A different route…

Posted by on Mar 31, 2016 in Photography, planning

I have plenty of leg room, complementary beverages, a fascinating view, free wifi and I don’t have to worry about traffic. An added bonus, this trip includes a view of the Pennsylvania’s Horseshoe Curve. Yes, I am on The Pennsylvanian, the train that runs from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. As we gently rumble across the landscape I am reminded that the best path to any destination may not be the most obvious one. Most people fly due to time constraints but when you add up the time to get to/from the airport, checkin/security time, air time (not including inevitable delays) the difference is less than you would think. To my delight my train trip is proving vastly more comfortable, relaxing and productive than any recent flight. Better than a movie, my train window offers me an endless selection of scenery which include cities, industrial sites, small towns, farms, forests and winding rivers. Early spring sunshine makes the rivers sparkle, encourages the first green on trees and highlights the first flowers on trees and shrubs. Swept along by the hectic elements of daily life it can be easy to forget about the journey or savour it’s details. Finding balance and perspective (while juggling time, family, clients, and personal needs) seems to be the real holy grain of modern life. Maybe we need to look at the more of the options available instead of taking the obvious route. Just like my train ride, the routes/decisions which require a pause and extra thought really might enrich our journeys in addition to better using our time. In addition to trains I have always loved the poetry of Robert Frost, the last lines from one of my favorites (The road less traveled) reads Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Taking the train reminded me to make sure I at least pick the road and that will make a...

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Authenticity

Posted by on Jan 29, 2016 in communication, marketing, Photography, websites

Do you ever have a conversation and an idea sharpens the focus of you thoughts and lingers in your consciousness? Like a bobber on a fishing line or a weather vane, the idea reminds you to make sure you have your bearings and be sure you understand what is happening. This summer I was part of a panel discussion about building better websites and one of my colleagues raised the issue of authenticity. It was not a new notion to me but sometimes you just hear the right thing at the right time. A few years ago my career changed course; I switched from working in the marketing department of a large multinational firm to working with small businesses. Making sure that my work was authentic in a more diverse and changeable environment is critical to my clients and my business’s success. The word authenticity focused the element of my consciousness that always wanted to make sure the work we did was personalized for each client and their business. Authenticity is not a hugely common or pervasive element of modern society, especially during election years. Moreover, while there are many ethical and honest marketing professionals it is not the first term associated with our industry. Personally, if I think about the purchases I have made and been happy with, much less the things I enjoy or are proud of they are all based on authenticity. Authenticity can apply to many elements of life, both personal and professional. For example, on a personal level I would rather kayak down an Adirondack Lake than go on a beach holiday I love the smell of coffee, I can’t stand its taste and prefer tea or hot chocolate On a professional level it is includes: trying to always use local images instead of stock photography; if I have to use stock photos making sure the photos have a theme and aren’t just appropriate shots for the page’s content. making sure conversations with fellow business people are about more than just getting business. I firmly believe that real growth, personal or professional, comes from authenticity. We seek it and will return for more if we find a source. Though I work in the digital realm I readily admit to an addiction to books, a favorite is Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. Just for fun I look to it for inspiration and was surprised they only have one quote for authentic, but it is a good one: But as when an authentic watch is shown, Each man winds up and rectifies his own, So in our judgements –Sir John Suckling,...

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