Uncategorized

Week in Review

As you may know, I’ve been doing lots of writing on different parts of the interwebs.  So what I’ve decided to do is to post here a weekly summary of my activities. 

Techvibes

Fadoo.ca

  • Inside the CFL replay room – Video.

iBizBook

As always, feel free to be my friend on Facebook (where you can also see this week’s Raptors photos), follow me on Twitter, and watch my home videos on YouTube.

Have a great weekend everyone!

    blog, sports

    The Blogging Continues

    Back in December I told you all about my new gig at Techvibes.  I hope some of you have visited me over there and are enjoying some of the people, places, and companies I have been highlighting there.  It’s been really fun meeting some of Toronto’s coolest, hippest and socially progressive tech entrepreneurs.

    Today, I have some more blogging news. 

    You can now also find me at Fadoo.ca. 

    The Fadoo website is a Canadian website dedicated to bringing Canadians “a platform for dialogue and comment among people of power and influence in the sports world. And then, let everyone in on the conversation.”

    What you’re going to get from me is what no one else in Toronto will be able to provide.  I’ll have the inside look into sports and social media and technology.  So if that interests you then stay tuned (and please comment.  I LOVE comments!).  And if it doesn’t interest you let me know, what you would like to see.

    Have a great weekend and enjoy the Olympics!

    social media, twitter

    Why I started @karimsreplies

    It’s been a while wince I’ve blogged here.  If you’re wondering why I’ve been so quiet, I haven’t really.  I just need to focus on when I’m going to write or video blog here.  I have, however, been writing up a storm over at Techvibes.  There’s a link over to the right of this post to some of my stuff.

    But before I go I have to tell you about @karimsreplies.

    Many of you may know that I tweet.  Alot.  Not that much.  Guess it depends who you ask.  One of the things I found was that I was responding to alot of tweets.  And that’s a good thing.  The problem was that everyone would receive these tweets.  And sometimes this is not a good thing.  There is something called “noise”.  Noise is the stuff on Twitter and other social media platforms that doesn’t add any value. 

    The question about value is relative.  If you don’t like the comment then it’s noise.  And then there’s the issue with Facebook.  All of my tweets end up on Facebook.  Some people think I’m the only one alive when they visit their Facebook pages.

    So I have decided to fix it.  Partially. 

    I’m still tweeting from @karimkanji.  And I encourage you to follow me.  Your IQ will actually increase as will your coolness factor. 

    However, I will respond to tweets via @karimsreplies to help keep the noise down.  People can still follow me at @karimsreplies but now you know my purpose in tweeting from @karimsreplies.

    I’ve been asked, “Why not just DM?”  Two reasons:  One, not everyone follows everyone.  And to DM someone on Twitter we need to be following each other.  Two, some people actually are interested in following the conversations happening over at @karimsreplies. 

    So, if I’m your friend on Facebook you can thank me for the noticeable decline in tweets.  Also, if you’re a heavy tweeter, think about opening another Twitter account just to reply to people.  You’re still engaging but you’ll be a little less annoying.  And my sister says that’s a good thing.

    books, reading

    The Audacity To Win

     Three books so far this year.  Here’s my book report video style.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woPIOSxizCI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1]

    I always appreciate your comments!  Please keep them coming.
    social media

    Podcasts

    I enjoy podcasts.  Listening to them.  I’m trying to figure out how to podcast but until then I’ll be satisfied with listening to them.

    Most of you know what a podcast is so I won’t bore you with an explanation. 

    What I want to do today is tell you why I enjoy podcasts (the audio version for now).  Then I’ll tell you some of the one’s I subscribe to. 

    So, why listen to podcasts?  Here’s my explanation:  Most of them you can’t get on the radio.  There are alot of really smart people who just happen to podcast.  For example, maybe you like archeology.  Not many radio stations offer such programming.  But maybe there’s a guy or gal who podcasts about this subject.  If you’re interested, you’ll listen.  And, at a time when you want to.

    And that’s a great second reason.  Maybe there’s a radio program you do enjoy but don’t have the time to listen when it’s aired.  Well, with technology being so user friendly, you can enjoy your favourite program when you have the time to listen to it.

    Finally, podcasting gives me an opportunity to learn about things that interest and intrigue me from people who are experts.  And that’s priceless!

    Karim’s Favourite Podcasts:

    1.  Between The Ropes.  I’m a mark for professional wrestling.  Don’t ask me why.  It’s the same reason some of you watch The Hills, Young and the Restless or even Poker.  You just do.  The show is based out of Orlando, Florida and the hosts are amazing.  Brian, Vito and D’Lo offer their community amazing insight and commentary while interviewing some of wrestling’s past and current stars.
    2. Spark.  Hosted by the amazing Nora Young, “Spark is a weekly audio blog of smart and unexpected trendwatching. It’s not just technology for gearheads, it’s about the way technology affects our lives, and the world around us.” 
    3. The Moth.  True stories told on stage without notes in front of crowds.  That’s the concept of this great podcast.  This not-for-profit storytelling organization features unknown as well as popular speakers from various backgrounds and industries.  Prepare to laugh and sometimes cry.   
    4. Media Hacks (Six Pixels of Separation – Twist Image).  This is my newest find.  And it’s a gem.  Media Hacks features Canada’s and America’s top marketing and social media personalities.  Media Hacks (found on the SPOS-TI podcast) discusses “media, technology, publishing, culture and how we all interact with it and build community”.

    There’s a few other I listen to on occasion and a few other I’m checking out.  And maybe one day, I’ll do my own podcast.

    Do you podcast or listen to podcasts?  What are your favourites?  Have you listened to the one’s listed above?  As always, I look forward to the conversation…

    reading

    Crush It

    I like reading.  I think I always have.  I’ve almost read every Hardy Boys books and many Robert Ludlum books.  These days my reading includes stuff about social media.  I’ve recently read Trust Agents as well as Accidental Billionaires.  (To be honest, I think I need to get some more Ludlum in my veins – one can only get to serious.)

    Today, I’m very excited to offer all my blog readers a chance to win a fantastic book called Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk.  I recently put out a challenge on Twitter that if and when I reach 1000 followers on Twitter I would give away 2 copies of the best-selling book.


    So, here I am.  True to my word I will give away 2 copies.  One will be the hardcover edition.  The other will be a very cool online web-based version of the book from vook.com.  (Check out the link.  It’s pretty cool!)


    On with the contest!  Contest?  You bet.  Here are the rules:

    1. You must participate on my blog to have a chance of winning.  (No Facebook entries please.  Thank you.)
    2. Leave a comment on WHY you deserve to win either copy of the book.
    3. Winner will be based on what I determine as the best response.
    4. I am looking for a minimum of 10, 8, 5, 3, 2 responses (so tell your friends to apply because I only know of 4 people who actually read this!)
    5. Contest runs from now until I finish eating my lunch on January 22.


    Ready.  Set.  Go.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhqZ0RU95d4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]
    Uncategorized

    Hire me – An Open Letter

    Open letter to cool brands who have hired celebrities and athletes to endorsement contracts:

    Hire me.

    Yes I know.  That’s a pretty bold statement.  You can go ahead and bing google me. You’ll find nothing of consequence. 

    I haven’t won any athletic awards since before my mom bought me a Millennium Survival Kit.  I have yet to be featured on any celebrity magazines or websites.  Trust me.  Perez Hilton does not know who I am. 

    The only red carpet I have ever been on was when my cousin got married this past summer.  And I almost tripped over that one.  I have never taken steroids or pleaded the 5th.  People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” has never heard of me.  If I ever applied to BeautifulPeople.com I would not be accepted. 

    You see, I’m just a regular guy.  I have a wife and kid and live in a house in a quiet neighbourhood in the city. 

    I don’t consider myself average.  I’m just not a celebrity.  People don’t take pictures of me.  Check Flickr if you don’t believe me.

    Here’s what I CAN offer you:  I’m real and authentic.  That’s my brand.  I represent the kind of person you want using your product. 

    If you’re a clothing company I can assure you I wear clothes.  And being in Toronto (and this being winter) I wear lots of them.  I need various kinds of shoes to tackle various kinds of weather.  Sunglasses?  Ditto.  Food? I love to eat.  Cars?  I got my drivers licence.  I’m a consumer.  And I’m not loyal to brands (unless I get paid).

    But not only that, I’m active.  I’m all over this fair city of ours.  (By the way, I will travel for money – Hello, Flight Centre!)  You can find me at trade shows, meetups, social gatherings, at baseball and football games, and at various drinking and eating establishments.  I’m an avid blogger and tweeter and my sister says I spend too much time on Facebook.

    And if you ask anybody about me here’s the answer you’ll get:  He’s nice.  Now isn’t that the type of person you would want wearing your fine cologne or expensive watch?  I think so.

    And here’s my guarantee to you should you decide to hire me:  I don’t have far to fall.  Unlike Tiger, Phelps, McGuire, Clemons, Letterman and various other “stars” my fall (which you are concerned about) will not be damaging.  To you.  Because there won’t be one.  In fact, there will be no fall into the TMZ world.

    Here’s why:

    1. I have an implied code of conduct.  – Unlike Kobe, I live on a budget.  There is no way in hell that I would jeopardize free swag just for a little late night shenanigans.
    2. Although all press is not good press, you won’t have to worry about neither.  I won’t generate any press.  I’ll melt into the crowd at the local grocery store as I buy your tasty cereal.
    3. I’m very good at saying sorry.  So if I forget to put the snow tires you send me on my car and something unforeseen happens, I’ll say sorry.  And you won’t have to worry about a lawsuit.
    4. And if I screw up really bad (meaning the media and those damn bloggers find out I’m being paid by you) I’ll just lay low for a while.  I’ll stop tweeting, facebooking, and hobnobbing with Toronto’s social media elite.

    So what do you think?  Don’t you wish your high-paid celebrity endorsers followed those same 4 steps?

    You see, these are the things that the average mom and dad teach their children:

    1. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
    2. Don’t do anything to embarass your mother.
    3. Learn to say sorry.
    4. And if you make a mistake, it’s better to shut your mouth than to dig yourself into a bigger hole.

    And it’s something that I promise I will do for you.

    Now if you deem it inappropriate to hire a brand like Karim Kanji, I understand.  I mean, there is a chance I’ll be BIG someday. I mean REALLY BIG. 

    So my advice to you would then be to hire that next person who fills your coffee cup tomorrow morning. 

    They know a thing or two about being human. 

    Hire them.

    Regards,

    Karim Kanji
    karim_kanji at hotmail dot com

    books, reading

    Accidental Billionaires

    We’ve (the boys) have all done something to impress the ladies.  Let’s see: I’ve gotten a tattoo, grew my hair long and also had it shaved, wore black rock concert t-shirts to mosque (church), and one night I even told every girl in a nightclub that I loved her.  Yes, I’ve done some stupid things in my life.  Who hasn’t?

    I have yet to create an online social network.  That’s what The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal is all about. 



    Authour Ben Mezrich tells the true tale of how 2 best friends from Harvard created Facebook.  The story is told in a very fast moving pace.


    Lessons.

    There were a number of lessons I learned from this book.  The first was work.  Work hard. Work so hard that the work that you do becomes all consuming because it’s what drives you.


    Loyalty.  There is something to be said about being loyal to your friends and the people who care about you.


    Keep your (mine) eyes open.  And I don’t mean literally.  To read about how numerous people, at the same time, were pursuing something new, innovative, cool and potentially popular was not only inspiring.  It was motivational.  It showed me that there are opportunities anywhere and everywhere. As long as we are keeping our eyes and minds open, opportunities will come.


    Is this book worth reading.  Sure it is.  I’ll tell you what:  If you’re on Facebook and use it, you should read this book.  Find out how it was created.  Learn about the people who created it.  Read about how one of the most popular brands and largest companies in the world was birthed.




    NOTE:

    Keep your eyes on this blog and on my twitter feed.  I will be giving away a couple of copies of a very popular current business book.  Once I hit 1000 followers on Twitter I will write a post here.  In order to win you must participate.  And I promise you the prize is well worth it.  Okay.  That’s all for today.  As you were.
     
    reading, social media

    Trust Agents

    I’ve completed my first book of 2010 even thought I started in 2009. 

    Trust Agents – Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust was written by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.  Click on the names to follow these trend setters on Twitter as well as on their own personal blogs.

    So what is this book about?  

    Trust Agents, in my opinion, is the authours attempt to outline how to properly use the Web.  You see, many people think that just by blogging, being on Facebook and tweeting is enough.  The first thing I thought was that I will get on these tools and people will want to know what I know.  They will want to buy what I’m selling.  I’ll be rich in no time flat.  How wrong was I.

    Over time I have figured out that it is very important to create something of value and to engage in the various communities.  Trust Agents makes the case for this using examples and the authour’s own personal experiences.

    What’s next.

    Here’s what I’ve done.  First, I’ve renamed the title and focus of this blog.  “Being helpful” is a simple yet very powerful statement.  It means that I will attempt to be helpful in the blog posts here.

    Second, on Twitter I aim to re-tweet (RT) interesting and informative tweets from other people.  I do this because there are other people who have lots to offer.  And I’m smart enough to know that I don’t know everything.

    Third, get involved.  Join and attend a MeetUp.  It can be formal or informal.  But engage in and with the community you want to influence.  Whether you are looking for a job, career change or want to sell your wares to.  The technology may have changed but the rules of personal engagement have not.  It is still important to place value on people and to treat them as human beings rather than just faceless consumers.

    There will still be posts that I blog about that are personal to me.  I might have another suggestion for the Blue Jays or maybe even a guest post or two.  You’ll also get an update on the books I have completed reading.  And on Twitter, you’ll also come across tweets on articles that I write for other sites.  You may even notice that I also tweet about stuff I like.  In 140 characters one can only be so helpful.  Being human also means having a personality.

    As Mike Wilner and the fine folks at Drunk Jays Fans says, 
    Reasonable and Rational comments are welcome!