Cancer is a bitch

December 23, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • cancer, faith, friends

It has happened again. Someone close to our family has been diagnosed with cancer. A serious case.

Cancer is a bitch. It strikes the undeserving. It shows no quarter to young or old, good or bad. It is devastating not only to the stricken, but to all those who know and love that person.

Cancer can be beat. It takes all of the science available to our healthcare professionals. But it takes more. It takes hope and determination and belief.

I know that our friend is not the only person who will receive news like this. It’s always devastating. But especially at this time of year.

So to you, my friend, and all the people who receive news that fills us with doubt and fear, I can only say that my thoughts, my will, my prayers, my heart are with you.

If there is a power above, some logic and order that make sense of this, I hope it will show itself now.

Cancer is a bitch.

The final episode of Inside PR – at least for 2012

December 21, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • Gini Dietrich, Inside PR, Martin Waxman, Ryan Holiday

It’s the end, at least for this year. The final episode of Inside PR for 2012 has been posted.

In today’s episode, Gini Dietrich, Martin Waxman, I look back at the trends in 2012 that stood out for us. Things like the continuing evolution of social media to photos and video; the convergence of advertising, PR, digital agencies to compete directly against one another; the evolution of search to incorporate personal profiles and social interaction. And above all, for me, the stripping away of my idealism about the blogosphere that came when I read Ryan Holiday‘s “Trust Me, I’m Lying.”

Have a listen. Let us know what you think. In a comment on this blog, on the Inside PR blog, on the Inside PR Google+ Community or on the Inside PR Facebook group. Anyway that you want. We’d love to hear your views.

Inside PR 320 [ 15:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We’ll be back in 2013 as Inside PR begins its seventh year.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Laurier LaPierre, legendary Canadian broadcaster, has left us

December 17, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • Laurier LaPierre

Sad news today: Laurier LaPierre, Canadian broadcast icon and former Canadian Senator, has passed away.

I met Laurier when we worked together on Sheila Copps‘ unsuccessful campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. Laurier may have been fighting for a lost cause, but he did it with enthusiasm, generosity and the highest principles.

It was an honour to have known him. And a true delight to have spent time with him.

—————–

For a perspective on Laurier LaPierre’s contribution to journalism, read Cecil Rossner’s Grilling the Guest – Laurier LaPierre and the Host Seat Interview on the Canadian Journalism Project blog.

Inside PR: Google+ Communities, Twitter Photo filters and Facebook Democracy Fail

December 16, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • Gini Dietrich, Inside PR, Martin Waxman

Episode 3.19 of the Inside PR podcast has just been published. In this week’s episode, Gini Dietrich, Martin Waxman and I talk about a number of things that caught our eye.

First up: Google+ Communities

Google has added Communities to its Google+ Network. Think Yahoo Groups. Discussion groups organized around specific subjects.

Introducing the Inside PR Google+ Community

We’ve set up a Community for Inside PR listeners on Google+. If you like the podcast and would like to suggest future topics or discuss each week’s episode, click over to our Google+ Community and join the conversation.

Worth watching

Will the Inside PR Google+ community get as many members as the Inside PR Facebook group? Will there be better discussion on Google+? (I’m betting the conversation on Google+ will be much better, if not more voluminous.)

Twitter upgrades(?) with Filters on Photos

Is this a step forward? Or a defensive move in response to Instagram pulling its integration with Twitter? I’m not sure about the companies’ moves. I bet our listeners have more insight into this than I do.

Facebook drops its commitment to user democracy

Does anybody care? Was this ever a real thing or did Facebook’s thresholds so high that it simply fed a feeling of powerlessness from the outset?

Listen to the complete podcast

Inside PR 3.19 [ 15:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

And tell us what you think

This week, I’m encouraging Inside PR listeners to join the Google+ Community and find out whether this will be an instant success, a slow build, or a complete fizzle.

Feeling lucky

December 11, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • life, Thornley Fallis, work

This morning, I arrived to a darkened office. That’s not surprising, because it was 7 AM and I was the first person to arrive.

As I turned on the lights and walked into our then–empty office, I realized that I’m a lucky guy.

Why? Because 16 years after having co-founded Thornley Fallis, I still love my job.

Yes, there are challenges. There are disappointments. There is stress. But I know that I can rise to these challenges and be the master of my destiny. That’s invigorating.

And I love what I do. I love watching the changing patterns of communication and the evolving relationships we have with the institutions around us. I love learning from what I observe and changing the way that I apply my own skills for myself and for my clients.

I chose to be the first person in the office this morning because I wanted to get to work to tackle the day’s challenges, to stretch myself, to learn and to do something that I find meaningful.

So it’s 7 AM in a darkened office, and I feel I’m a lucky guy.

Truly appreciated: The Rogers Charging Station at Third Tuesday Toronto #3TYYZ

November 28, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • #3TYYZ, charging station, Rogers Communications, Third Tuesday

You’ve had a busy day at the office, using your mobile phone or tablet pretty much constantly. Then it’s time to rush out the door to your favourite event, like Third Tuesday Toronto. You arrive and you want to check in and begin Tweeting and what do you discover? Your battery is almost dead. So you start searching for an electric outlet and asking your friends if they have the connector you need for your phone or tablet.

Well, that almost happened to me last night at Third Tuesday Toronto #3TYYZ with Julien Smith. But not quite. Because our Third Tuesday sponsor, Rogers Communications was on hand with their charging station to enable me and anyone else at the event to recharge our mobile devices enough to get us through the evening.

So, thank you to Rogers Communications for being a generous sponsor of Third Tuesday and then going even farther and offering us the extra benefit of two staff and equipment to keep us charged and connected.

(Disclosure: Rogers did not ask for this post. And yes, they are a sponsor of Third Tuesday and a sometime client of my firm. And yes, I am a happy Rogers customer – cellphone, tablet, home Internet, home phone, cable TV. Disclosure complete. 🙂 )

Julien Smith at Third Tuesday Ottawa Storified

November 27, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • 3TYOW, Julien Smith, The Impact Equation, Third Tuesday

Julien Smith is a smart guy who has given a lot of thought to how and why we connect with one another in real life and online and how we build meaningful relationships through these connections.

Last night, he kicked off his two-city Third Tuesday mini-tour to promote his new book, The Impact Equation, which he co-authored with another smart guy, Chris Brogan.

Julien did not disappoint the Third Tuesday community. He gave us a lot to think about in a witty, laugh out loud presentation.

I’ve captured some of the highlights and bon mots from his presentation using Storify. Enjoy.

[<a href=”//storify.com/thornley/julien-smith-at-third-tuesday-ottawa-3tyow” target=”_blank”>View the story “Julien Smith at Third Tuesday Ottawa #3TYOW” on Storify</a>]<br /> <h1>Julien Smith at Third Tuesday Ottawa #3TYOW</h1> <h2></h2> <p>Storified by Joseph Thornley · Tue, Nov 27 2012 04:58:35</p> <div>With @misssolange at #thirdtuesday listening to author @julien The Impact Equation #ottawa http://pic.twitter.com/9aaXTMWeSamantha – STARFISH </div> <div>So excited to hear @julien! #3tyow this was before the event. Lovely guy. http://pic.twitter.com/aICX95zHStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>Awesome crowd at #3tyow http://pic.twitter.com/aLM6M74mKristine Simpson</div> <div>.@Julien takes the stage #3TYOW http://pic.twitter.com/NABRBz3TVictoria Procunier</div> <div>If you want to support Michael O’Connor Clarke go to supportmichaelocc.ca #3tyowKristine Simpson</div> <div>Wisdom and impact doesn’t have to come from age – Julien Smith #3TYOWHeather MacIntosh</div> <div>Be bold. Always. @julien #3tyowStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>Persistence running – man needed to outrun his prey, a selection pressure, a forge. Become a weapon or be destroyed #3tyowHeather MacIntosh</div> <div>It used to be adapt or die, now it’s adapt or suck @julien #3tyowStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>Children naturally adapt. To succeed, we must be like children. #3tYOWKimberly Valentine</div> <div>In order to adapt we must become and stay like children @julien #3TYOWMark Blevis</div> <div>@Julien smith’s talk is him talking to one striking image after another. Keeps your attention…robinbrowne</div> <div>If you can’t be number 1 or number 2 in a category, get out… and create your own category says @julien #3tyowKristine Simpson</div> <div>. @julien: the ugliest shows in the world are a growing trend (those flat toe shoes, can’t think of the name) #3TYOWStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>It’s not easy to look at something ugly and recognize it will become beautiful. @julien #3TYOWMark Blevis</div> <div>Always easy to defend the status quo. Ugly is a process to becoming beautiful and useful @julien #3TYOWStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>I don’t want people to copy, I want people to evolve @julien #3TYOWStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>"We should be constantly adopting to the needs that are around us." @julien #thirdtuesdaySolange Tuyishime</div> <div>@julien makes the case for freestyle agility. #3TYOWMark Blevis</div> <div>. @julien showing us a parcours video: look at what people can do vs what you expect them to be able to do #3tyowStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>Parkour … Parcours … Moving through your environment … Invented to run from cops #3TYOWHeather MacIntosh</div> <div>It’s amazing what people do, when they realize they have to. @julien #3TYOWEmily Charette</div> <div>You have to be like fire and turn your obstacles into fuel @julien (via Aurelius) #3tyowStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>The problem is in your head and you can’t get out of your head. So stimulate your mind, break patterns says @julien #3tyowKristine Simpson</div> <div>If something seems inevitable to you, do it today before others do it. @julien #3TYOWJoseph Thornley</div> <div>"What truth do youconsider obvious that no one else believes"? @julien #thirdtuesdayHenry Troup</div> <div>Don’t react to the marketplace as it is, everyone else has already done it @julien #3tyowStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>Start the company you think is obvious that others don’t see yet #3TYOWHeather MacIntosh</div> <div>#3tyow @julien you don’t want some exposure, you want maximum exposure, some of the timeJoel Elliott</div> <div>“…think about how to leave an impression on those who matter and help them gather around you.” @julien #theimpactequationMelissa Adey</div> <div>"Being vulnerable is the new cool," – @Julien at #3TYOW about his book, Impact Equation http://pic.twitter.com/WtfROCvTAdrian J. Ebsary</div> <div>Now I have another book by @julien to add to my must-read list: The Flinch http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0062Q7S3SJoseph Thornley</div> <div>Our brains our like malfunctioning alarm systems. We see risk because our ancestors saw risk. Break the cycle says @julien #3tyowKristine Simpson</div> <div>"We’re in the safest time ever so we should be taking more risks than ever." @julien smithrobinbrowne</div> <div>When you Flinch – big amount of pain and no one is willing to follow you. Choose that route. Hard but worthwhile @julien #3tyowStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>Become familiar with this phrase: "I don’t know, but I’m willing to find out." #3TYOWMichaela Schreiter</div> <div>Disrupt your own industry on purpose says @julien #3tyowKristine Simpson</div> <div>If someone is going to cannibalize you, might as well be you. Dare to innovate @julien #3tyowStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>Aim to galvanize your weaknesses and fix them @julien #3tyowStéphanie Montreuil</div> <div>Politicians can learn from @julien "what I used to believe is… Now what I believe is…" #3TYOW #EvolveDontFlipFlopMark Blevis</div> <div>A great speaker: @julien #3TYOW http://pic.twitter.com/NBNRvpmFJoseph Thornley</div> <div>Excellent talk tonight @ #3tyow by @julien. Being different is not always bad but being first is always betterraymond snow</div> <div>Great evening with @starfishevents. We’re inspired to make things happen. Thank you @julien! http://pic.twitter.com/MTvXxEr1Solange Tuyishime</div> <div>Succinct closing by @Julien at #3tyow: Talk -(without) Action = Shit.Andrew Moizer</div> <div>@julien thanks for a great talk tonight at @3tyow! Always thought provoking.Glenda Myles</div>

Julien Smith brings The Impact Equation to Third Tuesday

November 13, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • #3TYYZ, 3TYOW, Julien Smith, The Impact Equation, Third Tuesday, Trust Agents

When social media was shiny and new, we talked about it constantly. Every new tool, every new publishing platform, every new social network fascinated by enabling us to reach out, to be heard, to connect with others in a new way, in a way that we couldn’t previously.

Social media gave the people formerly known as the audience a voice. Social media gave us all a means to publish what we thought. Social media gave us all a means to connect 24 hours a day seven days a week, regardless of where we were, with our friends, our family, others who held our interest.

But a few short years later, social media is no longer the new thing. It is a fixture in our lives.

That doesn’t mean that social media has lost its relevance. It’s just that our attention has moved away from the shiny new objects, the new tools, to what they can help us do and how that affects the way that we relate to others and to society.

Julien Smith and Chris Brogan are two smart guys who’ve spent a lot of time considering the interplay of social media and people, communities and organizations. And as they’ve done that they’ve gained insight into how people connect and form meaningful online relationships. They’ve tested their theories through podcasting, blogging, speaking, real-world events, by trying out virtually every means of connecting with others and then examining the effect that they had. Through them, we see that each and every one of us can be heard, can find community, can form relationships, can have impact.

In addition to their online efforts, Julien and Chris shared their insights through their book, Trust Agents, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller. In Trust Agents, they examined the interplay of trust, reputation and influence in social media. And Julien travelled to Third Tuesdays across Canada to meet and talk to the community of communicators, marketers, public servants, business people and students who wanted to know more about how to build online community.

Now Julien and Chris are back with a new book, The Impact Equation, their follow-up to Trust Agents. And once again, Julien is coming to Third Tuesday Toronto #3TYYZ and Third Tuesday Ottawa #3TYOW to share his insights.

A lot has happened in two years. No longer is social media a shiny new thing for techies. Now, it’s mainstream. We’re all creating, sharing and connecting on it. But are we making being as effective as we’d like to be? Are we having the impact we want to have?

Julien and Chris believe that we can have the impact we want to have. And they’ve charted out a formula – the Impact Equation – to guide us in this.

“We’re not writing about Twitter and Facebook and Google plus and interest and path, because who cares? Those things are temporary and they aren’t the things that matter. The people are what matters,” Julien and Chris write. The real focus of The Impact Equation is “about getting a larger audience to see and act upon your ideas and learning how to build a community around that experience to take it all to an even higher level.”

The Impact Equation is something that everyone who participates in social networks or creates and shares content can use. And Julien Smith has tested what he writes about and personally demonstrated that we can have an impact on the world around us.

If you’d like to participate in Third Tuesday with Julien Smith, you can register online to attend either Third Tuesday Toronto #3TYYZ or Third Tuesday Ottawa #3TYOW.

The Impact Equation could make a real difference in how you approach online community and publishing.

BONUS: Every attendee will receive a copy of The Impact Equation when you check in at the event. So, you not only can hear and meet Julien, you can get your copy of the book personally signed by the author.

Thank you to our sponsors

Third Tuesday is supported by great sponsors – Cision Canada and Rogers Communications – who believe in our community and help us to bring speakers not just to Toronto but to Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver as well. Without the sponsors we couldn’t make Third Tuesday a truly Canadian affair. So, thank you to the sponsors of the Third Tuesday 2012-13 season: Cision Canada and Rogers Communications.

Goodbye Mouse. Hello Touchpad.

October 29, 2012 • Joseph Thornley • Logitech, Microsoft, t650, technology, touchpad, Windows 8

I love technology. Not so much that I crave every new shiny object. But I do love to get new things that make my life easier or extend my reach.

While I love learning and mastering new things, I know that not everybody is like me. As a business owner, I have to be pragmatic in what technologies I introduce into our workplace. I have to respect those people who would rather keep working with something that does the job just fine than spend time learning a new way of working for what might turn out to be a marginal improvement in productivity or capability.

And that brings me to Windows 8. On one hand, I see the promise of the first major upgrade in the personal computer interface since Windows 95. On the other hand, I am concerned that the effort to learn a new user interface will far outweigh its potential benefits. So I’m going to make myself the test dummy for Windows 8 at Thornley Fallis and 76design.

I’ve ordered an initial Windows 8 notebook computer to test Microsoft’s new operating system. It’s a Dell XPS 13, a truly sweet Ultra book. I’ve been using one of these systems with Windows 7 since last spring and it’s the best notebook I’ve ever owned. Thin. Light. Capable. So it’s a natural platform for my first test of Windows 8.

From what I’ve read, Windows 8 is a much different experience. It’s built so that I can navigate using gestures on a touchscreen. That works when I have the notebook sitting on my lap. But when I’m at my desk, that just doesn’t work for me. My notebook is hooked up to a larger second screen and it sits behind a wireless keyboard. A surefire recipe for back trouble if I’m constantly reaching across the keyboard to touch the screen.

I want to replicate the touchscreen gestures on my desktop, without the need to lean forward to reach my computer screen.

So, it’s goodbye traditional mouse. Hello touchpad.

In anticipation of the launch of Windows 8, I ordered one of Logitech’s brand-new T650 Touchpads. This touchpad promises to let me use all of the gestures I would use on the screen itself, but on a glass trackpad sitting on my desk beside my keyboard where the mouse traditionally would be.

It arrived this morning. And within only a few hours of use, I realized that I will never go back to a traditional mouse. Even on my current system operating Windows 7 it makes everything on the computer easier. Scrolling. Selecting text. Switching between programs. It’s all just so much more fluid using the touchpad. Even if I ultimately don’t move over the Windows 8, Microsoft has done me (and Logitech) a huge favour by prompting me to look for a modern alternative to the mouse.

What about you? Do you still use a mouse? Have you tried a touchpad? What do you think of each?