A Bigger Voice

Part 2, Brains on Fire: Interview with Spike Jones

"People ache for the human connection."

--Spike Jones, Chief Firestarter, Brains on Fire

In Part 2 of my three-part interview with Spike Jones from Brains on Fire, we cover lots of ground, from what it takes to have a strong culture to how movements live both offline and online to how building a community is an organic process. We also touch on having fun, saving the day and being profitable. Photo by brainsonfireflicker.

Two of my key take-aways as a wisdom entrepreneur:

• A traditional entrepreneur can get caught up in the goal of making money, to the detriment of growing the business. Likewise, a wisdom entrepreneur can be so enamored with their cause that engaging and empowering kindred spirits can suffer, to the detriment of building a movement. Spike reminds me that focusing on "the other" is where it's at. Whoever is in your community, find ways to tap into their passion and co-create with them.

• Defining your brand (part of the Crystallizing phase in A Bigger Voice) and staying true to it is important, whether you are a traditional entrepreneur or a wisdom entrepreneur. Fun is part of the Brains on Fire brand and you can see it throughout their work. I especially like how it comes out in how they welcome viewers to their site.

Enjoy Part 2, which is approximately 12 minutes long.

Throughout Part 1 and 2 of this interview with Spike, I make reference to the Tequila Shots Book. You'll find that and more (including other podcasts) on the Published section of their site.

In Part 3, Spike reveals more lessons learned on building movements, including one that I found to be completely counter-intuitive. Stay tuned.

Brains on Fire: Interview With Spike Jones

Brains on Fire is a brand identity and marketing company that drew my attention with these words on their home page: "Brains on Fire helps organizations build movements." 

When was the last time you heard a for-profit company talk about building a movement? Love it. That led to a more poking around on their site, a tweet about the company, followed by a series of email exchanges between myself and Spike Jones, BOF's Chief Firestarter.

I discovered a company that not only understands the nature of communities and movements, but also knows how to create remarkable relationships with fans/kindred spirits. Nurturing your evangelists or "1000 true fans" is not something I've spent much time talking about on this blog. It's one of the reasons I got so interested in Brains on Fire. 

"Be famous for the people who love you and for the way you love them."

--Greg Cordell, Principal at Brains on Fire

It's notable that Spike found me. I tweeted about the company and then he initiated a conversation. He later asked for a snail mail address to send a thank you for the tweet. This was not just over the top. It was remarkable. And it further intrigued me. Who are these guys anyway?

I asked Spike if he'd like to be interviewed for this blog and he graciously said yes. I'll talk more about my experience with Brains on Fire, as a new fan, at the end of this three-part blog interview.

For now, enjoy Part 1, where Spike talks about Brains on Fire as a company, and what they believe in as a collective organization. Part 1 is approximately 13 minutes long.  Photo of Spike Jones by Olivier Blanchard.

 

Stay tuned for Part 2, when Spike talks about the importance of offline gatherings to build connections and the use of online means to provide a reason for meeting face-to-face.

Iran and Social Media

The power of technology to create a groundswell was shown in Iran this last week. People all over the world are seeing and hearing and reading what's going on with the protests over the recent elections and the response by the theocratic government. 

One voice can start a community. Communities create stunning results. It's even more startling when it's a world community, from a top columnist for a US paper to the anonymous voice of an Iranian woman. Two voices on Iran:

Peggy Noonan's column, Whose Side Are We On? You Have to Ask?, points out:

"Twittering and YouTubing made the story take hold and take off. But did the technology create the rebellion? No, it encouraged what was there."

She goes on to say,

"Revolutions are revolutions and rebellions are rebellions; they don't work unless the people are for it. In Iran, Twitter reported and encouraged. But the conviction must be there to be encouraged."

Wisdom entrepreneurs take note. Noonan is saying that the technology is a tool that amplifies. But the voice must be there first, with conviction, and I would say, commitment.

The other voice is a simple but powerful one, one that tells the story with minimal words and photos. It paints a stark portrait that only those who are there can fully comprehend.

Note that this YouTube video was created on Friday, June 19, less than a day ago. This morning, at about 9:30am Mountain Time, when I first saw the video, it had 300+ views. I found it from a friend on Facebook who had posted the link (thanks, @kareanderson!) Now, several hours later, as I'm posting this, the video has over 1700 views. That's how fast we can connect now.  When there is so much at stake, when we are compelled by history in the making, the ties between us are created with mind-boggling speed.

The following question has never been more important or pertinent:

What will you do with your voice?

Photos by .faramarz

Seth Godin on Sliced Bread

Ideas that spread, win. 

That's the message that marketing guru, Seth Godin, provides in this TED talk.

The question then is "How do you get your ideas to spread?" Two points that are particularly appropriate for wisdom entrepreneurs:

• Be remarkable. Have something worth talking about. For wisdom entrepreneurs, this means not only understanding what makes your wisdom remarkable, but then crystallizing it so that others "get it," right away.
• Speak to the early adopters, the people who are listening, who care about what you are talking about. In A Bigger Voice parlance, find your kindred spirits.

Enjoy Seth at his best:

Update on Networking Naturally Program

In offering the Networking Naturally Program, I'm realizing it's become a case study for A Bigger Voice. I'm seeing how the model works "in the field." Some thoughts:

• Crystallize: It was difficult for me to develop this program, to help others learn to network better and realize the benefits of networking, until I could get to the essence of what would make this program different. Ahhh...the sweet feeling of innovation--a new solution to an old problem!  When I hit upon the idea that there are underlying principles that successful networkers use, independent of their personality and style, I tapped into my own wisdom. That led me to the name of the program, "Networking Naturally," and marketing copy that described what it is that I was offering. The stunning result has just emerged from recent activity on the participant-only blog: A Community of Givers. Participants were asked to answer the question, "What do you want help with?" It wasn't too long after the answers came in on the blog (as comments) that I could see participants giving first before asking for anything. This one of the principles of Networking Naturally.

• Build Community: There are three primary tools for building community, Marketing, Networking, and Technology. In addition, communities are built around a central question, one that is expansive enough to keep everyone engaged for a long time. The central question for the community forming around the Networking Naturally Program is, "How do I network more naturally and more effectively at the same time?"  A great question to explore as there's no quick answer. Marketing this program has shown me the wide range of tools that are now available--from email announcements to my ezine list to talking about the program on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, to postings on three blogs (all my own.) Networking has played a large part in getting the word out--via my connection to the Northwestern University Alumni Association. This is a relationship that started several years ago when I did a series of interviews with Northwestern alums for a Northwestern-sponsored career podcast. I'm learning that networking with groups that have a large distribution list can accelerate the path of a wisdom entrepreneur, by delivering a critical mass that becomes the core of the community. Technology has been the final piece of the puzzle, creating a sense of community from people coming together all over the world (literally!) to learn about networking. I set up a participant-only blog, thinking it was just a central repository for information. It's been that and more, one of the great success stories of the Networking Naturally Program. To give you a sense of the activity, in the first week alone, there were over 3000 hits on the blog. You can use Marketing, Networking, and Technolgy well and still not have a community. My colleague on A Bigger Voice, Ellen Ingraham, who served as the networking consultant during the pilot last year, has a been a wonderful partner in creating a culture of giving and role-modeling community-building skills. She's a natural at both.

• Sustain. Efforts are underway to look at how to sustain this Community of Givers, after the program ends on April 29. I purposely did not monetize as much as I could have from this first go-around on Networking Naturally Program, when community-building and giving back was really the intention. The fee for the public is $37 for all four teleseminars. 100% of the fee from those registering through Northwestern University (as a partner in marketing this program) is being donated back to Northwestern, to fund future career programs for alumni. Monetizing, to create sustainability, will come afterwards. 

There's still time to be join in--to get an inside view of community-building, as well as learn some valuable networking skills, and to connect with a community of givers. All sessions (MID-DAY and EVENING) are recorded and replays are available through May 31, 2009.  Go to www.naturalway2network.com to register.

More on Three Cups of Tea

Last month, I blogged about Greg Mortenson's decades-long journey as a wisdom entrepreneur. Mortenson is the author of the best-selling book, Three Cups of Tea.

Last week, Mortenson was in the news, having received the Star of Pakistan, Pakistan's highest civil award presented by the country's president, and in our uniquely American way, being named ABC News Person of the Week.

Here's the video from the latter. It highlights very clearly Mortenson's wisdom and as a ending note, Charlie Gibson gives a nod to the sustainability of Mortenson's efforts.

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

My thanks to Dave Murphy, who has been with me on my journey as a wisdom entrepreneur since the beginning (December 2007), for pointing out this video. When I am knee-deep with other stuff (e.g., launching the Networking Naturally Program), Dave brings me back to my core purpose in life--to help others turn their ideas and wisdom into a sustainable and scalable movement. Everything else is in service to that.

Interview With Kim Dority, Part 1

In this next interview for A Bigger Voice, I talk with with Kim Dority, VP of Content for Disaboom.com, an online community with over 90,000 registered users, for people with disabilities and those whose lives they touch. Disaboom has been widely recognized (by organizations as diverse as the Obama campaign, Business Week, Ford, and major universities) as a voice and a rich resource for the disabled community.

In this first part of a four-part interview, Kim tells the story of Dr. J. Glen House, founder of Disaboom, a for-profit company. Dr. House suffered a ski accident while in his twenties, which left him as a quadraplegic. He went on to medical school, eventually becoming the medical director of a rehab center at a Colorado hospital.  Along the way, he discovered that it wasn't just a matter of helping people learn to use a wheelchair. It was about helping them create a new life. You'll hear Kim talk about Dr. House's wisdom and how that influenced his vision for Disaboom.

This is a beautiful example of how a person's life story connects to his wisdom and vision. The end result is a compelling message that attracts a community. This part of the interview is about 10 minutes long:

Also notice that the story and message is crystallized to the point that Kim is able to articulate it clearly.  We don't need to hear from Dr. House directly to understand the change he's trying to make in the world or why he's doing what he's doing. How well could someone else tell your story to others? 

In Part 2, to be posted later this week, Kim talks about Disaboom's community and community-building efforts.

Patricia Ryan Madson, Part 2: Staying True to Your Vision

"I think form does matter, along with content and if you've got something really good to say, take the time to put it in the most perfect form you can find."--Patricia Ryan Madson

In the first part of this interview, Patricia Ryan Madson, author of Improv Wisdom, talked about how she started on her 20-year journey to crystallize her wisdom.

In this second part, Patricia gives us insight into what it takes to get to the essence of your wisdom and to find your voice. She also provides examples of unexpected results from getting her wisdom out in the world, including helping caregivers for Alzheimer's patients and providing tools for emotionally surviving a coma.  BTW--Notice how Patricia uses stories to draw us in and make us care about what her ideas can do for the world. Stories are powerful, especially in the hands of someone so genuine.

The second part of the interview starts with Patricia talking about staying true to your vision, even as one publisher with very different ideas dangles a large carrot. This part of the interview is under 12 minutes:

In the third and final part of this interview, Patricia and I talk about having visibility vs. having a community and moving into action. Stay tuned for Part 3.

Interview With Patricia Ryan Madson, Part 1

Welcome to the first in a series of interviews with wisdom entrepreneurs, innovators doing good and doing well, by transforming an idea into a movement. With each interview, we'll explore what it takes to go through the phases of A Bigger Voice--whether it's Crystallizing, Building Community, or Sustaining. If you know of a wisdom entrepreneur who I should consider interviewing for this blog, please contact me, carol [at] abiggervoice [dot] com.

Patricia Ryan Madson is the author of Improv Wisdom, a gem of a book that I fell in love with as soon as I read the subtitle: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up. I particularly wanted Patricia for this first interview because of her interesting journey in crystallizing her wisdom, over a 20-year period. In this first part of a three-part interview, Patricia gives us a glimpse of the serendipitous path that resulted in her book. You'll also hear why less is more when it comes to crystallizing and how it's okay to ask for help during this phase.

Recording is less than 10 minutes. Let's listen in....

Patricia and I went on to talk about the process of publishing a book. A few lessons learned:

• Publishers want to see book proposals, not full manuscripts, when you are pitching them. People have time to read a book proposal that provides the concept and enough of your writing to know who you are as a writer. They don't have time to read a full manuscript when considering a book.  
• Don't be shy about getting professional help.  As a result of hiring an editor to help shape the book and an agent, Patricia went from initially intending to self-publish to having thirteen publishers bid for her book.
• Don't give up. In Part 2 of this interview, Patricia will tell us the payoff in spending time crystallizing her wisdom to get it just right. As she says, "It's not enough that we just put some good ideas out there. It's worth it to make them just right."

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this interview with Patricia Ryan Madson.

Contact information for Patricia:

www.improvwisdom.com (a chapter of her book is available at this site)

email: improvwisdom [at] comcast.net

Twitter: patryanmadson

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciaryanmadson 

Facebook: Patricia Ryan Madson

Dave Taylor's Keynote at Thin Air Summit

Dave Taylor gave the keynote at the opening of the Thin Air Summit. And what an opening!

He's a pioneer in the use of the Internet, going back to the '80s. With that experience comes a wise perspective. I found Dave's keynote to be smart, compassionate, and best of all, a much needed viewpoint about how technology is impacting us as a society and a culture. You don't get that from the average geek.

Some key points from his talk, "Finding a Voice: The Evolution of Personal Media Through History":

• All of us are publishers. Dave asked the room how many were bloggers, podcasters, vloggers (video podcasters), on Twitter, on Facebook. Lots of hands raised, which you would expect in this kind of crowd. The point is that there are multiple avenues for getting your point of view out in the world. This is one of the underpinnings of A Bigger Voice--you don't need to go through gatekeepers (e.g., publishers, programmers for radio or television shows) to have a bigger voice in the world.
• We are story-tellers. Dave talked about how human beings have the desire to tell stories. His presentation was a great example of this, telling us about graffiti from 79AD in Pompeii and bloggers jailed in oppressive regimes, to illustrate his points about the drive and dangers of having a voice. Stories stick. Stories capture our imagination. It's why A Bigger Voice emphasizes telling your story of why you are passionate about your cause, how you've come to do the work that you doing.
• Each of us represents more people with similar ideas. We not only have the ability to have a voice, we can influence others as well. I loved this point from Dave as it goes to the core of a principle from A Bigger Voice: One individual can start a community.
• The human desire for expression is strong. People are willing to risk being jailed, tortured, and killed to be heard.  Citing examples like Anne Frank, Thomas Paine and places where freedom of speech is non-existent, Dave made the case for why so many of us are lucky to have open disagreement and heated discussions, publicly.
• Divergent voices are the sign of a healthy system. Yes! Yes! and Yes!  It's the secret to what A Bigger Voice calls a "vibrant community." Corollary point: One person starts the conversation and then someone else riffs off of it. You can't control this, nor do you want to. Any blogger who has written a provocative post and seen comments come pouring in knows this, in spades.
  Dave summed this up nicely:
  • More Voices = Less Control
  • Less Voices = Death of Democracy
• Everyone's a media channel. We are the new citizen journalist. This goes to points made in the Long Tail. And the idea that bottom-up change is possible, now more than ever.
• With power comes responsibility. Think before talking. I think often at the root of flaming, talking without thinking about the ramifications, and just silly stuff is self-righteousness. It's why the personal development part of this journey is so important. We need to be in service to something other than our ego.

I'm usually much more measured in blogging about my experiences--waiting a few days after I've had a chance to digest and process. And I think I'm getting into the spirit of social media--which is about connecting to many and sharing in real time.

Jeremiah Owyang will give a keynote this morning, in less than an hour. I'll try to blog about what I learn from his talk soon....