podcast, video

the hawk

I’m not his biggest fan but even I know that The Hawk is an important figure in Canadian music. And not just Canadian music. But musical history from the past 50 years.

Yes, The Hawk. Otherwise known as Rockin’ Ronnie Hawkins.

I had a chance to speak with Ronnie Hawkins last week.  We both found ourselves at the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Realtor Quest trade show.

We were both surrounded by beautiful groupies (albeit they were all his groupies but I know he likes to share) as I tried to sound professional interviewing him.

Here’s something important I learned from him:  Be in business with people who like you because chances are you will like them.  As someone who would rather make a pay cheque than receive one, this point is important.  You see, we all have a choice in who we do business with.  And although I like money as much as the next guy, I want to make sure that I’m having fun.

What are your thoughts?

social media

social media for real estate

I have never used my blog to solicit business.  However, I understand that there are professionals who read this that might want some help.  So read on if you like.  Ignore if you want, too.

This past Friday I had the opportunity to speak and present at the first REBarcampTO (Real Estate Barcamp Toronto).  There were hundreds of people in attendance who were hungry to learn and were humble enough to admit it. 

My journey in social media has been a natural one because of my work as a marketer.  I understand that real estate agents may not “get” the social media world.

So, I’m excited to offer my services to the real estate industry.

Here’s what I can offer:

  • how to properly use Twitter to increase your circle of influence and prospects.
  • how to use YouTube to showcase yourself, neighbourhood, and listings.
  • how to make blogging work for you.
  • what Facebook can do for you.
  • why you should use LinkedIn.

I can do a one-on-one session or a team session.  We can sit down for an hour or do 4 one hour sessions.

If you’re interested in talking, send me an email to karim at techvibes dot com.  I’ll be glad to help you out.

health, Uncategorized

getting ready for Africa

A few weeks ago, I started exercising.  I need to get in shape.  It’s a health decision as much as it is a “beach” decision.  Not only do I want to be healthy, but I also want to look good.

It turns out I need professional help.  So I sought out my friend Emil.  Emil has recently moved to Toronto from New York City.  No, he’s not crazy.  He did it for a girl.  Emil is the founder of fit4lifenyc.com as well as Fit 4 Life Kids.  We met in a park in the Yonge and Eglinton area.  And he put me through a workout.

It’s so simple really.  Anyone can do it.  Here’s the video footage:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBdqj-RKCzk]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjkMSzPwgHc]

What does exercising and being healthy have do to with marketing and social media?  Nothing and everything.  Nothing in that obviously there is no direct relation.  However, in this industry, the hours worked and the time spent in front of a computer screen can be long.  Not to mention all the events (social and professional) we get invited to that end late at night and then we have to get up early in the morning.  This does not make for a healthy lifestyle.  And I figure if I’m going to succeed in this industry, I want to enjoy the fruits (and wages) of my labour.  So, if you find yourself working in the digital industry, at whatever level, I suggest a workout schedule.  You may even want to give someone like Emil a shout (I’ve left his email address below).

You can follow my journey to lower blood pressure, 165 pounds (I’m presently 175), and more energy by visiting or visit my YouTube channel and search for the health videos.

If you want to get in touch with Emil you can email him at fit4lifenyc@gmail.com.

blog, social media, twitter

quiet noise

I remember when I used to work at one of Canada’s big banks.  During my last year there the tellers (of which I was one) finally received internet access on our terminals.

I used this “privilege” as much as I could.  Especially emails.  My siblings and cousins would exchange dozens of emails a day.  We would be discussing irrelevant things like why this hockey team sucks or why that business venture was a scam.

Today, we still communicate online via email.  the discussion have changed little.  However, sometimes we wish “such and such a company” would change the way they do things.  And this gets me thinking:

The company or brand we are talking about can’t read our emails.  We are having a private and closed conversation.  Not only can the brand not participate but maybe there are customers or fans that want to chime in.  They can’t because they don’t even know there is a conversation happening.

Unless we take these conversation public or open.

And this is where blogs, Twitter and Facebook groups come into play.  Using these tools to have conversations allows a few things to happen when we’re talking about brands:

  1. We open up the conversation to people with similar or differing views.  This is a good thing because at times we think the way we’re seeing things is the only way to see things.
  2. We open up the debate to the brands.  Now this is interesting.  What the brand does is up to them.

As a fan and consumer of brands here’s what I’m hoping:

That they’re “listening”.  Companies should be using these listening tools to listen to what is being said about them so that they can improve their product or even their messaging.

Whether or not a company decides to jump into the conversation is up for debate.  Listening is the start.

Now, getting back to these conversations…

If you’ve got something to say, here is what I would suggest:  say it loud.  Use a public forum so that as least something has the chance of being done about it.

Otherwise consider the email you sent to your cousin griping about “such and such a company” to be nothing but quiet noise.

books, reading, Uncategorized

not available

Last weekend I was offline.  I didn’t tweet.  I didn’t even check my twitter stream.  I did not even go on Facebook or check any email.  The closest thing I came to using the computer was seeing how the weather was going to be.

In today’s age of  “always being available” I found this past weekend to be refreshing.  And busy.

Now I was anxious.  But only a little.  I have an event that happens in less that one month and there are people who are counting on me.  But they all have my phone number.

So what did I do that kept me busy?

  1. I watched almost every Thomas The Tank Engine and Bob The Builder dvd and vhs we have with my son.  And we do have alot of videos/dvds.
  2. I read a few stories from Malcolm Gladwell’s “What The Dog Saw”.
  3. I took afternoon naps.
  4. We fed ducks at Harbourfront.
  5. We celebrated my sister’s birthday at her cool downtown condo.  (She cooks a great green curry something or the other. Really.)

So, I know it’s only Tuesday afternoon.  But why not “schedule” to be offline this weekend.  It doesn’t have to be this weekend.  I’m just suggesting to keep the smartphone in your desk (or at least data free) and your laptop powered down.

You’ll be amazed to see how much you can accomplish and how free you can be when you’re “not available.”

I would love to hear your thoughts on unplugging yourself.  Has anyone ever tried it recently?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DTFwYZ6YJU]

crowdsourcing, social media

Let’s play ball fans

I don’t pretend to have all the answers. Nor do I look at everything as “the glass is half full.” However, I must say that the current attendance numbers for our Toronto Blue Jays is a little concerning. Ok, very concerning.

The Jays, again, are off to a hot start. There is no competition from the Maple Leafs or the Raptors and Toronto FC are off to a horrible start again.

10,610 paying customers walked into the Rogers Centre last night. This was only two days after selling out the place during Opening Day.

This is the problem.

As a baseball fan and as a fan of the Blue Jays I want to help. And I’m hoping you want to help too.

So, for the next 7 days please leave a comment. Really, leave a suggestion or two. (If you’re reading this on Facebook, please take the time to come on over to www.KarimKanji.com and fill out the comments section)  And invite your friends and fellow fans to come hear and voice their opinion.

Here’s the question I’m asking:

What should the Toronto Blue Jays do to increase the average attendance to games to 30,000 this year?

Why?

I’m going to set up a meeting with the person in charge of marketing and social media and share with him our thoughts and suggestion. (He is starting to listen and has agreed to meet with me and a colleague to hear our thoughts.)

Thank you for reading.

Let’s play ball!

health

Getting Ready

If the stars align, the gods agree, and all that good stuff happen, I should be in Mombasa with my wife to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.  From what I’ve been told (I haven’t checked Google…yet) Mombasa is on a beautiful beach.  And my body is not beach ready.  By a long shot.

I’ve got just over a month to get ready.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLHlibR0FGs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]

Fit4lifenyc and the Fit4lifenyc Blog

Any tips or suggestions?  Comment below or on any of my daily health vlogs.

Ok. I checked Google.  Beautiful.

Uncategorized

Born to Run

With the sub title being “”A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never seen” I was hooked.

Author Christopher McDougall takes the reader on a journey that can only be described as breathtakingly fascinating.

I have read another book since I finished Born To Run but the images etched in my brain from reading it have remained.

Here’s who I would recommend the book to:  If you’re an athlete, a wannabe athlete, a weekend warrior, someone who wants to get healthy, a health nut, a vegetarian, a runner, someone who is interested in anthropology….heck, I’d recommend this book to just about anyone who even just likes a good story.

youth

Young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada

The young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada (ysec.org) is an organization created by youth for youth interested in business for profit and social change.  Assaf Weisz of “ysec” gave me the lowdown of the organization and what they are looking to accomplish.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2pLiFOI8Lw&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]

Please forward the url of this post/video to people in your communities who are looking to support or be involved with this dynamic group of “do-gooders”.