Keenan 411

Jim Keenan is a Senior Sales Executive, Enterprise 2.0/Web 2.0 Connector, an Entrepreneur still trying to get it right, and a PSIA Certified Ski Instructor for Vail Resorts. Husband to Big E and father to four great kids. In a nut shell, I'm a Sales Guy. Life is good!

IPhone Experiment Results

My IPhone experiment is over. I’m writing this update from my Mac. That pretty much tells the story.

My MacBook shit the bed a week ago, just before I left on a week long trip. I couldn’t get it fixed before I left, so I had to use my IPhone for everything.

For context, I didn’t have to use my phone for VPN purposes, or to tap into any corporate ERP applications, other than Exchange.

What I did use the phone for was all my social interactions, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, blogging, (posting and commenting), email, and surfing the web.

The results of the experiment are pretty simple. The IPhone is a GREAT mobile device; literally. It’s a great augment for a desktop or laptop. It’s not a replacement. It did everything I needed it to. It just took 2 to 3 times longer to do it. There was an app for everything. I blogged using WordPress’s app. I took notes and saved info using Evernote. The Facebook, LinkedIn, and TweetDeck apps were great. Besides loading times, they were as easy, if not easier than the desktop apps. I used IPhone’s Safari browser for the web. It was SLOW! It was definitely a deterrent to browsing. Also, I desperately want to see plug-in’s for mobile safari or a browser alternative.

I used a couple of other social services, like BizSugar who don’t have an IPhone app. Using them without a mobile app was painful. Note to internet services, build a mobile application quickly, very quickly.

At the end of the day I was able to do what I do on my laptop. It slowed me down. It took me out of my rhythm. I had to change my processes. But, I was able to do everything I needed.

I missed my laptop. That is for sure. The plus, I am now better with the IPhone keypad AND like a good Swiss army knife, if I ever lose my laptop again, I know I can survive with my IPhone.

Afterthought-

What does this mean for the I-Pad? Will it close the gap?

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March 9, 2010 | Filed under: Random, What I Think! | Comments |

Is it Bull Shit when Public Speakers Swear?

Robin Dickenson over at Radsmarts, posed a killer question; Is it OK for public speakers to swear?

This question has been ruminating in my head for awhile. Not just the question of profanity, but the idea of a reduced sense of formality; swearing in blogs, wearing jeans in the work place, access to authority, etc.

Are we becoming a less formal country and is that OK?

My thoughts are yes and YES!!!

The formality of this country has been steeped in its Puritan ethic, going all the way back to the first day the Pilgrims stepped onto Plymouth rock. It has dictated our behavior for 400 years. In my opinion, it has stunted innovation, communication, collaboration and engagement. It has created social hierarchies and limited the spread of information and ideas. Formality, is a social contract that says; “I will act a certain way until a particular level of engagement or interaction has been established” OR worse, the formality is the result of a hierarchical structure. It says; I will act a certain way because of WHO you are.

I say BULL SHIT!

The erosion of formal social contracts is accelerating interaction. It is getting to the core of issues. It’s not shackling ideas. It’s calling out the elephant on the table. It’s cutting to the chase. It’s getting real.

Professional speakers dropping F-bombs that enhance authentic, real, presentations where the swearing brings value is exactly what we need. Gratuitous swearing does none of this and therefore I’m not a fan.

I’d like to see greater erosion of social formality. It allow people to focus on the message. Informality puts people at ease. We let down our guard. It allows us to quickly assess our environment. Asking; is this a person I want to spend time with? Is this a message that resonates with me? Not, who is the person really. Are we still being formal? What do they REALLY think? Can I say what I want now? Can I be me?

Enough with the formality. Let’s get right to it. Let’s open the flood gates. If you are a swearer, then let em fly in your presentations. As Nick comments in the post: Be who you are, swears and all.

I think that people should be themselves on stage no matter what. If they swear a lot while talking normally, then they should swear on stage. AUTHENTIC speakers grab my attention, not their cuss words. -Nick Campbell

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March 6, 2010 | Filed under: Personal Brand, Random, What I Think! | Comments |

IPhone Experiment

A few hours ago, just as I’m heading out of town for a week, my Macbook crashes. Nothing but the grey screen of death.

I am now without my computer for at least a week.

I figure rather than get upset I’m going to run a little experiment. I’m only going to use my IPhone.

I will be using only my IPhone for the next week. I will use it for my blogging (writing this post at the airport now), Twitter, e-mail, Facebook, LinkedIn, feedreader, blog comments, web-surfing and more. It will be my only device.

I’m curious to know if the type pad will get me frustrated, especially for longer posts and e-mails. I’m also curious how I’ll feel about the browser speed for surfing and commenting.

I use my IPhone for many of these things now, but mostly in a mobile capacity. It will be interesting to see how I feel after a week of just the IPhone.

I will update you with my thoughts when it’s over and I get my beloved Mac back.

Do you think I will miss it?

February 28, 2010 | Filed under: Random, Web 2.0/Social Networking, What I Think! | Comments |

WAIT

W.A.I.T-

Why Am I Talking?

We like to talk. It makes us feel in control. We get heard, we direct the conversation.

The problem is, it doesn’t always get us where we need to go.

Talking delivers information. Listening determines what information to deliver. Thinking determines when to deliver it.

Talking prevents listening and thinking.

It’s easy to talk, it feels good. But, it rarely get’s us to where we want to go.

If you have something to say. If it’s important, if it follows good listening, if it follows good thinking, then say it.

If not W.A.I.T. and ask yourself . . . Why Am I Talking?

February 26, 2010 | Filed under: Career Development, Personal Development, Random | Comments |

Something Different

I did something different today. I did something I almost never do. I took a day off. I didn’t go on vacation. I just took the day off. I never do this. I am too busy and just don’t feel comfortable putting it all on hold for a day.

Today, I did.

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. I drove up to Vail and skied all day. I took a bump clinic from a former World Cup mogul skier and thought of nothing else but skiing.

The weather was beautiful. I met a bunch of cool, fun people who could shred. We spent the day ripping the mountain, coaching each other, and critiquing each others bump skiing. It was awesome!

Finding the time to do this is hard for me. But, this year I made a New Years commitment to 4 theme’s; complete/finish, learn/grow, organize and fun. Today definitely fell into the fun category. It’s not often I get to ski at the level we did today and I remember how much I enjoy it.

When I was a kid my dad used to let us take day off from school everyone once in a while for no reason. He called them “mental health” days. I loved them as a kid. Today was exactly that. It was a “mental health” day.

What about work? It was exactly where I left it. No deals were lost. No buildings burned down. No customers upset. The world didn’t come to an end.

The work is still there, but I feel great and that always makes the work that much more fun.

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February 10, 2010 | Filed under: Personal Development, Random, Uncategorized | Comments |

Six More Weeks of Winter . . . I Think

Yesterday was Groundhog Day and the little guy saw his shadow. Therefore; it means we have 6 more weeks of winter. I think.

As a kid this made no sense to me. It was confusing as hell, actually. To me, the logic was backward. If the groundhog saw his shadow, it meant the sun was out. If the sun was out, it was warm. If it was warm, spring must be close.

From my point of view, being from Boston, it was cloudy and cold all winter and sunny and warm in the spring. Therefore, the idea that seeing his shadow (made possible by the sun) meant spring was further away was backward.

Selling is similar. Often what makes complete and logical sense to us, is the complete opposite of how the customer sees it. We need to make sure we understand how are customers are looking at the problem. Their point of view my draw very different conclusions.

Don’t be quick to assume your customer is following what you’re saying, they maybe just as confused as I am with Groundhogs Day.

Can anyone explain to me why if he sees his shadow, spring is further away? I still don’t get it.

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February 3, 2010 | Filed under: Customer Service, Random, What I Think! | Comments |

Mobile Safari Plug-Ins, Where are They?

Apple just launched the IPad. Yup, I’m pretty sure I want one. Why, I don’t know. I have a Kindle. I have an Iphone. I have a Macbook Pro. Technically speaking, I don’t need one. But it does have that cool factor.

One of the things that will definately work against my urge to splurge will be the use of the mobile Safari browser. I use my Iphone just like my laptop. I read blogs. I blog. I tweet, I play on Facebook, and Linkedin. The thing I do most on these sites is share and mobile Safari makes sharing hard because it doesn’t support browser plugins. I can’t save posts for later using Instapaper. I can’t create a bit.ly link. I can’t share to my Tumblr page or clip to Evernote. These are just a few of the things I do directly from my browser. On the IPhone these are all separate apps not integrated with Safari. That’s a problem. Cutting and pasting between apps just sucks.

I want my mobile experience, IPhone or IPad to be just like my laptop experience. I shouldn’t have to adopt slower, more cumbersome ways of getting stuff done to be mobile. The app store is awesome. Now, I’d like to see Apple start extending plugins to their mobile browser. It just plain makes sense.

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January 30, 2010 | Filed under: Random, Web 2.0/Social Networking, What I Think! | Comments |

A Day Without Social Media

Yesterday I was off the grid. I didn’t post to this blog. I didn’t have my Tweet stream up. I didn’t read any blogs. I didn’t visit Facebook, or LinkedIn. I didn’t check in anywhere using Foursquare; that’s probably because I sat at my desk all day. I was off the grid for pretty much the entire day. (OK, I did tweet twice)

Being off the grid was strange. I definitely noticed a difference. My day was less interrupted, more focused, and in many ways more productive.

I usually start my morning reading my RSS reader. I then check my Twitter stream and then do a blog post. Throughout the day I follow my Twitter stream, retweet good sales posts and tweets I like as well as keep up on events of the day. I get much of my news from Twitter. At the end of the day, I check Facebook, add a quote or good story to my Tumblr page and read some more blog links I liked.

Being on the grid, helps me stay connected and keeps me informed. I like the flow of information, the relationships and discoveries being online creates.

Despite how much I enjoy being connected and all the benefits it provides, something strange happened in my one day sabbatical. I was more focused. There were fewer distractions. I didn’t feel the stress to deliver good content. I didn’t feel the pressure to share or to “give”. Being online is as much about sharing and giving as it is about getting. It’s what’s best about being online. However, yesterday, for me, I learned it can create a lot of pressure and distractions.

One day off the grid was a relief. It was focused on one thing. I got more done. It was nice.

Despite the relief from my one day sabbatical, I missed being online. I enjoy it.

In the future, I think I will take more days of “the grid”. They are good recharge moments. However, the next one won’t be because of a big project deadline. I’ll do it just because. It sounds nice.

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January 23, 2010 | Filed under: Random, Web 2.0/Social Networking | Comments |

America’s Giving Contradiction

As I sat down to write this post I intended to show how generous and charitable Americans are despite our negative brand around the word. I was watching the amazing response of Americans to the Haiti tragedy and was feeling pretty proud. I thought to myself, we get a bad rap for a country that seems to always rise to the occasion for others. As I got into the research, the wind was taken out of my sails. Unfortunately, like most things, they aren’t always what they seem.

Americans have been the most giving people in the world. We give over 1.67% of GDP to charity. That’s double any other country in the world. Go America!

Charitable Giving

After finding this, I was feeling pretty good. But as I dug a little deeper my pride began to take a little hit. We aren’t good givers to others.

During the horrible Asian Tsunami in 2005, U.S. individual or private giving amounted to over 400 million dollars. This was more than the 350 million our government donated. It was more than the citizens of any other country in the world. Unfortunately, when measured against GDP or per capita income, not so good. We gave the least in relation to what we have.

Our Government giving isn’t much better. We are at the bottom of the barrel.

Government giving

There are some fantastic stories of America’s generosity. We respond in times of crisis. This story of 5 million dollars being raised by the Red Cross via text messages is one of them. Americans respond when others are in need. It’s what we do. We give, in raw dollars, more to the rest of the world than anyone else. But what we don’t do is give as much as we have to those outside of the country.

I’m torn on what I’ve discovered. Part of me says shame on us, the other part says, I’m proud of the fact that we give more money than anyone else.

It all reminds me of an Easter movie I saw on T.V as a kid about Jesus. In the movie these rich men were putting lots of gold and silver into a donation bowl for the synagogue, when and old, weak and clearly poor woman walked up and placed a single bronze coin in the dish. The men starting laughing at her. They were making fun of how small her donation was, when Jesus walked up and said (of course I’m paraphrasing, it had to be 25 years ago when I saw this) “Why do you laugh? This single coin is everything this poor woman has, while you have given only a tiny fraction of your riches. She has given far, far, more than all of you”

My hypothesis when I sat down to write this post was that individual Americans were the most giving and responsive people to other peoples of the world and this fact is overlooked in the worlds disdain for us and our way of life. I was looking to tell a story of how we are quick to help the world during times of misery and crisis, yet are so vilified by so many. But, I couldn’t write that. It’s not true.

My hypothesis isn’t wrong, but I don’t think it’s right either. I’m VERY proud of our ability to respond to the pain and suffering of others around the world. America makes up the greatest portion of raw dollars given. We are empathetic, caring, loving and sensitive to the needs of others, but we are also the richest country in the world, and by that measure we are misers.

I’ll never forget the scene in that movie. I don’t think America should be the old woman. But I definitely don’t want us to be the rich old men either.

Generosity is measured not by how much you give, but by how much of what you HAVE that you give, and by this measure we have a long way to go.

This data was a complete surprise to me. I had a different view of our level of giving. Does it surprise you?

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January 16, 2010 | Filed under: Random, What I Think! | Comments |

No One Likes To Admit They Don’t Know – Why You Should Love Sales People

We don’t know, what we don’t know and this is why good sales people are invaluable.

We buy things to be more productive, gain a competitive edge, play golf better, sell more stuff, serve customers better, or save money. We buy stuff to make our world better. The problem is we don’t always know what could make our world better. That is why sales people are so important. They help us know what we don’t know.

Selling to us is hard because we dig in. We operate from the idea that we already know it all. We are resistant to sales calls. We avoid sales people when they walk up to us. We tell them we are all set, before we let them talk. We build a giant wall, difficult for sales people to climb. We feel good about it. We feel like we are winning. But are we?

What is it worth to find a faster, cheaper way to make your widget. What’s it worth to make your sales team more productive? What’s it worth to get rid of that nasty slice? What’s it worth to gain on your competitor? There is always a better way, a better product, an innovative solution. Finding it is the difference between success and failure.

The bigger the wall you build, the harder to improve; to find faster, better, cheaper. Sales people know what you don’t know.

Lower the wall, make sales people spend more time focusing on your problems and less time getting to you. You will be the winner in the end.

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January 11, 2010 | Filed under: Random, Sales Process, The Chase | Comments |

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