Michaelspinosa.com

Happy Thanksgiving from Spinosa!

Michael Spinosa — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:48:48 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I’m particularly thankful for the things that I’ve never deserved and have been provided to me unconditionally. Those include my wife, son, and my unborn child (don’t know the sex yet).

I’m also thankful for an unbelievable team at Unleashed Technologies. It’s a privilege to be surrounded by so many intelligent people.

Evolving Models for Web Initiatives Taking Hold

Michael Spinosa — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:01:44 +0000

To my extreme delight I’m excited to report that a new message with companies and non-profits is really starting to resonate. That message is,

“The web and it’s supporting digital platforms are a staple to our marketing initiatives requiring focused efforts and investment”.

When you hear from leaders in the web industry it’s usually a resonating frustration with request for fast quotes, a low attention to detail, and the smallest portion of an on-going marketing budget with substantial expectation.

I’d like to give credit to the marketing professionals nationwide by clearly stating that you’ve been instrumental in establishing a new expectation among stakeholders and have refined your message to bring greater attention to the web. As the firm that backstops Marketing Directors and Marketing Firms in long term relationships I am now seeing a greater focus on understanding the complexities of conversion, the importance of details, and the value to a well vetted scope.

This maturity has manifested itself to me in the following forms:

Institution of Discovery Phases for Projects
Migration from a Project to Retainer Model
An Increased Awareness for Full Web Management
Escalation in Support Plans to Stay Technologically Relevant

So hats off and thank you for helping the parties that contribute to our work understand why following the correct path for success leads to a better product, a larger return on investment, and a healthy professional relationship between all parties.

I’d like to ask the question, what are you communicating that would be different now? Is it the same message you’ve relayed before or is it a new approach to getting additional executive support that has helped start this culture change? I’d love to hear feedback from some of the marketing focused organizations out there.

Ron Paul Tracking Third in The Race… Best Republican Candidate?

Michael Spinosa — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:01:34 +0000

Ron Paul continues to gain traction in the nomination for the Republican presidential candidate. However, it’s no surprise to me that every interview opens up with some baseless accusation (especially) from Fox News on how Ron Paul wants to “hurt” people in some (implied) direct way. To me nothing could be further from the truth and the discussions on FEMA, Foreign Policy and Economics give way to the true intentions of such a unique approach in reducing the federal governments grip on our personal liberties. The interview on Fox News can be viewed at the link below:

Ron Paul on Fox News

When did accountability become uncool? How do you argue with this kind of logic? It’s my argument that by supporting the accountability of individuals and destroying the collective/group (an indirect platform for perpetuated racism in America) mindset we’ll create a smarter and prouder American people. Perhaps the greatest issue I see is that the federal government assumes that we need to be taken care of, completely unable to manage our day to day lives.

Maybe, just maybe… A Country literally created on the principles of liberty might just shock you in what every individual is capable of. How do you ask someone to rise up and meet their full potential when they don’t have to?

There is more to the story at Ron Paul’s website covering the interview with Fox News on August 28th, 2011.

Way Past a Proof of Concept, Next Level Discussions Please.

Michael Spinosa — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:39:06 +0000

I find myself increasingly irritated with some of the event invites I receive about “understanding” social media. I fathom to say at this point in its evolution that if you don’t know what social media is, understand the base value, or comprehend the potential exposure gained from it, than there is no need to come out of the rock you’ve been living under.

It’s a main stay of the very fabric of our society from a personal and professional level. No further seminars or presentations should be hoarded together to show statistical analysis of how many people you can reach based on averages of friends across multiple networks (Facebook, Google +, Twitter, LinkedIn). The next level of conversations needs to now migrate from awareness to value. While awareness inherently has value it comes to a point where this information can be easily translated among peers or colleagues without having to waste half a day on an up sell pitch for marketing services over it.

The new value is departing wisdom about:

Creating the framework for management of social marketing.
Understanding technologies that help automate the management of social media.
The appropriate frequency of social engagement.
A baseline for resource costing on applying a tangible effort that yields results.
Models for tracking success and defining tangible success metrics.

I’m certain this post will be twisted and contorted by over zealous social media experts claiming I’m reducing a complicated structure into a box that doesn’t exist. It’s fair to say that I disagree in a couple key areas. The first is that there is substantial case studies and pioneers (both companies and experts) that have established there is a framework to be implemented that doesn’t govern the details of a social media campaign but it’s execution. It certainly helps to establish baseline requirements for having the necessary resources in both great people and technology for the successful implementation of the plan measured with engagement. I use the term engagement simply because the purpose and very nature of Social Media is not to “push” information but to create one to one relationships, understand your clients base, and establish information channels for sharing.

Second, not all tools are created equal and in the social media space there is no question that whatever need your looking to fill. You’re going to find a ton of companies providing something that offers some sort of solution. I know that when I discuss with clients I look away from the obvious and begin to focus on tools that increase the automation of managing social media so that the staff can focus on it’s mission, not three to four hours a day of sharing information over an untold number of forums, blogs, social media sites, etc.

Finally, your not giving away anything by sharing this information and if you feel that sharing the items I’ve listed above damages your ability to retain consulting engagements I imagine the offering you have for helping your clients is only effective to a small group of businesses that have absolutely no idea what’s going on. The areas of helping companies effectively grow successfully with social media is in the identification of unique businesses with targeted objectives, the plans to meet those objectives, and most importantly to me particularly, the execution of those plans.

Truth Has Shown Itself, Ron Paul was Right

Michael Spinosa — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:59:06 +0000

During the last election I remember watching this video and publishing it several times on Facebook along with others. It’s eerie how much of what was said here has become factual truth and not wild speculation from “crazy” Ron Paul. I continue to lend my support to what this country needs right now. A fiscally conservative candidate with a side focus on a humble foreign policy.

Make no misconception that I believe in a powerful military force that defends this nation. I’ve always been a proponent of “being at the ready”. What I definitely don’t support is sacrificing another American life for corporate special interests, nation building, or functioning as policemen in a country that is not their own. The men and women that make the sacrifices to protect our freedom simply deserve better than that.

With regard to the worth of the American dollar? I think this doesn’t need to be revisited. The evidence of our mind boggling depression since 2008 and the actions taken to counteract that speaks volumes for the new direction this nation really needs.

Greater Baltimore Technology Council TechNite Event

Michael Spinosa — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:15:01 +0000

GBTC's TechNite - The Largest Technology ShowCase of the Year.

It’s that time of year again when the GBTC is putting on their big event for the year, TechNite. It’s probably one of my favorite events as one of the few that I can say actually brings the entire Greater Baltimore Community together in celebration. In years past we’ve attended and sponsored the event as it represents the best innovation in the Baltimore, MD area.

Perhaps what I enjoy most about the event is it helps to further solidify one of the largest growing areas of opportunity for not only Baltimore but the State of Maryland. With recent past experiences from Maryland legislation not understanding the importance of the technology industry in Maryland the exposure that TechNite provides is invaluable in educating our elected officials and to some degree the general public.

I’ll definitely be there as I am every year offering my companies support in carving out Baltimore’s technology showcase for national review. I wonder what your thoughts and take are on the event with the recent venue switch from the convention center to Ram’s Head Live in Power Plant.

Opportunity Disguised as Hard Work

Michael Spinosa — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:22:30 +0000

I’m finding a disturbing trend among small business owners that’s creating a strong divide in what I consider “the key” to any sustainable model. It’s that anything is challenging or has a higher barrier of entry is shrugged off as “not in our wheel house” or even better “why would you do that?”. The focus on a road to fast profitability with minimal effort usually yields a poor product in the short term and unsustainable revenue. This has been proven time and time again. I can’t site examples because you’ve never heard of them… and you never will.

This kind of mentality only results in kick starting a unique offering that allows for rapid expansion into a more in-depth effort but even then your already behind the curve from the get go. I’m continually hearing, “We just want to see if anybody will bite on this and if they do we’ll turn our full attention to it”. The simple truth is for anything to be successful it really requires 100% of your being. Believe me, I’ve fought the same wars myself running a technology business, it’s very easy to get caught up in the allure of a fast prototype to market but the truth is those rarely go anywhere despite what you might hear out on the wire.

It’s not about how much money you spend to do it but what focus your willing to give it. Sweat equity is a powerful thing and it will pay dividends for those that can endure the continued pressure from an “all-in” approach. I’d ask the following questions to those with an established business or even a new start-up idea.

START UP QUESTIONS

How much risk are you willing to take? If you’re not willing to absorb risk with money or personal time then your idea doesn’t have legs because your not willing to bet it all. You can’t ask investors or others to help in achieving your dream if you don’t have the highest amount of risk invested yourself. Would you give money to someone that approached their idea this way? I wouldn’t that’s for sure.
Does this fulfill you professional and personally? If you have to think about this question or segregate the two then your not ready for the endeavor your about to take. Becoming a new business owner will command time from both sides of your life not just your professional side. If you’re not willing to make a real sacrifice for the ultimate vision then you can’t ask anyone else to do the same for you.
First in and Last Out. This is a combo point off of the one right above it. It’s 9pm EDT on a Tuesday night and I’m still at the office because my professional reputation is on the line. Every missed expectation and every broken promise is a dent to the very fiber that is my being. Saying it and living it are two VERY different things. Many people talk about it but at the end of the day your real effort will show in its results. Don’t get confused, people listen to what you say THEN they watch what you do.

ESTABLISHED BUSINESS QUESTIONS

More often than not this is best defined as new initiatives for opening a new line of business, exploring a new market, or revisiting the business as whole to decide if what you’re doing has any application in the coming years.

Am I willing to let the right people have focus on this? Personally, this is something I fight everyday and as I delve into looking at software product creation I’m faced with tough decisions. Assigning resources takes away from other current and often more pressing matters. As we move in the creation of product I vow to let the contributing parties have the correct amount of focus for what we’ve laid forth.
My Business Market is Going Away. If you know this is happening do something about it don’t move slow on it. I see this quite a bit in varying industries and what ends up happening (if you don’t take action) is that you are now under capatilized and completely paralyzed from switching your focus. You’ll be surprised how many of your people will get excited about a new direction or a new service offering that challenges them and breaks the status quo of what they’ve been doing for years.

As I provide this stream of conscious I realize that I myself have much to consider and I’m in no way perfect when looking at this simple logic. The key is we work to provide these simple principles and we accept them as truths to our continued success as viable businesses that provide jobs and more importantly provide value in the free market.

I’d love to hear any additional input or counter points from anyone reading this as I think the purpose of this post is to help spawn awareness and a forward thinking track for those that make up a very large chunk of this Nation’s economy.

Ron Paul Will Not Be Ignored, Thank You John Stewart

Michael Spinosa — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:40:43 +0000

I love John Stewart and this video. It’s no secret I’m probably one of the largest Ron Paul supporters that’s ever existed. His uninhibited honesty and principled integrity makes him the only candidate that doesn’t embarrass the Republican party. FOX News is a disgusting, fully bought and paid for news station.

For the first time ever an individual with a defined direction, an uncensored message, and views in line with what this country was founded on has a chance to run this country.

Football is Back in Business, Albert = Bad Idea.

Michael Spinosa — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:26:38 +0000

Albert Hainesworth coming to the Patriots isn’t helping me stay under the radar as a fan located in Baltimore, MD notorious for some serious hatorade on the Pats… Of Course I think that’s pretty much anywhere in the country except New England.

Finally Back In Action

Michael Spinosa — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:26:31 +0000

It’s been awhile but I’ve decided to start anew with my blog focusing on business, football, and politics.