How LinkedIn And Twitter Changed My Day.

The other day, a close friend and colleague of mine said she attended a killer workshop on social media.

She said the presenter gave her a boatload of new ideas and energy for her to expand her current business campaign using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. From her energy, I got the feeling the presenter not only hit a home run, but he also brought in the other three players (he really knows his stuff)!

So what did I do after we spoke? I immediately went to LinkedIn and tried to link with the presenter. Guess what happens?

I get this response: "Rich, Great to connect. So you know, based on a session you once did at the local library, you inspired me to start a company, build a website, promote myself on social media which resulted, among new business, in being asked to join an MBA program. I would enjoy the chance to let you know what you did if you would like to know. But thank you very much for all you did."

We then had a roundtable tweet-fest on Twitter to let everyone know what happened!

What did this teach me?

1. You never know who's listening when you present.
2. You never know how your words can impact another person.
3. The world is getting smaller every day.
4. I need to get out even more and present.
5. Always reach out to people whenever you hear their name.

Who will YOU meet this week?

It's Time We Value People Over Profits.

I'm talking about fairness.I'm talking about focusing on the real engine of our economy, the people. Let me explain:

Most corporations are (consciously or unconsciously) structured this way:

1. TOP -- Investors -- Money -- Products/Customers -- People -- BOTTOM In other words, attract growing investors, they give us money, we then can make good products, get customers, and then pay our people.

I envision another way to run an organization:

2. TOP -- People -- Products/Customers -- Money -- Investors -- BOTTOM Focus on nurturing, growing and motivating your people, who then make great products, attracting an increasing customer base -- which then delivers growing revenue, and ultimately attracts investors.

If you work at a company who focuses totally on targets and pleasing Wall Street rather than delivering great products at a good price, you work for #1. If your executive team is preoccupied with share price, news on the street, and terms like EBITDA, you work for #1. (By the way, the 'targets' they invent every year? It's a GUESS. A shell game. And guess who loses?)

If they are constantly cutting people, salaries, benefits, and other things which drive the engine of a #2 organization, you work for a #1 company.

Your management team is probably compensated with HUGE bonuses if they hit or exceed your Wall Street targets. Salary is one thing, the bonuses are the GRAVY. That's why they LOVE the #1 strategy.

It's easier (for them) to run a company where they can (temporarily) affect the targets, profits, and direction of an organization - and hence - get the payday. It's much harder to marshall the troops, invent and deliver great products, entice the customers, and deliver the money — that's MUCH harder to do. So they pick #1. Again and again.

Startups and smaller companies always have to go with #2. They start with great people, invent great products, attract loyal customers and deliver growing revenue. It's only when organizations get too big, too disjointed and too fat & lazy when those #1 company leaders swoop down and take over.

How do you stop this? It's easy.

Figure out who are those companies who truly value their people over profits.

• Start buying their products.
• Start investing in their stock.
• Start telling other people about them.

It's companies like Zappos (pictured), SAS, Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Costco. And there are MANY others.

Take a hard look at your organization. Stop whining about how shitty work is if you work for a #1 company.

Face it, you will always be at the BOTTOM. Go find a #2 company today.