Google Plus...What's All The Fuss?

(hehe it rhymed!)

I've already written my initial reaction over at Socialized! where I spoke about the basics like Circles, Sparks and Google Search Power. 

I also made some early predictions about where I see it all going.  This week on twitter I participated in a #GPlusDebate.  I would say its a tad early to be making any crazy predicitons but to sum it up I would say that the overall functionality, freshness and quality of content on G+ is drawing a big crowd.  Do I think that Facebook and/or Twitter will die?  Nope. 

I think there's room for all to play and expect that Facebook will certainly still be huge for brands, 55+ generation, typical family/friends sharing and also small business. 

Jason Falls from Social Media Explorer said it better than I ever could so check out his blog: Reality To Soon Set In On Google+

Social Media Week Vancouver Community Outreach!

Breakdown of Social Media Week Tracks

Tuesday night the Socialized! Ltd. Team had a great outreach meeting with many of Vancouver’s very talented/generous and invested Social Media Community.

Our Founders of Socialized Shane Gibson and Anthony Caridi (AJ) presented our goals and objectives about Social Media Week in the fall.  Lorraine Murphy live blogged the event and you can read all about the details and breakdowns of the different tracks (as seen in pic to the right) here: SocialMedia Beer and FAQ 

There have been so many questions about what it is and how to get involved….Let’s start at the beginning:

Social Media Week is the creation of CrowdCentric:
An Agency in NewYork with a focus on brand collaboration:

"Our mission is to help people, brands, companies, not-for-profits and governments around the world establish deeper and more valuable relationships through collaborative learning and social communication.

In 2009, we launched Social Media Week, a global conference which brings people, brands and organizations together to explore how communications is changing how we connect as a society with an emphasis on the implications of emerging trends in social and mobile media.

Since launching Social Media Week we have hosted over 1,300 events for more than 50,000 people in 15 cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Berlin, Hong Kong, Istanbul, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Bogota."

This fall we're adding Vancouver for the first time!

So how is it going to look?

Watch this video with Toby Daniels (Founder and Executive Director Social Media Week/ CEO Crowdcentric) sharing the purpose and sponsors and opportunites of partnering with Social Media Week. (He's referring to Social Media Week last February but many of the players remain the same)

So how do you get involved? 

There are a number of ways to get involved.  As illustrated on the infograph at the top you will see we need:
Venues, 
Speakers/Panelists, 
Organizational Help/Volunteers,
Logistics,
Entertainment,
Sponsorship $ and in kind Sponsorship.

We have established our stellar Advisory Board who have been reaching out to their connections and many have eagerly stepped forward to participate. 


If you're interested in hosting an event or you have any questions there are a number of ways you can reach us.  Follow Social Media Week Vancouver on Facebook or Twitter.  Leave a comment or question for us there and we'll try to answer them all!  If you know you want to host an event, please go to Social Media Week Vancouver to submit your proposal.

We have been on conference calls with New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and we are in great shape! With your support we are going to have a jam packed, socially engaging, brand building, community celebration of new proportions!  Please share this post with anyone you think may be interested and again ~ please leave us any comments/questions you may have :)

Social Media will Bring Justice for Vancouver!

This may NOT have been his smartest move :)

Customer Service ~ What's That?

Brian Solis interviews Frank Eliason, the SVP of Social for Citi, on the Social Business and Customer Service. It's only a matter of time before companies realize that customer service is NOT a sales center but rather SHOULD help to improve the customer experience and convert the customer into a brand evangelist.

The Art Of Marketing Vancouver ~ Orgasmic!

Yes I said it...well actually Avinash Kaushik said it yesterday during his presentation on Web Analytics yesterday during The Art of Marketing tour ~ and the crowd LOVED it!

Every once in a while I have the opportunity to learn from fabulous thought leaders...I'm drawn to TED talks and the ideas that are shared there...I gravitate to business/thought leaders in my own town and pick their brains...I attend meetup groups that are  specifically designed for higher learning... clearly I LOVE to learn...so when I had the opportunity to attend The Art of Marketing to hear legends Gary Vaynerchuk~ author of Crush It and The Thank You Economy; Mitch Joel ~author of Six Pixels of Separation; Guy Kawasaki ~ author of Engagement; Bill Taylor ~ Editor of Fast Company Magazine; And Avinash Kaushik ~ author of Web Analytics 2.0 it was almost more than one mind can take in one day! (but we managed ;)

There's a "T" in the Road

*disclaimer: I wrote this post a while ago and wasn't quite ready to publish as it would affect others but some decisions have been made and now I'm ready to share*
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"...all the best laid plans" is what they say.
"It's about the journey, not the destination."
Ok I'll admit it...some days I feel like I don't know WHAT THE HECK I'm doin!!

Ever get to the point when you know its time to make a change....there's all these little signs.  All of your efforts aren't moving you forward?  You lack motivation...your gutt is telling you something just ain't right??  It's time to come clean with yourself.

I've been wrestling with myself... denying the truth with little lies that we tell ourselves when its not convenient to look at reality...dealing with my ego that says:

"Never admit defeat!"

BUT....I'm there.

Do you LOVE what you do?  Are you following your passion?

I have to admit that when I got into Real Estate it was never because I was PASSIONATE about it.  It was always going to be a means to an end...allow me to prove to myself that I am in fact a strong business woman, that I can be a fierce negotiator, that I can be a solid contributor to my family; and still be a fabulous wife and mother (I may be taking a few liberties here ;) ~ we can ask my children later what they really think).

Here's the thing...I've been knocking myself out building the "Ultimate Real Estate career" doing all the brand building and event marketing; speaking and presenting; teaching and consulting...and what have I discovered?

What I REALLY LOVE isn't selling houses.

I am passionate about developing strategy, marketing, digital media, PR, branding, coaching, speaking and project management!  My vision for my partnership was to allow me to do all the things I'm good at, driving in the leads while my partner took on the sales side! It was a beautiful fantasy.  Problem is the partnership was never fully embraced and the investments weren't made and probably, truth be told, just like in my bad marriage where I felt I was trying to fit a round peg into a square hole, I must admit that Real Estate is not the dream career...like a marriage that is over, this partnership must end. 

I just love how Tara Hunt boldly describes "The Unclear Path" in this vulnerable, emotionally charged TEDx Talk...I only wish I was as clear about my vision:


So now its time to be honest and open myself up.  I'm at the "T" intersection.

"T" for Turmoil...

Transition...

Tomorrow...

and yes for Teri!

I don't have all the answers...but I know that digging deep for some faith, admitting failure and saying out loud that its time for a change will open up the possibilities.  

So left or right?

VIP is OK with ME!

You know ~ all the work I've done to build and engage with my community is TOTALLY worth it ~ especially when I get invited to VIP events!

Last night I had the great privilege of being invited to local trendy Sabo 2011 Spring Collection VIP party at British Columbia's only Thomas Sabo store-in-store boutique located at McBurney Junction one of my FAVE little stores in the heart of Langley City.  Katy Perry is the new Brand Ambassador for Thomas Sabo and so appropriately we shopped in style with pink champagne and yummy little cupcakes!

Just one of the many stations with gorgeous charms 

This little guy is in my future for sure!

McBurney Junction is a jewel in our town and carry the most stylish, classy furniture collections and also offer interior design packages! Owners Karla, Nikki and Karla's husband, Reid have proven that STYLE does live in the valley!

Tod and I with Owner Karla and her pink wig!! (In honor of Katy:))

I left with my little goodie bag with this adorable charm bracelet! Thanks McBurney Junction and Urban Life Media ~ I LOVE IT! Can't wait to pick up my stacked rings!!  SOOO pretty! 
See all the great pics at McBurney Junction's FaceBook page here - don't forget to like them!!