Futureforth

Help the unemployed

2010-01-24T05:56:00.002-05:00

Do you know someone that is unemployed?

Yes, how about offering to proofread their resume?
Have you asked them what type of job they are looking for?
No, that's okay. How about you reach out and ask them today?
Have you offered to do a mock interview? I think that might help.

It just seems that the average person can give a few minutes a week to someone that might be having a difficult time.

Points Points - Love them Points

2010-01-20T10:11:00.002-05:00

Foursquare, Visa, Mastercard, Frequent flyer miles, Office Depot, Ice cream you name it we have a love affair with points.

If you are starting a company and you can incorporate the accumulation of points I would love to see what happens. I hope you survey your clients and they give you feedback about points.

Sometimes I don't even think it is connected to what you get for the points. Just the act of collecting the points motivates people. Do you like points? Please let me know.

Small Business Owners

2009-11-29T11:05:00.012-05:00

2009-09-08T23:04:00.010-04:00

part two of the Reilley Brennan Interview - Part 1 - Missing!

http://jminni.posterous.com/interview-with-reilly-brennan
Listen on the Iphone

Mentor Mentee Information

2009-08-09T16:33:00.000-04:00

These are my ramblings regarding how I think the mentor mentee thing would work. I am open to suggestions.

Mentors would provide a mission statement to explain what they would plan to offer a mentee. For me in particular I would commit to 3 hours per week 3 nights a week. Once a mentee picked me, I would go into unavailable status (Not accepting new mentor requests). We would then agree on how long I would work with that person and decide together on a measurable goal. When that point is reached and we feel we achieved our goal, our relationship would go into maintenance status. In maintenance status we may communicate once a month to check on progress. I can put myself back in available status. If the mentee wishes to start the relationship up again, assuming I am available, he can place a request and we can start again. Or, if someone else selects me as a mentor I can help them out.

The mentee would select the mentor based on mission statements. This is a rough draft of what I thought up for my mission statement.

It is my goal to help one individual at a time in the areas of career and personal development. Some specific areas I can help with are: career change, education in and out of the workplace, interpersonal relationships, leadership activities, conflict resolution and negotiation strategies.

I am a 36 year old father of one. I am married to a kindergarten teacher. I have worked in a number of sales and marketing jobs in and out of the automotive industry. I have recently made the decision to change careers. I am a financial advisor.

As far as recognition for the mentors, Perhaps, implement a rating system that would be tied to a satisfaction survey to be filled out by the mentee at the end of the mentorship?

I think that just the act of lending an ear or communicating via email with someone who is going through some type of change or has concerns is a great help. I don't think that reviewing their work would be a good idea for confidentiality reasons.

Here are some answers to questions you might have.

1. Q. Why only 3 hours per night? A. There is going to be specific suggestions that the mentee can take or not take. The mentee will have to engage in these learning activities in order to achieve success.

2. Q. Is that amount of time typical of professional? A. Each individual will have to decide how much time they will be willing to commit to each week. Depending on the experience a mentor may change the amount of time. The mentor might even work with the mentee to settle on a new amount of time based on the experience.

3. Q. What type of professionals would be interested in mentoring? A. All types of professionals mentor. I am not sure what level of participation would take place. Doctors, lawyers, marketing gurus, sales specialists, golf professionals, tennis professionals and personal trainers might all be mentors to individuals considering the profession or to someone involved in a choice to select one of these individuals.

4. Q. What legal issues might a mentor or mentee face? A. This is one where I don't have an answer. However, perhaps there could be some kind of disclaimer that as a mentee you are still responsible for your own decisions and you need to make the final decision.

5. Q. Can a relationship be stopped? A. Sure, a relationship can stop at the mentor's request or the mentee's request. It would be nice if they would try to work it out. Unfortunately, sometimes people just don't connect.

6. Q. Why is this better than a chat room? A. Really you're going to ask that? With the Mentor program, you can look at the individual's mission statement, who they worked for, who recommended them and decide if you want them as a mentor.

Blogs most people miss

2009-08-02T10:20:00.005-04:00

Blogs most people miss- sounds like an odd idea right?

Well my thoughts are that everyone deserves a chance to be looked at.

So use the comments to list blogs that do not have a large following but have useful information.

It is easy to look for the top blogs that everyone reads. Lets try to find the obscure ones.

Here are a few: (If I included your blog and you have a large readership please correct me)

http://reillybrennan.com/
http://david-damore.blogspot.com/
http://bettercloser.com/
http://www.dominounplugged.com/

The Best Client

2009-06-27T14:24:00.003-04:00

The best client is one that you have respect for and who, in return, has respect for you.

The best client is one that will accept an apology and move on to the next item.

The best client is one that you like. It is a good thing if that client likes you.

The best client is someone you care about. I bet they care about you.

The best client is one that communicates with you. Hopefully they agree to listen when you communicate.

Gifts

2009-05-03T10:57:00.004-04:00

Use your gifts to help others! Each of us have a unique set of tools that we use throughout our lives. When you help other people you get a certain amount of satisfaction. So I say use your gifts. I plan on adding to this post later.

@jack is in Iraq

2009-04-22T19:15:00.001-04:00

I think this is awesome. Our State Department has sent New Media Individuals to Iraq to see if they can lend a hand in rebuilding Iraq.Here is a link to the State Department press release. What do you have to say?

I want to be the catalyst!

2009-04-11T20:11:00.000-04:00

In chemistry it is defined as a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.

In personal relationships the word catalyst can be used to define a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly enthusiastic or energetic.

I enjoy bringing others together. I say this not to be looked upon as special. I say this because I think it provides a special reward. It is a sense of accomplishment. Even if it does not produce some great idea or outstanding new relationship, it is fun.

I sometimes get real intense and say that I don't want credit for the act of bringing others together. An onlooker might point out, by making that statement I am actually causing people to acknowledge my work. That onlooker might also be wrong. Well that is my take for today. Take care all.

Don't be wrongthentic!

2009-04-10T23:54:00.005-04:00

Don't be wrongthentic! Wrongthentic is a word I made up to describe the act of trying to manufacture authentic behavior. I believe that people might have seen this in certain circles. I hope I have never appeared to be wrongthentic. I think it comes down to the old line, Say what you mean and mean what you say!

wrongthentic

2009-03-13T22:10:00.004-04:00

This is on my LinkedIn Contact Settings:

What do you need me to do to help you?
I have copied this from Reid Hoffman's profile.

(1) why this request will improve the world in some way (as I have a strong interest in these projects),

(2) why my expertise is particularly needed for this (not just that I happen to be around),

(3) what my interest might be in the particular project,

(4) what makes this connection useful or important to you.

Thx - hope that's helpful. Good luck!

I think this is a great way to connect with people. I hope people copy it from me. Just like I copied it from Reid Hoffman's profile!

Bluetooth Keyboard Driver for the Iphone

2008-12-07T11:32:00.002-05:00

Wanted - a Bluetooth Keyboard Driver for the iPhone.

Why can't this happen? Will Apple allow a developer to provide one?

How much would you pay for one?

Me, I would pay $1.99

Why Family and Friends are Awesome

2008-07-19T05:38:00.002-04:00

Family and Friends are awesome because they help!
Family and Friends are awesome because they love!
Family and Friends are awesome because they council!
Family and Friends are awesome because they set you up to win!
Family and Friends are awesome because they inspire!
Family and Friends are awesome because they encourage!

okay I am done for now.

Solo Racquetball

2008-07-16T23:32:00.003-04:00

One ball, one racquet, four walls, a ceiling, a hardwood floor and one person, solo racquet ball. It is about about getting into the flow. People talk about the flow all the time. The act of trying to make sure the ball bounces only once before you hit it causes you to relax your mind and embrace the simple act of hitting a rubber ball against a wall.

Clear your head of all the todos and problems. Just be in that moment.

Enjoy

Help somone today!

2008-07-15T06:11:00.001-04:00

This is a short one! Go help somebody.

First Brewing!

2008-07-12T00:09:00.007-04:00

Storyville Coffee Unboxing

Okay I am going to try to avoid writing a commercial here.

I followed the directions and brewed my first cupof Storyville Coffee Friday morning.

www.storyville.com

Great Coffee, Great Concept! They put expiration dates on the bags. Your not supposed to freeze the beans. You grind just before pouring in the hot water.

Okay I am talking about coffee. But it is the first thing of the day and I will still go to Starbucks but just to pick up some gum or socialize with the nice folks I see each morning.

Thats all for now.

Tomorrow is the big day!

2008-07-10T22:51:00.003-04:00

No I am not talking about the iPhone.

I will grind and brew my first cup of Storyville Coffee.
This is not an advertisement for them. I read about the company in Rohit Bhargava's Book Personality Not Included.

I have watched the DVD. I have read the brew card. I am excited.

I plan on posting a reaction as soon as I have some time.

Best Regards,

John

TED - Technology, Entertainment, Design

2008-07-05T19:42:00.004-04:00

I have been watching a number of videos on TED.
Benjamin Zander is a great conductor and a great speaker.

His talk is at this site:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

He asks the question, "How would you be if you thought everyone loves classical music they just haven't found out about it yet?"
He points out that the conductor doesn't make a sound he depends for his power on making other people powerful.

What a great thought!

I say go make someone else powerful today!

Marketing - Chris Brogan - Comcast Cares

2008-06-27T23:52:00.003-04:00

I am on Twitter @jminni. I added @chrisbrogan and @comcastcares as people I follow.

www.chrisbrogan.com is a blog written by a connected gentleman named, Chris Brogan. He recently sent out a newsletter. It has great information in it. You can subscribe to it on his site. This person gets it. Follow him in twitter and read what he writes. He also shines a light on individuals that have great viewpoints check those people out as well.

@comcastcares is a person named Frank that works for Comcast. When, Twitter, connected people, have trouble with Comcast they message @comcastcares and Frank makes things happen. I messaged him 2 times this week. Once for a friend and once for my brother-in-law's Aunt. Shortly after I messaged him things began to happen. Frank does care and he helps Comcast customers. Thanks again Frank!

Twitter can be found at www.twitter.com

Startup Weekend Ann Arbor

2008-06-23T00:38:00.002-04:00

annarbor.startupweekend.com

Great people
Awesome space
Impressive companies
Respectful attitudes
New friends

These are just a few

Reilly, Poonam, Lars, Jonathan, Justin, Vijay, Heidi, Jerry, and Ted

Post Mentor Mentee Comments below

2008-06-04T15:35:00.002-04:00

Post your comments below!

2008-05-31T21:33:00.005-04:00

Startupweekend

Seesmic.com

2008-05-26T21:49:00.000-04:00

Okay I am impressed. Seesmic.com is one heck of a site.

Save Palm!

2008-01-25T22:12:00.000-05:00

Palm is asking you to Save Palm right on their website!

Perhaps someone will Save Palm!

2007-10-11T23:03:00.000-04:00

The Office

Not sure if I am the first to say this.

But the Box didn't hit the corner exactly.

Just my thoughts.

Twitter and LinkedIn

2007-03-18T12:42:00.000-04:00

Okay 2 more items. I have been on LinkedIn for some time now. I think it is a powerful business tool.

Today, I just joined Twitter. I think this might be helpful to possibly keep interruptions to a minimum.

www.linkedin.com

www.twitter.com

Ubuntu Linux!

2007-02-25T14:21:00.000-05:00

Loaded Ubuntu Linux the other day:

www.ubuntu.com

That is one cool operating system.

I have it set up on my laptop for dual boot.

Beryl is a nice add on lets you rotate the whole desktop so you can work on 4 or however many desktops you want to at once!

Looking Back!

2007-01-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

Wow was I wrong about Gmail being just a craze.

I have been using it for some time now and I love it!

Newsletter List

2007-01-01T18:23:00.000-05:00

Friends and Gmail

2004-12-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

I have asked a few friends and also invited a few others to Gmail. nobody has accepted.

Is the Gmail craze over?

New Day

2004-12-21T18:25:00.000-05:00

Busy day today! shopping .. workout ... shopping ..church...

Mountain Top

2004-12-17T16:22:00.000-05:00

Hi All!

I stood on a mountain top and I looked out over the great divide. When all of a sudden, many designs of returnable packaging flew by me. There were cell packs, weave packs, bell packs and steve packs, there were returnable dunnage expendable dunnage and some with no dunnage at all. Next, a big returnable cell pack spoke, with some authority, and said PICK ME JOHN. I will lead the shipments to the Motor company. I will give your products safe passage.

And that is pretty much how it happened.

Take It Easy!