Author: Carl Setzer

I’m expanding on my thoughts from a few weeks back.

LinkedIn functions as an afterthought for so many. Sharing of personal stories happens on Facebook. Well, most internet interaction seems to happen on Facebook. It had games, myriad other apps for consuming time. Yet, if you’re like me, you have a career to manage. I value my career, even though I’m trying to find a unique path through my work life. So, I’m trying to nurture my LinkedIn account.

Maybe I should call it “curate”. Immaterial, really, the label. What’s important is deliberate focus. I seek to expand my influence. Thus, connecting with new people consistently. At least weekly access, though I shoot for more. Sharing relevant articles. And, though seeking to expand my network, not add everyone in the world. Additionally, I want the heavy lifting done before I’m seeking a new job. That’s one of the cynical parts to LinkedIn. People don’t use the tool extensively until they’re job hunting. True or not, there is that perception. I have noticed more users sharing content, though, and with greater regularity. LinkedIn’s potential should really expand over the coming year.

These are just a few thoughts on what I’m doing with this interesting tool. I don’t think I’m utilizing it to it’s full potential, yet I’m doing better than most.  What are you doing with it? Live it? Hate it? Let me know in the comments. 

Answering this question seems easy, however it’s proven a deep challenge for me. Too much of my life has been paralyzed by the “need” to earn money. The roots of this, I’m certain, is fear. My challenge, and perhaps yours, too, is to defeat that fear. Only then are we truly alive.

Thanks to Successify for helping me find this.

Just my random thought of the day.  There are ways to build demand without creating suckers. Only focusing on maximizing profits from your customers can’t be sustained. Once a critical mass has been reached, you will have a growth rate the approaches zero rapidly

Go forth and do great things.

Just over a week a ago, I attended at social media workshop hosted by Lori Ballen. Covered a great deal of content that I deeply care about, thus there’s tons to write about. There’s one piece that really struck me, though. Her ability to connect.

One thing that happens regularly for her: people who she’s never met treating her like she’s their best friend. These are people who have only connected with her via social media. For all the criticism about social media destroying society, clearly these tools still enables us to bond.

Utilized well, people can connect solidly to brands, ideas, individuals. This gives communicators powerful ways to affect our audience. And elicit cynicism. If we’re not careful, these tools will end up viewed simply as deceptive marketing tools, building a false sense of connection and, thus, exploitive.

We need to be vigilant, ensuring we strive for genuine connection. Respectful, solution driven, thoughtful, and focused on our customer more than on driving cash-flow. Once your audience becomes jaded, rebuilding that trust is painfully slow and, perhaps, impossible.

I’ve been considering my blog theme for some time. Though I love poetry (and still plan on writing), my interests are much more varied.

My career has progressed over a wide array of industries and functions, all within the basic “general business administration” category. I’ve worried about shifting my focus, though. I’ve never been much for “profit hunting”. Business, though, impacts so many areas of our society, and we all are impacted by this institution. The variety in my background, from differing sectors (non-profits, Fortune 500, small and mid-sized business) to types (retail, technology, religious, advocacy, distribution, wholesale….) provides me with a remarkable perspective.

All this blends into a particular viewpoint. I take a long-term view. Sustainability is critical (both for individual institutions and society en masse). Project management tools and disciplines are master strokes of intellectual achievement.

Our culture promotes fame. I’ve never understood the why. Why are we compelled to garner as much attention as possible?

Fame is so compelling that we’re quite comfortable with infamy. We’re comfortable with the horrified gaze, or at least the incredulous one.

My main evidence? The full spate of “reality” tv stars. Whether Honey Boo Boo right now, or what’s-his-name Huang American Idle, er Idol a few years back. Both people willing to abandon every shred of dignity for attention. Though annoying on so many levels, it presents for fascinating psychoanalysis. If you’re geeky like me, that is.