Six Pixels Of Separation

I am currently reading Mitch Joel’s book Six Pixels of Separation, Everyone is Connected, Connect Your Business to Everyone. I am an avid reader and read a lot of new books coming out all of the time regarding social media, marketing, business and I often go back to some older books that serve as refreshers for business. I also spend a lot of time reading blogs by thought leaders and industry specialists as well as some general interest blogs - the wealth of knowledge and accessibility to great ideas and learning is a new phenomenon made available with the internet over the past few years.

But at this moment, I am reading Joel’s book and it is one that I recommend for every entrepreneur and CEO. There are several books out today that are excellent resources to help understand the new mediums, changes in the market place today and the opportunities that are unfolding.

If you have not begun to rethink your business model since the crash, then I suggest that you take some time NOW and begin to rethink how you are doing things – what you are doing and why. Reading Six Pixels will be a good starting point toward that endeavor.

I have been thinking a lot lately. My industry is flooded with competitors, it is changing at a speed that is dizzying on a slow day and when I think back to when I started in 1996, my company isn’t using any of the same tools, software or services that it did then. If I had been unwilling to change with the times I would be on government subsidy now.

The bashing that our economy has taken and the long road ahead for many to climb out of the slump and into profitability should not be a hard road to survival but the impetus to redefine everything for a greater tomorrow. One of the things that I like in this book is a recounting of how far we have come and in a relatively short period of time. The Internet is not the Wild West that it once was but it is now a wide-open landscape much like the Land Run of 1889.

There were already people living out west and doing well, but land grab opportunity was an open invitation for the pioneers who took to horseback and covered wagons, to claim prime land to settle in for a brighter future.

Social Media has been changing the landscape of business and human connection for several years now and it will continue. The rush is not showing any signs of slowing down and there are savvy and spirited entrepreneurs conquering old stalwarts of industry and creating new and exciting markets.
To not get involved would be like driving 1908 Model T today in the Indy 500. Sure you will make it to the finish line but you won’t be first or second, in fact you will be coming to the finish line about the time that the audience has all left the field.

Yes, a strong sales team can and should still bring in new business and some traditional marketing can still drive interest and attention. Yes direct mail and email campaigns should all still be a part of the program. And being realistic, no - you won't get into social media and be an instant success or an overnight celebrity. But to not take into account where the world is going and get on board – you might find that the ship has sailed and you haven’t even arrived at the dock yet.

If you are on Linkedin, take it up a notch. If you are on Facebook, give your brand a page, if you are making notes or thinking about things, start blogging. Stake your digital claim, get a foothold in the digital domain, explore what it going on and be open to new ideas – you may find that a new aspect of your business can take hold and grow.

Pick up the book Six Pixels of Separation – it will help you begin putting things into perspective, give you some ideas about how to get started and begin to understand what is evolving out there today. These are exciting times. You are a part of a great revolution – or an evolution of a new economy – based on trust, transparency, connectivity and engagement. All these delivered desktop to desktop and domain to mobile phone.