Big Data. What it is exactly? It is a general term used to describe the enormous amount of unstructured data that companies create on a daily basis. If you think of your own daily internet usage, then you can begin to image how much a company can generate. With “Big Data” and the need to report on it on the rise, this weeks Game Changer is Data Journalism. Data Journalism stems from the growing realization that there is a lot of value in finding patterns in news-related information. Recently, we saw the launch of an ebook that explores the field, entitled: The Data Journalism Handbook. Check out my Pulse Network segment on data journalism and its importance. So, do you want to be a Data Journalist? Here is a flowchart from the handbook to get you started: What are your thoughts on data journalism? How do you think it’s changing the game? We would love to hear from you. Related Posts Game Changer: Transmedia Storytelling for the Little Guy Game Changer: Homeless Hotspots, Street Treat & Next Steps How to Create a Revolution: Book Overview Image Source: adhocdata.ca
Posted in Innovation, Uncategorized
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Tagged a game changer, data journalism, game change, game changer, game changers, how to be a journalist, how to be a reporter, on journalism, the game changer, what is data journalism, what is journalism
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Writing books on Revolutions. Why write about them? I have heard that quote from time to time. Below is a snippet from my book, “How to Create a Revolution: a Step-by-Step Guide to History’s Social Influencers” on what sparked Our Revolution and my search for social good. Enjoy! Before we begin…. In 2010, I was asked to speak at the 140 Character Conference in Detroit. I spent the morning before my speech walking around the city, trying to get to know the people and tap into the energy around me. To be honest, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to speak on and was in search of some inspiration. What I found would not only be the inspiration to speak that day, anything else. After an hour-long stroll through the barren streets of downtown, I came across two parking attendants, a homeless guy, and a shop owner. When asked about their city, they all began the same way, “Despite what you hear about Detroit….” I couldn’t help but think, “Why are you defending your city? This town seems great. Wow! How disheartened the residents must be if they feel that have to defend it.” Here is that 140 Character Conference [...]
Social Entrepreneurship is working its way into more and more local communities within the US. Spokane, Washington is one of a growing number of communities taking part in a changing global model of how non-profits do business. For those who are not familiar, social entrepreneurship is the business model is based on creating sustainable, profitable companies that are then used to create social change. Two traditional examples of social entrepreneurship in action in the United States are the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries. Both provide jobs and training, integrate within their communities, and are sustainable, taking more than 50% of their revenue from local patrons. In tough economic times, other non-profits that normally fund most of their work through contributions from donors are seeing that funding dry up. Additionally, they are seeing a drop in volunteer numbers. No longer able to rely on the prior way of doing business, smaller non-profit organizations are looking past the old models and trying to view social impact through the lens of the entrepreneur. For example, the Christ Kitchen started with taking donations to help impoverished women get back on their feet. They quickly learned they needed to focus on putting these women to work [...]
Posted in Business Tools, Entrepreneurship, Uncategorized
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Tagged changing global model, christ kitchen, cup of cool water, local communities, non-profits, salvation army, social change, social entrepreneurship, spokane, what is a social entrepreneur, what is social entrepreneurship, Who are social entrepreneurs
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April 24, 2012 – 12:36 pm
I cannot tell you how excited I am for Our Revolution Week starting next Thursday or for the launch of the book (click link for details on what to expect). With the release of How to Create a Revolution: A Step-By-Step Guide to History’s Social Influencers, I thought it would be fun to give you a little revolutionary motivation on this beautiful Tuesday afternoon. Here are some of the quotes from the book. Enjoy! “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” -William James “All I was doing was trying to get home from work.” -Rosa Parks “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” -Carl Jung “It’s really not so uncomfortable. Why, I think I easily would be able to hold out for a week. I was a little worried about the roof at first, but after I watched it for hours and it didn’t get any worse, I’ve sort of eased off thinking about it. But I don’t sit under the side that’s caved in [...]
Inspiration. Quick and Dirty. That is what the Ignite series is all about. You have 5 minutes to share your ideas while your 20 (yes, only 20) slides whiz by every 15 seconds. So, you better be on your game. Sounds like fun, right? Well, it was a blast. I had the pleasure of presenting “How to Create a Revolution” a few weeks back. I wanted to focus on the initiatives we found while on the Our Revolution road trip last year. See what we found while on the road. If you would prefer the transcript: here you go: Today I am here to talk to you about how to start a revolution. The mere mention of the word revolution is incendiary and thought provoking. When we think about revolutions, our minds quickly go to the history books and events like the American Revolution, The Protestant Reformation, Ghandi’s Peace Protests and The Civil Rights Movement to name a few examples. Even today we see amazing ground shifting events like the Arab Spring and Occupy. All revolutions spurred by groups of people dissatisfied with the current status quo. So, they organized. Individuals bonded by one core belief. But what exactly is [...]
Posted in Our Revolution! Project, Uncategorized
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Tagged create a revolution, ignite, ignited, ignites, it revolution, our revolution, revolution, revolution for, revolution in me, The revolution, what is ignite
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Between revolutionary reenactments and the marathon, Boston is all abuzz today. I know several people that are running today and they have been training for several months just for this day. With all that goes into running a marathon, here are three life lessons we could all learn from today’s runners: Find Your Stride and Quickly: When beginning a race, it is very easy to start off so fast that you cannot keep up the pace. Throughout training, a runner explores where to find his or her stride. Finding your stride is not an easy thing. Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that sweet spot where you can keep momentum and continue to thrive. However, you won’t know until you experiment. Find your stride and keep it. There is no need to rush. Consistency is the key in any aspect of life, professional or personal. Overcoming “The Wall”: During a race, all runners will hit “the wall.” It could happen at mile 17 or 21, but it does happen. Well, the same goes for those times when you hit the proverbial “wall” within life. What happens when it does? Do you give up, even though you have come so far? No. [...]
Posted in Happiness, Marketing, Strategy, Uncategorized
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Tagged a lessons, boston marathon, bostonmarathon, lessons for life, lessons of life, life lessons from, the boston marathon, when is the boston marathon
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April 12, 2012 – 12:52 pm
Game Changers. They come in all shapes and sizes. Today on my Game Changer segment on The Pulse Network, I dug into the definition of transmedia and how brands are using it today. Check it out: But there is a major misconception when it comes to transmedia storytelling. Many believe that you have to be associated with a film or a large brand. That just isn’t the case. You can be a small business, an entrepreneur, a group, non-profit, volunteer organization…you name it. And for you “little guys” out there, here are three ways to get started: What is Your Story: Before you can do anything, you must decide what your story is about. What is the journey? What obstacle(s) do your “characters” face and how do they overcome them? Pick 3 Entry Points: Once you have your story in place, pick three entry points for into your story. These entries points can be a segment of time, a sub storyline that compliments the world you’re trying to create, or the introduction of a supplementary character. Pick 3 Channels: For each entry point, use a different channel to tell the story. Maybe a piece of the story is told through video, where [...]
April 11, 2012 – 10:51 am
We all change. It is reason number 4,967 of why being human is awesome. However, as we change, do we allow ourselves to give up old habits? When that success strategy is no longer a “success strategy” what do you do? I have a dear friend dealing with that as we speak. Check out my recap of our poignant conversation on the topic. I used to be an extremely angry person. I felt that it was me against the world and I had to keep going and prove myself (to whom, I am still not sure). What I found within my twenties is that angry wasn’t really a success strategy. It was holding me back from doing great things and helping others find their way. I now try to live my life with this in mind: How do you live your life? Have you had to change how you walk through life? Is what motivates you now always been the case? We would love to hear your stories. Related Posts The Power of Letter Writing The Power of Vulnerability How to Create Your Own Luck
April 10, 2012 – 11:31 am
Unless you have been under a rock over the past few days, I am sure that you have heard, read, or seen articles about the Katniss character in the Hunger Games. Even the New York Times has chimed in their two cents as to how this role is a radical departure from other feminine heroes seen on the big screen. And though I think this character is a fantastic role model for young ladies out there, there is someone else who struck a chord with me yesterday. In one way or another, even without realizing it, we all play into the patriarchy system. We all in some way scrutinize and degrade women within our society. I was really impressed with Ashley Judd and her feminist essay surrounding the controversy of her “slightly puffy face.” It is a must read for anyone who is looking for a reality check on how we all (myself included) treat women. Check it out. Both examples made me wonder what really makes a female hero. Here are my thoughts for those out there looking to become one: Inner Strength: Despite adversity, a hero will find the inner strength to continue on. Failure is not an option [...]
When you think of video game heroes, you usually think of big swords, big hair, huge attitudes, and rippling muscles. You don’t think of a middle-aged knight who has gone soft in the middle and thin on top after some 30 years of the post-quest castle good life. But for Adam Rippon, creator of the RPG fantasy game, Dragon Fantasy, his knight is not only larger than life, but drawn from deep in his heart. Our hero knight, Ogden Thomas is returning to questing after a long hiatus. Once the RPG-game equivalent of the high-school superstar, Ogden is now finding his armor fitting tighter and his shield a whole lot heavier than it was in his youth. Called out of retirement by the hijinks of the Dark Knight, he must rely on the greatness of his past and the abilities of his new band of travelers. Ogden’s adventures break from the traditional hero-arc and instead find someone later in life, way past the glory days. Settled and stagnant, he must reinvent himself by getting back out there and returning to his former gallantry, albeit with a lot less hair. Dragon Fantasy is the culmination of a lifelong dream and a [...]
Posted in Arts, Creativity, Uncategorized
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Tagged Adam Rippon, creative, creative drivers, creative ideas, creative labs, creative name, creative solutions, creative strategy, creative teaching, creative thinkers, creative thinking, Creativity, creativity innovation, Dragon Fantasy, fantasy game, innovation 101, RPG, what is creativity
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