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March 8, 2010
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THE GREAT
IDEAS BEGIN
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| Bisnow Schmoozarama II is two days away! We hope to see you. Limited to 600 people (instead of 1300 like last time). Open Bar and buffet. Park at Fourteenth. March 10. Sign up now! |
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| We’re on location in Colorado Springs for ASAE's Great Ideas Conference. (We told our boss we were stepping out for coffee, so keep it on the DL.) We'll be bringing you mind-blowing ideas all week. |
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It’s one thing for Guy Kawasaki to tweet “Most mission statements just plain suck," but to hear the Garage Technology Ventures honcho say it in person? It’s exhilarating. The former Apple fellow kicked off the conference, saying most statements are too long, try to appeal to too many, and are hard to remember. They're usually the product of an executive off-site at some fancy hotel (with golf course, for sure) led by an outside facilitator named Moonbeam, Guy says. Instead, every org should have a mantra—no longer than two to four words. For example, "peace of mind" for FedEx or "authentic athletic performance" for Nike. Or our personal fave: (Almost) Never Boring.
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Guy told this crowd of associationites that the ideal presentation is 10 slides, 20 minutes, with size 30 font (or divide the age of the oldest audience member in half). Here are some more tips on the art of innovation:
- Most innovation comes from a small group of people who want to make meaning, not money.
- Polarize people. Examples: Harley Davidson, Mac, and TiVo. The last thing you want is for people to ignore you.
- Don't worry, be crappy. If you have a revolutionary product, don't wait for perfection. Your 1.0 and 2.0 versions will always have some flaws.
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Tom Morrison, CEO of the Metal Treating Institute and NFi Studios' Sterling Raphael show off ribbons for their name badges. Attendees could choose from nearly 50 ribbons, not only to distinguish committee members and content leaders, but to point out the YouTubers and the Flickr fanatics. Our favorites: “'Twitter'pated” and “Colors Outside the Lines.”
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TY PENNINGTON VISITS NON-PROFIT
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Another DC non-profit has become a reality TV star. The Fishing School, a youth development org, was recently featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. We talked to founder Tom Lewis and exec director Leo Givs about Ty Pennington's visit and their new digs. The non-profit had been looking into a new building but estimated they'd have to raise $3-5 million—a "Herculean task," says Leo. Smith Fairfield, a PR firm that supports the Fishing School, suggested they apply to Extreme Makeover. Out of the thousands of applications received each week, they were narrowed down to the final ten. Then, one August morning, Ty Pennington and actor Tyler Perry came knockin' on the door, yelling out of a bullhorn: "Good morning, Fishing School!" "I was completely overwhelmed," Tom says. "It was just so hard for so long."
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The new three-story building—completed in one week—is six times larger than the last. It's decked out with new computers and furniture plus green features like triple pane windows and solar panels. The school, which used to have to turn students away, can now accommodate 50% more kids. Leo tells us the show didn't supply everything for the $2 million project. Burch Builders in Warrentown, VA secured building supplies and provided expertise, while United Way of the National Capital Area brought in scores of volunteers and food.
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Ty and Tyler greet a swarm of kids outside the old building. Leo, Tom and their team received hundreds of phone calls and e-mails after the show aired last month. To capitalize on the excitement, the Fishing School launched its first social media campaign, creating an online toolkit to help fans host viewing parties. The kits include background info on the org, trivia games, and donor cards. Top business execs and neighborhood families alike hosted about 45 registered parties in their homes. Over 1,000 new “fans” responded to the online campaign. We hope to see even more viewing parties if a non-profit leader ever appears on Dancing with the Stars.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS |
| Click here to place your own listing |
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March 10 - Bisnow Total Schmoozarama - Back by popular demand, but limited to 600 attendees this time. Open bar, gourmet food. Park at Fourteenth. 6pm. Info
March 16 - DC Connections - Join for a night of Speed Networking and business development. A great way to swap leads, info, and rapidly grow your business. Already 275 signed up! Hyatt Regency Bethesda. 5-9pm. Info
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Send story ideas to Jessica Sidman, jessica@bisnow.com
Follow us on Twitter, @AssocBisnow
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This newsletter is a journalistic news source which accepts no payment for featured interviews. It is supported by conventional advertisers clearly identified in the right hand column. You have been selected to receive it either through prior contact or professional association. If you have received it in error, please accept our apologies and unsubscribe at bottom of the newsletter. © 2010, Bisnow on Business, Inc., 1323 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036. All rights reserved.
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