Me, Myself And I, An Online Presence

panaceamobile.com

For some time now, I have been writing about this sixtieth year of mine as a renaissance year.  As each week passes into this New Year, I am amazed at how little I know about the world I am living in today.  I have generally felt that I am a well-informed, connected and educated adult who has a pretty good understanding of how things work.  That feeling of self-assuredness continues to be challenged almost daily.  I'm speaking of how the online world and the social aspect of it can impact your life should you choose to embrace it. 

For those of us who grew up with transistor radios and hula hoops, there is no doubt we are reluctant to embrace today's social media.  It is very foreign to us as it requires some real effort and even more importantly the element of time.  We are less nimble when it comes to navigating today's technology.   Most of us utilize only a minute percentage of our cell phone or laptop capability and are okay with it.  We are all amazed at the capability but hesitate to dive in and immerse ourselves in learning more. 

For me, the process of learning all about this technology and information has been a challenge.  It continues to challenge me day in and day out.  There has not been one day in the last three months where I have not learned something new that has changed how I look at things.  Truth of the matter, I am still reluctant to embrace it for fear that I am going to do something or say something stupid.  It's just not about navigating the web or the technology, learning Facebook or Twitter or any number of other sites, it's learning a whole new way of looking at things.

This learning a whole new way of looking at things is difficult.   As we would all agree, change is hard.  We are a comfortable people and change is not something that most of us embrace with regard to anything.  However, I have made a conscious effort to keep an open mind and allow my learning to take me wherever it chooses.  Once again, I have to remind myself of this each and every day as a new idea, thought, process or capability makes itself known to me. 

I am not confident that even the majority of young people know what is possible and what is at their fingertips.  My most recent efforts online are all about creating my own personal brand.  Not even something I would have ever considered.  As I thought about it, for my generation, branding would be considered what our personal reputation and character is.  As I have read more and more about online presence, that is indeed what branding is about. 

I am now in the process of taking that reputation and character I have lived with and developed over the years and create the same with my online presence.  It is certainly an interesting and challenging task for one who has already been in the workplace for 40 years.  However, for a young person like so many of today's youth, creating such a brand as you learn, grow and experience life, work and family, it should come naturally.  Almost a resume of one's life.  I'm having fun with it and actually will be encouraging my three adult children to create their online presence through appropriate branding techniques.      

The real question for me will soon become what my personal branding slogan will be.  "Just Do It" is taken; so is "Winston tastes good like a cigarette should" as well as thousands of others.  I remember creating slogans many times over the years for capital campaigns, advertising campaigns and special events I was creating within the YMCA.  My all time favorite was "Discover The Difference" when I was at YMCA Camps Ockanickon and Matollionequay in Medford, New Jersey.  That slogan actually has been used since by several national corporations I'm proud to say.  (Not that they ever saw my use of it) 

How does one encapsulate 60 years in a brief phrase.  Being the wordsmith I am, I am confident it will come my way sometime in the near future.   Count on me writing about it. 

"Halftime In America - Clint Backlash

thefw.com

After watching the Super Bowl on Sunday and the many commercials, the one that stood out for me was Chrysler’s message of hope.  Employing the iconic figure of Clint Eastwood drove home a powerful and inspiring message for the American people.  After seeing the commercial, the first thing that came to mind for me was that the Republican Party would be upset.  As expected, it didn’t take long for Karl Rove to denounce Chrysler’s message and Eastwood for delivering it.  There is no question that the message mirrored much of what President Obama has delivered across the nation.  It’s a message of hope, determination and confidence.  Just what I think we need as a nation.    

Chrysler’s message was a powerful one.  It was heartfelt and I think appropriate.  It spoke of us coming together, working together, overcoming the odds and turning America around. It was far and away the best commercial of Super Bowl Sunday.   Both Chrysler and Eastwood indicated that there was no connection to any political party or political message.  It was intended to be non-political.  It was a commercial that celebrated Detroit’s rebirth with the reemergence of the automobile industry. 

Eastwood’s script included, “They almost lost everything.   But we all pulled together, now Motor City is fighting again.  Yeah, it’s halftime, America.  And our second half’s about to begin.”  It was a powerful, inspiring message for all Americans wanting our nation to succeed.  The message delivered by someone who is truly an American icon.  Eastwood said, “If Obama or any other politician want to run with the spirit of that ad, go for it.”  Sounds like something he would say in one of his films.  I must admit that I loved it. 

Many years ago, Hollywood stars took to the screen frequently during World War II to support war efforts, workers making products here at home and  families sacrificing.  The message of hope and determination delivered then is similar to what Chrysler and Eastwood was doing with this year’s Super Bowl ad.   The reemergence of Detroit’s car industry is a huge win for America.  It needs to be celebrated no matter whether you supported the President for choosing to bailout the car industry or not.  It was a great win for America.   The jobs saved and created was a big deal.  One of America’s great recession stories. 

I would like to see more of the same.  These stories are inspiring for the American people and when times are tough, it’s great to see one of our heroes, stars, sports figures or other legendary figure speak out and say we can persevere, we can turn it around, we are America.