Pssss – Follow me over here – My new home

I had a great meeting yesterday with Linda Hughes and I learned a lot about little details. I am usually good with the details from an operational standpoint but by golly… that Linda is like a machine. That is my compliment of the day… there will be one every day moving forward as I try to promote a happier environment.

Why Linda gets the compliment…

I have switched over from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. I thought it was simply a move from .com to .org and as I go deeper and deeper into the switch I realize why everyone else’s blog is cooler than mine. I feel like I have done a good job at holding it together but this is what just happened when the switch occurred…

Remember math class?

I remember sitting there learning all of these math rules and tactics and whatnot just to be shown that you can solve the problem in an easier way. There are two schools of thought on this and both are valid so I will write two sentences about each, show you the new blog and we can call it a day.

Learn the Hard Way- The benefit is the ability to fix what is broken when it breaks and that is a valuable skill. The problem is the time it might take to self-teach so efficiency is built through practice.

Take the Easy Way and Hire Out – The benefit is the opposite initially because you pay to have something done and hopefully it gets done while you are working on your part. The downside is the lack of control, understanding, and time that it takes to get up to speed.

The solution, at least for me…

Just like math class; learn the fundamentals and then if you love keep going. If you find tasks to be more under the umbrella of a co-worker, partner, etc. then feel comfortable with the fact that you have done it before. “Yeah, I built a blog and I never want to do it again. You walk away with two things… the ability to build a blog and a better idea of how to manage someone else next time. I enjoy learning and part of the process is finding out what to pursue and what to manage or even hand off to someone else. There is that collaboration thing again.

The blog swap

As I stated about I am now on wordpress.org taking the www.jwconsultingco.wordpress.comsite and integrating it into my website. I never thought it was important and now that I have messed around in the .org side I have seen the light. Better plug in and more information, the ability to use Google analytics, and just an overall easier experience. With all that being said, if I did not spend time on the .com side of WordPress, it might have been harder to jump right in. Now I feel like a power user that did not realize there is an extra turbo on that engine.

My Blog’s New Home @ www.jwconsultingco.com/blog

Of Course Jon Has Something to Say – The End of an Era

The best part is the Japanese Signature

It is over and I have been made whole. Sony did it and I have no ill feelings based on the result of my long drawn out laptop problem. Do you see that check above? Sony paid the difference between my old machine and the replacement because it was the right thing to do and they did it.

Thank you to Sony, my readers, and anyone else that has learned a lesson from my problems.

Twitter is a customer service resolution tool and I have proven the point.

How Fast Can You Work – Video Parking Lot Chat

Of Course Jon Has Something to Say – Support the Important Things!

I have found out a lot about Social Media and have drawn a few conclusions based on tactics and results. In my previous blog I wrote about how twitter is a great customer service tool and I now for the next test. This is one of those tests that even a tiny response is successful because it mean that there is support.

This morning I went about my normal routine of starting the computer, checking email, signing on to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so on just to see the landscape for the day. Jim Burnett, a former co-worker and hopefully once again at some point had a posting that struck a nerve…

I remember sitting in my house that day and seeing this on the news. Denver is a small place and run into people everywhere but don’t always realize that it also means being connected to others that are connected to misfortune. Today I am trying to see how many people read my blog, not for my benefit, for that of this cause.

This is worth 3 minutes of your time…

Watch the video below and see what Ellen and John-Michael Keyes have created and see how you feel about the initiative. I have kids and everyone knows some, or a teachers, custodian, administrator, or anyone else associated with the school system. Safety is the first thing we need and much like what I carp about in data.. consistency is key. If everyone knows what to do then there is a better chance for a good outcome.

Find our more here

Of Course Jon Has Something to Say – Twitter’s Purpose (to me)

Twitter is this and that and can make the world change and blah blah blah. Well I did not know too much about Twitter a few months ago and now I think I found the best use. As a core member of the team that put on another successful Angel Capital Summit, I learned a lot about Twitter due to the amount of use by team members. Those of you that know Linda Hughes know that she is a Twithlete. Linda can get the word out, over, in, and around anything you need. I don’t have a huge following and that is partly user error. I was given the opportunity to learn more and I stopped being a good student as I became busier with other aspects of my role.

FYI, I love this movie and the guy dancing around in the background in a bunch of scenes reminds me of Mr. Paul… my high school accounting teacher.  

Collaboration again…

I retweeted a number of different tweets from people like @iempoweru, @intlentreprenr @LynnKoves @blkdogstategic and many others. There are a lot of people with a lot to say and that leave everyone reading and writing and so on… The point is that Twitter is another means to an end for communicating and should in no way replace anything. It is actually a nice enhancement, sort of like a turbo. Punch it if you need to and a well build machine can produce a nice spike in traffic. So that’s me on Twitter marketing.

The point… Sometime it takes me so long

Twitter is an amazing customer service tool, both on the consumer and industry side. My issues with Sony gave me a great case study on Twitter and the new consumer power. I did not sit down and accept the rules put into place by the manufacturer since they are not fair to the consumer. I do not want to go into the details and you can feel free to read all about it in earlier posts. The reason for the blog is the great response and resolution that occurred once the right people had their feathers ruffled. I owe this to Twitter because once I diplomatically tweeted about my disappointment, @SonyListens responded. When they over promised, which probably would not have been a problem if I was not already ticked off with the handling of the situation, it might have been different. They do not like bad press and Twitter is apparently press these days.

There you go…

Twitter is part of the new press, Have good customer service because people will talk and as they say… The lunatics are taking over the asylum. The press is no longer the press and even the so-called legitimate news channels and programs include some sort of Twitter segment. Jimmy Fallon does a good one and CNN does an interesting job of telling people what the tweeters at home are saying… PRESS.

It’ll Be Done Real Soon – Parking Lot Chat

Good ideas come from smart people that have proven success and I met a lot of them earlier this week. I have put my workshop up with mood music and a few people have watched but I think you l deserve more…

Well I don’t want to ruin anything by making you read more because I just recorded my first

Video Parking Lot Chat…

 

Thank you Sony – The Changing of the Pancake (twitter works)

 

Sony has done what they needed to turn the sad pancake happy

The Result… 

Sony is sending a box and I am giving them back the old computer. Sony will then send me a new computer that is the updated model of my current unit. This is all I wanted and unfortunately it was an uphill battle, however, the battle is obviously worth it since I will be made whole as a result of the effort.

Thank you for the response and the final decision once I started dealing with the right people. Also, thank you to those that read my rants, supported the cause, and respect the customer service process.

The Big Event is Upon Us – Parking Lot Chat

I was checking my email in the parking lot and received a message from Kevin Johansen, who if you don’t know, he is the founder of the Angel Capital Summit and CEO of the Business Catapult. This guy has kept me busy and in exchange I have learned a lot, educated some, and have a huge opportunity to network, gain exposure and become a better entrepreneur.

I just got my ticket and it is an honor to have it and I am excited. I am teaching a workshop on finding your target audience and there are many others with expertise in various arenas. I would have to try really hard not to learn something with a group like this years’ 2010 Chairs, Coaches, Instructors, Executive Committee Members, and of course the Entrepreneur, Investors, and Advisors.

It would be great if you attended as well, if you have the time. I have discount for you, a website to register, and the promise of a great event. I even have Dr. Slammy Smith involved since his recent opportunity came up.

The code…

 ACSPART-4973 This code will cut the $119 (pretty inexpensive already) price to $99 

The workshops…

We have great workshops that span a number of subjects. I highly recommend the Database Marketing one that I am teaching and it is a good time so you can attend plenty of others too. I just looked at the schedule and it seems the latest is that I am at the same time as Chris Roberts. He puts on a good show; I have seen him in action.

Check out the schedule by clicking the picture below…

I hope to See You There!

Collaborate, Communicate, and Share the Wealth

I would like to give my Graphic Designer some credit for the process map created that clearly outlines the purpose of a Data Diplomat. There is obviously a lot more to the process when you get into the nuts and bolt and this give you the view from 10,000 feet. This is a very important view when you are trying to sell and you have the 1/20th of a second (right Dr. Slammy) to catch some attention. You do not have much more time than that once you get the attention if you unable to quickly get your point across. There are a number of factors that go into a good sales process, which include…

• Good ideas that have a purpose
• Good communication skills
• Good communication tools
• Good networking skills
• Good service and I have said it before but it makes me laugh…

Rinse and Repeat 

 

It should be everybody’s long-term goal to retain clients and bring in new business. There is a line and you need to be scalable, which is the reason for collaboration. This is the key to success and something that should be in the 101 rules of every business. I am not a graphic designer and have dabbled in it a bit with frustration and a half professional product in the end. Kym Bixler (click her name for her portfolio) however is an artist and graphic design  is one of her specialties. The product you see above is my idea with Kym’s artistic flair. I like this better than the drawing I made and I have never discussed this in-depth with Kym, I just assume she is not a data junkie.

Closing Remarks…

If you need some good graphic design I can hook you up. If you need some good writing, I can hook you up. If you need some data diplomacy, I can hook you up. The goal is to thrive in your business so don’t waste time doing what others do better, work together and create a successful group!

Maybe I Missed my Calling, or is it Who I am

Alright, first on the agenda is a thank you to everyone that has endured my ranting about Sony and still reads my blog. I am hoping that we are near the end of the who situation and I it might be because of my superior computer testing skills. Well that is just a tad over the top of being moderately extreme but it is sort of true. I have problems with this computer and it is crazy but true. When at the local coffee joint with free WiFi the problem is not there but that is due to lower expectations of the internet speed. Well at long last I have come up with a reproducible problem that has to mean something to some one that fixes computers.

Check Out this Fancy Chart:

 

So There are a few things you can gather from this data so I am going to sum it up in a few bullet points:

• The Sony is faster than the Toshiba
• Upload speeds are consistent for both machines
• No difference for the VGA card on the Toshiba, it is actually faster
• Slowdown with the VGA port for the external monitor on the Sony @ ~39% of the regular speed
• Fair amount of slowdown on the Toshiba for the HDMI cable @ ~31% of the regular speed
• Major slowdown in the Sony @ ~11% of the regular speed

Well here is the calling I missed… I am not a computer programmer, developer, administrator, networker or any of that but I do know what people need from their IT equipment. This goes back to a earlier blog about Joanie and Chatchi, but that is for another time. My point is that it did not take me long with all the other stuff that I am doing to notice a major change in the internet speeds when a certain thing occurs and it happens to only one of the guinea pigs. Well maybe I should go get certified and all that other fun stuff. Or… maybe I am one of those hybrid workers they are talking about on the news. Either way I sent the information to twitters @sonylistens since Sarah claims she can help. Again I am not that well versed in computers from the inside so if anyone want to share with me the possibilities of the above chart pointing to an issue… feel free.

I don’t mean to call anyone out but Chris Roberts or Ryan Korkie or someone… give me some insight.

Thanks, and I hope we are near the end of this ride. Feel free to sign my petition, it’s fun and exciting and it will make you feel good, http://wp.me/pGawQ-mQ. The picture is of the paper Sony sent back saying there are no issues. Funny, I found the video card/external monitor thing so what now…