What is all the Tweeting Buzz about??

Social Media, otherwise known as Web 2.0, is rapidly overtaking our culture and business world.  This is a dramatic trend shift that is reshaping the way we communicate, do business, and build relationships.  It’s a tough concept to understand- how a computer can do all this and have such power in our lives.  Whatever your perception and taste for this new online world, its definitely not going away.  If you want to survive consider this direction of thought, why don’t you be the leader in your environment and learn all you can so that you keep that competitive edge over your competitors. This could prove to be one of the best strategic practices you could ever make.

Social media isn’t without its frustrations or drawbacks.  Try to learn all you can and listen to the experts.  This will save you a lot of time and headache, because trust me, the experts have already made most of these.  Here are my top 5 things to remember to stay focused, driven, and purposeful when taking that leap into this abyss.

1. Don’t try to do them all.  The top 5 to use: Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, WordPress, Google analytics/RSS/Adwords

2. Use a focused strategy, that will integrate social media marketing strategies into your traditional marketing strategies

3. Listen and learn the etiquette for each site and engage accordingly

4. Enjoy, laugh, and most importantly Be Real

5. 20 minutes a day is all it takes!

Every business and facet of our world is engaging in social media.  You need to be too.

National Fondue Day!!!

For all those fondue lovers out there, listen up!  Sunday April 11th, is the National Fondue Day!! Talk about the most genius day ever!!!

It has always cracked me up with how there seems to be a club, a group, association, or a national day set aside, for anything and everything under the sun.  Lucy from Charlie Brown coined it best when sitting at her psychiatrist booth with Charlie,  “Let’s figure out what you are feeling, so that we can label it.” Isn’t that how we tend to be here in America?

I must concede, however, and admit that this day is one that is truly genius!  Nothing is better than fresh strawberries and chocolate fondue, right?  So in honor of this day, I would like to post two of my favorite fondue recipes.  For those cooking challenged, I’d like to also point out that these are simple and delicious! So, be daring and spontaneous and bake up a fondue storm . . .

Chocolate Caramel Fondue

2 cups baking chocolate (I use a bag of milk chocolate chips)

1/3 cup evaporated milk

2/3 cup caramel sauce

*place all ingredients in ceramic fondue pot, or bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then microwave another 30 seconds, stir, continue until chocolate is smooth and completely melted. Pour into fondue pot with fire lite underneath.  Makes 2 cups.

Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue

8 ounces cheese, cut into cubes

1 Tablespoon flour

1 (8oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/3 cup chopped spinach

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

* melt cheese and flour 30 seconds.  Stir. Continue heating until cheese completely melted.  Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well.  Pour into lite fondue pot and enjoy.

Fondue is fabulous!  And we all know we could use a sweet excuse like this to relax, laugh, and enjoy our weekend!  Bon Apetit!

Leaders set the pace!

Life is good.  It’s been a tough year and a touch winter, but the spring and summer is here!!

In the world of sales, or small businesses we are constantly surrounded by a myriad of people.  Many lately, have nothing but negatively to spew on everyone they come in contact with.  Yes, its been a tough year and a tough winter, but let’s put it into perspective.

I have been listening to the Success Magazine Symposium speakers from last years event.  What some amazing leaders!  I was especially intrigued by some of the stories John Addison told.  He talks about leaders -vs- “ExcuseAholics.”  We need to lead those around us through these tough times.  Things will get better!  He relays a story from a biography about Andrew Jackson.

When Andrew Jackson was President, there was the 1837 Banking Crisis that hit America.  The Louisiana Purchase just went through and there were a lot of people out west speculating in land.  Many deals and flips were taking place.  Well, this caused the banks to go broke.  One newspapers headline was, “The End of Banking in America…”

Well, a lot of great things have happened since then.  Let’s start dreaming, innovating and looking to what we can do and those lives we can change and be the leader in your world and with everyone you come in contact with on a daily basis.  Like The Beautiful Mind say, “Feed your Dreams and Starve your Nightmares!” Learn to Dream again and laugh and inspire.  These are my goals for 2010, what are yours?

So, this video is a toast to a happy, healthier, inspired you!  Enjoy!