Are they speaking the language of Gen-Y? Quick answer...No. This "digital native" generation is leaving their rural homes for all sorts of reasons. Lack of broadband, lack of engagement, old school mentality, you name it. The first chance these kids get they're history and off to the big city. An age old story about rural life? Sure, but not to this extent.
The long-term effect of this issue is actually a crisis today. Brain drain doesn't just happen across borders with our doctors, it's also affecting the populations of young people in places like Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Stettler, Three Hills, HighRiver, Hinton...the list goes on and it's of course not just here in Alberta, it's rural Canada and rural America as well.
Talk with any business owner on main street and hear that there's no one to work in these small towns, business owners can't get away during lunch to go to a Chamber luncheon because there's no one to watch the store. Why the local Chamber hasn't figured this out I don't know...more evidence of being asleep at the wheel maybe.
The on average Baby Boomer councils in these towns tend to be good hearted, salt of the earth type people and they're all simultaneously scratching their heads...all victims of the "old school" mentality, lack of general understanding of today's Web 2.0 ecosystem and culture, not to mention the considerable opportunities within it. To top it all off, often they're supported in some cases by bureaucrats who fear change will lead to more work and stifle cool ideas from within. Whether that's actually "support," is up for debate. I hope they realize soon that the issue requires more than just another feel good website. This is a multi-faceted problem that requires a multi-faceted plan.
Solution: Open your minds to the fact that you're competing in a "global economy," power through the fear that generates in your heart and embrace change. Do it today, before you live in a ghost town that ends up as a story in a coffee table book that no body will read. A sad state of affairs for cool communities with awesome people, awesome histories and much to offer the world...
Friday, June 20, 2008
Rural leadership continues to scratch heads...
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Premier's Big ICT Announcement Tomorrow
I've been invited to attend a big announcement by Alberta's Premier Ed Stelmach along with the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology Doug Horner, (whom I've met with not long ago) tomorrow. The area of focus is ICT. Specifically, in the diversification of our economy to involve and support the ICT sector. Many in the Alberta tech sector have been waiting for this announcement for years and finally there'll be something to hang our hat on collectively. (I hope)
This is pure speculation (well ok maybe a little birdy suggested something very vague to lead me a tiny bit...) but I'm predicting that the announcement will have something to do with attracting venture capital, possibly even some sort of new fund to take the lead in that regard. Also, I suspect that looking to the future there will be a need to cultivate this sector long term so some sort of element related to that in the area of education seems reasonable.
Anyway, look for tweets during the event and also a full run down here after the fact. I'm going to try to take some video too so look for youtube clips too if possible...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Edmonton Realtor Kerri-lyn Holland
Kerri-lyn Holland is a new client and we're very proud to be working on her web 2.0 campaign. She is a top Edmonton Realtor and her tagline is "Redefining Real Estate". Below is one of her new videos, we're working hard also on her blog. When we're all done setting up channels for Kerri-lyn Holland, she'll start to dominate the Edmonton Real Estate market in terms of general recognition, traffic to her web site and listings. What I really like about working with Kerri-lyn is that it's very evident that she cares about her clients. They're job number one, she lives and breathes their real estate needs and works tirelessly to see that her real estate customers are always happy. You'll see from the video that unlike many other Realtors, Kerri-lyn Holland's style can be described as a quite confidence. Enjoy the video and watch for more posts on client projects in the future...
Monday, May 19, 2008
DemoCamp Edmonton
Well I'm looking forward to tomorrow evening. In the late afternoon I'm doing a short presentation at the Business Link and then I'm off to DemoCamp Edmonton at the Billiard Club.
Here's the list of attendees, some I know, most I don't and I'm excited to meet and see everyone...There's quite a nice sized group of local tech enthusiasts showing up by the looks of it. Now showing up means that I'll miss story time with my daughter and that's tough to take but hopefully she and her co-pilot Mickey Mouse still learn to fly without me...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Here Comes The Pain!
Growing pains that is. For many who know me the fact that I've decided to "grow" fusedlogic will come as a bit of a surprise. Why? Because for nearly a decade now I've stuck to my business plan which has been to keep my company small. Seems weird doesn't it? A corporation who uses the term "accelerate business leaders" in its tag line to represent the "growth" that we enable our clients to experience has itself been focused on staying small. This for me has always been a life-balance and harmony issue.
This has also been an internal struggle of mine, again those who know me well also know I'm aggressive and business growth is in my DNA. I've been fortunate to come across great projects that have afforded fusedlogic the ability to stay a boutique firm. That said, now that my daughter is 3 and we're on to bigger and better things like training wheels and still the odd potty training episode...I'm ready in my heart and so is my wife, it's time to turn up the heat on fusedlogic. I'm feeling frisky these days, actually "amazingly excited" is a more accurate term. The opportunities for fusedlogic to grow like crazy are EVERYWHERE and have been calling out to me for a year now...
REINVENT ITSELF: That's exactly what I've done. The NEW PLAN is in place and really since early 2005 I've been researching, studying and experimenting with Web 2.0, social media and all the widgets and online apps I could possibly stand, researching traffic generation etc...I've been watching Google, Yahoo, MSN, and watching for gaps that my clients could exploit...Well I've found more than just one. I continue to search for key people around the world from whom fusedlogic and I can learn from, align and work with. That list is ever growing and it's very cool as it sits today. This reinvention has been in the works for years now...
GAPS: We have and will continue to take our knowledge, our growing global team and bring it to bear on our client's dreams. Applying Web 2.0 strategies and online marketing tactics that work for them, positioning them ahead and away from their competition. fusedlogic is now solely focused on Web 2.0 work moving forward, even though we have sparked growth for many companies doing what many people have tried to describe as the traditional management consulting approach, that's all changed now. We were never really traditional in anything we did...we were always renegades.
STILL RENEGADES: As more projects come in and I expand my team of collaborators with smart, capable and creative minds, our culture will be that of never say die ground breakers...I'll set the tone by pushing hard to keep us brave and mobile, slippery and sleek. There have in fusedlogic's past been some hard times, when I was in a car accident and couldn't work, when my daughter was born, my wife had to spend three months basically in the hospital with hypertension...but we've come through those difficulties and we're stronger than ever...2007 was a record year and 2008 well there's lots of real estate left in this year but so far..."we happy."
OUR CLIENTS: Our clients are awesome human beings and have always been willing participants in new directions, open to suggestions, change and challenges that push their limits of bravery. Growth will come for all of us because in our hearts we're ready, we're ready for the road ahead and even though there will be some bumps, sharp curves and construction zones, we're ready. The growing pains will be something we can and will handle...
So I say, "bring it on boys and girls...let's rock!"
By the way, don't forget to come out to our Yahoo! Canada luncheon on May 21st. RSVP here
You can also register with the Edmonton LinkedIn network as well...
See you there...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Fusedlogic Teams Up With Yahoo! Canada
Yahoo! Canada
Media release – For immediate release
Sherwood Park, AB – May 14, 2008 - how can you connect and generate business leads from 84 million searches a day in
One of the easiest and most powerful online tools out there today to help businesses market themselves virtually is through Search Engine Marketing . “fusedlogic’s Walter Schwabe, Chief Evolution Officer is extremely proud to present this rare opportunity to learn strategies related to online marketing and Search Engines in particular.from Martin Byrne, Head of Yahoo! Search Marketing Canada.
“We get more than 4 million searches a day from Canadians, it’s a high volume business and very interesting.” said Martin Byrne, Head of Yahoo! Search Marketing,
Consider that there are over 84 million searches performed each day in
The presentation will focus on how you can use Yahoo! and search engine marketing to increase your brand recognition, credibility and business leads. You will come away from the event with new insight on how to effectively leverage search engines
When: Wednesday May 21st, 2008
Time: 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Golden Rice Bowl Restaurant,
Investment: $25.00 per attendee pre-registered, dim sum lunch included.
For more information and to pre-register, please contact:
Walter Schwabe 780-909-9787
About FusedLogic
Fusedlogic inc. is one of
About Martin Byrne
Martin has spent the last 15 years of his career building online business for a wide variety of Canadian and international organizations.
Initially Martin worked for several Canadian internet presence agencies building websites for TD Bank, BMW Canada, Bank of New York, Deutchbank and more. Martin eventually moved from building online businesses’ to managing them as Director of The National Post’s online news business, Director of media sales operations for Sympatico/MSN Canada and most recently taking on the role as National Director for Yahoo’s Canada’s Search Marketing operations. Martin also holds an executive MBA from the Rotman School of Business.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Twitter, Guy Kawasaki, recommendation
So I've been really engaging in twitter these last couple of days and have taken the opportunity to follow Guy Kawasaki and his comments. He recommended a new site just a bit ago called alltop.com, a company he has an affiliation with. I referred us to another blog and after a quick review it seems to be kind of cool, both the blog and alltop. I'll let you make your own judgments.
Friday, April 18, 2008
The State of Web 2.0 in Edmonton, Calgary, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Recently, I've been asked to write an article in a quarterly magazine called "Propel", a Web 2.0 focused publication about to launch this coming June here in Alberta. First of all, I'm honored to be a part of such a cool project and second I'm excited at the prospect of having further opportunity to communicate my ever growing affection for this "Internet revolution" as Seth Godin calls it. My passion lies with explaining to you the small business owner that if you as a business haven't yet figured you should be paying attention to this phenomenon, you're so far behind now it's....well....sick. There's already large 2.0 dot coms being bought out like crazy that's an indication of the maturity of those communities and general state of trends to come.
Another exciting happenstance is that June will be about the time my new book should be launching. Resulting in what I think will be even more excellent opportunities galore as a result of this alignment of the stars. I can literally feel the energy converging in a positive way, things are clicking, falling into place and flowing nicely.
That said, I'm under a steep deadline now like so many other writers. This means I gotta go folks. Have an awesome and profitable day.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Calgary Alberta Real Estate Agent, Facebook Seminar
Jeff, a Calgary Alberta Real Estate agent attended our Disruptor School and was nice enough to send us a video recommendation. Thanks very much Jeff, we were very happy to host you in Edmonton to talk about branding, social media and facebook.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Edmonton Alberta Real Estate, Facebook Seminar
Here's just a bit of tooting our own horn at fusedlogic inc and ClearpathSEO...
Yesterday morning was our Disruptor School Facebook seminar for the Alberta Real Estate industry and Edmonton and Sherwood Park area small business. In the audience we had folks up from Calgary, members of the Sherwood Park and District Chamber of Commerce, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce members, Realtors, Real Estate investors, property managers, the Edmonton Journal, mortgage specialists, McDonald's, sales people from the print and sign industries as well.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
My friend David Cree, ClearpathSEO
It is with pleasure that I mention to you that I'm a friend and business colleague of David Cree, he's the owner of ClearpathSEO (among other ventures soon to be announced). I'm currently sitting in the crowd here at the Business Link and waiting in anticipation for David to start his presentation on SEO and online marketing. He and I are collaborating as many of you may know by now on the Disruptor School seminar series.
The room is filling as we speak and David is saying hello to everyone...
We've been brainstorming on new ideas and certainly David has some great ones as the coming weeks will prove. I find that he and I get along really well despite the fact that we're both creative leaders and take action types...there is much more to this story moving forward.
The exciting thing will be when we match his Russian development team and my guys from around the world to collaborate on some really cool ideas...really bright times ahead to be sure...
Ok, I'm going to listen now...I'll report back later...
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Edmonton real estate agents
Opportunity for Edmonton
Facebook, marketing and you: How to do it
Right now, Facebook is almost untapped as a marketing tool. You have the opportunity to get into this growing advertising medium and learn why it and other forms of social networking are very important ways marketing will be done in the future, and are being done now.
“Facebook, bar none, is the most effective marketing tool available today,” said David Cree, owner of Clearpath SEO. “We know there are approximately 90,000 Albertans in the market to buy a new home who are using Facebook on a regular basis.”
Consider that one million Albertans use Facebook and log in an average of 2.6 times per day. Of those users, 29 per cent are in the 25-34 age range and 26 per cent are over 35. How old are your typical customers?
Clearpath SEO and Fused Logic have teamed up to bring
The seminar will focus on how you can use Facebook and other forms of social media to increase your brand recognition, credibility and business. You will come away from the seminar with many leading edge marketing ideas and a guide full of tactics and strategies.
When: Tuesday April 8, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon
Where: Greenwood Inn and Suites,
Investment: $99.00 per attendee booked in advance, online or $149.00 at the door. ***(max 60 people)
For more information and to register, please contact:
David Cree 780-233-0360 david[at]clearpathseo.com, or
Walter Schwabe 780-909-9787 info[at]fusedlogic.com
http://www.disruptorschool.com
About Clearpath SEO
We can improve your online marketing efforts by getting your sites higher ranking, more traffic and better results. We specialize in pay per click Google Adwords campaigns, Facebook marketing and search engine optimization, as well as web analytics, link popularity, site audits, conversion consulting and website architecture consulting.
About Fused Logic
fusedlogic specializes in developing business growth strategies, which include Web 2.0 technologies and social networking elements such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Xing. The eight-year-old
We will be reserving several seats for media who would like to attend this seminar.
Please contact us in advance if you would like to attend.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Edmonton Alberta Real Estate Developer - Mark Martel
Mark Martel, an Edmonton Real Estate developer and member of my Facebook group agrees to talk to me about Facebook, social networking and Real Estate, also mentioning that he's looking forward to attending our seminar on this subject too. This is a good chat despite the low light conditions.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Walter Schwabe Featured in Singapore e-zine
A small but interesting case in point that relationships can be built via social networking, if done properly. Awhile back I joined xing.com and through that and other social networking sites i met a really great lady from Singapore - Ange Teo. (By the way, email Ange and she can send you a copy of the e-zine). One of her business ventures, (she's very busy) is all related to "cross cultural consulting". To further her cause, she recently launched a new e-zine (very good idea and social object) and asked me if I'd like to be the inaugural feature, flattered, I of course said "yes". You can watch the two part video interview here.
This ongoing exchange with Ange is a also a tremendous opportunity for both of us to pursue other business related opportunities. In fact, we're currently talking about several ideas that make sense for us both...stay tuned you never know there may be a fusedlogic blog post coming from Singapore soon, right Ange?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Edmonton Alberta Real Estate Agent Judy Clare Packer
In this youtube video, I had the opportunity to interview Judy of Edmonton's leading Real Estate team ReMax Excellence and ask her some questions regarding her profession. As well as, questions regarding social networking and whether she thought that social networking, facebook were gaining importance within her industry. This video is 7+ minutes long...and it's informative...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Alberta Real Estate, Edmonton, Facebook, Social Networking
The overwhelming majority choose facebook as their definition of social media.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Edmonton Alberta Real Estate - More Targeted Buyers
After having visited edmontonrealestateblog.com I was able to identify some stats on the Edmonton housing market. We talk about how Real Estate pros should generate interest from targeted buyers rather than simple leads.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Alberta Real Estate Association, facebook, more business
There are many reasons to attend this impactful seminar on April 8th in Edmonton. Here's another.
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