Encouraging Creativity - Spencer and Pinterest

I work for a full service marketing and advertising firm located in Brantford, Ontario.  I also have a wonderful son, who within a few weeks will be turning 10.  Ever since Spencer's be able to walk, he's been included in my work endeavors.  He learned social responsibility and acceptance of others while I worked to raise funds for a local charity as the development officer.  He took part in volunteer activities, in fact for the last three years, he's had more fun setting up Easter Egg hunts for other children, than hunting himself.

Since returning to the pure marketing world, Spencer has become ever more interested in video production, web and graphic design.  When we were looking at adding a "Fun Friday" post to our social media efforts, Spence really wanted to pitch in.  


Spencer created the scenario and with a little guidance, decided on the topic for discussion.  As he's only 10 and we weren't sure if we'd be allowed to actually use the materials corporately, Spencer decided to use some of his stuffed animals as his actors (they work real inexpensively).  Unfortunately, for the viewing audience, he drafted me to be the other participant and after much coaxing (okay none really) Joan stepped in to act as our director and videographer.


The topic was the latest social media trend - Pinterest. Spencer had heard of it but really didn't know what it was all about.  He enlisted Pollie Bear as his interviewer and Pierre Panda to be his guest social media presenter.  Pollie's job was to get Pierre to share with the viewers, what the viewers needed to know about Pinterest and why they should get involved.  After seven takes, we had something that Spencer was happy with (besides his curfew was fast approaching for bedtime).  


We won't subject you to that, but instead would like to share a couple from our "blooper" file.  As a father, the best part was playing with the family, as a listener, the best part is Spencer's laugh - one of the world's greatest sounds.

This is blooper number 6 and we've entitled it "Fallen".

Blooper number 2 "Audience" 


Hope you enjoy and thanks for obliging. 


Gordon

Favourite Homemade Soups

We've been doing more planning and home cooking of late, especially given that we are working with a personal trainer.  The cookbook above, has been a standard for me for many years and was the inspiration for our last two batches. Both made with loving care and our sous chef, Spencer (good to get the nine year old in the kitchen).


Unfortunately, the world lost Ken last year in April, but his many recipes live on.  Since I've been asked to share the recipes for both the "True Potato Soup with Parmesan" and "Mulligatawny" lately, I've decided to post them here.  The recipes are from the book above and I have a tendency to tweak the spices. If you are a fan of soups, should be a stable in your library.


Mulligatawny (Serves 8) p.138


2 Tbsp olive oil                                       1/2 cup rice
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts          1 tbsp curry powder
2 stalks celery, chopped                           1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 small red onion, chopped                       1/2 tsp dried basil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped                   1/2 tsp salt
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped          1/2 tsp white pepper
1 red bell pepper                                     1 bay leaf
1 tsp grated fresh ginger                          6 cups chicken stock (low sodium)
1 cup apple juice                                     1 cup half/half table cream


In a large soup pot, heat the oil.  Add the chicken breasts and cook until no longer pink.  Remove pot from heat.  Cube the chicken and set aside.  Return the pot to the heat; add celery, onion and garlic and sauté for three minutes. Add the apples, red pepper and ginger; sauté another 2 minutes.  Add the cooked chicken, rice, curry powder, cinnamon, basil, salt, white pepper and bay leaf, stock and apple juice.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  Stir in cream and simmer another 5 minutes or until heated through.  Remove the bay leaf before serving and enjoy!


(Note - this is especially good reheated the next day or the longer you allow the spices to blend).


True Potato Soup with Parmesan (Serves 4 - 6) P. 32


2 tbsp olive oil                                 1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped                     5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
6 cups vegetable stock                       1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme                           1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper                          1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley             1/2 cup sour cream (optional)*


In a large soup pot, heat the oil.  Add the onion and garlic; sauté for 2 minutes or until the onion is translucent.  Add the potatoes; sauté, stirring  to keep the potatoes from sticking to the bottom.  Add the stock, basil, thyme, salt and pepper; simmer 15 minutes.  Using a hand blender, puree the soup.  Stir in the Parmesan and parsley.  Place a tablespoon of sour cream (*we use plain yogurt) on each serving.  Serve immediately.


I've truly enjoyed experimenting with the recipes in this book and I hope you and your family enjoy it as well.


Gordon


Source: Ken's Soup Crazy, Penguin Canada 2000 

Getting Out

Top of the Bruce Trail, Excursion with Treks in the Wild - Pretty River Provincial Park, Collingwood ON(From left to right, Greg, Katie, Val, Joan and I)

Joan and I had the great pleasure of exploring the Collingwood ON area via snowshoe this past long weekend to celebrate Family Day in Ontario. 

The trip was organized by Treks In the Wild, out of Brantford Ontario and we met Andy Tonkin and the other adventurers at 9:45am in Collingwood.  

The transition from green and barren ground to a winter wonderland was unbelievable.  About 10km from town not only did the landscape become increasingly rugged, the traffic increasing congested, it was as white as a newly opened bag of cotton batten.  

After meeting Greg, Katie, Val, and Andy, we headed off to Pretty River Provincial Park to start our hike.  For the first time in years, I was knee deep in powder and it was a real joy.  We went on and off trail and climbed to the top of the Bruce Trail (picture above).  Unfortunately with all the snow and a weather system coming in, we didn't get to enjoy the vistas, but we were able to enjoy each others company and the pleasure of being outdoors and active.

After a great meal at Collingwood's hidden jewel of a country store/restaurant Ravenna Country Market, just outside of Blue Mountain (the soup alone is worth the trip) we met up with 2 new friends Tara and Ajeeth and headed back out to Loree Forest.  The trail here is flatter and takes you to the lift at Georgian Peaks Ski Resort.  The view from the top of the hill, looking down over Georgian Bay is stunning.  

We enjoyed another 2 hours of snowshoeing before heading back home.  We paid for it the next day but the adventure and fun was worth it.  If you get the chance, being active and outdoors, no matter the weather is one of life's best experiences.

Find what you'd like to do and get out there!

Happy Holidays to all

In our family we celebrate Christmas.   As a Canadian, one of our great opportunities is to share in many of the ethnic customs and traditions that are apart of this time of year.  The joys of learning about Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa and how Christians around the world celebrate Christmas has been eye opening, fun and joyful.  As our thoughts turn to our loved ones, the Christmas spirit only supports how much more similar we are than different, as peoples.  


One of our traditions is my favourite piece of Christmas music.  It dates back to 1977, David Bowie and Bing Crosby's "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth."  What is amazing for me is the blending of these wonderful voices and that the piece that David Bowie is singing was written on the spot - together it brings a powerful message and hope for the future for us all. 


From our family to yours, all the very best of the season, no matter how you celebrate. 


Enjoy!


Gordon, Joan, Spencer and our puppies; Buddy and Lucy too!

Geseende Kersfees; Milad Majid; Feliz Natal; Feliz Navidad; Glaedelig Jul; Zalig Kerstfeast; Mele Kalikimaka; Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay; Wesolych Swait, Bozego Narodzenia and Merry Christmas.  Greetings courtesy of:

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas

10 Favourite Social Media Reads of 2011

Listed below are my favourite reads about Social Media from 2011 (The list is alphabetical by author) .  All of these authors have shaped the way I view and practice social media.  For the social media junkie on your Christmas list, any or all of these titles will be valuable additions to their collection.

Social media is evolving consistently; witness the new platforms for Twitter, Facebook, the launch of Google+, the evolution of Instagram and so much more and these titles will help you stay relatively up to date.  A couple of the titles  on this list focus not only on the mechanics of each of these tools, but how to select the best/right platform for your needs.  Whether you're a Fortune 500 company; a Mompreneur, a solo-practitioner or just a social animal connecting with your tribe, the advise, guidance and information in these volumes is worth the investment of time to read - in fact, like me you'll find yourself revisiting them often.

Enjoy.  Please share with me any that you feel I've missed and are must reads.

1.  Inbound Marketing, Get Found  ....  Halligan, Brian and Shah, Dharmesh

2. Duct Tape Marketing, .... Jantsch, John 

3. The Social Media Business Equation .... Orsburn, Eve Mayer

4. The Tao of Twitter ....  Schaefer, Mark W. 

5. Maximizing Linkedin .... Schaffer, Neal 

6. The New Relationship Marketing .... Smith, Mari 

7. Engage, Revised and Updated .... Solis, Brian

8. The End of Business as Usual .... Solis Brian

9. Social Media Analytics .... Sponder, Marshall

10. The Facebook Marketing Book .... Zarrella, Alison and Zarrella, Dan

Bonus Reads:  One that was published prior to this year but is a fundamental read and the other that as Chris Brogan stated in his recommendation; "Blanchard is demanding.  He won't allow you to flip through this book, nod your head, and leave.  If you're in, you're going to have to invest to get your rewards."  Chris Brogan, president of Human Business Works

1. Social Media ROI .... Blanchard, Olivier 

2. The New Rules of Marketing and PR .... Meerman Scott, David

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

To get these titles in Canada:
20% Off Kobo eBooks with code "June20off"

This offer is valid until December 31, 2011

My Virtual Mentors

As the Director of New Business Development for TDG Marketing Inc., www.tdgmarketing.com, one of the greatest challenges is keeping abreast of the ever evolving channels to help deliver powerful integrated marketing programs for our clients.


I've been fortunate to have found many great virtual and written mentors, leaders in Social Media marketing for business.  My top ten marketing guru's + 1 are (alphabetical order):


Andres Silva Arancibia (SmmMarketing Magazine) @andressilvaa


Ann Handley (co-author "Content Rules") @MarketingProfs


C.C. Chapman (co-author "Content Rules") @cc_chapman


Chris Brogan (co-author "Trusted Agents") @chrisbrogan


Dan Zarrella (author "The social media marketing book") @danzarrella


David Meerman Scott (author "The new rules of Marketing and PR") @dmscott


Eve Mayer Orsburn (author "Social media for the CEO") @LinkedInQueen


Laura Fitton (author "Twitter for Dummies") @pistachio 


Mari Smith (author "The new relationship marketing") @MariSmith


Neal Schaffer (author "Maximizing Linkedin for sales and social media marketing) @nealschaffer


Susan Gunelius (author "30 Minute social media marketing") @susangunelius


To all of these very generous leaders, I owe thanks.  This is not an exhaustive list but I wanted to share my appreciation for those that have helped to direct my activities, expand my knowledge and improve my efforts to help clients, colleagues, community members, and friends make an emotional connection with their key stakeholders.


More to come, thanks for reading
Gordon


To find out more about the above you'll find them all at www.twitter.com