A.Connector

Thanks so much for early response to A.Connector in either blog comment, IM or e-mail form. Appreciate the feedback, points on “typos” areas needing improvement,etc. Please keep those comments coming. They are the “lifeblood” of the work here.

OK some of you(please remember I’m asking everyone who is interested-meaning “eyeballs” this blog or “earballs” this podcast) to contribute a short concise audio file on what being “a connector” means to you. We accept audio blog comments, voice mails,mp3 file via e-mail, etc.

So for some further study-what does the dictionary say? Con·nect·or
n.

One who, or that which, connects; as: (a) A flexible tube for connecting the ends of glass tubes in pneumatic experiments. (b) A device for holding two parts of an electrical conductor in contact.

Ok, so disregarding the “that which” let’s stay with the “one who.” So I can extrapolate and say “connect with what?” Other people, ideas, scents, images, poetry, a color… I think you can see where I’m going with this. However, I’m trying to emphasize an individual “that acts as a facilitator or enabler of his/her market.” You’re not in marketing or sales you say? Well in the broadest definition you are. Life is a marketplace. We all strategies to market and sell our ideas, thoughts, personalities, etc. Some of us are even selling products and services for pay.

From the time you were young you were engaged in the marketing and sale of “yourself” to your parents, siblings, playmates, neighbors, and society in general. The difficulty in life is when we encounter that we were all a “little spoiled” by selling our parents. You see, parents tend to be ‘easy sales” when it comes to their “babies.” Oh they meant well, but they didn’t know they were giving us a slightly skewed perspective on how marketing and sales work. They didn’t help us get adequate exercise for the “power of persuasion” muscles we needed to develop. Well maybe when we became teenagers, and the product we were selling wasn’t as “cute and lovable” as when we were tots. Then we got a good “taste” of the “tough sell” when asking to borrow the car, or needing more money for this and that, or wanting to wear some of mom’s expensive jewelry.

So maybe for the sake of my ever-expanding analogy “marketing” is the thought and “mind share” we put into socializing and interacting with the world around us. The “sales” were the actual “connections” we made. The friends we made, the people that responded to our offers of friendship, the people we persuaded to spend time with us.

Now, you may have noticed that you or other people around you place a great importance on linking the 2nd and 3d parties in your sphere of influence? Some more some less. You know the kind f person I mean-the kind that joins or heads clubs, teams, groups. The kind of person that enjoys or comes natural to making a greater effort in harmonizing their “peers” talents and abilities or makes an effort to promote others with no selfish reward or motivation. Well to be less “rosey” about it-, at least where the act of connecting benefited the others more than the “connector.”

Is it “karma” or “kismet“, “DNA” or the “way we roll?” I’m not sure-i don’t portend to have all the answers, corporately we have much more of the “answer pie.” Please join me in trying to flesh that out. Send up a flare when you have an idea.

Now this is what I mean when I talk about Chris Brogan. Always, upbeat and probing,trying to enhance the conversation and get others to join. How appropriate for my blog. Find his post here.

Just for the record. The list is not my “fanboy” chance to “kiss the asses” of each of these people. Some aren’t necessarily big favorites of mine and in some cases I rarely view or listen to them. So why bother putting them here? I believe they are good “references” or “guideposts” if you will. This list is by no means conclusive. I feel each of these people is a good example within their medium of a “connector”; one who uses a lot of heart to reach out to those watching/reading/listening/using. These are some of the “successes” of the new media in my economy of thought. I have nothing but great respect and admiration for these guys, even if I’m not a card carrying fan in some cases. In essence- job well done gang, now do it even better!

Yes folks. First podcast here. Please be kind, but be vocal? What did you like/dislike? I have begun a project to get many new media friends to add their voices/thoughts to the conversation on being a connector. Since new media is citizen media, if you feel you have something to add to the conversation, please send me you audio file @ bbluesman at gmail dot com or leave voice mail at: 206-309-0542.

Main topics: Introduction, Defining the Destiny

Some “Connectors” who have inspired me and are cited within: CC Chapman, Chris Brogan, Christopher Penn, Eric Rice, Evo Terra

“All you can do, is all you can do.” These words from former football coach, entrepreneur, and major-league team owner that used bootstrapping to kick his own butt and get the job done-Art Williams (see his “Connector Link”link at the side bar on right).

Doesn’t get any simpler or clearer than that. If you did-just rest in the knowledge of that and see what happens. If you didn’t give it another shot or keep doing so until you do. We all seem to fall into one of two categories; 1) too easy on ourselves and too critical of others or; 2) too easy on others and too critical of ourselves. Which are you?

Hopefully you’re in the third category (not mentioned above) “balanced”. If you fall into that category, then be a “good connector.” Meaning what exactly? Give a friendly “push” or “kick in the butt” if your friend is coasting. Let him know in a kind way, that perhaps there is still some distance to the goal. Show or explain to how to them if they genuinely don’t understand.

For the self-deprecators around you. Let them know that they have done all they can in the given situation. They need the “most encouragement.” They already think they are bad people. Help them to “sigh a breath of relief” and await the result of their actions.

Do I do this all the time? No, but I know it is right. Being a “connector” is a process.

Happy to be here. Very excited to get this global biz/marketing new media project going. So many things to discuss. Looking forward to your comments/questions. Let’s connect and grow together!