The name of my blog has always been INSPIRation. I wanted to focus on inspiring people and their stories. Over time, as you can tell, I’ve gotten away from inspiration. However, I think you’ve enjoyed most of the stories we’ve told here.

Today we go back to basics.

This story would not be told if it were just about a private citizen. Not to be cruel, but this is the truth. Stories like this one happen everyday. We just don’t hear about them.

Why this one? Because it’s about Graeme Bell. Fullback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

I told you a ball can change the world.

Enjoy.

Karim

I remember my childhood bedroom. I think it was even bigger than my parent’s room. However, they did have a walk-in closet and a walk-out balcony!

I actually had a couple of other rooms in that house in east-end Toronto. The second was in the basement. My own floor! The third was my last before I left home. It ended up being the smallest. My younger brother took my big room when I moved in the basement. Now my grandmother lives in that big bedroom.

What does this bedroom have to do with heros? Nothing really, but it does remind me of a drawing on the wall many years ago when my brother resided there.

The shirt label. Wash in warm water, Tumble dry, Have Heros. Heros? Yup. Amazing, eh? I think we all need heros. Super-Heros and Everyday Heros.

Even heros we’ve never said thank you to. I hope you enjoy THIS.

I think we can all agree that the Canadian real estate market is weak(ening). It’s not that I have an agenda to push or a service to sell as a result of this recent phenomenon. Facts are facts: There are more listings on the MLS, closing times are being increased, and listing prices are coming down.

What does this all mean? In my opinion, it means that if you just bought, you better hold on for the long haul and hope 1) you have a secure job to continue your payments, 2) you have a VRM and 3) that you don’t end up with negative equity. If you’re looking to buy, RELAX. Wait a while. I guess it depends on your local community but prices are coming down. Your deal is soon to be had.

Are you interested in following some cool articles on real estate? Then follow me on del.icio.us. I’ll post articles there instead of links here.

Have fun and stay profitable!

Karim Kanji

Presently, I am sitting in the lobby of a quaint inn in hot and sunny Greenville, SC. I had the opportunity to meet a number of residents here. Southern hospitality is far from dead. In fact, it is thriving.

However, this quick post is about a lesson learned from a conference I am attending here. MENTORSHIP.

Mentorship relates to a relationship between people for the sole purpose of coming away from that relationship better than when it was formed. Many people also call this a Mastermind. Nevertheless, it is an important piece of enabling growth. Meaning, one cannot outgrow her own experiences and therefore needs the teaching and experiences of others to personally grow and thrive.

Is there someone in your life that is mentoring you? And how so?

(You may comment here or leave a note on the original post.)

Karim

Vision. Some people have it. Others are getting it…I hope.

You can have a huge vision like Gandhi did for India and his people. Or maybe a vision to date the girl next door. Whatever. The point is to have one.

One person who has a vision is Andrea Baxter.

A great story. I hope you enjoy it!

Every once in a while I’ll come across something interesting. It can be a blog (Mike Wilner’s Miked Up), a company (ZipCar), web app (Twitter), or even a blast from the past (Thomas Dolby).

(By the way, did you know that Thomas Dolby is not just known as the guy who penned the famous song and video “Blinded Me With Science” BUT is also the genius behind Nokia’s ring tunes and various other tunes on video games? AMAZING!)

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to listen and watch a new “discovery” of mine. While I can’t be the one to claim sole discovery of this new “land”, I think that this gem should be unveiled.

ThatRadio.com and it’s brother station ThatChannel.com.

Minaz Asani-Kanji (my wife!) – Executive Director of TorontoGreen.ca was a guest on their Liquid Lunch show with ThatFounder (?) Hugh this past Monday afternoon. LL seems to be a variety type show which delves into interesting local news and social issues. They also like to promote the next upcoming new band!

ThatRadio and ThatChannel produce a variety of interesting shows exclusively for the “online” consumer. Making a difference and having as much fun as possible. This is their mantra. They claim to be Canada’s #1 Internet broadcaster since 2004.

Be sure to check it out. You’ll be impressed.

KK

Farhan Lalji has some interesting thoughts posted on his blog at, “Who is Farhan Lalji?” One of the reasons I enjoy reading his posts is that he is actually a contemporary of mine. His is not the most read blog in the world but his thoughts and ideas resonate with the common man – me.

One of Farhan’s last articles spoke about the role that technology can play in educating and thus alleviating the gap between the have’s and have-not’s. While I think we both agree on this we disagree on the method. Farhan says that the governments need to finance and invest in giving everyone free access to the internet.

I disagree. I believe corporations (in this case, “high-tech” companies) and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) have a vital role in this development issue. Why? They have both the means (the actual technology!) and the reason (profit and development!)

The easiest case to point to would be the Grameen Bank model of development. While not perfect, Muhammad Yunus, the bank’s founder, predicts that there will not be poverty in Bangladesh by 2050.

Another example of successful development is the role of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. One of the Trust’s mandate is the economic revitalization of historic sites in the Muslim world. Within this context, hundreds of local people have developed new skills and created for themselves employment and business opportunities.

Although these two cases are not specific to the internet and technology, they do point to the success that NGO’s and businesses have in empowering people to positively impact their own world.

I think it is time that instead of individuals and companies/organizations giving handout’s that we/they start giving a handUP.

Can you imagine Twittering with a school kid from Darfur?

Karim

Together Everybody Achieves More.

Remember that corny “corporate” acronym? I’m sure you do. However, depending upon your age the meaning may be a little different.

For me, TEAM was used by big, faceless, corporate entities to make it’s workers feel appreciated. Why? Because it was much easier spouting the benefits of a simple catchphrase than it was to give someone a raise or even thank an excellent worker.

Today, times have changed. With technology easier to use and information and training a-plenty, today’s new companies have a different face. Companies like Google (massive) and Freshbooks (not so massive, yet) understand that it’s people who drive the bottom line. And its people who drive the brand and any future business for these and other companies.

So, hopefully you work for or own a business that treats its employees as prime assets that need to be developed and appreciated.

If not, what are you waiting for?

Karim Kanji