Your 15 minutes of fame

We live in an age where it seems impossible is becoming something of a myth. In the 60’s Andy Warhol predicted that “In the future everybody will be famous for fifteen minutes”. You can’t choose the 15 minutes, but why or how would you become world famous.

My first thought when pondering Warhol’s statement was our list of reality shows today. I mean really- is there anything that doesn’t have a reality show these days. Booming with Big Brother, soon followed Idols, Survivor, So You Think You Can Dance, Top Model, Top Chef….. er- I could probably go on forever.

I suppose what makes these shows so popular is that they feature the ordinary guy out there and not the well-trained actor or actress. And, ultimately, supposed to be a reflection of reality. Whether the content is in fact that real is another question. Exotic locations and bizarre events seem more to me like modified reality than anything else. Be that as it may – so comes the ordinary guy’s moment in the sun, his 15 minutes of fame.

I think Warhol could see it coming way back then – that at some point, becoming famous would be much easier and not restricted to the types of celebrities we’ve been used to up until recently.

In addition, and reality shows aside, with new media these days, becoming famous is truly within just about anybody’s reach. As easy as posting a video about your special talents, blogging ferociously on your subject of choice, podcasts, participating on forums and discussion lists on your area of specialty…. & boom…. so comes your moment in the sun.

I don’t think everybody out there wants to be famous, but of those of you who have that secret desire, your 15 minutes of fame is not Mission Impossible.

(Pic: http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/files/2009/06/untitled2.jpg)

My 2c on exhibitions

With three successful exhibitions under my belt – I’m beginning to slowly feel like a little exhibition pro. Each expo though it seems comes with its very own set of valuable little lessons.

Working with a small biz for just over a year now, and of the marketing tools employed thus far, I have high praises for exhibitions.

Flippin hard work though, there’s (1) the planning and preparation phase: deciding on specific objectives, stand design, promotional material, staff etc. (2) your implementation phase: 3 days of utter madness… set-up preparations, long hours, those weird and wonderful questions, blabbering non-stop. (3) the after: lead handling, networks … those valuable contacts.

I firmly believe exhibitions, if appropriately matched with the event, carefully planned, and flexibly run – are invaluable for the brand and business concerned. As the old saying goes – absolutely nothing can replace the face-to-face. Even with today’s technological age, social media etc. … that face-to-face just cannot be beaten.

Despite each event being different – with its unique set of visitors carefully targeted by event organizers- I have noticed a usual trend. Day 1 is always super slow – your “strollers” or “browsers”… where a few business contacts is what would make it worthwhile. Day 2 is traffic traffic traffic and, if you’re selling a product, a sale or two. Day 3… the remainder of the world descends on your stand and is guaranteed to be your busiest day and best day for sales. I’ve concluded that the reason for last day scurry is simply cos its that precious last and thus- it helps to be a little extra prepared.

One important little note though – exhibitions are not the place if your sole objective is to make sales. Exhibitions are more about those intangible benefits – getting your brand out there, interacting with your market and learning more about them… what they like …what they don’t like, making valuable contacts and leads.

It can be a little costly to pull off – but for a small business- exhibitions are a fantastic marketing tool.

(Pic: http://www.events.in/events/images/tradefair.jpg)

A skill set called leadership

There seems to be an array of information out there on leadership. Are they born? Are they made? What skills and qualities do they posses? How to become an effective leader? You could probably read yourself blue on all the theories and explanations of what constitutes great leadership.

When I think of great leaders like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Marcus Garvey, Richard Branson, Wangari Maathai, Martin Luther King – it seems to me that these almost mythological beings did not exactly set out on their journey with the thought of “Oh I will be a great leader one day”. Instead… I think it rather went something like “Oh I wish to make a difference”.

These and other great leaders possess a great vision … a vision that is not based on gain for the personal self, but a vision about having an impact on the “bigger picture” of their world or times, having a positive impact on peoples lives. With the commitment to this strong vision in mind, they set to work with the belief of making it happen, no matter what the challenges, cost or risks at stake.

Following on some of their journeys, a common thread is that the journey towards achieving their dream is certainly not an easy one, encountering and experiencing hardships some of us can only imagine. It seems, the bigger the dream, the bigger the risks and challenges.

To me, leadership is a status given to exemplary individuals and is not something that can be taken. So how can you or anyone go about becoming a great leader?

Dream. Dream big! In fact - dream bigger than BIG. Then, with your every breath, thought and action, set out to make it happen. When your dream and actions inspire others to dream and act too, then you would know, yet another great leader is born.

(Pic: http://www.drmartinlutherkingjr.com/i-have-a-dream.jpg)

Was it Writer’s Block?

I sit, I stare, attempted a start – but not much happened. Feeling an extra need to get something done- I’d actually write … but not feel good about the result. Abort mission.

Was it laziness, fear, procrastination, distraction, the need for perfection … what? … a combination of these?

I haven’t blogged for some time and as more time past and as deadlines approach – I try to figure out this stumbling block. Could it be possible that creativity takes a holiday now and then? Some people have this fancy name for it….writer’s block – which some claim is very real and can result due to just about anything. Then, there are others who say it’s all in your head dude!.... ain’t no such thing as writer’s block.

I’d really like to blame it on a good friend who has dubbed herself my muse and claims she’s been outta it for some time... but the little voice told me I won’t get far with this contention.

If anything, trying to figure out its causes is a pointless waste of energy and time I eventually decide. What to do about it is the question. And for me, simply getting down to it seems to work.

I may not have a hit with my first attempt- but messing around certainly helps. Often I found I’d started out with a particular idea and the end result is something super far from that initial stroke of genius. And- when stuck in the middle of things – I get up do something entirely different - and just get back to it.

I have firmly decided that this thing called writer’s block is simply fear of a horrible result. I have also decided that to conquer this fear, I simply have to do something. So, my final decision?? - action produces inspiration and not the other way round.

(Pic: http://www.iainclaridge.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/inspiration_can.jpg )

“Rock Journalism is people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read” – Frank Zappa

… well, someone’s gotta cater for the needs of the perceivably deranged … and who better than the deranged themselves.

Although my knowledge and interest in rock is a bit limited, I’ve always admired and respected these artists for their boldness in not having to follow the socially correct bunch, often expressing a part of society that people don’t really want expressed. Now- imagine the rock journalist’s tasks, trying to make sense of the nonsensical and then relaying that information to gain attention…. for a subject, a person or simply an idea.

We live in a world where the problem is not the lack of information, but the abundance of it. Journalists have the task of gaining people’s attention around relevant information, finding meaning amidst the info jungle. And now, with blogging and new age media platforms, even Joe Soap can profess to be a journalist.

So- just about anybody can write, share and express… but can you gain people’s attention? To my mind, and no matter what the beat, that is the mark of a truly successful journalist.


(Pic: http://www.magazine.ucla.edu/depts/lifesigns/pay-attention.jpg)

Google and the privacy myth

It’s one thing to Google your name and find all sorts of links of your online activity. It’s quite another when it seems your most personal details can just as easily be found online.

I was recently introduced to Google Earth which happened to send shock waves through my fragile little system. “WTF!! … but that’s my flat!” I couldn’t quite understand my friend’s raves about the application until I saw it myself. What could be so scary about an online street map anyway?

Then, of course, after checking it out myself- my friend’s little picture became rather clear. There - in full picture view - was a too close up picture of my flat, and a view of the parking area revealed my little car. Any closer and you could have me with my morning coffee. The scary thing really is that this information is available online through the Google Earth application.... as in for the whole world to see. It really brings new meaning to the phrase that “you are never alone”.

The pics are apparently taken – periodically I assume- using satellite imagery, aerial photography and by the dude in the annexed pic I was lucky enough to snap whilst strolling around town, minding my business of course.

So- there happens to be a little bottom line here- is privacy seriously something of the past? Already our emails and telephone calls can be recorded and traced (I’m still hoping only used when actually necessary). Google Earth just seemed to be more than the cherry. At the lack of finding a better description- it just feels like one’s privacy is raped. For me, home is supposed to be my haven, safe and secure little spot from the big bad world. I don’t quite like the idea of my haven being available online. It’s something like being spied on permanently.

I’m not sure how everyone else feels- maybe it could be a good thing for finding direction when you need- but does it really have to include images with people or one’s private residence as a consequence? So what next? A live feed of you watering the garden?

Can you say Big Brother – 1984?


Pics: by Special Agent Muneera :-)

My top 200 achievements

Since language is so broad and can be interpreted differently – you need to know that I consider an achievement anything that made me do the happy dance after some work or effort. Here goes – in random order ….

1. Made it through school without failing a single year
2. Passed my drivers first time – and no … I didn’t pay anyone or wasn’t wearing a mini
3. Acted in a school theatre play – Oliver Twist actually – played two roles
4. Sang for the school choir – soprano nogal
5. Learnt to swim – although I could improve here quite honestly
6. Learned to play djembe – discovered a great passion in life
7. Performed for audiences – a number of times and still get nervous….we do little gigs… private drum circles and performances… although my gig days are certainly slowing down these days
8. My name printed in a publication – happy danced for hours the first time
9. Graduated with a national diploma in PR – what a high!
10. Organised a youth day arts festival at V&A – blood sweat and tears went into this one- I had no budget & managed to get 13 organisations and artists together to pull off a most stunning event – happy danced for days
11. Organised an exhibition at CTICC from scratch – stand conceptualization…design…. promotional material. Exhibitions = flippin hard work as I’d come to discover
12. Designed a brochure – that’s been reprinted a coupla times and still considered one of the business’ major promotional tools
13. Learnt how to maintain and update a website
14. Designed a website too, but sadly was only live for a few months
15. Explored Amsterdam – the place where warm and friendly people abound - I’m still happy dancing! – what a place! …definitely the highlight of my trip.
16. Learnt how teach English as a foreign language and got TEFL certified
17. Taught English classes to non-locals. South African idioms class by far my favourite
18. Strategically instilled in my nieces the love of books – “library run” and storytelling has become some of our favourite pastimes.
19. Got press and radio coverage for a small business.
20. Conceptualized a few business plans that received funding for the businesses concerned.

For the sake of my not being able to think of all my happy dances right now and for sake of leaving room for many more happy dances to come– this post is “to be continued”.

(Pic: http://www.writersua.com/articles/two-click/images/12happydance.gif)