Surface Thinking

By Walt Carvalho

“The value of an idea lies in the using of it”.
Thomas Alva Edison

A great analogy you’ve probably heard of is the story of the duck on water. It goes like this: When you see a duck gliding on the surface of a pond, you think of the calm and tranquil way in which they move. If you were to see the same duck from under the surface you would see it’s webbed feet kicking like there is no tomorrow! Oh, the different ways of looking at things.

Now, there is no doubt that we are subjected to surface thoughts daily. It’s in the newspaper. It’s on the radio. It’s on the internet. It’s definitely on television. They come to us as little bits of information, delivered in tidy neat packages, which are labeled “This is all you need to know. There is no need to learn more”. Wow, how comforting is that? Since they just gave me “all I need to know” I guess I can now move on to the next item on their list!

Let’s take a look at some surface talk in action.

“That noisy, smelly contraption well never replace my reliable horse and buggy”- the automobile

“If man was meant to fly, he would have been born with wings”. – the airplane

“No one will pay to go to a professional football game when we have college games already”. – the launch of Pro Football

“All they do on it is tell each other what they had for lunch” - Twitter

Get the Picture?

Photo Mike Moreno

Inside or Outside the Box

By Walt Carvalho

Thinking “outside the box” is one term which has gone through many of staff meetings recently. It is referring to the ability to conceive and create beyond the realm of ordinary thought. Hmmm, interesting!

Well, lets’ take a look at “Inside the box” thinking. To think entirely in the box you must remain in the world of the known, using the systems and approaches of the past. Unfortunately, in doing so you usually do what has been done before. It is the substitution of innovation for the safety of experience. You remain in the common marketplace as a common thinker. You feel very safe in being ordinary but in realty you are constantly falling behind.

Creativity and innovation are the benchmarks of success in this new economy!

The social media landscape enables new creative ways to reach markets through exciting strategic approaches. Unlike the broadcast media’s television, radio, newspaper and magazine outlets, the new availability of social marketing tools have allowed communities to expand brand awareness with the power of digital word of mouth. In this process the receiver of the message also becomes the communicator.

It is through these properly planned strategies that social tools come to life as a viable marketing asset.

Is your view of the box from the inside looking out or the outside looking ahead?

Photo Gneborg

Action Through Inspiration

By Walt Carvalho

Inspiration is one of the ingredients that all great accomplishments seem to have in common.
Michelangelo was inspired to produce so many exquisite paintings and sculptures throughout his life. Although much of his work was contracted, he seemed to always exceed expectations with his burning desire to reach further in his quest of perfection.

Orville and Wilbur Wright were inspired to be the first to create a flying machine. They had competition, as other people around the world tested their own ideas in ways to make men fly. The Wright Brothers flew as some said it was impossible, it could not be done. The great invention of human flight came to us from two inspired brothers in a bicycle repair shop!

Tiger Woods has been inspired almost his entire life to be much better on a daily basis. He never seems to settle for reaching a destination in golf. Tiger Woods is always taking steps toward his next summit. He is inspired by the love and guidance of his parents and his personal drive in the process of improvement.

What inspires you in today’s marketplace? Are you simply satisfied with what you’ve done or are you like Michelangelo, always looking to exceed expectations?

The Wright Brothers had a bicycle repair shop. You have your office. The Wright Brothers had wrenches, pliers and screws. You have so many social media tools available today to help your business grow and prosper, so why not take advantage of them and create your own flying machine?

Are you content with status quo or are you like Tiger Woods, never settling, always reaching for that next level?

Merriam-Webster defines inspiration as: “the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions”. Your tools are ready and in place. All that is needed is your action.