There is a transitional shift that is taking place in the current generation. Fact is they’ve grown up with computers, they’ve never known a world without a computer. The computer, laptop, tablet and smartphone have all become devices that we go to in an instant, throughout our day, for just about anything, or nothing at all. These devices occupy our time and can take over our lives – if we let them. Are these devices making us smarter or dumbing us down?

Making you SMARTER if:

• You still actually meet with real people and have genuine conversation
• You can successful balance your time on and off the computer throughout the day
• You know what you’re looking for before you go look for it (most of the time)
• You can still develop an idea without looking at a digital screen
• You don’t believe because it was on the web, it must be true!

DUMBING you down if:

• The only real conversation you’re having is now with your smartphone or computer
• You blame everything that goes wrong with your day on your tech device
• You take no responsibility for late or missed appointments, or timely followup
• You can’t find a piece of paper and you forgot how to write in cursive anyway
• You can’t remember your friends name without looking it up in your contacts
• Your computer goes in for an annual checkup before you do!

Adapting technology to fit your life makes much more sense than allowing technology to consume your life. In one word – BALANCE. Without balance, your seesaw won’t move!

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

Social media was NOT created for the “Let me sell you a watch” industry. Further even the social media companies themselves could take a few lessons here. With their intent to limit how many people you can connect with and did you have lunch with them last week – seems to me, all of this goes against the point of being SOCIAL. Let’s listen to Christine, she says it very well in this column she wrote:

Business and Marketing Technology – Relationships and People
by Christine Gregory Campos – Marketing Intentionally

I love this headline because it really breathes and expresses the real uses behind many of the technologies we use today.  It is so refreshing to see some companies, regardless of the small amount, really get that the one of the entire functions of social is to create relationships.

Social Media Marketing Technologies have confused businesses.  Many use these technologies in the same fashion older technologies were used such as “TV”, “Radio” and print ads.  These mediums used the “push marketing model”.  What is push marketing?

Push marketing is to select a medium to push out the marketing message.  It doesn’t take much into account.  Much of the push marketing today is not really done very effectively.   I would liken most of what I hear as “white noise”.  Sell, sell, sell, buy, buy, buy.  My basic truth is you cannot sell people what they are not shopping for today.  You might inspire them to shop, but that doesn’t mean they will buy.

We take a much more heart based approach.  Social Media has created the perfect environment to connect with people all over the world.  Part of a good social media strategy is knowing and understanding your target market.  Marketing messages should always be geared to speak to those people.  Social Media enables you to build know – like – trust and ultimately that is the basis for a relationship.

Many business users of social don’t really understand why “people” are on social.  The fact is they are there to network, socialize and make new relationships.  Simply put they are there to connect.  I don’t jump on Facebook or any other site with the intention of shopping.  If I am shopping, I still go to Google.  Sound marketing strategies always include Google / search into the marketing technology mix.  Attraction to your products and services can be best achieved from Google, especially by optimizing the different pieces of Google tools that help get your business known.  The social piece helps you to know and “engage” your customers, connect with other business partners and ultimately on-going relationships.  When businesses achieve the “know, like, trust” of a customer, they have a built in referral and resale system.  Using push marketing on social sites is one of the fastest ways to alienate users of social and expect to have messages blocked or hidden.

Think about how you use your mobile phone.  It is absolutely my #1 piece of technology that I use.  It provides information on the go, reminders and performs a host of technology tasks.  Mobile loves to be social.  I text, I share, I go to my social sites, upload photos, like other peoples content.  Social connects and mobile provides that vehicle to the social connection when I am away from my laptop.

Statistics about mobile use can be found all over the internet.  What many marketers miss is that best practice marketing integrates technologies.  Many businesses have jumped into the mobile market, but if it is fragmented from their other marketing strategies. Again, many just use the old fashion “push method” of marketing.

People have termed the mobile device as the ability to enter into their inner circle.  A sound marketing strategy advises to respect the sanctity of that inner circle and use it to create a connection and build the relationship.

Having mobile in your marketing without having integrative strategies means most likely you are not getting the best ROI from your marketing efforts.  Another very important and often missed factor when talking about mobile marketing, is make sure that your technology plays across the multitude of mobile platforms.  Not all things are created equal and I have seen mobile apps and mobile websites that function great on an iPhone but not at all on an Android.  You might be missing half the mobile market.

The take away message for business owners is the technology is immense.  Best practice marketing starts always with a strategy.  Good marketing strategies are nested and integrated.  The key to social is to connect, not sell.  The key to mobile is it is your 24/7 hour connection to your clients and prospect.  Your job is to build the “know like trust”.  It is not necessarily a fast process, but when done correctly you can grow your business significantly using social and mobile marketing best practices.

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

“Social is a vehicle to deliver a message. Social is a vehicle to create an audience. You have to know what your strategy is, and who is your audience,” says Christine Gregory Campos of Marketing Intentionally.

There are so many so called experts in your market today, how can you rise above and stand out? “It’s all about the conversation.” says Jim Patterson of Zilergy. “Sell more by selling less.”

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

Next where do we put this mobile message? “Either on a m.yoursite.com or a yoursite.mobi. This way you can tailor your message to relationships in a succinct, useful and accurate method;” says Christine Gregory Campos, Vice President of Marketing Intentionally.

Information on the GO! This can mean many different things to each of us… essentially it means to keep your information and message to the point and relevant. Too much is too much, it’s the quickest way to lose people. Think of this in the same terms as when you go to a website and you’re overloaded and you don’t have time. When you’re in the mobile world – the key is to remember that people are on the go and they’re moving fast.

As I was listening to Christine and Jim, it became apparent to me that we each have a responsibility to create a MOBILE MESSAGE, if we wish to keep in touch with our relationships, our connections, or our customers.

In a business application, ask yourself the following questions. Where is your target market? What is your message? What are you delivering? Why is it useful for them?

In a personal application, it comes down to… How much information is too much information? At what age should kids be using mobile devices? What are the limitations and advantages of being connected 24/7?

Unquestionably the power of mobility is a conversation we need to be having. This show will give you a good overview of the risks and rewards of mobility. As far as I’m concerned you have two of the brightest stars in the world of mobility joining me on the set. Christine Gregory Campos and Jim Patterson did an outstanding job. Enjoy the show. I will have them both back again – no doubt.

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

Adversity can mean many different things to each of us. Misfortune, difficulty, hardship, trouble, distress, disaster, sorrow, misery, pain, trauma, mishap, accident, upset, setback, crisis, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy or burden. Each of us faces adversity at some point in our lifetime, it is a common human condition. Most of us will face hardship both personally and professionally. What seems to shape a person is not so much the type of crisis but rather how it is handled.

How is it that some people seem to weather the storms better than others? How do some stay optimistic and productive after a setback? Whatever your reference point, know that it is within your power to not only neutralize the consequences, but craft the outcome to your advantage.

The question I pose to you today, is “How can you turn the adversity in your relationships into an advantage?”

In this special series, learn the key fundamentals for fulfillment in the four cornerstones of Brink Thinking; Life, Society, Career & Relationships.

1. Most people will not want you to succeed. When you do succeed, those same people will exert great energy to tear you down.
2. Choose the people you hang with most carefully. This will be one of the most significant decisions you’ll make throughout your life.
3. The only relationships that matter are those that result in a win-win. One sided relationships are lopsided.
4. They say to surround yourself with smarter people than yourself. This strategy will actually make you smarter than those around you.
5. When the chips are down, count on yourself to deliver the winning punch. Heavy lifting should be done by those with the most to loose.
6. Email, voice mail and texting are all good communication tools for everyday talk. When it matters, eye to eye contact works best.
7. When others doubt you and question your sincerity, use this as fuel to take more on and prove them wrong. Action trumps words.
8. When given a choice, it is best to be impatient, impractical and impervious to what others think. Demand more from those around you.
9. Confront your enemies. Seek them out. Look them in the eye and let them know that all is good. Smile. Converse. Move on.

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

Adversity can mean many different things to each of us. Misfortune, difficulty, hardship, trouble, distress, disaster, sorrow, misery, pain, trauma, mishap, accident, upset, setback, crisis, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy or burden. Each of us faces adversity at some point in our lifetime, it is a common human condition. Most of us will face hardship both personally and professionally. What seems to shape a person is not so much the type of crisis but rather how it is handled.

How is it that some people seem to weather the storms better than others? How do some stay optimistic and productive after a setback? Whatever your reference point, know that it is within your power to not only neutralize the consequences, but craft the outcome to your advantage.

The question I pose to you today, is “How can you turn the adversity in your career into an advantage?”

In this special series, learn the key fundamentals for fulfillment in the four cornerstones of Brink Thinking; Life, Society, Career & Relationships.

1. The risk vs. reward model will be key to your decision making ability. You will be measuring risk vs. reward throughout your life.
2. The unexpected is never expected. Do not let the unexpected derail your plans. Stay the course.
3. Stay clear of middle management, for they have much to prove. Be closest to the weakest and strongest in the organization.
4. If you are middle management, do not beat those around you down. Lift people up and in the process you will be lifted.
5. Measure your success in results, not hours. Hard work pays off when it leads to something worthwhile. Too much or too little never works.
6. It’s much less work when you are doing what you love. Spending a lifetime in the wrong career is equivalent to a ‘life sentence’.
7. Closing the deal should be the drug of choice for every executive and entrepreneur. Work all your strategy to that end goal.
8. Comfort zones are way too comfortable. Keep your life goals in the sight. Everything else should change frequently.

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

Adversity can mean many different things to each of us. Misfortune, difficulty, hardship, trouble, distress, disaster, sorrow, misery, pain, trauma, mishap, accident, upset, setback, crisis, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy or burden. Each of us faces adversity at some point in our lifetime, it is a common human condition. Most of us will face hardship both personally and professionally. What seems to shape a person is not so much the type of crisis but rather how it is handled.

How is it that some people seem to weather the storms better than others? How do some stay optimistic and productive after a setback? Whatever your reference point, know that it is within your power to not only neutralize the consequences, but craft the outcome to your advantage.

The question I pose to you today, is “How can you turn societal adversity into an advantage?”

In this special series, learn the key fundamentals for fulfillment in the four cornerstones of Brink Thinking; Life, Society, Career & Relationships.

1. Society will not always be your friend, and at times will be your enemy. Learn to rise above .
2. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time can destroy everything you’ve worked for. Your discernment is vital.
3. Stay centered no matter the distractions around you. Much of your daily intake will not aide you on your quest forward.
4. The advancement of communications in society today will both distract you and aide you. Know when to shut the noise out.
5. When you’re called odd, different or weird; consider it a blessing. Allow your own kids to be themselves.
6. Medication should be the last resort, not the first. Those around you will take the easy way out. Resist.
7. Society creates and accepts followers. Leaders will be scrutinized and judged. Leaders are few. Followers are many.

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

Adversity can mean many different things to each of us. Misfortune, difficulty, hardship, trouble, distress, disaster, sorrow, misery, pain, trauma, mishap, accident, upset, setback, crisis, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy or burden. Each of us faces adversity at some point in our lifetime, it is a common human condition. Most of us will face hardship both personally and professionally. What seems to shape a person is not so much the type of crisis but rather how it is handled.

How is it that some people seem to weather the storms better than others? How do some stay optimistic and productive after a setback? Whatever your reference point, know that it is within your power to not only neutralize the consequences, but craft the outcome to your advantage.

The question I pose to you today, is “How can you turn the adversity in your life into an advantage?”

In this special series, learn the key fundamentals for fulfillment in the four cornerstones of Brink Thinking; Life, Society, Career & Relationships.

1. Always remember that it’s your life, no one else’s. The decisions you make will impact you first and foremost.
2. Things change. Evaluate your life goals once a week. If you don’t own any goals, then write three down today.
3. Develop strategy around each goal. What is your timeline for said goal? Evaluate strategy every Monday morning.
4. Do not spend your time thinking about all the things you can’t do. Your time is best spent in the areas you excel in.
5. Use the front window 90% of the time. Use the rear view mirror 10% of the time. Do not live in the past.
6. Rushing through the day from one task to the next will surely complete your task list. For above average life, execute the details.
7. The 10% of the time you spend in the rear view mirror should be to embrace your failures. Remember them.
8. Happiness comes from within. Fulfillment comes from within. The two are not necessarily related.

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

1. The U.S. scores at the bottom of all industrialized nations scholastically!

2. 30 million Americans can’t read!

3. 40% of 4th graders can’t read at the basic level!

4. China & India has more honor students than the U.S. has kids!

5. However, the US is at the top of the list when it comes to spending money on education!

So what is the deal; what is happening to the United States when it comes to education? There are a number of reasons, but for the purpose of this article, I am only going to discuss a few.

First, let’s look at the dynamics of our society’s employment culture. Over the past fifty years the American family has become a dual income structure. No longer is the “wife” of the family home raising the kids. Fifty percent of women make up the workforce of America, of which two-thirds of the mothers are bringing home at least a quarter of the family’s earnings. This dramatic shift has been due in part to necessity, as well as the ever increasing desire for more money. The problem arises with the children. No longer is a parent home after school to help guide and coach them. This may be even more of a problem for children who are not yet old enough to start school.

Second, is the exponential increase in technology; technology is good in most respects, but distracting in others. Did I say distracting? That is exactly what has happened to children today. There are so many devices, games, computers/web, cell phones, T.V.s, videos and many more “things” that grab a child’s attention. These distractions that we allow or encourage make it much more difficult for the average child to focus on learning to read or just study.

Third, are the ever changing teaching philosophies that are crammed down teacher’s throats. Today in our public schools teachers have little if any time to be creative. Instead, they are required to teach kids how to pass tests. Additionally, many teachers have to wear many more hats than they used to. They have to become psychologists, disciplinarians and in some cases mother/father figures. This is caused primarily due to the lack of parent participation at the home and school.

Fourth, is being able to embrace technology as an additional means of teaching. We have to embrace it, because it’s never going away. So allow our teachers the opportunity to use technology where ever possible to help educate children. Kids love the gadgets. In fact, you might be surprised at the level of knowledge children have when it comes to computers.

That brings us to my last thought for this article. “READING” Reading is the foundation of any education, without which little else matters. If you can’t read you have little or no chance of finding a good job. Reading affects your school, your job, your life. Getting children to embrace reading as a fundamental part of their lives is critical. In today’s environment asking a child to read some of the greatest works of literature as a means to excite them and grab their attention is becoming harder and harder. Let’s make it fun for kids to read. Let’s catch up with technology and add it to reading. Let’s keep their attention and maybe we can change some of those horrible statistics above.

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!

Click to listen to the audio

If you’re one of the 64% of adults that find themselves overweight or obese, then you have a 53% chance that you’re seeing an overweight doctor, which means there is a 92% chance that you’re not getting the help that you need. Sounds like bad math to me!

A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that a doctor’s own size influences how he or she cares for patients with weight problems. Overweight physicians were less likely to discuss weight loss with heavy patients: only 18% of these doctors discussed losing weight with their patients. What’s more, the researchers found that 93% of doctors diagnosed obesity in their patients only if they believed their own weight was less than that of their patients.

Additionally, researchers found that physicians who lit up were less likely to recommend smoking cessation for their smoking patients, most likely because of the hypocritical nature of their telling patients to quit while they continued to puff away themselves.

So what does all this mean: First, by not addressing healthy weight with their patients, these physicians are passing up an opportunity to help people improve their health and avoid chronic weight-related conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and joint disorders. Second, overweight doctors are putting their own health at risk. And third, they may be sending the wrong message about weight to their patients.

Just look at the bright side, the good news in all of this, at least your doctor isn’t a hypocrite!

When are you going to make the LEAP to a Brink Thinking lifestyle? 

Get your competitive edge with Malcolm’s book, SMASH the Competition…the right way!