I know. I have been violating rule #1 in blogging. I haven’t been posting regularly or at all for that matter. The MBA program down at Willamette is who I will blame, but the blame is all mine.

Anyways, back to the blogging and I need to remember rule #2. Blogging should be about what you love and you always have time for what you love.

Can you forgive me?

1. Cutting your marketing or advertising budget.
2. Spend $5 on a cup of coffee.
3. Not track ROI for your marketing efforts.
4. Go to Nordstroms (Unless it’s the half yearly sale!).
5. Loose track of prior customers.
6. Spend $7 on large pop corn at the movies.
7. Give poor customer service.
8. Spend $3 on a bottle of water at dinner or anywhere for that matter (You shouldn’t do this even in a strong economy!).
9. Pay for inefficient yellow page ads.
10. Spend $30 to get your nails done (You can get a perfectly nice pedi for $20!).

10 things not to do….Priceless…and…kinda depressing.

Having people around you who drive your thoughts and insights is so valuable in the workplace, in your education or even in life itself. If you’re willing to listen, epiphanies can come from an old friend, a new friend or even the guy making your coffee. The point, I guess, is you have to be listening.

Many companies hire smart young professionals to infuse new ideas and life into the management structure. In the end you get a raise, new position or get fired. At Willamette, we are thrown into many different teams and forced to produce high quality work and defend your positions. You are constantly judged and either pass or fail.

Now in life it is a different story. Who does the review on you and your personal life? Not a boss or professor. Possibly God, if you believe in God, and even if He does you won’t know till it’s too late anyhow. So, the judge and jury is your own conscious. Some people are driven by money or power or people, but I’m driven by self. I’m driven by that little voice telling you to open that door for that person you don’t know or help unload the groceries for the guy you’ll never see again. By giving freely of myself at work, school and in my personal life, I get something better than money, power, or women. I get freedom. Different people are well…different and find life and happiness in different ways, but no matter who you are find your fight. Find the part of you that never gives up and makes you feel so euphoric you could float right off the couch you’re sitting on. Find your fight that gives your life that glow. I have and I hope you can too.

The first week of grad school is on the books. My hope is to really dive into some topics that can focus on marketing and business going forward. As I add understanding, knowledge and experience to myself it seems only fair to give a bit back. It’s me doing my best at social responsibility. Zoom.

Beginning an MBA program sound daunting, intensive and downright dumb sometimes, but so far so good. The first week is almost finished and we’ve had group meetings, lectures, assignments and team building. I bet that we’re right on track.

I had the good fortune to land a GA position and will be working with Professor Paul Dwyer. I am really looking forward to it as we are going to be looking at Facebook or Twitter Apps and deducing the viral effect. I am going to be reading about the back-end of these apps so look for some tips coming soon.

I feel like a dry sponge that is just beginning to absorb the water around it. Still a bit stiff, but getting there.