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Ten for 10 in 2010 – John Haydon

This is a guest post from?John Haydon , who has a brilliant blog over at JohnHaydon.com. John inspires me every day and is one of the most giving and genuine folks around.

Every New Year, I think about what I’ve accomplished the previous year. When I’m done, I’ve felt refreshed and ready to get to work.

But many times, looking back doesn’t feel so good. Five years ago I had a bone cancer scare. Three years ago, I went though a divorce. I went from seeing my son seven days a week to less than three which, as any father knows, is heart breaking.

In 2009, I also had a string of heartbreaks, challenges and set-backs. I’ve also had many, many victories. Having hope and conviction is easy when you’ve just had a victory. Not so easy with set-back.

I promise this ends on a positive note, so stick with me, ok?

Firewood

There’s a Buddhist saying that “a fire burns brighter when logs are added.” The idea is that only through challenges does one forge a brighter, more expansive way of living. I mention this because we sometimes tend to see obstacles and set-backs as a negative. We fail to see the growth rings.
Maybe this is because it’s easier to just say?“Oh, I’m sorry… that must be tough”, and think we’re lucky not to be in his/her shoes.

But why?not be in their shoes? Why?not be excited about an opportunity for self-transformation? Is it that deep down, we don’t believe in ourselves?

We see people “crushing it” all around us. Not?despite the obstacles, but?because of the obstacles!

How Mama and Mark Crush It

Mama Lucy lives in Tanzania with her kids. When her children were old enough to attend school in the 1990s, her country had no schools. She had to take her kids to Kenya to get an education – separating them from their home. She stood up against this injustice by building a school with money she earned on as a chicken farmer. And now she has a school with over 350 kids.

Mark Horvath had a promising career in television, but because of his drug addiction, he became homeless. He lost all his possessions and his family. With nothing left, he considered suicide. But then he had a spiritual awakening that put meaning around his struggles. Through his faith he quit drugs, pulled his life together, and eventually launched?InvisiblePeople.TV.

The one thing Mama and Mark have in common is fire. They both burn for different reasons, but have used their struggles as the fuel.

Remember that feeling of failure I mentioned? Now I know that feeling is based on a misconception that winning in life means no challenges. Winning is inside – how we respond to life. To “crush it”? is to burn brightly. To “crack” is to confuse ends and means.

So for 2010, my goals focus on cause rather than effect. On learning how to better start a fire, and fan it with hope.

My sincere thanks to John for sharing his thoughts on what made his past year, and what he hopes for next year – I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I hope you?ll join me tomorrow when I offer up ten of my personal favourites from this blog over the last 12 months.

Ten for 10 in 2010 – Amazing People

As we approach the end of the year, I thought it might be fun to share Ten for 10 in 2010 ? a list of people, blogs, apps, platforms and more that I think you might enjoy checking out in 2010.

These are just personal takes, and will probably either see you agreeing or thinking I?ve lost the plot ? and either one is fine by me! As with any list, this is subjective so please feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments after the post.

This time around, ten people that are doing amazing things and you should really get to know in 2010. I hope you enjoy.

Mark Lovett. One of the things that stood out for me in 2009 was the emergence of Mark Lovett and his Global Patriot project. The idea – to spread patriotism globally. Take the love for your country and offer it to everyone – not a bad aim, in my book. Mark also presented three Music as Medicine concerts in support of Doctors Without Borders, and showed how music truly does bring us all together.
Darius Bashar. Hailing from my neck of the woods, Toronto native Darius Bashar is a man on an incredibly inspiring mission. Co-founder of the brilliant Daily Challenge initiative, Darius’s goal is simple – to use technology and the Internet to inspire people around the world to do good. Works for me.
Samantha Nutt. Founder and Executive Director of War Child Canada (12for12k’s first charity in 2009), Samantha Nutt is simply an amazing person. Tireless in her mission to help kids trapped in conflicts, she live tweeted from one particularly dangerous warzone earlier this year and shared the stories of the people affected. You need to know Samantha today.
Mark Horvath. Anyone that knows me will know I love Mark Horvath and what he does. His Invisible People blog is relentless at bringing the stories of the homeless to a wider audience, and he braves the streets of Los Angeles and beyond to offer a voice to the voiceless. One of life’s true heroes, Mark Horvath is someone I admire immensely.
Susan Murphy. I love people with passion, and they don’t come much more passionate than Susan Murphy. Her energy is boundless; her enthusiasm contagious. She’s a creator of stories and a sharer of personal wealth. She teaches kids how to be great. She lives life the way it’s meant to be lived. Simply put, Susan Murphy is showing us how to be amazing every day.
Nate St. Pierre. If there’s one person I feel a real affinity to even though we’ve never met, it’s Nate St. Pierre. Nate has a project called It Starts With Us, where his belief that real change around us is inside us comes to life. Nate is someone I believe is going to be a life and game changer in 2010 – make sure you hop on board early.
Gabe O’Neill. To me, our kids are the ones that we need to help grow and instill belief in if we want to become better people, and no-one epitomizes that like Gabe O’Neill. Co-founder of the amazing Kids Are Heroes project, Gabe inspires children to learn from each other and be inspired to create change and hope. Something us adults could learn a thing or two from.
Sasha H. Muradali. One of the amazingly talented Generation Y folks that I’m blessed to know, Sasha H. Muradali is an incredible individual. She wears many hats – PR, marketing, community manager, fashionista, awesome blogger – and is forever positive, no matter how down she may be personally. A bright glow in an often dull space, Sasha should be on your radar in 2010.
David Spinks. Another Gen Y superstar (what are these folks drinking?), David Spinks has been on my awesome list for a while. He’s one of the smartest minds around, he writes an excellent and thought-provoking blog, and he’s helping Scribnia become one of the best platforms around for bloggers and authors everywhere. Oh, and he also co-runs a great Under 30 Pro Twitter chat every week. Kudos, sir.
Amy Neumann. A veteran of the Internet and media industry for 15 years, Amy Neumann is much more. Continuously looking at ways to improve charity awareness and non-profit work, Amy takes the expertise of consulting with Fortune 500 companies and shares her smarts with non-profits. One of my favourite folks around.

So these are ten amazing people I feel you’d really benefit from knowing in 2010. But these are just ten among many more – who would be on your amazing list? Please feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments.

I’ll be taking a break both tomorrow and Boxing Day, as I look to spend some much-needed time relaxing with loved ones. Hopefully you can join me again on Sunday December 27 when I share more Ten for 10 in 2010 goodies.

Cheers, and a very Merry Christmas to you!

Ten for 10 in 2010 – Shannon Boudjema

This is a guest post from?Shannon Boudjema, who writes over at ShannonBoudjema.com. Shannon is one of the most passionate folks I know, lives social media, and is someone I’m proud to call my friend.

My hat is off to one incredible year for the social industry. I think if I had to sum up 2009 socially, it would be the year that Social came of age.

We have seen staggering results, plausible case studies, and some very smart people with passion and vision doing things that have never been done before and what?s more, they?ve all lived to tell the tale. But as we all know, coming of age means life lessons, experimenting, getting things wrong, set backs and acquiring a bunch of experiences that ultimately define you as an adult.

I think 2010 will see even faster growth, twice as many start ups as were seen in 2009, more tech solutions that simplify how we gather and process content thanks to the biggest mash up of all revealing itself in this coming year.

Looking forward to:

Seeing how authenticity will shape brands in this space beyond the social network profile. Will authenticity be something that we see threaded throughout business this year or will it remain confined to just the parts the consumer can touch? ?Everything from hiring socially to operating within collaborative spaces to bringing the social philosophy to call centers that utilize social tools to fulfill the needs of their customers long before the dreaded complaint.

Watching how the Peer to Peer relationship evolves to reshape how we do business and its effect on the workforce model taking it from a more structured corporate model to a flex-force, entrepreneurial model – a model that in itself will bring change to how we buy, sell, engage and search. It?s true, we have seen this to some degree already with affiliate programs, modern day barter systems and individuals forming strategic alliances but 2010 is likely to see this grow and take shape in more sophisticated ways.

Figuring out how we resolve ?Free?. I thoroughly enjoyed Chris Anderson?s book. He provides a lot of great content and perspective. I also like the book because it was that book that led me to Douglas Rushkoff, who offers some smart insights on how we get past free.

Seeing the end of:

Get Social Quick Schemes. People don?t get rich quick and unfortunately they don?t get thin fast. Getting social quick is also a band-aid for something that requires a fruit salad. That?s right? the get social quick schemes that promise huge amounts of twitter followers are not the answer. A facebook fan page without fans is of no value. But the truth is, these executional fixes are more damaging to you? doing things right the first time are always in your best interest, and more often than not, will be more effective with your time and your money.

Quality being valued over quantity ? There is a place where Quantity rules ? the quantity of traffic to your site is directly proportional to that site?s revenues. But that?s not what I?m talking about. So what would you prefer, 1000 engaged and active users or 35,000 bots, spammers, and people making noise? In a space where authenticity rules, why are we so scared to be authentic? For those who aren?t comfortable or don?t know how to best engage this space ? learn how to do it right or hire someone brilliant.

Haters being ignored! I firmly believe that your haters are one of your biggest opportunities in this space. Hear me out! Who cares if you tapped a fan club who pledge their love to you. Great! You?re fortunate and we?re pleased for you. But what about those people who are thoroughly annoyed by you?

Those people who tell anyone who will listen how crap your product, service or brand is. Imagine if you could sit down with these fine folk, have a candid conversation, objectively listen and come away with insights that will not only improve business, but if committed action is taken, will turn the hearts of your haters into some of your biggest brand fanatics. ?Hmmmm, this just gave me an idea?.

A few resolutions!

We need to know what to call this space. Social Media, New Media, Digital, Social Media Marketing, Social Technology?? Social is the correct part of the title. Media? Not so much. But then I don?t think it?s New Media either? if it is, then what do we call New Media when it?s no longer new? And p.s. ? it lost its newness about five years ago.

Rear view mirrors play an important role in our life. They keep us safe and they prevent us from doing things we?d only regret. It let?s us look behind ourselves to scan the environment and gather information in order to make informed decisions about our next step forward. In other words, looking back isn?t always a bad idea? and looking back in Social has been made ridiculously efficient by the lovely Peter Kim. Bookmark his wiki warehouse of Social case studies.

However the cards may fall, my prayer for you is that 2010 is your best year yet. So be balanced, be kind regardless of it being reciprocated and always be the first one to smile and say hello!

My sincere thanks to Shannon for sharing her thoughts on the year just passed and the year ahead, I think you’ll agree she says much of what we’re all thinking about (and feel free to leave your thoughts about the year ahead in the comments). I hope you’ll join me tomorrow when I offer up ten people doing amazing things.

photo credit:?sunsurfr

Ten for 10 in 2010 – Technology

iScream iNano - ipod series As we approach the end of the year, I thought it might be fun to share Ten for 10 in 2010 ? a list of people, blogs, apps, platforms and more that I think you might enjoy checking out in 2010.

These are just personal takes and, as with any list, this is subjective so please feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments after the post.

Yesterday I looked at blogs. This time around it’s technology – I hope you enjoy.

HTML 5. The Holy Grail for any web technology has been to offer true collaboration between desktop and cloud services. With HTML 5, 2010 might just be the year it finally happens. By removing the need for plug-in Internet applications like Adobe Flash and Javascript, and introducing the semantic web and improved media use, HTML 5 could be a game changer.
Smartphones. With Apple’s iPhone continuing to grow its loyal fanbase and RIM’s BlackBerry finally breaking away from its business-only audience, 2010 promises to be the year the Smartphone finally takes the mainstream. With numerous Android-powered handsets hitting the market and Google itself selling handsets directly, the mobile market is set to explode once more.
Microsoft Office 2010. Microsoft has found itself floundering recently, with Macs stealing thunder on the computer front and Firefox and Google Chrome enjoying success on the web browser front. But Microsoft is hitting back. 2009 saw a great launch for Bing and Windows 7, and Microsoft Office 2010 is set to continue this revival of fortunes. With web versions of its key desktop appliances, threaded emails and Wave-like collaboration, Office 2010 promises much and actually looks like it could deliver.
Barnes and Noble Nook. The Kindle may be taking the tech hearts along with Sony’s eReader, but don’t discount the Nook from book retailer Barnes and Noble. A colour touch screen and virtual keyboard is cool, but the real trick is LendMe – now you can lend books to other devices like iPods, computers and smartphones. Let’s see you do that, Kindle!
Project Natal. This might slip to 2011, but it’s just too damn sexy not to feature! Microsoft’s foray into controllerless video games, Project Natal looks set to redefine how we play games forever. Depth sensor, directional microphones, camera to gauage movement – if you’re a gamer and Project Natal doesn’t excite you, you may want to go back to playing cards.
Microsoft Surface. Having played with this at the recent launch of the new Microsoft Canada portal, this was nothing short of stunning. If you think touch-screen computers are cool now, wait until you get a load of?Microsoft Surface . Manipulate, design, download, upload, communicate, share and more – this will blow your mind.
OLED Televisions. If you think today’s LCD High-Definition TV’s are cool, then you’ll love the next generation. OLED televisons are thinner, better, more energy efficient, have sharper images, can connect effortlessly to the web and much more. The cost is higher than LCD television’s but the difference is like night and day.
Foursquare. Coming from out of nowhere and taking the mobile world by storm, Foursquare is enjoying a great uptake in 2009 and looks set to explode in 2010. With plans to “be everywhere” coming from the Foursquare office itself, expect this mobile app to become the next Facebook and Twitter and see marketers look at how they can leverage the audience that’s in their neighbourhoods.
Google Chrome OS. While Internet 8, Windows 7 and Bing have seen Microsoft resurgent in the home computer market, it may be short-lived if Google Chrome OS has anything to do with it. Built around their Chrome web browser, Chrome OS looks set to take desktop computing to the web and make it as user-friendly as possible. Should be an interesting battle.
3D Television. James Cameron’s Avatar shows that, done properly, 3D can be exciting and involving without being intrusive. With OLED sets offering improved performance and Sony leading the way, 3D television could be the next contender in 2010. And no, you won’t need those crazy green and red glasses.

So that?s the second part of Ten for 10 in 2010. Some of the products mentioned here are out, or close to being out, while others are further down the line. Some may succeed; some may fail miserably. Either way, I think they offer us some cool times ahead. And please, feel free to leave your own views on what’s ahead next year in the comments.

Hope you join me tomorrow when I have the first guest blogger, UK social media maven Shannon Boudjema, who’ll take a look back at 2009 and what she hopes for in 2010.

Disclaimer – Microsoft is a client of Maritz Canada, yet the views about the products mentioned here are mine alone.

photo credit: Themis was here

Ten for 10 in 2010 – Blogs

Predictions of New Media ala 1974 As we approach the end of the year, I thought it might be fun to share Ten for 10 in 2010 – a list of people, blogs, apps, platforms and more that I think you might enjoy checking out in 2010.

These are just personal takes, and will probably either see you agreeing or thinking I’ve lost the plot – and either one is fine by me! As with any list, this is subjective so please feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments after the post.

First up, and in no particular order, is Blogs (this is different from Bloggers, which will follow later). I hope you enjoy.

FU Penguin. The “F” and “U” is exactly what you might think they stand for, and set the tone perfectly for the chortle-fest that is F*ck You Penguin. An irreverent take on cute animals, it rips them to shreds and questions their right to be cute in the first place. A favourite.
ReadWriteWeb. Providing analysis of web trends and products, ReadWriteWeb is a must-visit if you have any interest in how the web is growing and the direction it’s taking. It covers mobile, technology, business and social, and better still, its writers don’t fall victim to believing their own hype (unlike some at another popular blog that tags itself “the social media guide”).
PR Breakfast Club. A collective of very cool minds from the public relations field, PR Breakfast Club launched in the second half of 2009 and is already required reading for anyone interested in PR, branding and much more. Not afraid to call things as they are, this should be in your reader today.
AriWriter. Penned by Ari Herzog, AriWriter is a pretty neat collection of a wide variety of topics, although they’re all tied together by social media or strategy planning. While I don’t always agree with Ari’s point of view, there’s no doubting his passion for his topics and that’s always a plus. Besides, who wants to agree all the time?
Jackass Letters. Part spoof, part satire, part comedy, part criticism – Jackass Letters is a pretty cool collection of letters sent to various departments of businesses worldwide. Some are just crude, while others are hilarious beyond belief. If you ever need a reminder why business and service are fun, this blog is it.
The Customer Collective. While its parent site Social Media Today may be the flagship, The Customer Collective is actually my preferred destination. Geared more towards how sales and marketing professionals can communicate better with customers, it offers some great insights from a variety of contributors.
BlogEngage. More a blog recommendation engine than a dedicated blog, I’m still including BlogEngage as it shares so much good stuff. Think of Digg just for bloggers, and with less gaming of the votes by power users, and you’ll have a good idea of what BlogEngage is all about.
MA.TT. The personal blog of WordPress founding developer Matt Mullenweg, MA.TT is a nice collection of information about WordPress, not to mention Matt’s views on blogging in general, technology, start-ups and more. It’s a must-read for any blogger interested in the news around the medium.
Digital Next. Part of the AdAge family, Digital Next is a great collection of what people see as the future of the web and advertising. Geo-tagging marketing, augmented reality, real-time audience targeting – this is a great resource for future trends and possibilities.
io9. I’m a geek – I’ve never hid that fact and I’m pretty proud to say my sci-fi nerdiness has followed me into adult life, so io9 is perfect for me. Talking about sci-fi (and sci-fact that could be fiction and vice versa), it’s the ideal stopover for your inner geek.

So that’s the first part of Ten for 10 in 2010. As I mentioned in the intro, these are all places I feel you’d enjoy as new reading fodder next year. But, please feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments.

Hope you join me tomorrow when I look at technology that should leave its mark next year.

photo credit:?Dan Zen