Creative idea + Technology = Dynamic Architecture

After thousands of years in which buildings were static, David Fisher’s Dynamic Skyscraper is an important step ahead towards Future Architecture.  The Rotating Tower brings three main futuristic aspects, three revolutions.

The first revolutionary aspect is related to the shape of the building, which changes continuously.  It is “Architecture as Part of the Environment”, adjusting to the sun and the wind, to the view and to our momentary requirements.
Each floor, in fact, can rotate separately, changing every second the shape of the building.  You can therefore wake up with the sun rising into your bedroom and enjoy the sunset over the ocean at dinner time. The Rotating Skyscraper takes on shapes imposed by time and life, never appearing the same in any two given moments.  It is the first building to have four dimensions: Designed by TIME, shaped by LIFE.

The second revolution that the Dynamic Skyscraper brings is the method of construction. To this futuristic design solution, David Fisher has added another unique innovation:  Prefabrication.  It is in fact the first building produced in a factory, giving construction a new industrial approach.  The entire building, aside from the concrete core, is made of prefabricated units which arrive to the construction site completely finished, including flooring, water piping, air conditioning and all finishes. These units, made of steel, aluminium, carbon fibre and other high quality modern materials, are installed “mechanically” on site, offering luxury finishing, very fast construction time, usage of a limited number of workers, thus reducing site risks and enabling cost savings.  The building, made of single separate floors, is structurally sound and flexible at the same time, being of very high seismic resistance.

The third revolution is born from combining technology and luxury with environment.  The skyscraper’s wind turbines, positioned horizontally between each floor, and solar ink on its many roofs will produce energy making the tower the first self-powered building.  Thus the Rotating Tower, a unique architectural solution, becomes also a “power station” producing green energy for the city.

Source: www.DynamicArchitecture.com

Is Print DEAD? [InfoGraphic]

Is The Printing Industry Being Crushed By The Internet?

Source: www.Sketchee.com

8 Facts About Facebook’s $33 Billion Valuation [InfoGraphic]

Did you know Facebook’s recent valuation is estimated at a whopping $33 Billion? Here’s an interesting Infographic by AllFacebook.com to put things into perspective:

Source: www.AllFacebook.com

Social Media For Insurance Professionals: VIDEO

Am super EXCITED!!!, as after hours of to-ing & fro-ing, writing the video scripts, browsing for the ‘right’ music, giving my video guy a hard time ;-) …etc, finally, the short VIDEO for our Social Media For Insurance Professionals book is ready!!!…must say, I like the end result

We would like to thank Mari Smith, Matthew Sapaula, Rod Drury, Barry Read and Melissa Cibelli for their kind words of appreciation.

And thanks to Erik Qualman for all the cool stats.

Statistics source: www.Socialnomics.com

Social Media Ad Spending [InfoGraphic]

Social Media Ad spending is on the rise and I guess, rightly so! Check out this interesting InfoGraphic by Flowtown:

Source: www.Flowtown.com

BIG BROTHER: Do You Know Who’s Watching YOU?

These stats are interesting as well as scary in a way:

Source: Wordstream.com

How the INTERNET works – InfoGraphic

Another awesome infographic by Online Schools:

Social Media For Professionals: VIDEO

Am super EXCITED!!!, as after hours of to-ing & fro-ing, writing the video scripts, browsing for the ‘right’ music, giving my video guy a hard time ;-) …etc, finally, the short VIDEO for our Social Media For Professionals book is ready!!!…must say, I like the end result…would lurvve to have your feedback too:

We would like to thank Mari Smith, Matthew Sapaula, Rod Drury, Barry Read and Melissa Cibelli for their kind words of appreciation.

And thanks to Erik Qualman for all the cool stats.

Statistics source: www.Socialnomics.com

FLOCK – The Social Browser

I’d stumbled upon this new “social browser” a while back, but didn’t quite get to installing and using it, but now that I did, must say, am impressed.

FLOCK’s tagline: Built for Facebook & Twitter

Here’s an excerpt from their website:

Flock is faster, simpler, and more friendly. Literally. It’s the only sleek, modern web browser with the built-in ability to keep you up-to-date with your Facebook and Twitter friends.

Share web pages, photos, and video. Update your status and make comments—from anywhere on the web!

Check out their COOL video:

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to give FLOCK a try…you’ll be GLAD :-D

Social Media For Professionals: Book Foreword by Mari Smith

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn…you’ve been hearing about these online social networking sites on a daily basis and may be wondering:

Social Media is a fundamental shift in how we function on the planet on both a personal and professional basis. As Socialnomics author Erik Qualman states, “Social media touches every facet of business and is more a function of good business ethics.”

The widespread adoption of social media, which began making mainstream traction in 2007, is the largest paradigm shift in how professionals approach their potential clients… and how consumers approach businesses. We’re literally getting to the point where, if your prospects cannot find you on Facebook or Twitter at minimum, you may as well not exist in their eyes.

Yet so many businesses are still stuck using “old media” because they simply don’t fully understand the power of new media, nor how to effectively integrate it into their overall marketing plans.

If we look at old media – traditional marketing – it’s interruptive; we’re constantly interrupted while watching TV, listening to radio or even while driving. In fact, “old style” internet marketing with pop-ups, pop-under’s, forced opting in, and big flashing banner ads is also interruptive and generally not effective any longer.

By contrast, new media marketing involves and encourages participation by both the professionals and their target audience. Old media is flat, one-way; there’s no interaction. The message is typically designed and delivered with zero input from prospects or clients. Whereas social media is two-way – multi-way, even.

Companies like Starbucks and Best Buy are leading the way in engagement through social media marketing. Nike, Vitamin Water and Threadless are great examples of “crowd-sourcing” – having your target market actually help you co-create products!

Together, we are literally reinventing and redefining communication and how we market and sell our products and services.

Social media is the dynamic new marketing phenomenon that has changed the business landscape and it is absolutely here to stay. Successful social media marketing puts the focus directly on your prospects and customers; the emphasis is on building relationships in creative ways.

A few stats of two of the most popular social networking sites:

Facebook:

• Over 480 million active members.
• Predicted to be over 600 million by 2011… or sooner.
• The 2nd most trafficked website in the world – second only to Google. Facebook has, on a few occasions, ousted Google and taken the #1 spot. [Source: Alexa.com]
• The largest photo-sharing platform. Two billion photos are uploaded per month.
• More than 50% of Facebook users in the U.S. are over 35 years old. [Source: ComScore].

Twitter:

• Popular social network, news source and viral marketing tool.
• Grew by over 1900% in 2008 to 2009.
• Over 100 million members.
• Politicians, brands, big companies and celebrities now embracing Twitter.

These numbers and stats are staggering. If you’re not active on the top social networks, you risk being left way behind and you’re may well be losing business on a daily basis. You simply must get active now, at least on social media giants like Facebook and Twitter.

But there’s a right way and a wrong way to approach social media marketing. If you do it wrong, you could risk your reputation, and potentially do more harm than good. I’ve certainly come across a number of horror stories out there – some by renowned companies too, who just didn’t “get” social media!

I’m delighted to introduce you to my friends Ash and Brad – their book will help walk you through the crazy morass of conflicting information and easily put you on the right path to social media success.

Mari Smith
- www.MariSmith.com
– Social Media Speaker, Trainer and Consultant.
– Author, Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day (Sybex, May 2010)
– Dubbed the “Pied Piper of the Online World” by FastCompany.com.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

CLICK HERE to find out how YOU too, can leverage the power of
Social Media, to build credibility, generate leads for free
and increase revenues in 60 days or less!

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The Social Network: Movie Trailer

YES, a movie based on the FACEBOOK story:

– Eisenberg will play Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg;
– Timberlake will play Sean Parker, the Napster co-founder who became Facebook’s founding president; and
– Andrew Garfield will play Eduardo Saverin, the Facebook co-founder who fell out with Zuckerberg over money.

UK Prime Minister in discussion with the Facebook Founder

Talk about the ‘impact’ of Facebook, check out this interesting video between David Cameron (UK PM) and Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder) on how to engage/encourage ideas from people to get the country out of debt…is this a good idea? What do you think?

The Venus Project: Designing the Future Cities

Because of my architectural background, I’ve always been interested in everything ‘design’…from furniture design to houses, commercial buildings to multiplexes to urban design to even design of cities…and, lucky for me, since graduating in 1995, I’ve been involved with various types of projects, small, big and the mega!

‘Futuristic’ being one of my five strengths, as per the Strengths Finder by the respected Gallup Organization, this VENUS PROJECT has caught my attention.

BTW, if you’re wondering, my other strengths are:-
> Intellection, Learner, Analytical & Focus :o)

Check out these interesting videos on the VENUS PROJECT and please share your views by leaving your comments below the videos.

PART 1:

PART 2:

So, what do you think?

The Modern Day Version of A-B-C

This is quite interesting :o)

Social Media For Insurance Professionals: Book Foreword by Matthew Sapaula

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one MOST RESPONSIVE to change” says the biologist Charles Darwin.

This is probably the only thing I will agree with him on, yet it well-describes the financial services industry undergoing reform and especially, change.

Insurance professionals and financial advisors alike must be able to continually market and brand their services, in a highly ethical and compliant manner, to continue helping clients reach the goal of financial security, freedom and control.

Phonebooks, billboards, newspaper ads, direct mail, seminars, radio and TV advertising are not only extremely expensive but also, have lost their draw and effectiveness. These continue to be the most costly methods to test your message in your target market and it’s doubtful whether they engage in your call-to-action.

Although still important, spending hours upon hours of continuing education and obtaining multiple financial designations does not have the same impact during these times, unless you are constantly communicating your ongoing value proposition or unique competitive difference. Simply having alphabet soup splattered on your business card does not get your phone to ring any faster than the agent of the future who updates his status on Social Media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Financial planners and insurance professionals have been reduced in the perception of many as commodities and people to be avoided…sad, but true!

This is an age where people expect information at the speed of light, on-demand and assume you are ready to deliver. If not, your competitors always are.

Hopefully, Finance and Insurance Professionals can look back upon their education and employ, not only the skills learned in math class, but also their English class as well. Being able to write and effectively communicate years of serving families with wisdom and experiences at a fifth grade level is a skill taking precedence in the Influence and Recommendation Age.

Somewhere along the line, we have zoomed past the Information Age. People are looking for the financial services professional that can organize the masses of news clutter that is out there…and tie current events along with financial solutions to make sense to them, their friends and peer group.

Today’s consumer is internet savvy and utilises social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for not only entertainment but also, for researching answers to their personal problems and help make important buying decisions. Operating your practice in this day and age without establishing a footprint in these mediums is like running a business without a phone, email or address.

Don’t be invisible. What you do on a daily basis changes peoples’ lives for generations upon generations. Since you have this individual capability, you now have a responsibility to market your product, services and message in one of the most powerful ways combining the power of newspapers, radio and TV. And do you know what the cost is for you to use this potent platform?

Nothing…it is free.

The only cost is the time for you to upgrade your marketing skills, train your staff in using these social media platforms and without hesitation, begin a marketing transformation that gives the small guy a shot, and being as influential as the corporate titans.

Facebook, Twitter, blogs and video sharing sites have given us the capability to stay ahead of change and be the change that our communities and bottom line desperately need.

It’s the social media strategies that allowed us to become the #1 ranked Chicago-based independent financial services firm in Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. I also have been using these predictable strategies to help coach other financial, mortgage, legal, accounting and real estate professionals become the obvious choice in the eyes of their clients and community.

It took us almost two years of tweaking and testing to figure out what worked. But thanks to Ash and Brad, your business can now change in months.

To your success,

Matthew Sapaula
Chartered Financial Consultant
Financial Strategist, Speaker, Chicago Talk Radio Show Host, TV commentator.
www.MoneySmartRadio.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

CLICK HERE to find out how YOU too, can leverage the power of
Social Media, to build credibility, generate leads for free
and increase revenues in 60 days or less!

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Social Media For Insurance Professionals, Agents & Brokers

Discover How This Lead Getting System Can Help You Attract Your Own, Exclusive, Qualified Leads Without Buying Leads Or Making A Single Cold Call.

Why selling insurance is doomed to fail most of the time

As an insurance agent, you’ll know how difficult it is to sell an insurance policy to a lead. People don’t want to be sold to – when you cold-call they get defensive, the walls go up, and you’ll have a hard time breaking down the barriers once they’ve clocked you as a sales person.

What if hundreds of hot insurance leads came to YOU instead

Consider how easy it is to persuade someone to buy a product when they come to you for advice, as an expert or a friend. Just think – aren’t you more likely to buy a product on the recommendation of a friend who’s tried it already, than you would be from a cold caller?

When people see you as an expert and a friend, they’ll trust your advice one hundred percent, which means infinitely more sales for you, at no extra cost!

So, how do you establish yourself as an expert and a friend, and get hundreds of exclusive, qualified insurance leads flocking to you for FREE?

> Introducing: Social Media for Insurance Professionals

Social Media For Insurance Professionals

TESTIMONIAL: 

“Social Media is the current phenomenon, which I believe all the professionals needs to be part of. ..the only thing is, it can be so overwhelming, especially, if you don’t know how.

But thanks to Ash & Brad, this book proves to be an excellent resource to build your credibility as a professional and generate leads for free. Everything is laid out in a very simple to understand language with diagrams, templates, a 30 day action plan and not to mention the step-by-step video tutorials showing you exactly how to implement your learning’s from the book.

Needless to say, this book is highly recommended to all the professionals looking to effectively integrate social media in their marketing efforts.”

Matthew Sapaula, ChFC
Chartered Financial Consultant, Financial Strategist, Speaker, Chicago Talk Radio Show Host, TV commentator.
www.MoneySmartRadio.com
Chicago, U.S

TESTIMONIAL:

“This book is the perfect handbook to help insurance brokers integrate social networking sites into their marketing plans effectively and avoid the many pitfalls. Well done to Ash and Brad on providing such a practical and valuable tool for our industry on such a cutting edge medium.”

Barry Read
Chairperson
Institute of Financial Advisers
Auckland, NZ

Click Here To Learn More…

MASS MINGLING: Why the online revolution is fueling an ever increasing range of real world meet-ups.

MASS MINGLING | Thanks to the online revolution, hundreds of millions are now actively searching for, finding, connecting/signaling, and staying in touch with likeminded souls in the virtual world. Constant updates, GPS and mobile online access is now bringing this explosion of dating, networking, socializing and mingling to the real world domain.

Here’s what driving this trend, in more detail:

1)      People LOVE to connect

Think friends and family, colleagues, romantic interests, and those sharing similar hobbies, interests, political preferences, grievances or causes. And all this ‘befriending’ takes place in unprecedented quantities: never before were people able to build and maintain such extensive and relevant personal networks.

Some numbers:

• Twitter: 100 million+ users, with 50 million tweets sent each day.
• Facebook : nearing 500 million users. The average user has 130 friends, spends 55 minutes a day on the site and receives three “event invitations” to real-life gatherings every month (in December 2009, the company stated that 3.5 million events were created every month). Next? According to The New York Times, Facebook will soon incorporate ‘location’ in two ways: its own features for sharing location and APIs to let other sites and apps offer location services to Facebook users. This could well be a MASS MINGLING killer app.
• LinkedIn : over 65 million members. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second.
• A ‘veteran’ MASS MINGLING engine like Meetup has 6.1 million members, handling 2.2 million RSVPs and 180,000 meet-ups, in 45,000 cities a month.
• Foursquare has one million users, while Gowalla: 150,000 users.
• Nearly three quarters (73%) of online teens and an equal number (72%) of young adults* use social network sites. 73% of adult profile owners use Facebook, 48% have a profile on MySpace and 14% use LinkedIn. (Source: Pew, Feb 2010.)

* Hundreds of millions of personal pages, feeds, status updates, tweets, profiles, blogs—courtesy of the Facebooks, the Twitters, the LinkedIns—are building an eternally up-to-date encyclopedia of individuals. Some thoughts on how this will lead to ‘forever connected’ amongst younger generations, from our fave media guru Jeff Jarvis:

2) People LOVE the ‘real world:

This incredibly powerful tandem of mass urbanization and experiences has resulted in an orgy of real world activities and happenings that are all about mingling; from countless cultural and not so cultural events, concerts, festivals, and seminars, to a burgeoning and truly global bar/dining/party scene, to a Warholian retail renaissance, to tourism & travel now being one of the world’s largest industries, employing approximately 220 million people and generating over 9.4 percent of world GDP. In short, people have always, and will for a long time continue to enjoy interacting with other warm bodies.

3) An info-layer on top of daily life

This layer has created a space in which following, finding, tracking, connecting to, and ultimately (spontaneously) meeting up in the real world with interesting known and unknown people will be easy, automatic, instinctive, convenient, and even natural. And thus, for many, connecting to ’strangers’ is rapidly becoming second nature.

For a glimpse of things to come, dive into location-based ‘meet-up’ services like Foursquare (now doing 700,000 check-ins per day), Gowalla, Google Latitude and Loopt.

Check out the examples, opportunities and more here: http://www.trendwatching.com/briefing

Social Media Books cooking in our labs:

Thanks to all our friends and potential JV partners for helping us finalize the list of 10 books we plan to release this year:

COOKING IN OUR LABS and almost ready to be served:

1. Social Media For Coaches
2. Social Media For Accountants
3. Social Media For Professionals
4. Social Media For Network Marketers
5. Social Media For Insurance Professionals

RECIPE FINALIZED :O)

1. Social Media For Designers
2. Social Media For Tradesmen
3. Social Media For Law Practices
4. Social Media For Mortgage Professionals
5. Social Media For Real Estate Professionals