Yesterday, I was inspired by a Seth Godin post about taking on more responsibility.

I remember back to my political organizing days, when I helped build party grassroots organizations for a living. If I had a dollar for every local county chairman who wanted power and clout by virtue of their political title… They would most often say something like “Hey, I am the Smith County Republican Chairman, dammit. The governor should seek my counsel on decisions just because I am the chairman!”

Doesn’t happen this way. Power, respect, influence, or as Godin cites, authority, doesn’t come from titles. It comes from doing. Shipping. Delivering. Taking action.

Inevitably, when I came across a local party chairman who uttered those words to me, and whined because he had no respect, I would respond “well, if you build a party machine that actually delivers votes and consistently wins elections for local candidates, you will get all the power and respect you can handle!”

Of course, that wasn’t easy. And it took a lot of work. It wasn’t something many were willing to do. They just wanted to get the power they wanted by virtue of the title.

And that’s why most people fail.

In his post, Godin suggests the best way to get authority is not by your title, it is by taking on more responsibility. Like my party chairman above, it takes work and effort to get the power, authority, respect and influence that you want.

And if you really step back and think about it, it really just comes down to taking action. Deciding to move forward. Doing. You don’t even have to achieve success every time.

Key thing is? Most people don’t take the first step. They don’t want more responsibility. They want the easy way. They want the title, and then they want the respect that comes from the title…

Instead…try these things:

1. As Godin suggests, volunteer for new responsibility. Just doing this sets you apart from most.

2. Just do it. Several people marveled at my e-book project. Nothing to it. I just decided to undertake the project.

3. Write about it. Use a blog to share what you know and serve others.

4. Help others. Taking action to help others succeed, makes you succeed. [btw...this makes you influential]

5. Relish being held accountable. Take responsibility for your actions and those of your team. Ultimately, you will be in an organization that appreciates this. This is where leaders are born…

So just do it. Volunteer for a new task today. You will take a giant leap in becoming a little more influential in your organization!

What do you think?

[photo from dbking on flickr]

Had a cool guest on the radio show the other day. Her name was Monique Honaman. She is an author and a successful business consultant.

She made a key point, on the show, that people WANT to help. All you have to do is ask them. And most folks, as is their nature, will step up and do what needs to be done…

Problem is? Most of us don’t ever ask for help… Why?

1. Are we afraid of being turned down?
2. Does it seems selfish to ask for help?
3. Does it make us appear weak, and not up to snuff?
4. Maybe we are selfish, and secretly don’t want to be asked for help in return?

I don’t know. But the point is, we go through life building a network of people. Cultivating relationships with people who matter to us. Investing time building community with our social networks on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Why do we do this? And what is the point of doing all that building if you are NOT going to enlist them for help? [unless you are doing it just to have fake, inflated counts of followers to show off...in which case you are fooling yourself...]

I recently launched a new project. I asked 40 of my closest friends to help me write an e-book with the soul purpose of providing some edgy, helpful, practical advice to young people just starting out in their life and career… The response was overwhelming. [you can find the details of the book here]

At first, I wasn’t sure people would be interested. I worried they wouldn’t have the time. But in the end, I learned two key points: One, these are my friends, and they were willing to help me. And two, they were (perhaps more so) willing to offer a hand to help others (in this case, the young folks the book is written for).

As a young fellow, I used to shy away from asking for help. I am in the camp that used to worry that asking for help made me appear weak. Funny thing what a little age does for you, because I now know that asking for help makes me appear stronger!

Still unsure of this? Not sure how and when to ask for help. Here are just a few ideas…

1. Ask for ideas on what to blog about.

2. Ask for suggestions on what books to read.

3. Invite someone to lunch, and ask for their opinion. On anything that matters.

4. Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Ask for their perspective on things.

5. Do some Jerry Maguire. Ask friends to “help me help you.”

6. Ask colleagues about some good events/conferences/learning opportunities to attend.

7. Got writer’s block? Invite a friend to coffee, and talk it through.

8. Brimming with new business ideas, but sure how to proceed. Take an associate/mentor to dinner, and get their take on it. You will quickly learn what ideas have merit.

9. Stuck on a problem at work? We all are…every day. Collaborate. Crowdsource. It changes everything.

10. Asking people for help naturally opens up opportunities for you to help in return. In whatever way. And this process, of communicating with each other, and helping each other, is what makes the world go round…

At the end of the day, you will feel good about connecting with another human being. You will make them feel good about being able to help you. You will expand your learning, in some way, shape, or form. [You'll help them learn too...] You will become a better person, and this makes you a stronger presence in your marketplace.

So, ask not what you can do for yourself, ask what your friends can do to make the world around us a better place…for everyone concerned.

What do you think?

[image from h.koppdelaney on flickr]

Using Foursquare, Todd has checked-in to his local Publix 60 times, without hearing so much as a peep. He will blog after every check-in until he gets recognized as a loyal customer. In the meantime, he will offer some ideas free of charge on how they might use Foursquare. Join the Watch!

[Read the entire thirteen-piece series!]

Thirty check-ins after it started, and still no word. But no worries…the watch will continue!

By now, most people seriously wonder about my whacked grocery shopping habits. As you are probably aware, I go multiple times a week, and only purchase a few items on a given trip (instead of going once a week, and filling two shopping carts with stuff).

It is the shopper who runs into the store for a few items that I am thinking about now…

I wish there was a section in the front of the store containing the most popular items, such as milk, eggs, bread, or in my case, wine.

Something similar to the section of my local store pictured here (I took this shot from the check-out line). You can create a mini-convenient store section, coupled with a simple check-in station for all your geolocation users…

Todd’s FREE Foursquare Tip For Publix!: Why not incent people who make these quick trips into a grocery store to come to Publix? By checking-in on Foursquare, you can reward them by giving them a discount on their purchase, a free cup of coffee or soft drink, or by giving them a special coupon only provided to Foursquare users.

As in, “Hey honey, I stopped at Publix to get the milk, and I got a coupon for $15 off for any purchases over $75!” Or something like that?

Make it easy for your customers to get the common standard items they need quickly, but also reward them for being loyal customers and checking-in on Foursquare!

What other Foursquare/geolocation ideas do YOU have for Publix?

Doing this causes me angst...

You clearly know that you are NOT allowed to put it IN my mailbox, so why do you think it is cool to tape it to the outside?

Look, I advocate people to become Intrepid marketers…And I love business people who practice guerrilla tactics! But in my opinion, this isn’t one of them…

This method is just aggravating and frustrating. Interrupting me by making me deal with that flyer and tape (and removing paint from my mailbox) are, in fact, going to remove me from your list of potential customers…

[Disclosure: This post also applies to those who insert business cards into small baggies, along with a rock to weigh it down, and toss it onto the foot of my driveway as you are going down the street...]

So, let’s assume that you have carefully and thoughtfully identified my house as a real target for your business (and not just drove down my street and paid your mother-in-law to tape collateral to people’s mailboxes). Here are some other ways I’d reach out to these households:

1. There is this thing called the U.S. Postal Service. Create some really good direct mail – that articulates a simple message – solves a problem/fulfills a need – contains a very simple call to action. Direct mail, done right, targeted well, still works…

2. But if an extensive direct response mail program is not in your budget, break down your mailing list into smaller universes (get real guerrilla – down to the street), and send them handwritten notes, and insert a business card. The handwritten note BLOWS PEOPLE AWAY. “Hey Todd, I was on your street the other day, and noticed your roof might have some hail damage…would love 5 minutes to show you what I mean…”

3. Target a specific street, ID the right households, and snap a digital shot of the house. Go back to your office, and use a service like SendOutCards, and send me a personalized note using the photo of my home…

4. Knock on my door. Actually make an effort to chat with me. If I am not at home, leave a handwritten note on a piece of your collateral. I have NEVER had a small business service person knock on my door before (just candidates, religious folks, and the kid next door who’s mother wasn’t home yet…and she wanted to watch TV…).

5. Use social media to connect with me. Build groups (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) around tight geographical locations. Build a little community around a location. Yes, it is doable. It just takes a little thinking, a little creativity, and a wee bit of effort… But that’s got to be a better use of your time than driving down random streets tossing rocks out your car window…

6. Form a neighborhood mastermind association. If you fix and install roofs, form a little group in a targeted geographical area, network with other home improvement specialists, invite (by both direct mail and social media) area households to participate in a group discussion on ways to fix and improve their home. See who shows up. Might be a neat way to build some new relationships, land some new business, and get people talking…

Just a few ideas. Trust me, I appreciate that small businesses, operating on tight budgets, are looking for ways to get attention. I just don’t think being a nuisance, and taping something to my mailbox, is the best way to get it.

Think of some creative ways to connect with people. Yeah, you might be able to “reach” more households with the drive-by taped collateral strategy, but methinks you are far better off focusing on creative ways to connect with a more highly targeted audience…

What do you think?

Running the NYC Marathon is on my Bucket List

To be honest, I have not seen the film The Bucket List.

But I trust you know what I mean by a “bucket list…” Things/experiences you want to accomplish in your life before you kick the bucket… There is even a Squidoo page on the subject…

I’ve read countless posts and articles about the power and motivational spirit generated by creating your very own “bucket list.”

So, I decided to not only write out my own “bucket list,” but also to make it public!

Knowing my bucket list may interest you… Or it may not…

But in thinking more on this subject, and going through a list of a dozen or so of my closest friends, I would actually LOVE to know what their bucket list would look like…

1. This enables me to really get to know someone I care about…

2. Perhaps, just perhaps, I can help them achieve one of their dreams…

3. The kind of person who would publish this list publicly? Is a kind of person I want to know!

4. I know they have courage. And perhaps, a little pizzaz…

5. If a sales prospect I am interacting with made present their bucket list? Wow! That gives me some cool insights on ways to further develop a relationship with them, and perhaps build up more trust to do some business…

6. What a cool way to add some color and texture to your personal brand! Knowing your dreams and goals can really impact the shape and context with which someone views you and your personal brand…

I’d encourage you to write about – publicly – your dreams, aspirations, goals, and your bucket list. This makes you more human, approachable, knowable, and trustworthy. Even if you don’t make it public, you are a fool to NOT commit your dreams to paper. Writing them down makes them real. And, quite frankly, more attainable…

So what do you think? Are “bucket lists” things people should publish on their online presence? Does it strengthen their person brand? What do you think?

Live Intrepid!

[photo my martineric from flickr]

Using Foursquare, Todd has checked-in to his local Publix 56 times, without hearing so much as a peep. He will blog after every check-in until he gets recognized as a loyal customer. In the meantime, he will offer some ideas free of charge on how they might use Foursquare. Join the Watch!

[Read the entire twelve-piece series!]

Two things happened this week that have frustrated me…

One, early in the week, I lost my Publix Mayoralty. Again. This time, to a new individual. Her name is Jen M… But then, a few days later, I reclaimed the title…

So I am obviously in a battle with a few folks for this title at my local store…this is GREAT for Publix. Sadly, they apparently have NO idea. But THREE people have been the Foursquare Mayor of Publix over the last two weeks. I don’t think they have ANY idea how great this is for them.

The possibilities for this store are ENDLESS…. But we’ll get into that down the road…

The second thing that bothered me was this. After I left Publix, I walked into my local Starbucks (which is connected to the Publix), checked-in, and claimed the title of Mayor! Yay! I then proceeded to ask the lady what that actually meant…

She looked at me as if I was smoking something. She’d never even heard of it. Which, I must say, isn’t all that surprising. And yet, as I recall, at one point Starbucks has offered some benefits to their Mayors.

She kindly went to see her manager, and when she came back, she said “well, it means, like, well, you’re king of the mountain, or something…”

Hmmm. The manager knew what I was talking about. Clearly, and described it to this staffer in such a way that communicated “I don’t care what he’s asking you, tell that pain in the ass to get out of our way…”

Or at least that’s how I interpreted it…

Todd’s FREE Publix Starbucks Foursquare Tip: Even if you are NOT – at that exact moment in time – offering a specific Foursquare check-in special…when a guy claims to have just been ordained as the new Mayor, and a FRICKIN’ MANAGER is asked about it…

As the manager, I would walk out to the guy, shake his hand, thank him for his business, and offer the poor dude a small coffee or something… Or ask him if he wants a free sample of a food item… Or at least say, “Hey! We are really glad to see you!”

That kind of message would sustain me for days… And Lord knows I would tell someone about it.

But at least open your mind to the possibilities… You were SPOON FED a chance to recognize a good customer (by definition, your Foursquare Mayor has BEEN THERE BEFORE and will LIKELY COME BACK AGAIN…), and to express your appreciation… And. They. Blew. It.

What other Foursquare/geolocation ideas do YOU have for Publix? Or Starbucks? Sigh…

I conducted an exercise with a client the other day. In my attempts to get her blogging more often, I was getting the “I don’t know what to write about” excuse.

So, I said, “we aren’t doing anything else until you write down FIVE ideas.” I shut up, and I just sat there. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, but ultimately, she banged out five ideas (which lead to more ideas) in just a matter of several minutes…

You see, all it takes is to consciously think for just a few moments… Is blogging really that simple? Are most people just not even devoting a few minutes to think?

Well, shifting topics…I am always talking about the importance of serving others, or as I usually say, “serve first, sell second.” When I mention this topic to people, I often get a similar response, “I just don’t know what I can do to help people.”

I suspect they just aren’t thinking hard enough here either…

I suspect a good portion of the time, that phrase masks their deeper concern, which is time must be spent selling their products or services, and that if they don’t invest that time, their competitor will – and win the business.

But I believe, sincerely, that operating from a service mentality will pay dividends, to you, your brand, and your business. Here are just FIVE ideas to consider daily:

1. Devote 10 minutes to coming up with FIVE ideas to help out your friends, customers, and prospects.
2. On Twitter, don’t do ANYTHING else until you Retweet the good works of at least FIVE others.
3. Grow bigger ears, and listen to the social web (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) for people describing their problems and issues – and offer solutions.
4. Identify an online forum or two in your space, and be an active participant. Answer questions dutifully.
5. Heck, launch an e-book project where you can feature/promote/spotlight a BUNCH of your friends!

The key to success here? Consciously devoting some time – WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS – to conceiving ways to be helpful – and be of service – to others. Just set aside a few minutes a day to this effort. I think you’ll come to understand that these few minutes invested will pay off significant dividends… There are no more important ways to distinguish yourself, or be more memorable, than this idea…

What do you think? Any other ideas?

[please consider voting for our SXSW panel - Shine A Light On Others And Build Your Brand:]

[cartoon by @gapingvoid]

More details to come, but I have some exciting news…

I had the pleasure to team up with Robyn Cobb and Jenny DeVaughn to submit a panel for South by Southwest Interactive in March 2011.

Pleased to report that our submission has been accepted to the next level…the panel picker process! This is where the community, people like you, can go to the SXSW website and vote for the panels you want to see in Austin next spring.

Excited that ours has made the cut!

I will write a bunch more about our topic, but our proposed submission focuses on how to shine a light on others, and in so doing, strengthening YOUR personal brand.

We talk a lot on this website about serving others, and I wrote this just last week on the Dreamland site. But serving first, selling last is a great way to go to market.

1. Sharing the work of others.
2. Offering support and assistance without expecting anything in return.
3. Making referrals.
4. Serving your competition (and thus not having any)…
5. Helping solve problems in your community.
6. Connecting people joyously.
7. Using your social web presence to engage, not sell.
8. Teaching others what you’ve learned…sharing best practices.
9. Making the world a better place by using your network to share and support the good works of others.
10. Giving credit where it is due. As in, many thanks to Robyn Cobb for spearheading this effort!

These are just some of things we will talk about, and will blog about over the coming weeks. And we will give you details about how you can support our panel submission.

Thanks for your support! And thanks again Robyn!

Using Foursquare, Todd has checked-in to his local Publix 50 times, without hearing so much as a peep. He will blog after every check-in until he gets recognized as a loyal customer. In the meantime, he will offer some ideas free of charge on how they might use Foursquare. Join the Watch!

[Read the entire eleven-piece series!]

Mission Accomplished!

I have successfully reclaimed my Mayor-ship on my 50th check-in! [How appropriate that it occur on the 50th...]

But like George Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech, this celebration is probably a bit premature as well…

Because I still haven’t received any kind of acknowledgment from my local Publix. You will recall I started my Foursquare watch following my 30th check-in. And. still. nothing.

20 check-ins later…

Sad thing is, I actually had to compete pretty hard to get my title back. Took me six check-ins – after I all but guaranteed getting it back. So, the gentlemen with whom I am competing gave me a good run.

Can you imagine what would happen if Publix actually cared about people like us? And being Mayor actually meant something? Publix had the scenario originally envisioned by Foursquare…heated competition for Mayor.

As I reflect on this, I am left to wonder…why isn’t Publix doing anything about this, let alone responding to someone like me?

1. Does the local store manager not care?

2. Does corporate control and dictate all marketing outreach like this?

3. Does Publix not care about the social web?

4. Does Publix not understand the social web?

5. Does Publix take crazy customers like me for granted?

I hope not. And that’s the point of this watch: to bring awareness of the possibilities to large organizations like Publix…

Todd’s FREE Publix Foursquare Tip: Simple lesson for large organizations with multiple locations: Empower each individual store to take the initiative and get creative with outreach with their most important customers. Don’t let headquarters dictate actions from far, far away…

What other Foursquare/geolocation ideas do YOU have for Publix?

Yesterday I published a post about the dangers of making your customers wait. Read it here.

My dear friend, and loyal reader, Mark Walker of Integrity Solutions, wrote me back on this with his thoughts. His full note is published below (with his permission).

Here is a pet peeve of mine regarding “waiting.” Ever try to call someone to see if they might be a prospect for your goods or services? You get their automated attendant. After listening to the menu (one minute+) you don’t hear a suitable option. So you press “0” and the automated attendant starts all over. You get into a “loop” which will never end. All options lead back to the automated attendant system, not a live person.

You never want people to think poorly of you, unnecessarily. That sales person trying to reach your purchasing department might be the daughter of a potential major account CEO.

Right on Mark. Thanks for taking the time to write me back on this.

What do you think?

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[cartoon by @gapingvoid]