connecting people,opportunities and ideas

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Summertime = heat, swimming to keep cool, relaxation and reflection (at least the last two weeks of August).  I recently read a couple of books – The Waxman Report and The Alchemist, by Paul Coelho.  I won’t review the Waxman Report in this space as it is probably too political for some of my readers.

However, The Alchemist got me to thinking a bit and how it relates to sponsorship.  Okay, full disclosure, I am always thinking about sponsorship!

According to Paul, in order to fulfill your Personal Legend, one must be also connected to the Soul of the World and know The Language of The World.  To get connected in this deep way, one must be committed to the journey and the process and facing the inherint challenges.  Wow, pretty deep.

In sponsorship, this means being an evangelist of the medium, truly and authetically building integrated platforms for brand promotion, through creatively leveraging the asset or property.  In order to do this, one needs training and understanding and of course, being connected.

A couple of interesting ways to train and get connected are coming up soon.

• LA Office is hosting their annual conference in Hollywood, CA.  They are offering free movie passes for brand representatives who want to take advantage of the special rate for our readers.  Just click on this link and type in the word SPONSORSHIP, when booking.
• IEG has expanded their training and are offering a couple of unique courses and a combined course which brings together many of the necessary tools for sponsorship success. Their next one is on Sponsorship Activation.  Click here to register and find out more information.

Both of these institutions have helped me learn, grow and get more connected.  I hope this is helpful and look forward to your feedback!

The buzz on the blog in this space yesterday has picked up a lot of conversation and debate.  My surfing analogy remains, but I want to be sure to acknowledge the thought-leadership of what IEG has done, and continues to do, through their series of educational services and conferences.  They have brought the sponsorship community together and inspired me to become a sponsorship professional dating back to my first conference in 1988. I have attended many of their conferences and always came away with a few new contacts, friends and ideas.

While I like to think of this space as a source for valuable information relating to sponsorship and occasional pop-psychology, my intent is to be thought-provoking and provide and interesting read on many subjects – not attacking anyone or thing.   You should note that this blog and comments are unfiltered and that criticisms of my work and blog are published in this very space.  With each post, I encourage your feedback and often ask questions that may seem tough or controversial.  I do it on purpose to foster discussion and debate.

It certainly is newsworthy that IEG is entering the social media space in a big way, especially as this blog a is dedicated to commenting on social media and sponsorship and exists solely in the social media space.

I have tremendous respect for the folks at IEG and hope to Share the Wave and be acknowledged as someone who provided some early leadership in social media and sponsorship networking online though our groups/following on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, totaling more than 5,000 sponsorship professionals.

Will my efforts to build an online community now be irrelevant or redundant?  Is this an apology or an obituary for SIG?  We’ll see.  What do you think?

Today we offer something to ponder for a moment.  This is not one of those facebook games, but a chance to reflect on the nature of our strategic approach to selling sponsorship.

Watch the Bee -pollinating flowers to help them grow, working diligently within the order of nature and producing honey as the fruits of their labor.  They work harmoniously alongside their kin, in unison on flower at a time.  Their effort is a part of a community which is based on giving back.

Look at the Lion – working alone, sleeping the day away and waiting for one big piece of meat to approach within striking distance, then stalking its’ prey, only to kill and eat and sleep it off until the next opportunity comes.

The March of Dimes makes hundreds of millions of dollars one dime at a time.  How do you make yours?

As always, I welcome your feedback,

Dan BEEman

Today we have a guest blog from David Rachell www.pinpointsponsor.com

It’s amazing how many times I need to start conversation by defining the use of the word “sponsorship.” Because the practice is fragmented so differently among companies – the idea varies from company to company. Is it a donation? Is it really a marketing or a PR initiative? Would it be a part of media planning , public affairs or even investor relations?Perhaps all sponsorship consultants and property rights-holders need to take the initiative to define “sponsorship.” (more…)

Five days in Las Vegas – whew!  I am tired, but energized by what I saw, heard and learned.  I attended parts of a Club Med reunion, toured several Vegas Resorts, listened to a few presentations at ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) and met with many shopping center developers.

Here is my over-riding takeaway – people and organizations that continue to re-invent themselves, stay ahead of the game and look to the future are going to succeed.  People and organizations who hope and pray that things will not change will fail.  I guess it is the “who moved my cheese” blog from me today. (more…)

I recently attended a gathering of some very bright and talented people and want to share a few nuggets with you.  It was an invitation-only event and many people made great sacrifices and travel significant distances to attend.  I was honored to be invited and appreciated the opportunity.  Thanks to all who were there and for your valuable participation.  I’ll do a list today and will expand on each in the upcoming weeks.  As always, I welcome your feedback. (more…)

“We are what we repeatedly do, excellence, therefore is not an act, but a habit.”  Aristotle.

This quote reminds me of someone who practiced excellence in everything.  In honor of his enshrinement into the Naismith Hall of Fame, an article on Michael Jordan by Sam Smith.

Here is the final paragraph of a great article and trip down memory lane…a commitment to a project and an ideal, a determination to get the job done and work hard. It’s one reason why despite being sporting royalty, Jordan also endeared himself to Chicago. He wasn’t blue collar. He was basketball blue blood. But the philosophy was the same. Work hard and don’t cut corners and earn your pay and leave it all on the job. Jordan did every day he was on the basketball court.

I have many, many fond memories and great stories of (more…)