I’ve been off the blogging zone since October. I spent quite a bit of time establishing and building the structure – the blog website – and when it reached a “point of temporary completion” I posted about a dozen blogs…and then dropped off.

I’m like most with great intentions, to create a transparent presence with a vision to provide value in my area of expertise. But like most people, I got busier – I got tired – I pushed this task aside and excused myself. So, what did all this do for me?

I keep myself intimate with business training, professional development, and technology updates as they apply to me, the “non-techy” professional. Going off the grid has proven one thing only – I have missed out on opportunity, information, connections and remarkability as only I can individually accomplish.

My saving grace is my position as a training director.  As the founder of our NNCC/NSBDC monthly BizFlash program, I have the luxury of a selection process of topics and speakers that apply to the needs of our business community. This morning’s BizFlash featured top-notch speaker Bret Simmons, an accomplished blogger and professor of organizational behavior and social media practices at the University of Nevada, Reno.

A couple of years ago, it was Dr. Simmons who convinced me, and a couple hundred other attendees, the concept, practice and belief that personal branding is only going to become more present in our business environments. This morning’s presentation REMINDED me that those who commit to a social presence via the Internet do so because they believe in themselves, and their talents/expertise to be of value. Additionally, his message is current, relative and powerful. But…and you know these are multiple…it takes commitment, focus and a “remarkable” discipline.

Just last week I was on the phone with one of our training instructors – I asked her why she didn’t have a website, and why she didn’t blog, while also discussing the subject of Social Media as a critical topic to our existing and future entrepreneurs. She said, “KC, I tell my students that they should only be doing social media if they can be consistent.” I also asked her why she didn’t blog. Her response was, “I don’t like to write.”

I actually bought into these responses until this morning, when Bret Simmons reminded us of a quote from famous blogger Gary Vaynerchuk: “Social Media doesn’t work for two reasons only: 1. your product or service isn’t any good, and/or 2. You’re doing it wrong. Bret’s bottom line is that people are talking about you, and you have earned everything they say. Are you positioned to respond?

Bret presented the various forms of blogging – audio, video, written, photographical, and formal presentations like a powerful PowerPoint. From his own site, he displays the effective combination of all of them and mixes up his blog site – truly powerful when you blog daily like Bret.

I cannot blame or judge why people do or don’t do whatever – but when it comes to a powerful tool like a blog, I can only wonder why some take it to the limits and others keep on telling me why they don’t utilize it. Perhaps a vision of self-remarkability is in order.

The bottom line – become an expert if you aren’t already – believe that you have value – share that value and invite people into your conversations – become social in this world of constant information – at the VERY LEAST you will end up with years of journaling your words, your wisdom, your comments and your contributions if nothing else before your leave this world!

A lot of work goes into putting on the Star Spangled Sparks Event hosted annually by the Sparks Chamber of Commerce. It’s one of those events that attracts everyone because there are activities geared for, well, everyone. Many thanks to the chamber staff and committee for hours of preparation and planning, and working on a holiday that begins at 5:30 AM to make it all happen. And to each sponsor, you make a difference in our community – thank you!

Model Dairy annually sponsors Star Spangled Sparks

People like to get out on this national holiday that honors our country and our freedom.  It’s a time when red, white and blue are proudly worn and waved. It’s about good times, good food, and good entertainment. What makes this event more special than most is the local talent who compete for first place in the Sparks Got Talent contest.  I didn’t have time to stay for the entire contest, but what I saw was most inspiring and entertaining.

Great music from local talent

It takes a special leap to put yourself onto a stage in front of hundreds of people. This year’s contestants were a beautiful sampling of our community with people of all ages and talents.

this young Cowboy Poet wowed the audience

There was poetry, dancing, singing, magic and comedy. To each of you, I know I speak for many of the audience – a huge thank you for sharing your special talents with us today, on the 4^th of July 2010! God bless you and our great country!

Every first Thursday of the month for almost 3 years I have intentionally gotten out of bed at 5:00 AM so I could be present by 6:45 AM for the monthly Sparks Chamber of Commerce BizFlash program.  I am not a morning person by choice, but there are some things worth getting up for.  As founder and chair of this great chamber event I continue to be amazed at the amount of other people who are as passionate as I am about this program.

This year has been tough for so many, and when Len Stevens, executive director of the Sparks Chamber, sought program funding to keep BizFlash free to our chamber members I was concerned that we may have to go back to our smaller space that caps out at 55 attendees.  I was also envisioning Len bringing coffee-in-a-box with paper cups and napkins, along with other chamber staff shopping at 6:00 AM for pastries and fruit to continue the free continental breakfast that is an important feature of BizFlash.

To date, we have not had to move backwards thanks to the significant support of our local casino property members.  The Sparks Holiday Inn was incredibly generous to host our event for 12 consecutive months, ending in January 2010 by providing facility space, room set up, and a first class continental breakfast for 115 people.

Circus Circus raised their hand next and hosted 80+ attendees in both February and March, sparing no expense to provide the highest quality arrangements.  First class sponsorship continued as the Grand Sierra Resort hosted the BizFlash program in April and May, adding a raffle drawing for an overnight stay and dinner for two at their fabulous Italian restaurant.  Today the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa hosted our June BizFlash for another 80 attendees, and we’ll be back there on July 1^st.  I was personally greeted by 5 staff members who couldn’t have been more helpful, courteous or excited to be part of our program.  The fine dining raffle was just one more piece of elegance as we ended our popular program today.

There are many more people to chat about (and you know I will), but today we honor our corporate casino property sponsors of BizFlash for their amazing commitment to our community, our businesses and our chamber.  They make a positive difference in our quality of life in northern Nevada!