For 2018, Be Inspired...Dreams Do Come True!

It's literally the end of 2017, we chose this day to make predictions for the year ahead and think back on the previous year.

The Year of 2017 was not what one would consider a great year for a lot of reasons but it will be remembered for all of its idiosyncrasies.

2017 was a benchmark for unpredictability and to expect the unexpected. This is the year that recording artists, Prince and Tom Petty died. Unexpectedly, this was the year that marked an end of an era [and the beginning of new things to come].

In addition, this is the time of year where you read of inspiration and hope. The hope that the year ahead will be better than the previous year?. To be inspired to achieve new heights of prosperity or to finally overcome a hurdle once thought unachievable.

Inspiration and hope is also unpredictable/unexpected and can come from the most unexpected people or places. In 2018, be inspired and know that dreams come true when you have an unquenchable desire to achieve.

Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

Don't wait. The time will never be just right.

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

- Napoleon Hill

Find more education infographics on e-Learning Infographics

Brand and Market Uncertainty [VUCA]

It's been a while and we're almost 1/2 way through 2017. Everyday, we hear something scandalous from various news sources but what does it really all mean to your brand and global markets?

There are market indicators where projections are being analyzed to give analysts the best outlook possible. However, the feel of the current market today, is of uncertainty.

The reality is nobody really knows when, why or how the market will fluctuate and there seems to be growing uncertainty given the current political climate in the U.S.

Market stability matters because confidence in the markets is what is needed to strategize and plan for the future. Even though the U.S. election has ended, the controversy and intrigue continues. Thus, creating a global wave of uncertainty that continues to ripple global markets.

How does one navigate in a market of uncertainty? How do you cut through the fog and reach your market? How do brands prepare themselves for market uncertainty?

This is were a VUCA [Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity] strategy comes into play.





Check out the 2017 Outlook and Opportunity Infographic
http://www.raymondjames.com/pointofview/resources/articles/isq-2017-infographic.pdf

Prediction: Mega Brands Unite in 2017

Fall 2016 has officially arrived. In 60 days, 2016 will be an afterthought. Everyone is thinking, "It's time for the "big push" to end the year out strong! However, there's some big players out there who want to take this idea to a whole new level.

If you haven't heard, AT&T and Time Warner are in the early stages of a possible merger. These 2 mega brands in some way or another have a tremendous influence on marketers, advertisers and consumers.

In addition to this media news, US Presidential Election 2016 is a little over 1 week away and the world is watching on the edge of their seats like an episode of Kieffer Sutherland's cliff hanger action series 24.

You have to hand it the the CEO's because the timing is impeccable. In case you've forgotten, this is how 1st Quarter 2016 started economically.



If you actually watched the entire video it was a rough ride and analysts were skeptical on how we would pull  through. Looking forward, this deal is probably the last thing on EVERYBODY'S mind as we go into 2017. However, they are not the only one who's thinking of getting cozy under the sheets.

Dr. Patrick Dixon, is a world class speaker, author and futurist. According to his theory, the bigger corporations get, we as consumers worry that we may be losing our identity. However, the key to making global deals is an old adage we all know.

"Think Global and Act Local".



In conclusion, if this deal is successful [and it will] this will be a green light for other medium to large brands to find a way to come together because in reality there's only so many slices you can get out of a cherry pie.

The Power Of Visual Content

If you think back and ponder the thought visual content really began with the invention and mass production of the television. It was truly revolutionary and everyone felt a necessity to have one. It became the platform of choice to receive news, information and entertainment.

In today's information at the speed of light era, we take visual content for granted but can you imagine what it was like to see a television for the 1st time [must have been other worldly]? Can you remember when you first received your 1st Internet enabled mobile phone? 

In the early days visual content creation, it was really encouraged that you have some formal background in writing, literature and a sprinkling of marketing experience. That's all very 20th century. In the new millennium, video social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram have changed who can create visual content. In its infancy, there were many nay-sayers who said, "it would never work". In some way they were right because it was they who did not fully understand the versatility and power of the medium. 

In essence, they didn't know how to harness this new tool to reach their intended audience.

There is a visual content revolution happening as we speak but is being overlooked because of the sheer speed at which it is happening. This uncertainty and long term unpredictability in trends is also known as Chaos Theory.

One thing you can bet on is that visual content is here to stay and as long as humanity progresses so will the progression of visual content creation.

Why Use Video?

For the past several years, there's been article after article about the emergence of content creation and the YouTube revolution. Looking back at the last 2 holiday seasons, marketers have been "going mobile" and using YouTube content creators to market/review their products with a vengeance. Who uses Yelp anymore when you can go on YouTube and find a review on just about anything.

On the device side of mobile over the past 3 years the shift has gone from laptop to tablet and back to the mobile phone. Turns out that consumers really prefer using one device that's capable of doing it all from making a flawless phone, stream a movie in HD and play your favorite mobile game all in one device.

Consumer analysts over the past several years have been trying to figure out how to market products to consumers and found out that the best marketers are the consumers themselves. Give them the product or service [and a camera] and let them share their experience through social media video platforms. Not only does this work for major corporations but for the small guy too. Sometimes all you need is a decent camera, good lighting and a great personality that can capture the audience.

What Will 2016 Mean To You?

Well, we're here...2016 has arrived, with little to no fanfare. From my research, most people in business were looking forward to the end of the 4th quarter because 2015 has been a somewhat lackluster year. Moreover, mobile is still going strong but less on the hardware side and more on the mobile app dev/mobile content perspective.

Businesses large, medium and small are vying for new ways to reach their customers. Of course, the big boys have more money to spend on mobile app development but its the smaller players that often come up big in creativity and hit their mark.

The question we all should be asking ourselves is,"What will 2016 mean To Me"? What is it going to take to get my idea, product or service to the next level? What are the hurdles both personally and professionally that will prevent me from achieving the goals you've laid out in 2016?

Let's take a look at some Marketing and Business trends for 2016.

Happy New Year's to all and dream BIG...   :)

What does VIP really mean?

VIP's come in all shapes, sizes and temperaments.

Most of the time, you'll rarely know their name unless you're in their inner circle. Often, these very important people go unnoticed by their counterparts [and that's by design] but they are known for acumen, expertise and efficiency.

It's not easy being a VIP because when you're a very important person, everyone wants a little piece of your time [all the time].

We all want to be VIP's in some way or another and the truth is we are VIP's to someone we work, live or connect with socially. In other words, VIP's are important people to other people in your inner circle and that could be for a myriad of different reasons.

Typically, we think of VIP's as entertainers or CEO's but the reality is we're all VIP's and how we think of ourselves in relation to others has a big impact on how they see you.

Are you recognized as a VIP by those around you?

Being a VIP is a state of mind backed by consistent determined action. Moreover, those actions must have a positive influence on those around you. Money, power and status is not all that a VIP consists of but for those that understand this dynamic concept, they begin to recognize how important they really are. In essence, they transform into VIP's that know how to dictate, determine and influence everything/everyone around them.