Want to know how the economy got f’ked up? (sorry Mom, but the f-word is the only one to describe what you are about to hear.)
Take 45 mins and listen to this:
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The sound he makes is the ferry sound, before the guy says Island Queen. When I was an intern in college, I rode the Island Queen three times a week to Martha’s Vineyard.
The online business world is clearly different. Everything is so much less tangible. Obviously, you cannot pick up a product or talk to a store agent, you have to make decisions based on a sterile, silent, 2D world. Most of the older generations simple do not trust this world, and with good reason. What if you had to buy an apple only based on a picture? How awkward does that feel?
Very.
So to survive in this online marketplace one needs to become transparent. OK, buzz word bingo time, yes, I know, but hear me out.
Why transparent?
Being transparent builds trust. But remember transparent is not open. Open allows others to walk in and fuck with things. Transparent is building that trust behind a pane of glass. Letting just enough info out to the public without everyone knowing everything.
Restaurants have been doing this for years with the design of the open kitchen. Being able to look over and see the work being put into your meal, hear the noise but not really what’s said, watch the flashes of flame but not know what’s really cooking, adds energy and excitement to a certain setting.
This is transparency in our online world. This is how the trust is built.
No one likes the man behind the curtain anymore. Blogs, forums, and things like twitter have enabled the occupants of Oz to out the man behind the curtain. They are just no longer scared anymore. All you have to do is take that curtain down, add some personality but not too personal and you can maintain your privacy.
The fear of a digit imprint days are over, it is time to open up. Those are the best at it with a good product will rise to the top.
I’ve been thinking about looking into a charity/cause for the Haitian earthquake victims for 3 weeks now. I was traveling when the earthquake happened and didn’t have time to catch up on it.
Then the cause found me.
Listening to NPR last night I was moved by the following story:
There is a lot more to the story but here are the cliff notes:
Roody Joseph was born in Haiti but has been living in the US for years with his wife and 6 children. He went to Haiti 2 years ago, got stuck there via paperwork/gov’t and was about to finally come back into the US when the earthquake hit. He stayed.
He stayed to help the children of Haiti.
Now, I’m not much one for religion, but I have nothing against anyone’s beliefs in this world. Roody is a volunteer for the mission: Promised Provision Miniseries
I have done all my homework, checked with government agencies, and the organization is legit.
If you gave to the Haitian earthquake cause already, all good. If you wish to give more, even $10 can help. If you do not want to give but want to help, pass this link on.
I have emailed the PPM a few times. They have been very kind in response. I have uploaded a few pictures of the PPM Assisted Children here:
Starting with the Australian Open live in Melbourne, going home for a few days to see it on TV, and now in London, I have watched the Aussie Open on 3 continents in the last week. Pretty amazing, I am humbled, and I want thank my Grandparents, parents and family for helping me get here.
and finally James Blake, USA vs Del Potro, ARG which was one of the greatest live sporting events I have ever been to in my life. The match was 5 sets, 4h 20 mins, and two of the sets went to tie-break.
Tomorrow we are playing more golf and I hope it goes on as planned as I should have more photos from a real camera. These photo were taken with my Blackberry.
