Managing the Gray – Positive Advice That Everyone Can Use to Succeed

Mitch Joel inspired me. Plain and simple. His new podcast called Six Pixels of Separation is top notch and it still amazes that I had a hand in getting him into podcasting. I’d pat myself on the back, but that won’t help the cause.

This is a quick cast from the car because I was so inspired by both the podcast and also a conversation that had just happened at the office with my friend Julien from In Over Your Head.

Passion drives podcasting. The sooner you get that. The sooner you will be successful.

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There has been quite a significant change over at PodShow.com. As you may know I am affiliated with PodShow, so I’ve seen what is behind the curtain and I think it’s going to be an interesting tool targeted directly at new listeners for podcasts.

I wanted to make sure that my Managing the Gray listeners has a jump start at reserving their space for PodShow+. I can’t talk about the details or when it will go live, but I can say it’s coming soon.

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We had a conversation at lunch today because someone read yet another article saying that every company needs a Blog. It seems that this conversation comes up every 6 months or so.

It’s not a matter of you must have, but rather a matter of you must be aware of as far as I see it.

A Blog, Podcast, presence in Second Life or whatever other hot new technology is NOT right for every business out there. It just may not make sense. I do think it’s critical that every business at least take a moment to investigate the technology and then make a determination if it’s right or not. But, why do so few do this? Hello!

It’s impossible to stay up to date on everything. I get that. So, hire a consultant, read some trade mags, ask the kid in the mail room who probably does know all about this.

I see it happen over and over where companies (and individuals) jump into the latest technology because they read some where that they needed to do it. This can be both a waste of time and money. Why not just take a little up front time to figure out if it’s right or not. Perhaps give it a trial on a small scale and THEN see if it’s worth moving forward as a major initiative?

Think about it.

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I knew that it wouldn’t take long before the “real” world began to cross over to the “virtual” world. We’ve still got a ways to go, but it’s going to happen.

I’ve been out of the loop for a week so I’m a bit behind, but I just read about Amazon investigating the possibilities of a bridge between Second Life and their products. This is where it gets interesting as a business is looking at this as a direct extension, a new market, for an already established company. That is where people and companies need to look. It’ll never be a replacement for a line of business, but rather another arm that can reach out and get more people.

American Apparel also took a step into this area by opening up a store in Second Life. I’m not sure if this will work because do people really want to wear the same style fashions in virtual worlds as they do in the real world? I’m sure some will, but I personally like the freedom of being completely different with my avatar. I don’t want to wear the same stuff. I want to have fun and be different and I imagine others do as well.

Pay attention which companies start jumping in and more importantly HOW they jump in. That is where it gets interesting. Big deal if someone opens up a shop and treats it just like a regular shop. That won’t work. It’ll get some PR splash, but long term will fade into the matrix and no one will care. But, how could you treat it differently? What is the next evolution? THAT is the meat of the question and the fun part of the puzzle.

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I recently saw a post on the web that basically said, “Why would a business want to podcast? This medium is about entertainment.”

On this episode of Managing the Gray I answer that question. I’ll give you a hint. The answer is “WRONG! It’s about content.”

To any first time visitors from the Boston Globe, welcome! Hope you enjoy what you find here.

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I’ve decided that I need to do some blogging here as well as the podcast. It’s needed so that I can share further thoughts and insights into what is going on around me. The world moves to fast for a weekly podcast and right now no one has offered me enough to produce content 7 days a week so text is where it is at.You MUST read this post by Robert Scoble. I mean it. Stop reading this and get over there now.

If you are not aware the news of the last week a been the fact that Scoble is leaving Microsoft to work for start up Podtech. That’s huge news and instead of breaking it to a “major” publication first, Scoble talked about it at Vloggercon and let it spread like a virus from there. The NEW media got the word out and had the scoop before any journalist could get a hold of it. It was fun to watch, listen to and read about from people I know and respect.

Read the post and then post reactions here. I’d love to see your thoughts.

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Tonight the show is about one thing. Second Life.

I’ve been in too many meetings and conversations where it quickly becomes apparent that people either don’t know enough or they think the wrong things about Second Life and I wanted to clear it all up with what I hope is a good overview of what Second Life is and isn’t.

Virtual worlds and new media go together like the infamous chocolate and peanut butter. Sure, right now everyone might not see the connection, but we will all look back someday and shake our heads at the doubters.

This picture is one of the meetings that I mention on the show where like minded individuals gathered at my house to discuss marketing. Doesn’t it look more fun then the same old boring chat room?

One thing that I completely forgot to mention on the show is to thank Eric Rice for introducing me to this and for being completely forward thinking. That guy continues to tap new corners of this world and pushing forward to help out everyone. Not only is he a great guy, but damn is he fun to watch. And I mean that in a completely business manner.

If this introduction to Second Life isn’t enough and you want to discuss further I’m only an e-mail away.

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A quick show with five quick tips to help you get the word out about social media, new marketing and everything else in your organization.

If you’re swinging by Second Life anytime soon look me up. Cleon Goff is the name and I’ve already crossed paths with a couple of listeners and would love to meet more. Organized gatherings will be happening soon. I just need to set some things up first.

Keep the audio comments coming with an e-mail to me or called into the comment line at 206-309-GRAY (4729).

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