ktoddstorch @ business thoughts

What if...? Overview

Here's an overview of all of the weekly What if? features.  I will keep this as the active link on the Exclusive Features section on the right side of my blog as your reference point.

#38  What if your competitive advantage was no longer?
#37  What if you started mapping out your 2006 goals now?
#36  What if you could choose between an Apple or Microsoft PC computer for free?
#35  What if you were one of the thousands that lost everything in hurricane Katrina?
#34  What if you could only read/view one website, which one would you choose?
#33  What if a virus or a worm disables your computer or network?
#32  What if gasoline hits $5 a gallon?
#31  What if you accomplish your goal?
#30  What if you could help one person?
#29  What if tommorrow never comes?
#28  What if you ask why?
#27  What if you had no volunteers to help?
#26  What if you said thank you more often?
#25  What if you could of (sic) invented one thing or process?
#24  What if your hard drive crashed and you had no backup?
#23  What if you could of written one song?  Which one would it of been?
#22  What if you could do it?
#21  What if you got to go back and relive one year of school?  Which grade would it be?
#20  What if you had to make a statement of what you "really" believe in?  What would you do?
#19  What if you stopped learning?
#18  What if your ice cream store didn't have sprinkles?
#17  What if you could live in any city in the world; where would it be?
#16  What if you could take a week's vacation any where in the world for free?
#15  What if you got one "do over"?  What would it be?
#14  What if you could only listen to one album from now on?
#13  What if you could only watch one movie; which one would it be?
#12  What if you couldn't use email for an entire day?
#11  What if you were unable to speak?
#10  What if you were asked to teach one thing to a kindergarden class; what would it be?
#9  What if you could fly?
#8  What if you had to relocate for work?
#7  What if you spent an entire day away from your office, but you still worked?
#6  What if...you were a Super Bowl commercial armchair quarterback?
#5  What if you had to re-interview for your job?
#4  What if you were held accountable by 1-minute increments?
#3  What if you had 5 minutes to write out your best accomplishments?
#2  What if your best employee quit today?
#1  What if you still saw the world through children's eyes?

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tag: what if

What if...? #22

My apologies for this coming out on Tuesday instead of the regular Monday morning post.  I was having some great family time during the holiday weekend and blogging had to take a back seat.

You know how much I love Wired magazine.  After reading the cover article of the June edition, I was inspired.  Not by the technology needed to film Speilberg's new film, War of the Worlds, no; I was inspired by this sentence in the 3rd paragraph of the article:

It's day 69 of the 72-day shoot for War of the Worlds, Spielberg's interpretation of the classic H. G. Wells alien-invasion tale.

72 days to film the entire movie.  From start to finish, the movie took 10 months to complete.  Normally, these big screen, "blockbusters" can take years to complete.  If you read a few more lines down the paragraph, you see that Cruise and Speilberg had a window of opportunity on their schedules to work together and 'they decided to go for it'.

What if you could do it?

Only you knows what "it" is.  That nagging project.  The book you have been meaning to write.  The  project that has been really needing to get done.  The idea that you really want to flush out.

Seriously, what are you putting off because you don't have "time" to get it done?  Don't wait for the "right time".  If that project is worth doing, make it happen.  Follow your passion.  Action will beget action.

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tags:  what if | war of the worlds | tom cruise | steven speilberg

Podcast #3: Intersection of Radio and Podcasting

Tom Parish and I have another discussion and invite founder and President of Mercury Radio Research, Mark Ramsey (blog) to join us.

[link] to read Tom's podcast introduction

(.mp3, 40 minutes - 25MB)

[link] to Podcast #2
[link] to our first Podcast

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tags: podcasting | radio

The Man Behind Microsoft's Xbox isn't named Bill Gates

After reading this article in the June edition of Wired magazine, I have a new hero.

[read]

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tags:  wired | xbox | microsoft

The Power of Smell

Let me tell you a quick story on why I'm posting about this topic.

On a cool, but humid morning last week, I walked outside to get into my car to head to work and the smell of the morning immediately reminded me of hanging out at Canyon Lake when I was in high school.  It was an awesome feeling, as those days were filled with no pressures and total fun with friends.

Within a millisecond, I was in a great mood and had great memories to start off my day:  all because of a familiar smell.

I've seen some articles about computer companies and games that want to introduce smell to the experience to tap into this sensory.  I don't have a bunch of links for you to go check out about this, but I would ask that you take a moment to recognize how many times this happens to you.

Definitely something to think about and I'm sure there are some technology companies looking to profit on this amazing sense we have. 

Yes, I know all about aromatherapy...

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tags:  smell | aromatherapy

The Power of a Brand: liveSTRONG

HP and chip manufacturer AMD have teamed up to offer a liveSTRONG branded laptop.  AMD has a history in sponsoring Lance's cycling teams and is activating this sponsorship in a really interesting way.

Not only will $50 be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation from each laptop sold, but AMD has made a 2 year commitment to generate $4M for the LAF.

Another great sponsorship activation:  each laptop with include the popular yellow liveSTRONG wristband and yellow colored stereo ear buds, but more importantly, HP and AMD state that they will be donating laptops to area LAF cancer centers.

These type of sponsorships are great examples of using a popular brand and activate the sponsorship within a community.

[link] via
[link] to all liveSTRONG category posts

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tags: livestrong | hp | amd

Adam Curry and Steve Jobs: Podcasting and iTunes?

Tons of speculation and rumors, but the news seems to be that the next version (4.9) of iTunes will integrate podcasting.

In my opinion, this will be the "one click" option that could take podcasting mainstream as a medium.  Currently, using an aggregator like iPodder to capture podcasts is very easy for me and plenty of other early adapters, but not for the everyday user.

Look for more and more on this in the upcoming weeks, days, hours....

[link] via WebProNews
[link] via Engadget

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tags: podcasting | itunes | adam curry | steve jobs

What if...? #21

Great family outing on Sunday late afternoon.  My youngest daughter Peyton had her very first dance recital.  She felt like a princess and really had a good time!

Seeing all of the routines and the songs they danced to, got me thinking for this post.

What if you got to go back and relive one year of school?  Which grade would it be?

I had a great time growing up, but my gut answer would be my Senior year of High School.  Only because it was a blast with so many great things to look forward to with college (fight 'em Texas Aggies!).

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tags: what if | texas a&m | school

David St. Lawrence: Ripples

As a part of Rosa's wonderful May Lei tradition, I get the privilege of highlighting David's blog, which he entitles as Ripples.

I first met David through a tip from fellow blogger Dave at Wiz Speak.  I remember Dave emailing me with something like,

have you read about this guy (meaning David St. Lawrence).  His writings are amazing.  You have to go check him out!

That's all it took.  One click over to Ripples and I was hooked.  David tells it like it is.  He hold no punches.  He challenges you to think (which I love!).  He questions you.  He engages you.

I love the "Important Disclaimer" section he has on his site.  I think it sums up what David and his writings are all about:

I have presented information on this site which I have found to be factual and helpful in my own life and when applied to others in the clearest way I know. The information may be entertaining, but it can also alter existing conditions as well as beliefs. It is presented as material for use, not as something to believe in.

This material is not recommended for individuals who are completely happy with the way their lives are going now and do not wish to experience change. It can produce undesired effects on those who are not able to take responsibility for their own actions.

Some of the information presented on this site has been known to cause sweeping changes in the lives of people who have understood it and applied it. These changes include but are not limited to: shifts in awareness, emotional tone level, employment, marital status and financial condition.

If you wish to use this data, you need to ensure that you do not go by any words that you do not understand because you will not be able to apply the principles involved.

I have an ad on my blog to help him out with his brand new book, Danger Quicksand.  Have a Nice Day because he has self-published the book and I love the spunk in which he has tackled this project (he has an entire section on his blog to help out others self-publish as well!).  I'm about 2/3's through the book and I highly recommend you investing a few of your hard earned dollars in getting one for yourself or others.

If I haven't convinced you to check out Ripples yet; let me try by quoting directly from his opening to Chapter 1.  I believe these words aptly describe why I enjoy David's work so much:

This book is written about you.  If you have a job and do not find yourself in these pages, please send me an email and I will write a column about you, for you are one in a million.

[link] to Ripples

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tags: self publishing | books | may leis

MS150 Update and Photos!

What an amazing experience!  Over 2,000 riders of all ages headed out from Frisco, TX to Ardmore, OK last Saturday for the 2005 MS150 (5/14/05).  It is difficult to explain how awesome it feels to be around so many that are dedicated to raising money for a great cause.

Thank you so much to those that sponsored me for the ride!  I have raised $3,202 towards my goal of $3,500 and have until June 17th to finalize the donations.  If you would like to donate on-line, please do so here.

[photos] via

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tags:  ms150 | multiple sclerosis