Mario Sanchez Carrion

Mario Sanchez Carrion http://blog.mariosc.com Most recent posts at Mario Sanchez Carrion posterous.com http://blog.mariosc.comhttp://shoestringbranding.com/images/minilogo.pngmariosc.comShoestringBrandinghttp://feedburner.google.com Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:53:00 -0700 Mistakes http://blog.mariosc.com/mistakes http://blog.mariosc.com/mistakes <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo" height="240" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/mariosc/bd4Ahk6gT0eNydGPOjWjGdyDvVbvQJQ9KpnPXqp4mcGIePgQDHhLmdJWfFC5/photo.jpg" width="160" /> </div> <p>There's this trick that jugglers play sometimes: when performing their most difficult routine, they may drop a ball or two on purpose just to "sell" the audience on the difficulty of the task. Then, they try again and it comes out perfect. Applause.<p /> In business we don't need to fake mistakes, because even if we aim for perfection mistakes will happen (they come with the territory when we're trying to do something worthwhile). <p /> Fortunately, mistakes are also great opportunities. While perfection may be taken for granted or go unnoticed, people pay attention to (and remember us for) the way we <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/75/sgodin.html">fix</a> our mistakes. <p />It's OK to drop a ball once in a while. What really matters is what we do next. <p /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope8muse/2830564512/">Calliope_Muse</a></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/mistakes">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/mistakes#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=nkk1ZBDQkM4:LfBxx5LXhkY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=nkk1ZBDQkM4:LfBxx5LXhkY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=nkk1ZBDQkM4:LfBxx5LXhkY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=nkk1ZBDQkM4:LfBxx5LXhkY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/nkk1ZBDQkM4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:05:25 -0700 Experts http://blog.mariosc.com/experts http://blog.mariosc.com/experts <p> Americans have a fascination with experts. In part, I think, this is due to our quest for convenience and instant gratification. It's also a way to deflect responsibility: if something goes wrong "it's not my fault: the expert said it!" <p /> It's perfectly OK to know our limitations and to ask for help when we feel stuck. That doesn't mean, though, that we can abdicate our responsibility to think and do our homework. <p /> We don't need to know all the answers, but we must at least be able to ask a few good questions. </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/experts">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/experts#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=GwjRH_dI-Vw:opSuLpkmSfI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=GwjRH_dI-Vw:opSuLpkmSfI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=GwjRH_dI-Vw:opSuLpkmSfI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=GwjRH_dI-Vw:opSuLpkmSfI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/GwjRH_dI-Vw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:19:00 -0700 The Limo http://blog.mariosc.com/the-limo http://blog.mariosc.com/the-limo <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo" height="160" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/mariosc/LfraEVvGyASNOsZ5wyMAQqaR5WM2eoE2cPNQj7WWmvVNIqeqPCsVbdX5PE8h/photo.jpg" width="240" /> </div> <p>A few days ago I was on my way to JFK riding on one of those comfortable Lincoln Town Cars, popular with car services in the city. <p /> Trying to make small talk with the driver I asked him how many cars did the car service own. "A lot, more than seventy", he said. Then he paused for a moment and said something that bothered me: "We (meaning the drivers) are making them rich."<p /> Hearing the driver badmouth his employer was uncomfortable, but what bothered me more was his implication that running a business is easy and performing a job is hard, when more often than not it's the other way around. <p />Running a business entails putting money on the line, becoming comfortable with leverage and risk and, especially, dealing with the pressure of having to find customers every day. Compare that to just having to show up and drive...<p /> Risk and reward, supply and demand. Sounds pretty basic-and it is. Unfortunately, too many people are still stuck in the entitlement mentality. <p /> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lukeroberts/2342221365/">Luke Roberts</a></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-limo">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-limo#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=Nj-gzzFyzLE:NF0I7oftuAQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=Nj-gzzFyzLE:NF0I7oftuAQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=Nj-gzzFyzLE:NF0I7oftuAQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=Nj-gzzFyzLE:NF0I7oftuAQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/Nj-gzzFyzLE" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:11:00 -0800 Amateurs Sell. Professionals Sort http://blog.mariosc.com/amateurs-sell-professionals-sort http://blog.mariosc.com/amateurs-sell-professionals-sort <p> When it comes to marketing, what do you usually do? Do you spend your time trying to convince people to buy (selling) or finding people who want to buy (sorting)? Big difference...<p /> Amateurs sell. Professionals sort.<p /> Trying to convince people to stop buying brand A (the competition) and start buying brand B (yours) by bombarding them with facts, features and benefits sounds reasonable, but it doesn't work.<p /> If people don't have (or don't think they have) a problem with what they're currently using, they won't even listen to you. <p /> <b>Marketing is not the business of changing peoples' minds.</b> It is the art of finding people who want to buy what you have to offer (and they won't buy until they have a problem). What problem are you trying to solve with your features and benefits? Are you sure it's really a problem, or are you just shouting in the wind? </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/amateurs-sell-professionals-sort">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/amateurs-sell-professionals-sort#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=99RSN09K-nM:wN0EvC2tkQw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=99RSN09K-nM:wN0EvC2tkQw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=99RSN09K-nM:wN0EvC2tkQw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=99RSN09K-nM:wN0EvC2tkQw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/99RSN09K-nM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:50:00 -0800 Doing Less With Less http://blog.mariosc.com/doing-less-with-less http://blog.mariosc.com/doing-less-with-less <p> The phrase "you have to do more with less" has become the rallying cry during tough economic times.<p /> I don't particularly like it, though, because I think it's misleading. It sounds as if we're being asked to work harder, when what we're really expected to do is work smarter.<p /> Rather than doing "more with less" we need to become experts at doing "less with less". Less low-impact work, less busywork, less mindless we've-always-done-it kind of work, so we can focus only on high value, high return activities.<p /> If you have less, do less. Just make sure they're the right things. </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/doing-less-with-less">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/doing-less-with-less#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=WPXPjh0vR9M:w3vQFO9XPzI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=WPXPjh0vR9M:w3vQFO9XPzI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=WPXPjh0vR9M:w3vQFO9XPzI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=WPXPjh0vR9M:w3vQFO9XPzI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/WPXPjh0vR9M" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:10:43 -0800 The Cola Wars http://blog.mariosc.com/the-cola-wars http://blog.mariosc.com/the-cola-wars <p> Interesting <a href="http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/14/10383732-coke-and-pepsi-may-be-readying-another-cola-war">article</a>: Pepsi and Coke are at the brink of a new marketing "cola war". Pepsi has announced a $600 million marketing investment while Coke says they've slated $650 million for brand building initiatives.<p /> So, more than a billion dollars will be spent between two companies trying to convince people to drink more glorified sugar water. <p /> Yes, promoting a crappy product is expensive.<p /> If you're an entrepreneur, spend your money making a really good product so you don't have to spend a fortune later trying to convince people to buy it. </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-cola-wars">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-cola-wars#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=6m1JD_vmy3Q:oH97-GHC6eE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=6m1JD_vmy3Q:oH97-GHC6eE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=6m1JD_vmy3Q:oH97-GHC6eE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=6m1JD_vmy3Q:oH97-GHC6eE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/6m1JD_vmy3Q" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:23:10 -0800 The Five Question Business Plan http://blog.mariosc.com/the-five-question-business-plan http://blog.mariosc.com/the-five-question-business-plan <p> In its most simple form, a business plan is just the answers to five basic questions: <b>why, how, what, who</b> and <b>when</b>.<p /> In brief:<p /> <b>Why:</b> As in "why are you in this business?" This is your purpose, your mission. It has to be deeply aligned with your personal values, otherwise you're going to be miserable.<p /> <b>How:</b> As in "how do you plan to accomplish that?" This is your strategy, the path you've chosen to fulfill your mission. It has to be deeply aligned with your strengths and skills, otherwise you will most certainly fail.<p /> <b>What:</b> As in "what exactly do I have to do?" These are the actions, the tactics, the things you have to do to execute your strategy. They are the day-to-day of your business.<p /> <b>Who</b> and <b>When:</b> This is the execution. It's when you establish ownership and accountability. Without execution nothing happens.<p /> Two very important points:<p /> 1) You have to do all five, and, most importantly<p /> 2) You have to start with Why </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-five-question-business-plan">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-five-question-business-plan#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=s1DFeA1NAi4:W9Dok2Npzlo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=s1DFeA1NAi4:W9Dok2Npzlo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=s1DFeA1NAi4:W9Dok2Npzlo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=s1DFeA1NAi4:W9Dok2Npzlo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/s1DFeA1NAi4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:37:19 -0800 How To Give Praise http://blog.mariosc.com/how-to-give-praise http://blog.mariosc.com/how-to-give-praise <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo" height="240" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/mariosc/tshcH0nkG8GlYTVWnJF2K697EMMrHX1jpd0NxQoh1eu1p6N02pslmTSdgZii/photo.jpg" width="187" /> </div> <p>Praising others for a job well done is a powerful motivator. The key to do it right is to make it short and not to include any qualifiers.<p /> For example, telling someone: "Great first quarter! Now let's make the second quarter even better", is not the right way to praise. Neither is: "Great presentation, but perhaps next time we can make it a little bit shorter".<p /> This is much better: "Josh, that was a great presentation. Thank you."<p /> If you want to praise somebody, just do that. If there is something minor that they could have done a little better (and there always is) mention it some other time.<p /> It's easy and very effective. Try it.<p /> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/articularnos/4710170047/in/photostream/">Articularnos.com</a></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/how-to-give-praise">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/how-to-give-praise#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=eGYyt_ltKJQ:n-HRpVciiAk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=eGYyt_ltKJQ:n-HRpVciiAk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=eGYyt_ltKJQ:n-HRpVciiAk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=eGYyt_ltKJQ:n-HRpVciiAk:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/eGYyt_ltKJQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:51:00 -0800 Selling The Idea Before The Execution http://blog.mariosc.com/selling-the-idea-before-the-execution http://blog.mariosc.com/selling-the-idea-before-the-execution <p> This is a powerful tip from a book I just read called <a href="http://www.theartofthepitch.info">The Art of the Pitch</a> by Peter Coughter: <b>sell the idea before the execution.</b><p /> I'll give you an example: suppose you're a graphics designer trying to sell a new business card design to a real estate agent. You want to do something different, so your design doesn't include the customary agent's picture.<p /> If you show the agent your new designs up front, the first question she's probably going to ask is: where's my picture? You can try and explain why you didn't include it, but at that point it will sound more like damage control than a genuinely good idea. <p /> If instead you <i>first</i> sell her on your theory that agents' pictures in business cards are ineffective, unoriginal and overdone, then it's just a matter of showing her your designs so she can pick one.<p /> Our best ideas are usually the most controversial ones, so they need to be sold first. If we do that, selling the execution becomes easy. </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/selling-the-idea-before-the-execution">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/selling-the-idea-before-the-execution#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=Cj8Ux5OMX5s:O9M3rpChMbM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=Cj8Ux5OMX5s:O9M3rpChMbM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=Cj8Ux5OMX5s:O9M3rpChMbM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=Cj8Ux5OMX5s:O9M3rpChMbM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/Cj8Ux5OMX5s" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:16:00 -0800 What Do You Recommend? http://blog.mariosc.com/what-do-you-recommend http://blog.mariosc.com/what-do-you-recommend <p> One of my pet peeves is hearing this conversation:<p /> Waiter: what would you like to order? <p /> Diner: uhhh, I don't know, what do you recommend?<p /> People usually do this not because they're feeling adventurous, but because it's easier to burden someone else with the decision. <p /> It wouldn't be a big deal if this happened only in a restaurant setting, in the context of ordering a meal. The problem is that <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/why-small-habits-matter">small habits</a> like this are often indicative of how we make more important decisions. <p /> Making decisions (and <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/resolutions">acting on them</a>) is hard work, that's why so many people just <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/going-through-the-motions">go through the motions</a>, letting others decide for them.<p /> If our default reaction when facing a decision is to ask others "what do you recommend?", then let's not complain if what we get is not what we were expecting. </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/what-do-you-recommend">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/what-do-you-recommend#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=IwlTMFALpPo:suqVhEVzF1M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=IwlTMFALpPo:suqVhEVzF1M:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=IwlTMFALpPo:suqVhEVzF1M:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=IwlTMFALpPo:suqVhEVzF1M:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/IwlTMFALpPo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:40:39 -0800 Arriving Early http://blog.mariosc.com/arriving-early http://blog.mariosc.com/arriving-early <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo" height="180" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/mariosc/Jc7jmGRlvlwEDcVHBJMz5mbpbe7Gg4l4148cGZtWYzHvKIR5f0TRfQmwbp3j/photo.jpg" width="240" /> </div> <p>I am not a gregarious person, but at the same time I recognize the importance of <a href="http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/uzzi/ftp/uzzi's_research_papers/uzzi_dunlap%20hbr.pdf">networking</a>. That’s why I’ve developed a few habits and tactics to make my networking efforts easier. <p /> One of them is arriving early. Whenever I go to a meetup, I make it a point to be one of the first ones to arrive, usually when there's only a couple of people there. It's easier to strike a conversation with them and take it from there, than coming in late and trying to break into large groups where conversations have already started. <p /> There is also an added benefit: if there is a presenter, he'll probably also arrive early (to set up the projector, size up the room, or meet the audience). You have a better chance of introducing yourself and have a quality conversation before the presentation than at the end, when everybody is trying to approach the presenter at the same time.<p /> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rominasantos/5416939756/">Romina Santos</a></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/arriving-early">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/arriving-early#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=WXZuMQFRl18:y2-iSkuR700:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=WXZuMQFRl18:y2-iSkuR700:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=WXZuMQFRl18:y2-iSkuR700:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=WXZuMQFRl18:y2-iSkuR700:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/WXZuMQFRl18" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:23:00 -0800 Sleeping Well At Night http://blog.mariosc.com/sleeping-well-at-night http://blog.mariosc.com/sleeping-well-at-night <p> Proclaiming yourself a guru can get you <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/226032/how_to_get_more_twitter_followers_5_dos_and_donts.html">followers</a>.<p /> Trashing your competitors can get you <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12455.html">votes</a>.<p /> Stirring controversy can get you <a href="http://www.zadling.com/2010/05/boost-traffic-with-a-controversial-blog-post/">traffic</a>.<p /> Management by fear can get you <a href="http://www.executivebrief.com/article/management-by-fear-does-it-really-work/">results</a>.<p /> Yes, behaving like an a**hole <a href="http://bobsutton.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/11/tips-how-to-be-an-effective-asshole.html">can be effective</a>. That doesn't mean that you need to become one, or that there aren't other, better ways to be successful. </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/sleeping-well-at-night">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/sleeping-well-at-night#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=_MPRH7ogB7E:DC-rjwKoo3k:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=_MPRH7ogB7E:DC-rjwKoo3k:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=_MPRH7ogB7E:DC-rjwKoo3k:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=_MPRH7ogB7E:DC-rjwKoo3k:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/_MPRH7ogB7E" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:32:40 -0800 Your Ideal Customer http://blog.mariosc.com/your-ideal-customer http://blog.mariosc.com/your-ideal-customer <p> I regularly visit <a href="http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog">Ramit Sethi</a>'s site. Ramit is a personal finance guru for the twentysomething set, and also a powerful personal brand who has mastered the art of defining, finding and serving <i>only</i> his ideal customers.<p /> Ramit's ideal customers are those who <a href="http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-i-think-of-information-addicts/">take action</a> as opposed to those who just talk or "think about it". To make sure he attracts the right people he has implemented a few hard rules and procedures, to which he adheres religiously.<p /> For example, he doesn't record his teleclasses, even when they take place at odd hours. He firmly states that if you're really interested you'll find a way to make it. His most expensive courses feature a rigorous application process, through which he rejects most applicants for not having the right mindset.<p /> Does this super selective strategy hurt him in the short term? Yes. I'm sure he's leaving some money on the table. Does it make his brand stronger, which brings him more money in the long run? Absolutely.<p /> Most brands fail because they try to be all things to all people, instead of narrowly defining the kind of customer they're uniquely qualified to serve. <p /> Think of it this way: <b>our real job is not just to sell goods or provide services; it is to build an army of fans.</b> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/your-ideal-customer">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/your-ideal-customer#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=fs0773H-U0Q:-The5rIUypQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=fs0773H-U0Q:-The5rIUypQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=fs0773H-U0Q:-The5rIUypQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=fs0773H-U0Q:-The5rIUypQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/fs0773H-U0Q" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:28:00 -0800 We're Missing Data! http://blog.mariosc.com/were-missing-data http://blog.mariosc.com/were-missing-data <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo" height="240" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/mariosc/i0sWWxe97qkT9LFzDlIn50HtgYrhTlMMWPiGPoEtSPFAUTtS257ktxAuNiMA/photo.jpg" width="161" /> </div> <p>Back in the day, when I was in college studying Industrial Engineering in Peru, my classmates and I would regularly wrestle with tough math and calculus problems. <p /> Once in a while a sadistic professor would give us a problem that was impossible to solve. Of course, we didn't know...<p />Only after a long struggle the brightest guys in the class would suspect something was wrong, until finally one of them would muster enough courage to raise his hand and utter the words everybody was waiting for: we're missing data!<p />Ah, the beauty of exact sciences... For every problem there is only one solution, and all the other variables have to be given to you.<p />Only after I graduated and ventured into the real world did I learn (sometimes the hard way) that life's problems have more than one answer, and that you never have enough information. However, raising our hand and shouting: we're missing data! is not an option.<p />Life is about taking action in the face of <a href="http://www.theuncertaintybook.com/">uncertainty</a>. If we wait until all the lights are green we'll end up with a nice repertoire of excuses, but we'll never accomplish anything.<p /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/whateyesee13/5487638828/">whateyesee13</a></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/were-missing-data">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/were-missing-data#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=5syr6JhY_N0:GVSGVh1UASo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=5syr6JhY_N0:GVSGVh1UASo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=5syr6JhY_N0:GVSGVh1UASo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=5syr6JhY_N0:GVSGVh1UASo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/5syr6JhY_N0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:58:00 -0800 Don't Be Boring http://blog.mariosc.com/dont-be-boring http://blog.mariosc.com/dont-be-boring <p> We've all been told at some point to write our resume in one page, cut our PPT presentation to less than 10 slides, or limit our pitch to five minutes. <p />Taken literally, we need to keep it short. Reading between the lines, however, what does it really mean? Perhaps, that the expectations are so low when it comes to resumes, presentations and meetings that we want to limit the pain by going through them as fast as possible. <p /> Yes, they're telling us to keep it short. But what they're really, really telling us is: don't be boring. </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/dont-be-boring">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/dont-be-boring#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=7Z3J6bLMqCI:uztWYqmMvhI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=7Z3J6bLMqCI:uztWYqmMvhI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=7Z3J6bLMqCI:uztWYqmMvhI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=7Z3J6bLMqCI:uztWYqmMvhI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/7Z3J6bLMqCI" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:09:00 -0800 Plan B http://blog.mariosc.com/plan-b http://blog.mariosc.com/plan-b <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="B" height="173" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-02-01/zdkcmDuAnFFmynCsdBcrggqdbdJAioDcDIgGjlpInjswukxrspGgxmuepkJA/B.png.scaled500.png" width="186" /> </div> Having an option feels safe. If plan A doesn't work, we can always count on plan B.</p> <p>There is a problem, though: many times, plan B is the reason why plan A doesn't work. Plan B is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is the reason why we don't give plan A all our effort, attention and resources. Plan B is a temptation to settle.</p> <p>I used to think that having a plan B was the sensible thing to do. I'm not so sure any more. A powerful force unleashes when we <a href="http://www.pbs.org/conquistadors/cortes/cortes_d00.html">burn our boats</a> behind us. We may succeed or not, but at least we can rest assured that we gave it our all. With a plan B, we will never know.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/plan-b">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/plan-b#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=FG7TACn8GwY:Kk6r4gSTa6U:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=FG7TACn8GwY:Kk6r4gSTa6U:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=FG7TACn8GwY:Kk6r4gSTa6U:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=FG7TACn8GwY:Kk6r4gSTa6U:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/FG7TACn8GwY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:04:00 -0800 The Honest Mechanic http://blog.mariosc.com/the-honest-mechanic http://blog.mariosc.com/the-honest-mechanic <p> <p>The repair shop I take my car to had a great slogan: Home of the Honest Mechanic.  In an industry not known for its integrity it was a powerful and differentiating claim.  They lived up to it, too. I can recall at least three occasions when they refused to charge me because the repair was just a minor tweak.</p><p>Today I took my car for maintenance and noticed that the building had been painted over with a new slogan: General Repair Specialists.</p><p>Why would they do that?  I asked the lady in the front desk, but she said she didn't know, that the owner just decided to change it.</p><p>This small business had a great slogan that concisely and effectively communicated its brand essence (something companies pay branding agencies fortunes to unveil) and changed it for a lame, generic description: General Repair Specialists.  What a wasted opportunity.</p><p>Your slogan is not just empty words.  It's a brand asset that adds value to your business.  If you find one that works don't just change it for the sake of change.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-honest-mechanic">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-honest-mechanic#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=sMQBDHOBfnI:f3iUhJeh4qY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=sMQBDHOBfnI:f3iUhJeh4qY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=sMQBDHOBfnI:f3iUhJeh4qY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=sMQBDHOBfnI:f3iUhJeh4qY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/sMQBDHOBfnI" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:38:00 -0800 The Next Time http://blog.mariosc.com/the-next-time http://blog.mariosc.com/the-next-time <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo" height="180" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/mariosc/zlZAvmHbCZOxfsGgGW6yYteCZyW0tNuQNZ34prE8cQ8vPW31V5W77SXNhRsJ/photo.jpg" width="240" /> </div> <p>If you watch soccer regularly you've probably witnessed this situation many times: the referee calls a penalty kick against one of the teams. Immediately, the players of the affected team surround the referee, yelling and gesturing in protest, keeping at it for enough time to make the referee uncomfortable. <p /> Now, if you watch soccer you also probably know that a referee never takes back a penalty call. So, why do players bother to protest if the outcome is not going to change? Because they're trying to condition the referee to be more lenient on future calls. They're not thinking about <i>now</i>. They're thinking about <i>the next time</i>.<p /> If somebody you do business with on a regular basis screws up and there's nothing they can do to fix it, you still need to complain. Not to vent or try to change what can't be changed, but because you're already <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/tag/negotiating">negotiating</a> for a better deal next time.<p /> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyaustin/5451610521/">Tony Austin</a></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-next-time">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/the-next-time#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=1uXjmBy_kz0:CLtlFiqCYIQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=1uXjmBy_kz0:CLtlFiqCYIQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=1uXjmBy_kz0:CLtlFiqCYIQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=1uXjmBy_kz0:CLtlFiqCYIQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/1uXjmBy_kz0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:46:00 -0800 Intersections http://blog.mariosc.com/intersections-46220 http://blog.mariosc.com/intersections-46220 <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Intersections" height="240" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-30/AwFdfDeDnyvAsmFjzwrHCGbvkmyEnJnvskwjfticaFFslwsBthamJpqxBggx/Intersections.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="180" /> </div> Innovation doesn't always have to be entirely new-to-the-world. In fact, a common way of coming up with new ideas is to combine two or more things that already exist into something new. It's been done <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasailing">in</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickboxing">sports</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_cuisine">food</a>, <a href="http://www.ahlanlive.com/discover-dubai-berlin-fashion-fusion--163397.html">fashion</a> and countless other industries.<p /> Never underestimate the power of turning to other disciplines, cultures and industries for inspiration.<p /> That great new idea for your next trade show may come from the art exhibit you went to over the weekend. A key insight for your new business strategy may come from studying <a href="http://tinyurl.com/7z989ru">history</a>. The simple analogy you're looking for to drive home your point in a sales presentation may come from the world of sports.<p /> Read, travel, experiment, and keep your eyes open for intersections.<p /> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycstreets/5863192159/in/photostream/">nycstreets</a></span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/intersections-46220">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/intersections-46220#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=ZUCyS-AX6nU:XoiKugZIIs8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=ZUCyS-AX6nU:XoiKugZIIs8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=ZUCyS-AX6nU:XoiKugZIIs8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=ZUCyS-AX6nU:XoiKugZIIs8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/ZUCyS-AX6nU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:49:14 -0800 Invitation To Connect http://blog.mariosc.com/invitation-to-connect http://blog.mariosc.com/invitation-to-connect <p> If you read this blog and find it useful, and you would like to connect on LinkedIn, feel free to send me an invite. Just sign in as a friend and write a short note on the invite form letting me know that you come from the blog.<p /> <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariobox">Connect with me on LinkedIn</a>.<p /> Thanks! </p> <p><a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/invitation-to-connect">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://blog.mariosc.com/invitation-to-connect#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=tqmm3l1SPKc:HY92Jw1vbdM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=tqmm3l1SPKc:HY92Jw1vbdM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?a=tqmm3l1SPKc:HY92Jw1vbdM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ShoestringBranding?i=tqmm3l1SPKc:HY92Jw1vbdM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ShoestringBranding/~4/tqmm3l1SPKc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/435264/mypictr_75x75.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10Oyv3L6DMR Mario Sanchez Carrion mariobox Mario Sanchez Carrion