The crew at Channel42 got to work on a couple of new genre’s of moviemaking over the last week or so. First I put together a light-hearted parody of “Man vs Wild” shot with a couple of friends and our kids whilst camping a couple of week-ends ago.
I shot these on the iPhone4, in HD, and decided to enter them into Australia’s inaugural Mobile Screenfest Competition. The guidelines state the movie has to be shot on a mobile phone, and between 30 secs and 4 mins 30.
Then, on Thursday at the Northside Coffee Morning, I had opportunity to capture some of Tony Hollingsworth talking about his “Black Dog Ride.” This is a charity motorbike ride, 6,000 kms to the Red Centre of Australia, to raise funds and awareness of depression.
Our family has lived with depression for 7 years, and I decided to shoot a mini-documentary as support for Tony. Again everything was shot on the iPhone4, and edited to the short 4:30 for the competition. I figure if we do well in the competition, this can only add interest in Tony’s cause. However, I will edit a longer version of the interview over the next week or so for Tony’s blog.
You can view the 2 Aussie vs Wild episodes on our camping Vimeo Album, and here’s: Discussing Depression!
In this transparent and vulnerable video, a young 20 year old, Em and her dad, me, share their 7 year journey with depression.
All to support Tony Hollingsworth as he rides to raise awareness for depression in the Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre in Sep 2010.
Every aspect of the movie was shot on the Apple iPhone4 in 720p HD
How about you? Are you struggling to cope? I’d recommend you talk with someone (I’m certainly happy to chat).
In my experience, I had no idea at all, that my then 13 year old daughter was depressed, until the day I was called to Westmead Kids as she’d taken an overdose. Certainly teen depression doesn’t exhibit in the same way as adult depression. But it is an illness, not a weakness. Again, I’d be happy to talk and recommend the professionals that helped our family.
I love it when technology works. When my mum, in her 60’s, can share her epic drive through Africa with over 200 people; and just chat to her grandkids every day as if she’s in the room.
From a young age I’ve been entranced by technology that works. Technology that enables. Technology that brings people together across time and space. In fact of all of the technologies I’ve studied, supported, designed, and implemented, it’s those that connect people that have enthralled me.
I’m old enough to remember our first TV, our first colour TV, and remember being gobsmacked by our first (top-loader) VCR. Imagine being able to pause Magnum P.I.
Touch-tone, then mobile telephones. Hand-held scanners. Modems. Ethernet. ISDN. Video Conferencing. Digital cameras. Messaging systems. PDA’s. The Internet. ICQ. Instant Messaging. Wi-Fi. ADSL. Smartphones. Webcams. VOIP. Social Media. I feel like I was born into exactly the right age, as I’ve worked with all of these (and their underlying) technologies. And loved every problem-solving, solution designing, people enabling second!
When sales people can submit an order whilst having coffee with their client. When a family can share a birthday dinner in real-time across oceans. That’s when I appreciate the true power of technology.
It’s also why I get frustrated when it doesn’t work.
Office Communicator? Rock solid. I use this tool daily to have full-screen, Hi-Def video conferences with my work colleagues. Need to collaborate on a document, no problem, just share my second monitor. It really does enable us to work without the need for corporate offices. It just works. In working, it changes the way we can work!
Office Live Meeting on the other hand. Where do I start? Suffice to say, std operating procedure in organisations is to get to a meeting 15 mins early to set up Live Meeting. Even so, I have yet to see a Live Meeting start on time, with everyone connected. More often than not, half the participants are struggling to connect, or to get the video working, or the audio, or their presentation. Nightmare. Frustrating.
When it does work, invariably on a high-speed network, it’s great. Multi-party video, audio, screen sharing. But not once have I had a seamless experience, no matter the technical experience of the attendees. I mean, I can get it to work, but that’s pointless if people on the other end of the line cannot!! Even if it’s just one person. Especially if they’re not technical.
Skype on the other hand? Well, my mum uses that. And my daughters. No setup time, just click the green button. Need to add my brother from NYC into the conversation? No problem.
Oh – and it’s free. And it allows you to call people overseas on their phones for next to nothing. For people to call you, when you’re travelling, for the cost of a local call. In fact to give yourself a foreign phone number allowing people to call your mobile from the other end of the world, without even the need for a computer. It just works.
I love it when technology works. It’s why all of the collaborating I do for usergroups, and with my family, uses Skype. I have pushed the Live Meeting barrow for too long. But it just. Doesn’t. Work.
What technology do you have to use that frustrates you?
Andrew Coates is an inspired Developer Evangelist for Microsoft Australia, who’s been using this water analogy to describe “the Microsoft platform” for some years. It’s a fantastic analogy, because water is something we all use everyday, the plumbing of which we now take for granted, at least in the developed world.
The platform is moving out of the company computer room, or data centre, and into what is now called, the Cloud!! Great big Utility like Datacentres, run by Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and about 41 other vendors.
Of course, we’ve had computing as a service since the bureaux days of AOL and Compuserve days in the ‘80’s! (actually CompuServe was founded in 1969) And I was fortunate enough to lead the team which built Australia’s first Hosted Email and Office Application Service Provider Data Centre back in 2000! Then CWO a-Services (CWO = Cable & Wireless Optus).
But vendors would have us believe that “Cloud Computing” is something entirely new.
Nevertheless, I’ve seen Andrew deliver this analogy many times. Today I notice that he’s had it made into an animation. It’s short at 2 min 55, and very sweet. Succinctly explains why computing is moving (back) into the Cloud, and the opportunities for developers, businesses, and individuals to innovate.
Ah, Social Networking. You have to love it. All of the “experts” that suddenly abound. Of course, we’ve been forming relationships for millennia. Yet, many people still struggle with fundamentals of initiating, and deepening relationships.
The Johari Window
Back in 1955, two psychologists, Joseph Lundt and Harry Ingham, used a model to describe individuals in the context of relationships. This provides 4 windows to our attributes, capabilities, behaviours. They named it after the 1st two initials of their first names. The JoHari window. (no, I don’t know about the “ri”)
Looking from the outside then, there are behaviours and qualities I know about myself, and others I don’t. Then there are behaviours and characteristics others know about me, and again some they don’t.
The important thing to note is that only by revealing the hidden areas, can you build relationships with people in any context.
So only by disclosing your facade, and learning about your Blind Spots, can others build trust in you. Only by giving feedback on other’s blind spots, and learning about their facades, can you build trust in them.
What about you?
Do you feel you that Social Media helps or hinders in illuminating the hidden?
Will knowing this model help you?
Are you a transparent person (i.e. large Arena, small Facade) or a Private person?
With everyone? Many? Some? A few?
Are there advantages to being transparent?
What are the disadvantages?
As parents, spouses, managers, consultants, should we consciously think about our Johari Window?
I’d love to hear your thoughts – please comment on the blog.
I just watched this short TED talk, a demo really, of the new functionality Microsoft have built into Bing maps. The technology is cool, and the results really practical. Well deserving of the standing ovation.
To learn more about how you can develop solutions on top of Bing maps, especially here in Australia, check out John O’Brien and Bronwen Zande’s session: Mash in and Mash up with Bing Maps Silverlight at ReMIX10
I decided to read this book after watching Dan Pink give his TED Talk on the same subject. “What Science knows about motivation that Business doesn’t”
Like “Outliers,” this book systematically debunks myths we base our lives, not to mention our businesses, on. Rather than success(ful people) Dan tackles the subject of motivation. We all work or have worked for companies that have penalties for not adhering to policies, and incentives to drive performance. I.e. we all use the “carrot and stick” or extrinsic approach to motivating people.
Yet, as study after study show, extrinsic motivators rarely motivate us. When they do, it’s rarely sustainable. How many people hate their work, their boss, their company. How many just tolerate their work, living in the And for those that love their work, how many are truly motivated to do what they do by the bonuses or fear of repercussions?
So if extrinsic motivators aren’t the most effective way to motivate people, exactly what are the “intrinsic” motivators which are? Dan proposes 3 – Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose.
People work best when they have autonomy over where they work, when they work, with whom they work, and how they get the job done.
Individuals want to master their work. Here Dan references both “Flow” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, as well as the 10,000 hour rule in Outliers, among other studies.
Finally, the best activities are those where we serve a purpose greater than ourselves.
What I loved most about the book, and which separates it from other business books of this sort, is that it doesn’t end with the “what,” but has an entire chapter on “how” to implement the learnings. There are great practical suggestions for parents, managers, business owners, and individuals.
Rog42’s Rating Index (RRI)
Category
Readability
*****
Novel Learning
*****
Influence of Change
*****
Overall RRI
*****
Buy, Borrow, or Ignore List?
“Buy” – This is definitely a must buy book. Don’t only pop it on your reading list, but drive it to the top of the list. Then implement what you learn.
I picked up this book on the Kindle, part of my entrepreneurial development plan. Chris Howard is one of the famous motivation speakers currently on the circuit. In the mould of Tony Robbins.
As promised, the book does talk about mindset, but of course you’re not going to “wake up rich.” At least not financially. The principles are not new, and they’re not secret. There, that’s the title sorted
Part of the mindset “retraining” is about appreciating wealth as all of the value you find around you. Your family, relationships, health, work challenges, and of course pecuniary rewards. Once you’re thinking like this, you’re in the position to “wake up rich,” also to put in place the discipline to increase all of your wealth.
Still, anyone who’s studied persuasion, influence, and NLP, will recognise many of the precepts presented here. Things like:
Surround yourself with winners – you are the company you keep.
Visualise success, then act as the person you wish to become. Dress well, carry cash etc.
I found the book somewhat self-indulgent. Chris likes talking about spending time with Richard Branson, and other celebrities. He talks at length about his “Billionaires Club” as well as his “successes.” Those who’ve come to his courses and turned their lives around.
Having said that, this book isn’t bad as a reference for things like personal branding, and setting lifestyle goals. Like all good motivational books, you come out the other end wanting to sign up for one of Chris’ courses. It’s clear what the objective of this book is – to sell courses. This isn’t a bad objective, but do be aware of that before picking it up.
Rog42’s Rating Index (RRI)
Category
Readability
****
Novel Learning
**
Influence of Change
***
Overall RRI
***
Buy, Borrow, or Ignore List?
“Borrow” – If you want NLP training, get something more targeted. If you want business training, something like the “E-Myth” is probably better. If you want to change your lifestyle, “7 Habits.” If you want to wake up rich, well, you probably already have all of the resources you need, just focus, then work at it
This book is probably better as part of one of Chris’ courses.
It debunks the myths, the perceptions we all have about success. We tend to believe that successful people; the rock stars, olympic athletes, billionaire entrepreneurs:
Are prodigies (the genius myth)
Just worked really hard (rags to riches myth)
Or, my personal favourite, got lucky (the right place, right time or nepotism myth)
“Some are born to greatness, some aspire to greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”
William Shakespeare
In his book, Malcolm systematically demonstrates that success, that is, outstanding success, in a given field requires much more. The research shows that you require to be born at the right time (in some fields this is within a 3 month window), to the right parents, from the right culture, in the right location. You need talent for sure, but this is more to guide your interest into a field, and help you stick at it. You don’t need to work harder, you need to work much harder than anyone else.
For me this book was liberating. These myths can make one doubt oneself – if I’m smart, and I work really hard, and I have access to opportunities (education, training, experience) why aren’t I a rock star? Well, because of a number of other factors. Not being the rock star doesn’t negate your talent, or hard work, or even opportunity. It doesn’t mean you can’t be a rock star, although perhaps not a rock star in a particular field. It also doesn’t mean that rock stars are any better than you. And yes, you can learn stardom (although whether you’ll want to make the required sacrifice is another discussion)
It was also instructive in two areas:
I clarified my own intuitive understanding around things like my struggle with sport at school, despite sailing competitively afterwards, even becoming a Dive Instructor; and why I fared much better academically. As a parent, this helps me guide my daughters in their choices.
You can be really successful. It’s not about nature vs nurture. It’s about a whole lot more, and you’ll be wise to really understand your talents, your experience, your cultural heritage, and your opportunities. Then work towards overcoming any weaknesses, with the right mentor, and find the sweet spot for you individually.
That’s particularly powerful. Think of any area where you wish to be successful, including as a spouse, parent etc, then learn – from books, from mentors – and practice, with feedback from coaches. 10,000 hours is the entry level to expertise
This is a must own book. Again I took advantage of Audible.com with the audio book. This is narrated by Malcolm Gladwell himself, and he lends a special tone to the book. Especially in the final chapters which are somewhat autobiographical.
Well, the time has come, and today I joined management team at Readify.
I have accepted their offer to take on the Product Marketing Manager role, and facilitate the development of the strategic product marketing plan.
Readify is a fantastic organisation, and I’m surrounded by smart, motivated professionals. Needless to say, I’m really pleased to join the team, and looking forward to working with our key partners and clients.
On 30 March, over 80 Sydney Entrepreneurs gathered at an exclusive event to attend the unveiling of a Legend. One of most re-tweeted people in the world. “Mr Happy” on Twitter, Tongan New Zealander, International Location Scout, London Fashion Label…
