A few posts ago I provided my 2010 list of favorite gadgets for business. Now it’s     time for their counterparts: the software. When you pair up great software with hardware, you are rocking. The really nice thing about software versus hardware is that you can often try before you buy. So, it’s easy to see what works for you before doling out the dough. All right, let’s get to the list. Note that these are not in any meaningful order.

1. Vlingo: Vlingo lets me dictate texts and emails in to my BlackBerry (BB). This is really convenient when you’re writing a long email, or a string of emails. Typing on the BB’s keyboard is not fun and it can lead to numb thumb if you do it too much. It may not have perfect word recognition, but it’s surprisingly good and will save you time and energy. It’s $19.99, which is good for a minimum of two years according to their terms and conditions.

2. Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred 11 Bluetooth Edition: Since I’m in the voice-recognition category I’ll keep it going with this recommendation. Dragon is the standard for voice-recognition software. It’s been around for years and just keeps getting better. One key to making it work properly for a very high degree of accuracy is using a proper headset. This edition takes care of that for you by including a Plantronics Calisto bluetooth headset that feels good and works great. I’m especially fond of this software when it’s chilly in my office and my hands don’t feel like typing much. What you might not know about this program is that it also can work a browser and many other apps on your computer. There is a learning curve, but it’s worth it if you’re inclined to dictate emails and Word docs.

3. Microsoft Office Professional 2010: Hey, I didn’t say this list was going to be too exotic. This is very much mainstream software, but it works well for me. I’m not a Google Docs or Zoho user – primarily out of inertia. I’ve been using Office for a decade or so and have just gotten very used to it. It’s not cheap for sure. So, I recommend it if you’re using 2003 or older. If you’re on 2007 you’ll likely take a pass unless you see some specific new features you really want such as editing video in a PowerPoint presentation.

4. Snagit Version 10: This is called screen capture software. I use it to just grab any part of an image that’s on my screen and turn it into a jpeg. It’s very handy for creating PowerPoint presentations. For the price it’s a deal because you will find yourself using it at just the right moment and loving it. Before Snagit I didn’t know how much I needed it as part of my toolkit. You just might feel the same way.

5. Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard: I had never bought the full version of Acrobat until this version. I always just used Acrobat Reader. When I bought the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500, I loved that it came with the full version of Acrobat. I now print to PDF quite often to save copies of QuickBooks invoices on my PC and many other documents. It’s just so darn convenient to be able to create PDFs. I have heard that you can get great results from CutePDF, but I have no opinion on it as I’ve not used it. I have used PDF Converter in the past and like Adobe better.

6. QuickBooks Pro 2010: QuickBooks is the de facto small business accounting standard. I’ve used it since starting the business and can’t imagine using any other program. They’re on version 2011 now, which is cheaper to buy from Amazon than 2010. I see that the 2011 version has some seriously conflicted reviews on Amazon. I’m not using that version and can’t comment. What I can say is that I’ve been using 2010 for a while and appreciate how it enabled me to create better looking invoices. If you’re not using accounting software yet, then you should consider QuickBooks. It works for me.

7. SugarSync: I’ve impressed a lot of people with this software. It’s also saved my bacon a few times. In a nutshell, this software allows you to access key files on each of your computers as long as they are connected to the net. This includes your smartphone, which I’ve used to find files on my home PC and send them by email. Update or add a file to one of the connected computers and SugarSync quickly ensures it’s now available to any of the other connected computers. It gets even better. I use it to share folders with clients, which means that they can access their folder that was created and maintained on my PC from theirs. This is very convenient and efficient. I pay $50.00 a year for 30gb of synced storage. You may not need as much. You can get a 5gb account free. Just click here to give it a free try. I’m fairly sure you’re going to love it.

8. Tether: This software allows me to use my BlackBerry’s data plan from T-Mobile to access the net via my laptop. I’m able to avoid hotel internet fees with Tether. It’s not blazing fast – don’t use it for crucial internet-based demos – but it does the trick when you want to surf for a few minutes or check email. It only works with BlackBerrys and Androids. Sorry iPhone users.

9. Roboform: And now on to another piece of impressive software. This is what I use to remember log in information for the plenitude of websites I access on a regular basis. I’m not one of the alarmingly large percentage of Americans that uses simple passwords for my various accounts. No, with Roboform I’m able to use unique and complex passwords for all accounts. It also maintains profiles, which allows me to fill in name, address, phone, etc. on a web form with one click. That’s a time-saver. I’ve been using this surprisingly affordable (just $19.95) and highly valuable software for years now and have recommended it to countless people. What I didn’t know until just recently is that it’s the leading password management software. Makes sense to me.

10. GoodSync: What this software does is allow me to easily back up files on my desktop PC to my back-up hard drive. I just click on sync and it makes sure everything I choose to back up is backed up. It will also sync with Windows Mobile devices and servers. There are obviously a ton of file synchronization utilities. This is the one I use and recommend.

11. Constant Contact: This is the software I use to create my e-newsletter. I also use it to do online registration for my fee-based events. I’ve not used the survey feature yet, but will in the new year. As with most of my favorite programs, Constant Contact is easy to use and rarely gives you any trouble. I’m a Constant Contact business partner, which means I also help other business owners to make better use of the numerous features within the program to be more successful. If you’re not using an email marketing program yet, I couldn’t recommend this one more highly.

Well, there’s my list for this blog. I’m sure I could recommend more programs and I might even be missing one of my favorites, but that’s all right, I can always do a part 2. Let me know what you think of this list and what you would add. I’d like to hear your comments. Here’s to increasing your productivity in 2011.

I’m in the mood to recap the year in music. A little out there I know since I typically blog about building a business. But, we need balance, too. For that I love music, which has been a part of my life for a very long time. I still remember listening to the Beatles on 8-track with my dad in his truck in Hawaii in the 70s. Those were good times.

Anyway, here’s what I really liked this year. Incidentally, they are not in any meaningful order. It’s just how they’re coming to me.

1. TigerSuit by KT Tunstall – 25 years ago I liked Sinead O’Connor. Now I like KT Tunstall. She’s got a strong voice, driving rhythms, creativity in composition and the songs are fun to listen to and sing along with. My favorite song has got to be Come On, Get In. It has so much great energy. Here’s a link to another hot track: Fade Like a Shadow

2. Night Work by Scissor Sisters – When I first moved to San Francisco from Phoenix in 1989 I was drawn to the clubs in The City. I really liked to dance. This album reminds me of that time. I would have danced to this album all night. Now I dance to it while washing the dishes. Times change, but my appreciation for good dance music doesn’t. Here’s a link to one of the anthems that play well loud: Fire With Fire

3. Tonight by Toby Mac – As a God fearing man I’m always up for great Christian music and Toby is it. Hard driving, energetic and passionate.  Early this year I did my first seminar on social networking. I had nearly 40 people there on a rainy night, which impressed me. Wanting to be a showman I thought of opening the seminar up with energy. My plan was to open it up with Tonight by Toby Mac. It didn’t happen since people kept trickling in and I needed to start talking. Incidentally, Toby is married and has four children. If he can release a hot album while raising a big family I think I can make my business work.

4. Infinite Arms by Band of Horses – I spent a lot of time in Starbucks shops earlier in the year. They promote a selection of albums with limited counter space. That’s where I saw Band of Horses. The name intrigued me and I thought I’d give it a listen. Their genre is supposedly noise pop. Maybe because there’s always a jangly guitar in the background. I’m not sure. What I do know is that these guys are good. Thanks Starbucks. Here’s a video of one of the easy to groove on tunes, Laredo.

5. We Are Born by Sia – So many great artists have come out of Australia. Sia’s the latest breakout artist for me. This is the only one on the list that my daughter and I both liked. That’s a cross-over artist for you. Sia is creative, peppy and catchy. One of the songs that you’ll like right away is Clap Your Hands. Note this video has been shared 14,000 times on Facebook. That’s going viral. Wish I could have something shared that much on Facebook. One day.

6. Record Collection by Mark Ronson – I’ve always been fascinated by DJs who have all the tunes and can spin a crowd in to a frenzy for hours. Like chefs they’ve become rock stars in their own right. Mark Ronson is one of the elite often invited to be the DJ at very swanky parties. Well, he knows his stuff. This album is a nod to the 80s with a heavy hip hop influence. This may not be one for the ages, but it’s good listening while on vacation in the hotel room before heading out for a night on the town. The first song, Bang Bang Bang is quite infectious.

7. Waking Up by One Republic – This just may be my favorite album of the year. It is smart, highly listenable and really engaging. You want to listen to the next song, then the next one and so on until it’s done. My wife really liked it, too. All The Right Moves is probably the song you heard on the radio if you heard anything from this release. Love the cello in the composition.

8. Full Circle by Dave Crimmen – This is the only one on the list by a local Bay Area artist. I happen to know Dave, which is how I came to listen to this album, ah, CD as Dave would say. This album has rock, rockabilly and even some blues elements. It’s a real mix. I’m very fond of the track Time Will Tell, a wistful number. I also really like Come On and Take Me and Your Only Love. I don’t have any links to videos of these songs, but here’s a cover of Wipeout by the Surfaris to give you a taste of Dave Crimmen and his band. What a great jam.

9. Behavior by Pet Shop Boys – Wait, this is from 20 years ago. Yes, that’s right. Here’s the flashback on the list. I rediscovered this album after a long time and realized it’s just as good today as it was in 1990. They went in a new symphonic direction with this release and went soft and smooth – in a good way. Try Being Boring to hear what I mean. PSB will just go down as one of my favorite bands all time. I invested in so many of their remixes and mixed numerous cassettes that I listened to countless times. It’s fun to hear them again.

10. Versus by Usher – If not for Rhapsody, my music subscription service, I would not have given Usher a listen. I’m really glad I did. Now I know why he already had gold records as a teenager. This guy has mega-talent. Slow jams, club rhythms, it’s all here on Versus. DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love is a great one to get up and move to. Speaking of moving, Usher has moves. You’ll see in this video. Enjoy!

So, there you have it. This was a fun blog to put together. Do you like music as much as I do? Post a comment telling me what you really liked this year and share a link to a video on YouTube so I can check it out. I’m always up for something new. I’ll be back next time with my favorite software of the year.

When you’re a small business you need technology on your side to increase productivity and gain leverage versus larger firms. Believe it or not I used to be a technophobe. I was one of the last in my circle to get a real cellphone and as for other types of gadgets, forget about it.

Well, times have changed. I’m not necessarily an early adopter now, but do keep my eyes and ears open for new items that can help me with my business. In the hopes that I can help you, here’s my short list of favorite gadgets. In a future post I’ll share favorite software. All of these items can be found at my Amazon aStore

Item 1. My latest fave is the Echo Smartpen. Created by Livescribe this gadget allows me to record all of my meetings with clients and prospects to either share with them or for later review when working on a project. The recording quality is really good and easy to share. Another nifty and somewhat inexplicable feature is that your handwritten notes are connected with the recording, i.e., if you revisit your notes and tap with the pen on any word, the recording will play from that point in the meeting. Then, from there you can go forward or back. Amazing device worth the investment if notes and recordings are important to you. There are many apps being developed for this device that I haven’t even begun to tap in to yet, but I’m sure that makes this pen even more worthwhile an investment.

Item 2. The Plantronics Voyager Pro bluetooth headset. I’ve only owned a few bluetooth headsets and this is by far the best. Have you ever spoken to someone while they’re driving and knew they were driving by the sound in the background? This headset all but eliminates that telltale sound. It also does a fair job of screening out wind noise when you’re walking outside. If you talk on the cell as much as I do – a few thousand minutes per month – then you need the best headset you can get. This one is right up there and affordable for how important it is. Another important point is that Plantronics provides top-notch US-based support. My first headset had the earbud come apart from the body. It may have been due to my own rough handling, but one call to Plantronics and there was a brand new unit winging its way to my home with few questions asked. They want you to be satisfied with their products. I like that attitude a lot and will support the company as long as they feel that way about their clients.

Item 3. The Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500 is a desktop scanner. I’ve written about this device in the past. It does one thing and does it incredibly well – scan. I don’t use it everyday, but when I do use it I really appreciate it how fast and perfect it is. If you’re swimming in paper in your office, then you need to clear your physical desktop and move paper to your digital desktop. The ScanSnap makes the job, well, a snap. It’s pricey, but you won’t regret the investment.

Item 4. The Cardscan Executive V8 Card Scanner is the tool to use to get information off business cards and in to your Outlook Contacts. I network a fair amount and definitely get business cards just about every week. Hand typing information in to your address book is ridiculous. Unless you’re a low-level worker bee your time is worth more than that. Even more important is that procrastination isn’t much of an issue because the Cardscan is fast and very accurate. It stumbles on custom cards that are hard to read, but that’s acceptable. Most cards you get will be standard issue and accurately scanned. Incidentally, the card scanning software that comes with the ScanSnap above is awful.

Item 5. The Flip Ultra HD is my handheld videocamera of choice. I might buy a Kodak Zi8 if given a second chance, but I’m quite happy with the Flip. It takes good video and captures sound well, too. It’s super easy to get videos up on Facebook or YouTube with this camera. If you’ve held back on video marketing because you think you need to hire a professional or buy a very expensive camera, think again. The Flip just might be your answer.

Item 6. The Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 is even easier to use than the Flip because it connects right to your PC and records good video for easy uploads to social media sites. I’ve also been using it with Skype and getting good results. It’s cheap for how useful it can be. I think a decent webcam is essential office gear. There’s probably a new model that’s better for less, so do your homework. Logitech products are high quality.

Item 7. The Sansa Clip mp3 player is what I use to listen to audiobooks while driving, shopping and washing dishes. It’s $50 and worth $5,000 once you start using it as a mobile university device. I’ve also been listening to mp3s from a variety of educators in marketing and social media. It’s about 2 inches high by 1 and 1/4 inches wide, which makes it really light and easy to carry around. Talk about reliable, I’ve used this item almost every day for somewhere near two years. I’m very impressed by this device. I have an iPod and don’t use it because I actually prefer the Clip. Go ahead and call me crazy.

Item 8. The Asus UL80Vt-A1 is the laptop I tote. No, I don’t have an iPad. This laptop boots up quick, grabs wi-fi just like that and lasts almost all day on a charge. It’s 4 pounds and looks slick. The mousepad and click stick is weird, I’ll admit, which is why I always carry a wireless Logitech mouse with it. The price is right and it comes standard with accidental damage coverage, which is rare on laptops. Asus is under-rated in my opinion. This blog probably won’t change that, but I’m trying.

Item 9. Blackberry Bold from T-Mobile is the smartphone for me. It lasts all day on a charge and does email very well. No, it’s not an iPhone and I’m reminded of that when I take photos or go on to Facebook, but those are secondary to email and voice, which the Blackberry handles like a champ. I’m one year in to this phone and it’s giving me no trouble and as I mentioned when talking about the Voyager Pro headset, I talk on the phone for a few thousand minutes a month. I think that makes me a heavy user. Blackberry’s up to it.

Item 10. The Western Digital Elements 1tb desktop back up hard drive also goes in to the essential gear category. If you’re not backing up your documents and media regularly, you’re nuts. I’ve heard of way too many crashed and poisoned hard drives to want to leave it to chance that my PC won’t fail. Note this drive is a little finicky about where it plugs in to the wall and to the PC, both need to be direct, but once you’ve got that dialed in it works like a charm. Hard to believe you can get this much storage for just $70.00. I’m glad I have the Elements drive backing up my stuff. You will be, too.

Remember these items are all available for perusal (except for the Blackberry) in my Amazon aStore. Full disclosure, I am an Amazon Affiliate, which means if you buy from my aStore I will get a commission. The price is no different to you, which is they only way I’ll be an affiliate.

Hope this list is helpful to you! There are probably a few items I’ve left off this list, but that’s all right. I can always post a part 2. Tell me what you think about these items and what you would add to your list.

The standard definition of momentum is ‘impetus of a physical object in motion’. The way I define it for a business owner is that your business is heading in one direction or another.

Anyone who’s been in business for some time knows that a business either shrinks or grows. It doesn’t stay the same. Knowing this we must strive to always keep it growing – unless we’re winding down a business, which is a special case.

You create positive momentum by always doing something as a salesperson or marketer. Here’s a short list of different activities you can do to create positive momentum:

1. Always have a seminar scheduled you can invite people to

2. Go to networking events regularly

3. Have a consistent advertising campaign

4. Send out a regular newsletter

5. Do one hour of social networking every day

6. Join a referral group

7. Stay in touch with clients by inviting them to events, lunch or coffee

8. Introduce new products or services every six months and be sure everyone in your network knows about it

9. Start a Facebook fan page and talk about it with your network and put a badge on your website

10. Host a mixer through a local Chamber of Commerce

11. Follow up like a dog with a bone on every lead you get

12. Touch base with those who turned you down in the past to see if they’d like to buy now

13. Start a blog and write to it at least 1x a week

14. Personally ask every one of your clients for a referral. In 3 months do it again.

15. Try some new advertising – that isn’t too expensive – you’ve not tried before

16. Incent your employees to bring in new customers by way of a contest

17. Create a sweepstakes

18. Donate items to chamber drawings to get your name mentioned to a crowd

19. Have a meeting every week with someone you can partner with

20. Have a meeting every week with someone who can refer business to you

These are just a few things you can do. What else can you do to create forward momentum so you start moving like that train above with a head of steam? Feel free to share your ideas with me by commenting on this post.

My bottom line point here is that action begets action. Move and something else moves in reaction. No matter how busy or not busy you are keep creating sales and marketing action and you’ll keep your business on the up and up.

Average weekly computer usage is on the rise. Internet addiction is a real phenomena.

I’ve experienced for myself how captivating the computer can be. It’s just so powerful. That goes for getting work done as well as having fun. I don’t participate in fantasy football leagues or online gaming or have an avatar in Second Life, but I know all of these net-based activities are very popular.

I know when I’ve been on the computer too long because my wrists get sore. With my BlackBerry my right thumb gets sore. I have a physical trigger that tells me to take a break. What’s your sign to take a break? Is it a spouse or partner telling you to get off the computer already and come out for a walk or sit down for a meal? Do you eat in front of the computer so you can keep working or playing?

I’m about balance and I’m fairly sure that I’m sometimes out of balance when it comes to getting off the computer and living in the real world. That’s what made me want to bring this up. I’ll be a little more aware of this in the next few months as I observe where I’m spending most of my time. Let me know if this is an issue for you and what you do about it.

That blank space next to the picture above is there for you to write them down. If you’ve never written down your goals before – or dare I say it, set goals before – then you’re on the verge of a major breakthrough. Why? It’s been proven over and over by success researchers that those who write their goals down concretely and review them regularly are much more likely to out pace their peers.

Think about it, who gets anywhere without a plan, a map, direction? Goals written down provide a target for you to shoot for. When they’re supporting steps towards a longer-term strategy, then they’re turbo-charged.

People often ask me why I became a Growth Coach out of all the careers I could have chosen. Between you and me a key reason is because I knew this business would impel me to do everything that I want you as my client to do. It would be hypocritical to do otherwise.

Therefore, I use a Strategic Planner provided by The Growth Coach to map out each 90 days of action. I know where I’m going from week to week. It’s very exciting to see these goals on paper come to fruition as months 1, 2 and 3 come and go. As an extra boost I have a coach who encourages, challenges and holds me accountable to get it done.

Perhaps you’ve been successful without goal setting on paper. If so, a hearty congratulations to you. Will you allow me to challenge you to see how much farther you can go with a more rigorous approach to achievement?

I offer something called The Strategic Mindset Workshop series. In this series, we spend a day together with a small group of business owners reflecting on the past, examining the present and contemplating the future. Lastly, we make goals for the next 90 days. This signature Growth Coach process is proven, powerful and maybe best of all, guaranteed. I take all the risk that this process will propel you to new levels of success in your business or you don’t pay. If you’re at all intrigued by the potential, then let me know you want some more detail.

Even if you’re not drawn to the workshop series at this time, ask me for a free copy of the Strategic Planner to use privately for the next 90 days to see how powerful just that one step alone can be for you.

There are a lot of people who are uncertain of how to invest their money right now. I don’t blame them. I do have a suggestion though. Invest in yourself. We can never be finished learning. We must be lifelong learners if we are to always be at our best to serve our customers.

This is a great time to invest in some training for yourself since prices very well may be reduced. Yet, the value to you should be no different. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can’t afford to invest in your own development. Continually sharpening your saw is one of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and for good reason. Those that invest in their ongoing development will eventually get quite an edge over their competition. Just get a little bit better each year and you’ll make huge leaps over time.

As a business owner, or busy independent professional, you’re generally going, going, going nearly every day. It’s not unusual to find yourself losing touch with some good friends over the course of the year.

Why not take some down time this month to reconnect with the friends you’ve lost touch with in the past few months? Sure, you exchanged Christmas cards, but did you meet or have a real phone conversation? Go through your Rolodex, Outlook Address Book, Linked In Connections, or Facebook Friends list and see who pops out at you. Chances are you won’t even get through the first third of the alphabet before you realize you need to make some calls.

I recently reconnected with an old friend. We were roommates in college and very close in the first few years after graduation. I even lived with Vinnie again for a few months early in my career. Over time we lost touch as we went in different directions. I reached out to Vinnie through Linked In hoping to reconnect. He was happy to see my message and responded to me quickly.

When we did talk a few weeks later we spent a good hour on the phone. I’m so glad we’ve rekindled our close friendship after several years. It feels really good. Isn’t there someone like this in your life? Perhaps it’s not a friend but a family member or relative. Take the time during this season to reconnect with a few people. You’ll find your heart warmed by doing so.

Recently I wrote on the necessity of being remarkable. Today let’s talk about the mindset you need to have at all times if you want to win in business: You are in a competition. You may not know what you are up against when you start the day, but you’d better play to win every time.

We compete for dollars. We compete for attention. We compete for talent. We compete for referrals. We compete for publicity. We are always competing. Get used to this idea and embrace it for that’s what it takes to win in any economy, especially this one.

All right, let’s get to some specifics on competing at all times. First thing, look the part. I often see people dressing too casually when they’re working. Why? Because it’s comfortable? Be comfortable on Saturday. Look successful Monday through Friday. When you look successful it creates an impression that you are and who doesn’t want to work with someone who’s successful?

Next, be able to talk about your business anytime, anywhere. You never know when it’s going to be your turn to deliver your elevator pitch. Will you be able to rise to the occasion each and every time? If your answer is no, then fix this fast. Your competition is ready and they will eat you up if you’re still thinking about how best to say what you do and how it can benefit people.

How about your approach to sales? Are you selling with a process or are you simply winging it with prospects and existing clients? I know contractor’s school didn’t come with sales training and neither did law school or medical school. But now that you are on your own competing for dollars you have to be able to sell. Learning a basic and effective sales process will go a long way to help you in this critical area. Continue learning after that.

When it comes to competing for attention do your ads resonate with people? Are you testing different ads? Are you trying out multiple channels of marketing to see what works and what doesn’t? Are you at least marketing consistently? The war for attention is so intense now that you have to be savvy in marketing to get anywhere, or hire someone who is. Otherwise you’ll just be burning up time and resources. What marketing books have you read this year? Please tell me you’ve read at least one.

And now, technology. Are you using technology as a competitive edge over your competition? I’m always looking for new tools to save time or improve service. I’m now seriously considering buying a LiveScribe to better capture notes for myself and my clients. Don’t be afraid of new technology. Adopt it earlier rather than later and it will become your valued ally as you compete to be productive and efficient.

This brings me to the last topic, the competition for improvement. What are you doing to make your business better on a regular basis? I love this thought from the late Peter Drucker, “Look at your business as a customer would and think about what changes you’d make.” So incredibly simple, right? All right, raised hands time, who’s done it? I haven’t. I do listen to feedback and make changes, but I haven’t done exactly as Peter suggests. I am thinking that way now.

Your turn now. What ideas do you have to share in how you compete to win everyday. I’d also like to hear your comments on what I’ve shared. May you win today.

In John Jantsch’s new book, The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business To Market Itself, he talks about a podcast interview he had with Seth Godin. In the chat, Seth says that if you’re not getting referrals, it’s probably because you, your business, or both, are boring. Yep, boring.

Hmm, am I boring? I don’t think so. Is my business boring? Is that the opposite of remarkable? In that case I guess it is a little boring since I’m not remarked about often enough to be getting more referrals than I can handle. Sure, sometimes I’m remarked about, but it seems to me it could be a lot more.

John goes on to talk about Scott Ginsberg who has been wearing a name tag that says Scott, every day for 9 years. Seriously. I’m surprised I never heard of Scott before since that’s pretty remarkable. Scott found that by wearing a name tag he’s much more approachable and that has led to speaking about being approachable, remarkable, useful and so on. Pretty interesting fellow to say the least. I enjoyed watching a few videos on his site. Here’s one that I liked about blogging. I’m a fan of blogging. Duh.

Interesting video, right? He’s a remarkable person all right. Funny, too. I’m newly inspired after hearing the beginning of John’s book and after watching a few of Scott’s videos to spend more time thinking about how I can be remarkable. How can you be more remarkable? In this age of information overload if we are not remarkable we are swimming upstream in a crowded river.