A 20/20 OPINION

SOURCE: ART PROJECTS FOR KIDS
A fantastic site for art projects you can do with kids as a parent or grandparent.  Step-by-step instructions.  Or, as a teacher:  pick an art project the kids work on while you read something to them.  My Grade 5 Teacher, Mr. Quigg, did that when I lived and went to school in Germany.  We didn't fidget, distract each other we were rapt by the narrative of The Hobbit while we were gobsmacked by our own creations.  I was often chosen to read to the class, my articulation developed early.  A budding leader in the making.  I'm not sure that is what Mr. Quigg saw.  It was probably just obvious:  the kids would listen better if it was from one of their own.

When I look back 40 years.

Since I graduated from High School in 1979.

Thrust into the 80s without any choice.

Those graduating with pending career jobs, had them revoked at the 11th hour.

Ronald Regan was in the American White House and Pierre Trudeau Canada's Premiere.

One of the most untold business stories that I still recall, was when the airline aviation navigators went on strike or threatened a strike, I don't remember.  (Will need to fact-check)

It was power or might.

The government trying to bust up a powerful union and force them to go back to work.

A lesson of how stubborn man|woman can be when defending their position.  We just act differently.

Flash forward to 2020.

20/20 yes.

It is clear.

The state of the world can be communicated by the state of the airline industry.

That is just my opinion.

Looking back to the early 1980s, there were hijacks and embassy ambushes, health uncertainty because of AIDS, a recession with negative growth.

Then there were the Cinderella stories.

Certainly Apple and MicroSoft top the list.  So does Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player to ever lace skates on.  

A lot of airlines went under in the 1980s.

Economy carriers started to emerge.  The BIG airlines were flailing.

Look at now:  with Boeing's scarred reputation and dismal ratings.

2020 and the next decade about to become, will continue to be marked through aviation.  Of the galactic kind.

"Do the impossible 

because almost everybody had told me

my ideas were merely fantasy."

~Howard Hughes

Elon Musk is on his way to being the Howard Hughes of our era.  

Latest story posted: on Bloomberg

 https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-12-23/tesla-is-decade-s-best-performing-automaker?cmpid%3D=socialflow-twitter-view&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_content=view&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

He is defining the era.

He is a maverick.

He faces the impossible every day.

He doesn't sway his passion from public opinion.

~Jeannette Marshall

How much skin is in the game? Know your numbers

People make sales complicated.

“Jeannette, just target the delivery deadline

and then work backwards every time.”

— Roger Grant, President, McAra, Calgary

1. Oftentimes, more often, they make promises that they are unable to keep.
2. Other times, they make promises that represents the work and the efforts of the engine behind them:  The Team
3. Many times, they shoot off or insert numbers or promises that they have no idea if they jive.
4. So many, don't do their homework, meaning they have no idea who their REAL competitor is.  
5. Too many, rely on their network, their connections which could be sports affiliations or educational means.  Remember, if it blows up (you don't or can't do what you had promised), the connection will explode, disconnect, and possibly legal hassles.

The right formula for selling is knowing the ins and outs of the craft:

•  who or what are you selling, services offered?
•  how are you measured? 
• what's important to the person in front of you?

If you can't provide a snapshot of who or what that person in front of you can decide whether or not you are paid, have a company, have a product, have a service they may be interested in.

It's like learning to dance:  you start with the walz long before you attempt the Tango.  

p.s.  I figure skated growing up.  I know of which I speak.  On ice.  I only imagine that without skates, the Tango is a challenge to master.  As a dancer.

You need to uncover the most critical elements of your prospect.  Who the buyer is, the influencer, the technical stamp, final decision maker?

What is going on in their world?

Do a search on GOOGLE with the company name or identity or person.  See what results.

Nifty tricks and lousy monitoring techniques

are used to baffle the decision makers, to convince them that this will fix that and enough techno mumbo jumbo to leap beyond the CEO, director, executive!

Understand the numbers.

If you really must race to the finish line.

You know all the basics, have had reasonable success.

You think you could move forward, successfully in career and in life.

Find a mentor.  Someone who will be your gauge.

Your cheerleader, your champion, your guider.

Someone who can test your internal algorithm and toss them out.  Asking the right questions.

Once you understand the numbers, will you be able to excel.  Think leaders, strong on numbers, research your own candidates or supply your own opinions.

Fact checking against posted numbers posted is going to be the real thermometer for influence by pure numbers.  No manipulation of expression, claiming expertise, unsupported, self-realized.  Just the purity of numbers.

If you can grasp numbers, process them quickly and then come to a quick conclusion based on the information (or data) available to you:  in the form of algorithms or applications or whatever!

The IA community is out there testing theories.

Behavioral scientists are studying data.

Extracting predictions based on the data.

Then, they can go data mining:  who would be

a person whom best represents my brand?

I have been writing full-stop on  Wordpress as www.optioneerjm.com

Neglecting this blog, as I have needed to exorcise a lot of stress, let go of a lot of things, a lot of people.  I wrote on there as an outlet, whereas www.blogspot\optioneerjm.ca has been dedicated more towards sales, social media, leadership advice.

I've realized my strength here and wish to rectify the behavior.  As I've been looking for my next career step, factoring my personal influences, I've been reflective.  This blogspot has always allowed me to express a stronger opinion, good sales advice or leadership awareness.

At least, I've watched only SOME OF THE NUMBERS.  I haven't been here for a while.

I recognize that this will remain a rinky dinky sales blog, that has a great tribe, early adopters on social media, mentorship and support.

That is, UNLESS I return some of the ideas of knowledge on sales or social media, I won't be able to be an evangelist on numbers if I don't explain why.

WHY?

Because as the majority of society and brands evolve more intricately online, they will exchange and engage more.

COMMERCE ONLINE

Is evolving to "influence marketing" which will kick the crap outta people's trust.  

How do you know if you can actually trust this brand with your information if you use their product or service?

Influence marketing has been abused and over-used already.  Fake news is past being a phenomena, it is still flourishing.

INFLUENCE WILL BE BACKED BY NUMBERS

Not claims.  That's why I was joking on optioneerjm.com how I need a VA real assistant who can do FACT-CHECKING on my various blogs.

MY NUMBERS are encouraging.

I have to figure out how to package and sell it.

As a person other's will likely CLICK if I float upon their screen.  The algorithms are consistently agreeing, I have some attractive numbers, because of my crew.  The tribe whom I engage with, by their click, an exchange, or I share, like or comment to too!

I have to put together a powerpoint presentation .ppt that I can send to one to three people I have in mind.  A proposal of sorts, on how we can move forward.

A WIN WIN

To leverage my numbers with their GOALS.

I will repost on www.optioneerjm.com (PLEASE subscribe, share, comment ).

Building a business love affair falls on the shoulders of the sales executive, keeping it in love falls under the account manager

A very bossy affair
original art by author, Jeannette Marshall
@optioneerJM
www.optioneerjm.com

_________________________________________________________________

I keep opening my mouth and I can't shut up!

Online, I get tap tapped tapped out.  Then I go under cover to regroup, take a deep breath, and then set on in out.

As all that hot air that I'd kept in, builds up to a momentum that makes you on the verge of IMPLODE.   

However, like a balloon needs hot air, so do we all.

Not having a place to vent, or trusted confidantes of the olden days.  Long before my time.  Folks were actually called "Confidante".  It signified trust.  

Unfortunately, today, we live in a bullish world where so many soldiers strive harder to raise above the increasing astronomical numbers.    They get clumsier and more aggressive.   Too much sizzle and not time to talk about how they'd like their steak:  those piranha infested waters  we dwell in online, we become too geared to 140 characters or less.

Global selling is a hard nut to crack, I would believe.  Without hard facts or knowledge yet.  Maybe I can find some information from my curiosity, would my approach really work in a global selling world.

Yes, I realize, I have watched BITCOIN and CRYPTO CURRENCY sail by, like sharks.  (SIDE NOTE:  watch "MEG" if you like movies that make JAWS look like minnows in the ocean. Great new movie out on digital streaming.)

This poor fella was being nice by asking me whether I would be interested in delivering course material for ITIL to a very large corporations' employees.  I agreed, gave him my personal email to follow up on.

See who is doing the following up here?

If you want to create a global presence, you rely on your word.

"Words are the largest revenue generator online.  Bypassing streaming, brand messaging, or any other kind.  Don't swing it like a sword.  Ignore it at your peril."                                                               Jeannette Marshall @optioneerJM

I would need the course material to review and prepare to communicate in any course hosting.

You should start a bio page on your web page that showcases your partners with their link to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, minimum.

If you want to act like a credible global organization, you have to begin behaving like one.  

Local customs aside, you have to fit in to the surf curve in the social media hub vibe.  Glide in and elegantly fit in.

Bulldozing your way only hurts your credibility and potential for trustworthiness.  What you do, or do not do,  as you have promised, you will be taking a huge pay cut!

Trust is your only way in.

To opening a buyer's mind.  Be aware that trading services is a practice that has been going on in the advertising world for decades, those folks call it contra.

You trade a bargain for a bargain of equal value in either goods or services at the agreed equal value at the onset, and it is tracked and assigned to a marketing expense in your entrepreneur or business accounting.

Selling services is like being a conductor of an orchestra:  you aren't playing any instruments, and yet the tone, beat and vibe is matching your swaying movements, as leader of the vibe.

Jeannette

Social Etiquette advances ENGAGEMENT online

The following was just posted on Facebook:

Hey Marsha Collier .... Happy 3rd Frienaversary!! It's been a happy ride on the bus with you and together, we show how 2 women, from 2 countries, remarkable and steadfastness to the roller coaster of social media together. Interesting isn't it that this came from Facebook and not Twitter where we consistently interact and "engage" with each other

I declare: Marsha Collier to be my BFF friend online ... dated this 14th day of June, 2018. A solidarity that could not be broken nor can be split even though our country's politicians are both acting like elementary boys volleying to being recognized as the most popular boy at school.

Can you imagine?

If Justin Trudeau invited moi Jeannette Marshall to attend a mini conference with @MarshaColliers and Donald Trump -- I BET we'd have it solved in 3 hours if a glass of wine and a great conversation exchanged between two different ladies: setting a new curve in an upward arrow swirling into the stratosphere as a solution of "WE TOO" @WE2 #We2 ..... Read more ......... HERE>

If you have a good friend, go ahead and tweet at them or post on their Facebook timeline, something along how you met and their impact on your online knowledge quest or self development or communications command post.

Even better if you could scout out a great tweet dated back to the early days of "ENGAGEMENT".

What's the big deal about ENGAGEMENT?

If you, my new associate, have to ask: you are NOT a social media guru.

Sales supremacy & social media power share the same ideal quality that separates all the giants from the tiniest beings is ........ well what do you think it means?

Enter your answer here:

A) On a piece of paper with A) B) and C) ready to go!

B) Share the answer on social media channels with #PureEngagement hashtag.

C) Ability and desire to be responsive, enthusiastic and a positive connection.

Since I wrote this mini exam, I already know the answer but will include "Responsiveness" as I share this blog.

Responsiveness? Conscientiousness? What does that mean? I'm certain that if you were a fleeting observer of either Marsha Collier or me over the past few years, you would have noticed increasing dialogues yet inaudible communication between us.

And, as life usually unfolds, an increasing respect and champion-like exchange begins, ignited between the two. There can be a sprinkle of questions or comments on either party's tweet usually and Facebook post often.

I just realized, we have neither invaded each other's personal space by direct messages, leaving it as a save tool, if you really need to ask a favor or that sort of exchange.

Let's be clear in a mix up space that online is, "Social Etiquette" is the crucial way to be enveloped, acknowledged and supported by the majority online period including the self-acclaimed "Influencer" or compensated "Brand Ambassador" folks aside -- simple because it is complicated and more difficult to dissect.

It is near impossible to have unified agreement on the numbers since data is the new child of the universe that creates opportunity and differentiation.

So often I see one sided, one vantage point or one perspective streaming from social media identities, whether from a brand enforcer or personalized name.

There isn't any trick.

You can go to any of your mediums to see where your mentions are coming from.

Battle over Privacy is nothing compared to data. I said that in a blog a good four or five years ago: the race for gathering personal information, habits, posts that create algorithms that allow predictive answers based on the: NUMBERS.

What comes after numbers? Artificial Intelligence or, what I like to call it: "Automated Internet". That is exactly putting the cart before the horse. Intentionally so, because by being able to predict what "desirable audiences" want, want to buy, want to see, want to subscribe to, etc.

Back in 1997, I was on weekly conference calls with the best, strongest sales team mates from across North America. A handpicked sort who developed ENGAGEMENT with each other based on how easy it was to reach out, just say hi or talk shop about anything, for me mostly lands on publishing or digital media (printing, web, social) my chin flips up and my voice gets louder, with excitement and speed builds, momentum jumps. They didn't mind that. People who "get me" recognize that the speed in which someone modulates their language or story shouldn't diminish its value, yet often is .... mistakenly.

Like the finest athletes, who can usually excel at multi physical exertion (i.e. ice skating: technical, artistic, choreography and graceful or dynamic flow)... people who can exude and engage at the same time are skillful in either sales or social media.

Now, there are a lot of anti-sales folks out there. For good reason for sure: usually being oversold something or paying more than necessary or break in promise on productivity, service, timelines. <Heed this advice < always under promise, be realistic to build credibility on expertise > over deliver don't over commit resources, people, tools, equipment, materials, timelines.

If a topic appeals to someone, regardless of stature in life, they will respond.

So think of a topic that you are enthusiastic about, interested in learning more about and then look (it is not hard to GOOGLE: "online+influence+gardening". Where Google likes to show independent opinion by using the numbers at their disposal: what is the number of clicks on a topic or identity? Then they display.

It isn't surprising that Facebook and Twitter are trying to build their engines: like the two kids on the first day of school and how it ends in the following June (around now: best friends, frenemies, etc.)

Facebook had its hand slapped after as people keep digging for more conspiracy theories online more than ever: not only evaluating the numbers that they have at their disposal and how they can leverage that as an enterprise wants to increase cash flow.

The best way to wrap this up would be to increase your online responsiveness wherever you have an identity, regardless of medium: Twitter, Facebook or InstaGram, etc. Look to see who "Mentions" or "RT" or "Tags" you and then acknowledge it with Social Etiquette, with "Thank You" being the easiest.

Post art source: Vogue

Iman Raad, Eye (Left), 2017, acrylic on raw canvas, 34 x 40 inches

Photo: Courtesy of the artist and Sargent’s Daughter Gallery (March 18 to April 23, 2017)

This is the New York debut of this breakout young talent from Iran, whose brightly colored paintings and installations allow fruits, flowers, butterflies, animals, and other nonhuman subjects to get a life.