Online Communities

Typically, I use this business blogging forum to discuss corporate and NGO related topics.

I wanted to take a moment to discuss something going right with the U.S. government.  With all of the conversation surrounding lost jobs, one governmental agency is doing its part to help.  That agency is the FBI.

In two articles this week (CNNMoney.com and Reuters.com), I read about the FBI hiring in excess of 2100 new employees.  The hiring initiative includes field agents and professional staff.  Both articles state this hiring initiative represents one of the largest in the history of the FBI.

As economic issues, online communities and global demographic trends continue to change, organizations similar to the FBI will be in need on more personnel.  Just as the phoenix rises from the ashes, turmoil and crisis can create opportunity.

If you were downsized, have you checked out the FBI as an option?  If so, what has been your experience thus far?

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"With the world in turmoil and doubt, the American people, faithful to the values that have always defined America's identity, have expressed with force their faith in progress and the future. At a time when we must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous hope in France, in Europe and beyond."
- Nicolas Sarkozy, French President
(Reuters)

As President-Elect, Barack Obama will become the first African-American
President of the United States.  With that being said, the focus should not be on his ethnicity.  The focus should be on the goals of the campaign and how those goals will shape the future of the United States and with President-Elect Obama's global peers, our world.

The strategic implementation of President Elect Obama's campaign plan was the key to his campaign victory.  His campaign stayed focused and did not stray when competitors tried to steer the focus away from the real issues.  They utilized online social networking, virtual teams and other online communities to enable people from different ethnicties, religious beliefs and social-economic backgrounds to collaborate for a common cause.

In politics as in business, the great leaders surround themselves with solid advisors.  As a leader, President-Elect Obama shifted paradigms by working with and being supported by Republicans including Senator Richard Lugar and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The future holds many unknowns for the United States.  If President-Elect Barack Obama and his team operate during his term as they during his campaign, the United States will move in a positive direction.  Additionally, we must remember that the actions of thousands of people contributed to the success of his campaign.  Change will not happen just because Barack Obama is the President-Elect.  Every American must continue to take action to make our country a better place.

What are you doing to impact your present and our future?

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If you haven't read the book, The Back of Napkin by Dan Roam or read his blog, Digital Roam, you are missing out on some good information. 

His book and blog help to remind our team to keep it simple.  We currently have a couple of clients in the early stages of business formation.  I have recommended that they take a look at the book.  Although our clients don't have too complex of a model, they have a terrible time describing the model without a glut of PowerPoint slides.

In this fast-paced world of business blogging, online communities and the search for a way to stand out from the crowd, why not try something that has been sitting in your lap and is simple to use.

By the way, we are working on refining our napkin. I will share it with you in a future post.  Have you read the book?  What's on your napkin?

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It seems that every week I hear about one or two new business networking groups.  Some are free to attend and others have some level of membership dues.

I don't think you should have to pay a membership fee to help connect to people via an organization.  Good "networking" leads to long-term relationships that in turn lead to business solutions (direct or indirect).  These relationships are formed via face-to-face meetings and interactions in online communities.  For example, you live in the same area as an executive who is blogging.  Why not comment on the blog and call the executive to meet for coffee, tea or your favorite beverage.  No membership fee involved in this example.

When was the last time you picked up the phone to build your network?

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In the City of Indianapolis, there is a major decision about to happen related to the funding of art programs and organizations.  According to a recent article in the Indianapolis Business Journal, due to budget deficits (not unlike many other cities in the United States), the funding for the arts could potentially be phased out over the next three years.

Multiple online communities and social networking sites including one by the Arts Council of Indianapolis have been create a dialogue and to post comments and concerns.

From a business perspective, I understand why cuts need to happen in the short term.  However, expenses can be decreased without sacrificing an often overlooked business development and employee attraction/retention.

In today's market, the "quality of life" quotient is a key reason why people live, work and play in a given location.  As an entrepreneur trying to attract the best talent for your team, you need all the help you can get.  This includes the arts and cultural aspects of your community.

What do you, your employees, friends and family members do when they are not working?  I'd guess that the arts are involved in more ways than you think.

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On Wednesday, I attended a conference titled, "Nanotechnology: Concept to Commercialization...What You Need to Know".  The hosts for the event were The MEK Group and Barnes & Thornburg LLP.  The stated purpose of the event was to bring together academia, entrepreneurs, service providers and investors to discuss current status and future potential of nanotechnology.

From my perspective, the global business of nanotechnology is moving forward.  The presenters, especially global education leaders including Purdue University, informed the attendees about how nanotechnology is already being used in multiple industries.

Additionally, the collaborative efforts of these international education institutions were discussed.  One example was nanoHUB.  This is another example of how online communities are crossing borders to achieve a goal.

Although there is still much to learn about nanotechnology, our firm will be looking for the opportunities for business formation.  Through the collaborations of academia, investors and entrepreneurs, businesses will be formed.  The question of leading or following is the main challenge.

What collaborative efforts are happening within your industry between academic research and the service providers related to commercialization?  If you are a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), what are your observations with regard to the current state of collaborations for common goals or missions?

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Stay healthy. Help the environment. Save money. Business Development?

Yes, I did say business development.  In a world of online communities for social networking like Facebook or LinkedIn, a simple yet complex sport can lead to a healthy business and a healthy you.

While purchasing two of the company vehicles for S4X, I had the opportunity to have a great conversation with Brian Gootee, the owner of Gray Goat Sports.  We discussed how cycling can help your personal life and your business.  Brian mentioned his experience of observing the business cycling culture of California while on a trip for his other endeavor M4 Sciences.  Instead of the golf course, the deals were being done on 2 wheels.  There are even organizations including, CEO Challenges, combine business and cycling.

My advice to a client considering the acquisition of several "Cruiser" bicycles for his employees.  A healthy and happy employee is a productive employee.

At S4X, being eco-friendly and physically active are a part of our core principles.  We are commuting to work via bicycle, walking a few minutes to lunch rather than driving and competing in organized sporting events.  For my part, I am planning on running a Half-Ironman in October.  I'll let you know how it impacts our quadruple bottom line.

When was the last time you thought about bicycles being a part of your fleet of company vehicles?  On a smaller scale, have you tried commuting to work via bicycle?  Once you make it a part of your culture, you know what they say..."It's like riding a bike, you never forget."

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