested I just look for my voice and not to worry too much if it's techie or not. Let's see which one comes up in 2010....

Your visits and comments both here and on Techvibes will go a long way in helping me along my present and future journey.

Thanks for reading and following me.

I hope you enjoy the ride.

Superfreakonomics - The journey continues

2009-11-23T12:24:00.000-05:00

After leaving university I made a vow never to read books again. Well, Robert Ludlum screwed it up for me with his amazing thrillers and sense of humour. I have also been on a sort of personal journey of self-improvement so titles like Master Key to Riches and How to win Friends and Influence People also find a place on my bookshelf.

Then a year ago I spied a book on my sister's bookshelf: Freakonomics. I thought that if my sister, a non-intellectual yet a very passionate person has this on her bookshelf, then I must take a look at it. (Mind you I loved economics in school but didn't have the mathematical chops to finish studying it in school. And the cover looked cool!) Now it's on my bookshelf along with the follow-up: Superfreakonomics.

I follow and read up on the Freakonomics blog, so I am now used to the whimsical and humourous takes they have on life and the many decisions people make on everything from what cities people live in and why people cheat. Therefore, I was prepared to read up on their explanations on topics such as the historical analysis on why women become prostitutes.

It would be unfair of me to pretend to do a proper report on the book. It will be both too short and not scholastic enough. So I won't even try.

However, I was really impressed with the thought and effort they put into discussing two specific topics: How to easily, and in an affordable manner, curb the ravage effects of hurricanes and how to simply slow down and reverse global warming.

So, who should read this book? Everyone. Why? Because it answers the basic question that we all scratch our heads over - Why do people do what they do?

If you've read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts? What book are you reading right now?

Follow Friday

2009-11-13T17:03:00.000-05:00

There is a fun, interesting and informative ritual that happens on Twitter every Friday. It's called Follow Friday. However, 140 characters is usually never enough time to highlight people one wants to give thanks to.

So, here's my Follow Friday recommendations. I hope you enjoy. And "follow" these people. They're all good people:

@TheGarfoose - Dirk Hayhurst is a pitcher for MY Toronto Blue Jays and a hilarious Tweeter. He also has a book coming out called The Bullpen Gospels. Buy it.
@mehnazt - Mehnaz wears her passion on her sleeve. She has a cool blog and is currently writing her first best-selling book.
@vasta - Sameer may be a great storyteller, but he will always be my Scout.
@karmacakedotca - Marie has a cool website about culture and people and anything else she is passionate about (like why TTC makes people angry:) )
@clickflickca - Joallore is a social instigator who wants to live in Las Vegas. But if he left Toronto things would be a little quieter.
@lauracasselman - Laura's a KickAss word of mouth person for Agent Wildfire and always smiling.
@erin_bury - Erin is Sprouter. Sprouter is the go-to company for start-ups around the world. Erin is the definition of the connect and collaboration features of social media.
@skanwar - Satish is passionate about being his own boss and using social media to help people.
@casiestewart - Casie defines the social in social media.
@funkstop - Rahim likes to discuss how to make things better without all the hype.
@saulcolt - Saul wants me to work with him wherever he goes but he hasn't figured that out yet. Self-professed smartest man in the world understands how to create raving fans.
@AKthe5th - Aaron is one of Toronto's many young entreprenuers.
@A2BNOW - Ahmed loves taking kids to the zoo. A truly great friend.

If you want to connect with these people and their communities join Twitter. Oh yeah, the "@" usually precedes the account holder's "handle/name". To check them out prior just enter www.twitter.com/NAME. For example, you can find my twitter page at www.twitter.com/karimkanji.

These are just some of the cool people I've had conversations with on Twitter.

Who do you follow on Twitter and why?

The Bullpen Gospels - A guest blog

2009-11-13T14:07:00.000-05:00

The following post has been re-printed with the permission of the author. The original article can also be found here.

Sometimes, when I leave the ballpark with a bad taste in my mouth, I take the long way home. Come the next day, if that taste still is there, I take the long way back to the spoon that fed it to me.

Pitching isn’t easy. I’ve never said it is, not even in the arrogance of my youth. Baseball simply won’t allow it to be. No matter how good a pitcher is, he must wind and let go of the ball. In that instant, when the little white dot flies from his hand, anything can, and often does, happen.

This unpredictable nature of baseball is what leads the men who play it to create such fanciful routines, rituals and superstitions — including buckets of chicken, compulsive tooth brushing and the occasional wearing of women’s underwear. Do these things really impact the sport or are they done simply to soothe a player’s mind?

I pray. I’d like to think my invocations are more than superstition, but during times such as these, when I wander to the ballpark, when no amount of compulsive tooth brushing cleanses the disgust, when my supplication becomes frustration about the absence of a changeup, communing with the Almighty seems less than divine.

Maybe it’s how we talk, angrily calling God into the office of my mind during aimless walks around town. Telling Him He needs to shape up, because I have a life and a career and plans He’s supposed to fulfill. I offer to go halfway, but He’s always silent during negotiation, which leads me to grumbling. Come the end, when I’ve dumped it all out, I tell Him I’m tired of meeting under these circumstances.

At the end of my most recent walk/performance evaluation with God, a sound of joy interrupted our talk, pulling my attention from the destination of the locker doors to the patch of four-base-agony I was on last night.

There, on field, were dozens of happy children.

Plastic bases marked miniature diamonds in left, right and center field, populated by parents pitching soft, foamy balls to the long, loopy swings of bat-sized kids. The players were special-needs children. Some played positions in wheelchairs, others from behind braces.

Still others stood, under the pull of autism or Down syndrome.

God and I watched the scene.

When a long swing struck a ball into play, the children let loose with shouts, chasing after the white bauble like freshly lit firecrackers. Once caught, they clamored at the opportunity to throw their prize. To whom or where seemed irrelevant. Just throwing it was fun enough.

Besides, where the ball went didn’t matter. No outs were being collected. The drama was an illusion, but a pleasant one.

The kids reset. A new hitter strode to the plate, a young girl roughly 6 years old with dark hair, a darling smile and no arms. The fabric of her sleeves hung from her shoulders like a flag without wind. Her father came to her side and held a bat with a handle wrapped in a towel. The girl pinched the padded handle between her shoulder and chin. Bat secured, she dug in.

The pitch. The swing. Grounder to everyone!

Down the line ran the girl as the fielders gave chase. She hit first base, promptly ran to second, then to third. The ball was thrown straight up, then chased again. Rounding third, heading home, the slide … safe!

A home run on an infield single, and everyone was happy.

Father met his daughter at home plate, dropped to his knees and hugged her. Despite the absence of arms, she hugged him back, firm and tight. I stood taking it all in. God, I’m sure, smiled.

I couldn’t help but wonder, what did that father and his daughter pray? Was it superstition or sincerity? Were they angry when they called on God? Did they grumble about a lack of fingers to fold while praying, how it wasn’t part of their plan, how they’re tired of meeting under such circumstances?

Or were they grateful to a God that makes hugs and home runs possible, even without arms?

Dirk Hayhurst is a 1999 Canton South High School graduate and a former Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year at Kent State University. The 28-year-old right-hander currently is a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, and his book, The Bullpen Gospels: Major League Dreams of a Minor-League Veteran is available for order at Amazon.com. You can find Dirk on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheGarfoose

Insides out

2009-11-10T11:45:00.001-05:00

Recently, I was invited as a media guest to participate and blog at an exhibit in Toronto. Here is that post.

If you find yourself in Toronto over the next little while, I highly suggest visiting the Ontario Science Centre and take in one of the most amazing exhibits I've ever seen.

Body Worlds was created by Gunther von Hagens and features real bodies and body parts. Body Worlds uses body parts and anatomical specimens and displays them through a process called plastination. The results are both breathtaking and not without controversy.

Breathtaking in that visitors are able to see the body (in various artistic poses) with entire organs and systems intact. Controversial in that these are not models but real (dead, but very real) human bodies that have been preserved through Mr. von Hagens' plastination process. People have actually donated their bodies so that, upon death, they can be displayed for people to understand and be educated.

However you come away from this exhibit, one thing is for sure: You will never forget it. Here are some images. If you're not able to see this exhibit in Toronto or in your home town visit your nearest favourite online bookseller and enter in ISBN 978-3-937256-09-2.

Twitterville.

2009-11-03T12:00:00.004-05:00

Twitterville.

It's a place. And a book.

Shel Israel has written the answer to when your friends ask you: What the heck is Twitter?

Twitterville is a great synopsis of what Twitter was, is, has been, could be.

Shel gives a plethora of examples of individuals, companies, charities and other organizations who use Twitter to further their cause.

Early on he gives an example of an American who used Twitter to get freed from prison. He also describes how hospitals and other medical institutions use Twitter to engage with the public. From small companies fighting large corporations to established brands using Twitter as a PR tool, Shel gives a thorough analysis of this simple tool with a limit of 140 characters.

If you're a student, you can use Twitter to crowdsource information and gather research. If you're a professional you may use Twitter to market your product or as a customer service tool. If you're a business owner, being on Twitter may allow you to keep up with market demands.

In the end, Twitter may also save the world. Curious? Read the book. It's a wonder what we may accomplish in just 140 characters.

Tell me about the book you have just read.

For Love of the Game

2009-10-30T09:00:00.002-04:00

(I started this post back in August. The first round of the playoffs have just ended in the American League. What better time to add some thoughts. Wow! Now the Yankees and Phillies are playing. Time to finish this and post it for your thoughts and comments. If you're reading this on Facebook, and you want to comment, please take the time to visit the original post. Thanks!)

I'm a Toronto Blue Jays fan more than I am a baseball fan. Yet, I love the game of baseball and enjoy watching the playoffs even if my team is not playing. And with the current schedule and format, I'm also glad I don't hold my breath!

Recently, there has been lots of talk and chatter about the pathetic attendance and play this year.

So, I've decided to come to the rescue of the Rogers-owned baseball team and offer some (free) insightful advice, thoughts and suggestions. Furthermore, because I also believe in all this openness on the interwebs, I am encouraging everyone to use this blogpost as a forum to post more suggestions and comments.

Before I share with you my thoughts, here are what others have said/reported:

Now on with the show...

Rogers needs to hire a respected baseball president and general manager. And with the not-so-recent Gaston-gate, a respected manager would be a great idea. (The recent firing of JP and subsequent promotion of Alex Anthopolous is a start. However, it's only a start. Note: And so is the recent hiring of Beeston. :) )
Make the Jr. Jays package more valuable than it is. Include a pair of tickets to a game a month. Give a further gift to the parents and child. Instead of asking who the child's favourite player is and doing nothing about it, include an autogrphed picture or baseball. (Remember, this is also about growing the future fan base of the baseball team.)
Flex packs on steroids. Sorry for the using the "s" word. But it is imperitive that the Jays not only continue to market the popular flex packs. They need to spice this up. I like the invitations to special events like this year's Cito Gaston interview. Let's continue to be creative.
Where are the local, community, high school, and college/university teams? Invite them to attend games. Offer Jays packages to them.
Invite season tickets holders on a Jays paid trip to Spring Training. And watch this word-of-mouth thing explode!
As a father (and flex pack holder in the past) I was never invited to a Father's Day game. Never. Fix this and take advantage of other special days. Just don't forget to personally invite people. Rogers owns a HUGE database. Use it.
Engage. With local businesses, consumers, bloggers (ahem), the online community, etc. The Toronto model for this would be the Toronto Argonauts. The Argos engage with the community at schools, with various local football clubs and businesses at trade shows. I understand that the Jays probably do the same. Let's do more. But let's also let others know that you're ou there.
Invite the online community (bloggers and the like) into press conferences and into the clubhouse. Your future and current fans are part of the online community. Are you there?
Study what the Toronto Argos do to sell tickets and keep fans engaged. Even thought they may put a losing team in the field, they know how to sell tickets.
Remember to always thank season ticket holders and ALL purchasers of ticket packages. And I mean more than a thank you letter. A free pair of tickets to a game next season or a food voucher is a start.
Open dome policy. Unless it rains or snows. Of course. There's just something about being outdoors.
The Argos (yes, them again) have a Double Blue Crew that give away prizes during the game in ALL levels and are very visible. Idea?
Free baseball clinics after Junior Jays games.
RIM purchased 25000 tickets for their employees to the U2 concert in Toronto. What has Rogers done for the Jays?
Engage fans outside of Rogers with mobile apps and SMS.
I remember buying tickets from Dominion (Metro) for $2 way back when. Everyone goes grocery shopping.
Be more involved in the community. Collecting cans at games is great but no one knows about Jays Foundation doing stuff outside of the Dome. Are they?
Invite former flex pack and season ticket holders to come back for special game.
Give away more tickets via contests, Twitter, Facebook, etc...
Promote your stars and make them household names. Aaron Hill (multiple award winner this year) should be mobbed everywhere he goes.
Engage more with trendy and cool brands. Develop sponsorship opportunities for team and the stars so that young fans can "identify" with players and team. Cool is cool.
More stars at Jays games and more Jays at other professional games even during off-season.
Promote your cool in game promotions (like "run the bases") OUTSIDE of the game. Rogers owns magazines, TV shows and radio stations. Use them. And the other guy's as well.
I know the Jays don't have pin stripes. So, stop changing uniforms and let's try to create some nostalgia.
Make every game/series a must attend event. Remember AJ Burnett's return to face Doc earlier this year? Promote, promote, promote.
Best Blue Jays commercials have been the emotional "See you at the game". These are much better than the "You were meant to be there". Remember, people, especially fans, make emotional decisions.
Customer service is either your best or worst marketing strategy. This department interacts everyday with fans. Are you investing in proper training for your front line staff?
Winning solves everything.

There. That's it for now.

I am looking forward to hearing and reading your thoughts and suggestions. Do you agree or disagree with anything here? Do you have any ideas of your own? Have you read anything else from anyone on their suggestions? Let's start the conversation.....

10 Things I Love about London

2009-10-21T11:18:00.002-04:00

London, England is an amazing city to say the least. Last summer I had a chance to catch a Blue Jays game at the old Yankee Stadium in New York City. At the time I thought New York was THE city that never sleeps. Boy, was I wrong! London is right up there with New York.

To end of this blog series from London, here are my 10 favourite things about London:

Size. Size is everything. London is a huge city. If you travelled from the north end of London to the south on the M25 (the circular motor/highway that encompasses London) it would take you almost an hour and a half at a speed of 100km/hr. Why do I like this? It means that there is more to see and experience: Neighbourhoods, shopping, restaurants, etc.
Nandos. Is there a Nandos restaurant where you live? Maybe there is one in the city you live in. In London, Nandos is everywhere! It's as prevelant as Swiss Chalet is in Toronto. The only difference is the tender chicken, amazing variety of Peri Peri sauces and the endless supply of Coke Zero!
Charity Shops. I understand there is Variety Village and Goodwill stores in Canada. But really, would you brag about shopping at these places? In London, charity shops can be found in your local trendy shopping district. And the clothes and bargains to be found are plenty. I purchased a Zara brand suede jacket for under 4 British Pounds (that's less than $10 Cdn!).
Roundabouts. In the city where the traffic light was invented, it is hard to believe that roundabouts still exist. However, it keeps the traffic flowing. Anyone from Toronto would love that!
Museums. And not just the world renowned Natural Museum with the dinasour bones. There are plenty of museums and art gallery's in this city. And the museums are FREE. That's right, no charge. I think Chris Anderson would like that.
Public Transit. London is a city where one can literally travel anywhere, and I mean anywhere, by public transit. Public transit in London includes bus, train and underground. There are various zones and times and prices to match. For example, one could travel all night long on the famous London buses for under 5 British pounds! Or, you could use all the different options and travel with your family for up to 24 hours for under 50 British pounds. Not only is the pricing outstanding, but so is the coverage. Anywhere in London is accessible to everywhere at all times.
No urban sprawl. This does not mean there are no "big" homes or green spaces. It means that London takes it's space serious and does not waste it. For a city as huge, dense and populated as London, it's incredible that it's basically void of highrises.
Cobblestone. There is that "something" about roads and sidewalks make of rock and stone isn't there?
Weather. London gets it's fair share of rain and overcast days. As a Torontonian, I would swap a week of sub-zero temperatures and blowing snow for a month of rain and drizzle. It is impossible to play golf year round in Toronto. In London? Fore!
People. What would a city be without it's people? I am fortunate that I could travel to London at anytime and have a place to stay. With lots of family and friends, London easily tops my list as one of the best cities that I have ever travelled to.

What's your favourite city (besides the one you live in)? I would love to read your thoughts!

Family & Social Media

2009-10-12T15:58:00.012-04:00

I'm in England for 2 more days. It's partly thanks to the good folks at Flight Centre.

(Follow some of the links below to see some of the places I've visited on my trip "back home".)

I'm a big fan of social media and am presently studying it to better understand it's implications on business, the charity/non-profit world, and work. Many people use tools like Facebook and Flickr to also keep in touch with friends and family from around the world.

What do these two separate, but related, topics have in common?

Because of, in my case, Facebook, Twitter, email and YouTube, I've been able to "document" my life for everyone to see. And I'm not vain enough to hope that millions of people will follow me. Only those interested will - family and friends.

And as a result, I've also been able to keep track of the lives of my family and friends. So what do we do when we finally meet at a family wedding after years of being apart? We laugh, tell jokes, and enjoy each other's company without having to resort to the always polite, but sometimes boring, "How are you?", "What have you been up to?", "My your kids have grown!"

Conversations tend to be more in depth. We don't feel like we've wasted time visiting a museum , shopping or getting toys for kids. We enjoy the time while it lasts.

For example, my sister and I may see our brother once a year or maybe once every two years. However, because of the relative low cost of long-distance calls, email, Facebook, Twitter, blogs and our yearly hockey playoff pool we feel like we are in constant touch. So when it's time to say goodbye, well, it's not really goodbye.

It's more of, "Talk to you later!"

A New Friend

2009-10-05T17:55:00.007-04:00

I'm in England as I write this post.

One of my favourite things to do these days is meeting new and interesting people. Today I had the opportunity to meet a guy who's attempting to set SIX Guiness World Records. His name is Dave. I met him while he was rowing outside a clothing store in Basingstoke.

No, he wasn't rowing down the River Thames. He was rowing on a stationary rowing machine, outside, in the cold and mostly damp English autumn.

So you know I had to go and ask him if he needed directions to the nearest mental facility. Turns out Dave is a great guy with an even bigger heart for people. He's basically dedicated more than 2 years of his life, everyday, to help raise funds and attention to a worthwhile local charity.

Check out Dave's adventures at http://www.worldrecordrow.com/ and please follow him and his adventures at http://twitter.com/worldrecordrow.

Made to Stick

2009-09-26T15:47:00.005-04:00

If you're like me, even a little bit, you've wondered why certain ideas or images have stuck in your mind for many years. One of the things that has stuck with me is the old McDonald's jingle about the Big Mac. I don't remember the last time I saw or heard this commercial, but it sticks with me to this day.

Brothers, Dan and Chip Heath's 2007 book, Made To Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and others Die seeks to explain this phenomenon. Most interesting, they outline the steps necessary to make ideas or stories or even marketing strategies successful:

Simple
Unexpected
Concrete
Credibility
Emotion
Stories

This book is filled with stories, anecdotes and simple explanations on how we all can (either professionally or personally) ensure that our ideas remain in our audience's mind years later.

I highly recommend this book. If you're a coach leading a team, this book will help you understand what will make your players remember what they should be focusing on. If you're a parent trying to understand how to make your kid complete her homework , you will find invaluable tips. If you're a marketing professional, this book will ensure that your strategy becomes successful. No matter the profession, this is a book that will help you deal with the people around.

Try it you'll like it!

Do you have a favourite book? Have you read Made to Stick? Thoughts and comments are welcomed. Especially on the original post.

#Summit09

2009-09-26T15:38:00.003-04:00

LTD, or Leadership Team Development is a training and mentorship team that equips and empowers the entrepreneur through a business system of duplication and more importantly, includes education and mentoring from leaders in the industry. This weekend, they are holding a conference and recognition event in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Want to follow a few LTD independent business owners this weekend?

Then check out the #Summit09 twitter feed.

Have a great weekend folks!

What goes up

2009-09-09T14:47:00.004-04:00

...must come down.

Unless you're Roger "Rocket" Clemens.

Probably one of baseball's greatest pitchers, Rocket, has pursued the title of ' best ever" for as long as he has known the game.

In The Rocket That Fell To Earth: Roger Clemens and the Rage for Baseball Immortality, Jeff Pearlman introduces us to Rocket and many of the characters that surrounded him during his playing days in Major League Baseball.

I've never really been a fan of Rocket. Even when he played for my Toronto Blue Jays. I was always indifferent to him. However, after reading this fascinating tale about why Rocket did what he did (from visiting kids in the hospital, to taking steroids and everything else in between) I have a new found respect for him.

Why, you may ask. Because of his drive and intensity to succeed. Because of his respect for his elder brother and mother. Because of his compassion towards children. He won't ever be my favourite player but this book did give me a different persective.

There is alot in this book. Jeff is not hell-bent on destroying the image of Rocket. Neither is he a Rocket apologist. Yes, you'll read about his affairs and his use of PEDs. However, if you're looking for a story of substance and not just tabloid fodder, this is the book.

I hope you enjoy.

Have you ever read a book which changed your perspective on someone? Tell me about it. Your comments are always welcome.

(image courtesy of www.hipolitodesigns.com)

Rock your audience like the Jonas Brothers

2009-09-01T23:20:00.002-04:00

Last night I had the opportunity to study the Jonas Brothers with 56,000 raving fans at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. That's right. Study them. Contrary to popular belief, I am not a fan of their music. Although, I must confess, they did put on one heck of a show on Sunday night.

Which brings me to the focus of this post. There were more people there than the last concert I went to at the Rogers Centre: Coldplay. Granted, at least 15% in attendance last night were parents or older siblings chaperoning the young ones. But I digress.

What I witnessed Sunday night was astounding. A band that held the audience in the palm of their hands for almost 2 hours. A band that provoked screams of delight from every word they sang or spoke. A band that prompted many fans to pay upwards of $400 for a floor seat, gift bag and a special meet and greet and sound check 5 hours before the brothers took stage.

What made this concert a sell-out? Why are the Jonas Brothers a success?

Here are FIVE things I took away from the concert:

Be emotional. During the show, one of the brothers (the one who plays guitar, piano and drums) spoke about his diabetes diagnosis and how he was determined never to let that stop him from pursuing his dream. I mean, the guy is younger than 30 and he spoke about how us "kids" should never quit. Pursue your dream. Well, his audience ate it up. And it's a good message too. What emotions does your audience have? Are they excited for you? Or do they want to pull their hair out after you've spoken to them?
Know your audience. The brother's know who their audience is. It's not people who like Coldplay or U2 or even Neil Young. It's not the Y generation. And because they know their audience they play to them. They put out movies and TV shows to sell to their demographic - girls under 15. Who is your audience? Do you know or are you just throwing mud against the wall to see what sticks?
Thank those who pay. I doubt any 14 year old girl or boy has $400 to shell out for a concert. But their parents do. And so the Jonas Brothers thanked the parents by playing a Neil Diamond song and thanking the parents for bringing their kids. Don't forget to thank those who help pay your bills. You may even want to sing them a song.
Invite others to participate. Please don't ask me to name the groups or why don't I remember the names of the other performers because I don't know. What I do know, however, is that the Jonas Brothers had 3 opening acts. Another boy band and a couple of other girl fronted groups. During the main set though, various members of these groups played with the Jonas Brothers. And it seemed to raise the decibel level of the stadium to even greater heights. Wow. In business, I think it's very important to encourage clients, partners and other stake holders to participate. It can be as simple as asking your clients their opinion of your work.
Dream. This is important. The Rogers Centre call fit 50,000+ people in it. And the boy band of the moment filled it. I wonder if the Blue Jays heard about this...

These are 5 take aways that I know every business, organization, institution, family and club can use to help them "rock their audience." What are you doing to "rock" yours?

August Lesson - Freedom

2009-08-28T10:40:00.007-04:00

At least once per month I will highlight a business, life or even funny lesson here. My purpose is not to teach nor preach but to share some of the crumbs I've gathered from other people's tables.

Have you ever read the book, The Alchemist? It's a great read by author Paulo Coelho. You should check it out. As a result of me reading this book many years ago coupled with my recent interest in all things Twitter, I have started to "follow" Paulo. He offers insight and inspiration to everyone.

In fact one of his quotes really got me thinking. Here it is:

@paulocoelho: 26/08: Freedom is not the absence of commitments, but the ability to choose your task in life

That's deep. Many people have given their opinions on what freedom is. Is it simply retiring from work and watching game shows? Is it stopping a job to start a business? My mom "retired" a while ago. Not by choice mind you. But she's been busier than ever taking care of our grandmother, son and doing a variety of volunteer work.

So, when I came across this quote it hit me because this makes the most sense.

Freedom is the ability to choose your task in life. So, while I'm not free yet, I know that I'm working my way towards it.

I would love to know your thoughts on this. With this quote in mind, do you consider yourself free? If so, why? If not, are you working towards your freedom?

Inspirational People - Getting Married

2009-08-21T16:42:00.003-04:00

I've had a chance to attend three weddings so far this summer. My wife and I have another one to attend later this year.

There is something about getting married that is inspirational.

My last friends to get married, A and H, come from a background where people don't usually get married. They come from the "bad side" of town. They come from a generation where getting married means the guy must have gotten the girl in trouble with an unplanned kid on the way.

So, to defy the odds and get married because of love and commitment is something to raise a glass to.

Which is what I did when I offered the bride and groom a toast.

May all of the newlyweds this year live a life of prosperity, love, laughter and fun...together.

The Argonaut Experience

2009-08-05T16:42:00.003-04:00

I was recently asked to submit an article about the August 1st Toronto Argonaut game versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Here is the article which can also be found on the front page of CFL.ca.

I hope you enjoy!

FREE and Left Right Left Right Left

2009-07-31T13:23:00.011-04:00

I just finished the book FREE by Chris Anderson of Wired. I also attended* the Coldplay concert in Toronto Thursday night.

It should come to no surprise to anyone who has read Chris' s latest book that FREE and the Coldplay concert are related. If you are under 30 years old you have probably participated in a decade old "shift" of the music recording industry (not just a shift in the music industry).

Quick Analysis:

As a result of consumers downloading and sharing their music digitally, recording studios have seen a steady, if not rapid, decline in their sales. As a result, bands and musicians have sought out varying ways of 1.) recouping "lost" revenues, and 2.) selling to their fans (who became such through digital file-sharing).

Now we have bands such as Coldplay marching through 18+ months of touring. In fact, Thursday night's concert was their third in Toronto since the release of their latest album (They last visited exactly one year ago). But what does this have to do with free and FREE? Was their concert free? No.

After the concert, each attendee was given a free cd (titled: Left Right Left Right Left) with 9 selected songs from the Coldplay library. Don't worry. If you didn't attend you can still download the album from their website. Free of course.

FREE, the boook:

Which brings me to the book, FREE. To understand more of the reasonings and thought process of Coldplay's free music give away, I suggest you read (you'll have to buy or borrow it) or listen (FREE is free on iTunes) to FREE. More than understanding digital downloading in the music industry, the book is a great study on the future of business. Can you imagine making money by giving away your product(s) for free? Do you understand why Google is the world's largest company and you've never purchased anything from them?

FREE will open your eyes to the possibilities that exist from giving it all away.

Have you read FREE? What are your thoughts? Have you read any interesting books on business? What do you recommend?

(photo courtesy of nowpublic.com)

Where We Live - guest post by Farhan Lalji

2009-07-28T23:07:00.006-04:00

Karim Kanji asked me to write a blog post about, well in his words via twitter “I was thinking abt various places u’ve worked (cities) & the great things abt them for u?” for his blog. It’s a topic I’ve thought about, I wrote a bit of a critical post about Monocle magazine’s top 25 places to live a couple of weeks ago. So this blog post appears on both Karim’s site and my own blog.

A little bit about me, for those who don’t know me or haven’t come across my blog before, I’ve been living/working in Switzerland for the last year, before that I spent about 8 years in the UK, working in London. I’m Canadian by birth, but haven’t lived there for almost 10 years. I’ve worked for big brands, small brands, the public sector, start ups, and now I’ve been working for Yahoo! for the last few years.

Ok, so here’s my theory on choosing a place to live where you’ll be happy. I believe there are five major categories to picking a place for work/life. In no particular order these include; professional, social/cultural, personal, financial and functional. All of these have different levels and at different times in your life may take differing heights of importance.

“Professional” is the job you’re in and the ability to find jobs that you’ll love. I came to Switzerland because I enjoyed the job I was in and wanted to stay in it. I went to London because the Brits were more willing to hire a web developer with a Kinesiology degree then the Canadians were.

“Social” is the people and the activities that you can participate in. You might enjoy the British Pub culture, or the outdoors life, swimming, hiking, skiing or snowboarding etc, or you might enjoy a place with culture, many museums (easy to access) or the opera or other social/cultural events or happenings. This criterion can also include the places nearby, being able to travel, explore and have adventure at your doorstep.

“Personal” is about your personal status and life, if you’re young and single, being in a place where you might meet someone is pretty important, when you’re older with children being in a place near your family might be more important.

“Financial” is about how much you can earn and how far your money will go. You could live in a place where you’re earning a lot, or you could be in a place where it doesn’t matter if you earn a lot because living there is not very expensive.

“Functional” it might be important for you to be able to drive everywhere, or to not have to drive anywhere. It might important for you to find a takeaway Chinese meal or a pizza. Or it might not.

Knowing how important the different criteria are to you and how well a place meets the criteria that are most important to you is a good way to figuring out whether or not you’ll be happy working and living in a place. Switzerland wasn’t our choice, but it met some of our criteria and we’re glad we took the chance. So as important as it is to set criteria and know how a place measures up, being open to new experiences and allowing your self to give new places a shot is pretty important too.

Inspirational Person - The Good Doctor

2009-07-20T23:22:00.006-04:00

I suggested a few blog posts ago that I would highlight a couple of inspirational people a month in this space. I'm gonna cut that down to one. At least. That way I can still host a few guest blogs and write about other things. However, don't be surprised if I highlight more than one person a month. Thanks for understanding. And now, on with today's show...

Roy "Doc" Halladay.

I know. He's been in the news a lot lately regarding a potential trade away from the only professional baseball team he's ever played for. He's a multi-million dollar pitcher. Many consider him the best at his craft. Even George W. Bush likes him (Dubya was a part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball club before he was President of the U.S.).

So why is he this month's Inspirational Person?

Is it because he plays for my favourite team? Is it because he's so good? Is it because Doc is topical? Not at all.

Focus.

It's something I strive for. And I know many of you strive for it.

Focus is that thing you do with a single-minded purpose. Whatever your purpose and vision is (heck, whatever it is that you do think about and do on a daily basis) demands that you be focused. We all need to be focused to complete our "task" with excellence.

It's what Doc does. Everyday. Not just every fifth day when he is on the mound. But everyday, he prepares himself - mentally and physically - so that when he is called upon he displays excellence. These past few days, we have seen him answer question after question about the why and where and when of the trade rumours (especially during last week's All-Star game). And what what his answer? It was calm and professional. How did he pitch? Well, yesterday, he pitched a complete game six-hitter for another complete game victory over the American League leaders, Boston Red Sox.

How does he do it?

Focus.

And that's why he's this month's (and this blog's) inaugural Inspirational Person.

If you have a suggestion for an Inspirational Person you'd like to see featured here, please email me at karim_kanji at hotmail dot com.

Photo Credit - http://infieldfly.wordpress.com/tag/roy-halladay/

Leading From The Heart.

2009-07-16T16:51:00.006-04:00

Another one bites the dust. A book that is. This is one "leadership" book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Duke basketball legend and coach, Mike Krzyzewski, wrote a book in 2001 titled, Leading From the Heart.

Here's what you'll read in this book: A narrative of Coach K's (as he is affectionatly known) life from growing up in Chicago to leading Duke's basketball program during their 100 year anniversary.

Leading From The Heart is a great book. And here is why it is for me: Because Coach K describes in detail his conversations, thoughts and actions in a variety of different situations. Situations that everyone - sportsperson, student, business tycoon, employee - can relate to.

The best part is his take on winning and success. I think you'll enjoy it.

So, if you're on a team, lead a team, or want to achieve the success that the Blue Devils have, this is a great book to pick up this summer and enjoy on your hammock.

Happy reading!

What are you reading this summer?

Sapna - guest post form Shereen Mir

2009-07-09T11:13:00.005-04:00

A while ago I put out a request for topics for me to write about. A friend I've yet to actually meet, Bhupesh Shah (@ethnicomm on Twitter), suggested I write about South Asians (as I am one) and how their lifestyle and eating habits may prove to be fatal. My sister (@faizakanji on Twitter) also suggested I write something for Father's Day.

So, this post is dedicated to the dreamers, the South Asians and Dad.

I hope you enjoy.

Why I decided to join SAPNA –My story, my sapna

I saw his pale face, wearing a blue hospital gown. My heart was beating rapidly, as my family and I gathered around him with worried faces. It was the first time I had ever seen my dad in the hospital.

What had just happened? My father experienced a heart attack. Although heart attacks are common among South Asians, my dad was unaware that his lifestyle and eating habits almost proved to be fatal.

Like many South Asians, my father loves to eat. Halwa, nihari, biryani, you name it and he ate it. As great as these popular South Asian dishes taste, such foods are rich in fats and oils and can cause serious damage to your health if eaten excessively.

In fact, many South Asian dishes contain ghee and fatty oils, which increase the level of LDL cholesterol and aggravate the tendency to develop insulin resistance syndrome - a condition that encompasses many illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

South Asians are predisposed to insulin resistance as compared to Caucasians due to having a higher central disposition of body fat, leading a more sedentary lifestyle, and eating food rich in oils. The best management and prevention of insulin resistance and its associated health conditions involve a change in lifestyle – eating healthier and being more active.

According to a 2006 study conducted in the UK that interviewed South Asians regarding undertaking physical activity as a part of their diabetes management, most South Asians were aware of the importance of physical exercise, but didn’t feel the need to engage in it because it didn’t fit their cultural norms and expectations. Some believed that their obligation to the home didn’t allow them enough time to exercise, or others believed that they were already active enough because they were engaged in a lot of physical labour or household work.

My father too believed that he didn’t need to exercise. His heart attack could have been easily prevented if he was more aware of the severity of its implications. Although I am lucky that my father is still alive, others have been unfortunate in losing their family members and other loved ones to a heart attack, diabetes or other health conditions commonly found in South Asians.

Thinking of my loved ones in mind, I sought an avenue where I could not only help my family be healthier, but help others and their families as well. That’s when I realized that my sapna (dream) could be fulfilled by turning to SAPNA (South Asian Professional Network for Awareness), an organization that strives to increase the awareness of health-related issues facing the South Asian community.

As a volunteer at SAPNA, I realized that I wanted to be a part of a community devoted to nurturing one of the greatest gifts of life – the gift of good health. At SAPNA, I strive to increase the general knowledge and awareness of two major health related issues facing South Asians - diabetes and heart disease.

References

Barnett, A.H. et al. 2006. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk in the UK South Asian community. Diabetologia 49:2234 –2246

Das, U.N. 2002. Metabolic Syndrome X is common in South Asians, but why and how? Nutrition 18(9): 774-776.

Ehtisham, S. 2005. Ethnic differences in insulin resistance and body composition in United Kingdom adolescents. Journal of Clinical Endrocrinology & Metabolism 90(7): 3963-3969.

Lawton, J. et al. 2006. “I can’t do any serious exercise”: barriers to physical activity amongst people of Pakistani and Indian origin with Type 2 diabetes

Shereen Mir is a volunteer member of SAPNA’s marketing and communications committee. You can read her tweets @shereenmir!

Friday Lesson - Create

2009-07-03T12:51:00.003-04:00

At least once per month I will highlight a business, life or even funny lesson here. My purpose is not to teach nor preach but to share some of the crumbs I've gathered from other people's tables.

At my workplace and business I've come to learn that one of the best ways to attract business is to paint as positive a picture of myself, my service/product and my company as I possibly can. What I used to do was tear down my competition as if they were some sort of alien enemy hell bent on my destruction. In fact, what I do today is heap praise on my competitors when their name or brand is brought up by my clients.

Why?

Lesson - You attract what you project. If I project positiveness and goodwill this is what I will attract. Therefore, if I'm negative (towards myself or others) THIS is what I will get in return. If I'm positive, I will reap positive returns.

This is why the following article confused me. Kill Your Competition. I believe if we all want more business we should focus on uncovering our clients or prospects needs and fill that need. Bashing the other guy doesn't bring anyone any business.

And I think we can say the same thing in regards to our relations with people. Small people talk about other people. Successful (in life) people talk about concepts and ideas.

What are your thoughts? What approach do you take in life/business? Do you spend time tearing down or building up? I'd love to read your thoughts and ideas.

Update

2009-06-29T12:39:00.003-04:00

With July just a few days away, I thought I'd let you know what you can expect from this blog over the next few months.

Once a month I'll highlight and maybe discuss a lesson I've learned. It may be a life lesson or just an interesting life observation. I enjoy reading, so maybe I'll share something from my books.

Twice a month, I'll introduce you to a specific person who I've learned from. Some people prefer to remain anonymous so instead of names you may just get a description of their character and why they have inspired me.

I hope you enjoy this new "series" as much as I enjoy bringing it to you.

To start us off visit my good friend, Sameer Vasta's, blog at itellstories.org. You'll find my first take on an inspirational person.

Have fun!

Is there someone who you'd like to highlight here? Maybe someone famous or a good friend of yours? Or maybe a life lesson you've just learned? If so, just email me your story at karim_kanji [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Your Call

2009-06-16T13:33:00.004-04:00

I enjoy writing about the books that I read. I enjoy telling you about cool and interesting things that I come across.

However, I also understand that it's also not always about me.

So, I'm going out on a limb here. (It's a limb because I have not a clue how many people read this blog and would want to comment)

What would you like me to write or talk about? The choice is yours.

There are a few "rules of engagement": Rational, reasonable and tasteful suggestions please.

Here's what I will do in return: I will write about the suggestions you provide. If there are any really interesting one's I may even choose yours as a theme to write about on a regular basis.

What would you like me to write about?

Hockey - The new battleground for social media.

2009-06-10T16:11:00.006-04:00

Hockey is top of mind for many people these days. Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins are providing hockey and NHL fans with a great display of technique, passion and skill.

Then there is the "battle" taking place in Arizona. Balsillie versus Bettman.

Whether you or I believe or agree with what Mr. Blackberry is doing with his makeitseven.ca campaign is not the point of this post.

What Jim and his team do understand is that the power of social media tools are helping them to make a concerted effort to bring a hockey team to the Hamilton, ON residents. And it's not just the makeitseven Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Here is a list (without links because you can find most if not all if you enter makeitseven.ca in your web browser of choice :) ) of the "tools" he is employing:

Twitter
Facebook
makeitseven.ca
Email updates to supporters (just sign up and become one!) on each and every legal and non-legal moves and initiatives
the makeitseven.ca shop where fans can buy merchandise
the HaveAVoice blog and community where fans can interact and share with each other
Photo and video galleries
Corporate partners (which are listed on the site) have also put out radio and tv commercials (at least in the Toronto area) which ask their customers to support the makeitseven campaign

This may sound like much ado about nothing. Here's the thing though: Mr. Balsillie is a billionaire who does not have to garner public support in his bid to buy a hockey team. He just has to pay his lawyers enough and buy the team. He has the financial resources.

Why is this campaign a study in social media then? Because of what Mr. Balsillie has learned from running Research in Motion: In short, it is the public - the Audience - who is responsible for either the success or failure of any business, team or campaign.

This story and fight are far from over. I believe this is just the beginning of both this campaign and how future corporate sports battles will be fought.

What are your thoughts? What do you think of the makeitseven initiative?

Social Media - Superhero? (updated 6/1/2009)

2009-05-27T16:30:00.008-04:00

Here's our team picture from yesterday's events courtesy of http://www.casiestewart.com/:

(original photo can be found here - http://twitpic.com/6eex3)

I have had the great opportunity to participate with numerous fund-raising events this past year. TwestivalTO, GREENtuity, GetInLine and now the World Partnership Walk with the A Social Movement Team.

The one thing they all have in common - besides helping to raise funds for worthy charities - is their use of online social media tools to raise awareness, a following and funds.

I could go into a discussion about the relevant merits of these tools. Do they work? Does joining an online cause really translate to much needed awareness, co-operation and funds? Why do they work/not work?

The one thing they absolutely do is engage more people that were never involved before. There is a generation of people who love to engage in social causes that used to be marginalized. No matter the reason they were. Today, however, more charities and other causes are embracing the "wired generation". So much so that these same techie folks are now leading the way.

The more people we have helping out the more people that end of being helped. And that's a good thing!

So, I am inviting all of you to this Sunday's World Partnership Walk in Toronto (If you live in another city please click HERE.). Look out for this year's Super Hero's and thousand of other Torontonians as they walk towards smart solutions to solve global poverty.

Are you walking?

The Choice

2009-05-25T00:06:00.006-04:00

I'm finally getting back to my proper reading habit/schedule. I'm trying to read 24 books for 2009.

I tried another John Maxwell book. Even Psycho-Cybernetics started out with a promise. Yet I seemed to have gotten myself in a lull after speeding through 4 books early on this year.

So I decided to go to a classic. Someone whom I've always enjoyed reading. Og Mandino. He has a way of combining words together on paper that makes me want to continue reading well into the night. Only Malcolm Gladwell, recently, has done this for me.

So I turned to his classic, The Choice.

The Choice is a timely book. During these days of economic uncertainty and the pressures of choosing between financial survival (as we add a third job to our already hectic schedules) and family stability ring true for many people today. This is not the theme of The Choice.

In this book, we find a very successful breadwinner having to choose between the principles he believes in and teaches or succumbing to a life-altering decision.

With Father's Day right around the corner, I highly recommend that father's pick this book up today and start reading.

What book did you just finish reading? I would love to hear your thoughts on what you're reading and if you've read The Choice, did you enjoy it?

To Do Lists

2009-05-15T14:19:00.004-04:00

I've always believed that if I wanted to get something done, it would have to be on my "to do" list.

This is Victoria Day long weekend in Canada. Only self-employed types and restaurant servers will be working on Monday. Which brings me to the point of this post.

What do you have on your to-do list this weekend?

I'm planning to get some barbecueing done; enjoy Toronto with my wife and son; maybe stop off at the Ontario Science Center (we have a family pass till July); do a little spring cleaning and do some business building.

Business building? Why? Because it's all about time. A good friend of mine does not get to enjoy long weekends like the rest of us normal people do. Why not? Because many years ago he worked during long weekends. Now he has a successful business and is enjoying the fruits of his labour. His business provides him with the income he needs to enjoy a very nice lifestyle without him needing to work more than a few hours per week. So, he always has long weekends.

So this weekend, I'll be doing some business. Oh, I'll also enjoy the weather and friends and family.

What are you doing this long weekend?

Anemometer and Digital Democracy

2009-05-05T22:48:00.002-04:00

Don't know what an anemometer is? That's not the important thing. Okay. Go and google it.

The important thing is that today I just witnessed democracy in action via Twitter.

The players:

Michal Hay and John Laforet.

The issue:

Whether we should investigate having wind turbines in Lake Ontario 2 miles off the Scarborough Bluffs.

The link to the conversation between the two is below:

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=michalhay+laforet

Sometimes I feel that the techno elites are the only one's making headway in business, public policy, and social change. However, following the conversation today on Twitter and actually engaging with the both of them has given me a glimer of hope. If we want to make changes, a difference, an impact or even a suggestion, the advent and use of technology tools like Twitter and Facebook are levelling the playing field.

Want to participate in your democracy? Jump in.

Just doing it

2009-05-01T12:17:00.003-04:00

Why do we do what we do?

Have we ever asked ourselves this question?

How would you define what it is that you do? If someone were to ask you that question, what would your answer be? Would it be related to what you do for money (ie your career, job, business)? Or would the answer be related to something you are passionate about (ie dog lover, mother)

Curious question.

Here are two answers I received yesterday to the question "Why do you do what you do?":

@J_Lab from Twitter said: I do what I do because it seems to be the path of least resistance.

Anonymous said: "sadly, to pay off debts, pad the resume, and cause my wife won't let me max out cards to start my own thing - ask again in 2010."

I'm not here to judge any of these comments. I can actually relate to both of them.

So, I'll ask all of you:

Why do YOU do what YOU do?

Happiness

2009-04-29T13:05:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I asked on Twitter what you defined happiness as.

Here are your answers:

HAPPINESS!

(click above)

Earth Week

2009-04-23T00:35:00.005-04:00

Not too long ago I became interested in what tools like Facebook, Twitter, iTunes and YouTube could do for my various activities in work, business and volunteer efforts.

This lead me to create various profiles on Google, Facebook and a host of other "social media" sites.

Finally I got myself invited to host a booth for the Toronto Green Community as a volunteer at an event known as TwestivalTO.

Which leads me to today as we enter the last few days of an event myself and a few others are spearheading. It's called GREENtuity. More on this in a bit. But first I must tell you why.

Toronto Green Community has been home away from home for my wife for over the past 10 years or so. She started as a volunteer and is now the Director. They are an amazing grassroots-based not-for-profit organization. They have played a role in the creation of AutoShare and the wind turbine co-op many of you see near the CNE grounds.

Despite these amazing programs as well as many community-based initiatives like Lost Rivers Walks and Green Gardening, TGC seems to have never managed to create a following large enough to attact major donors, sponsorships, and even new and young memberships.

And this is where myself and the GREENtuity team come in.

GREENtuity

GREENtuity, a Tip to the Environment, works by allowing patrons of our partner stores to make a $1 (or more) donation at their time of purchase. The goals of GREENtuity is to increase the profiles of our partners during Earth Week; increase the profile of Toronto Green Community and raise $5000 for TGC's various initiatives and programs.

Before the event was even created I had 3 objectives:

Increase the profile of Toronto Green Community across Toronto.
Raise $5000 for Toronto Green Community.
Engage the "wired community" to become involved with Toronto Green Community.

GREENtuity, a play on the words green and gratuity, has increased the profile of TGC among our various partner stores. We have also had great support from various bloggers.

Which leads us to the $5000 goal. Can it be accomplished? Is it posibble? Impossible? Does it even matter? It does matter and I believe that we all can raise the $5000. The objective and the receipient are both worthy of our efforts.

I hope you will help.

Thank you.

Opening Day

2009-04-06T10:23:00.008-04:00

No other sport has one. Not even students have it. Corporate Canada can't imagine ever having it either.

Opening Day.

Not even Canada's beloved game of hockey has an Opening Day. They do have the first game of the season. Just not an Opening Day.

There's the first day of school. But even going back to school doesn't have offer hope. Going back to school is like going back to work on a Monday: You can feel your stomach getting tied in knots on Sunday evening.

Today is Opening Day in Toronto. Blue Jays versus the Tigers.

It may be snowing outside here in the big city but the Boys of Summer are back at their trade tonight.

Why does baseball, still an innocent sport despite what MLB has done to itself, still evoke hope and passion? Why does baseball transcend boundaries and unite historians and 3 year olds?

Is it because everything that happens between the two white lines, stays between the two white lines? Or is it because there's no time limit to the game? Or maybe because, in baseball, the players play until there's a winner?

Whatever it is, my heart is a little warmer today. Even though it's colder outside and the snow continues to fall.

Let's play ball!

(photo courtesy of WisDoc from Flickr)

Strawberry Ghetto

2009-03-11T12:39:00.002-04:00

A few posts ago we featured a guest post on "Love" by Strawberry Ghetto resident Mehnaz. Well, today she has returned the favour.

You can read about my thoughts on social media, the Facebook vs Twitter debate and whether or not these things really matter.

Check out the Ghetto HERE.

Monday, March 2nd 2009 - 7pm - 9pm

2009-02-25T12:26:00.003-05:00

TORONTO GREEN COMMUNITY SPEAKERS SERIES

Please join us this Monday March 2nd for presentations by:

Cheryl Teelucksingh, author of Environmental Justice & Racism in Canada and Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Ryerson University

and

Jennifer Foulds, Communications Director and Pollution Watch web project lead at Environmental Defence

The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion with:

Beenash Jaffri, co-founder of the Anti-Racist Environmental Coalition, instructor on
Anti-Racist Environmentalism, and anti-racism workshop facilitator

Damien Lee, founder of Anishinabek Gitchi Gami Environmental Programs - one of the first community-driven environmental not-for-profit organizations in an Ontario First Nation

Ben Powless, fills a variety of roles with the Indigenous Environmental Network, Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, the National Council for the Canadian Environmental Network, and the Youth Advisory Group to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

Monday, March 2nd, 2009 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Intercontinental Hotel Yorkville
220 Bloor Street West (location is wheelchair accessible)

Entrance: $5.00

For more information please contact Toronto Green Community at:

Email: togreencommunity@gmail.com or Tel: 416-781-7663

Thanks for your support and hope to see you there!

8

2009-02-24T23:11:00.009-05:00

He did get 8. Gold medals. In Beijing.

Yes. This is about Micheal Phelps. Well, not him but his most recent book, No Limits: The Will To Succeed.

It's an interesting and entertaining read with alot of anecdotes focusing on 8 success principles (following the 8 Gold medal swims.).

There are alot of lessons that I gathered from this book. Most importantly, for me, was his determination and focus on preparing to win. Not just swim -but WIN. Reading about his training regimen and his lifestyle leading up to the past two Olympics made me think about my life and my pursuits.

Am I doing everything it takes to succeed? If I want to succeed to the levels I feel I deserve, am I willing to do "whatever it takes?"

Despite his recent extra-curricular activities I highly recommend this book for any young athlete or young entrepreneur.

PodCamp Toronto 2009

2009-02-19T12:36:00.006-05:00

I'm attending my first PodCamp this Saturday. What is PodCamp? I haven't a clue. What I do know, is that it is a (un)conference that strives to bring together people in the spirit of community help. Think of a conference that you, as an attendee, can design. Couple that with the power of social media and people who love to help people.

I'm going as a volunteer representative for Toronto Green Community. We're hoping to learn some stuff to help TGC go mainstream. Here are some answers to questions posted on Toronto PodCamp website:

What are your personal goals for Podcamp?

I want to learn as much as possible. Be a sponge. Meet new people. All with the focus of taking what I can to help TGC grow.

What do you want to learn?

How can TGC use social media and other socmed events to raise needed funds for project work and create raving fans!

What are you offering to share/teach others at Podcamp?

All I can share I will. I'm a little new at these type of events. What I do know is that if an event like TwestivalTO can be a success then so can a Toronto Green Community inspired "tweet" event!

Which podcamp registrants would you like to meet?

I would love to meet Chris Brogan, John Sheridan. I'd also like to re-meet Erin Bury and Sarah Prevette who headed up TwestivalTO. Oh! And Helen Overland as well!

Why? Who is your “dream interview” for your podcast? Why?

I don't have one. How the heck do you podcast?????

What is your, “Can’t miss it” session at podcamp?

Social Media for Special Causes and Social Media for Non-Profits.

Monetize or Communitize?

Both!

Who would win in a cage match: Chris Brogan, Bob Goyetche, My Marilyn, or Scarborough Dude?

?

In time honored meme tradition– guilt a few more people into carrying on this meme.

Everyone who reads this post and is coming!!!

Loving the Small Things

2009-02-16T03:07:00.001-05:00

Today I bring to you the quirky and insightful musings from Mehnaz. I hope you enjoy!

Karim

Current Mood: contemplative

Current Song: Thinkin' About You by Norah Jones

Loving the Small Things. A Guest Post by Mehnaz at Strawberry Ghetto

I'm not a romantic. Flowers make my eyes water and too much candy doesn't do much good for someone who has a metabolism akin to molasses in winter. I'm too old and too allergic for stuffed animals and I don't like the spotlight anywhere near myself (except when singing). I never liked Valentine's Day in all its Hallmarked glory. It makes February even more depressing. And quite frankly, the economy is doing nobody any favours at the moment. This February however, I've forced myself to write about Love. Perhaps it will push me out my curmudgeonly February state of being. Or perhaps I need the reminder.

Last night I was reading, and I heard the sound of rain outside. I love rain, whether drizzle or torrential (I've conceded to being a Vancouverite…. What can I say?). Rain makes me grateful for everything. It helps to clear away things like the last remnants of a terrible snowstorm. It lets you start new. It lets everything sigh in relief. I'm always grateful for rain, and so I love it.

Today it's sunny. Periodically. It is Vancouver after all. The air has cleared up and I'm seeing the first signs of spring. Everything is turning lovely shades of green. I went for a walk today and reveled in the crisp February air. I still need my red gloves, but it's all worth it.

When we're inundated with stuffed bears, cinnamon candy and the overwhelming urge to buy diamond-encrusted heart pendants (another gift that gives me a headache in my teeth from cringing), it's easy to forget that everyday we're surrounded by people, things and ideas we love. From a friend who recommends a song you might like, to a spouse who buys that specific kind of cereal you love, it's everywhere. Nuts to the stuffed bears.

Whether you're an old realist like I am or you're someone who believes life is a box of puppies, it's nice to remember we all love something or someone that makes each day that much more bearable. Why once a year? Love what you have everyday: Fresh laundry, a sturdy umbrella, a savings account, hair. Whatever makes you happy.

I'm not going to say something like 'Everyday should be Valentine's day.' Nobody wants to hear that. I couldn't live with that. But it should be like any other day really, where the little things matter the most.

Happy Everyday!

TwestivalTO

2009-02-13T11:50:00.005-05:00

Last night I experienced the potential and real power of social media. Throughout the world people gathered in their communities to socialize with a conscience. The charity of choice was charity : water.

How did these people mobilize? Twitter. Yeah, that cool, nerdy, yet powerful tool your brother uses and your PR manager spends hours on.

I'm not going to spend time here explaining the how and why this event worked all over the world because many people who know better than me already have. So I'll point you to them:

The Official event site.

The Official Toronto event site.

Sameer Vasta's take on the event.

My pictures from the event

21 instead of 25

2009-02-10T16:30:00.005-05:00

While most of the world has been writing about 25, I'm gonna tell you about 21. The 21 Indispensable Qualities of A Leader, that is.

The subtitle of this little book is "Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow."

This is a great little book and the third book of my 24 this year. By the way, I think I'll have the opportunity to read more than 24. The reason I bring up the sub title is this:

In today's wild and (un)predictable world everyone is looking to make themselves a little bit better and more valuable. Our clients, customers and boss(es) are, in fact, demanding it. And this is where John Maxwell's classic comes in. If you haven't heard of Maxwell, many consider him to be THE Leadership Expert in North America.

So what can you learn from this book? It depends on what stage of leadership you find yourself. However, I will tell you a couple of things. First, you don't have to be at the top to lead. Leaders can be found in all places of an organization: Top, middle and bottom.

Second, the way the book is organized will allow you to think, reflect and act on the 21 different qualities that Maxwell highlights.

If you're looking at a simple yet powerful read to help you become valuable this is a book you'll want to add to your personal library.

Wait Times

2009-02-06T15:55:00.006-05:00

Lots has been said about wait times in Ontario hospital emergency rooms. The debate has raged between, "way too long" and "way too long." Not much to brag about to your friends out West.

Until now. Here's our story:

On Wednesday my wife "sprained" her ankle on her way out the door. (Yes, going to work is hazardous to our health!) After calling Tele-Health soon after she took some painkillers and iced her ankle. By dinner, she was walking around. Around 11pm she was screaming in pain. After more painkillers and ice we got a hold of Tele-Health who advised us to head to the hospital for X-Rays. So we packed books and food and drinks and headed towards North York General.

We left home and were back home in less than an hour! Yes, you read that correctly. Less than an hour, door-to-door. Amazing! From parking, to registering to triage, to waiting, to x-rays, to diagnosis. No break. Just a tensor bandage. We declined the crutches that were offered.

And it doesn't end here. The X-Rays were forwarded and a "tiny tear" was found so we got a phone call the next day. doctor said nothing serious but let's take a look to see what we should do. Appointment booked for Tuesday.

No pain, no swelling.

Many people like to bash our "social medical system". Call it social or call it public. I call it a medical system that works. And I'm thankful for that.

What is your Canadian hospital success story?

(photo courtesy of citynews.ca)

2nd of 3 books.

2009-01-30T10:47:00.002-05:00

I'm almost done my third book so let me tell you about the second.

The Janitor. Written by Todd Hopkins & Ray Hilbert, The Janitor is not your typical parable-style story. Or maybe it is. Here's how I would describe it before I confuse myself...

The Janitor is a modern day parable outlining the simple steps necessary to both succeed and balance our family life and career. There you have it. In the style of Og Mandino, The Janitor introduces the reader to 6 simple steps that are taught by a janitor to the CEO of the company he cleans at.

If you want a great, simple read with lessons I recommend this book.

Have you ever read a short simple book? Did you enjoy it?

Down the Social Media Rabbit Hole

2009-01-26T13:21:00.001-05:00

Hey!

I found this article via Twitter.

I also use Google Reader to follow blogs that interest me. I'll read and tag the one's that are interesting. This saves me time and money as I don't need to buy the newspaper or read the whole paper to find something interesting. Also allows me to read and follow stories from around the world.

Anyone not worth following on Twitter/FB/LinkedIn I just "delete/Stop following/DeFriend" them.
About Small Business
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

1st of 3 books

2009-01-26T11:35:00.003-05:00

I'm close to finishing my third book of 2009. I was going to write a post telling you about all three. However, I did not want to forget the content on all of them so here's the first of three mini-book reports.

Freakonomics was written by Levitt and Dubner. A great and simple read. Books like these make me wish that I continued to study math so I could pursue studying economics at York University. Alas, it was not meant to be. Some highlights from this book include an explanation on why drug dealers continue to live with mom and how your child's name (or yours!) will determine their future. Levitt and Dubner don't theorize about these things. They actually study the numbers and come up with insightful and entertaining statements. It's a great book.

Whether you are an economics student or are just interested in the answer to the question, "Why?", this is one book that is worth your time. I hope you enjoy.

Your Book?

What book did you just finish? Did you enjoy it? Look forward to hearing about your recommendations. Maybe I'll read it!

Making Sense

2009-01-17T10:10:00.003-05:00

Many people...a few people...okay...just you read this blog. However, this blog also gets linked to my Facebook account. As a result I have readers who are both web savvy and not so web-headed. So I thought I'd introduce some of you to a couple of pretty cool tools I've discovered over the past year.

These tools may be able to help you in your career or studies. Or maybe you'll just love to use them to help you keep up to date on your old wresting fixation. Ahem.

Twitter. Yeah, I know you've heard about it but you think it's a waste of time. Depends. Watching TV 5 hours a day is a waste of time too. Anyways, here's the cool thing about Twitter. You decide how to use it! It's a micro-blogging program that let's you tell your "followers" anything in 140 (or less) characters. Anything! You can also "follow" people you want to and search for keywords about things that interest you.

Google Reader. I like it better than Google Alerts. It compiles all the cool articles, blogs, keywords that interest you and stores it for you. So, when you're ready to read the latest additions from the fun folks at Freakonomics then just log into your Google account and see what you have yet to read. I like it.

Well, these are just a couple of tools that I use and enjoy. I've also figured out how to use them for business. What tools have you discovered that others may be able to exploit?

To my regular reader(s), sorry about the nature of this post. I'll be back to my regular programming soon. Maybe an Obama post on Tuesday. I hear it's a big deal....

"Green" Business - Mainstream

2009-01-07T15:59:00.003-05:00

No matter what we think business is taking "green" mainstream.

Two articles recently came across my Google Reader. The first was Motorola's entry into the green revolution. Second was news that research firm Environics had just opened up a “Sustainability and Clean Energy” practice to provide PR support to clients looking to market environmentally friendly practices and services.

These are positive things in and of itself. However, there will be people who say that it's all just a marketing ploy to generate business during this economic storm.

Here's the rub: It's good that "green" is good for business. Changing the consumer mindset of North America (and the rest of the Western world) should not be the point. We should be encouraging innovation and "green" enterprise. And applauding it. Consumers will continue to demand products and services that respond to their desire for eco-responsibility. Companies that respond to these needs will succeed and thrive in the coming months and decade.

What's your opinion and thoughts? I'd love to hear about them.

1958

2009-01-05T11:31:00.006-05:00

I don't know how popular this story was in Toronto this weekend - I tend to be unplugged during weekends. However, I thought it would be important for me to inform you of the story.

The year was 1958 and the University of Buffalo Bulls had just been invited to play in the Tangerine Bowl in Florida. With one exception: The Bulls' two black players were banned from playing because of a segregation clause in the host team's school district rules.

The Bulls players decided not to play. (50 years later the Bulls returned to Bowl participation and played UCONN this past weekend in Toronto for the International Bowl.)

Please take a moment to read up on this HERE.

My question to you is this - Throughout this year, will you make decisions that are right (and maybe against popular opinion) or will you just shut your mouth and be a follower? It sounds easy.

I pray that I have the strength to do what's right.

(picture courtesy of abcnews.go.com)

Reading.

2009-01-02T11:59:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

So, have you made your resolutions? Promises? Objectives?

Call it what you may but we obviously want to improve or continue along our merry way this year. Outside of losing weight, making more money and getting more sleep, what do you want to achieve or do?

Here's something to chew on (sorry dieters!). Read. And I'm not suggesting blogs, newspapers or magazines. Books. The good old fashioned book.

Why?

Two main reasons. Entertainment and personal growth. Reading is actually fun when done outside of work or school - trust me! And the knowledge we can get while doing so can help us tackle new problems or even see things in a new light. Studies have even shown that "bibliotherapy" actually works.

We can read at any time in any place! At night in bed, on the "royal throne", on the TTC, at dinner time, during lunch, and even at your workplace.

No matter what you want to achieve this year let's do a little bit more reading.

Need help figuring out what to read? Check this list out for those business minded or this list of most recommended books.

Happy reading!

(Picture courtesy of www.esischool.com)

M.E.C. gets it

2008-12-22T11:34:00.006-05:00

I was at Mountain Equipment Co-op yesterday (12/23/2008) afternoon to help my beautiful wife's organization with their Eco-Gift Wrapping Fundraising efforts. MEC, for those of you who don't know, sells everything that has to do with enjoying the Canadian outdoors: sleeping bags, lanterns, mountain bikes, canoes, gloves, and everything else you can imagine and even more of the stuff you can't imagine.

They also "get it". Getting it is that thing that you do to make yourself (or your brand) a friend of your potential clients. No. It's not the free stale coffee you offer your potential clients as they walk in the store.

Here's how MEC "gives back" to their community:

Free bike racks use with 24 hour CCTV surveillance. Amazing! In the middle of downtown Toronto.
Rock climbing for kids. Where? Inside their store. Do your Christmas shopping and have the MEC staff teach your kids a thing or two about the cool sport of rock climbing.
10,000 square foot green roof. MEC has been in Toronto since 1988. The green roof is not a passing fad for them. It's part of their commitement.
Community Bulletin. Got something to sell? Interested in yoga? Post your junk or take a look to see what people are up to.
They support Toronto Green Community!

So, if you're looking for a gift (or something for yourself) at anytime of the year, check out MEC at King Street West just east of Spadina.

A Neutral Gift that's Positive!

2008-12-18T10:13:00.008-05:00

My wife is the executive director of Toronto Green Community. They have done some amazing work in just over 10 years. The windmill on the CNE grounds is just one example. In fact, they have also garnered the attention of musician Jack Johnson and his non-profit organization, All At Once.

And so, in honour of TGC, and with thanks going to storyteller, Sameer Vasta, I'd like to offer you the first 5 readers (I know. I'm stretching to think there are 5 people who read this this blog!) ONE day of carbon neutrality. If you claim this gift, Brighter Planet will donate 136 pounds of carbon offsets in your name. These offsets help fund renewable energy projects and are an important part of fighting climate change. All I ask in return is that you consider conserving where you can during the holidays.

Now that's cool! HERE'S the GIFT!!

YOU are better off.

2008-12-16T16:00:00.002-05:00

Pick up any newspaper, listen to news talk radio, or read the online reports and you'd think we are seconds away from reaching economic Armageddon.

Think again:

Gas prices are 50% lower than they were last summer.
You have yet to lose money in the stock market or in your mutual funds because you don't own any.
The cost of to feed yourself and your family has decreased (due to the decline in fuel prices).
The fact that prices for commodities have been slowly creeping downwards means that your spending less and saving more (in your CIDC-protected bank account).
You are either out of debt or your debt load has decreased because of your decreased spending!

See!

There are probably many other reasons why you are further ahead today than you were a year ago. And maybe that's not the point because you don't really feel you're better off. You know why?

You're listening to "they". Who are "they"? Media and those who live according to the gospel of "they"/media. (And this is not a media bashing piece.)

So, what to do?

Start following/listening to people who are positive. I recently spoke to a successful Realtor who was around during the last official recession. Him and his firm are keeping busy during this "slowdown". Why? Because he chooses to be. Sounds simple? The successful people always seem to make it sound so...
Start making things happen for yourself. If you have a service or product to provide continue telling your story. Make friends. Develop relationships. Haven't started? Start.
Watch the masses and do the opposite. You'll be glad you did.

What are your thoughts? Are you a lemming or a initiator? Do you make things happen or wait around to react to what's happening? Do these suggestions help you? Your comments are most welcome!

Birthday

2008-12-12T16:01:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, December 13th, His Highness the Aga Khan will be celebrating his birthday.

If you've been following me here, or the news, you've heard that he's been doing quite a bit of celebrating these days.

In these uncertain and turbulent economic times a little reading up on the Aga Khan and his works will surely bring a smile to your face.

Happy Birthday!

A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

2008-12-09T13:44:00.007-05:00

And so are a lot of other things. However, this is not the time nor place...

Recently, Farhan Lalji (Who is he? Check him out HERE where he will undoubtedly attempt to answer this question.) tagged me in a post he wrote. He is "participating" in a meme started by Andy Gibson at Mindapples.org.

So, the question asked is, "what are 5 things I do to keep me mentally well."

Great question!

And so, in no particular order I present to the already crowded world of blogs....

MY 5!

Blog. Yes, Writing these little pieces of journalism keeps me informed about what I really think. Why? Because I understand that my comments here are etched in stone. I wouldn't want to type something down that I may regret later on. Same goes for micro-blogging!

Read. Mostly I read non-fiction books. However, I love to peruse many blog to see what people around the world are thinking and talking about. I feel it keeps me mentally aware and sharp.

Community. It has been repeatedly stated that you can tell a lot about a person based on their friends. Well, I have many friends. However, I have chosen to spend my time with the following types of people (not including family!) : those who mentally stretch me; people I have things in common with such as ideas, dreams, and goals; and, people whom I want to learn from.

Conferences and Seminars. Whether it is a university speaker series, a real estate conference, or a business meeting, I find I always learn at such events.

Volunteer. The chance to learn about new people, make friends, and make a difference.

So there's my-5-to-stay-alive.

I wonder what the following 5 people do to stay sharp:
Aneez "The Genius", Jason Menard, Malcolm Gladwell (hey, why not?), Tim Sanders, and Chris Brogan.

(picture courtesy of http://www.joeydevilla.com/)

Re-post

2008-12-05T12:59:00.002-05:00

I recently posted a note on my real estate blog. I think it will also be of interest to everyone. I hope you enjoy.

You can find the article HERE.

What to do when business is slow.

2008-12-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

Lots.

There are lots of things you can do when business is slow.

However, there are probably things you should do when business is slow. Today, I'm going to share with you just a few things you should be doing. So, let's get started, shall we?

READ. And I don't mean the daily newspaper. It's news that is over a day old and probably with nothing good to say anyways. Start reading books, articles, magazines, and even blogs about success, marketing, business and, of course, real estate. (If you're reading this and you're not in the r.e. business, then read up on stuff pertinant to your industry/profession) Why? Ideas. There may be little things these folks will suggest or present that you may not be doing right now, that maybe you should. For example, if you're thinking about having your own blog but don't know what to do then reading Chris Brogan would be a brilliant start.
GIVE. Your time, resources, and especially expertise. My friends, Tim Sanders and Sameer Vasta have recently talked about giving. Remember, what goes around comes around. Give and it shall be given unto you.
COMMUNITY. Or you can say, associate. Whatever term you use, it is more important now to seek the counsel of your manager, associate, mastermind group and/or mentor. Thousands of successful entrepreneurs have already survived and thrived through a recession. Find out what they did. Inquire about there thought process on what it takes to succeed in today's marketplace. There is strength in numbers!
WORK. But you knew that already, didn't you? Then why aren't you? Continue to market yourself. Continue to make phone calls. Continue to plant seeds so that you will have something to grow and harvest. Hundreds of people are leaving your industry today. There will be less competition tomorrow. It's up to you if you want to win.

Please don't consider this the extent of what you should be doing. It is far from that. However, I believe that if you follow my suggestions you will have a brighter tomorrow.

To your success!

(picture courtesy of www.musicforchange.com)

Guest Column - Stan Albert - Yellow Pages canvassimg and other wacky ideas

2008-12-02T11:48:00.000-05:00

Years ago in the mid ’60s, I became involved in a partnership to buy up properties in my home territory in the Belleville/Trenton area. I had the task of finding tenants for a nearly vacant commercial building in downtown Belleville, without a clue as to how to do it! My partners gave me the area phone books, the Yellow Pages, a desk, a phone and lots of coffee, and told me to canvass the surrounding area from Cobourg to Kingston to Peterborough. Within two months of solid canvassing the firms listed in the Yellow Pages, we found enough tenants to completely fill our building.

This memory of marketing/canvassing came to the fore during the first recession that I faced in the mid-’70s, after I’d received my broker’s licence and opened my first brokerage. If you think things are bad now, you should have been around then!

Anyway, here’s what I taught my agents then and am practising now in the 2000s.

I called the largest advertisers in the Yellow Pages and asked a series of questions, not unlike what we would normally do when seeking listings on the residential side. When phoning, always ask if it’s a good time to call or if there’s a more convenient time for the discussion.

“Hello (great opening!), this is Mark Sales from Bigreal Estate, is this the owner? Great, I just wanted to take a few minutes of your time to let you know that I’ve decided to add your name to my list of investors.”

Wait for answer – usually it will be, “Really, what do you have in mind?”

“Well, although we all know the marketplace is down, there are still opportunities for investors like yourself perhaps, who will take the time to view some of the properties that may interest you.”

If the answer is positive: “Great, when would be a good time to drop by to visit with you, or could you come to my office for a coffee so that we could chat informally and get to know each other?”

If the answer is negative: “If investing in real estate at this time is not in your plans, do you need a CMA for the future?”

Some other questions you can ask:

Do you need re-financing?

May I send you a list of some real estate opportunities that may be of interest to you?
Would you like me to send this by email or should I drop it off?
Are you interested in meeting with other professional and/or business-minded people like yourself?

Would you be interested in attending a real estate investment seminar with noted business people in our market area?

Not all of these questions will lead to a positive result, but sometimes they turn into a success story, like this one that recently happened in my office. One of these calls went out to a business person who by chance had just sold his business and building. He had a substantial amount of money to invest. A meeting took place and the new client paid for lunch and presto, my agent had a new client. It doesn’t all come together at once, but most marketing of any kind is a numbers game.

Once you establish a rapport with a new client, you can proceed to develop your relationship. If it is a rental property, commercial/residential, you can offer your services to the client to manage the property for five per cent of the monthly rental. (Note that after three years of doing this, I had 14 properties that I was managing and supplementing my income by several thousand dollars annually).

So, start at the As for Accountants and work your way through until you get so busy, you will never have to pick up the phone again. The successful people you meet through the Yellow Pages system usually have equally successful people as their friends. Some of them may have relatives out of town that may use your services as well. As stated so many times before, “Do a good job and your actions speak volumes!”

Another example of the success of this system repeated itself in the ’90s, when I first came to the Re/Max organization. A new agent came to my office and she knew virtually no one in Toronto, because she and her husband had immigrated to Canada the year before. So, I set her on the task of the Yellow Pages system. The first call she made was to a glass company specializing in auto and home repairs.

The conversation went as stated above. She asked if the owner needed any additional space or was interested in buying another location. The owner said no, but his sister, who was his bookkeeper, was interested in a condo in North Toronto. She sold her the condo and to my knowledge, she is still using the system today.

Even in a recession, there are still people who need to buy and those who need to sell. Forget what the media hype has to say. Be like the late and great Prime Munster of England, Sir Winston Churchill: “Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead!”

As P.S. to my last column, How to market yourself successfully in the recession, you may also want to try this out: Many home owners have received their new tax assessments. So, why not offer your services to appeal them? In Ontario it only costs 75 bucks. Say you will do it for them for free (you have to ask them to appoint you as their agent to do so. Who better to know the property values than us?) So you appeal and the worst-case scenario is that you lose, but you win the respect of the owner, who may just be interested in selling or buying real estate or giving you a referral or two along the way.

I know a broker who canvasses the condos in his area and has offered this service for years. Many units are out of the country owners and obviously not knowledgeable about property values. So, you do your “good deed,” and guess what, you may be listing the property eventually, or starting your own property management income flow!

The newest Brian Buffini 100 days to greatness course offers an eight-week program that addresses this idea in full. However, I’ve been teaching it for years.

I sincerely hope that this system will help the many agents who have written to me over the past 60 days, to put something down on paper.

This system is only as good as your follow-thoughs with emails, information about real estate, and business meetings with other future investors and eventually, “thank you parties” at the end of the year.

With good wishes for a great holiday season and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

For more info, contact Stan Albert for a one-on-one coaching session. Fees to be discussed when you call. Stan Albert is celebrating his 39^th year in active real estate, and is with Re/Max Excellence in Woodbridge, Ont. He serves on committees at RECO and at the Toronto Real Estate Board. He is an established trainer and business consultant and can be reached at salbert@trebnet.com.

(photo courtesy of www.salescareertraining.com)

I'm in Love

2008-12-02T10:08:00.004-05:00

With Canada.

I mean, there are many reasons to love this vast country.

The Rocky Mountains on the west coast. The endless terrain of tundra and arctic desert. The flatlands of the Prairies. The cosmopolitan cities of Upper and Lower Canada. The rugged and raw Maritime provinces.

Blue Jays baseball! Junior hockey during the Christmas/New Year holidays. The Calgary Stampede. The Canadian National Exhibition. The Ottawa-Hull border.

The red and white Maple Leaf. Tolerance. Plurality.

Yet, today, the best thing I can think of off the top of my head is that we still live in a country that can be peaceful even when we agree to disagree. Canada is at a political crossroads. Take a look at any Canadian newspaper and you will read reports and stories of a "coalition" between the opposition parties trying to topple the current government.

(I'm not interested in which "party" is better or which one I like the most.)

I'm very interested in that there are no armies or special armed forces involved. There are just talks and discussions among political adversaries.

And I love it! Do you?

(photo courtesy of www.canadiannorthern.ca)

Golden Thoughts - 2

2008-11-26T10:47:00.003-05:00

Adam Gopnik has become one of my favourite storytellers after having listened to one of his talks through The Moth podcast via iTunes. It was entitled "LOL". It is a narrative between a father and son and the dialogue they have online via instant messaging. I hope you have a chance to listen and enjoy it.

This brings me to my second Golden Thought - Laughing.

If you've ever read Reader's Digest, you know they have a section called Laughter is the Best Medicine. And according to doctors this truth is no laughing matter!

Today's economic climate of uncertainty has put a damper on many people's faces. From cancelled office Christmas parties to paychecks that have been cutback, there has been little for many people to smile about. And yet tomorrow, many of my American friends will celebrate U.S. Thanksgiving.

And many will smile. Why?

Good food. Good friends. Good times. It is true, especially today, to remember that we have many things to be thankful for.

Not only that, but I beleive that a heart and mind that is light, joyful, and focused on success and solutions enable both to receive thoughts and vibrations of the same. Read and study Think & Grow Rich by Napolean Hill for more on this.

So that's my Golden Thought. Laugh. Out Loud.

Golden Thoughts - 1

2008-11-25T10:03:00.007-05:00

Have you ever had so much in your head, that just getting them down in words is the hardest part?

I have lots of thoughts from over this past week. Everything from planning stages, event execution, experience, etc. However, I will limit my online writing to what I call Golden Thoughts.

Golden Thoughts are images and thoughts inspired by the wisdom and guidance from the man the West calls The Aga Khan. My son calls him Mowla Bapa. So do I.

Civil Society.

It always sounded a bit academic to me. Then I heard it in plain English. People helping people. That's it! In today's uncertain economic climate where the West struggles and the East waits to see what happens, what we all need to do is lend a helping hand.

And not just because we are in an economic storm. But because it's the right thing to do.

Always.

(Picture from Vancouver Sun)

Guest Column - Stan Albert - The tough get going

2008-11-24T16:01:00.000-05:00

Are we recession proof? I don’t think so. As I mentioned about two months ago, beware of the big ‘R’ word.

The cycle has returned – no surprise! Let me see, the last time was in the late ’80s into the early ’90s. It was bad and a lot of agents left the industry to go and sell Amway or whatever. But it wasn’t as bad as 1981 to 1985, where we saw interest rates as high as 28 per cent. Can you believe that? Some of us old-timers can and we survived to tell the tale.

Yes, it was even fun to work the market then, with Vendor Take Backs (you newer agents remember taking this in your mortgage courses, but I bet you’ve never done one).

So, the USA debacle has finally caught up with the staid, stable Canadian marketplace. Is it any surprise that we are not bullet-proof? What happens south of the border usually takes longer to hit us here in Canada. But not this time.

I just returned from a holiday in the Baja Peninsula in Mexico and visited several Realtors and developments. Tourism has been badly hit as well as investment in homes and condos in Mexico.

Some of the Yanks I met were worried about their investments, as we all are. Many were thinking of investing, but shied away due to the Wall Street debacle. However, some of the time share presentations were well received and people were still buying – just not at the rate that they did in years past. This is no surprise.

Is this article all about doom and gloom? No. There’s an old adage: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Yes, it’s a little on the schmaltzy side, but it’s true.

I’ve always been mystified when the market does a downturn, that there are still people who have cash reserves they haven’t invested in the stock market, and they come out of the woodwork to buy and sell properties.

Do any of you think that we’ll have the landslide of foreclosures that we see south of us? Let me know and tell me why.

Who will survive in our industry? Here’s who will:

Those who diligently have been in touch with their sphere of influence.

Those who hold seminars for first-time buyers. Yes, they still want to buy!

Those who read about the recession and how the agents who lived through it managed to maintain their sales. I recently talked to a manager of a large market niche office, and their sales are the same as last year.

Those who investigate the new Accredited Seniors Course – yes, seniors still need to sell and buy.

Those who look into recession-proof prospects (you can reach me on email for these – don’t have room here!).

Those who continue to run open houses on a regular basis.

Those who tighten their belts on spending and resist the urge to splurge.

Those who seek the advice of their manager, not their coaches, because most coaches are too young to give advice on this type of market.

Those who attend mind-building seminars, not the rah-rah type.

Those who take time to read REM, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.

My late dad, Jake Albert, always said to me, “Hard work never killed anyone, only those who were idle usually died poor and miserable.”

Stan Albert is celebrating his 39^th year in active real estate, and is with Re/Max Excellence in Woodbridge, Ont. He serves on committees at RECO and on the MLS Rules and Communication committees at the Toronto Real Estate Board. He is an established trainer and business consultant and can be reached at salbert@trebnet.com.

Numbers

2008-11-21T10:06:00.004-05:00

Millions of devoted followers worldwide.

Hundreds of thousands of bottles of water.

100,000 guests at the Canadian leg of the Golden Jubilee World Tour.

Thousands of dedicated volunteers. (Thank you!)

Hundreds of shuttle coaches.

Dozens of Celebration sites across the country.

50 + years of Imamat.

Less than 24 hours until the SkyDome doors open.

4 Deedars in Canada.

2 Deedars in Toronto.

One Vision.

One Hope.

One Jamat.

The Quiet

2008-11-20T09:57:00.004-05:00

It was quiet yesterday. Lots of volunteers at the Direct Energy Centre and the SkyDome. Lots of people doing work. Many more just hoping to do work.

The SkyDome is looking more and more like a place of worship and reflection. Can't imagine that ACDC is playing here in December!

There are many international visitors still to come to Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

I'll be at the DEC lending a helping hand this afternoon. Drop on by. We need all the help we can get.

Field of Dreams (Thanks Aneez!)

2008-11-19T10:01:00.003-05:00

If you build it they will come. So he did. A baseball field in the middle of nowhere. No money to pay for it. No money for food or the mortgage. But he did build it. And, if you watched the movie it had a happy ending. Field of Dreams is widely accepted as the best sports/baseball movie of all time.

There is another Field of Dreams being constructed in Toronto at the SkyDome (some people refer to it as the Rogers Centre.).

I had a chance to drop by the site of 2 World Series championships and a few CFL titles as well last night. I wish I could figure out how to download the pictures and video I shot with my antique cell phone.

The stage is MASSIVE yet simple. I'll be there again over the next 2 days lending a helping hand wherever they need me, so I'm sure to have a few more thoughts and observations. And maybe pictures. Keep your fingers crossed....

Field of Dreams. I am glad I've had the opportunity to play a very, very small part in helping to "build it." He will come. This weekend. I can hear the voices already....

Two Princes

2008-11-18T10:34:00.004-05:00

My mom calls - or at least used to call - me prince.

Then there is His Highness The Aga Khan.

He's dropping by Ottawa today to begin his Canadian stop on his Golden Jubilee worldwide tour. It's been 30 years since he first arrived in Canada in 1978. It was November 18th 1978. I turned 6 years old that day.

So, this begins a daily posting here at INSPIRation for the duration of the Aga Khan's Canadian trip.

Who is the Aga Khan?

For starters, he's not a rockstar, although his tour would make the Rolling Stones jealous. He's not a philanthropist, although his development network (www.akdn.org) is the largest non-denominational NGO in the world.

There is a wonderful informational website that describes who the Aga Khan is, who the Ismaili Muslims are, and what things they are up to. I hope you check it out. If you live in Canada and live in an urban centre, chances are you know an Ismaili.

http://www.theismaili.org

(Getting the building formerly known as the SkyDome ready!)

Disclaimer: I am an Ismaili and today is my birthday.

Known dangerous defects must be disclosed by vendor

2008-11-13T10:26:00.000-05:00

Does the doctrine of "buyer beware" allow a seller to conceal the mere possibility that there is a potentially dangerous condition in a house? That was the issue in a case heard earlier this year in Edmonton.

In April 2005, George and Lisa Gibb bought a house in Leduc County, Alta., from Earl and Sherry Sprague. Prior to signing the purchase agreement, the buyers inspected the house three times, and found nothing wrong except some issues with the electrical panel.

Upon taking possession after closing, the purchasers discovered that there was an infestation of carpenter ants in the ceiling of a bedroom and in the roof of the house. As a result, they had to remove the entire roof of the house and replace it with a metal roof.

In the fall of 2005, the owners' son became ill with a headache and cold-like symptoms. The family pediatrician suggested that the symptoms might be due to mould in his basement bedroom.

On inspecting the basement drywall, the owners discovered mould to a height of three feet on the exterior walls, and rust on the bottom of the metal basement support posts.

At about the same time, the Gibbs found that the basement wiring did not comply with the building code, and that the circuits were overloaded.

Unhappy with the condition of the home, the Gibbs sued the Spragues for repair costs alleging that the sellers knew about the defects and fraudulently misrepresented their existence.

In law, whether or not a vendor is responsible for repairing defects in a home depends, to some extent, on whether the defects are found in law to be patent – or obvious, or latent – meaning hidden.

The case was tried before Justice Donald Manderscheid in Edmonton last April.

In his written decision, the judge ruled that the electrical defects were patent defects, and the doctrine of caveat emptor – buyer beware – applied.

The judge ruled that the buyers failed to take reasonable steps to determine the full extent of the electrical problems. As a result, they had to bear the cost of the repairs.

Based on the evidence at trial, the judge was satisfied that the basement leaks and roof infestation were hidden defects because it was unlikely that they could have been discovered on a simple visual inspection of the house without removing portions of the roof and basement drywall.

"I believe," wrote the judge, "that the (sellers) were neither subjectively aware as to the existence of the roof defect, nor did they act in a reckless manner in regards to the roof defect." As a result, he dismissed the buyers' claim for replacement of the roof.

On the issue of the mould in the basement, the judge ruled that the active concealment by the vendors of the mould and a false statement by Sherry Sprague about previous water in the basement amounted to the making of a fraudulent misrepresentation.

The judge wrote that when sellers have experienced a flood in their basement, "it is ... reasonable to expect (them) to advise potential purchasers of the property as to the circumstances (of the flood) ... The Defendants' failure to fulfill this expectation and to advise the Plaintiffs as to the existence of the basement defect amounts to a reckless disregard for the safety of the Plaintiffs and their family."

As a result, the Spragues were found responsible for their "reckless behaviour" relating to the history of flooding in the basement and the resulting possibility of the presence of mould. They owed a duty to the buyers to disclose the defect and they did not. Despite the caveat emptor doctrine, the sellers were ordered to pay the buyers damages of $12,186.45 for repairing the drywall.

It's clear from the ruling in Gibb v. Sprague that there is a duty on a vendor to disclose a known but hidden defect which makes a home dangerous, and to disclose any known circumstances which are likely to result in danger.

Bob Aaron is a Toronto real estate lawyer. He can be reached by email at bob@aaron.ca, phone 416-364-9366 or fax 416-364-3818. Visit the column archives at http://aaron.ca/columns/toronto-star-index.htm for articles on this and other topics.

Likeability

2008-11-13T09:29:00.004-05:00

"It's the economy, stupid." This statement has been used many times recently. For example, elections on both sides of the border heard this.

I don't disagree. However, I think it is more than that.

"It's about likeability." Now that's more like it.

Think about it. Being likeable is more important today than at any other time in recent memory. Especially given today's economic climate.

If you represent a company, more likely than not, you are looking at ways of lowering your expenses. You are looking for your service providers to understand the dynamics of your company and it's place in today's economy. One of the characteristics of being likeable is that you can empathize with people. You understand that we all have choices on who we give or take business from.

On Tuesday a real estate magazine called me. The publisher was wondering if the company I work for would be paying a bill and continuing to advertise with them. This call, however, was different. The caller was rude. He did not want to listen. He hung up the phone before I could tell him that I just finished a conversation with my boss and we had decided to advertise with them in 2009. I couldn't get the words out of my mouth before he hung up on me.

Our decision: As long as I'm working here I won't agree to advertise with his paper. Why? Because I don't want to give money to someone who is not likeable. I'd rather save my company $1700 a month and figure out more innovative ways to market the company.

So, what's the big take-away? Understand that we are under the microscope more now than ever before. Be likeable and you'll generate more business. Be likeable and you'll retain customers. Be likeable and you'll have more freinds. Be likeable.

Want more on this "concept" of likeability? Check out Tim Sander's best selling book, The Likeability Factor.

Remembering Today (Nov.11 '08) - A Soldier Died Today

2008-11-11T11:45:00.002-05:00

A Soldier Died Today

By Lawrence Vaincourt, RCAF Veteran, Second World War
(c) 1985 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast.
He sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of the war that he had fought and the deeds that he had done,
Of the exploits with his buddies, they are heroes, every one.

Tho' sometimes to his neighbours his tales became a joke,
His Legion buddies listened; they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer; he has passed away.
The world is much poorer now; A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary, uneventful, quiet life,
Held a job, raised a family and quietly went his way;
The world won't note his passing, Tho' A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.

When Statesmen leave this earth, their bodies lie in state.
Thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their stories, from the time that they were young.
The passing of a soldier tho', goes unnoticed and unsung.

It's so easy to forget them, it was so long ago,
When our young men left for battle, but this we should know.
It was not the politicians with their promises and ploys
Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with enemies at hand,
Would you want a diplomat with his every shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn we will defend;
His home, his kin, his country; he'll fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us; we may need his likes again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldiers part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the bureaucrats did start.

If we cannot do him honour while he's here to hear our praise;
At least let us pay him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say:
Our country is in mourning "A Soldier Died Today".

Yummy

2008-11-06T12:06:00.003-05:00

I've stopped using Technorati to post interesting articles. It's just too complicated to use and search for articles I've bookmarked.

So, I'm back on del.icio.us. It's easier for me to use and easier for someone to search articles I've bookmarked.

Sorry to those of you who have followed my stuff. I hope this "new" bookmarker will make it easier.

Heads up techie people: Make tools simple and easy to use. Then u will become popular. If you want.

Do you bookmark interesting sites and articles on the web? Thoughts?