Create a Daily Reading List

Every morning I engage in a routine to launch my day that usually involves gym time, lots of water, coffee, a delicious breakfast, and a skim through my favorite list of reads.  The act of reading itself is a great way to maintain sharp language skills, grow vocabulary, improve focus, and increase memory.  More than just the act of reading, the routine is also an excellent way of tuning in to those things that are interesting and relevant in my professional sphere.  Having a daily reading list sparks new, creative ideas that can be applied to my ongoing work projects.

Here are some tips for how you might develop your own Daily Reading List.

>> Create a Reading List bookmark label on your technology of preference.

>> Do not commit to always reading every label.  Scan headlines and read what interests you.

>> Set aside the time to do it every single day.  The first 10 minutes at the office is a great time for hitting your reading list.

>>  Mix up your list.  Do not make every piece about your professional life.  Allow yourself some space for recreational articles like sports, music, or the arts.  Reading things that you genuinely enjoy will spark all sorts of great ideas, as well as actually keep you engaged in the reading list habit.

>> Make sure to include relevant, professional material.  You likely already know the great journals in your industry.  Do a little research to see what new ones are gaining traction.

>> Change things up.  If you read a great story, then click through to the references.  Consider adding those references to your list.  Also, consider following writers not just publishers.  These days many writers freelance, contributing across a whole slew of genres.

For fun, here is my current reading list:

Good Magazine – one of the most upbeat sources of information, Good is all about the happy and cool “for people who give a damn.”

The Atlantic – a monthly magazine dealing with politics, business, entertainment and more.

Mashable.com – website dedicated to social media news and web tips.

NPR – National Public Radio.  I especially love their music section.

Real Simple – recipes, organizing, food, fashion, etc.  Fun and frivolous, but has inspired some great ideas for events and marketing.

New York Times – still a good paper.

Daytona Beach News-Journal – my local paper.

Harvard Business Review – I cannot say enough good things about the HBR.  It’s pricey, but well worth it.

 

 

songs of the week

“i tried to do handstands for you.”  – chairlift

Something about these female artists that feels so very spring.

Enjoy.

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__________

__________

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You can listen to more music that I love by checking out my profile on last.fm, and clicking on “Play Noomdazoom’s Library Radio.”

Thank you, Boy Scout Troop 403

This morning I grabbed a couple of my favorite magazines, the surfboard, a breakfast sandwich & coffee from my neighborhood Java Junction, and headed for sunshine on the beach.

As I read about the market based thinking that permeates our lives in this month’s Atlantic, I noticed that I was suddenly surrounded by a pack of kids with their parents.  “Excuse me, do you have any trash,” a sweet boy asked politely.  “No, but I noticed a straw wrapper,” I said, offering to grab it myself.

I asked the group’s leader how often they come out to the beach for clean-up.  He said four times a year, and encouraged I check out their posted sign on my way to the parking lot.

How refreshing to see some kids taking responsibility for maintaining their neighborhood beach.  Next time I head to the beach, I think I’ll pitch in by taking a bag and collecting some trash.  Thanks for the inspiration, boy scout troop 403.

Planning a Great Event… High Speed Hold ‘Em on the Halifax

It was my great honor to plan and produce the First Annual High Speed Hold ‘Em on the Halifax, a celebrity poker tournament fundraiser for my client, MG on the Halifax in partnership with the NASCAR Foundation hosted by Betty Jane France and Rusty Wallace.  Originally conceived by Benedict Advertising, our event team began planning and organizing late in the summer of 2011.

As is true with many events, the whole thing began with a thought and a hunch… “I bet it would be really cool to do an amazing, world class event in a gorgeous location to benefit a great cause.”  In truth, many good ideas end up on the cutting room floor.  The only way a good idea should grow to the planning phase is if it passes an event stress test.

Event Stress Test.

>> Identify an event owner and the event partners.  The event owner will be responsible for the ultimate goals and budget of the event.  Event partners will share in responsibilities up to an agreed upon point.

>> Identify the event goals.  Outline what will be necessary for achieving these goals.  Examples of event goals:  A certain level of press coverage and exposure, An exact fiscal amount for a fundraiser, A certain number of attendees or participants, etc.

>> Outline the marketing plan that will be required in assisting to achieve the goals.  This marketing plan will vary greatly depending on the event.  Private events will have marketing plans that identify key individual’s whose name as the host carries weight with those who are invited.  Public events ought to involve multiple tiers of specifically detailed multimedia campaigns.

>> Outline the projected approvable event budget that will be required to execute the event and achieve the event goals.  This budget will be generic based on the event planner’s experience with vendors and other event planning factors.  For the sake of the client, the event planner should overestimate rather than underestimate projected costs.

Review the Stress Test Results. 

>> If the event concept falls apart at any point of the stress test, then the event is not worthy of production within the given circumstances.  There must be an event owner.  That owner must determine the goals that he wishes to achieve.  The event goals must be reachable through a marketing plan.  The event owner must approve the anticipated budget required to execute the event and achieve the event goals.

High Speed Hold ‘Em on the Halifax passed the stress test with flying colors.  In concept, we had a great event.  By the schema required for planning, we had an event worthy of production.

Opening of the tournament.

Once approved by the event owner, terms were set and agreed upon amongst event partners, and we began planning the High Speed Hold ‘Em on the Halifax.  We developed a comprehensive schedule of assignments and meetings.  Each member of the team regularly reported to all other members in routine meetings where we gave input related to the event details.  A great deal of time was saved since planning experience prepared us with a preferred vendor sheet and event punch list.  Vendors can make or break your event.  One of the most important parts of event planning is to work with vendors who you know will deliver a reliable product with timeliness and efficiency at a competitive price.  Demand these things of them, and do not settle for less.  You are their client.  Your client will demand these things of you.

NASCAR Drivers stand for a photo moment with the press.

Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corp and NASCAR board member, plays her hand at the table.

Betty Jane France wins the entire tournament and a seat at the World Series of Poker Tournament.

Close of the night. A smiling Naomi after being acknowledged and thanked for a hugely successful event.

blind pilot concert

artist:  blind pilot

venue:  the social (formerly known as the sapphire supper club) in orlando, fl

rarely does the quality of live music match the expectation formed by a studio-recording based love.  bands simply do not sound the same in person as they do polished and produced for popular consumption.  fortunately for us, there are so many other exciting sensory experiences delivered by the concert.  a dark room with lots of happy strangers, interesting lights and a bar serving cold beer stands on its own for most bars any night of the week.  besides those bar basics, concerts also offer the adventurous energy of a band on tour, the hopeful body language of the next great groupie, and then there is this cool emotion that builds between the band and the audience over the course of the show.

so, while the show would have been a fun experience even if the music had been a bit muddied and disappointing, i’m happy to report that all the other intangibles were entirely unnecessary.  the music completely stood on its own.

given the clarity and downright prettiness of lead singer, Israel Nebeker’s voice on recordings, i mostly assumed the live version would be a straight up let down in this regard.  after all, isn’t everyone using auto tune these days?  i’m glad to say that no such thing happened.  man, what a voice.

 

while i very much enjoyed his voice, it in no way carried the show.  for a full two hour set they rocked electric guitars, acoustic guitars, a drum set, stand up bass, banjo, slide guitar, trumpet, accordion, vibraphone and a ukulele.  each band mate was amazing.

at the end of the night, i purchased a vinyl of their newest album.  i even started a bit of a stampede by seeing my way to the end of the hall with a sharpie.  fortunately, they didn’t seem to mind.  i am so glad i was able to make this show.  if they pass through a town near you, then make sure you go see them too.

Summary:

beautiful, wonderful, fun.

five stars and a high five.