We live in fast changing times, but the paradox is that sometimes we need to slow down to better understand what is going on and learn how to adapt. The end of one year and the begining of another is a great time to reflect and take this time.

Having the thoughts of this diverse group of people in one place is very cool. From a Christian publisher and business leader to environmentalist to tech leaders, you will glean nuggets that will charge you up and focus your energy for 2010.

Here is what got me going:

• People who are not fearful made a decision at some point to be courageous. You can too!
• Being a source of dignity and generosity are two qualities that get noticed quickly in a connected world. But do it because that is who you are.
• Ignore the noise around you and follow your passion. When you are trying to create something or get to the next level, it is easy to get distracted. Don’t.
• Technology makes it easy to have lots of connections. Don’t just build a megaphone with technology to outshout competitors. Create value for people.
• The changing global economy will force business people to adapt or die. Exponential growth will no longer come from the developed nations, and information technology will be the seeds of growth in the digital age. Companies will need to become education and information providers regardless of what your product or service is.
• In a down economy, tactics take over and vision takes a back seat at just the wrong time. This is a huge opportunity for organizations that stick to the vision.

As Seth says, have fun with this book. Download it now and have it close by as you go through the holiday season and hopefully have some quite time to reflect and plan for a great 2010.

Dad used to scrape the ice off the streets, after ice delivery trucks left, so he can bring it home to the icebox our family had in the tenement building. They could not afford to buy ice themselves. He had to be an enterprising person from the beginning.

My family benefited greatly from dads wisdom. Most of us are all successful entrepreneurs, millionaires many times over because of his mentoring and example. As we sat in the hospice waiting for the inevitable ending of this outstandingly lived life, I thought a lot about where my dad started in life and how he ended up building one of the largest and most successful mechanical contracting companies in the NYC region.

Here are some key lessons I learned that I want to share with you:

1. Just start doing something! My dad got out of the army after WWII and opened up shop in Manhattan servicing Greek Diners and funeral parlors.  He started working with the “new technology” called refrigeration and air conditioning. He did not always know exactly what he was doing, but knew he could figure it out as he worked with it. No VC’s, no 100 page business plan, 100% make it happen.

2. Be open and available for new opportunities. My dad got a call one day from someone in real estate at the Bank Of New York. They needed a company to service their new air conditioning system 24/7, 365 for a new kind of room…for computers.  My dad did not even know what a computer was or why they needed a room, but he said yes because he knew that if it was that important to them, they would pay good money (and so would others) for that service.

3. Make your employees and clients feel special. It’s amazing how your business will grow and new opportunities get created when you have motivated people working with you and clients that know how much you appreciate them.

4. Persistence and determination will separate your business from your competition. At the end of the day, most markets that have solid opportunities will also have very good competitors. You will also face unforeseen obstacles and events, it’s inevitable. Seth Godin calls this “The Dip”. My dad had to battle rheumatic fever, the unexpected death of a partner and many other events that could have been great excuses to give up. Dad didn’t and his competitors did…he ate their lunch!

5. Technology is your friend! Many entrepreneurs don’t want to take the time to integrate new technology and process into their business. It’s hard.  It takes time and a learning curve. From new computer room technology to operational infrastructure, my dads company used everything they could to stay ahead of the competition. You can too!

I think about my own business today, GenNext Media, and what we preach with new technology and social media marketing. These touchstones or lessons have never rang truer than today.  We are hopefully coming out of the “great recession” and business marketing is changing dramatically…we call it disruption.  Fact is, just like in the past, winners and losers will emerge in this “new normal”.  These lessons from my dad are a beacon to a successful outcome for any business.

Thanks Dad! We love you and will miss you…

Think about this.  The media and marketing economy is in the biggest state of disruption since the invention of the radio.  With over 10% unemployment, finding great people is easier than ever.  New technologies like cloud computing and web services make starting a business inexpensive…with powerful tools as good as any large company can afford. Major media does not have a lock on my messaging? I don’t need a sales rep to “buy” advertising! Don’t get me wrong, I like sales reps, I was one in the mid 1980’s.

It has never been a better time to accelerate or build your business. Those of us who stand up and take this opporutnity will be rewarded.

Let’s be thankful for all this change and get ready to take advantage of it!

What do you think?

We created a free ebook with this title because I know so many of the business managers we talk with feel like “Disrupted” is the state of their business right now.  The bad economy, combined with new technology and interactive marketing techniques, has changed the way business marketing will work effectively in the future.  Call it the new normal.

What to do? Education, training and experimenting is the key.  The companies and executives that stay ahead of this curve will benefit greatly.  Winners and losers will emerge out of this Disruption.  Anyone know who the largest soap company in the US was before radio?  It was not P&G.  Companies that adapt to the new normal will win new customers and influence the market in unprecedented ways.  And guess what, anyone can play in this new normal regardless of the size of your organization.  Because everyone has an equal playing field in terms of access to customers and leveraging great content.  Creativity and serving customers better than anyone else in the market will win in the new normal.

Welcome to the new normal!  Join us in the fun and excitement of winning in this new Disrupted marketing and media environment.

Check out our free ebook at GenNext Media LLC.