marketing geek
These days, by the time a “market analysis” has been conducted the market has already moved on.
Instead of standing back and observing the market, we should involve our customers in developing our idea from the start.
Passion beats Perfection. Let’s not wait for the plan to be complete before we start!
BarCamp was lekker… mingling with geniuses tends to inspire a flood of ideas… So many in fact that I’ve hardly been able to choose which to write about. Hence no blog post until today.
Opensource, search engine optimization, trust networks, micro-formats and other edgy topics were discussed… All of which have had a profound impact on my motivation levels (so much opportunity, so little time!!). But this isn’t really a tech blog, so I’m going to share some of what I learned about giving a kickass presentation at an (un)conference.
Few presenters at BarCamp were professional speakers, but the ones that spoke with their own voice were far more engaging and interesting to listen to than those who just read their presentation off powepoint slides and notes.
We can get any information that we want in the world – ideas aren’t rare anymore, but what is rare is your unique human expression of them at that time and place, in your own words. Flashiness counts for almost nothing. What counts is sincerity.
It’s easier said than done, but some of us need to loosen up onstage and be real. Taddy Blecher, founder of Cida City Campus, would concur: “I used to be sick for three weeks in anticipation of a speech,” But then he made a sudden realisation. “I was trying to be like somebody else, but then I decided to just be myself, for better or for worse.” To hear Blecher speak these days is dangerous – it could change your life.
If you aren’t enjoying yourself on-stage, then you won’t really connect with your audience.
I was very lucky to present with Graham Knox, owner of Stormhoek. His part of the talk was excellent: It was like he was having a conversation with a bunch of friends. His example helped me chillout and deliver the body of my presentation in a way that was more me – laughing, joking, and not being scared to screw up publicly. I think this was crucial to getting my point across.
A good presentation has a particular outcome, and the presenter keeps that outcome foremost. Whether the outcome is to get people to start a business blog, to evangelize your product, or just to laugh… Stick to the objective.
I just realised I could probably write a whole essay on what I learned about speaking this weekend, so I’ll just put one more point:
Never lose sight of the fact that the presentation is not actually about you – it is about what value you can add to the audience – whether it be a laugh, a feeling, or an idea.
More on BarCamp from Mark Forrester (superbly journaled), DeWet (detailed summary), Max (writing = art), Rafiq (insightful) & Tania (cool pic).
I’ve been richly rewarded with Attention this week – mainly as a result of giving it to others, and then getting it back multiplied by three! (isn’t there a “universal law” like that?)
Here’s how it went:
Mike Stopforth sends a mail out asking bloggers to link to Bead4need. It’s a good cause, so I do the link… I also decide to talk about Bead4need a Barcamp.
Next thing, Conrad & Rafiq (both very popular bloggers) trackback to me because beads and a Marketing 2.0 presentation at BarCamp seem an unusual combination.
Then Bead4need take notice and thank me along with CherryFlava and Derrick the Bandit.
Simultaneously I set up a blog for my friends at Caffeine, Sea Point. Who then decided to sponsor my charity tuckshop at BarCamp with coffee. Their site stats blew up, and they linked back to me. (Thanks)
A major highlight was that Graham Knox, from Stormhoek wines fame personally delivered a case of Stormhoek to our office. He’s pulling through to Barcamp tomorrow, and will hopefully be helping me out with my Stormhoek case study presentation.
Then today I was honoured with Web AddiCT status – call me “IMM 2.0″.
To top it all off, some old friends came across my blog and got hold of me. Nice.
It’s weeks like this that make me realize what a great investment of time blogging is.
Thanks for the love guys.
Bonus1: Check this out from Bru & Boegie:
Bonus 2: BarCamp Cape Town mentioned in CNN Money!: Why “un-conferences” are fun conferences
Welcome to week 24 2006.
Last week was hectic, busy, stressful and – thanks to my friends – memorable and survivable. A close encounter with the flu has reminded me that Health IS the first wealth. Without a doubt. I’ll be sippin’ herbal tea and eating all my veggies this week.
Creativity & Chilling
Another article on Creativity caught my attention this week: “You ARE creative!” (from Presentation Zen)
I took these Brenda Ueland quotes from there:
For me, the reason I’m here is to be happy and creative, and to add to the overall happiness and creativity levels of the world. There’s just no-way I can do that if I’m stressed-out, unhealthy and tired.
Trust:
“Nothing is as fast as the speed of trust.”
Stephen M.R. Covey (the son of 7 Habits Stephen Covey).
What a phrase – and isn’t it the truest thing?
In business Lower Trust = Lower Speed + Higher Costs.
Trustworthiness isn’t something we’re born with, it something we do… and we can start saving time, being happier and making more cash by: talking straight, keeping commitments, taking responsibility for our actions and results, and clarifying expectations. (this is just a start)
I know the pain of betrayal, so I hope to never cause anyone that kind of pain. Therefore, I hereby publicly pledge to always be fully honourable and accountable in ALL my relationships (business & personal)! May all of you, my friends, hold me accountable to this statement.
In closing:
