ktoddstorch @ business thoughts

I Can Not Wait for This!

Google Calendar will be here soon!

Check out the screen shots here.

Thanks Terry for the heads up!

Google Changes Everything for Radio

File this one under "why didn't I finish and post it"?  I saved this draft on 12/31/05 at 7:12am.

I'm sure you have to have heard about Google's acquisition of dMarc Broadcasting on 1/17/06.  I truly believe that this is just the start of even more changes in the broadcasting industry.  Be prepared for big, organizational and operational changes.  I purposely left the post unfinished so you could see where I left off...shame on me!

**original draft post below

I believe that Google is one of the biggest threats/opportunities to/for Radio.  Google is keen.  Google is local.  Google is global.  Google is omnipresent.

Ok, what the heck am I talking about?

Google can provide a way to:
1)  cut costs drastically
2)  market/advertise a station very inexpensively

There are many directions and thoughts that I can go on this post, but I'm going to limit it to just a few thoughts.  Let me start from #1 above.

Cut costs drastically
Now, this is a threat to those that work in radio (like me!), but a huge opportunity for a radio station and company.

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tags:  google | dMarc

Txt msgs r grt!

Do u txt?  U need 2!  Why? (Ok, I'll start typing correctly now...)

I've been using text messaging quite extensively lately.  Let me explain a couple of ways that really have been helpful for me.

1)  Work:  this is a great way to communicate short, quick messages.  For example, I'll stay connected with people I work with on daily, simple things like:  when I'll be back in the office; call me on my mobile phone; I'm in a meeting, I'll call you right back.

2)  Photos:  same thing with friends and my wife as the first one, but also for photos using my Flickr account (more explanation below)

3)  ToDo lists:  keeping track of simple "to do" list items throughout the day with my Gmail email account (how to explained below)

Ok, don't know about Flickr?  Find out now!  I've been taking quite a few pictures with my mobile phone and sending them to my Flickr account.  What I have done is set up a "filter" in my Gmail account that every time I send a photo from my phone, Gmail automatically files it in a "Pictures" subdirectory and automatically forwards it to my Flickr photo account as a private picture (no one can see it but me).  Then, when I have some time, I'll title the picture and add tags and move it to a public photo album.  This is a great way to take pictures during the weekend of the kids or everyday things that you normally wouldn't.

As far as my "to do" list, Gmail is really an awesome tool when you start using the Filter functions.  What I've done is set up a filter that when I send a text message to my email address, it files it to a subdirectory I've set up called "ToDo".  Then, I've got one place to find these.  For example, I weigh myself every morning as one of the metrics in my Training log.  I just txt message the # to my ToDo folder while I'm getting ready in the morning, then later in the day, I'll update the log.

Gmail allows you to use a "+subdirectory" just before the "@" sign of your email address to categorize to your heart's content.  If you are in sales, this could be a great way to keep track of new prospects when you are out of the office.

So, r using txt?  If so, let me know how!

[help with Gmail filters]
[my Flickr account]

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tags:  sms | text messages | lifehacks | flickr | gmail | productivity | lifehack

Who Needs to Talk?

Technology definitely has helped me the last few days that I have been unable to use my voice!

• Skype for IM's in the office and with my wife at home
• SMS with friends and other co-workers
• standard email of course

I found that I was using SMS and IM much more than in February '04 after my last surgery. 

Shout outs to old skool paper and pen as well.  You never left my side while walking around the office or at home.  Couldn't of done it with you!

Thanks Lifehacker for the heads up about Teleflip.  A cool service that allows you to email any mobile phone with just the phone number without needing to know the service provider.

Just send an email to [mobile number] @ teleflip.com to try it out for yourself.

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tags:  sms | skype | teleflip

Camera Phone: Are You Using One?

It sure seems like everyone wants a camera in their cell phone, but I don't really ever see anyone using one.  On a very rare occasion I'll see a couple of teenagers photographing themselves, but even this Summer where I saw a lot of teens around town, I didn't see them using camera phones.

Personally, I've been using the one in my new RAZR quite a bit.  Tried it on vacation and have been using it for capturing thoughts for the blog.

I recently took this photograph in a store parking lot to share with my staff.  I sent it to them as a sales lead and idea on how to use technology with everyday prospecting.

What about you?  Send me an email at todd [dot] storch [at] gmail or leave a comment.

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tags:  camera phones

TiVo To Go: Loving it!

One of the benefits of being home sick I had some time to figure out the codec situation for TiVoToGo.

My laptop runs on Windows Pro 2000, whereas my desktop runs XP.

There was a free codec for Pro 2000 that TiVo listed, so I got my laptop up and running.  I saved 2 shows (Chasing Lance) on my laptop and watched them before falling asleep early.

The only drawback is that it takes just longer than the actual show runs to save.  The one hour show I saved took about an hour and 15 minutes over my 802.11g home network.

Great use for those of you that travel.  Drop in your favorite shows and watch on the plane or your hotel room while on the road.

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tags:  tivo to go | chasing lance | sick day

Sick Day

I am at home sick today after getting some nasty bacterial infection.  Between the antibiotics and the codeine laced cough medicine, I really want to get better soon.

I don't do well with sick days. 

I get very restless. 

I feel guilty about not being "at work".  I did get my home office cleaned up a bit, finally figured out the TiVo To Go codecs, watched today's Tour de France stage on OLN, slept and connected to the office via voicemail and email.

However, my personality just doesn't like to "rest" and slow down.

**UPDATE**
After some sleep, I had to get out of the house, so I headed to Fry's and got an 250 GB external hard drive.  Set it for automatic data backup and now I at least feel better about my pictures, music and files at home.

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tags:  sick day | tivo | frys

Vacation, Burnout and Somesuch

Tara and I are off to Playa del Carmen in Mexico.  A much needed vacation.  No kiddos, just our friends Matt and Beth, a beach, an ocean and time...

In light of the trip, I thought this post would be perfect reading for you!

[read] How to Deal with Burnout via LIfehacker

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tags:  productivity | burnout

Will Email Kill You? - Part 2

It is sucking the life force out of me lately. 

Seriously, email is a productivity killer.  Keeps you unfocused.  Keeps you "busy" doing things that aren't truly important.

Why must most of the people I know have to 'spend hours keeping up with the in-box' as a function of their job?  Do our company's really want us doing this?  Was it a part of the hiring process?

Rosa, you are right...it is information overload.

Get up from your computer's in-box, go talk people or get to work on those really important things you need to do.

[read] Part 1, Will Email Kill You (2/18/05)

**UPDATE**
Lifehacker has a good way to solve this email productivity killer...[link] - get up and away from the computer!

**UPDATE** - 6/21/05
[read]  Bill Gates agrees; email will kill your productivity.  I think most of us agree with this, but it is getting more attention (thanks Lifehacker!).

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tag:  productivity

When and where do you think?

Fred Jacobs had an excellent post on Bill Gates' well publicized "Think Week".

This definitely got me thinking again on this topic...

When do you do your best thinking?  Come on.  I mean really put thought into an issue, problem, opportunity, strategy, product line, competitor that you or your business is facing?

I personally get some of my best thoughts early in the morning at the office or during my triathlon training.  Being outdoors, running or biking for a few hours really gets my mind in tune.

Bill Gates is able to get away for a week, twice a year, to think.  I don't believe most of us have this type of time or freedom, but how can you not afford to get away for a few hours or a day to get sharp and focused?

Think it through.  Discuss it.  Make it happen. 

You, your company, your employees and your customers deserve and demand your best.

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tags:  thinking | strategy | bill gates | productivity