Other People’s Money

I was with a group of friends recently and we were discussing conferences.  One person said “Was it worth it?  Would you have been annoyed if you had spent that much of your own money to attend?”  And it struck me right there and then- we treat the money in our own pockets, and in those of our close friends as if it were gold, but we treat the money from others, from Companies in particular, as if it were as ubiquitous as water.  Why is that?

Companies, small businesses, and individuals all use the same currency to pay for things.  All businesses, from sole proprietors to larger ones can write off conference expenses against their taxes- and this advantage only accrues if you have taxes to pay, of course.  While it’s true that the knowledge imparted at some conferences may have a bigger dollar for dollar payoff- it can be shared with others at the company and leverged for better returns, perhaps- the money used for the conference costs, travel expenses, expense accounts is the same, no matter who you are.

So I’m wondering- why do we continue to assume that if it’s the Company’s money, somehow it’s less valuable than if its our own?

I think it’s incumbent on everyone who attends a conference on someone else’s behalf, or at someone else’s expense to remember this, and treat the experience as if you were spending your own money for the experience.  Treat the sessions and opportunities to meet and mix with others as a rare privilege, and as if it were your money.

I know when I seek out sponsors for events like Podcamp, I make sure the sponsors are receiving good value for their money, and that I spend it carefully- as if it were my own, not just someone else’s money.

Because money is money.  It doesn’t come in two varieties, one corporate and one individual.  It’s still just money that now, more than ever, shouldn’t be treated as a luxury.

Tags: conferences, corporations, money, value

Questioning Ethics or When Can We Throw Stones?

My friend, Chris Brogan, has gotten some missiles lobbed his way because of a sponsored post he did recently over at his Dad-o-Matic blog regarding K-mart. Apparently, some people took offense at this, while others seemed to think it was fine (here, here, here, here, and here, to name a few)

Some people did not seem to think Chris was transparent enough, or that he was being purchased by Kmart, or somehow being less than honest, while some others felt this was a great word of mouth marketing campaign.

I have to say that personally, it put Kmart back on my radar screen as a destination to stop rather than always heading to the Walmart/Target alternatives, having given up on them some time ago, mostly because the stores in Delaware have been dim, kind of dirty and depressing, and haven’t had much beyond the dime-store quality merchandise I have come to expect from them. And by having a friend say that this place was surprisingly good and well stocked makes me reconsider Kmart as an option, rather than as a last resort shopping destination. I look at this as Chris doing the ground work for me, a field report, and it saves me time checking it out myself in advance.

I think this is exactly the sort of impact KMart and Izea were trying to create- a “Give KMart a Chance” rather than “Let me bribe some folks and hope for a positive result.” I also do have to chime in here and say that I think Chris did a great job at doing what they set out to do in a very transparent and full disclosure way- getting people to reconsider Kmart as an option for them. Chris used the money to buy some stuff for the family, and stuff for Toys for Tots, while other Bloggers were much more self-focused, and that’s okay as well- I have no problem with any of that. I think the only part that was vaguely disturbing was the wish-list aspect of what people would spend the $500 on in the comments, and how much of it seemed like a version of “And I want a fire engine, and a new pony and a …” just like any kid’s Santa wish list- not particularly about others, but much more self-centered, in a rather high-end way as well. Not a lot of requests for necessities, but for gadgets and bells and whistles- saying both that KMart has far more of that than I expect of them, and that in these times, we would spend a windfall on our wildest dreams, not on practicalities.

Some of the subsequent blog posts questioned Chris’s ethics and trust. I have a couple of problems with this, besides simply hating to see anyone attack a friend. Here they are:

1. It’s pretty easy to criticize, but it’s less easy to give someone a helping hand.

Everyone would like constructive critique- that’s how we get better- but very few people understand how to deliver it in such a way that it doesn’t harm you or your relationship with another person. “I don’t like that” or “He’s selling out” or “Maybe he just wanted the stuff” are toss away lines and don’t deliver any information back- they are content-free speech. Let’s put some analysis into your opinions- support them and stand behind them.

(Oh, and the super-secret tool to effectively critique anyone is to use the critique sandwich- tell someone a few things you like about what they are doing well, mention what you think isn’t going so hot, offer a few solutions you can even brain storm or discuss with the other person, and close on a positive note. People don’t deal with chili-peppers up their backsides very well, and if you couch it well, you get to maintain your pleasant relationship even if you said, at the heart of it, you suck. Moreover, when you are offering solutions as well as critique, you are directing the critique at the problem, not the person, meaning everyone feels like it’s a discussion, not a personal attack, so they can hear what you have to say without getting immediately defensive.)

2. In a competitive space, we all would like a piece of the action, or Avoid the Green-Eyed Monster.

Chris has worked incredibly hard over the past three years I have known him- so hard, that even when I do get a chance to see him, it’s like getting only a taste of a great dessert, and really wanting more- it tends to be brief and enjoyable, but never quite enough. I think it’s amazing to see how he’s grown and how many people listen when he speaks- and he does it in a way that makes the whole “social media meets business” world bigger for everyone who aspires to make a living at being a social media nerd.

That said, having the contacts and gigs Chris gets regularly aren’t the opportunities that come knocking daily on my door or of many of my friends in this space. But that’s not Chris’s fault, that’s mine, and yours and anyone else who hasn’t made a point of being in the right place at the right time, or connecting well to others, and allowing them to open previously welded-shut doors for us. You can’t hate on Chris until you hate on yourself and realize while you may feel you are as smart as Chris, but clearly, you have not been as strategic.

So this means I am incredibly proud of what Chris has accomplished. I do occasionally envy his opportunities or what he’s accomplished, but that’s just motivation to me to try harder and do more myself- it has nothing to do with Chris at all, really. I use him as an example of what can be done, and then I set my own goals and path, and work on executing every day. So I say to you- if you think someone else has an opportunity you’d like to have, figure out a pathway towards your goal and make it happen. You can ask others for advice, or even to open up doors for you, but understand that you will rise and fall on your own merits, and it takes a lot of practice and experience to get as good as Chris is, even on his off days.

3. If blogging and creating new channels of communication is going to be a business or job rather than a hobby, we need to support each other, not tear each other down. Bloggers get a bad reputation because people read the hate, the slamming of others, and rarely hear anything positive and constructive. Bloggers also seem to forget a) that there’s someone else on the receiving end of that rant ; b) many other people are listening as well, and you should always be able to stand behind whatever you say 100%; c) People and the internet have long memories, so if you ever want to do business with someone you are slamming, understand that they will probably have seen your stuff and will remember it, even if it’s only through a Google search to check you out before offering you a hand or to do business. Slamming people can be the equivalent of peeing in the pool- it makes all bloggers look like petulant children, and if you are going to hate on something, do it so it’s reasonable and constructive.

(For example, I recently slammed Norton for the anuual antivirus fee and the length of time it took to get the problem resolved. I do look at their protection as a bit like a yearly shake-down to keep my PC from exploding, but that’s only made worse when the purchase and installation process is equally painful and like having your kneecaps broken. I would not be surprised if Norton does not come to me looking for Social Media advice, and I am willing to take that risk. However, if they asked me how to make their service better, I would be more than happy to help, because if I feel this way, how many others feel similarly? In the end, it should all be about improving the product, business or service.)

I thought Bill Cammack had an interesting take on this, talking about how much money does it take for someone to borrow your own personal brand. I’ve wrestled with this this year with advertizement inserts on the LD Podcast in pre-roll. I made a respectable amount of money from the short term deal, and it was from Johnson and Johnson, throught the Mommycast & Friends channel, and it’s a brand I would stand behind because I have and continue to use their products. Likewise, my husband, an OB-GYN, has contacts at Johnson and Johnson for the samples they give away to new mothers at the hospital. We have spoken about the “baby soap guy” at home, and that they have data that their products are as safe, or safer than water in a baby’s eyes (not as drying), so I have no negative impressions of J & J from any possible source. I asked my community about the ad insert, and 95% of people said they didn’t care about the ad and it didn’t bother them. That was important to me, but it also raised the question of what would I promote and what wouldn’t I?

I think there are other brands of products I already use and love that I would be happy to shill for, because I love them anyway- Audible and Audible Kids for example- we are huge fans and have been using the service for almost 5 years now. I would talk about Amazon.com, because I spend tons of money there, and I like the ability to collect books I talk about and recommend in the affiliate store,. I have earned a total of about $15 from the affiliate store, so it isn’t about money- it’s about the convenience of creating a personal library/bookstore for my community. I have talked to authors and about books I love for no money, and I have spoken extensively about the Livescribe Pulse Pen, because it has been wonderful for me, and I had a great conversation and interview with their educational advoisor for the podcast, about how and why this gadget was useful, especially for kids with learning issues in the classroom. The Livescribe people have not paid me one dime, but I have sent out coupons to friends for 10% off and free shipping, and let people play with it when I have had it at conferences, because I think it’s amazing, not because there is any quid pro quo involved.

I guess what I’m trying to say here is that I am willing to talk about products, books, stores and things I love not because it’s quid pro quo, but because I can say something useful and of value to others. And I am willing to talk about things I love when I am being paid as well, but I think all of us in new media probably won’t take ads for stuff we don’t stand behind or don’t think fit with our community, because that doesn’t help the brand, and doesn’t help us with our audience. Why should I take money from someone and then be hateful about it? That’s like biting the hand that feeds you. And besides, constructive critisism, as said earlier, is much more useful than a simple “you suck” which does nothing to give anyone a reason why something is worth your attention or not.

I heartily believe that as much as possible, unless something is truly a dreadful experience, you try to be nice, respectful and honest. You say what is good and what may not be, and I think I felt Chris’s post on KMart was honest and balanced in that regard.

But mostly, I think the social media tribe has to learn how to be honest, transparent and respectful when it comes to each other, and understand that sometimes, our objections are more about wishing we had the chance to be one of those “influentials” who were getting the chances and opportunities to be a star, and less about the other person “selling out”.

Tags: bill cammack, blogging, borrow your brand, chris brogan, disclosure, honesty, jealousy, kmart, money, selling out

Strategy Versus Reality

There’s an interesting article over at Time magazine about Barak Obama’s 50 state strategy to win the election.  In a nutshell, it says that by campaigning in all 50 states Obama has made the case that everyone and every vote counts.  But as the election draws near, time and money become increasingly more dear, and every candidate has to start thinking strategically about what States are most likely to be “in play”, and which States are critical to winning the election, therefore deserving of more time, money and boots on the ground.

Reality states that the candidate and his surrogates can’t be everywhere at once, and they have to make choices about how to spend their time and finances.  Strategy to win makes them think very carefully about how to spend those resources.

Strategy requires a game plan, and a calculation of how likely it is that a candidate has a State’s votes sewn up, essentially conceding the race to the other party before a single vote has been cast.

This may be a reality, but it annoys me to no end.

I don’t think there is a person in this Country who thinks their vote should be taken for granted as a done deal.  I am a person, with real thoughts and feelings and opinions on the issues facing our Country today.  I happen to live in a “battle ground” state, but I would be equally annoyed if I lived in a “slam dunk” state.  I simply don’t think anyone should be getting the message that their address may make their participation in this election irrelevant.

As a citizen, I am charged with a duty in November- to go vote, and submit my ballot, indicating who I think will best be able to lead this Country for the next four years.  I will only have two “realistic” choices.  I will choose one of them, but not without some hesitancy.

Maybe it’s the 24 hour news cycle.  Maybe it’s the Ghost of Karl Rove.  Maybe the strategy of elections has always been part of the mix, but it took place behind closed doors.  Now it takes place all day, every day, on each and every cable news show out there.  Who’s ahead?  Who’s behind? What should they do to get more votes?  How can they game the system better than ever before?   I feel like I am watching a football game, and all the news anchors are in the booth, second guessing the strategy of the coaches from above.  And I am getting more and more sick of it, despite the fact that the issues facing our country are more critical than ever.

John McCain and Sarah Palin, despite their mission statement to be straight talkers and mavericks, have given some of the most “content-free” speeches I have seen as of late.  McCain is incredibly reactionary to news, and seems unable to take a moment to reflect or to say “The situation is rapidly changing and I don’t have enough information right this second to give you a definitive answer- let’s talk in a few hours when I have more information to go on.”  I have a hard time trusting someone who is unwilling to think before he acts.  I also have a hard time trusting someone like McCain who is clearly ready to do anything to win this election- the election, this year more than ever, is not a giant game of Risk or Monopoly, nor is it Trivial Pursuit. (Choose your Board Game of Choice)

This Country needs to come together, NOW.  The politicians need to stop dividing us up and encouraging polarization of view points. We need them to acknowledge what I hope people take away from Obama and Biden’s 50 state strategy- that everyone counts.  Everyone and their vote is valuable.  And everyone is probably not dogmatic and ideological to the extreme, but sit in the center of the curve, thinking and deciding based on who they trust- who tells the truth, who thinks things out, who will be able to bring us together, rather than focus on dividing us apart.

Extremism- fostering fear and distrust- may win elections, and make it easier for people to distinguish you from the next guy.  But the day after the election, and after being sworn into office come January, the President will have to lead all of us towards common goals, and inspire all of us to help each other achieve those goals, even if some of the steps along the way cause temporary discomfort.  No one said this would be easy.

I trust Joe Biden, because he told us the truth the other day- in order to solve the financial crisis, we may have to pay more taxes.  That is simply reality, and in our heart of hearts, we know this. not easy to say, not easy to hear, but a reality, none the less.

And I hope Americans are grown-up enough to realize that turth is preferable to fiction. Heck, the $7.0 Billion bailout of bankers on Wall Street equals  $7,000 for every man woman and child in the Country- that means the bill to my family alone, assuming no interest accrues as well, would be $28,000- that’s a nice new car, a ear of college tuition….all to save people who made crazy, silly bets on Wall Street.  I think not.

I don’t trust McCain, who insists if we cut taxes, somehow the Debt will go down.  In my budget, if I have less money, I can’t pay off my debts; if I have more money I can.  That’s called basic accounting and budgeting- like the kid I hope my kids will learn in eighth grade Home and Consumer Science.

In the aggregate, we are all just one more vote.  In the aggregate, voters are treated like commodities, or numbers on a roulette wheel.  Candidates have to decide how to spend their time and resources.  they need strategies.  They need strategies to deal with our problems as well.  And I really hope that strategy is about bringing us together, not dividing us apart with partisan politics and venom.  We deserve better than that.

Tags: barak obama, campaign finance, democrats, election, Joe Biden, john McCain, money, palin, politics, rality, reality, reform, republicans, sarah palin, strategy