Ethos by Randy Elrod - How To Create Culture

Upcoming LifeWork 2.0 Seminars - How To Engage Your Clients/Fans In The Digital World

LifeWork 2.0 Seminar - Register Now

When/Where

May 14, 2009 Orlando, FL - First Baptist Church Orlando
May 15, 2009 Franklin, TN - TBA
June 13, 2009 Seattle, WA - TBA
9am - 5pm
What To Bring: Your Laptop
Cost: $299.00
Seating is limited!

10 Ways To Survive Working At Home

After 29 years in an office job, it has been quite an adjustment to work at home every day.  In surviving three years now, here are 10 tips to a better life in your home office.

1) Ditch your alarm clocks if possible.
One of the great pleasures of working at home is the ability to set your own time schedule. Ditching the clock enables one to go back to the true rhythms of life. Waking naturally provides an extraordinary jump start for the day.

2) Enjoy a slow cup of coffee in the morning.
There is something beautiful in not having to gulp a cup of coffee during a harried drive to the office. I find a seat on my back porch and luxuriate in a cup of coffee while planning my day or dreaming about new business ideas.

3) Work in your pajamas.
My normal work attire is flannel pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. Because I can. I've heard tell that some home office workers enjoy the day in their birthday suit. The key word here is comfort.

4) Buy a good office chair.
I paid a fortune for my Herman Miller Aeron chair and it was the single best investment for my home office. Period. Don't buy a cheap chair. Two things in life are worth the splurge. A good mattress and a good office chair.

5) Take regular breaks.
Set a timer on your computer or cell phone and make sure you get up from the desk and take a break. Vary the break activity and it will give you something to look forward to. This practice also helps you complete goals and track productivity. It's been proven that your brain operates more effectively given short, regular breaks. Also, I try to plan a 10-20 minute walk during each work day. It gives another thing to look forward to and the sun promotes our bodies ability to produce much-needed Vitamin D.

6) Take advantage of iChat.
iChat helps me save money, travel and time. A recent video iChat with a colleague in Canada produced extraordinary results and it was exactly as if we were having a cup of coffee together at a Starbucks meeting. I saved over $1,000 in travel expenses and frustration and expended one hour instead of a day and a half. Video iChat is far more effective than a phone conversation AND ITS FREE.

7) Utilize Social Networking & Blogsites
The most effective way to market your products and ideas, and engage your clients is to take advantage of web 2.0. To put the pieces together and harness the power - see LifeWork 2.0. It will be the best time and money you spend (besides a chair, of course).

8) Join A Group
I cannot believe the number of groups formed for those who work at home. Groups for CEO's, graphic designers, writers, merchant associations and more are meeting in your area. Find one you like and attend their meetings. It is time well spent.

9) Do Not Have Your Office In Your Bedroom
It gives the feeling that you can never escape work. If at all possible, tuck your home office in a room that contains a door to symbolically close at the end of your work day. Establish office hours. The beautiful thing about working at home is that YOU get to decide what those hours are. For me, a non-morning person, 10am-6pm works well. Do what works for your rhythms.

10) Take The Weekend Off!
It is easy to work all the time when you office at home. Taking weekends off establishes all-important rhythms that increase productivity. Sabbath is a biblical principle that has stood the test of time. It also gives another important thing to look forward to. I know that on most Saturdays, I paint in my art studio and on Sundays enjoy a family meal and rest. By Monday, psychologically, I am ready to tackle another work week.

Hope these help! My first couple of years working at home were not the most productive. It is a huge transition. But, since implementing these practices, I have really enjoyed the freedom and convenience of working at home.

I would love to hear your best practices for working at home. Please leave a comment.

Upcoming cre:ate Opportunities

cre:ate 2010 - featuring -

• A gathering of early adopters
• Arts Leaders Thinktank & Conference
• 10th Anniversary Celebration
• Special guest cameos from past cre:ate's all week
• Very special new guests
• Connect with influencers from around the world
• The usual great musical experiences - including 2 very special surprises
• Many More Surprises
• Feb. 8-12, 2010
• Pre-Register Here and save!

cre:ate Blog Con & Expo

• A place to connect with other bloggers and tech-lovers like yourself
• First annual Blog/Web 2.0 Blowout
• One Day Only - Aug. 7, 2009
• Network with 100's of other bloggers, twitterers and social networkers
• Specialized breakout sessions
• Two Inspiring Keynote Speakers
• Huge Expo
• Franklin, TN
• Only $99.
• Register HERE

LifeWork 2.0

• Engaging Your Fans/Clients In A Digital World
• One Day Seminar
• In-depth look at How to connect the dots of Social Networking, Marketing
• Here are a few of the topics
• Below are just a few of the topics we cover…
  Blogging
  Blogging 101 Where do you start?
  Why Blog?
  Why Should CEO’s, companies, churches, and artists blog?
  Maximizing your brand through blogging
  Blogging Content Advanced Blogging The technical side and how to manage it.
  Creating Traffic
  Driving readers to your blog How to keep readers coming back to your blog Using You Tube and other video outlets
  SEO - How to maximize Search Engine Optimization without paying monthly for it.
  Why Search Engine Optimization is a must and how it drives traffic.
  How To Utilize Google Not Just As A Search Engine-But As A Reputation Management System
  Social Networking and Micro Blogging
  Using Twitter and FaceBook to build an online community
  Social Networking as a marketing tool
  Customized social networks
  Creating an easy path for your readers to keep up with your daily life.
• April 9 & May 15, Franklin TN
• Register HERE

One-On-Ones - featuring -

• 48 hours of solitude at the fabulous lodge on the 2,000 acres of Kalein @ Round Cove
• A full mentoring day with Randy Elrod featuring a safe non-judgmental environment and "anything goes" conversation while hiking the stunning Tennessee bluffs and trails OR just sitting and talking on the porch looking over the bluffs and scenic vistas while sipping iced tea.
• Meals prepared from scratch by Randy and helpers (Italian Feast & Crepes and much more)
• The most unique wine tasting of your life (optional)
• You also have the option to explore the many caves on property, shoot skeet or simply lay on the hammock overlooking the bluffs
• For more Info: E-mail HERE

Speaking & Consulting

• Only 8 dates left this year
• Specializing in Web 2.0-Engaging your Clients/Fans In A Digital World, and All Things SEO (Why SEO is almost as good as SEX) Search Engine Optimization, How To Rule Your Digital World Thru Five Great Free Resources, and also addressing a variety of other topics, including How To Energize Your Business Thru These Creative Tips, Enjoying and Flourishing with the Spirit of an Entrepreneur, the Artist and the Church, The Curse Of The Blessings Of God, and more. Also, talks customized to your environment.
• My Latest Speaking/Consulting has been with: Thomas Nelson Publishing, Westone Corporation, Centricity Music, Professional Communicators Summit, O'More College of Design, cre:ate Arts Conference to name only a few.
• For more Info: E-mail HERE

Scotch Tasting

• Led by Jackson, Michigan's own Scotch Connoisseur, John Voelz, aka JVo, aka @shameonyoko.
• Featuring a tasting of some very extravagant scotch
• Each participant will receive a gift book about scotch
• Full explanation about origins, scotch making, nuances and much more
• All proceeds benefit the non-profit: Kalein, A Center for Creative Studies
• At my home, La Maison du Reves, in Franklin, TN
• Limited to first 23 Scotch Lovers
• May 9, 2009 at 7pm
• Register HERE

Wine Tastings

• Led by wine lover Randy Elrod
  
• Featuring blind tastings and of exquisite wines
• Each participant will receive a complimentary wine glass
• Full explanation about winemakers, varietals, how to fully enjoy wine, etiquette and much more
• Learn how to rate and identify wines created for YOU.
• All proceeds benefit the non-profit: Kalein, A Center for Creative Studies
  
• At my home, La Maison du Reves, in Franklin, TN
• Limited to first 23 Wine Lovers
• April 17, October 16 & December 31
• For Cost and to Register: E-mail HERE

Personal Guided Tours with Randy Elrod

• Very Limited And Exclusive
• Wine/Gourmet Trips to Napa Valley (2009) & Tuscany, Italy (2010)
• Dinners with famous winemakers
• Meals from scratch prepared by Randy & others
• Exclusive Accommodations - We will have an entire estate at our disposal
• Private VIP Wine Tastings
• Only 9 rooms (single or double occupancy)
• Exclusive "Behind The Scenes" Opportunities
• Leadership Training
• For more Info: E-mail HERE

 

'Atlas Shrugged': From Fiction to Fact in 52 Years

I first read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged as an impressionable 18 year old. Upon finishing the book, I immediately turned to page one and read it all again. The controversial tome is one of the top 5 most influential books of my life.

An eerie sidebar is that my youngest daughter Lauren also found the book at age 18 and after devouring it immediately reread it and came rushing to ask me if I had ever heard of the book. Needless to say an intriguing conversation developed that continues to this day. It stands at the top of her list of most influential books.

So when my friend Carl sent me this link, I was very curious. It provides food for thought during these first 100 days of Obama's presidency.

Read the article HERE. It is in the Wall Street journal and is a MUST read, especially if you know John Galt as I do.

Why You Should Buy Art In An Economic Downturn

As we all carefully assess every penny we spend, it seems counter-intuitive to spend precious dollars on art -something that at first glance seems so trivial.

Here are just a few reasons why we must continue to purchase art and support artists during this difficult economic downturn.

- Art brings hope in desperate times.

- Art stimulates creativity - exactly what we need to jumpstart our economy.

- Art brings joy in sorrow.

- Art is a form of therapeutic expression that aids the emotional state of those that have suffered trauma.

- The creative process is healing and life affirming.

- Art provides a therapeutic and creative outlet for pent up emotions and hurtful feelings that are too painful to express verbally.

- Often traumatic events that have been buried deep in the subconscious will surface through art. Once the emotions have been released healing can then begin to take place.

- Besides helping to improve mental and emotional health art can increase self-awareness, cognitive abilities, reduce stress and assist in healing the emotional effects of traumatic experiences.

- Art is GREEN - it utilizes brainpower - not toxic waste.

- Artists need more that creativity to survive.

Alison Bernstein says this:

Throughout our history, artists in the U.S. have utilized their skills as a vehicle to illuminate the human condition, contribute to the vitality of their communities and to the broader aesthetic landscape, as well as to promote social change and democratic dialogue. Artists have also helped us interpret our past, define the present, and imagine the future. In spite of these significant contributions, there's been an inadequate set of support structures to help artists, especially younger, more marginal or controversial ones, to realize their best work. Many artists have struggled and continue to struggle to make ends meet. They often lack adequate resources for health care coverage, housing, and for space to make their work. Still, public as well as private funding for artists has been an uneven, often limited source of support even in the best of times economically.

Compounding these material problems is the fact that the public often views the profession of "artist" as not serious. The way artists earn a living may seem frivolous, and artists are often seen as indulging in their own passions and desires which bear no relation to the everyday experiences of most workers. This too contributes to a devaluing of the artist as a citizen with the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else.

"Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it."
-- Berthold Brecht

"When you give money to artists, you are yourself doing an artists work"
-- Vincent Van Gogh

Whan you buy a copy of "Beauty Is Calling" you are helping shape the destiny of young artists' around the world. All the proceeds go to Kalein, "A Center for Creative Studies".

LifeWork 2.0 - How To Engage Your Clients In A Digital World - Dec. 4 - Franklin, TN

LifeWork 2.0 has become more than a seminar or a consulting job for bloggers or those professionals looking to expand their business.

LifeWork 2.0 has become part of our everyday life in how we interact with the people in the world around us. Life isn’t just the people we see in the coffee shop or at work or walking down the street or even the personal interaction with family. It now includes those we talk to over email, on Twitter, writing or commenting on a blog and social networks like FaceBook.

We live in a world of You Tube and iPhones. A world where we can send picture messages from our phones in the middle of Africa while on safari. The world is small, fast and ready to move at a moments notice. It’s with this fast changing world that we will help you blend your online world. We will show you how to effectively engage your clients in conversation and show you how to be transparent with the world without giving away the company secrets.

If you are an artist, we can show you how to engage your fans and bring them closer to your life and career which will allow them to see a real side of you that brings loyalty. If you are a church leader, we can show you how to use the internet to create a real community of people who are ready for a movement of action that brings reality to life.

When: Dec. 4 (9am - 5pm)

Where: Building 8, The Factory

230 Franklin Road Franklin, TN 37064

What To Bring: Your Laptop

Instructors: Randy Elrod & Spence Smith

Cost: $250.00

Seating is limited! Register HERE

Atlantic Records Exhibits More Record Label Stupidity

When Will Record Companies Learn?

My daughter and I were looking for Estelle's new single "American Boy" and were unable to find it on iTunes. I vaguely recalled seeing something about the song in my latest issue of Billboard Magazine.

It seems that Atlantic Records has made the decision to make Estelle's album available in the U.S only as a physical CD or full album download at non-Apple retailers.

The iTunes policy of not bundling tracks as album-only purchases means that opting out of digital single sales means opting out of iTunes.

Atlantic's decision further illustrates the stupidity and continual practice of scarcity and fear rather than the mercantile theory of abundance proven in, oh yeah, just a few years ago, let's see, in 1776 by Adam Smith in his classic The Wealth Of Nations. When will the music industry get a clue?

A Real Life Example

When I informed my daughter about the decision, she promptly said, "Okay, fine, then I will not buy the song or the album. I don't buy music that is not on iTunes anymore. It is too risky and inconvenient." Other factors for Ethos include paying extra for a hard shell case and CD for which I don't care to find storage space and while I'm not a tree-hugger, I cannot ignore the fact that is very bad for the environment. The cases and CD's just don't disintegrate. And furthermore, I may not want the other songs."

Conclusion

Even if this decision jacks up album sales temporarily, it feeds the monster of putting only one good song on an album, and that is the kind of bone-head decisions that have caused this crisis for the music industry in the first place. Another example of trading the ultimate for the immediate.

Hollywood Reimagined ... The Art Of Imagination

An unfortunate thing happened to Hollywood this summer: The movie god decreed that the studios, having temporarily run out of tentpoles, would have to rely on the art of imagination.

And here's the surprise: It turned out they'd be able to mobilize enough creativity to fuel record box office results. Instead of churning out another "Pirates" or "Spider-Man," Hollywood created new franchises like "Iron Man," improved on incipient ones like "Hellboy," dusted off aging shows like "Mamma Mia!" or extinct TV series like "Get Smart" and "Sex and the City" and invented new animated hits like "Wall-E" or "Kung Fu Panda."

Read more HERE.

My New Business Card

I have said in the past that a business card is no longer needed for the technology savvy. This article made me reconsider. I would like to hear what you think. The card is designed by my favorite visual designer Toby Sturgill. The top image is the front, the bottom is the back. Click the image to enlarge. Thoughts?

Thanks To Soundcheck For Sponsoring The Artists Of Kalein

Soundcheck is truly a one of a kind facility. As the largest rehearsal studio complex in the world under one roof, Soundcheck is recognized as the rehearsal venue of choice by many top touring and recording acts. Soundcheck also provides a wide range of support services for touring and studio musicians, both in Nashville and on the road.

Thanks to Soundcheck and Round Cove for sponsoring the meals and lodging at the Kalein at Round Cove Songwriting Retreat & Master Class this week.