Commentary

Job Advice – Showing Up

by dldamore

A huge portion of success is showing up. Some people think that they are better off not showing up. That is a strategy that will lead to failure. When you don’t show up, you are seen as unreliable and as a liability.  It actually creates barriers to your success. People will not do anything for you if you build up a reputation like this (Exception: They will recommend you not be considered for a job or promotion).

Showing up means a lot, even if you are not the best. Once people know your strengths and weaknesses they will compensate for your weaknesses and help your utilize your strengths. Most people you work with will want to see you succeed.

Show up, it might be the best decision you ever make.

The Story: Create Opportunities by Engagement

by dldamore

How can you leverage your work to meet new people? If you’re a blogger or create videos, some of the best new material will come from the most unlikely sources. If you are curious and open to new ideas, you’ll encounter fascinating people to write about or film.

via Web Ink Now: I love Fargo, ND in winter! What do you love?.

While checking RSS feeds in Google Reader, I came to a bunch of recent posts by David Meerman Scott and came across the passage above. It really hits on something. You can find interesting people everywhere. Engage with people more often to find great stories. The ones that are remarkable and worth documenting in some way are waiting to be shared. Ways to share might include, writing, podcasting or video.

Lesson: Meet people. Let them bring their story to you.

This is why tweetups are such a powerful opportunity. Serendipity can make magic.

*This post is more about creating opportunities to meet people than it is about leveraging your work.

Pricing: Book + Ebook

by dldamore

 

ScreenClip(6)

For just $4 more one gets the Ebook. Buy both and it’s like getting a $6 discount. You could also look at it as Buy the Ebook and for just $10 more getting a physical copy of the book. Shipping is $5. Special Priority shipping is $10.

$6 discount / $25 discounted cost = a savings of 24% for buying both.

For $25 I ordered both the book and Ebook. It is unclear how one gets the Ebook. There was no download included at checkout. That part of the story is to be continued.

Coffee Shop Mentioned in Book Naked Conversations

by dldamore

002

In the book Naked Conversations, (p. 81) the coffee shop Victor’s Celtic Coffee Company was listed as being the top result for a Google search. It was a favorite coffee shop for coauthor, Robert Scoble. His blog and links to his post gave it a lot of Google Juice. So much so, that it is still the top result for ‘coffee redmond, wa’ even today. They also undoubtedly have a great product. One that is remarkable and worth talking about.

Skype and Qik Sitting in a Tree …

by dldamore

Around mid day on Thursday (1/6/2011) there were rumors floating around that Skype (an Internet telephony, instant messaging and video chat client) would be acquiring Qik (a live streaming video technology service). Apparently this was more than a rumor (See Mashable). This will make an interesting marriage.

Could see Skype creating live video channels that use Qik to stream and store data (AKA: Programs). Skype may integrate it with their IM client as well.

A few thoughts:

  • Favorite shows. This would allow for later viewing.
  • Recording of live chats (people use Skype for creating video netcasts, see TWiT and Andrew Warner interviews on his Mixergy site.)
  • The ability to chat and share a stream in real-time with friends.

Book Retail Market Share

by dldamore

Borders had an estimated 8.1% of retail sales of new printed books in 2010, compared to 22.5% for Amazon.com Inc., and 17.3% for Barnes & Noble, according to estimates from the Institute for Publishing Research, run by Fordham University Prof. Albert N. Greco.

via Borders Wants Suppliers to Accept Longer-Term IOUs – WSJ.com.

What go my attention in the section above is that Barnes and Noble is only 5.2% behind Amazon.com in market share for new printed books. Would have thought Amazon would have 30-40% market share and hacve a significant lead over other retailers.

Snippet on Reading: Article | Is Reading Really at Risk?

by dldamore

“Reading at Risk” breaks down its readers into Light (reading 1-5 books a year), Moderate (6-11 books a year), Frequent (12-49 books a year), and Avid (50 or more books)

via Article | Is Reading Really at Risk?.

Came across the article and snippet above while researching how many books a person reads per year.  The average is around three or four. Depending on if you count the people who read zero books.

Currently I’m a frequent reader (completed 30 in 2010). Would really like to be an avid reader. Shooting for 60 books completed this year.