Private: Intelligence

This has been a rough couple of weeks.  The United States government is disappointing in many ways, and the economy is paying the price.  If you watch the news it’s very easy to get sucked into the discussion of a “double dip” recession and all the other negativity that permeates the conversation, but to be honest it won’t help matters much.  Listening to pundits and media people express their dissatisfaction and outrage only fuels the fire of fear.  That being said, there are two things you can realistically do, and you need to pay attention to them both.

First of all, if you’re unhappy with Congress, or the President or anyone else in government then you need to let them know when it comes time to vote.  If you don’t take the time to vote, then you have no right to complain because when it comes to government, that’s your only true voice.  Elected officials are supposed to mirror your needs, wants and desires and if they don’t, then you need to let them know.  You need to apply accountability to their actions.

The second opportunity you have is to create jobs and stimulate the economy.  Our industry is still one of the fastest growing industries in the US, and we have a unique opportunity to support the economy and drive growth.    The digital media landscape is complicated, but thanks to such tools as the ever-present LumaScape , you can demystify the business and identify the opportunities that are available.  Whether you are a marketer, an agency person or en entrepreneur, you sit in a unique position to influence and establish new companies that help improve the strength of our industry, and create jobs that help a lot of people.   As Bono said at the last U2 show in Oakland, “after all, you guys created the 21^st century”!  He was right – our efforts in this business are driving new opportunities the world over, and everyone is paying attention.  Our business is an inter-connected, global business that is quickly providing the basis for economies all over the world, and your hard work is driving that success.

We need jobs in order to spark growth.  It’s as simple as that.  If anyone ever has been in a position to figure things out, it would be us.  And by us, I refer to those of you reading this article no matter where you are, how old (or young) you are or what you do for a living.  If you’re reading the Spin, you’re involved in a dynamic digital media business, and you‘re in a position to help. 

At the risk of sounding like a televangelist, there is a great chapter being written right now, and it can end really well, or it can end really poorly.  I personally want to create a world where my sons will be happy, healthy and successful.  If that means I lose a little sleep and I work a little hard, I’m ok with that.  What about you?

Of course, beating my chest and yelling from the top of the mountaintop isn’t much help without some practical advice, so here are some tips for how you can support the fervor of entrepreneurialism that we need to support the economy and drive growth:

• If you’ve got an idea, write it out and see if there’s a business there.  It doesn’t mean you have to see it all the way through, but ideas can come from anywhere, and there are always hungry people around you looking for good ideas.
• Support your local entrepreneurs, by either investing (if you have the resources) or just taking meetings with them.  You can be valuable just by applying a second set of eyes to an idea, and providing good, constructive feedback.
• Be constructive, don’t be dismissive.  The more you can provide positive, supportive feedback to someone with an idea, the more you help them be successful.
• Don’t start the discussion with “what’s in it for me”.  Our country wasn’t built on a sense of pure selfishness – it was built on a sense of opportunity and the backs of some dreamers.
• Give someone a test, if you can.   If you’re in a position to test out an idea, and push for innovation, give it a shot.  The more of your budget you spend with the “usual suspects”, the less you help drive new ideas.  Be open to innovation.

I know it sounds bit too much like patriotic mumbo-jumbo, especially coming from me, but it’s not intended to be.  I don’t care who you vote for, or what side you support.  I’m only trying to get people to stop complaining and start doing something about it, and the best way I can see for that to happen is to leverage what we have, as an industry.  And that is ideas!

Don’t you agree?