Obama Online Business Ideas

19 Plus Things You Can Do to Help Others on MLK Day

Monday January 19th (the day before the historic inauguration of Obama) is Martin Luther King Day a national day of service here in the United States. One of my blog mentors Seth Godin has come up with some excellent idea’s we can do to be of service to others. But in his great fashion his suggestions are web 2.0 style. Seth has 18 ways you can be of service to others online. I am throwing in my 2 cents (or 2 suggestions). Below (plus the link to the rest of the story) are 20 suggestions you can use to be of service to others online.

Darren Scott Monroe Suggestion #19 Share online resources / tools with others to help them. Monday I am posting a listing of several sites and tools you can use to benefit your business in a variety of ways.

Darren Scott Monroe Suggestion #20 Promote (5) friends in your network to your network for no reason at all. Make sure you have a short reason why you chose them. Promote to your MySpace, Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter.

Seths suggestions:

Read a copy of the Lorax to a child that’s never heard it.
Teach someone how to sell their services on Craigslist, or how to use the web to find a job.
Build a Squidoo lens every day for a year about a favorite author or musician and dedicate the proceeds to charity. 300 a year could earn tens of thousands of dollars for a cause you care about. That adds up to serious money.
Start a blog and profile one worthy non-profit every single day.
Go through your house and find beloved books that you’re glad you read… and give them to the library.
Find an artisan and redesign their website or help them figure out how to promote their work.
Create and promote an online petition for a cause you care about.
Make a video that teaches people how to do better in a job interview or balance a checkbook or spot consumer fraud.
Start a Facebook group for like-minded people who support the same non-profit you do. Commit to spending time to promote it, organize the people there and actually create outcomes of value.
Seek out a religion that isn’t yours and volunteer to help build a bridge between your circle and theirs.

Read 11 – 18 here

12 Jan

Obama's Blackberry Teaches Us a Lesson.

barack-obama-blackberry Excellent story on Harvard Business Publishing by James Baldoni

“They’re going to pry it out of my hands,” was how president-elect Barack Obama described his effort to hold onto his BlackBerry. For Obama, using his Blackberry is a way for him to stay in touch. “Look, it’s the hardest thing about being president. How do you stay in touch with the flow of everyday life.” While some executives would like to pitch their Blackberries into the nearest river or ocean, Obama’s BlackBerry is a means for him to stay real. “I’ve got to look for every opportunity…[where] people aren’t just complimenting you or standing up when you enter into a room.”

Obama’s struggle over his BlackBerry provides a good lesson for senior leaders.

Al-Qaeda, The GOP, and the Cross Hair Hatred of Obama

In 2004 I was amazed at the election results. Bush won. WOW. I am not a liberal I consider myself more of a moderate but more importantly an American. An oppositions win deserves study. Bush via Karl Rove had an excellent strategy to win the campaign of 2004 which I wont go into to detail. Obama however also executed an excellent strategy. A strategy multiplied with the lowest rated President in US history (Bush) led to his victory. And the decimation of the Republican party. In my lifetime I have never seen anything like this and only wish my mother had lived to see these historic events.

What should the GOP do to grow? Now I am just talking strategy not personal opinion. There hasn’t been such a revolutionary shift in the party since the Barry Goldwater loss to LBJ. The scary part is the shift to a stronger conservative movement that led to the Reagan Conservatism years. Unlike Goldwater this movement involved the battles of abortion and evangelical right. Goldwater felt that neither religion nor abortion belonged in politics and was a personal matter. Will the new GOP (Grand Old Party) involve recruiting more minorities? Would be interesting if they decided to divide the Latino and Black Evangelical communities from the Gay marriage proposition 8 supporters and find common ground with those groups. Or would they change their minds and decided to go to the Goldwater conservatism age where discussions like Gay Marriage, abortion, and religion are not discussed? I doubt it but the fact remains they must change as much as Obama must continue to rechange aka evolve his governance as he ascends to his position .

The (current policy and doctrine) GOP’s greatest challenge (ok I am re injecting personal opinion here) would be to create a run of show. They are great at campaigning on others fears (False Evidence Appearing Republican). But poor at running the countries domestic needs. There is an audacity that speaks of obsolescence to the very people they call their base. How many times can you use the liar liar pants onfire defence when pointing to people wading in swimming pools of debt?

The GOP and Al-Qaeda have something in common. Obama. Not only has the Obama Change movement decimated the GOP but apparently has caused Al-Qaeda to rewrite their USA playbook. Normally Al-Qaeda immediately sends videos to the press within 48 hours after a US Presidential election. But this time they took days to respond.

Barack Hussein Obama is loved across the world including the Middle East and Africa. So I can only imagine the meetings about their new “Obama situation”. How to villanize America with a world popular president. Hmmmm.

Its an interesting strategy (see below) to link an African American Activist to another African American Activist who was a Muslim (Malcom X). Also as you see in the video they are linking him to the Jewish community and Israel. The attempt is to get the Muslims to continue to support them. And of course their hatred of the US. The interesting part is the House Negro comment. As if Muslims didnt invade Africa and convert tribes to islam. Someone needs to read The Destruction of Black Civilization: Great Issues of a Race Between 4500 B.C. and 2000 A.D. (1971) ISBN 0-88378-030-5 but wait…wasn’t it a year ago that certain black leaders were saying that Barack wasn’t “Black Enough?” It also brings back memories of Obama on the campaign trail this year talking about not being bamboozled or lead astray.

But the irony kicks in when you see a sign of a recent so called Christian church in Wichita Kansas

And not to mention the hatred people have shown their fellow Americans over the election results.

The point I am getting to is that President Elect Barack Hussein Obama has caused people around the world to rethink. Rethink the way hatred, politics, ethnicity, religion, and countrymen project themselves. Notice I never said rethink their stances on those subjects. Only their projection of energy.

So far President Elect Barack Hussein Obama hasn’t changed the world as much as he has indirectly redirected it. And the misconceptions of others……… author included.

Whether you like this man or not all must agree that his presence in the world arena has made the Earth a little more …interesting.

11 Nov

Obama is It Really Happening?????????

have been in total shock over the past week. Not only about the implications of an African American President but from the overwhelming majority of people from all backgrounds who voted for change instead of traditional ethnic or political party lines.

I wrote A President 4DaSoul! Obama becomes the First African American President!

Since last week our company board has been brainstorming/ planning on ways to embrace and support the coming Obama administration. Their number one focus is the economy.

Look for a follow up on change regarding some creative solutions to helping you gain more opportunities to make money.

20 Sep

What Hillary Clinton and Starbucks has Learned About the Obama Supporting Latte Demo

Both have suffered an amazing change due to several factors. There is an intersecting area where the two meet. Obama has arguably been more of a factor to Clinton than Starbucks. However the so called latte crowd that Clinton and now McCain are referring to has changed.

Starbuck didn’t keep their ears to the streets

Meetings at Starbucks whether it be friends, students, or business associates has changed. there is a difference. The price of gas combined with the spread of WIFI in cafes, and other restaurants has slowed traffic to Starbucks. Who needs to go to Starbucks when WIFI is in 3-5 competitors in the same neighborhood and their food is cheaper?

One of the biggest mistakes (though I hear this is not true in all Starbucks) was when they began to charge for WIFI. In fact I believe that put the nail in the coffin (especially the students).

Hillary either wasn’t listing or underestimated the concerns of her supporters

I found it ironic that Hillary a former Latte friendly candidate (before Obama) would make fun of them instead of trying to understand or “get” why so many were switching their support. Most that did told the media that they were concerned with the message that Hillary was sharing with her supporters. Iowa a major Democratic state shocked the rest of the country when Obama won. But when the supporters of Obama were interviewed several were former Hillary people who became frustrated with the negative campaign she was running.

My point here is not to belittle neither Starbucks or Hillary Clinton. Obviously both have been very successful. But I think it is important to understand that:

1. Listen to your customers and supporters.

2. Your not to big to fail/lose

3. After listening and gaining hard data ACT SWIFTLY

Had both changed in time it might be a different financial scenario for Starbucks and Hillary could have won the Democratic nomination.

McCain seems to have listened to “some” of the Obama message judging by the choice for VP. I am not saying she is anywhere near the Obama message. I am only saying that their camp is trying to spin (act swiftly) in the next few weeks left in the campaign to bring a change in their numbers.

Again when discussing politics I am not discussing the political beliefs and idea’s only the marketing strategy taken rom watching Obmama’s (and Clinton’s) audience.

11 Jul

Fox attacks Obama! Who cares?!Dont be Out FOXED!

There is a movement happening through a organization that I will not mention at this point. They are asking people to sign petitions against Fox attacking Obama. I am a Obama supporter who has been educated by working on his campaign for some time now. I DO NOT agree with this petition. We need to focus on registrations by October. Since George Washington every president in one way or another has been attacked. The American press called for John Adams head. Some may say “well they weren’t black.” OK lets discuss that. Is what Obama is facing in these attacks less or more than what Jackie Robinson, the Nicolas Brothers, WEB Dubois or Jackie “Moms” Mabley or Muhammad Ali? Yes and no. Less in reference to the history.

Obama isn’t dealing with as much overt racism and discrimination as the preceding names. However Obama is dealing with more attacks because he is running for the most powerful office in America. With the exception of Rev Jesse Jackson (who the secret service refused to guard) no other American of African decent has dealt with such tremendous pressure of this kind.If Obama is going to be president this is only the beginning of the attacks.

We need to show the same obvious maturity he and his wife have shown to ignore the media (as we would a child throwing a temper tantrum) and focus on the campaign, the issues and the prize. Keep our eyes on the prize.

PS seriously consider the FREE PR they (FOX) are getting over everyone else. As the old adage goes “Free Press is better than no press at all” the petition gives them weight and attention that CNN, MSNBC and others aren’t receiving.

The goal of the press is to report a story not the truth but a story (and a good one)

Lets not play into their game. Don’t be out Foxed

PPS off the subject but very true. The Nicolas Brothers were the greatest dancers ever! I DARE anyone to challenge that statement. Look at the videos below.

21 May

Obama President of the Widgets

As I mentioned in my ever popular Obama Business Model Post. New technology is leading the change so either lead the charge for change or charge the leadership of change. I highly recommend this site to learn about some great tech/ marketing developments! currently they have a brilliant tory read below…

Even though last night’s big contests in Kentucky and Oregon ended in a split decision, with big wins for both Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, most pundits now agree on who is most likely to be the Democratic nominee for president when the convention rolls around in August. Hint: it’s the candidate who has dominated nearly every method we could think of to measure election momentum on the web. We got some data last night from widget-provider…read more

11 Feb

Obama Marketing Business Model

Read carefully, because applying some or all of these strategies could increase your businesses network and networth. This post is not about politics. Its about the marketing strategy, tactics, tools, functions, and vehicles surrounding the 2008 election. Particularly as it relates to the Barack Obama Campaign.

Obama Marketing: Love vs. Respect and its application

US Senator and Presidential candidate Barack Obama is running one of the best election campaigns in US history. Lets take a look at the seeds of his online grassroots marketing strategy. Then examine some hypothetical fundraising scenarios.

It has been often commented that Senator Obama’s success is based on his ability to create personable relationships via mass marketing technique’s. One supporter of his commented in this article last year about it:

“Obama has sent many emails and not all have been about money. Others have included writing letters, volunteering, issues, etc.

The reason that you have the response from Obama supporters is not because of the format but because of the passion of his supporters. This is not lukewarm support, its a firestorm. If Clinton asked me for money I would delete it immediately and report it as spam. And I doubt any other candidate could manage anything close.

“Obama can appeal to his supporters in a way that his opponents will not get the same response. Why? Because we love the man.”

The keyword in this comment is love. People respect Hillary Clinton. But they love Obama. Read Seth Godins post which is a great blog about the marketing lever of love for candidates. During the Super Bowl this year, people respected the New England Patriots but loved the Giants. Notice something else? In the press they are calling her Hillery Clinton. But many are just referring to Senator Barack Obama as “Obama” like they would “Oprah”. Calling him “Obama” creates familiarity. He is no longer Junior Senator Barack Obama from Illinois. He is your neighbor, brother, friend, “Obama”.

Voters and consumers have a similar connection to emotion (love, passion, desire) that results in the distribution of currency. Obama is raising more than $500,000 an hour as I write this! That is the most money ever raised online in an hour for any political campaign.

Obamas greatest political strength can be found in his email list, widgets, social networks, and webpages. Currently he has almost 400,000 email addresses via donations, 1,000,000 + social network marketing friends, and 10,000 Obama individually controlled webpages on his site. Each webpage owner (think MySpace pages Obama Style) is encouraged to tell their friends via email about their webpage.

Lets do the math. What if Obama wanted to raise more money and the average person gave $10 dollars from his network? Here is hypothetically how it would work:

Email 400,000 asking for the money: Remember these are people who have previously given money. So the relationship of fundraising (sale) has already been established. And they are comfortable with the request. Lets say only 50% of the actual people opened the email. It my belief that he has a better than 50% chance of raising money from these people. Remember the sale or donation has been made before, the amount to donate is low, and they love him. So $10 x 100,000= $1,000,000.

Plus in the email he is going to ask them to forward to their friends and family. So the request will reach another 2,000,000 people (average 20 friends x 100,000 people). Lets say only 20% open and click through and only 20% of those people donate. That’s $800,000 (20% of 2mil=400,000 and 20% of 400,000 donating =80,000 x $10). Plus this doesn’t include the third or fourth tier forwards. By the fourth forward millions are being reached. This method could raise his campaign 2 -5 Million Dollars in a day!

Place the request for donations on 10,000 pages: They would also email the owners of these pages alerting them of the new update on their Obama webpage. Lets say an average of 20 people a day viewed those pages. That’s 200,000 people x 7 = 1.400,000 people. If only 10% of this number donated $10 then that’s another $1,400,000 dollars in 7 days.

Add to news feed donation request to thousands of distributed widgets + audio of Barack requesting the money:I am not sure how many are out there but given his numbers it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say 5,000 for this example. After all the Obama has a million plus social networking friends (supporters). 5,000 widgets on websites and social networking pages could realistically have an average of 500 people per site viewing. A total of 2,500,000 people a day. Again if only 10% donated $10 that’s $2,500,000 dollars a day.

This is only an estimate but the hypothetical math gives you an example of how Senator Obama could raise $500,000 an hour.

Obama doesn’t have the sales, he has the customers. And that is what the major press is missing but you the business person should not. the press report his fundraising, but the real news they miss is that he can always repeat his fundraising goals by accessing his network. Your Network = Your Networth. And Obama and his team are leading a new generation of political, and financial leadership in the world of Ecommerce.

Feel free to also read this article which critiques his site and online efforts since 2006.

Watch, learn, duplicate, apply, and repeat the process.