“Just One” Conference Takeaway

September 29, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Little do I know that September and October are busy conference months, or maybe just me this year who has the privilege to attend many, many great conferences. For five weeks in a row, I have attended #140confOnt and #TEDxToronto so far; and yet still looking forward to go to #SCCTO, #SMM2011, and #BlissdomCanada for following Fridays

All these great speakers are either thought leaders in their respective fields giving inspiring speeches, or telling stories with overwhelmingly heart-pouring, quite often leave my brain dazzling for few days. For that, I have decided I am not going to write the whole run down of conference I attend, there are many people do excellent job on this with great insights, so instead I will do one takeaway, just ONE that I take away with me.

Have you ever had that A-ha moment, that one thought strikes you like lightening, one thought that stays inside your brain? I have, one each from #140confONT and #TEDxToronto, conferences I have been to so far.

Amber Mac said it at #140conONT,

The responsibilities are not just to your followers, your fans or your readers in the community, the responsibilities are to people you surrounded by everyday, who has counted on you for helping them dream and achieve.

I also love this at #TEDxToronto, you can watch the video here “Derek Sivers: How to start a movement”

Come to think of it, a leader is not a leader without followers and only the first follower turns the lone nut into a true leader. So many times you have great ideas and you start to move forward, whoever has the courage to follow you first means trust, for that you have responsibilities to the person because you influenced her/him.

It’s amazing how these two messages seems unrelated and yet they are interdependent. The questions I would like to ask you are:

(1) Who are you influence to and have you take the steps being responsible?

(2) Do you remember who is your first follower for things you believed in?

(2) What would be your “Just One” takeaway from which conference?

Would love to learn more

Filed Under: Thoughts & Reflections Tagged With: #140confONT, #SCCTO, #smm2011, #TEDxToronto, BlissdomCanada, Conference Takeaway, ShesConnected

How You Social Is How You Brand

November 26, 2010 By Sara Chi 4 Comments

and vice versa–How You Brand Is How You Social, Online and Offline

O.K., I know it’s been almost a month since BlissdomCanada ended on a high note and I am just about to write something, I will admit part of the reasons is because I am a slowpoke but you see, really the bliss has become part of life now. The hashtag #BlissdomCanada is going strong like wildfire, it also gave birth to several babies; #BeKind movement started by Sharon DeVellis (@SharonDV) and Candace Derickx (@seemummyjuggle); #OneWord started by Annie Phd (@phdinparenting) and most recently, #HeelingHunger by Dee Brun Gow (@CocktailDeeva) and Marci O’connor (@suzieswapper). I also had the pleasure to have #BlissLunch with few ladies earlier this week to catch up, thanks to Shannon Mischuk (@shasherslife) for organizing it, you can read about all it here, and oh guess what? Barbara Jones (@BarbaraJones) even called during our lunch, amazing!!

To all Duettes (according to my 8 year old daughter) and some dudes (Duri Al Ajrami @Duriajrami, Adam Avitable @avitable and Eric Alper @ThatEricAlper) at BlissdomCanada that I had the pleasure to speak with, thank you for sticking around more than 1 minute and not walk away by boredom (even if you WERE bored at least you stayed that long:) ), many I get to chat more online and offline after the conference. I also appreciate wonderful ladies who had written #BlissdomCanada posts shortly after , Annie (@PhdInParenting) even includes her presentation here http://www.slideshare.net/AnniePhdinparenting/blissdomcanadapresentation. The community is so awesome because (1) I couldn’t and wouldn’t have written it better myself as you can see; (2) you’ve all helped me re-learn the three days conference, all geared up and ready for Blissdom Canada 2011.

The thought from last session “Building Brands And Beyond“, is sticky in my head for a while and I’ve been thinking from different angle. When Julie Cole (@juliecole) and Erica Ehm (@YummyMummyClub) discussed how they brand their successful business, Julie mentioned all her staff holds true to core value at Mabel’s Label, and they have general guideline about online behaviour, great products and excellent customer services are key factor to their success; where Erica said she gives her staff 100% freedom what YMC bloggers want to write/say, be it hilarious or controversial, they want it to be an informative and safe place for mummy to join the club, read the blogs and share stories. The very distinction to me is corporate culture, a more traditional business (Mabel’s Label) and an emerging business (Yummy Mummy Club).

The main message is always be authentic, be true to who you are, and you are your own brand, online and offline. People talk online, and believe me, people talk MORE offline. It’s easier to know people online, it’s better to know people offline. I think that’s the beauty of social networks, opening the door and presenting the opportunity for us to know people in real. What you say/do/put out there, stays forever, for generations to come to see. A bit thoughtful before posting anything on the internet, always consider would it be appropriate for your family, friends or even grand children see the digital footprints and not feel embarrassed, or hurt.

I admire these two women, if you like them online you will LOVE them in real life when you get to know them more. Because I DO. Be consistent, be authentic, and you have no competition (Wait, this is Scott, a.k.a. @UnMarketing‘s line). Men are competitive and women are collaborative; men like to work independently and women like to work cohesively. In fact these two brands are so different yet can work together, support each other and cheer the success for each other; THIS, only happens in woman’s world, our world

Filed Under: personal, professional Tagged With: BeKind, Blissdom, BlissdomCanada, BlissLunch, Brands, digital footprint, Eric Ehm, HeelingHunger, Julie Cole, Mabel's Label, OneWord, social media, Yummy Mummy Club

That’s How She Blogs

August 12, 2010 By Sara Chi 4 Comments

I’m so excited I am going to BlissdomCanada in October, seeing Lisa, a.k.a. Party Mummy roll out the red carpet, I can’t help but walk on it Let me tell you, it does feel really good !! Anyhoo, I used to be super great putting names and faces together; as I aged this ability is fading quickly, that’s why this is a good practice for me to get to know more awesomesauces and make strong connections before I meet all of you !

Here’s what to do:

a) Cut and paste the quiz onto your blog.

b) Delete my answers.

c) Answer the questions.

d) Tweet a few of the bloggers you’d love to get to know better and invite them to play along.

e) Leave a link to your blog with your quiz answers in the comment section below.

Are you ready? Get set, GO !!

————————————————————————-

1. Did you attend Blogher10?

No , I didn’t know it until all tickets were sold out…sigh.

2. Are you attending BlissdomCanada this fall?

Yes yes yes ! I know it’s bad practice that I bought the ticket with our LOC but hey, it’d be awesome if I get a sponsor

3. When are you at your blogging best – a.m. or p.m.?

I’d say, p.m, or late night, but actually I can do any time when I am “in the mood”.

4. How many blogs do you have? (Include the links)

Just one, recently started and I really need to work my butt on it !

www.infosara.com

5. What technical skill would you like to learn to improve your blog?

What? Oh I need to learn technical skillS big time, anything that will improve my blog is needed .

6. Do you prefer the sound of silence or does action abound while you blog?

Actions won’t do, I’m easily distracted especially when there are other animals, ahem, I mean other people around. Music is fine, however, no talking.

7. Do you include the names of your family in your blog?

Yes.

8. Do you post pictures or videos of your children?

Pictures so far, videos in the *future* plan.

9. What’s the grossest thing you’ve spilled on your keyboard?

None, I am very conscious about it as I know how hard it is to clean the keyboard but if you look at the duvet cover besides the desk, that’s another story.

10. Ever posted something you wrote while intoxicated?

Don’t think so but then again, I have very short, selective memory.

11. Do you go back and edit old posts just because you can?

Not really, but I know I can and probably should.

12. Have you ever suspected somebody took something you wrote and pawned it off as their own?

Well, not sure how many people are reading my blog at this point, but I’ll be flattered if that happens.

13. Does your spouse read your blog? What do they say about it?

No, he doesn’t even know I have a blog, or at least I think he doesn’t know or if he does then he is really doing a good job pretending it.

14. What’s something cool/positive/unexpected for you, that has resulted directly from blogging?

When I first started, it was simply an outlet for me to put honest thoughts about day to day life, it’s encouraging to know people are reading it and just amazing to connect and have conversations with others that share common groun.

15. Link to a post (or two) which demonstrate your writing style: