Silicon Valley heavy hitters like Tim Draper and Jim Clark have come out against Sarbanes-Oxley.

I couldn’t agree with them more! It’s time to repeal this crap legislation!

From a letter sent November 2 by Whole Foods Markets CEO John Mackey to his employees: "The tremendous success of Whole Foods Market has provided me with far more money than I ever dreamed I'd have and far more than is necessary for either my financial security or personal happiness.... I am now 53 years old and I have reached a place in my life where I no longer want to work for money, but simply for the joy of the work itself... Beginning on January 1, 2007, my salary will be reduced to $1, and I will no longer take any other cash compensation...."

Though he's not the first of "$1 dollar executives" (tax reasons maybe?), he specifically says "cash" so it's likely he still has something to gain in the form of stocks, etc. But I still liked his wording... "Success has provided me with far more money than is necessary for either my financial security or personal happiness." When does financial ambition realize its both secure and happy?

I No Longer Want To Work For Money [Fast Company]

Welcome to Friday. I’ve had a great week. Intrigued by title? Here we go.

Las Vegas

I’ll be in Las Vegas on Monday and Tuesday for the Affiliate Summit. Frankly, I can’t stand Las Vegas and I never look forward to going there. I think the Affiliate Summit really ought to be held in San Francisco. The industry already has some legitimacy issues and the more guys like Shawn Collins can do to help the industry get more legitimacy the better. That means doing simple things like showing up in the bay area and posting a sign saying “hey, we’re legit too!” Anyway, if you’re going to be at the show, let me know and we’ll hook up.

Orrin Hatch

Simply put - this clown needs to go. Yesterday, our Senator, Orrin was only one of two U.S. Senators to vote against an ethics bill that would prevent senators from taking trips, gifts, free rides on private planes (read: bribes), etc. from lobbyists.  Orrin Hatch is one of the most bought and paid for Senators in the US Congress. Let’s wake up and send him packing on the next election!

Sundance Freaks Invade Heber

I have never been a big fan of Robert Redford. My dislike of Robert Redford grew even deeper when I moved to Heber three years ago.

Here’s why…

As the bird flies I live about a mile from the Heber Airport. As a matter of fact, I’ve been told that pilots use my house to line up with the runway. I experienced this myself when I took a glider rider several years ago. Fortunately, planes normally take off to the west so we usually don’t get the jet noise over our house (we live in east Heber).

Normally the Heber airport is quiet. It gets a little busy around major holiday’s as very wealth second home owners come to frequent their castles at Deer Valley. Even when the air traffic picks up over holiday’s its still tolerable. They all seem to come in and leave within hours of each other on the same days. Its kind of weird.

The one exception is Sundance. The environmentally conscience, globally aware, gas guzzling, holier than thou Hollywood freak hypocrites use the Heber airport like they own it. This means flying in and out at all hours of the day and night during Sundance. Its not unusual to see a large jets flying in and out of the Heber airport at 4 am.

There is no economic benefit for Heber to be offering this service to the gods from LA and New York. I’m sure that you won’t see the likes of Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Rosie O’Donnell frequenting the Dairy Keen. I’m sure they laugh as the drive through our little town on their way to Park City.

Frankly, I am sick and tired of Sundance and Robert Redford. I lost my last ounce of respect for old Bob when he was interviewed by one of the big network news shows several years back. He said that in order to save Sundance, he had to develop it. He actually expects us to believe that? Make any money cutting down all those trees, Bob?

And Finally… 

I had lunch yesterday with some of the best people I know. At that lunch it came to my attention that some people I don’t even really know get so enraged by the things I write that they have to call other people and complain about my blog. Look, if what I say makes you so mad that you have to call up other people, waste their time, and complain about me then you might be better off not reading my blog. Frankly, I’d rather not have you around anyway. The least you could do it ball up and leave a comment. That’s what makes blogging great anyway. I always look forward to hearing from guys like Jeff, Pete and Russ whether they agree with me or not. Some of you need to take a cue from them.

Let’s get some perspective here. People, this is a blog. It’s not the New York Times. It’s not even the Daily Herald. It’s just my thoughts. Although I have a wide readership for a blog, it’s still just one dude sitting in Heber writing stuff that 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the world couldn’t care less about. 

So what do Las Vegas, Orrin, Sundance and maybe one or two of you all have in common?

Think about it.

The more and more I interact with business professionals and aspiring business professionals, the more I realize that it is the little things that make all the difference.  Kind gestures (not bribery), genuine compliments (not flattery), quality referrals when deserved (not “leads”), honest feed back (see ”Leadership and Self-Deception”) and respect for time (it is the only real commodity) are just a few of the little things that make all the difference.  I remember hearing in college to dress like the position you would like to have, not like the position you are currently in.  If you would like to be a true professional and respected by all, remember the little things are what make a lasting impression, not only a first impression.

Over the last two years, blogging (and social sites in general) have been big sellers for Griffio. The short answer is because they work in boosting exposure, influence, and opportunities. But sadly, the blog drop-out rate is ridiculous. I've heard as little as 1% of all newly created blogs continue publishing after only a short while. To counter that futile fate, here are (5) guidelines for building a successful blog should you decide to start one:

1. Planning. A blog without a game plane is dead in the water. This first, most important step answers the question, "What will your blog do?" What type of a blog will you start? Will it be a personal one? A business blog? Will it have multiple authors? Who will read it? Why will they read it? Will the site have ads? What will you do differently than other sites? What type of content (read: informative or entertaining food) will you offer your audience? Leaving this step, you should have a solid understanding of what you want you blog to be.
   
2. Architectural design. Now we get into the logistical nitty-gritty. This step answers the question, "How will your blog look?" I'm not talking graphical design, I'm talking about what elements will be used to meet the goals of step one. Will you blog use comments? How will your audience view your content? How will they use and interact with your content? Will you follow traditional standards or try something new? Will you syndicate your RSS via short feeds, or long ones? From an organization standpoint, how will your content be structured. After leaving this step, you should understand "how" your blog will work.
   
3. Technical development. Nerds and people dressed in black enter here. This step includes both graphical design and web programming. What interface best suits your content, tone, and audience? Will you use an existing content management framework or build one from scratch? Maybe a hybrid approach should be used. What resources can be leveraged to simplify this step? Regardless, if you've done your job during steps one and two, this process should be cake, that is unless you've ventured into uncharted territory during planning and architectural design.
   
4. Implementation. A blog without a home, is a blog that lives alone (I just made that up, pretty clever, eh?). While you should have already determined where you're blog will live or be hosted in step one, this step is concerned with how you get your site up and running? What does it take to get it into place? Is it working properly before you take it live? Unless hosted by a do-it-yourself service, this step also requires the wizardry of technical ninjas.
   
5. Ongoing updates. No one will visit a blog without fresh content. This isn't a vault of information (though it can become such). It's a living, breathing website. Readers come for the catch of the day. Make sure you give it to them. How often will you update your blog? What's a good daily, weekly, monthly post goal? Will your content evolve over time? How will reader feedback affect what you're doing? These are all important questions that should be addressed. Note: having this step last is a bit of a misnomer; it is in fact right up there with planning as one of the most important (if not the most important) thing you'll do as a blogger.
   

Granted, such a formal procedure may seem a bit overboard. And this isn't to say you can't informally or loosely follow the prescribed recommendations. But in doing so, you'll better optimize the chances of success, and mitigate future headaches. Also, the above guidelines more aptly apply to custom blog development. And even though a hosted, more restrictive "out-of-the-box" solution may be a better fit for your budget (if any) and/or limited technological know-how, said guidelines are sure to reduce the 99% chance that you'll cease benefiting from the positive effects of blogging.

See also: Eight Things to Avoid While Blogging

(Screenshot taken from the companies homepage today.) This time, it's for real, PayPal.

This is awesome. Have a good laugh and have a great day!

Does creativity matter?  The answer is obvious.  Why, then, are most paid media messages dull, insipid, or irritating?

Have marketers lost sight of the power of thoughtful, unexpected, entertaining communication to drive results and to fuel all elements of the marketing mix?

Maybe.  Or perhaps ad agencies have become blind (or lazy).

Today, technology and competitors move so fast that product or service advantages have a short shelf-life. In fact, such advantages are nigh unto meaningless unless you’ve created an emotional bond with your target audience.   Trust and loyalty, in other words.

And plain-Jane, parity advertising won’t get that job done.  Unless your brand stands for boredom.

A respected marketing man once said, “creativity is the last remaining legal means you have to gain an unfair advantage over your competition.”   Amen.

To that end, clients should demand (and this often requires considerable bravery) daring, distinctive advertising that can separate their product or service from the pack – that can differentiate, build and solidify their position in the consumer’s mind – and do it with enough charisma, charm or edge to leave people leaning forward, thinking, smiling and believing.

When people feel kindly about a product and feel an affinity toward a brand (thanks to that kind of message), that product preempts the appeal of the entire category.  It jumps to the front of that imaginary line of competitors in the consumer’s mind.  

I believe effectiveness and creativity are inseparably linked.  Siamese twins.  As a recent national study declared, “award-winning advertising is four to five times more likely to reach client goals than non-award winning work.”

Gary Goldsmith, chairman of Goldsmith/Jeffrey, New York City, said, “More and more clients are realizing creative ads work better, are more memorable and make their point more effectively in the marketplace. You can run a good creative ad fewer times.  People can remember it after seeing it three times rather than 30 times.” 

Creativity, of the intelligent sort, counts.  A lot.  Because that’s how you connect with consumers.  That’s how you use your budget more efficiently.  That’s how you build awareness and sales in today’s cluttered media environment. 

Tomorrow at noon at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City is the MountainWest Capital Network Luncheon featuring four CEOs of fast growing companies talking about their challenges with high growth businesses.  Click for more information.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the first MidMarketMaven post. I wrote that post in Hawaii.  I'm not in Hawaii this year.  I liked January in Hawaii better.  I do owe thanks to Know More Media for supporting my blogging habit!

Grow Utah Ventures has launched a $1 million campaign to foster entreprneurship in communities around Utah.  Their first initiative will be in Washington County (St. George).  Read more here.