Howard Leon's Blog

Summary: For this show I had gotten a call from Chris Williams from Rising Up Angry, regarding a last minute show at a club with an A & R Rep from Universal Republic Records. Since it was a sunday and it was a good chance to meet with the representative I promptly replied. As we got there, after helping to set up all the gear I was promptly asked to look after the merchandise for a few moments. Once I opened the box I noticed that the merchandise was unorganized with some rolled up and labeled and some that were not rolled up. So I decided to take the initiative and set up a table full of all the rolled merchandise and used duck tape to list what was what and what sizes we had.

After that I helped reset all the lighting for the size of the stage as well as run the lights for the show. At the end of the show I came up to the representative to discuss what he liked and didn't like for at the show and made sure he got everything he needed while he discussed business with the band. While discussions were happening, I helped take everything down and pack up.

What I Learned: For this show I learned how to be more organized when it comes to the appearance of a product/artist. I also learned that by taking the initiative to talk to the representative I learned what I could improve not only in the image of the products, but also learned how to appropriately present myself and product to another industry professional.

How This Applies: This activity can be applied in leadership because it helped me understand that a good organized company can help increase productivity.

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Leadership Portfolio Activity 5

2010-09-20T18:46:00.001-07:00

July 25, 2010: Rising Up Angry @ Coliseum in Daytona Florida.

Job: Grip/Lighting Engineer/Merchandising/Temporary VIP Security

Summary: For this show I was asked to help run the lighting rig in Daytona's Coliseum. Unlike the previous show at the coliseum, this was made up as a follow up show for the CD Release party back in March. Once I finished setting up the gear and lighting systems, I was asked to watch over the VIP Room before the actual venue security had arrived. While I was stationed there I found many friends of the band would try to enter without their name on the guest list. From my time spent watching over I had to use a bit of force to make sure no one entered the VIP Room. After that I was asked to help sell merchandise. After my time spent there, when Rising Up Angry came on I ran the lighting rig and helped pack everything up.

What I Learned: From this show I learned sometimes one must take more extreme measures to ensure the safety of another.

How This Applies: This activity can be applied to leadership because it helped me learn how to deal with people and issues that can possibly escalate.

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Leadership Portfolio Activity 4

2010-09-20T18:45:00.004-07:00

May 7, 2010: Rising Up Angry @ Hard Rock Live in Orlando Florida.

Job: Grip/Runner/Lighting Coordinator

Summary: For this show I was called to run the lights for the show. Knowing that this was a good time to work with the people at Hard Rock, I accepted the offer. When we got there, we learned that there was no time to set up all the lights as well as our own equipment. Knowing this I promptly removed myself as the lighting engineer and as Mark from Hard Rock to run his lights and I would coordinate what I wanted. During the other bands, I decided to go look for something I could do and decided to be the runner for what Hard Rock and Rising Up Angry needed. When Rising Up Angry started I gave Mark the list of what I wanted for each song as well as cued him in for each time a guitarist performed a solo. After the show I helped pack everything up and helped clean up the venue.

What I Learned: I learned that sometimes it is better to make the best with the situations at hand, and from there figure it out. I also learned how important it is to not only supervise another at a task, but also learned how to intervene if something needs to be fixed or added.

How This Applies: In this activity, I was able to not only step down when I needed, but I also was able to make the best of the situation with the tools needed to help create a more positive and productive environment.

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Leadership Portfolio Activity 3

2010-09-20T18:45:00.003-07:00

April 2, 2010: Rising Up Angry @ County Line Saloon in Melbourne Florida.

Job: Grip/Lighting Engineer/Merchandising/Promotions

Summary: For this show I called Rising Up Angry to get this gig. In this gig I had to do most of the regular work I had to do for the band. We set up al the equipment and afterwards I was sent to do some of the merchandising as well as the promoting for the Hard Rock show. Most of what I did consisted of offering free tickets to the people who bought merchandise. After that I ran the lights for the show and than helped them pack up.

What I Learned: For this show I learned how to properly communicate to people in order to sell merchandise and promote a show at the same time.

How This Applies: This activity applies to leadership because I was able to properly coordinate myself to talk to people in order to sell merchandise as well as promote a show.

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Leadership Portfolio Activity 2

2010-09-20T18:45:00.001-07:00

March 28, 2010: Rising Up Angry @ Coliseum in Daytona Florida.

Job: Show Coordinator/Lighting Engineer/Grip Supervisor/Merchandising

Summary: This was the biggest and best of the activities that I did for this band. For this show we started by getting there at 10:00 AM. I was able to take it easy for this one because we had many others helping us with the construction of the stage. So instead I was able to supervise the construction of the stage, more specifically with the lighting rig. After the construction of the stage I was asked to create the merchandise booth.

In this show I helped create the actual merchandise set up that Rising Up Angry now uses throughout their shows. During the show I was coordinating everything including the sound and the artists that were playing at the show. When Rising Up Angry was up I was able to run the lighting rig as well as coordinate the house lights with the Coliseum's lighting engineer. After they played I went back to the merchandise and helped sell all the merchandise. After that I helped pack up.

What I Learned: I learned how to properly coordinate and supervise a show. I also learned how to create a good image for a product utilizing the tools I had at hand. I also learned from the previous show how to properly pre-plan a show and what it takes to create the best show possible.

How This Applies: This activity applies to leadership because it helped me to learn how to properly function as a leader when in action. I was not only able to maintain what needed to be done, but I also helped created very smooth show.

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Leadership Portfolio Activity 1

2010-09-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

March 26, 2010: Rising Up Angry @ Club Fusion in St. Augustine Florida.

Job: Grip/Lighting Technician/Assistant Show Planner/Lighting Designer

Summary: This show was the practice show for the CD release party not only for the band, but also for the new singer who had just joined the band a few months before. For this show I had to get up around 8:00 AM. This is because I had to go to Rising Up Angry's practice space in order to go through all of the equipment and fix whatever needed to be fixed as well as design the lighting rig before the CD release party on the 28th. After going through all the equipment, at 4:00 PM we headed out to the practice show at Club Fusion. When we got there we planned out the next show and had them practice it at the club. I had to help them figure out what lighting we were going to use as well as merchandising, set list, and what else we needed. After that they played the show I helped pack up.

What I Learned: I learned how to fix and repair needed equipment as well as how to properly design a lighting rig for a professional venue. I also learned how to deal with new people in a band and work with them personally. The last thing I learned is how to properly plan a show.

How This Applies: This activity applies to leadership because I was able to not only fix and repair problems that needed to be fixed, but was also able to design a scheme for a big show and deal with the artists wants and needs flawlessly.

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Leadership Portfolio Month 11: Business Plan Development

2010-09-20T12:18:00.002-07:00

Assignment: Business Plan Expert Research

Summary: For this assignment I had to do research on two professionals and find out what their opinions were on business plans. I ventured onto a business plan website called BP Plans, which was a series of not only question and answers from many different experts, but also had them give their advice and opinions on particular matters. For this assignment I chose both Tim Berry, and Jeffrey E. Edelheit.

What I Learned: I learned from running through Bplans.com as well as the other linked resources, that when it comes to business plans, details are a huge factor in creating a successful one. I also learned that when it comes down to it, profit isn’t everything in a business plan. This is because as Tim Berry says, if you have cash flow, you can keep your company moving.

I also learned that since details are very important when forming a business plan, which I truly need to work on this business plan to ensure that I have properly created a more strategic and definite approach to what exactly needs to be done in order to have my business plan be not only successful, but also a sellable plan for other states.

How This Applies: This assignment helped me to understand from an experts perspective on how to have a properly make a business plan.

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Leadership Portfolio Month 10: Mobile Marketing And Commerce

2010-09-20T12:18:00.001-07:00

Assignment: Survey With People

Summary: For this assignment I had to conduct a survey regarding mobile technology and peoples thoughts about it. I managed to find six very different individuals from not only different states, but also different ages as well as statuses.

What I Learned: I learned that when it comes down to interviewing people regarding cell phones, people seem to be very emotionally either positive or negative to everything. The biggest thing that I have also learned that makes me curious was the question regarding getting an application that would update them on the information that they would need. This actually makes me think twice with applying this to my business as well as the application of my marketing from a mobile marketing perspective.

When it comes to actually applying all this to my business, this leadership portfolio has given me more of an incite into my actual demographics, which are unrelated to the demographics I interviewed because this was more of an experiment. In the end I have also learned how to properly conduct a survey required to get information from not only customers, but from random individuals as well.

How This Applies: This assignment gave me a chance to understand how to conduct a survey, which in turn can help me when it comes to gaining feedback from my companies' customers.

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Leadership Portfolio Month 9: Internet Marketing And Search Optimization

2010-09-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Digital Media Plan

Summary: For this assignment I had to create a digital media plan for my company. The digital media plan includes the following, competition, industry trends, target audience, goals and objectives, campaign budgeting and duration, channel rationale and budgeting, campaign management, and a customized KPI for my company. All of this was put together from not only the research done from the entire class, but as well as specifically found for this project.

What I Learned: I learned how to use sources to find the demographics of a website. I also learned how to brainstorm ways to properly get my website to the top of googles search engine.

How This Applies: This assignment gave me incite on how to properly allocate a target demographic from the internet and create a proper plan that coincides with the research.

Click Here To Review The Digital Media Plan

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Leadership Portfolio Month 8: Entertainment Media Publishing And Distribution

2010-09-20T12:15:00.002-07:00

Assignment: Publishing and Distribution Plan

Summary: For this assignment I had to create a strategy for my business. Since Miami Club Scene has nothing to sell but services I decided to use the record label I am creating for my music formerly known as Windigo Records. For this assignment I had to create a mission statement, an executive summary, a company description, a summary of my product, as well as the manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and promotion of this product.

What I Have Learned: Although it is unrelated to Miami Club Scene, I learned how to properly create a plan for what I wanted to do for my music. I also learned about many resources that I can use to my advantage.

How This Applies: This assignment helped teach me how to critically think about how to get my product out there. This in turn helped me to understand how important resourcing and outsourcing can be.

Click Here To Review The Publishing And Distribution Plan

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Leadership Portfolio Month 7: Advanced Entertainment Law

2010-09-20T12:15:00.001-07:00

Assignment: Interview With Lawyer

Summary: For this assignment I had to find a lawyer and interview him. During the weeks that we had off I ventured to Miami and went to the district where all the lawyers were more present and conducted a search. After countless declines and many references I stumbled on Professor Lionel S. Sobel from Southwestern Law School. From there I asked my questions and got fairly simple and straight to the point answers.

What I Learned: I learned that it is difficult to find lawyers, especially within such a small time frame. I also learned that when it comes to talking to another lawyer, they are more interested to talk to you if it is business rather than just asking questions regarding their work.

How This Applies: This applies to leadership because I had to do not only extensive research, but also travel to many law firms in Miami in order to try to get an interview. This taught me how to be persistent and challenged me to do extensive research as well as utilize references to find the correct person.

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Leadership Portfolio Month 6: Product And Artist Management

2010-09-20T12:14:00.001-07:00

Assignment: Interview and Presentation of an Artist or Product Manager

Summary: For this assignment I was suppose to interview an artist or product manager and than create a presentation. I decided to choose Chris Williams not only because he manages his own band, but he is also the co-founder and manager of the company Classic Cases, which makes road cases for expensive gear. I decided to personally go to his shop to see what and how he does everything as well as interviewed him on how he manages Classic Cases and what it takes to become a product manager in the industry.

What I Learned: I learned that it takes a great amount of time, energy, blood, sweat, and tears to manage a product. I also learned that managing a product can be a grueling and rigorous job without the proper knowledge, people skills, and determination. When it comes to product management, image is everything.

The last thing I learned is that it is good to have well structured questions as well as a list of these questions to hand to the interviewee before the actual interview occurs.

How This Applies: From this assignment I was able to learn not only how product management works, but I also was given incite on how to properly manage a product via word of mouth.

Click Here To Review The Product Management Presentation

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Leadership Portfolio Month 5: Negotiation And Deal Making

2010-09-20T12:13:00.001-07:00

Assignment: Negotiation

Summary: For this assignment I had to make a negotiation with someone. So I decided to negotiate with Chris Williams, both guitarist and manager from Rising Up Angry. For this assignment we negotiated a percentage that would be given to me for every CD sold. This is because I recorded the album for free on mutual terms but also I needed them to understand that I needed to at least make something other than just experience.

The negotiations went very smoothly and at the end of the negotiation a proper resolve was made. With all things considered and all numbers reviewed a decision was made on the understanding that both of us wanted to continue our mutual relationship going and keep this relationship long term. So in the end I get .40 Cents for every album sold as well as possibility of extra if the album becomes successful. In return I would work on their next album for little charge, which would be just enough to pay bills. This is because if I want to continue to working with them, they need to be able to have a strong career

What I Learned: I learned that emotions could easily harm a resolve. This is usually because sometimes it is difficult to take personal feelings away from the facts. I learned that in order to truly understand what I am negotiating I must understand the problems both sides may have. This could have been accomplished through much more thorough research, which I admit I did not do enough of.

I also learned that communication is very much needed in negotiation. When it comes down to it, it is as simple as this, if you cannot communicate well with others, than you cannot properly negotiate whatsoever.

How This Applies: This assignment applies to leadership because it taught me how to maintain myself in a proper negotiation. I learned how not to use my emotions and that if I learn to make a mutual agreement, that it can benefit not only myself, but another, which in turn can create a more lasting relationship.

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Leadership Portfolio Month 4: Accounting And Finance

2010-09-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Interview With Bank Representative

Summary: For this assignment I was asked to go interview a bank representative regarding financing as well as what their job was. I managed to get an interview with Assistant Vice President, Lawrence R. Phillips of Riverside Bank of Central Florida. From there I asked about their interest rates, investment rates, and other things such as stock options and lines of credit. I managed to have a very smooth interview as well as got lots of valuable information for this assignment.

What I Learned: I learned that when it comes down to it, it can be fairly easy to talk to representatives from banks. I also found that depending on the bank, depended on whether you needed to make an appointment, or just walk right in. I also learned that some banks aren't the best to work with in this more hectic economy.

How This Applies: From this assignment I learned how to properly interview someone. Before this assignment I had never actually interviewed another person. This in turn also helped me to understand how to prepare for an interview.

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Leadership Portfolio Month 3: Business Storytelling And Brand Development

2010-09-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Brand Identity Story

Summary: For this assignment, I was supposed to create an audio/visual representation of an effective story for brand identification. With this I made a video talking about myself, as the representative of Miami Club Scene and how I came to where I am now. The story I created consisted of a mock up representation of how I got to the school I went to and how I came up with the idea of Miami Club Scene.

What I Learned: I learned from this project how not to behave when it comes to a brand identity story telling. I learned instantaneously that sometimes the best way to tell a story should not be through comedy. I also learned how to actually conduct a proper brand identity story.

How This Applies: From this assignment I learned how to hone my skills as a speaker. Since I lack the ability to speak properly and professionally, this helped me to learn not only what to do, but also what not to do.

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Leadership Portfolio Month 2: Project Team Management

2010-09-20T12:10:00.001-07:00

Assignment: Project Proposal Group Project

Summary: For this assignment we had to create an entire project proposal as a group. Our project proposal was to create a press kit for the Oviedo Challenger Football League. The Oviedo Challenger Football League is a league dedicated to kids with special needs and challenges. This press kit includes photographs, biographies, interview, as well as performances of the event. For this assignment I was the photographer of the event as well as I wrote the assumptions for our proposal.

What I Learned: I learned that even when being sick, it is imperative that some work must be done. I learned how to take negative criticism for things that were not under my control as well as maintain composure in an almost little to nothing group environment.

How This Applies: From this assignment I learned very quickly how not to lead. I also learned very quickly that miscommunication can be a very large obstacle. Another thing that this assignment helped me with, is to be positive even in a negative environment.

Click Here To Review The Project Proposal

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Leadership Portfolio Month 1: Executive Leadership

2010-09-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Leadership Skills Assessment

Summary: For this assignment I had to assess myself as well as set personal goals for my final leadership portfolio. Listed below are my highly effective and needs improvement traits, as well as listed goals for the portfolio.

NI Skills:

1. Problem Solving

2. Attitude

3. People

4. Priorities

HE Skills:

1. Vision

2. Integrity

3. Self-discipline

Personal Goal Statement:

1. My major goal, like everyone else is to not only improve the skills that need improvement, but to continue to exercise the skills I am already good at.

2. One activity I will be utilizing very soon will be re-recording vocals the album “On Angry Grounds” by Rising Up Angry. Through this activity I will improve my problem solving and people skills by working with a new singer for the band and getting the product complete in a faster and more efficient way.

3. I will be volunteering at Classic Cases to help improve my priorities and attitude by working in an environment where teamwork is key to delivering a final product.

4. I will volunteer as a lighting engineer for Rising Up Angry. Through this I will be able to improve more on vision and influence by creating a professional quality light show to go with the bands music, while working with the band and sharing my knowledge and influence to help improve them as a band.

5. I volunteer as a band advisor/manager for the band Paralysis. Through this I will be developing my problem solving skills and my people skills by keeping the members happy not only with each other as people, but also help guide them as a band both musically and professionally

6. I will be coordinating a professional live music video for Rising Up Angry. This will help me improve on all my skills by utilizing what I already have, while learning how to maintain the vision in not only the staff, but in myself as well.

7. I will be attending and volunteering with MEISA. Through them I cannot only expand my own skills, I will learn through observing others as well.

What I Learned: Based off of the Leadership Skills Assessment, my most positive attributes are my integrity, my vision and my self-discipline. From there comes my ability to create positive change, develop staff, and influence others. I have learned from this assessment that the skills I need to work on the most would have to be problem solving, people skills, priorities and attitude.

How This Applies: From this assignment I learned that in order to improve traits you must conduct a self evaluation. In the first step to solving a problem, you must first admit that you have a problem and this helped me to find my problems very easily.

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Week 1 Exercise

2010-06-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

Site #1: Mansion Miami

Assessment: Mansion Miami, during the month of december spikes to about 6,000 views than drops to about 2 to 3,000 hits. Through the rest of the month the hits spike during mid april and slowly declines during june and july. This is mostly because of the holidays.

Site #2: Miamiclubs.com

Assessment: After reviewing the traffic for this site, Miami Clubs has the same spikes during the same months which probably has to do with the amount of people Miami can bring during these months. Basically what we are seeing is the same trend but with a different amount of traffic numbers.

Site #3: Club Space Downtown Miami

Assessment: Once again this is the same thing that happens during the same months. After going into more research to find if my findings were correct and found that these trends continue throughout the sites mainly because of the holidays.

Overall Trend Assessment: From the information collected, it seems during the new years and april, Miami has the highest hits of people to their websites. This probably has to do with people checking what will be happening during those times of the year. This gives us a clear view of when the perfect time is for promotion of our website.

My Target Audience: Judging from the research I have made, a majority of my target audience starts from 18-34 and 35-49. The majority of my target audience will be hispanic and will mostly have no kids.

Other Search terms: Other search terms include, live miami club, miami club, miamiclubs, and kitchen 305 miami.

Week 1 Assessment

2010-06-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

1. About My Business Plan:

My business concept is called Miami Club Scene. The idea of Miami Club Scene is to create an online and offline social network that tailors to the patrons, and venues in the local area. This includes listings of events in venues, specials at each venue, what is popular, and many other services that can both entice and keep our customers coming back. Our ways of generating income include event hosting, advertising, VIP services, an iPhone application, and a subscriptions for our services.

2. The Keywords:

The keywords that we will be using for my business is as follows:

1. nightclubs in miami: Since part of our services entitles alliances with venues, we want to make sure that we are on the top of this list. This will ensure that if someone wants to see nightclubs in Miami, they can come to the place with all the best nightclubs listed along with their events, specials, and updates.

2. miami club scene: This one is pretty straightforward. We chose this keyword simply because it is the name of the company and the website.

3. the miami nightlife: Since we are tailored to create a social network for the clubs in Miami, naturally we picked this one. This entails what the social network is for, which is simply the miami nightlife.

4. miami beach clubs: Since most of the nightlife is located on Miami Beach, we decided to add this phrase so that people know that our main focus is in Miami Beach.

5. miami club vip: Since our services include events, we want to include this phrase so that more people can draw to our VIP services as well as events, which can draw more customers.

Summary: I chose these 5 keyword/phrases because not only are they simple, but they also get straight to the point. Since my business entails many services, and venues, it would be wise to put our business onto the top of each of these.

3. The Top-Ranked Websites:

The list of each of the top ranked site for each keyword are as follows:

1. Mansion Nightclub

2. Miami Nightclub Guide

3. Miami.com

4. Miami Beach Nightlife

5. SoBe VIPs

To get to #1: To get to the top of each of these keyword searches it would be extremely difficult. This partially has to do with the fact that one of my main competitors would be Miami.com. We would have to play it smart, which would entail using these competitors as allies to help promote the website as well.

4. In conclusion: Although the keywords have shown much of our competition to be some of the top most well known services, sites, and clubs, this can be used to our advantage. With the right the right integration with these sites, we can ultimately get ourselves out there fairly quickly.