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The Mile-High Club of Skyscraper Construction

March 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This proposed $10 billion (USD) skyscraper will reach one mile into the atmosphere - more than two times the height of the Burj Dubai! This I-can-build-a-taller-tower competition has officially gone CRAZY and will soon give new meaning to the mile-high club.

According to the Daily Mail article (from March 31, so this isn’t an April Fool’s joke):

Experts say the technical challenges are enormous. Much of the lifting will be carried out by helicopters, which will also be used as commuter transport for builders. The tower will have to be capable of withstanding a wide range of temperatures, with its top baking in the desert sun by day but dropping to well below freezing at night. To resist the strong winds prevalent in the area and stop it swaying, giving its occupants a form of high-rise seasickness, it will be fitted with a giant computer-operated damper.

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Posted by toddand | Filed Under Design, Educational, Random

The Pixel Couch

March 31, 2008 | 1 Comment

Nod: swissmiss

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Posted by toddand | Filed Under Random, Technology

Riches in Niches: The Benefits of Being a Nichepreneur™

March 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Guest article by Susan A. Friedmann

Do bigger markets offer better opportunities? Not necessarily — and that’s the theme of my recent book, “Riches in Niches: How to Make it Big in a Small Market.” I believe that the best position for a service professional to occupy is as the “Expert” in a niche market — a role I call the Nichepreneur™.

A Nichepreneur™ leverages their professional skills and entrepreneurial drive to become the Expert in their chosen field. Being the Expert is the most lucrative, enjoyable place to be — yet few professionals pursue this strategy effectively. Many don’t see the potential hidden in these secret markets. The savvy few that do can absolutely transform their careers.
Why does the Nichepreneur™ strategy work? There are four reasons:

Reason #1: Less Competition
The more defined your niche, the smaller a market segment you seek out, the less competition you encounter. The vast majority of business owners try to be all things to all people, concentrating on the marketplace as a whole.

By focusing on a small, select segment of the market, you bypass all of that competition. It is possible that some of your colleagues and peers will offer similar services, but the odds that someone will specialize in your area of Expertise drop dramatically as your Niche becomes more and more defined. It’s far easier to be the best — and occupy the advantageous Expert position — when fewer people are vying for the honor.

Reason #2: Increased Efficiency
Nichepreneurs™ focus their efforts and practice on one narrow area. This creates an advantage of efficiency. A professional no longer has to stay abreast of each and every development in their field on the off chance that they may someday need to be aware of the topic. Instead, they can delve more completely into their chosen field of study.

At the same time, becoming a Nichepreneur™ virtually eliminates the learning curve. Because all your efforts and energy are devoted to one particular area of practice, there’s no need to ‘come up to speed’ when someone comes to you with a difficult problem. You’ll already be well versed in the field — and if you don’t know the answer yourself, chances are you’ll be connected to someone who does.

Reason #3: More Money
Expert advice carries premium prices. The public, well trained by the media to value the expert, fully expects to pay top dollar for their services. This is a very lucrative position. Although the services and counsel you offer your clients may be very similar to those of your peers and colleagues, you’ll realize greater profit because of your expertise.

Reason #4: Increased visibility
A serious problem exists out there in the marketplace. Professionals from every discipline face the unending challenge of sameness - a sea of providers offering identical services. This creates confusion for the customer. They have no way to differentiate between this attorney and that one, nor select between counselors.

Positioning yourself as the Expert sets you apart from the crowd. You’re cutting yourself out of the herd and putting yourself in a position of prominence. It’s a very tangible way to say if you want the best, you want me!

Written by Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, TheNichePreneur™ Coach, Lake Placid, NY, internationally recognized expert working with service professionals to increase their niche marketing potential. Author: “Riches in Niches: How to Make it BIG in a small Market” and “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies.” For a free copy of the special report “The NichePreneur™ Mindset, go to www.richesinniches.com

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Posted by toddand | Filed Under Authors+Books

Power Profile: Only Dead Fish

March 30, 2008 | 2 Comments

Neil Perkin started out stacking shelves at his local supermarket, but today is director of marketing and strategy at IPC Media, a UK consumer magazine publisher. He has authored his Only Dead Fish blog since December 2006. Only Dead Fish currently sits at No. 149 on the Power 150, a global index of nearly 600 marketing blog.

How would you describe your blog to your mom?
My Mum isn’t big on blogging so I’d probably have to start at the beginning. I think I’d tell her it’s just me writing about stuff that interests me so it’s mostly about advertising, social media, communications, with a healthy dose of culture and design. And the odd post on chickens.

What blog post (of your own) are you most proud of and why?
Tricky question but probably a short post I wrote on how advertising and media planning is still littered with military analogies - we talk about ‘target’ audiences, ‘hits’, ’strike rates’, ‘impacts’, ’strategies’, ‘tactics’. The point I was making was that using this kind of language now seems to define the association between the brand and it’s audience in all the wrong ways and so if we are ever going to change the relationship that advertising has with people, we should change the language. The post generated a lot of discussion on the blog and was picked up by the marketing press here in the UK.

Neil’s Power Profile continues… Read more

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Posted by toddand | Filed Under Marketing, Power Profiles, Social Media

Genius Wine Label

March 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Source: Noisy Decent Graphics

Remember those “Loft For Sale” fliers hanging next to the elevator at college? This is kinda like that. Now you can send one lucky party guest home with a little reminder of the wine you served. At least… one guest… and only if you serve this type of wine. Still, it’s a great idea and more wine bottles should have it. In fact, like McDonald’s, wine makers should run a Monopoly game promotion - I’m sure that would make wine sales skyrocket!

I found this wine idea and the photos at a blog I just discovered by Ben Terrett, a graphic designer in London. Great blog! I’ll be back.

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Posted by toddand | Filed Under Design, Marketing, Random

Out of surgery: All good signs

March 29, 2008 | 7 Comments

Our family breathed a collective sigh of relief today. Tricia came out of her five-hour surgery with good reports and high hopes for a full recovery. While we cannot be completely sure until the pathologist tests the tissue, the surgeon appeared confident that the cancer had NOT spread to the rest of Tricia’s body, but said we can never be sure that tiny cells aren’t still out there. Lobular cancer is the most difficult to detect so to try and kill any remaining traces of cancer, Tricia will begin chemotherapy in one month - after her body has had ample time to recover from the operation. For now, it sounds like radiation can be avoided and hormone therapy is still being considered! We will know more once the pathologist’s reports are finalized in the next couple weeks.

Still, the air around our family and in the hospital room was different this afternoon. Less tense and much lighter. Our spirits were high with plenty of positive vibes being felt. While it was a great day and initial reports are comforting, our family is preparing for a long battle to kick this thing in the butt and make sure it never returns.

Tricia’s a trooper. As soon as she woke up, she asked for chap stick, heavy socks and ice chips. She was in pain from even the smallest movements, but just hours after her surgery she smiled and softly laughed at our jokes (even the bad ones).

Thank you to EVERY SINGLE PERSON who prayed and donated. We know today’s outcome was helped by all of our combined thoughts and prayers, and you have no idea how much that means to our entire family. Together in Tricia’s hospital room, we all expressed great thanks and appreciation for the massive outpouring of support.

To my blogger friends from around the world (Australia, Europe, Canada and all over the United States), how awesome are you for mobilizing and responding so quickly. The effort was/is unbelievable! Thank you for answering my call for prayers and for helping my family with your contributions. In less than 48 hours, we had over 50 donations totaling over $1000! And with icon sponsorship commitments included, we have already received over $3000! You are truly amazing and I am forever grateful!

Years of treatment and healing are ahead as well as many added costs associated with battling breast cancer (i.e., medical expenses related to surgery, hospital care, doctors visits, prescriptions as well as wigs/headwraps, travel, lost work time, etc.). Through 4tricia.com, I hope we can continue to raise a few extra dollars for cancer research and for Tricia to put toward all the new costs. The more I can help get Tricia’s mind off the stresses of money and onto healing, the better.

Thanks to San Francisco-based Shannon Whitley and San Antonio-based Kami Huyse, we have created a “Pixels 4 Tricia” promotion that allows individuals and businesses to purchase blocks of pixels ($1 = 1 block = 100 pixels). You can upload pixel images of your avatar, a photo, your logo or even a custom support graphic - your choice.

At least 25 percent of all “pixel sponsorship” donations will be given to the Frozen Pea Fund, a blogger-established non-profit organization that promotes breast cancer awareness and uses social media (i.e., blogs, podcasts, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) to help raise money for several great breast cancer charities, like the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides. When you have time, check it out.

I’ll leave you with a great quote one of our recent visitors left in the comments: “Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.”

Thank you!

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Posted by toddand | Filed Under Random

Personality Not Included

March 28, 2008 | 3 Comments

Rohit Bhargava is the genius behind this book marketing tactic = any blogger who sent Rohit five questions about his book would get five custom, not-cut-and-paste answers.

Here is my virtual Q&A with Rohit about his forthcoming book Personality Not Included:

1) Your new marketing book, Personality Not Included, goes on sale April 25 and I’m impressed that you have an Amazon description that doesn’t once use the word “conversation!” Still, I can’t help but ask how your book is different from some of the other successful “new marketing” books on the shelves, like David Meerman Scott’s New Rules of PR, Geoff Livingston and Brian Solis’ Now is Gone, Seth Godin’s Meatball Sundae, Andy Sernovitz’s Word of Mouth Marketing, and Joseph Jaffe’s Join the Conversation?

I love this question! First because you’re positioning my book in great company, but second because it’s a question I anticipate getting quite a bit. The most important thing that I hope sets my book apart is the mixture of stories and action guides. I chose to use a very unique format for my book, which was to split it into two sections - the first being the theory of why personality matters, filled with lots of examples … and the second being all action guides. The first thing I did when I got my book deal was to go out and spend $1500 on Amazon to buy all the books that people might see in this category. I kept buying books and have all the ones you mention above on my shelf. My charge was not just to write a useful book (above all else), but to also be different from all the books out there. I believe I managed to do that - but the reader’s will have to decide for themselves.

2) If you had to pick (and you must), what is your least favorite chapter in Personality Not Included?

Chapter 1

3) Why (did you pick the chapter you did for No. 2)?

I chose the first chapter because in it I had to cover a few concepts that I myself found relatively basic. The reason for that, obviously, is because when you write a book you have to write it for people who may not be marketers themselves. As a result, if you happen to be in the field of marketing … some of the concepts in this first chapter may strike you as a bit obvious. Hopefully it will still be useful as a refresher, but some more advanced marketers may find it a bit too basic. Thankfully, the rest of the book should have plenty of new ideas to compensate!

4) Can you explain to me the significance of the weird little wind-up chickens on your cover?

Nope. Actually, they were just used as some imagery to get the book to stand out in the business section. Seriously, have you seen chickens on any other marketing books? You could read a bit more significance into this - ie, that wind up dolls are the ultimate in faceless toys, you just wind them up and they go … or you could just look at the fact that the final book has a chicken on the side so when the book is stacked on a shelf, you’ll see it. Either way, I think the cover works.

5) If personality is the secret weapon that brings authentic brands to life, what - in your opinion - are the best brand personality traits for companies to have?

Actually, I lay out a formula for describing personality that outlines three main traits, so I’ll go with those. They are being unique, authentic and talkable. In Chapter three, I put these together into what I call the UAT filter (I’m sure you can figure the acronym out) and talk about how they can be used to find and define your organization’s personality.

Marketing expert, social media guru, and mega-trendsetter Rohit Bhargava explains how faceless companies don’t work anymore. In a world where consumers have more access to information than ever, and more power to share their voice…a brand’s identity is no longer controlled through marketing and advertising. In this new era, what you say your brand stands for is no longer good enough. What you demonstrate to your customers matters most. This is the power of your personality. Personality Not Included is an essential guide for brands on putting back the missing ingredient in their marketing to build loyal customers, foster consumer (and employee) evangelists, and create a connection that goes beyond profit. The future of business requires new authenticity. Personality is the secret weapon that brings authentic brands to life.

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Posted by toddand | Filed Under Authors+Books, Marketing

Will You Support My Sister?

March 27, 2008 | 46 Comments

A heartfelt note to my readers: I’ve been blogging for almost two years and have written more than 500 posts for your entertainment. Today, I ask for your help.

The Story

This is my sister, Tricia. Last Thursday, March 20, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer called invasive lobular carcinoma. With absolutely no history of cancer in our family, this came as a huge shock.

Yesterday, we learned that the cancer is in both breasts, so Tricia will have a bilateral mastectomy on Saturday - 36 hours from now - to surgically remove both. It’s a seven-hour operation that will be followed with a comprehensive and overwhelming menu of treatments - chemo, hormone therapy, radiation, etc.

This evening, I asked Tricia if she’d mind me posting something on my blog. She encouraged me to share her story in hopes that anyone reading will take the time to do a self exam and take the proper precautionary steps - even the men because they can get it too!

Years of treatment are ahead as well as many added costs associated with battling breast cancer (i.e., medical expenses related to surgery, hospital care, doctors visits, prescriptions as well as wigs/headwraps, travel, lost work time, etc.).

To Help

I’ve thrown together a blog - 4tricia.com - to help raise money for my sister and provide her with an outlet for communicating with family and friends.

This is my sister who watched over me growing up - taught me how to ride a two-wheeler, healed my scrapes and bruises, and packed picnics in the backyard with me. Now, like everyone else in my family, I feel helpless. I’m hoping to raise a few extra dollars for her to put toward all the new costs and help - even in the slightest - to ease the new financial burden. The more I can get her mind off the stresses of money and onto killing the cancer with positive thoughts, the better.

That said, all I ask is that you keep Tricia in your thoughts and prayers this weekend and for the foreseeable future. If you feel inclined to provide further support (even if it’s just $2), please visit 4tricia.com - you’ll see three options for how you can help. The big spenders may be interested in the icon sponsorship that runs $300/lifetime.

As incentive to raise extra funds, any reader who contributes more than $1 via paypal, check, t-shirt purchase or icon sponsorship BEFORE April 6 will be entered into a raffle to win one of the following prizes: an official first-edition Power 150 t-shirt, a silver engraved Power 150 pen, Tricia t-shirt, and $25 iTunes gift card. I should be able to keep track of all contributions, but just to be safe, please email me a quick note after you’ve made a donation and I’ll make sure you’re entered. On the evening of April 6, I’ll pick four winners for each of the prizes and blog the results here.

Again, beyond donations, please keep Tricia in your thoughts and prayers. If you like, here is the 4tricia.com logo, which you’re welcome to display and link to her site as a display of support.

Thanks for your help!

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Posted by toddand | Filed Under Random

Age of Sharing Industry Secrets, Manifestos, Tactics, Tragedies and More

March 27, 2008 | 3 Comments

In 2007, more than 100 authors - from 10 countries and four continents - joined forces to write The Age of Conversation, a book about emerging media and marketing. I was one of those co-authors.

Social Computing Magazine called it an “e-blockbuster.” Business Week said “Little did we know that social media would soon begin to tie us together digitally in ways that we are only just now beginning to understand. That’s why a new book called The Age of Conversation may be important to comprehending what’s going on in our society, economy and even polity today.”

If you don’t own a copy of the original, please consider ordering one this Sunday, March 29 from this Amazon link. Dozens of bloggers around the net are promoting that purchase date in order to push the book up the Amazon charts. As a reminder, all book proceeds go to Variety, the children’s charity.

In 2008, the sequel will hit the shelves. This time, nearly 300 authors - experts of all walks - will collaborate on what will likely be the most massive authorship undertaking in history. We’re talking Guinness Book baby! I’m honored to be participating again.

The sequel’s theme is “Why don’t they get it?” and will include manifestos, secrets, transitions, tactics, ideas, tragedies, business concepts and life stories. Stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime, here are the 275 co-authors:

Adam Crowe, Adrian Ho, Aki Spicer, Alex Henault, Amy Jussel, Andrew Odom, Andy Nulman, Andy Sernovitz, Andy Whitlock, Angela Maiers, Ann Handley, Anna Farmery, Armando Alves, Arun Rajagopal, Asi Sharabi, Becky Carroll, Becky McCray, Bernie Scheffler, Bill Gammell, Bob Carlton, Bob LeDrew, Brad Shorr, Bradley Spitzer, Brandon Murphy, Branislav Peric, Brent Dixon, Brett Macfarlane, Brian Reich, C.C. Chapman, Cam Beck, Casper Willer, Cathleen Rittereiser, Cathryn Hrudicka, Cedric Giorgi, Charles Sipe, Chris Kieff, Chris Cree, Chris Wilson, Christina Kerley (CK), C.B. Whittemore, Clay Parker Jones, Chris Brown, Colin McKay, Connie Bensen, Connie Reece, Cord Silverstein, Corentin Monot, Craig Wilson, Daniel Honigman, Dan Goldstein, Dan Schawbel, Dana VanDen Heuvel, Dan Sitter, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Darren Herman, Darryl Patterson, Dave Davison, Dave Origano, David Armano, David Bausola, David Berkowitz, David Brazeal, David Koopmans, David Meerman Scott, David Petherick, David Reich, David Weinfeld, David Zinger, Deanna Gernert, Deborah Brown, Dennis Price, Derrick Kwa, Dino Demopoulos, Doug Haslam, Doug Meacham, Doug Mitchell, Douglas Hanna, Douglas Karr, Drew McLellan, Duane Brown, Dustin Jacobsen, Dylan Viner, Ed Brenegar, Ed Cotton, Efrain Mendicuti, Ellen Weber, Emily Reed, Eric Peterson, Eric Nehrlich, Ernie Mosteller, Faris Yakob, Fernanda Romano, Francis Anderson, G. Kofi Annan, Gareth Kay, Gary Cohen, Gaurav Mishra, Gavin Heaton, Geert Desager, George Jenkins, G.L. Hoffman, Gianandrea Facchini, Gordon Whitehead, Graham Hill, Greg Verdino, Gretel Going & Kathryn Fleming, Hillel Cooperman, Hugh Weber, J. Erik Potter, J.C. Hutchins, James Gordon-Macintosh, Jamey Shiels, Jasmin Tragas, Jason Oke, Jay Ehret, Jeanne Dininni, Jeff De Cagna, Jeff Gwynne, Jeff Noble, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Jenny Meade, Jeremy Fuksa, Jeremy Heilpern, Jeremy Middleton, Jeroen Verkroost, Jessica Hagy, Joanna Young, Joe Pulizzi, Joe Talbott, John Herrington, John Jantsch, John Moore, John Rosen, John Todor, Jon Burg, Jon Swanson, Jonathan Trenn, Jordan Behan, Julie Fleischer, Justin Flowers, Justin Foster, Karl Turley, Kate Trgovac, Katie Chatfield, Katie Konrath, Kenny Lauer, Keri Willenborg, Kevin Jessop, Kris Hoet, Krishna De, Kristin Gorski, Laura Fitton, Laurence Helene Borei, Lewis Green, Lois Kelly, Lori Magno, Louise Barnes-Johnston, Louise Mangan, Louise Manning, Luc Debaisieux, Marcus Brown, Mario Vellandi, Mark Blair, Mark Earls, Mark Goren, Mark Hancock, Mark Lewis, Mark McGuinness, Mark McSpadden, Matt Dickman, Matt J. McDonald, Matt Moore, Michael Hawkins, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michelle Lamar, Mike Arauz, Mike McAllen, Mike Sansone, Mitch Joel, Monica Wright, Nathan Gilliatt, Nathan Snell, Neil Perkin, Nettie Hartsock, Nick Rice, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Ozgur Alaz, Paul Chaney, Paul Hebert, Paul Isakson, Paul Marobella, Paul McEnany, Paul Tedesco, Paul Williams, Pet Campbell, Pete Deutschman, Peter Corbett, Phil Gerbyshak, Phil Lewis, Phil Soden, Piet Wulleman, Rachel Steiner, Sreeraj Menon, Reginald Adkins, Richard Huntington, Rishi Desai, Beeker Northam, Rob Mortimer, Robert Hruzek, Roberta Rosenberg, Robyn McMaster, Roger von Oech, Rohit Bhargava, Ron Shevlin, Ryan Barrett, Ryan Karpeles, Ryan Rasmussen, Sam Huleatt, Sandy Renshaw, Scott Goodson, Scott Monty, Scott Townsend, Scott White, Sean Howard, Sean Scott, Seni Thomas, Seth Gaffney, Shama Hyder, Sheila Scarborough, Sheryl Steadman, Simon Payn, Sonia Simone, Spike Jones, Stanley Johnson, Stephen Collins, Stephen Cribbett, Stephen Landau, Stephen Smith, Steve Bannister, Steve Hardy, Steve Portigal, Steve Roesler, Steven Verbruggen, Steve Woodruff, Sue Edworthy, Susan Bird, Susan Gunelius, Susan Heywood, Tammy Lenski, Terrell Meek, Thomas Clifford, Thomas Knoll, Tiffany Kenyon, Tim Brunelle, Tim Buesing, Tim Connor, Tim Jackson, Tim Longhurst, Tim Mannveille, Tim Tyler, Timothy Johnson, Tinu Abayomi-Paul, Toby Bloomberg, Todd Andrlik, Troy Rutter, Troy Worman, Uwe Hook, Valeria Maltoni, Vandana Ahuja, Vanessa DiMauro, Veronique Rabuteau, Wayne Buckhanan, William Azaroff, Yves Van Landeghem