My Birth Anniversary

Posted: January 30, 2013 in Posts
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I don’t work on my birthday it’s an entrepreneur rule I created, we fight the fight every day, we work like we are at war in a jungle, we take risks not many would take, we tax our family and friends for so much support as we ride the roller coaster but on this day we as entrepreneurs have the ability/power to say…”Not today!”

So today I celebrate the 13th anniversary of my 25th birthday, I chose this year for a few reasons but mainly because as a young business owner it was the year I got really lucky and started being “successful” by working for myself and having that freedom. I was able to have fun and work and have fun working that feeling has not left since so that is my year forever.

Where and how I grew up birthdays are meant to be a special day for immediate family and the friends that are fam.

It’s the day and night you spend with the ones you trust the most, that would do anything for you and you would do anything for. I have a few brothers from other mothers and some people that have been there for me through the best and worst of times.

As I get older of course I have spent my birthday with significant others but it was always planned around when I would be with the “fam” first. It’s out of respect and acknowledgement that we go through this life meeting many people and sometimes acquaintances become friends but the history is not there and the feeling of…yo I would do anything for this clique I am with today.

Sure we get older and wives and children must come first but they know how we feel and what it means to us to share our day together sometimes because of responsibilities of being “adults” this becomes more challenging but that challenge allows us to show each other how we still hold this ritual of respect dear to our hearts.

This year I decided to spend my day/night with someone new in my life that I know cares, it took much thought and a little concern mainly because it was my way of showing how much I cared and that I felt this person was part of that special trust we only share with a small few in life so that we always know who in our lives means the most and we should commit more of our good intentions, time and actions to. It is important to realize when it’s time to open up to someone who has earned our trust and whose trust we have earned.

It’s all good! I really thought this through well and I am psyched because the effort and care is evident and mutual so I look forward to the fun, the moment and the memory.

I question some stuff on the morning of for the sake of self-reflection and maturation of myself so that I may learn from my mistakes, enjoy my life, wear my heart on my sleeve bravely and work to be a better human (or alien not sure yet) and to enjoy the ones that with their heart live in my life.

May I not get too self-involved during hard times, may I never forget those who stay by my side and most important let me thank all old and new so they know I am grateful for all that share their heart with me and their trust we shall take care of each no matter what in this life.

To all celebrate you on your birthday and be grateful to those that aid in that celebration from their hearts, keep the circle small and save parts of you for a few that deserve more of you than random people that pass through our lives, trust me this means a lot.

“Fear not when, fear not why, fear not much while we’re alive Life is for living, not living up tight, see ya somewhere up in the sky…” Jay Z – Forever Young

Some Of What Makes Me

Posted: January 11, 2013 in Posts
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It seems like yesterday no wait stop

I know the past is how the future become but
There is so much I have to let go so I need to start again
Open up my heart let all thoughts come and go
I will find what I need as history and the future pass through my brain sometimes at lightening speed
So I let those thoughts pass and even get at me but the present is all I need just these moments not much more
It’s been so long and I saw all I want but I still want more
This time I have had it’s been fun but not enough
Call myself greedy then I reflect and know what I want more of what makes me happy
So here we are I needed inspiration from a source I could trust
I needed to be in someone’s arms so I could keep going strong
This is not weak I can’t be wrong it takes a smile, some care and then my mind goes on
I must admit because it’s heart it’s passion and it can’t be stopped
So tell me I can’t think this way and they are wrong it’s a good woman for me to charm
If I have someone that I can trust then she trusts me and look what I and she  can be
For all that think being this honest is too risky you’re right but I like being wrong
My dreams and what I want I will get as long as I stay this way and so do they
I keep them close because they take care of me and I got them taken care of we
As for karma I respect you sir I know I get what I deserve so bad with good but good will win
Simply because I got me first and with me you are
I speak of one and a few more the circles small and I know where I belong
So thank you to you all you know who you are

The Power Of A Smile

Posted: December 15, 2012 in Posts
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It doesn’t take very long when someone gets to know me a bit to learn I’m pretty unfiltered and honest about just about anything…I hope this is a good thing.

So recently more people are telling me I look happy, I’m smiling more.

If you remember the Patch Adams film with Robin Williams there is a great scene when he is testing and demonstrating his smile theory:

As Patch and Truman wander around smiling and greeting strangers, we as viewers smile, too.

patch

For some time I had been extra sensitive about letting anyone into the inner circle of me, we have all been there when someone has hurt us, betrayed us, or just turned out to not be the person we thought they were, or things just didn’t work out and the hurt that comes from this discovery. A hurt that feels like it may never go away. This is not just in a relationship it could be anything we had high hopes and expectations about and it didn’t turn out positive, things just didn’t work out.

I wasn’t sure how much time it would take or what it would take to allow me to open up and listen to my heart versus being so over protective of myself and not having the opportunity to let someone be closer to me and for me to enjoy me more. Then it happened and It was a smile!

Well that’s where it started and now is still one of the biggest reasons I have opened up to caring aout and trusting someone. I know just a smile doesn’t seem to be enough but there is more to a smile than one immediately thinks. So much more.

Her smile melted me, then her kiss opened me.

For me in the beginning it was the ability to see her smile with just a close of my eyes, then it was being able to feel the sincerity of her smile and how much more it was saying, most importantly when someone smiles and looks you in your eyes they are telling you something only meant for your eyes and heart…it’s doesn’t need to be said.  There is a special connection forming when this starts happening it’s usually when you realize you care about this person, how they feel, if they are OK  if they are happy, you want to make them happier, you want them to know you care.

I’m not saying two people need to be falling head over heels in love, could be dating, seeing each other or some other kinda label to have this connection this could be just a moment, but a moment that you want to last for as long as you choose to want to keep smiling, be happy and trust. Two people can form their own unique relationship around just being happy on each other’s personal terms and honesty no rules need apply. Just keep making each other smile inside and out.

I’m happier and I’m smiling more and happy with me and I notice other parts of my life family, friends, and work are progressing and evolving all positively. I hope it’s for the simple reason of I’m smiling and someone is smiling at me, because it can and should be that simple we don’t have to over complicate it.

My work is a major part of my life and my time so it’s usually the people I work with that pick up quickly that I wear my heart on my sleeve and I hope notice that I do this so that it defines me and I am someone who can be trusted and stand behind my words.

“You must look inside you, Sure books can guide you, But your heart defines you” Jay Z

I’m not exactly walking into meetings and anywhere with a kool-aid smile on my face…I’m smiling inside as well, that for me is when I know I’m really happy with me and feel I can accomplish so much more and give so much more of me to someone special, my loved ones, good friends and the things in life that enjoy my happiness and I look forward to making happy. This is part of my own personal definition of feeling successful.

As Mary Poppins said,  “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.”

mpoppins

Life is work, we work to be smarter, to have more freedom, to be successful however we define success, we work to make the people we care about know how much we care, and we work on being a better us. We can choose to have fun doing this and see the fruits of our labors in our smiles and the smiles we inspire in others.

We should stay open minded and have an open heart for the smiles around us from that special someone, friends, family and total strangers and the moment that you notice the smile you can immediately feel a need to smile and feel good things in your life with that smile. Call it smile inspiration, get and give smile inspiration and good things come, anxieties and worries will go away and you get to enjoy YOU more and more.

So thank you, you know who you are bella!

Opinion: GM makes drastic advertising decisions

Posted: May 19, 2012 in Posts
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So Facebook is not effective although nearly 60% of FB users click on ads, over 3 million brand pages are there, it is the largest data bureau in the world. Study: Nearly half of Facebook users never click ads

GM to Stop Advertising on Facebook – was GM really advertising in Facebook?

Missing communications and social context.

Especially when slightly comparing it to the GM website

And now the Super Bowl is too expensive even with massive traditional and digital media reach as well as a wide and engaged audience…

GM drops out of Super Bowl advertising

Message to who, with what goal and how can reaction be expected here that would lead to engagement, word of mouth, or sales lift?

Advertising is now more dynamic than ever so I agree budgets, creative and marketing communications should move with the engagement and the goals faster. However for a brand like GM that has the budgets for Super Bowl and mass community management I think the decisions being made are not dynamic just drastic.

If GM were to  run a Super Bowl ad that led to an engagement campaign and reduced spending in other areas that are not as measurable, success could come possibly in a short period of time.

TV is still a huge advertising channel but for who and for what and why is what we need to know before planning a TV campaign for a client, especially with the reach, relevance and engagement available to us with digital video.

We really now have the exciting opportunities to iterate, personalize, and optimize ads based upon real human behavior and opinion via socnet. The data is enormous now but the data is enormous now, so that said I think the key is paying close attention to optimize all media up and down the marketing funnel, “arbing” properly the creative, content, context, media and goal.

Our minds are like parachutes, they only work when they are open, and allow freedom of thought minus the fears.

Think prospect relationship management is what I tell  my clients, try not to crash the dinner party get invited, deliver a message that is more natural, use the social windows properly and combine them with traditional media and methods.

GM There is plenty of opportunity for you here and I am glad to see a brand like you being sensitive to spends that is smart but try not to lose sight and focus on the “long tail.”

PS – I wouldn’t hide any cars in some odd place and try to get people to find them and don’t think more celebrity power, think influence, reach and seduction.

There is plenty of opportunity to be effective right down to the dealer and point of purchase level with engaging, efficient, unique, and seductive marketing communications. The data can lead you there.

Blackberry – A Troubled Relationship

Posted: January 24, 2012 in Posts
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Dear RIM,

(I hope you will receive this message via social media, since the decision you’re making has important consequences for your customers).

I’m speaking for myself and, to some extent, for all RIM customers. (Naturally, I encourage other customers to voice their own views.)

First, I want to thank you for the work you’ve done to date. I’ve been a loyal RIM customer and a brand ambassador when given the opportunity. Over the past two years, however, I’ve thought many times about switching to an iPhone or another competitor’s device.

While I continue to be happy with some of the features that sold me on you in the first place: amazing email functionality, superior security and your keyboard (I have a Bold 9900, and dig the device), I believe it’s high time RIM provides its customers some new reasons to remain loyal.

There was a great article in the NYT this weekend on Apple’s manufacturing which demonstrated the incredible emphasis Apple has on anticipating consumers’ needs during product development. It would be impossible for an Apple customer to read the article and not feel that Apple cares deeply about their product experience, considering even how their phone’s going to fare when placed in their pocket next to their housekeys. It’s a good read on American manufacturing that also touches on margins, work ethics and more.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/business/apple-america-and-a-squeezed-middle-class.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

I don’t have any special knowledge of RIM’s product development methodology and so can’t make a comparison. If RIM is working in similar fashion to Apple, planning a future with its customers based on their needs, I’d be glad to know about it. The way I see it, RIM and I are and have been in a relationship. I suppose I’m asking what RIM’s commitment to me is and what it’s done for me lately.

Relationships involve getting better at what you’re already really good at, learning what the other person really wants from you and then working on being more of whatever that is. For RIM, this should involve embracing niche markets and developing more of what they want.

I’m not going to give a full list of what I need from RIM right now but there are undoubtedly areas for improvement that benefit us both. These have to include merchant abilities (possibly in the works), a secured merchant app so I can have outside sales reps for my software company accept payments. One new reason why this is important is that Square, one of the most popular services, isn’t available for Blackberry https://help.squareup.com/customer/portal/articles/140388-can-i-use-square-with-my-blackberry- This would really make us both happier. Mobile merchant services is not a bad look considering…

I feel we aren’t communicating well. Maybe you have plans I’m not aware of—things that would allow me to worry less and be more enthusiastic about our future. I know, financially, you’re stressed out right now. Frankly, it’s that way for a lot of companies, so know you’re not alone and you’re in a better place than many others, I’m here to support you for the long haul. However, you can’t ignore that I’ve made plenty of sacrifices to be in this relationship. It’s time for you to reciprocate by making some compromises of your own.

I think it would be cool to see you working on a highly publicized incubator to build enhancements to the Blackberry experience. Make it fun, challenging (independent of your existing culture) and really focus this on utilization of existing customers; score us and the ROI on each of us.

You can’t be everything to everyone, so prioritizing our relationship right now is pretty important. Think beyond startups. Look for mobile companies and software that will really benefit your customers and help them provide products to us (Right now, they’re almost all very focused on Apple IOS and Android, understandably so). When I say “highly publicized,” I don’t mean a reality show, I mean publicized on social media and communicated to me and my friends and then their friends…because that’s how it works. Think Kickstarter concepts for RIM (not literally); source the interest from me, don’t be afraid to ask. You haven’t asked about me in a long time.

Another idea, Vlingo! I used the Christmas credit you gave me (thank you!) so it was free. That was cool because I was already testing the free trial, is there a way to work more closely with them? Are you already doing that? They’re the same company as Siri, right, but I tested Siri and, well, Vlingo needs work but has potential. I would just be cautious on advertising it too soon, I think there’s a way to find out what help Vlingo may need, what challenges they have, and what it would take for Vlingo deliver the best version possible to Blackberry users and then make it happen!

Well RIM you know how to reach me…

Cheers -

Brian Rice

Social media and decisions with consequences: BOA & Netflix

Posted: October 23, 2011 in Posts
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After reading this article:
by: Kyle Arnold for  Tulsa World

All just my perspective, all easier said than done all very possible though.

So much data is being optimized on the advertising side of these brands, social, traditional, mobile…if it’s media they’re in! How can we influence more people to influence more people? Now how do we clean this mess up?


Netflix & Bank of America Decisions and Consequences  – My work & my customer hat on here -

  

The data is so obtainable the largest focus groups in the world are easily accessible for brands to form and react to, no longer a  .001% segment from a panel sourced with incentives…it’s real time, it’s intimate now and it moves fast and it wants to be listened to and seduced.

In FB alone (700+ mill audience) the ability to pretty much predict trends between topics & engagements to brands is available with technology. Visual data is just awesome! After years of databases and queries producing reports only engineers and stats guys wanted to see now it’s pretty we have infographics and chartbeat and so many ways to make data pretty. Everyone from sales to marketing departments to customer service can see it and relate to it but is there a plan to make that data actionable?
Advertising networks are optimizing and profiting more now by analyzing brand data on an aggregate level and then optimizing across all media and other brands, are the brands profiting? Is there a net net positive in this relationship?
Since this is part of my work I use the word profiting because that’s the goal BUT it should be a net net positive effect for the customer of the brand then the brand then the services…arbitrate-optimize.
IMHO Netflix and BOA could have created interesting ways to engage with all of their customers and basically tell their customers that they have a problem and solving it can help them and the customer and here are a few options…what do you think may be best for you?
Now of course it’s safe to assume all of those options are solving a problem for BOA and Netflix there maybe some options that just don’t solve a problem for the customer. Unless they created something unique and thoughtful for the customer.
My opinion is follow and embrace the data..math doesn’t lie! Minimize the risk because what’s happening now is and is going to be even more expensive for the oops in Netflix’s case, BOA is such a different situation..banking.
Banking is a bit o’ mess currently and there are certain customers that count to BOA and then certain the math just doesn’t work for but really it doesn’t work for BOA or their customer and that may be OK depending on how that break up goes down, maybe they can part ways as friends and that could create a net net positive effect for both BOA and those customers.
I say this because I believe there are a very important % of BOA customers that understand the cost to provide certain services and unique financial functions needs to go up maybe the fee on the debit card was not the place to go for it or maybe that is actually the exact place because BOA has some great technology for businesses and customers and I am sure it’s not cheap, good tech shouldn’t be ; ).
But was this the best way to handle these cost issues?
 I listened to some of the customers and both sides of the story are compelling from customers that the dollar amount is irrelevant to and those that it is very relevant to each side had understanders and customers leaving. And maybe that’s what the BOA goal is to make the costs work 80/20 type stuff, but this is not going to be a “friendly” beak up now…that’s expensive! Brand value neglected. Netflix I don’t have a theory on their decisions other than quite possibly fear.
Netflix and BOA work with  some really smart companies and have some really smart people sometimes decisions are not so mathematical between service providers and clients especially in advertising and now it’s advertising /+ technology so this is an understatement and a half.
Some of the most advanced modeling looks something like..OH YEAH that makes total sense…duh!  At least when it’s done right but it’s not easy to source it all together at least not yet for a lot of brands. So IMHO social media (Facebook analytics alone) + prospecting/branding media have that data readily available that could indicate quite well and reliably the decision making process across all other media channels  and big changes could/should now have less risk and a more net net positive results.
It will be very interesting to me at least to follow how both of these company’s decisions play out and what new reactions and actions come.

Steve Jobs, we lost one

Posted: October 21, 2011 in Posts
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The honesty and open communication in G+ (from those I follow and that follow me) has been really exciting and inspiring. So I thought I would share a pretty honest story about my morning and the thoughts that came to me this morning as I really took in all the different posts and shares related to the death of Steve Jobs and my own perspective. As well as the song that came to me through this reflection.

“When you combine passion and hard work, then success is always possible.” – Arte Moreno

The loss of Mr. Jobs (a business soldier) hit us all differently and some the same, for me reflection came. I got home to my love last night telling me she is concerned with my work ethic and my health. Thank you B I love you with all my heart and am so grateful you love me and all my insanities.

I have lost friends damn near family large in part due to my work priorities and ethics and no matter why or who was “wrong” or “right” I still miss them, success and money does funny things to relationships sometimes evil whether it’s the gain of wealth and success or the loss of them. Just when you think you’re intentions are good that could only be your perspective.

I quote Jay-z “Everybody wanna know what my Achilles heel is, LOVE I don’t get enough of it”

I woke this morning remembering vividly my Mom’s face and tears when she saw at 17 what I was really selling to pay the mortgage cause dad left, I remembered my best friend’s face when I fired him after 20+ years in each other’s lives. He was right there to watch my Mom cry that day and a big part of the company doing really well during its first 10 years. Damn dude you broke my heart and I was so mad for so long but I hope wherever you are you and your family are doing well. Please respect the truth and find peace.

“I have had all of the disadvantages required for success.” – Larry Ellison

Music Inspires Me – I am 36 and grew up in NYC, I was a DJ in my teens (for weddings, bad bars (think Road House), bar mitzvahs) so I learned to love classical music, pop, rock, all genres but I am a big jazz, blues and hip hop fan. That said my thoughts this morning led me to “Lost Ones” by Jay-z a must listen on the way in I thought.

This entrepreneur thing is not so easy most of the times regardless what some believe but Jobs, Gates, Hughes, Simmons, Jay Z and so many more (imho) all are inspiration to keep fighting and to find the balance. They gave and give it everything they have, their hearts.

“A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.”- Jeff Bezos

I was one of many that watched the Stanford speech and then I watched Jobs and Gates during their rare interviews together…Awesome stuff!

Young, dumb, and too proud I turned down 2 exits years ago…if I knew then what I know now well I would’ve sold and been grateful. Didn’t see 2008 coming!

So if when I didn’t accept terms I didn’t really say thank you…A.M.C. and CBC Thank You for your consideration at the time.I follow closely and congratulate all your accomplishments since.

I wish all of them and all of us perseverance and humbleness and success. The troopers that make many sacrifices, the entrepreneurs doing it with heart may we all get to our goals and enjoy our lives…that’s good energy.

The sacrifices, the hours, the heartbreaks, the challenges I wouldn’t have it any other way but the only cost should be time, capital, and yes emotional but not so much friends, family, loved ones, and health.

“Football is like life – it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.” – Vince Lombardi

So again thank you to those that pave the way, that falter in the public eye for the sake of others to learn from their mistakes, that consider our futures as they innovate, that can affect so many from their own accomplishments, that are willing to give it all for the many rewards and challenges that come from success and sacrifice.

So to my Love, my Mom, to all my family, my friends that support me to Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Howard Hughes, Eminem, Ray Charles, Shawn (Jay-z) Carter, +Larry Page , +Sergey Brin , +Mark Zuckerberg, the G+ers and so many more on my list that inspire, make me challenge myself, and work with heart Thank You.

Have a good day. – Brian

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