Today I called a "Connector,"(Jr. High School friend Rich) mentioned my need for a "Maven" (i.e. subject-area expert) then explained my purposes, "Salesman." This phone call was emblematic of the "Law of the Few" discussed in Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell, 2003.
Quite a few of my High School peers are pure "Salesmen" ... Bart, Kimball, and Earl are extraordinary "Salesmen" (i.e. their overwhelming charisma, magnetism, personality) enable them to authentically persuade others. All were gifted high school leaders in athletics and school government. They are "senders" of emotion.
I'm a Maven ... "a collector of information." I collect information and best practices professionally in the field of data management. Personally, I can detail how to buy fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts in the DC area. I'm also a maven of swimming, and casual fitness such as hiking, running, walking, etc.
SO WHAT. Well, by identifying who you are in a social network, then identify the 3 "TIPPING POINT" archetype's, you can change culture, you can change the marketplace, you can affect change in your community and possibly a nation. The book "Tipping Point," 2003, Malcolm Gladwell explains in storying-telling animated detail how "Connectors" function as social network hubs, in similar manner as the 10 major internet destinations -connect- all other network nodeson Internet. In other words, if you are a subject area expert ... who can you assist if you are Not Known.
Anyways, my friend Rich above is a "Connector" he tracks High School friends and provides 2nd-Link social network access to key people (i.e. Mavens) as appropriate. Did I find the subject-area expert (i.e. Geospatial Analyst-Developer) that I'm looking for with Rich, no, nonetheless Rich is a dear friend and his different view point, broadens me and softens my "Maven" ardent striving for information collection. Rich knows people, he is rich in empathy, context, intuitive areas. I will need to engage another "Connector" for Geospatial Developers.
This "Law of the Few" is one of three social rules discussed by Mr. Gladwell. "The Stickiness Factor" and the "Power of Context" complete his paradigm for making sense of epidemics.
***Coded language is used here for privacy reason, only certain High School friends will cypher above personalities.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Thought Leaders WEB 2.0
I am a multi-generational person: i am in community with individuals and communities in different life stages: 70's, 60's, 50's, 40's, 30's, 20's, teens, toddlers.
Everyone 40+ says call me, let's talk. Everyone! The phone is the message medium.
My 30-20 year old colleages and friends send me messages using WEB 2.0 Media: FB, Linkedin, Blog, text-msg, chat, twitter. Everyone. In fact, if you are not represented on WEB 2.0 Media, you may never interact with a 30-20 year old in realtime, ever. no kidding. Observation: communication today is richly expressive, asynchronous, mobile, community-centric, many of these platforms are free, some are public forums. Soon my efficient DayTimer System will be replaced by an iPhone, or other device in order to synchronize my entire life, in mobile, WEB 2.0 form.
The Graduate "Marketing" Program at Georgetown requires students to BLOG, 1000 Blog Views are required per student. Lesson: learn how to productively express yourself on-line, in a public forum, retaining your dignity, and the discerning confidence of others.
Everyone is using WEB 2.0 media, or beginning to (i.e. except my parents... 70-60's). The Wisdom of Crowds. I'm going to Jump into this media, truly be Linkedin, this year is the Tipping Point, the Ground Swell for WEB 2.0 to shape our lives.
Online Expression is here to stay, here are "Thought Leaders" describing how WEB 2.0 affects industry and individuals:
Wisdom of Crowds, James Surorski, August 2005
Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell, Jan 2002
Linked, Albert-Laszlo Barabasi, May 2003
JumpPoint, Thomas Hayes, Feb 2008
GroundSwell,Charlene Li, Josh Bernof, April 2008
Everyone 40+ says call me, let's talk. Everyone! The phone is the message medium.
My 30-20 year old colleages and friends send me messages using WEB 2.0 Media: FB, Linkedin, Blog, text-msg, chat, twitter. Everyone. In fact, if you are not represented on WEB 2.0 Media, you may never interact with a 30-20 year old in realtime, ever. no kidding. Observation: communication today is richly expressive, asynchronous, mobile, community-centric, many of these platforms are free, some are public forums. Soon my efficient DayTimer System will be replaced by an iPhone, or other device in order to synchronize my entire life, in mobile, WEB 2.0 form.
The Graduate "Marketing" Program at Georgetown requires students to BLOG, 1000 Blog Views are required per student. Lesson: learn how to productively express yourself on-line, in a public forum, retaining your dignity, and the discerning confidence of others.
Everyone is using WEB 2.0 media, or beginning to (i.e. except my parents... 70-60's). The Wisdom of Crowds. I'm going to Jump into this media, truly be Linkedin, this year is the Tipping Point, the Ground Swell for WEB 2.0 to shape our lives.
Online Expression is here to stay, here are "Thought Leaders" describing how WEB 2.0 affects industry and individuals:
Wisdom of Crowds, James Surorski, August 2005
Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell, Jan 2002
Linked, Albert-Laszlo Barabasi, May 2003
JumpPoint, Thomas Hayes, Feb 2008
GroundSwell,Charlene Li, Josh Bernof, April 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Aphorisms of the Month
"In Character, in Manners, in Style, in All Things, the supreme excellence is simplicity." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Silence is the Hardest argument to refute." Josh Billings
"Elegant, Scholarly, Charitable ... the markings of a lady & gentleman." UVa student FaceBook comment
"A profound exchange ... faith enhancing reason ... live your vocation joyfully" Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI
"Keep pushing, keep pushing, I kept saying" Olie Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
"The empires of the future, will be the empires of the mind" Winston Churchill
"Silence is the Hardest argument to refute." Josh Billings
"Elegant, Scholarly, Charitable ... the markings of a lady & gentleman." UVa student FaceBook comment
"A profound exchange ... faith enhancing reason ... live your vocation joyfully" Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI
"Keep pushing, keep pushing, I kept saying" Olie Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
"The empires of the future, will be the empires of the mind" Winston Churchill
Saturday, May 3, 2008
LTG Jeffrey Sorensen, CIO U.S. Army
March 21 AFCEA NOVA Monthly Lunch Series, LTG Jeffrey Sorensen, CIO (G-6) U.S.Army
... this was my favorite Speaker to date at NOVA AFCEA. Yes I admire the vigor, enthusiasm, and sagacity of the "Lions in Winter" and this gentleman, in his prime of life is a model solder of excellence: LTG Jeffrey Sorensen. Military bearing, intellect, poise, humor, authenticity, idealism+rugged realism. His 20-March-2008 presentation "Supporting an Expeditionary Army at War" was mind-blowing (i.e. from an Oracle DBA's point of view). The vision for the next generation technology platform, its scope, speed, security for "Theater of Operations" real-time decision support is approaching STAR-TREK support levels. The slides are found on the NOVA AFCEA web site, nonetheless, you have to been there in person, see the video to grasp this soldiers leadership potential. no kidding. This is the one time a year, you bless God that your tax dollars are 1/2 worth something. AFCEA lunches can be useful, after the lunch wait in line to greet the speaker, share a candid exchange, learn how to respectfully present yourself to a high ranking military official. Only at AFCEA will a civilian have this opportunity. I joined rejoined AFCEA shortly thereafter.
http://www.afceanova.org
... this was my favorite Speaker to date at NOVA AFCEA. Yes I admire the vigor, enthusiasm, and sagacity of the "Lions in Winter" and this gentleman, in his prime of life is a model solder of excellence: LTG Jeffrey Sorensen. Military bearing, intellect, poise, humor, authenticity, idealism+rugged realism. His 20-March-2008 presentation "Supporting an Expeditionary Army at War" was mind-blowing (i.e. from an Oracle DBA's point of view). The vision for the next generation technology platform, its scope, speed, security for "Theater of Operations" real-time decision support is approaching STAR-TREK support levels. The slides are found on the NOVA AFCEA web site, nonetheless, you have to been there in person, see the video to grasp this soldiers leadership potential. no kidding. This is the one time a year, you bless God that your tax dollars are 1/2 worth something. AFCEA lunches can be useful, after the lunch wait in line to greet the speaker, share a candid exchange, learn how to respectfully present yourself to a high ranking military official. Only at AFCEA will a civilian have this opportunity. I joined rejoined AFCEA shortly thereafter.
http://www.afceanova.org
Business Development with NOVA AFCEA
Two months of business development at NOVA AFCEA has created below log of effort. Being new in community, it's important to politely learn the social protocols of behavior, the art of manners, respect, deference for other personalities, position of authority, etc. That being said, "Fortune favors the Bold [Virgil]" ... don't be a mouse, express yourself as appropriate. I offer the following observations:
1. Make yourself useful to the community immediately, being occupied with a task will relax you, connect you to others, assist in step-by-step building credibility and trustful recognition
2. Define what you want to accomplish in this community (i.e. your intentions)
3. Identify potential sage-mentor(s) to assist you.
4. Tactfully approach sage-mentor(s) with questions such as: "How am I to constructively accomplish my goals here at AFCEA NOVA"
5. Be accountable to your objectives, manage your strategy such that you are able to quantify how useful + effective your efforts are at accomplishing your goals.
6. Learn how to relax, enjoy community, enjoy others ... after all someday we shall all die and wonder for what glory did we live and spend our days.
7. Warmth, gentleness, erudition, humor ... will serve you well in community.
8. Be discerning, be confidential as discretion requires
Here is my log:
March 20 Young ACEANS Mentor Protege Night: "The Secret of My Success"
March 21 AFCEA NOVA Monthly Lunch Series, LTG Jeffrey Sorensen, CIO (G-6) U.S.Army
March 30 Congressman Jim Moran "8th Annual Federal Procurement Conference"
(3 events attended in March)
April 2 AFCEA NOVA Small Business Breakfast, "Making Sense of NetCents II Services"
Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Verbeck, Asst Comdr, Air Force Dist Wash.
Ronald A. Poussard, Dir. Office Small Business, Sec. Air Force
John S. DeLauche, Vice President of Operations, NETCENTS PMO
Kevin Plexico, Executive Vice President of Operations, INPUT
April 18 AFCEA NOVA Monthly Lunch Series, John Grimes, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration, and DoD CIO.
April 23, Fort Myer Small Business Fair, David T. Boddie Organizer
April 24, AFCEA NOVA Golf Tournament
April 29, Young AFCEAN "Recruit! bring a friend" Happy Hour, Rio Grande in Fairfax Corner 6pm-9pm. (26 people attended), organized by Chris McKee
(5 events attended in April)
well, as a local Pastor says ... "So what" (i.e. what is the point of all this effort). Below is list of tasks accomplished after two months of involvement with NOVA AFCEA. My goal was to learn how the community functions, seamlessly "fit in", find a place to serve, and grow towards my specific objectives.
1. 53+ business contacts/cards attained
2. One true Government Official, a peer in age, who needs my services in next 12-18 months
3. Created "Linkedin" Account, used my 800+ gmail list to form "69 worthwhile connections", within an 800,000+ network, reconnected with a few "Industry Icons" from my boyhood in the 90's, have 92 pending connections (i.e. potential connections). A "worthwhile connection" is a person with whom you have an authentic common purpose, a common mind regarding growing and serving in industry.
4. Re-purposed my FaceBook account with a mature professional look to maximize industry connectivity.
5. Updated CCR
6. Revised April 2008 DatabaseVisions,Inc. Capability Statement
7. Scheduled May 30, 11am PTAP Counseling Session with Mr. James Regan, to whom I owe an explanation as to where I have been the last 2 years!
8. Adhered to Mr. Charles R. Corjay advise to dress professionally: purchased JHaneBarnes blue-striped suit, Abboud grey-striped suit, Burberry blue-sport coat. Ties: red stripped, blue stripped, red-blue pattern, tan-blue stripped. In progress to buy a blue Abboud suit ... i take my time with clothing. This networking stress has worn down my body from a 42L to a 41L, haha, i'll need to exercise more so these clothes fit properly. Oh well, nothing wrong with salubrious endurance, and nice attire. Mr Corjay was not impressed by my "IT Server-Room" blue-blazer look at the YoungAFCEAN Mentor-Protege Night, and i was purposefully dressing down to fit in. ha
9. Scheduled a phone conversation with sage-mentor to review this "bus-dev-log"
10. Solidified "Contract Capture Strategy" in my mind, need to express this to mentor(s).
.... OK here are the Sage-Mentor remarks:
a. NOVA AFCEA Protocal: be honest, be respectful, be truthful
b. Listen closely, gather information
c. Grow your network, based on trust ... this creates "warm leads", preferable than "cold calls."
d. Create a defined level of trust and credibility.
e. Remember, AFCEA is also about creating Academic Scholarships for Math & Science, as well as serving Disabled Veterans.
1. Make yourself useful to the community immediately, being occupied with a task will relax you, connect you to others, assist in step-by-step building credibility and trustful recognition
2. Define what you want to accomplish in this community (i.e. your intentions)
3. Identify potential sage-mentor(s) to assist you.
4. Tactfully approach sage-mentor(s) with questions such as: "How am I to constructively accomplish my goals here at AFCEA NOVA"
5. Be accountable to your objectives, manage your strategy such that you are able to quantify how useful + effective your efforts are at accomplishing your goals.
6. Learn how to relax, enjoy community, enjoy others ... after all someday we shall all die and wonder for what glory did we live and spend our days.
7. Warmth, gentleness, erudition, humor ... will serve you well in community.
8. Be discerning, be confidential as discretion requires
Here is my log:
March 20 Young ACEANS Mentor Protege Night: "The Secret of My Success"
March 21 AFCEA NOVA Monthly Lunch Series, LTG Jeffrey Sorensen, CIO (G-6) U.S.Army
March 30 Congressman Jim Moran "8th Annual Federal Procurement Conference"
(3 events attended in March)
April 2 AFCEA NOVA Small Business Breakfast, "Making Sense of NetCents II Services"
Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Verbeck, Asst Comdr, Air Force Dist Wash.
Ronald A. Poussard, Dir. Office Small Business, Sec. Air Force
John S. DeLauche, Vice President of Operations, NETCENTS PMO
Kevin Plexico, Executive Vice President of Operations, INPUT
April 18 AFCEA NOVA Monthly Lunch Series, John Grimes, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration, and DoD CIO.
April 23, Fort Myer Small Business Fair, David T. Boddie Organizer
April 24, AFCEA NOVA Golf Tournament
April 29, Young AFCEAN "Recruit! bring a friend" Happy Hour, Rio Grande in Fairfax Corner 6pm-9pm. (26 people attended), organized by Chris McKee
(5 events attended in April)
well, as a local Pastor says ... "So what" (i.e. what is the point of all this effort). Below is list of tasks accomplished after two months of involvement with NOVA AFCEA. My goal was to learn how the community functions, seamlessly "fit in", find a place to serve, and grow towards my specific objectives.
1. 53+ business contacts/cards attained
2. One true Government Official, a peer in age, who needs my services in next 12-18 months
3. Created "Linkedin" Account, used my 800+ gmail list to form "69 worthwhile connections", within an 800,000+ network, reconnected with a few "Industry Icons" from my boyhood in the 90's, have 92 pending connections (i.e. potential connections). A "worthwhile connection" is a person with whom you have an authentic common purpose, a common mind regarding growing and serving in industry.
4. Re-purposed my FaceBook account with a mature professional look to maximize industry connectivity.
5. Updated CCR
6. Revised April 2008 DatabaseVisions,Inc. Capability Statement
7. Scheduled May 30, 11am PTAP Counseling Session with Mr. James Regan, to whom I owe an explanation as to where I have been the last 2 years!
8. Adhered to Mr. Charles R. Corjay advise to dress professionally: purchased JHaneBarnes blue-striped suit, Abboud grey-striped suit, Burberry blue-sport coat. Ties: red stripped, blue stripped, red-blue pattern, tan-blue stripped. In progress to buy a blue Abboud suit ... i take my time with clothing. This networking stress has worn down my body from a 42L to a 41L, haha, i'll need to exercise more so these clothes fit properly. Oh well, nothing wrong with salubrious endurance, and nice attire. Mr Corjay was not impressed by my "IT Server-Room" blue-blazer look at the YoungAFCEAN Mentor-Protege Night, and i was purposefully dressing down to fit in. ha
9. Scheduled a phone conversation with sage-mentor to review this "bus-dev-log"
10. Solidified "Contract Capture Strategy" in my mind, need to express this to mentor(s).
.... OK here are the Sage-Mentor remarks:
a. NOVA AFCEA Protocal: be honest, be respectful, be truthful
b. Listen closely, gather information
c. Grow your network, based on trust ... this creates "warm leads", preferable than "cold calls."
d. Create a defined level of trust and credibility.
e. Remember, AFCEA is also about creating Academic Scholarships for Math & Science, as well as serving Disabled Veterans.
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