Weeks that were

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:

1. 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.
2. Canadian company takes location-based apps to another level.
3. Canadian Prime Minister Harper on YouTube.
4. Want to get paid to blog and travel?  Yeah, me too.
5. Do you pay too much on your cellphone bill?
6. Last straw for WIND Mobile?
7. Julie Tyios of the Toronto Transit Commission Customer Advisory Panel.

iBizBook:

1. 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

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.

Twitterhood the new Prophethood?

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

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:

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

iBizBook:

1. Finding your online pulse (video)

Fadoo.ca:

1. 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!

Week in Review

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

1. 
   
   Digital book publisher Vook (you SHOULD check these guys out!) receives additional seed financing.
2. 
   
   Ottawa flexes it's digital muscles.
3. 
   
   General Motors Crisis Communications - Case Study.
4. 
   
   Mark Evans on telling stories.
5. 
   
   ShesConnected - A social networking site for the ladies.
6. 
   
   In conversation with the Senior Partner of Bamboo.
7. 
   
   Rogers has a new plan for roamers.
8. 
   
   5 Questions...with Crystal Gibson.
9. 
   
   Sprouter continues to sprout.
10. 
    
    Justin Kozuch on the Toronto Transit Commission.
11. 
    
    Mitch Joel.

iBizBook

1. 
   
   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!

Why I started @karimsreplies

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.

Follow Friday

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:

1. @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.
2. @mehnazt - Mehnaz wears her passion on her sleeve. She has a cool blog and is currently writing her first best-selling book.
3. @vasta - Sameer may be a great storyteller, but he will always be my Scout.
4. @karmacakedotca - Marie has a cool website about culture and people and anything else she is passionate about (like why TTC makes people angry:) )
5. @clickflickca - Joallore is a social instigator who wants to live in Las Vegas.  But if he left Toronto things would be a little quieter. 
6. @lauracasselman - Laura's a KickAss word of mouth person for Agent Wildfire and always smiling.
7. @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.
8. @skanwar - Satish is passionate about being his own boss and using social media to help people.
9. @casiestewart - Casie defines the social in social media.
10. @funkstop - Rahim likes to discuss how to make things better without all the hype.
11. @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.
12. @AKthe5th - Aaron is one of Toronto's many young entreprenuers.
13. @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?

Twitterville.

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.

August Lesson - Freedom

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?

Anemometer and Digital Democracy

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.

Happiness

Yesterday I asked on Twitter what you defined happiness as.

Here are your answers:

HAPPINESS!

(click above)

Earth Week

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:

1. Increase the profile of Toronto Green Community across Toronto.
   
2. Raise $5000 for Toronto Green Community.
3. 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.

Strawberry Ghetto

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.

TwestivalTO

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

Making Sense

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....

Wired-less

If you follow me on Twitter (@karimkanji) or Facebook, you now know that I've "lost" my cellphone.

You can stop snickering now.

First time I've been without a phone since 1996 when I joined SunLife as a Life Insurance agent. I've always had the phone. By my side. In my pocket. In my bag. It used to wake me up in the morning as well. Recently it was my calender and notebook as well.

Not any more.

Back to basics. I just dusted off my calendar and notebook.

I do feel fine though. I just realized that life does go on without a wireless device. So, this Thanksgiving weekend try turning it off. For no other reason than to share my pain.

I do feel fine. Really.

(To comment on this post please visit the original post found at http://InspirationByKarim.blogspot.com)

Sunny Greenville!

Wow! The weather here in Grenville, SC is awesome. I should have brought my swim trunks! The pool is very inviting.

If you want to follow me here in Greenville, then join Twitter, if u already haven't, and follow karimkanji.

Talk to you folks later!

KK

Retwitteral Estate

Are you on Twitter? One of the most popular micro-blogging sites has taken the social media world by storm. And people are participating on conversations here.

People are your business. If people are talking on Twitter, maybe you should be listening.

Are you on Twitter? How are you using it to promote yourself and your business?

@karimkanji