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2010 Executive Tidbits
Price of denim jeans: 47% under $25, 37% $25-50, and 16% over $50. |
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Check out Keith's other site:
Virtual Writing Coach |
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The
Executive Connection SM
a publication of The Virtual Executive
Coach SM
"Vision + Accountability = Success!"
www.virtualexecutivecoach.com
August, 2010
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Executive Summary
3. Internet Social Networking: An Editorial
4. Helpful Hints
1. Preview
The Executive Connection explores the creative and analytical
process of business development, team-building, and executive
development. We are an interactive community of executives
and small business owners who desire to network with like-minded
high-performance executives to enhance our knowledge,
skills, and aptitudes in the competitive business world.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers coaching suggestions
around the topics of: business development, financing,
marketing, networking, incorporations, mergers, human
resources, governmental regulations, and tax laws. Topics
are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and
represent only his ideas on creating and running your
business.
Because we are an interactive community of executives
and business owners, other viewpoints are welcomed and
may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission
from Keith Barton.
2. Executive Summary
August, 2010
Dear Executive Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features: Internet Social Networking: An Editorial
3. Internet Social Networking: An Editorial
I don't know about anyone else but I am not a fan of social networking over the Internet.
With LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and online forums and communities, we could spend
all our time "networking" without getting any work done or having time alone to read a
good book or have a conversation with a close friend by phone or (heaven forbid) in person.
Whatever happened to the good ole days when we sat on the front porch and watched the cars
go by? Now we sit by our laptops, Blackberries, and cell phones and wait for the next text
to appear.
As I read the latest issue of Fortune about Omar Hamoui's latest AdMob app for
Google and the iPhone, I'm amazed that Google forked over $750 million for the app. The social
networking site is expected to drive 40 million users paid by ads but Apple is already beginning
to restrict ads on their approved list of apps who are independent users of Apple products. Sounds
a little like a monopoly operating here but I'm no lawyer.
So why do we spend so much time "networking" with people that we wouldn't even drive across town to
see? I think we have been seduced into a false sense of community when the real problem is we are
becoming silent or passive participants in our social skills and technology is the culprit. When is
the last time you called someone for a meeting or golf outing? When is the last time you asked someone
out for a cup of Java? I see the "boomer" generation latching on to their kids' propensity to text and
chat without any real sense of social connection.
I guess I'm a dying breed who turns his cell phone off when not in use. It's a plain phone with no apps,
no camera, no memory, no games-just a plain phone to make calls like the one to AAA when I returned to
the airport parking lot to find my car battery dead. It's seldom that I get a live person on their cell
phone; instead I'm forced to listen to cutesy messages and songs I wouldn't pay a nickel to listen to
just to hear that their message box is full and please call back later. Talk about anger management!
So what is a guy or gal to do while lost in our current addiction to quick information and immediate
accountability--where are we supposed to hide if we wish to nap or watch an Andy Griffith rerun? My guess
is that part of our anxiety and frustration with networking is that we're tired of networking and just
want to be left alone. There is no real social connection in a private chat room--the FBI could be at
the other end of your conversation instead of the young, attractive woman who sent you a phony picture
of herself taken ten years ago before cosmetic surgery. And what are you going to tell your wife when
she retrieves your browser history? Looks like another divorce. Better pony up the big bucks for the
attorney.
Take a stand today and say no to social networking over the Internet. If you want to meet folks, join a
group of like-minded folk who want to learn to play bridge, build an RC plane, jog, discuss current
events, a book, or pray together. For now, I'll just bide my time next to my greyhound who doesn't
talk at all, but is quite content to listen to anything I have to say or not say.
Helpful Hints:
- How many Internet social networks do you have and given the time spent on various
websites do you find these networks useful? Why or why not?
- Take the "no tech" challenge for thirty days and actually call people on the phone
to whom you wish to talk? Try limiting your conversations to 15 minutes or less.
- Look up the definition for an "addiction" and see if your social networking meets
the criteria for addictive behavior.
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
The Executive Connection SM is a free publication.
If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you
can SUBSCRIBE
by clicking here or by sending a blank email message
to keith_barton@att.net
with the words SUBSCRIBE TO THE EXECUTIVE CONNECTION in
the subject line.
To
UNSUBSCRIBE click here or send a message to keith_barton@att.net
with the word UNSUBSCRIBE TO THE EXECUTIVE CONNECTION
in the subject line.
Be assured your name and email address are confidential.
We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.
Contact Information:
Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-583-5005
Fax: 281-583-5008
Web: http://www.virtualexecutivecoach.com
E-Mail: keith_barton@att.net
(c) Copyright 2010,
Virtual Executive Coach SM
and A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.
Distribution Rights:
The Executive Connection SM is copyrighted,
but you may retransmit or distribute it to whomever you
wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or
deleted, including the contact information. However, you
may not copy it to a web site.
Republication of The Executive Connection SM
in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals,
organizations and associations, as long as the issue is
reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes
the contact information.
With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue
to fit your space requirements. Republication also is
encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance
permission of
A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that
changes in the text are desired.
The Executive Connection SM
Mission:
The Executive Connection SM is dedicated to
helping first-time business owners and executives to recognize
resistance to change, while they create and manage their
own businesses. My goal is to help you transform your
vision into a successful business venture with the addition
of accountability structures and silent partner.
The Executive Connection SM is a publication
of The Virtual Executive Coach SM and Keith
Barton, Ph.D.
We would like The Executive Connection SM to
be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments,
topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional
resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time.
Send your e-mail to keith_barton@att.net.
Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find
The Executive Connection SM interesting and
beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing,
and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.
Archives:
You can read previous issues of The Executive Connection
SM in our archive section.
About Keith Barton, Ph.D
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University
of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist
for over thirty years. He is a graduate of MentorCoach
and is accepting new clients.
He has been an adjunct professor at the University of
South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in
executive development, founded and managed Texas Community
Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home
services to persons with mental retardation. Keith founded
and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest
Houston since 1990.
He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel
a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate
interest in helping others become attuned to their creative
powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family
therapy and health psychology. He has published articles,
made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Small Business Development
Employee Wellness Programs
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Leadership styles
Core values in the workplace
Executive Development
High-performance groups
Physician support groups
Writer support groups
© 2010 The Virtual Executive Coach SM
and Keith Barton.
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