I've been on LinkedIn since early 2004, when I started using it to connect with people in Vancouver. At that time I was planning a reconnaissance trip to the city, ahead of emigrating from the UK. LinkedIn put me in touch with lots of good people and I went on to meet a bunch of them during my visit. The contacts I made were very very helpful and a number have become the closest of my Canadian Friends, since we arrived as permanent residents in the summer of 2005.

My use of LinkedIn was for the longest time unchanged. I believed that it was a numbers game and the more connections you had the more likely you were to get a few that were of value. Of course that statement 'of value' is the interesting point. What does it mean? My general approach to networking has always been to look for what I can offer my network, rather than what I can take from it. What is 'of value' changes over time and although LinkedIn was helpful in the building stages of my network, especially in Vancouver - I had for a few months been rethinking my approach.

My 'policy' so to speak was to be generous in who I connected with, i.e. I didn't really mind if I knew them or not. Some I had brief email discussions with, but generally I didn't. Apart from a mass invite activity I did in 2004/2005 I've only actually invited people recently that I'd met, so change was on the cards. As LinkedIn added to their offering I started following a feed of my network's activity. Increasingly this has become frustrating.

Most of the updates etc I was reading came from people that quite honestly, I didn't really know. Consequently they were of little interest. What would be of interest would be a feed from people I did really know. That feed I would like to read.

So without pretending I have some highly intellectual plan I decided to reduce my LinkedIn network to what I thought of as connections which I have some kind of connection with. LinkedIn of course is a bit clunky when it comes to removing contacts, but I've finally finished my first pass. Below are the Before/After numbers:

Measure                              Before               After     Reduction

Connections                         1,615                 362            78%

2 Degrees away               489,100            126,800          74%

3 Degrees away            8,230,600         5,150,500         37%

Total contactable         8,721,300         5,277,700         29%

It's interesting to note that the more extended the network, the less impact this has had.  Is this the right strategy going forward? Time will tell, but for now it feels better and just maybe I can start looking at my connections and taking more of interest in what they are all up to.

Note: Due to the number of connections I removed, it's entirely possible I deleted some that I meant to keep. If you are reading this and think you are one of them, let me know!

Posted by Rightantler at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

Today I had the pleasure of giving my 10th speech at my Toastmasters Club. This completes the Competent Communicator manual and means I have reached the first milestone in my Toastmasters career. I feel I have really progressed since November when I gave my Icebreaker speech and if the feedback is anything to go by this has been noticed by everyone in the club.

Toastmasters is a funny thing really. Public speaking is an important skill and to follow such an established process as the 10 speech projects has really been an education. One of the main reasons I started on this was because I felt that many of the leaders I had seen speak, clearly missed an opportunity by communicating poorly - even when they had a potentially strong message.

Of course, with only 10 speeches under my belt I am no expert - what I am though is far more aware of what I can do when speaking to increase the chances of achieving my desired aim. I recommend Toastmasters whole heartedly to anyone who has an interest in their own personal development and how they are peceived by others. You will learn lots about speaking, evaluating and leadership but more importantly you will learn more about yourself. Something, I feel is never a bad thing.

For the record, my speeches in order were as follows:

The Icebreaker; The Technology of being Connected; Crows - dispelling the myths; The Inspiration of Mountains; Autogeddon - the motor car; New Ventures BC Competition; Howard Schulz; Talking Sticks; The Simplest Act - walking; Ignite the Spark.

After the speech today I called my boss to tell him I had completed this milestone. He replied "It's good to know I now have 1 competent member of my team!" :-)

Posted by Rightantler at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook | TrackBacks (0)

I've had some interesting responses when I introduce myself as a financial storyteller. The vast majority of these have been very favourable - I help organisations tell their story through numbers. Depending on the organisation, this can mean presenting what their business actually is to an external audience or informing Senior Management internally about what's going on.

So I was thrilled to see the latest CMA Marketing campaign which was launched last week. The new brand platform is "Creative Accountants" and I agree with David Fletcher who is the CMA Vice President, Public Affairs, when he explained "This is about people, not a criminal practice." I think the same can be said for storytelling. The full comments are contained in this article and I invite you to check them out.

As an alternative you can check our the new website, creativeaccountants.org. I applaud this campaign and the thinking behind it. Whether it's easier to say I am creative accountant or a financial storyteller I can't guess but either way we are on the same page.

Posted by Rightantler at 5:22 PM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

The other day my wife and I were discussing the idea that as people become more famous/successful they have less time for the people who made them famous/successful in the first place.  A couple of days later I had reason to question this.

For years I've been reading Robert X Cringely's column. These days of course I follow the rss. When I first read it, about the same time as the Triumph of the Nerds aired in the UK, Mr. Cringely had a really nice feature. Years later, i.e. now I appreciate it more as I think of my Toastmasters speeches and storytelling more widely.

The column would start with something that his wife said/did then go off into the core topic (rumours of a takeover, new product or whatever), then at the end conclude by circling back to whatever it was his wife mentioned/did. For me, sometimes the column was not in my field of interest, but I read on anticipating the conclusion.

Being a wired world we live in I decided the other day to buzz an email off to him. As usual, with these things I did not expect a reply. To my delight 'Bob' - I feel I can call him that based on how he signed the email - reminding me that this was 1987-95 when he did that. Wow! Over 10 years ago it stopped! Bob also mentioned he didn't think it was really appropriate for his current column, which is a shame.

Bob's done some very cool things, which I've read or followed over the years and doubtless more I will discover in future. His email to me probably took less than 10 secs, nothing to him I'm sure. But this simple act sets him apart from many others and gives me another good reason to continue to reading his column.

It's also another reason I should listen to my wife a little more. In our discussion she told me I was being overly cynical and on this occasion (only!) I have to agree with her.

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Posted by Rightantler at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

Tonight I attended a CMABC Lower Mainland Chapter 'Speaker's Series' Presentation intoduced by Michael Brown, CMA at the offices of Visible Strategies. Speaking on the subject above was CEO, Colin Grant a tall Scotsman who moved to Vancouver a few months before 9/11 in 2001.

Colin started off with a very entertaining 3 min summary of the rise and fall of traditional business models. As I undertstand it, the whole idea of $$$ as the goal is long gone. Business has to take a holistic approach to how it manages it's affairs. Naturally this leads into a discussion around climate change, environmental drivers and how these will dictate the way companies will have to act in future.

It used to be that it cost money to go green, one of Colin's assertions is that companies will HAVE to go green as it will cost money NOT to. Of course forward thinking companies have already worked this out. Enter Novex Couriers, a local same day courier company whose CEO Robert Safrata was next up.

Novex are very interesting, a courier company that last week won an award for ecoFreight Transportation from the Globe Foundation of Canada.  It was amazing to hear how environmentally aware this company is. In fact you can see it for yourself on their website by taking a look at how Novex is managed through see-it™; a product/service provided by Visible Strategies. 

I thought this was fascinating and a refreshingly different way to manage a business. Grant explained how when showing this to a potential new client, they can very quickly get something up into see-it™ in a couple of hours. Impressive stuff and judging by their client list something that is growing.

According to Grant the first thing to do is workout where you want your company to be, then work out how you can get there. According to Safrata, one major step in this is an Environmental Audit. Just make sure you don't end up with another glossy brochure style lump of paper that nobody reads and gets filed in a drawer! Some of the challenges of this are difficult, but according Safrata that is exciting! That is why we are managers - we have to work out how to solve these things! Personally having watched Al Gore's most recent presentation over on Ted, this stuff is critical, but we do have a great opportunity.

We can be the generation that really does save the planet, or more accurately, save the human race. The planet will continue come what may.      

Tags: AlGore, "Climate Change, "Colin Grant, "Public Speaking, "Speaker's Series, "Visible Strategies, CEO, CMA, cmabc, environment, holistic, man, portrait, presentation, see-it, strategic, strategy, "Rob Safrata, Novex, "Novex Couriers, Michael Brown CMA

Posted by Rightantler at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

If you read my previous post regarding my broken Nikon P5100 you may remember that the man at Kerrisdale Cameras told me it would be 4-6 weeks before I received it back. So imagine my surprise when I picked up a voicemail on Saturday informing me that it was ready for collection!

I went up today, which is 2 weeks and 2 days since I took it in, to collect the camera. I'm pleased to report that the man who helped me today (a different one to last time) was efficient and bordering on friendly. There was no charge and I was straight out into the sun we've enjoyed this weekend playing with my new (ok, nearly new), toy.

The zoom switch is back as good as new and having had a couple of weeks with my old Nikon P2, it's certainly a welcome return. The P2 is a reasonable camera, but without a viewfinder and image stabalisation, I found it somewhat restrictive.

I am pleased that Nikon Canada seem to have turned around, what was probably a simple repair, quickly. Kerrisdale Cameras did their bit as well and I'm back to normal just at the right time. Last week I attended an Apple World Tour about their software package called Aperture. This really rocks! So with what feels like a new camera and new software I'm back to having fun with photography! Check out my flickr page if you'd like to see the results!

Tags: nikon, kerrisdalecameras, aperture, flickr, nikonp5100, p5100, nikonp2, p2, repair, apple

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Posted by Rightantler at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

This is my second attempt to write this blog post. So inspired by Duane's post tonight I'm prepared to try again!

Back in September last year I went to Kerrisdale Cameras and purchased a new digital camera, the Nikon P5100. I've been fairly happy with the camera, although my recent project to photograph crows every day this year has brought one of it's biggest weaknesses into sharp focus (be it slowly!). But this isn't about the camera.

In the last couple of weeks the zoom button started getting sticky and then locking in position. It got progressively worse and last Friday I took it back to Kerrisdale Cameras. What followed is a classic example of why retail customer service in this town has such a bad name.

Unlike when I purchased the camera (and spent over $800 in the store on the camera, extra battery, case etc - I even got a 'Digital Camera Bonus Pack') the reception I received was decidedly cold.

The camera has to go back to Nikon. It was explained that I had the option of taking it to Nikon myself (no kidding!), or letting them send it. First they told me how close Richmond was, which I found patronising, then they told me they only send to Nikon once a week and that would not be until next Wednesday. Then I was told it would be 'assessed' to see whether the 'damage' was caused by an impact. They did concede there was no sign of an impact, and they understood that I was unhappy that I would be without a camera for six weeks.

What they didn't do - was DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!! I was an unhappy customer, yet I was made to feel a victim. I was damn lucky they'd even let me in the shop and I should be grateful for even being spoken to, let alone anything else!

My problem you see is that my previous camera a Nikon Coolpix 5400 was purchased back in the UK from an establishment called Grays of Westminster. A store where, in a rare case of English boastfulness "The Kind of Service which Legends are Made." This is a store which sells only Nikon, and to some of the most successful and famous photographers in the world (Heather Angel comes to mind). Heather, I am sure spends Thousands of those English Pounds in Grays of Westminster. When I went in I wanted a point and shoot!

As it happened the morning I went in to buy it they had just sold the last one. No problem, said the assistant, he would call the store up the street (a competitor - think Future Shop), and if they had one he would pop down there and get it for me. He recommended a nice local restaurant I could maybe catch some lunch whilst he went down there! I was unfortunately in a rush, so he promised to courier it to my home that afternoon, I'd have it in the morning. And so I did.

I feel Kerrisdale too has the kind of service which legends are made, just not the same kind. This was a $400 Camera, why did they not just replace it (regardless of it being 6 months old)? or give me a store credit which would have enabled me to be up and taking pictures again 6 weeks ahead of the current plan? Maybe offer to lend me a camera? Give me a cheap digital camera to 'keep me going' but show some willingness to relate to ME, their customer.

When I purchased the camera I also purchased a $120 filter for my Leftantler's camera (a Nikon D70s). The D70s is getting a bit old now, maybe I'm looking to replace it (or add to the system), maybe a new D80, D200 or D300.  This is partly true, the only thing being timing. Photography is a growing part our lives, I want to build a good relationship with a local supplier. Yet, absolutely nothing about the experience on Friday, encourages me to purchase a single item from their store in the future.

To return to Duane's story, if this were Futureshop I wouldn't have the same expectations (maybe), but this is a specialist store, in business since 1961. I expected more.

Tags: Nikon, P5100, KerrisdaleCameras, GraysofWestminster, HeatherAngel, DuaneStorey, customerservice

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Posted by Rightantler at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

This is a competition I have enjoyed being a mentor on for the last couple of years. I was thrilled to see that this year they have secured a new lead sponsor,  BC Innovation Council.

The press release tells the story best ...

New Ventures BC Competition Grows to $335,000 in Prizes With New Title Sponsor
New Ventures BC, one of North America’s largest technology business idea competitions, is even bigger this year — with $335,000 in prize packages. That’s an increase of $200,000 over last year, thanks to new title sponsor The BC Innovation Council.

“Our investment in this competition speaks to its success in fostering new entrepreneurs over the past seven years,” says Soren Harbel, CEO of the Council. ”We hope our new Proof-of-Concept Awards will assist in bringing some great technologies into the market place.”

Previous competition winners include the world’s largest mobile community, AirG, with 20 million users worldwide, and GenoLogics Life Sciences Software Inc., which has customers throughout North America and Europe.

The competition is open to any B.C. resident, team or business with an innovative technology product or service that has not yet secured material financing. The deadline to enter is April 23.

Prizes include:
BC Hydro $60,000 first prize package plus BC Innovation Council $100,000 Proof-of-Concept award
Enbridge $38,000 second prize package plus BC Innovation Council $50,000 Proof-of-Concept award
A $17,000 third prize package plus BC Innovation Council $50,000 Proof-of-Concept award
BC Hydro Sustainability $20,000 prize.

Now in its eighth year, the competition aims to help very early-stage entrepreneurs acquire the business skills they need to get their technology to market. The competition takes place over four rounds and seven months and includes a unique mix of business education, networking, mentoring and $335,000 in prize packages.

Competitors can participate in eight business education seminars, which start April 2, ahead of the April 23 competition entry deadline. These seminars are also open to non-competitors who pay the $100 registration fee.

Established by SFU Business, New Ventures BC is operated by the non-profit BC Ventures Society and made possible through the generous support of private and public sponsors, as well as volunteer mentors, speakers, and judges.

For the seminar schedule, and to register, visit www.newventuresbc.com, call 604-725-5740

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Posted by Rightantler at 5:18 PM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

Looking through my feeds this morning, or in this case a link posted on facebook I came across a post from Kris Krug. 1000 True fans is from a blog from another KK and puts forward the idea that:

A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author - in other words, anyone producing works of art - needs to acquire only 1,000 True Fans to make a living.

Something for me to pass on to Leftantler and her exploration of photography. I like the idea a lot and reminded me I must read The Long Tail - it's been sitting there for ages and the term, like the Tipping Point is now part of everyday language. Unlike the Tipping Point I haven't read the book!

A book I am reading and enjoying is Story Factor by Annette Simmons. It's my first foray into Annette's work and I find myself nodding my head and smiling a lot which must be a good sign.

Returning to 1000 True fans, the idea here is that a true fan will spend $100 per year on your art, be it music, photography, writing etc. Find another 999 of these and you can make a reasonable living of $100K per year (the average in BC was $59K in 2005). The accountant (sorry to use the A-word) in me suggests setting a goal of $59K rather than $100K, meaning that's 401 fans I don't need to find! Therefore I'm 40% towards my goal! (this is where the accountant switches into a dreamer!).

Despite the flippant comments above I think there is lots of merit to this idea, but one that requires more thinking. I'll let you know how I get on ...

Tags: kriskrug, 1000fans, longtail, tippingpoint, storyfactor, annettesimmons

Posted by Rightantler at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook

My thoughts on the night took me back to what Alex Waterhouse-Hayward was talking about at Northern Voice the week before. There is something special about seeing photgraphy printed, framed and in a gallery. Especially when it's someone you know!

As you can see below the gallery itself became very busy. There are more photos from the opening night on my flickr page which demonstrate the excitement!

It was actually like this for most of the two hours of the opening, with folk spreading out into the hallway and the Gelato shop next door.

Thanks to everyone who shared the occasion and made it such a memorable experience. If you have chance to visit the gallery over the next two weeks I strongly encourage you to do so. After you've been it would be great to hear what you thought, and whether your purchased a piece!

Tags: Leftantler, YaletownGallery, LandscapesofVancouver, Yaletown, Vancouver, gallery, art, photography, show

Posted by Rightantler at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments () Post to del.icio.us Share on Facebook