Round two

Here we go. Round two- Yup, that’s right. I’m going to take another stab at this whole blog writing gig.

Over the past nine months I have been working as a Social Media consultant for Humber College. My time has been divided between status updates and writing blogs. Every single week I complied my thoughts into a 500-scripted word document with topics spanning across marketing events to student tips on how network.

Now it’s my time. In this blog I am going to write everything and anything that comes to my mind. I must admit that most of what I post will be pointless- random thought; however the remainder will hold insight and information (or at least I hope) into the world of business and marketing.

Thank- you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy what you find!

-Tim 

It's Friday.

Well... it’s Friday. I figured that it would be a good time for a blog. The phones has stopped ringing, the emails have all been checked. So it’s time to write.

I have been working with Theatre Collingwood for just under two months now. Although my dreams of travelling to NYC this summer have come to an end, I have managed to find a very professional marketing and sales job within my local area.

Wasaga Beach and Collingwood is primarily a vacation haven for tourists. The streets are full of fast food outlets and what I like to call ‘junk’ retailers (i.e- stuff that you buy just because you are in ‘Wasaga Beach woooo’). Evidently, the area is not the best place to seek a professional level job.

I was lucky enough to find this job listing on the internet and was selected amongst an array of other theatre and marketing savvy students.

It has definitely been a challenge. The new wave of social media marketing results in a stagnant level of response. Over 90% of our businesses demographic are aged 70+. Most of these individuals are not familiar with the terms ‘Twitter’ ‘Wifi’ and ‘lol’. Technology has left them behind. Computers are dinosaurs.

What is the most successful way to market to these individuals?... Cold calling. Oh yes. The good ol’ days of cold calling people when they are eating dinner is back! (If you think that cold calling never left or that cold calling is still ‘hip’ then you might want to re-think your business marketing plan)

In the world of theatre, a phone call and a letter goes a long way.

I have learnt that marketing is not how well you can sell the product; it’s how well you are able to sell yourself. Marketing is a conversation. A conversation that you (as the marketer) are responsible for starting; the goal- and the difficult part- is to have others continue and carry it along.

Most of this should be common sense to anyone working within the industry... or at least I hope it is.

Every day I am amazed when I stop and realize that the small town of Collingwood and Wasaga Beach was able to teach me this. Even to this day, when I see someone walking down the street in a suit with designer dress shoes and a holdall I can’t help but think... “Are they lost?”

Enjoy today. After all, it’s Friday.

Tim Hendry.

To do list...

As soon as I opened up the office door... There it was. "Tim's TO DO list". Staring at me. Written in nearly perfect penmanship on a yellow sticky note.

Ahhh, the story of my life. Needless to say, my summer job hunt is over. I am now working at Theatre Collingwood as a box office assistant, production assistant, marketing and sales specialist and social media specialist. I didn't think the average business card was able to hold that many titles... I was wrong.

The job is great! I have met some very interesting people. I have met millionaires, CEO's and even government officials. I get to work along with some of the most respectable individuals in the Theatre Industry, such as Dan Needles (Wingfield Series).

Though this has put a major stress on my spare time. If you follow my various outlets of social media you will notice that my last YouTube video was over three weeks ago. Every day I receive emails from people asking me where it is...

The simple answer... Its coming! Soon I hope. Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow :)

The purpose of this post is...unknown... even to me.

I just felt like writing.

Good day everyone.
Tim

Tuesday.

Cheap movie night.. cheap wing night... cheap beer night.

Awesome.

A couple weekends ago I attended a few networking conferences. The first was hosted by Toronto Entrepreneurs which featured numerous motivational speakers from World Financial Group. The conference was concluded with Robert Herjavec giving some powerful insight into entrepreneurship.

The message was simple: Do what you are good at, buy what you aren't good at.

Reasoning: Robert really focused on the notion that everyone is good at something.. but that no one is good at everything. He emphasized the importance of limiting your focus and narrowing your concentration onto a specific area.

Robert also noted that as young entrepreneurs we essentially hold the ability to write history. We are the future.

.... isn't that a powerful statement... WE ARE THE FUTURE.
It amazes me.

Overall Roberts talk was very entertaining. He covered all areas of entrepreneurship, wealth, success and life.

The second conference was the Cold, Hard, Truth featuring the Merchant of Truth himself... Kevin O'leary.

I purchased my ticket the very first day that they came on sale; I sat in the very front row.. less than five feet away from Mr. Wonderful.

Kevin's talk was amazing. Completely worth the money.

Kevin has a different way of thinking. He truly loves money. He really focused on simplifying investing and money management theories. He discussed his view on the Canadian and American economies.

He also gave insight into some investing tips and tricks to help set off young people into the world of investing.

Kevin seriously stressed the importance of saving 1/3 of each pay cheque and investing it into a mutual fund... which is exactly what i'm doing :)

He also works off the 5-20 principal.

- No more than 5% of your whole net worth in any one stock.
- No more than 20% of your entire net worth into any one sector.

There you have it.

Until next time.

Tim.

Ahhhh its raining! 

Last night I attended a networking dinner for students hosted by Adlounge and Boost Agents at the Brassaii restaurant downtown Toronto. 

The evening was great! Each student had the opportunity to meet various industry professionals from respective agencies servicing the Toronto area. 

There were many key messages throughout the night. One that stood out to me was the trend of opportunity. 

Nearly every speaker touched upon the notion of Generation Y available and upcoming opportunities. 

We have the ability to shape the future. We hold the ability to write history. 

Its completely in our hands. 

What is your next move?

Well I suppose that the only real way to start a blog is to give the audience a little knowledge about yourself.

Now... if your even still reading your probably wondering what I have to offer. Honestly, not that much.
I am just a voice.
However an opinionated and clever one at that.

I am currently studying business marketing at Humber College in Toronto.
The program is excellent and the teachers are challenging. A nearly perfect combination.

I have always said that time is the only thing holding me back. I feel that the skills that Im learning in school are merely just... skills.

Its not until I utilize these learnings into the real world that they mesh together and become something.

School lasts a long time. A very long time. Four years to absorb all of the knowledge required to enter into the industry... even at that point you are essentially going in 'blind'.

School can only take you so far. Its the extra initiative that you put forth which separates you from the pack.

I had that exact experience in Katimavik.

For nine months I lived with nine other youth from across Canada. Volunteering with various non-for- profit organizations where ever possible. The jobs that I had allowed for my creative and personal input. I tended to take charge and create my own projects.

I dont want to boast. This is simply to outline my story.

The rest of my story will come with each and every new blog...

I guess you will just have to wait and see.

Tim

First blog.

Well here we go. I guess this is the start.
I must admit. I am here due to the complexity of Wordpress. I have always heard how good and user-friendly it is... however, after spending the last four hours trying to download and install the program... I have a hard time agreeing with/ believing in that statement.

Thats my rant for now :)

This blog will be business related. What ever is on my mind. You will see the real me... or at least the 'me' that I am willing to share.

Get ready.

It all starts.... sometime this week.

Tim