Wrap AI User Conference
​At the same time rain-laden clouds were approaching the Pacific Coast the AI user conference in San Francisco was bringing forth a whirlwind of innovation for marketers designers and developers. The conference took place over three days the end of January 2024 with Day 1 AI + Marketing, Day 2 AI + Design, and Day 3 AI + Development.

Data Analysis
The first day kicked off with a workshop on data analytics for marketers using ChatGPT-based prompts to analyze data sets. I used a data set for an election campaign I was working on with a ChatGPT Data bot to analyze and predict election results, build multiple scenarios, and tally results. I learned that having clean data was essential and could use data in various formats such as Excel, CSV, SQL, VBA and Power BI. It wasn’t perfect on the first try, but I could see the potential. It eliminated the tasks of creating formulas within cells and the manual errors that often accompany those kinds of ever-changing Excel spreadsheets.

Repurposing Content
Another workshop discussed how to repurpose content using video transcripts.  A summarization tool from a Chrome extension called YouTube ChatGPT and Claude enabled me to obtain a full transcript of a video on YouTube with timecodes. I prompted ChatGPT to expand upon the topic of YouTube Summary and it provided me with a detailed description of how to add the extension and the full capabilities of this Chrome extension to repurpose the content for social media, social media posts, blog articles or presentations.

Brand Management
New doors are opening for brand marketing with AI helping to ensure consistent brand voice and guidance using brand books and AI models. The most compelling solution I saw at the conference on this topic was demonstrated at Simplified, an all-In-1 Suite for Ecommerce Stores, Marketers, Businesses, Content Writers & More.

AI-generated Video
Probably the most exciting highlight of all was how AI was streamlining the producing,  publishing and distributing video. There were a number of generative AI for video applications presented including AugX, Rizzle, InVideo and Simplified. I observed that most of the examples were animations or supported with B-Roll from integrated licensed stock versus live action recorded corporate interviews, original-filmed B-Roll from factories, industry scenes, though all had the capability of uploading custom content. I decided to experiment with one of these applications using a ChatGPT integration with InVideo and though it did a good job of text-to-voice, selected B-Roll from licensed stock, and added music, the end product was not acceptable to me as it lacked the right tone, emotion and visuals. Human directors and producers still need to be involved to direct, produce and refine.

Design for App Development
There were many exciting design capabilities using AI. One product called Buzzy.buzz with its Figma plugin enables the design of a mobile app by using prompts using natural language processing. It allowed the user to design nearly 80% of an app, then transition to Figma to further refine.

Generating Images
There was hands-on exploration for creatives using DreamBooth, Stable Diffusion and DALL-E. AI Design is extremely useful for coming up with ideas, artwork, photo realism, and so much more using simple natural language prompts. 

Product Marketing and Development
On Day 3, the focus was on development. Product marketers saw the possibilities with UserDoc, an app used by product marketers to define and develop personas. The tedium of creating product requirement documents and briefs for developers is also getting streamlined using simple prompts to create personas for specific roles, interests and even personalities. And common code modules are being identified by business users, then assembled for faster app development. We even learned how to create and train a chatbot using Simplified's AI Chatbot product. 

Wrap Up
Learning all about these AI tools isn't something you learn once and then you’re done. It's an ongoing evolution. Now is the time to embrace AI for your area of expertise.

(this is hypothetical company, "MealFuture"; case study includes sample video + article)
 
Author: Michael Richter
Product Marketing, MealFuture Inc.
 
In the sprawling canvas of urban landscapes, vertical farms have emerged as green strokes of innovation, promising a sustainable future for city-dwellers. And with the surge of artificial intelligence (AI), we're on the cusp of transforming how urban farming is perceived and practiced. Enter MealFuture – a groundbreaking platform set to revolutionize the farming landscape of our cities.
 
Connecting the Dots with AI
 
At the core of MealFuture lies a sophisticated AI mechanism that efficiently links all sensor data. Whether it's about the type of crops planted, their growth rate, or their expected harvest time, every detail gets captured and shared. But urban farming is more than about the intricacies of farming in a city; it's about building a centralized technological hub that provides invaluable insights to the entire supply chain.
 
The implications are vast. Suppliers, distributors, retailers, and even government agriculture bodies will now have a clear line of sight into what's sprouting in these urban farms. Such visibility means they can plan better, forecast accurately, and make informed decisions that resonate with consumer preferences and demands.
 
Understanding Consumer Needs
 
MealFuture is more than just data; it's about understanding the pulse of urban residents. By tapping into the data streams, stakeholders can gauge evolving consumer preferences. Do city residents prefer organic kale over spinach? Is there a sudden spike in demand for fresh basil? The platform provides answers, allowing producers to pivot their strategies accordingly.
 
Moreover, AI-driven insights ensure that the supply aligns with the demand, minimizing wastage. By predicting demand surges or lulls, the platform ensures that there's just enough produce to meet requirements, ensuring freshness and reducing the chances of unsold produce ending up as waste.
 
Supporting Every Urban Resident
 
While paying consumers are a significant segment, MealFuture recognizes the importance of inclusivity. The platform's data-driven approach factors in the needs of food banks, ensuring that every urban resident, regardless of their financial situation, has access to fresh and nutritious produce. By integrating demands from government bodies and city agencies, MealFuture stands as a beacon of community-driven, inclusive urban farming. To further this endeavor, MealFuture contributes 1% of all revenues, 1% of volunteer time, and 1% of consulting expertise for non-profit urban farm organizations.
 
Sustainability at its Core
 
The environmental implications of MealFuture are profound. By optimizing farming practices, the platform reduces wastage at multiple levels. Less waste directly translates to fewer carbon emissions, as decomposing organic matter is a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
 
And the very ethos of vertical urban farming – growing upwards, not outwards – is about space optimization. When this is coupled with AI's precision, the efficiency scales up exponentially.
 
But perhaps the most significant sustainability aspect is the dramatic reduction in transportation and distribution costs. With urban farms catering directly to city residents, the 'farm-to-table' distance shrinks considerably. This not only means fresher produce for consumers but also a substantial cut in carbon emissions from transportation. And, who knows what interest may be generated in urban farming by city dwellers, furthering job creation, involvement and even expansion of urban farming to individual residents.
 
Bridging Gaps with MealFuture
 
At its heart, MealFuture is about bridging gaps. It's a platform where technology meets tradition, where government bodies find common ground with urban farming experts, and where raw scientific data gets transformed into tangible farming strategies.
 
There's nothing quite like it in today's world. It encapsulates the spirit of innovation, with an underlying tone of sustainability and community welfare.
 
MealFuture presents an opportunity; a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future for urban residents across the globe. It's a chance to integrate the age-old wisdom of farming with the precision of AI. It's about understanding that while technology can guide us, the soul of farming remains in the hands of those who till the land, even if that land is in the heart of a bustling city.
 
It's an invitation for all stakeholders, from government entities to urban farming aficionados, to come together and script a new chapter with promise, innovation and hope through urban agriculture.

​Author: Michael Richter

Introduction:
 
In today's digital age, video content has become a cornerstone of effective communication, marketing, and storytelling. As the demand for video content continues to soar, so does the need for efficient and innovative video production methods. This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) steps in, offering a game-changing approach to video production. With all the available AI tools, it can be a bit overwhelming for any marketer so I decided to apply my product marketing in enterprise software and executive producer experience to create a comprehensive guide. We’ll delve into the advantages and benefits of using AI in the video production process, explore some of the challenges and concerns it poses, and showcase real-world examples of AI in action, particularly in the context of live-action videos.
 
Advantages, Benefits and Practical Tips when using AI in Video Production:
 
1. **Efficiency and Speed:**
   - AI can rapidly generate ideas, scripts, and storyboards, streamlining the conceptualization phase and saving valuable time.
   - Automated video production tools can create videos within minutes or hours, drastically reducing production timelines.
Tip: Aligning a great idea with your business objective and gaining consensus from multiple stakeholders requires human involvement.
 
2. **Cost Reduction:**
   - AI-powered video production tools can either replace or assist human video editors and writers, resulting in significant cost savings.
   - AI can optimize budget allocation for expenses like music licensing and stock footage, ensuring cost-effective production.
Tip: Of course, videos can be made quickly and cheaply, but quality over quantity is preferable and there is no substitute for business knowledge and experience to vet it against real world scenarios. It’s also important to orchestrate the launch of your video and invest in the publishing and distribution channels to ensure optimal performance.
 
3. **Content Diversity:**
   - AI can generate a wide range of video content, catering to diverse audiences and platforms. This includes explainer videos, promotional clips, and much more.
Tip: And this can be done fast!  The beauty of AI is in the iteration process wherein you can create multiple variations for stakeholders to select from.
 
4. **Quality Enhancement:**
   - AI improves video quality by automatically correcting colors, stabilizing shaky footage, and enhancing audio, ensuring a polished final product.
Tip: This is often an added step in traditional video production. It can save time and costs.
 
5. **Personalization:**
   - AI-driven content can be tailored to individual viewer preferences, enhancing viewer engagement and relevance.
Tip: Don’t lose sight of the reason for creating a video asset. I always say if a viewer smiles, cries, or has an ‘aha’ moment at the end of the video, then you have achieved success.
 
6. **Scalability:**
   - AI enables the rapid scaling of video production to meet increasing demand without the need for substantial human resources.
Tip: Move faster, be more cost effective, focus on the creative, all enabling a higher quality and volume of video assets.
 
7. **Consistency:**
   - AI ensures consistent branding and messaging across videos, maintaining a cohesive brand identity.
 
8. **Licensing and Copyright Compliance:**
   - AI assists in automatically managing music and stock footage licensing, reducing the risk of copyright violations and legal issues.
Tip: When evaluating video editing applications, check whether licensed music or stock footage is built into the service versus working with multiple stock houses.
 
9. **Distribution Optimization:**
   - AI algorithms analyze data to identify optimal times, of platforms, and demographics for video distribution on social media and other channels.
Tip: Centralized social media distribution platforms are a great way to reformat, adjust length, and distribute content to a wider audience.  
 
10. **Performance Measurement:**
    - AI analytics tools offer in-depth insights into video performance, including views, engagement, click-through rates, and more.
    - Predictive analytics help optimize future video content based on performance data.
Tip: Use a social media distribution platform to centralize analytics versus checking every single channel and consolidating metrics manually.
 
11. **Automated Archiving:**
    - AI-powered digital asset management systems efficiently organize, tag, and archive videos, simplifying content retrieval and repurposing.
Tip: Master Asset Management systems are become more comprehensive with script writing, editing, collaboration, and asset management all built into one platform.
 
12. **Enhanced Creativity:**
    - AI suggests creative ideas and visual effects, sparking innovation and experimentation in video production.
Tip: And most importantly, good ideas that hit the mark take time. Focus on quality of an idea over quantity first and foremost, then add the bells and whistles.
 
13. **Language Translation and Localization:**
    - AI can automatically translate and localize videos for international audiences, expanding reach and engagement.
Tip: There are multiple tools that not only can help with your master script and source of truth content and can provide you with multiple formats including SRT files used for captioning in multiple languages. AI-generated scripts continue to improve, but it’s highly recommended to have human-reviewed captions for your master, at a minimum, and preferably for each language. AI can do the majority of the work, but technical terms, proper nouns, or with different pronunciations may result in inaccurate captions when generated by AI.
 
14. **Accessibility:**
    - AI generates closed captions and subtitles, making videos accessible to a broader audience, including individuals with disabilities and by language.
Tip: Consider what you are missing by not translating or adding captions.
 
15. **Continuous Improvement:**
    - Machine learning algorithms learn from audience feedback and performance data, enabling creators to refine video production strategies over time.
Tip: Lifelong learning are words to live by and with the fast pace of technology development, you can never keep up with it all so develop a system of resources that you find useful to stay informed.
 
Challenges and Concerns of Using Generative AI in Video Production:
 
While the advantages of using AI in video production are clear, several challenges and concerns merit consideration. Most of these are related to how people deal with change. Some will embrace it and figure things out, others will downplay it and continue doing things based on their comfort level, and others will wait and see and put one toe in the water.
 
1. **Quality and Creativity Concerns:** Some worry that AI may struggle to match the creativity, storytelling, and artistic sensibilities of human video producers.
Tip: And this is why experienced video producers need to be involved. I would add that relevancy to the business objective needs to be addressed.
 
2. **Lack of Customization:** AI-generated videos may appear generic or template-based, potentially limiting the ability to create highly customized content aligned with a brand's unique vision.
Tip: It’s very easy to create massive quantities of videos but the goal is to generate a positive response or action and this requires not only customization but vision and creativity.
 
3. **Trust and Control:** Resistance to relinquishing control over the video production process to AI algorithms can be a barrier. Concerns include errors, misinterpretations, and content misalignment with brand values.
Tip: These are human concerns versus technology concerns.
 
4. **Integration Challenges:** Integrating AI tools into existing video production workflows and software can be challenging, potentially disrupting established processes.
Tip: I don’t find this to be any different than working with current processes and technology tools. In fact, AI can streamline your processes by consolidating multiple functions into one app.
 
5. **Cost Considerations:** While AI can reduce production costs in some aspects, there may be upfront costs associated with acquiring and implementing AI tools, which can concern smaller businesses and individual creators.
Tip: This is a perception, but not a barrier. Replacing legacy systems is the real issue here.
 
6. **Copyright and Legal Issues:** The legality of using AI to generate content, especially regarding licensing stock footage, music, or copyrighted materials, can be a significant concern.
Tip: This can easily be resolved by proper evaluation of the AI tools and licensing agreements. Many tools have incorporated licensing of stock into the app.
 
7. **Perceived Job Displacement:** There's a fear that AI integration may lead to job displacement within the industry, prompting worries about job security.
Tip: Change is inevitable. AI is here. Fear can sometimes hold people back from making changes.
 
8. **Learning Curve:** Learning to use AI-powered video production tools effectively may require time and training, leading to reluctance due to perceived complexity.
Tip: Lifelong learning is a way of being and continuous learning is part of that. Nothing is static anymore, especially in the world of tech.
 
9. **Ethical Concerns:** The use of AI, particularly in deepfake technology, raises ethical questions surrounding misinformation, manipulation, and privacy.
Tip: This is a real concern and producers and organizations should put guardrails in place based on legal constructs and ethical values.
 
10. **Quality Control:** Ensuring consistent and high-quality output from AI tools can be challenging and may require vigilant oversight to avoid variations in content quality.
Tip: Back to #1! And this is why experienced video producers need to be involved. I would add that relevancy to the business objective needs to be addressed.
 
 
Real-World Applications of AI in Live-Action Videos:
 
To showcase the real-world potential of AI in live-action video production, here are five AI applications tailored for creating live-action videos:
 
1. **InVideo:** InVideo is a versatile tool that facilitates live-action video editing and production. It offers features like video trimming, transitions, text overlays, and seamless integration of live-action licensed footage and music. This video which is a companion asset to this blog article was produced using InVideo.
 
2. **Lumen5:** While known for text-based video creation, Lumen5 is adaptable for producing live-action videos by seamlessly incorporating live-action footage and images into video projects.
 
3. **Promo by Slidely:** Promo offers a wide array of video templates, including those designed specifically for live-action videos. Users can easily customize these templates with their live-action footage, text, and music.
 
4. **Wave.video:** Wave.video empowers users to edit and customize live-action videos. It provides features for trimming, adding text, and seamlessly blending live-action footage into marketing and promotional videos.
 
5. **Renderforest:** Renderforest offers a variety of video templates for diverse purposes, including live-action videos. Users can leverage the platform to create and personalize live-action videos for marketing campaigns, corporate presentations, and more.
 
Conclusion:
 
Generative AI tools are revolutionizing video production, offering numerous advantages and benefits that range from efficiency and cost reduction to enhanced creativity and accessibility. While challenges and concerns exist, these can often be mitigated through education, training, and thoughtful integration of AI into existing workflows.
 
Moreover, AI's application in live-action videos demonstrates its versatility and potential to augment traditional video production methods. As technology continues to evolve, embracing AI in video production opens up exciting possibilities for content creators and businesses, ultimately enabling them to produce engaging, high-quality videos efficiently and at scale.

​
Artificial Intelligence: AGI or just AI?
In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), two terms often arise: Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and specialized AI tools. AGI refers to the pursuit of creating highly autonomous systems that possess human-like cognitive abilities, capable of performing a wide range of intellectual tasks. As of today, true AGI doesn’t exist and there are various predictions when this could happen, some as soon as end of 2023 or as late as 2059. In contrast, specialized AI tools are designed for specific functions, such as image recognition or recommendation engines, without aiming for general intelligence. Chat GPT, autonomous vehicles, medical diagnosis, and smart home devices are some examples of this. I use ChatGPT in my daily routine. In fact, it helps me with writing projects. I also produce videos using AI-powered video apps. Everything can be done faster than ever before. It’s like having a very smart assistant. The end composition however takes a human to bring it all together to put it into context, add some personal flavor, and draw upon your experience and knowledge.  
 
AI affects energy use, the economy and the environment
Using AI requires energy, most of which is consumed by computing. Compute refers to the processing power required for AI algorithms to perform tasks, while storage relates to the capacity to store and retrieve data efficiently. These two elements are fundamental in AI systems, as the availability of computational resources directly impacts the speed and complexity of AI operations. You may have noticed that most of the new AI apps have a free version, but you are lowest priority when it comes to performance and paying subscribers. I subscribe to ChatGPT3 & 4 for this reason. I tried out Midjourney but I will need to subscribe if I’m ever going to get to use the system because the free version doesn’t allow me to engage. And DALL-E has a system where you buy credits as you go in order to generate images using AI prompts. As we all start using AI, the increasing demand for computational power is increasing and it poses a challenge due to the substantial energy consumption involved. The world is in a race to see who can mobilize and concentrate energy levels the fastest since computing for AI systems is growing at such a breakneck speed. So it’s not just about energy, it’s about the economy.
 
Who will control our future?
It's also about control. Currently, most of the energy levels are in centralized data centers with major companies and the highest costs are for the servers in these locations. Control lies in the hands of the companies that are storing our data. As we all know, there are many views on how much control or authorization companies have to acquired data from individuals. These companies set the terms and price for these computational systems.
 
What’s the solution?
Decentralized computing networks offer a potential solution to be more efficient with storage and computing. It also eliminates central control. It may sound like a dream, but it’s already in use and it’s evolving. With blockchain, by distributing computing tasks across a network of decentralized nodes, the burden on individual centralized systems is alleviated, leading to enhanced efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
 
One notable example of decentralized technology is blockchain. A blockchain is a decentralized and transparent digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers. To participate in a blockchain network, individuals acquire tokens, which serve as the native currency of the blockchain. You can obtain digital tokens through exchanges or transactions with other users. Just like cash or credit card, you store and manage your tokens in a digital wallet. This provides you with a unique address for sending, receiving, and securely storing tokens. In financial investing for instance, you can invest in a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin that operates on a decentralized network using blockchain. A good way to learn is start small and invest in crypto. And blockchain technology isn’t only for financial transactions. It’s also used to record transactions between different members of a supply chain, providing visibility and the ability to track and trace transactions across an entire supply chain network. It can also identify the origin and authenticity of products.
 
What about the environment?
When you hear someone talking about how AI is a threat to the environment, it may not be readily obvious what they mean. They are referring to how much energy is required to run large-scale data centers for AI computing and storage. These require vast amounts of electricity that contribute to carbon emissions, use water for cooling, and also generate e-waste (outdated end of life hardware).
 
Summing it all up
 1) The distinction between AGI and specialized AI lies in the scope of capabilities, with AGI striving for human-like intelligence. Now is a good time to start learning by using AI.
2) Compute and storage are integral components of AI systems, with the race to meet energy demands driving innovation. This is important to be aware of as we elect officials and draft policies that drive innovation and yet protect the environment.
3) Decentralized computing networks, such as blockchain, offer potential solutions to the energy challenge by distributing computational tasks. This will affect future control and democratization of the internet.  
4) Participating in a blockchain involves acquiring tokens and utilizing a digital wallet, enabling secure transactions and engagement within the blockchain ecosystem. It’s easy to get involved with blockchain by investing in cryptocurrencies.

My approach is to start early, learn by doing, create a plan, get a pilot going for yourself or your organization (however basic), modify and evolve and get some initial wins with proof of concepts. Every business is different and so is every culture and creating a culture of innovation is what sets apart companies that are growing/changing versus a wait and see approach.

We all know that first impressions are often formed online, right?  So with a new business in growth mode requiring a refresh of my website and Linkedin account, the production of a profile video (using generative AI tools), and a slight hint of encouragement by my partner, I figured it was time to update that photo from ten years ago! If you’re a consultant, executive, or independent business owner, a compelling image is a necessity because it can convey a wealth of information about you.

My partner found a deal for $99 for a 1-hour session which included two outfit changes. I booked an appointment and was very happy with the results and so intrigued by the experience itself that I felt compelled to share it. I’m sure there are many of you using old pics and with all the reorganizations, reinventions and ongoing presentations happening in our careers, surely someone will benefit from this.

Johnny is a pro. He set up a studio at his residence with all kinds of backdrops, multiple lights and multiple cameras. His method involved taking a lot of photos. And when I say a lot, I mean like hundreds and perhaps over a thousand depending on how long your studio session is. I brought a change of four outfits and paid double so I could get a variety of images for multiple uses.

The hit rate is about 1%, so if you take one hundred photos, then it’s pretty much guaranteed you will get at least one that you will really like. This is because he takes multiple photos in rapid fire, having you slowly turn on a stool, look up, look down, look across, close your eyes, open your eyes, deep breaths, relax, be seated, stand up, walking. Conversation ensued during my session too and that helped put me at ease and solicit natural expressions. I was intrigued by the rustic surroundings in the studio and neighboring rooms. There was artwork, figurines, kids drawings, and an eclectic use of backdrops in the studio which included red velvet, a white sheer tapestry, solid black, solid white and even a Mexican design wall hanging. The idea is that the more variety that is shot, you’re bound to come up with something you love.

My favorite was when we went outside on a blustery day and Johnny had me stand in front of a huge fire engine, cross my arms, and smile. OK, so I’m not a fireman, but it was fun and all part of the spontaneity and creative process. I think it helped set me up for other shots as well. Anyone who works with people for photo or video shoots knows that the biggest challenge is putting someone at ease to get a natural and authentic result.
​
At the end of the session, I was provided with over a thousand shots on a USB drive. After filtering through all of them, I settled on two headshots that I was very happy with. They looked like me. They had my natural, not forced, smile. I didn’t look too young and the new, but few(!), features on my face added some character. Mission accomplished? In fact, I found more than fifteen shots that I really liked and then after sharing with a few people to get their input, I settled on a few with some standing or squatting, to use for different scenarios. And besides, I figured I am more than just a headshot. Here’s my top six from the collection.

If I haven’t convinced you to take action yet, then perhaps a few suggestions about the value of taking professional profile shots from a quick prompt on ChatGPT (with a few of my own edits) will help.
​

1. Makes a first impression that is trustworthy, credible and approachable.
2. Set yourself apart with professional lighting and a good composition.

1. Convey a sense of attention to detail and a commitment to excellence by using a professional image.
2. Versatility across platforms is a requirement so whether it's LinkedIn, a website, an internal company directory, social media, or for speaking engagements, now you can have a cohesive image across various channels or mix and match with a few different shots depending on context.

Here's my new pic in action with a sampling of AI can be used for meaningful and cost effective video production career profile without any video recording required. It feels good to have a fresh set of current profile pics for professional use. 

With the photographer's permission, I am publishing and sharing this article. So go ahead and get out of the time warp and book yourself a session with Johnny at https://www.jcimages.com.​

A follow-up to the National Association of Broadcasters show
Author: Michael Richter
 
You’ve probably heard a lot about Web 3.0. The technology terms typically associated with this include blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Non-fungible Tokens, (NFTs) and in some supporting ways, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual production and augmented reality.  
 
I’m not going to cover all of these in this article, but having worked with blockchain and AI, I’ll touch on how blockchain and AI , both enhanced by virtual production are disrupting the media and entertainment industry. Plus, I’ll share what I heard about Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) from expert panelists. I’ve always taken on my role as a marketer in the technology industry as one of an educator, communicator, and sometimes even as an entertainer. In my opinion, learning about complex technology solutions can be fun and entertaining. It just takes a little effort to demystify the complexities to make it understandable and help business users apply it to their organizations. Coming up with real-world use cases and analogies helps to explain things and makes them relatable or relevant.
 
With that in mind, I’ll share some of my experiences at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas, April 15-19th, 2023.
 
What is blockchain from the perspective of the media and entertainment industry? And why should any creator of content that makes fine art, a film, commercial spot or digital asset, want to know about blockchain?
 
I like to describe it as a technology that is disrupting traditional models that have a central authority that holds a lot of control for ownership rights, publishing and distribution. Blockchain is not necessarily linear or in a sequence. Sometimes you might see a drawing of a big chain with little compartments on the chain, but it’s actually more organic and not as straight forward as that. It is decentralized. It’s like a collection of content that can be accessed or interacted with, without having to go through an intermediary or central authority. Think of it as the democratization of the internet where anyone can own their own creation. It can have value, be retained, exchanged or even sold. Once something is made and posted to a blockchain, it is secure and it is immutable, meaning it cannot be changed. It’s been around for a while, but it’s not ubiquitous yet. It’s evolving.
 
From the perspective of the media, entertainment, and broadcasting industry, Web 3.0 has the potential to significantly disrupt traditional models of content distribution and consumption. As in a collective, each piece can be created, owned, and contributed to by the original authors. The collective could be the consolidation of many parts. For instance, blockchain can be used as a component of the filmmaking process for content creation. It won’t be long before a masterpiece will be made up of many individual masterpieces! It is going to change our world.
 
In the media and entertainment industry with applied blockchain technology, creators can be enabled to have more control over their content and revenue streams. With decentralized platforms, creators can monetize their content directly from their audiences without the need for intermediaries, such as streaming services or production companies. This could lead to a more equitable distribution of revenue, as creators can earn a larger share of the profits.
 
I say ‘could’ because there are still some challenges.
 
First, like any new technology, it’s not widely understood or adopted. This means there are not a lot of standards so that applications and platforms are all speaking the same language or using the same tools. This means content cannot always be created easily then exchanged or sold.
 
Second, there are technical limitations that can result in slower performance so that is also a barrier to adoption.
 
Third, regulations around blockchain and cryptocurrencies are complicated and uncertain so currently, there is more risk. Things are getting worked out. It’s just a matter of time.
 
We all know that old habits die hard. Traditional models in the media and entertainment industry don’t change overnight. The big players don’t relinquish control easily.  There is a lot of legacy. Some of us know how hard it was to move from a daily planning notebook to a Franklin Organizer to a Blackberry and now we’re with Androids and iPhones. And, we don’t even have type in our to do list, we can just speak to convert to text or pass along our audio message!
 
There were a lot of Web 3.0 early adopters showcased at NAB and they are doing amazing things. The excitement and energy were contagious. I heard from many speakers that were already entrenched in Generative AI which refers to making things like images, text, audio and video. Writers, filmmakers, technicians, camera operators, editors and producers were all well-represented and sharing their stories. Most were extremely excited about all the new tools and timesaving tasks. Films are being funded and distributed using blockchain technology. It’s only a matter of time that the world will see more feature-length movies created by content that was brought together using blockchain. AI is being used to write scripts, evaluate facial recognition and voices, select visual content, and edit digital videos. Check out this article on AI and ChatGPT.
 
That’s a good segue to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). These are unique digital assets. It can be digital art or music or gaming items. They have metadata meaning, attributes of the item such as a title, keywords that describe it, the creator and the date it was created. I think of it as a new way for creators to make digital things. When you take something like a photograph or a video or a few lines of music, you’re creating a digital representation of that photograph, video or music. They cannot be replicated or exchanged for something else. The process of making that digital asset is called minting. Once your digital asset is minted, it’s an NFT and essentially you have a certificate of ownership for it. The process of minting may seem daunting, but don’t worry, there are many platforms that help you mint your own NFTs. All you do is choose an NFT marketplace, create your account, connect a cryptocurrency wallet, then upload your content that you want to mint. Then, as for any asset, you define the attributes like its name, description, owner, etc., set your price and then you mint it! Now you can track it, sell it, or keep it for yourself since it’s on the blockchain and you can use your connected wallet. And remember, all of the attributes flow with that NFT.
 
At NAB, there were some brilliant speakers that know intimately how it all works. As with any new technology, there’s a lot of work being done to get some standard protocols in place such as a standard way for tying assets with encryption for authorization. As these become more established, more people will start to mint NFTs and use the marketplace. It will become second nature for creators. But the main point is that ownership and control of the digital asset resides with the creator and the middle parties are removed.  
 
I also heard a great explanation that resonated with me where people create NFTs as a novel immersive three-dimensional experience. An example would be creating a character that gets used in a 3D experience such as virtual Reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR). The creator owns that character since it’s an NFT. Another interest example would be someone who works in real estate development creates an immersive 3D experience of buildings and landscapes for others to explore. Sounds like fantasy, but it could have real-world applications or perhaps just open people’s minds to new ways to doing things.
 
Web 3.0 can also enable more immersive and interactive experiences for audiences. Virtual production tools are being integrated for content creation and distribution. These technologies are starting to be utilized more frequently and the cost is coming down at the same time as the technology advances. Creators are getting more access to virtual and augmented reality tools to create and manipulate content in real time.
 
Magicbox is a great example. The Magicbox Superstage™ and Magicbox Superstudio™ were both represented on the exhibit floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center. They are virtual mobile production studios all in one. The Magicbox Superstage™ only took minutes versus hours to set up and was used for many live presentations and panel discussions. The open stage had three LED walls with different visuals applied. Simultaneous real-time captioning and streaming also supported the presentations. Not only was it a ready-made stage, but it was an LED virtual production studio enabling it to resemble real-world environments or entirely new virtual creations, saving time and money compared to traditional on-location shoots. Best of all, the entire studio is on a semi-trailer and completely mobile!
 
The Magicbox Superstudio™ orchestrated an immersive experience at NAB. Show attendees could participate in a short film while sitting in a passenger train that was speeding past the Chicago suburbs. Or they could participate by driving a sports car as it raced across the desert. There was a camera crew managing the entire production. Once recorded, a media collaboration tool, Frame.io was utilized along with some stock B-roll to produce short video clips. These links were sent to participants who could view and download their own mp4. In fact, here’s an example of my friend Janis and me in that sports car! https://f.io/H9dIfRo3. Imagine the possibilities as an event planner launching new products, creating immersive experiences and recording multiple customer interviews on-site at an annual conference.
 
From a creative standpoint, the possibilities in the era of Web 3.0 are endless. All this will lead to new forms of storytelling and entertainment that were previously not possible with traditional media tools and legacy systems.

For a video overview of this article, click here. 
​

A Recap from National Association of Broadcasters show
Author: Michael Richter
 
I attended the 2023 National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas from April 15-19th and it was an eye-opening experience.
 
Generative AI (see video!) was a major theme and I attended many panel sessions and exhibits to engage with early adopters of Generative AI tools. I find that in the media and entertainment industry, and with broadcasters, there tends to be a lot of early adoption of new technology. There was a lot of energy and excitement at the conference and a feeling that something new is afoot. It reminded me of the days I worked for News Corporation, MGM and Turner during the pioneering days of cable and satellite TV in Asia Pacific during the 90’s. Back then, we were pushing the envelope with new technology and expanding into new markets. It was a mix of technology blended with access to new content to the far reaches of the world. The energy today feels similar. Creative professionals are now working with new and more accessible technologies with amazing results.
 
Traditionally, it was just professionals involved with emerging technologies that were in the know. Product marketers would help to communicate and demystify these complex technologies through events, eBooks, blog articles, and videos. I worked as a product strategist and product marketer with blockchain, IoT, AI and experienced how these have been applied to SaaS applications for CX, SCM and ERP.
 
Enter ChatGPT. It’s a whole new ballgame.
 
I believe most of my technology colleagues will agree that the rapid rate of adoption for ChatGPT is unprecedented. I decided to attend NAB in Las Vegas with a mission to figure out how to apply AI to everyday marketing tasks associated with a typical video asset. What I learned was phenomenal.
 
The first step in any project is to know your customer. That requires research. Not everyone takes this first step. Have you ever been in a meeting with a customer and some of the team members in the room don’t know the industry, location, size or current strategy for a customer that you are discussing their next video project with? In the fast-paced world we live in, sometimes there is simply not enough time to get up to speed with even the basics.
 
But now, instead of sifting through web pages, Linkedin profiles or other searches on browsers, now you can create a prompt in ChatGPT to quickly learn about your customer with a response that resembles human language. And sure, there are instances where the result is not accurate and that’s why humans need to be involved, but often you will get something to start with from which to iterate and evolve until you feel comfortable with the result. The more detailed your prompt, the better your result. Why not build this into your pre-production workflow?
 
For videos, story concepts need to be conceived, storyboards created, and scripts written. It can take many hours, days and sometimes weeks to land on a good idea before presenting a draft to client stakeholders. Imagine if you could reduce that time to a fraction of what it was. Multiple iterations of creative concepts can be developed with the help of AI. It’s a way of brainstorming, cross pollinating ideas, and branching off into different realms. Once a concept is agreed upon by the creative team, they can create a draft of a script with a specific number of words such as 150 words for a 1-minute video or 30 characters or less for a title. Need a description for a set of thumbnails? No problem, you can generate a variety of them to choose from by deriving them from the script.
 
From that story and script, marketers can also generate multiple quotes and then ask which one will perform best for SEO. Need a 15-second, 30-second or 1-minute version of a 2-minute video, no problem, that can easily be accomplished in seconds.
 
And then there’s metadata. It’s the information that is used to search and find assets. How can ChatGPT assist? How about just asking it to provide 10 keywords based on the script that you have vetted? Presto! You have 10 keywords to start with versus manually creating them.
 
Sure, it may not be perfect, but in the early stages of drafts and when there are many stakeholders, why not nail down the length and deliver something quickly so everyone can weigh in early and then you will know what resonates before taking the next step?
 
The bottom line is, with the ability to do things in minutes versus hours and days, there’s more time to focus on creative versus the minutia, more time to make things perfect and finesse the concept, and faster time to manage all the requirements to publish and distribute videos.
 
And that’s only scratching the surface because that’s just text-based prompts with text responses. There are many tools being used to work with visual content, facial expressions, voice and virtual imagery.
 
No doubt, there are ethical considerations and concerns. Legal teams at companies will need to determine how to put guardrails on the use of AI and where and how to build them into their workflows. Users need to become more aware of copyright laws and use of likenesses because surely there will be cases of abuse. It’s probably better to play it safe and be conservative rather than to take risks at this juncture.
 
Most major media companies are developing new content using AI but many haven’t taken these public yet as they are working through some of the legal, copyright and IP issues. But the point is, it’s happening, and at a rapid pace.
 
Just for fun, after I wrote this article, I put it into ChatGPT. I asked it to tell me how many words it was, to provide me with three quotes that came out of the article, a title under 30 characters, keywords, a 150 script and even an outline for a video. It took less than a minute to do all this. Do you think it’s time to learn more about prompts for AI?

In my line of work, I often come across professionals who are subject matter experts in their field. This could be a therapist, a business coach, artist, lawyer, author, engineer, doctor, or professional services consultant. Inevitably, the topic of websites enters into our conversations. As prolific as they are, not everyone has the experience or skill sets to create content, design layouts, format files, or set up a domain name, email, and appropriate functionality for your own website. A website is unlike a resume or a Linkedin profile which tend to be a chronological order of past jobs. It enables you to present yourself as you wish to be perceived and focuses on your future. It enables you to present your personal interests, your professional credentials, or if you're like me, these sometimes blend together. This is an opportunity to apply your own style with visuals and well-written editorial content. I put together this 1-page guide to outline the various components to keep in mind. I can help you get started and handle the mechanics and serve as your guide and sounding board to keep you on track throughout the process. Building your very own website is fun and many people find it very rewarding to go through the process of taking inventory of your experience and deciding on how they want present themselves for the future.  

Your Website – a 1-page Guide

1. Objective

Be purposeful and clear about what you want to accomplish and who you are targeting. Consider how you are going to build and manage your site. It’s a living and ever-evolving online digital presence that can change with your business or external factors. 

1. Content

Your target audience will determine the visual and written content that you use. I suggest clean, simple, above-the-fold pages with carefully selected images. Testimonials are a good way to showcase your work.  

1. Website build, host, domain name registration & email set up

Account costs to build and host your digital profile and with some basic functionality is about $150/year. Domain name registration and setting up an email account is under $100/year.

1. SEO & Analytics

Search Engine Optimization encompasses a multitude of things including inputting metadata, writing content with keywords, and linking from referring sites (e.g. social media). It’s the combination of many things that will determine your optimization. You can buy keywords or evolve your SEO organically.

1. Marketing

Once your site is published, add it to your email signature, include with your Linkedin account, and use it as a call-to-action (CTA) for social media postings. If you have a target audience or community of clients, a periodic email campaign is a good way to stay in contact. Personally I like to write and post articles on a blog. It helps with SEO, timely relevant topics can be presented, and it is hosted as a page on your website that includes your standard anchor pages.

1. Cost

Consultation ($175): Focused 1-hour of consultation, scoping, or answering questions.
 
Training ($500): 4-hour session using website building tool, providing tips and tricks in the process.
 
New Set Up (est. $5000): This includes domain name, email, contact page, editorial/design guidance, and approximately four pages. *Actual cost depends on complexity and available content.
 
Ad hoc updates($150/request): Page updates, new/revised content, new pages, editorial, etc.
 
*Projects ($tbd): Scope and complexity of projects will determine the cost.
 
 
 
Let’s get started!

Reinvent-as-a-Service (RaaS)
 
I'm visiting the big island of Hawaii and Mauna Loa has been erupting the past few weeks. It reminds me that we as humans have to adapt to the air, the changing landscape, and lava flows that we cannot control. Of course we need to plan ahead and take action in order to survive, but at times we just need to stay put, observe, marvel at the universe, and go with the flow.
​
So with that in mind, have you ever wanted to reinvent yourself and start fresh? Taking inventory of your skills, personal and professional relationships, living arrangements, and goals and dreams can be invigorating. Going through this process can help you focus and have a rich and fulfilling life.  
 
I was an independent consultant and contractor 10-years ago with a thriving practice. I was then recruited to work as a full-time role at a large tech enterprise and was employed there for nine years. For my next career move, I recently I decided to make a change and reinvent myself. As I went through the process, what I learned is that 1) there are many new resources in the marketplace for independent contractors and consultants and 2) it’s challenging to find all of this information in one place. I decided to document the process.
 
I conducted research, made comparisons, reviewed SaaS applications, and explored many vendors and services available today. In this post, I share my decisions. You may have your own connections and expertise to draw upon and I believe having this comprehensive list will also save you time. I call this Reinvent-as-a-Service or RaaS. It’s all about setting yourself up with the right infrastructure so you can present yourself professionally and provide services as a consultant or contractor versus a full-time salaried role. It can seem overwhelming because there are quite a few things to get in place. It also requires some investment of time and money to do it right. In the long term, like any organization, you will be better positioned for growth. My total investment to get all set up was under USD5000. These costs are rough figures based on my experience. Of course, I have my preferences, but I am not formally endorsing any particular vendor or service and have no referral fees or commission arrangement with any of them. In my case, I did not hire a professional coach and given my background, I handled the website build, domain name registration, email set up and CRM configuration on my own. Depending on your skills and interests, you might decide to take these on yourself or, I am happy to consult or contract with you to speed the process. I find it’s good to have a sounding board to talk things through and stay on course.
 
Here's a list of tasks to set things up for your reinvention.

Outline

1. Take inventory of your skills and interests
2. Ideate with supportive people
3. Determine what product/service you will offer
4. Purchase a domain name, build a website, and set up your email
5. Register yourself as an LLC with an Agent
6. Obtain an Employer Identification Number for your entity
7. Keep a record of your business expenses
8. Hire a tax professional for advice and preparing tax returns
9. Set up a bank account
10. Purchase liability insurance
11. Purchase health insurance
12. Get Legal Support
13. Manage your network
14. Share your new website with your network
15. Prepare a proposal and sign your first deal
16. Send an invoice and receive payment
17. Filing taxes as an LLC or S-corp

 
Details

1. Take Inventory of your skills and interests  
I suggest getting a journal and getting your thought down on paper. What have you always dreamed of doing? What did you love about your career? What do you enjoy most?

2. Ideate with supportive people  
This can be tricky because it may not be family or even your closest friend who will support your reinvention. This is all about you, not other people’s image of you or their expectations. It can be a bit lonely trying to figure this out, but it’s also exciting and invigorating. At this stage, some people may hire a coach to guide them through a process or get a good book to challenge and be true to yourself.

3. Determine what product/service you will offer  
Actually, this may not be readily evident at first and may evolve over time. You can always add this later to your website. Initially, I find it’s good to be broad and flexible to get going. You can always change course, fine tune, and get more focused over time.
 
In my case, I was quite focused and knew that staying involved with technology and applying it to different industries was a good fit for me. I tend to enjoy working across many subject areas. My media and entertainment background has enabled me to bring creativity and innovative ideas when applied to technology industry. Areas like supply chain, manufacturing and transportation were a good fit for my organizational skills. I like organization, structure, and clearly defined process. By having those in place there’s a greater chance of success when rolling out creative endeavors. Having good systems enables more flexibility and responsiveness. Interjecting compelling creative assets into the mix guarantees even a base level of performance, but if it’s a great concept that is well-executed and resonates with your audience, then it’s a big win.

4. Purchase a Domain Name, build a website and set up your email  
I used Weebly to find and register my domain name michaelrichter-consulting for under USD250/year. Weebly has a lot of functionality and is easy to use. Nearly all online applications ask for a resume and a Linkedin address, neither of which is the best medium to present yourself. Your past experience may be just that, something of the past. Presenting what you can and will do in the future in a clean, succinct, and visually compelling website is the future whether you are looking for a full time job or presenting your business. For myself, I share my approach and what I’m passionate about to make it personal. I share samples of my best work, a blog, and other content that showcases my professional skills and experience. Don’t get hung up on this if you’ve never built a site. It takes a mix of technical, creative, and writing skills. If you need help, I’m very familiar with the platform and functionality, setting up domain names and emails and it’s one of the services that I offer.

5. Register yourself as an LLC with an Agent  
After conduct research, I chose Northwest Registered Agent, Inc. Everything was executed online for under USD400. I received a full packet with everything I needed including a Certificate of Status, Articles of Organization, Statement of Information, and Employer Identification Number. The Agent is where all the correspondence will be sent.

6. Obtain an Employer Identification Number for your entity  
This was part of the Northwest Registered Agent, Inc. service.

7. Keep a record of your business expenses  
Though you can track expenses by using a credit card to keep a record of itemized expenses, I also keep paper copies. Best thing to do is purchase a box file and then set up all of your topics such as travel, meal, office, legal, accounting, internet, and others so you can easily organize your receipts by category.

8. Hire a tax professional for advice and preparing tax returns  
I have hired an independent tax consultant for many years, and it’s been a great relationship. I have experimented with other tax agencies, and I did not have a good experience. I prefer working with the same person because they understand all the details of my career and business, and they stay up to date with the latest tax law changes. This saves me time, ensures I’m filling accurately, and also gives me peace of mind. When a tax event occurs (e.g., change of job, new business, investments, etc.), I keep my tax professional informed. I file quarterly estimated tax payments and my returns are prepared by my tax consultant at the end of year. The fee I pay is under USD1000. It is important that you determine what entity to use for your tax returns such as sole proprietor, LLC, S-Corp, etc. since this can make a significant difference in how much you pay in taxes. Unless you are a tax expert, I don’t advise that you go it alone. There are many changing laws to stay informed about.

9. Set up a Bank Account  
I researched a number of banks including a large bank that I use for my personal checking and savings accounts. After carefully considering my small business needs, comparing fees, and understanding the online capabilities, I decided on Bluevine. I was able to execute everything online without a hitch vs. working with larger banks that charge fees and still require in-person meeting and verification.

10. Purchase liability Insurance I conducted research on this and spoke to a few organizations. I decided that for my type of business which is technology/marketing consulting and as an executive producer, it was appropriate to have General and Professional liability coverage (USD1m for each) plus property insurance (USD5m). I purchased this online for under USD700 through Simply Business and this Home Based Business Policy is with AXIS. Your situation may be different depending on the nature of your business and product or service offerings.

11. Purchase Health Insurance  
If you’re leaving a company, you may have an option to keep your current health insurance through COBRA for a number of months. If not, you can visit the healthcare websites for your state to look at policies that suit your needs. With the Affordable Care Act, there are many kinds of coverage to choose from in the marketplace and it varies for each state. Prices range depending on your income level and the coverage you need. In my case, there wasn’t a significant difference in price for the health coverage I want so I opted to retain my current plan at USD1200 with United Healthcare which includes health, dental and eye care. I pay through the COBRA program which I have access to for 18-months. Since this is such a personal and individual preference, it does require doing some research of your own.

12. Get Legal Support  
I asked my tax professional if he knew any good legal firms and was referred to Bend Law Group, PL. I asked them to review a master services agreement for my first client so that I would have a full vetted legal document that I could use for all clients. In my case, the agreement was initiated by my client and then I reviewed, and we iterated until we agreed. There were many changes, and it was well worth the investment which was under USD1000. I also have a past standard Statement of Work that I use to provide details for projects and the SOW refers to the Services Agreement. The SOW includes specific projects, costs, and terms of payment.

13. Manage your network  
Today, there are many free options for applications that will help you manage contacts, accounts, and opportunities by stage. I use Airtable’s free version and one of their CRM templates. It was easy to set up and it can be scaled as my business grows. I also can apply my learnings to my customers since Airtable is a flexible integration and automation platform with templates for many different types of functionality so I can experiment using my instance. If you are familiar with another system or if your client is using one, you may want to use that. There is a learning curve and initial input of data and set up does take some time, but once you get into the swing of it, you will have a much more systematic and efficient way of managing your business.  

14. Share your business website with your network When you are ready, then systematically prioritize and start sharing the news or your new self and business with your network. I prefer to tailor individual notes and make it more personal versus a general announcement. I start with my close family and friends, then professional colleagues. This is time consuming, but also a great way to reconnect with people and think through what services you can deliver depending on each recipient. Cast the net far and wide and get the word out. You never know where business may come from or who you may be referred to. Have some fun with it when you kick things off.

15. Prepare a proposal and sign your first deal  
One day, you will connect with an organization that wants to engage with you. Once you have discussed what is needed, you can prepare a proposal. I use the master services agreement in conjunction with a Statement of Work. The services agreement is content to define how the relationship will work between you and your client. The SOW is an overview of the project with specific stages, timing, costs, and payment schedule.
 
I use my experience to estimate how long something may take, place value on your knowledge and expertise, and build in some contingency for dependencies. You might start creating a rate card for different tasks. My preference is to work on a project basis based on the deliverables, not hourly rates. Your client is hiring you for your expertise, the value that you add and your experience.

16. Send an invoice and receive payment  
Customers may have their own financial application. My clients have used BILL which is an easy invoice application. Set it up so that your payments are automatically deposited into your bank account.

17. A limited liability company is a legal designation that can protect small-business owners from personal liability in business obligations. An LLC can also choose taxation as a corporation, and owners can save money by electing S corp. tax status. Always check with your tax consultant to get advice and consider your options for filing annual taxes. 
 
SUMMARY OF RESOURCES
Michael Richter Consulting LLC
Weebly
Northwest Registered Agent, Inc.
Bluevine
Simply Business
COBRA
Bend Law Group, PC
AirTable
BILL
Legal Zoom

I recently participated in the world's largest outrigger canoe race, the Queen Lili'uokalani Outrigger Canoe Race, on the big island of Hawaii. Canoeing is a passion of mine. It can be an extreme sport, a relaxing recreational activity and a social outlet.

I have experienced the many ways that outrigger canoeing can be similar to business environments. But to start with, let's be clear about the difference between paddling and rowing, a kayak and a canoe or surf ski or SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard). Outrigger canoes are part of the Polynesian culture and were designed for battling conditions across the open oceans. OC6s (Outrigger Canoe with 6-persons) are common, but there are also OC1s and OC2s, fours and even 12-person canoes if you lash together two OC6's. We paddle outrigger canoes with one paddle per person and occasionally switch from one side to the other. But what most distinguishes an outrigger canoe from other water craft is the object that projects out on the left side called an outrigger (Hawaiian name 'ama'). It's designed to help for balance when surfing a wave. When you see someone lifting the ama, they are 'flying the ama'. Crew or row boats use two oars and the action is called rowing. Typically, the rower sits facing backwards and then rows. Kayaks and Surf Skis use one double-bladed paddle and then alternate from right to left. For SUPs, you stand up on the board and use a long paddle with one blade on the end. 

With this background, let's take a look at the positions in an outrigger canoe. Seat #1 is the stroker. They set a steady pace and also look ahead for any obstacles in the water. Seat #2 paddles on the alternate side and their job is to keep in sync with the rate of the stroker. If not, the rest of the canoe will not be in sync. Seat #3 is the caller. They call commands such as 'hut', to signal the members of the canoe to switch sides. The rest of the paddlers respond by saying 'ho'. Seat #4 and #5 are sometimes called the engine room as they provide power. Seat #4 is also a backup for #3 and seat #5 and can help steer when necessary. Seat #6 is the commander of the canoe and they are called the steers person. They essentially give commands that the entire team follows. When everyone is playing their role, the canoe glides gracefully and speedily through the water. But if just one person is not in sync, then there are problems and you can feel that things are just not right. 

The same things happen at work. When everyone understands and performs their role, things run smoothly. You might have a steers person in your business who is giving instructions to the team and setting the strategy. Your seat #3 caller is like your operations person who is ensuring things are running smoothly. Your #1 and #2 staff could be the employees that are setting the pace of the organization - sometimes fast, and sometimes slowing down to regroup. Four and five may not seem to have as many responsibilities, but when you need a backup at work and someone is absent, if you haven't trained anyone to fill in, things can fall apart quickly. And perhaps #4 just happens to be that happy go lucky employee that connects with everyone and keeps the atmosphere positive. And #5 may just be that steady strong contributor. You need all kinds of people to make a great team. 

When I paddle in an OC6, it reminds me that I cannot always go it alone and that my actions affect everyone on the team. If I'm not pulling my weight, or not engaging my paddle correctly, or if I'm not following the lead strokers, the rhythm can get off and can literally rock the boat. The canoe will struggle to glide forward gracefully and instead, everyone will feel the stress and anxiety. It's an analogy I think of often because whether it's on an outrigger canoe team or a business team at work, learning to work as a team is essential to each individual and the team's success. 

Queen Lili'uokalani 50+ Mixed Crew - 5th place; September 3rd, 2022

Life has many twists and turns and over time, you come to anticipate them but you never really know when they will happen. Everyone handles changes differently and gets into their mode of operation. I tend to quickly assess the situation, process my feelings, and then give myself some time to reflect and look at things from a distance. Sometimes, next steps are really obvious and other times, it takes some time to emerge. For me, I tend to adapt rather quickly to change. I believe it's partly just due to my nature of wanting to be active and productive, but I also had some early exposure to fast-paced industries like cable and satellite TV and was put into a lot of situations where I had to change course quickly  and react to situational factors. That has stayed with me throughout my career during the challenging times and the successes. When I look back, change has always led me to more growth, new adventures and ultimately exciting career moves. 

So, with change impending at my current full time role of 9-years, I took on some side projects to keep myself inspired, stay occupied and help out a friend. I love creative projects. They inspire me, keep my skills sharp, and with every project I learn something new. When I heard through my good friend Mark Henderson, a property developer and designer in Austin, Texas, that our friend Matthew Coe needed some help on a website, I contacted him. Mathew is an American living in Barcelona with a very specialized business that helps clients identify, buy and sometimes renovate properties in Barcelona. He needed a website created to describe his services and showcase his projects. We moved fast!  Fortunately, Matthew had an extensive archive of photographs, written content, and an established team of associates. This is often times the most time consuming part of building an online presence - capturing, creating and organizing your content. It can take many weeks or months to capture content that will be presentable. Since we already had that, we quickly discussed his objectives and I learned more about his business, his design sense and wishes. We agreed that having a clean, contemporary looking site that had concisely written content and with a comprehensive set of galleries to showcase all of this work would be required. I got to work. I used Weebly to build the site, layout the images and I did an extensive editing job to cut down and format the copy. As I worked on the site, I also advised on ways to incorporate quotes to lead into project galleries, where to incorporate links, how to make it easy to navigate plus some careful attention to image selection and placement.  It was important to retain a focus on his core business, property search and identification. It was tempting to get into other related services.

I formed a vision and quickly built a draft to make sure Matthew liked the look and feel. We met, reviewed it page by page, and felt very good about the feedback. Matthew knows his business intimately and new what he needed, he just needed someone like me with marketing and website experience to collaborate with and make it happen. Once that was established, we had a unique situation. I was based in San Francisco and on my way to my condo in Hawaii. Matthew was in Barcelona. We realized it was a 12-hour time difference between Barcelona and Kona, Hawaii  which meant he could brief me at night and by the next morning, he would see all the changes. International business can really work wonders when the team members routinely work in this manner. We used Zoom, Whatsapp, email and cloud-based applications like Weebly and GoDaddy to make it all happen. 

Once we finalized the content and layout, I pointed his domain name, www.vistafutura.eu, which was registered with GoDaddy, to the new content built with Weebly. I had a few calls with GoDaddy support to ensure the SSL was working between Weebly and GoDaddy. I tested the site multiple times on multiple browsers. I added Matthew's email for the contact form. Within a 24-hour period after changing the DNS, everything was up running!  It's only been one day since the site went live. Matthew has already sent out emails to his network of contacts and is already receiving replies and very positive feedback about his new website. Having a site has made a tremendous difference by making it easy to engage with new and existing customers. 

This project was a lot of fun and completed in just two weeks. If you are thinking about working remotely from Barcelona either full time or part of the year, or plan to relocate or invest in property in Barcelona, check out www.vistafutura.eu. Matthew can make it happen and find you the perfect property. 

Have you ever built a website and taken inventory of all your professional and personal skills and packaged them up? It can be challenging. My method is to just get it all down in any random fashion, then iterate, share with friends who might specialize in design, or are also writers, and get multiple perspectives. Then, I make adjustments until it feels right. In my experience, collaboration usually makes things better. New ideas emerge. Then the fine tuning process takes hold. At the end of the day, it just has to feel right because this is a reflection of me. 

I am working on some amazing customer video and writing projects with Oracle. One is an industrial manufacturing global campaign video that will address all the challenges manufacturers are facing while connecting to a suite of solutions on the same platform. Sounds complex and it is, so the challenge is to create a story that brings it all together. The planning process and the filming is a great behind-the-scenes story in and of itself. Rather than our usual method where we draft a script and film the speaker then apply B-Roll at the end of a project, in this case, all of the visuals were selected up front, and then the actor was directed to say and do things for each and every scene. The end result will reveal that the actor is in the live action settings - interacting with his environment. It's very cool! A lot more pre-planning and precise directing required, but the end result is a more innovative and informative video production! 

And then there's the writing project with a tech partner that I'm working on. The project is an article involving a half dozen stakeholders from multiple companies  all contributing their expertise. Having had a significant amount of  interaction with this tech partner, my role as subject matter expert is to look at it holistically, ensure the positioning is correct, and identify anything that seems potentially inaccurate. Then flag it and make sure it's fact checked. In the end, when everything gets polished, it will be a very comprehensive yet concise article about the world of transportation management and how digital technology is shaping that industry.  

This is a good time personally and professionally to regroup, take a look back, and a consider the future. There are so many different opportunities and choices to make and starting this professional and personal Journal is one way to get started. I realize that my work and personal life seem to intersect often. Maybe it's the freeing of the mind when playing music, or paddling out on San Francisco Bay that releases the endorphins in my brain. Or perhaps it's when two things fuse to form an amalgamation instead of the previous two separate entities.

I know that for me, taking time to reflect and get things in balance is when I do my best work and feel happiest. It's an intellectual exercise!