The Sean Ely Challenge Part Deux

Sean, these challenges kind of make me want to stick a dart gun to my head. But hey, at least you're making it easy for me to come up with blog post ideas.  Thanks for that.  Here we go!

1. In what month of what year will Google+ deteriorate? If you don't think it will, why don't you?

I don't think it will because Google is working overtime for world domination. Either they'll find a way to make it successful or they won't admit defeat and let it live in cyberspace for ever and ever.

2. What's your favorite video chat platform: Skype, Google+, iChat, Gmail's Gchat video or other?

I love Skype.  It keeps me in touch with out-of-state family and worked really, really well when Ben was overseas for work. We still got to see each other every day even though he was in Germany, Austria and England.  Pretty amazing.

3. If you had to defriend one Hunch Free (or family member, if you're not a Hunch Free staffer) staff member, who would it be and why?

This question is rude.  I'd much rather talk about this behind someone's back. Ha ha I pick Sean because he's the one who is asking. 

4. Where's the most pointless place you've seen someone "check in" on Foursquare or Facebook?

I-96.  Nice Michael.  Pretty sure you're the mayor of that awesome location too. :)

5. What iPhone/Droid app has been your favorite in the past 30 days?

Spotify (for me) The Talking Gorilla (for Finn).

Hunch Free Hits the Road

Hunch Free will be attending the FutureMidwest conference this week in Detroit.  Admittedly, I haven't done much research into the event itself or the wide array of speakers. I’m going in blind, which is odd for a type-A planner like me, but I’m trying to limit any pre-conceived notions about what I may or may not learn.  I want it to be like going to Cedar Pointe for the first time (in awe) or like sitting in on my first big client meeting as an intern (soaking it all in).  

If I did, however, allow myself to set a few goals for what I hope Hunch Free will attain from skipping out on “work” for a few days and being exposed to new thinking outside of our walls, I would want us to:

•  Learn more about at least one product/service/digital initiative that could benefit our clients
•  Amass more ways to engage our Hunch Free database of prospects, friends and existing clients
•  Meet a few new possible creative partners

The conference will, at the very least, provide some great fodder for future blog posts and new idea generation for our clients.  Stay tuned for updates!

Out of Nowhere

I had a great time yesterday watching the Masters.  I’m not the biggest fan of watching golf on TV, but I’m glad I did yesterday. It really got me thinking.

If you missed it, the match had many twists and turns, tons of drama and ultimately a victor that came out of nowhere. That’s the beauty of sports, crazy things happen, underdogs win, predetermined champions fail and things are never safe.

I found myself wondering what the leaders were thinking as they went down the stretch. Who did they view as a threat? Many questions went through my head as I watched it all unfold. Should you focus on the people in front or behind – or should you just do what you do and focus on your goal?

In the business world it’s not much different that what happened yesterday at the Masters. There are always companies that are thought of as the winner before they even finish, much like Tiger Woods. And there are always companies that come out of nowhere to steal the show. I guess that is why I love sports and business, it’s a constant battle and a fun ride. The big difference between sports and business, is that in sports, the game ends at a known predetermined point. However in business we don’t have that luxury, and that keeps on your toes. The strong survive and the weak fade away.

Do you know where you stand? Are you constantly fixing your swing to keep an edge? I hope so because there are no days off in this game.

We’ve been able to hang around in this tough economy and even sneak on up on a couple of the “Tiger Woods’” of our industry – I’m proud of that and we plan to do more of it, so look out.

My advice to you is look ahead, take a good look and really see whom you want to pass, but remember to peak behind once in a while because somebody else is always looking to pass you.

Will you come out of nowhere or get passed along the way?