FOR THE SEAN IN OUR LIVES - Sean Harrison Tribute

I went to school with Sean Harrison but I didn't know him well. I know that he was one of the guys who hung out with his own friends and would make the odd contribution in class. We'd have the occasional interaction but he pretty much kept to his own group.

What I didn't know is that Sean suffered from depression. After his school life, he went through some tough times which resulted in his taking his own life at the tender age of 38. I think those who knew him were just as surprised at his tragic demise as those who didn't.

I think we all have a "Sean" on our lives. The individuals who look OK on the outside but are struggling with internal demons that ultimately consume them. So what can we do to learn from and help prevent what happened to the Sean's in our lives?

My school mate, David Peach did something about it. He was a close friend of Sean and decided this year to take two actions. One was to honour his memory with a tribute ride known as the Black Dog Ride from Sydney to Central Australia. The ride creates awareness of depression and raises funds to provide mental health services. The second action was to raise money from the community for the cause.

I have a deep respect for David for honouring a fallen schoolmate and for doing something about raising awareness and funds to assist in preventing this happening to others.

If you have a Sean in your life, I encourage you to read about him through David's compelling story and maybe place some dollars in David's online bucket to fund more services to deal with this condition via this link: 
https://ridetotheredcentre2015.everydayhero.com/au/davidpeach

All The Things You Are - A Brotherly Tribute to Tony Pintado

One of the things my brother, Tony loved to do was sing. At family events like my Mum's 80th birthday in July 2011, he sang the Frank Sinatra torch song, "All The Things You Are" in his own inimitable style.

It's these memories that made us want to remember him for the vibrancy and personality he brought to our lives. In essence, all the things he was.

On the second anniversary of his passing, his brothers and sisters decided to honour his memory and celebrate his life in an online tribute site. We wanted to share with family and friends our memories of him via the stories, photos and videos of his time with us.

You can access this tribute site on tonypintado.com. The site has been optimised for smartphones and tablets.

I'd appreciate any stories you may want to share about Tony and any feedback you may have via the contact form on the site.

Multimode Computing In Play

I wanted to experience this NBA game a little differently. I wanted it to be more than a passive viewing of what promised to be a good game. I wanted to find out more about what happens behind the scenes, look at the stats through the insights and eyes of the experts in real time and have my say along with others on social media who were watching at the same time.

So I decided to prop my Lenovo Yoga - a multimode computing device - on a little table next to the TV screen telecasting the game. I logged on to the "game page" to check out the team stats as they happened and watched the social media stream using the game hashtag where I could follow the comments and make my own observations as the game transpired. The experience became richer than just watching the game - I felt immersed in the action as it was happening live, moving backwards, sideways and forward with activities that contextualised the event for me.

It was a great device to try out multimode computing. So what is multimode computing? Recently, I spoke to David Roman, Lenovo's Global Chief Marketing Officer who stated that the reality is that people do many different things, at different times, with any device.

"Multimode really means adapting to what you're doing, anticipating what you're doing and helping you do it better.", says Roman. "We have access to so much powerful technology that the only way to really make it relevant to a user is to get the device to actually contextualise itself to what you're doing."

So where is multimode computing headed? Lenovo's Roman says that it's about enhancing the user interface by harnessing the power of the technology to let you do a lot more. "We're using voice, using gestures, using touch, using the keyboard and you'll see that becoming more integrated. If the device understands the context in which you are, it can anticipate how you plan to use it and pre-configure itself in that way." says Roman.

That's connection.

Presence.Opportunity.Family - a message to the graduating Class of 2013

On 15th April 2013, I was invited to give the guest speech at a Graduation Ceremony at Sydney's Macquarie University. Here is my speech to the Class of 2013, which included my niece, Antoinette.

Chancellor, distinguished guests, faculty members, staff, graduates and family and friends.

I’d like to thank Macquarie University for inviting me to speak to you here today. I’m not entirely sure that I’m deserving of this honour, but as the SBS marketers say, I'm ONE of “six billion stories” in the world that’s out there to be told. So I’m taking this opportunity to tell you my story in the hope that it will help YOU on your own life and career journey.

In February 1980 with my brother Tony – and like most of you – I enrolled at Macquarie University. My parents had instilled in us an appreciation for tertiary study, as they had with all of my SEVEN brothers and sisters. Tony and I both had an interest in mass communications and seeing as we were only a year or so apart in age, we decided to do the same degree at the same university together. In fact, we were both in this building on that day in February, 33 years ago – the beloved E7B courtyard, navigating the various course options and enrolment processes that would be the beginning of our academic journey.

After graduating, I was fortunate enough to get a start in account administration with IBM Australia, where I progressed through the ranks to carve out a career in executive management that spanned 20 years. I left IBM and joined Telstra for two years and after that,  IT services company UXC Connect for almost three years.

Due to my profound interest in technology and marketing, I also wrote a book on social media called the Connection Generation and have spoken professionally at events like the TEDx Macquarie conference last year.

This fascination with the “why and how” we communicate in our society, especially using today's technologies such as computers, mobile devices, the internet and social media has been of particular interest. My research has led to the conclusion that as social animals, we communicate because we want to connect - connect to each other, in groups and communities, to information, ideas, thoughts, experiences, places, interests and ... even dreams. Today's technology enables us to this more effectively, efficiently and more instantly than in any other era.

So what does this “connectedness” mean for you, who are graduating here today? I’d like to share with you three ways that have worked for me in my life and business experience that you can leverage to take full advantage of living in a “connected generation”.

Let’s start with presence. We all have a physical presence which is obvious and visible. We’re all here today, in front of staff, family and friends being “presented” to the world through this graduation ceremony. There’ll also be a certificate, many photos and celebration events to record and celebrate this momentous occasion.

There’s also our “virtual” presence. This is our presence in the world that may not be in the room physically, but exists in the online or cyber world. For example, how many of you [A SHOW OF HANDS PLEASE] are on Facebook? on Twitter? And on Linkedin?

An online presence presents you with the opportunity to PROFILE YOURSELF to the world. You can choose to use this medium to post, comment, like, poke, share and view information about yourself and other people that will reveal your character and potentially, your reputation in the world. I encourage you to choose to present yourself in social media in the best possible light. Beyond family and friends, there are potential employers, suitors and investors who can view who you are and what you think, when you’re not physically there. You need to ensure that you’re as DRESSED FOR SUCCESS ONLINE, as much as you are in the physical world.

Secondly, YOUR physical and virtual presence also presents you with a unique opportunity. You may not be visible in the physical world due to time and distance factors ... BUT... you could be in the virtual world. The virtual world allows you to plant your presence at any time in many places, with people and in groups and communities through emails, posts and commentary that CONNECTS YOU to areas of interest. I implore you to make your presence felt - voice an opinion about a cause you believe in, start an initiative to better the world and share ideas that could make a difference in someone's life and the community. It’s a unique and fantastic opportunity to help others less fortunate than you and to make a direct contribution to the world.

I’ve spoken about the presence and opportunity that connectedness gives us. There is one more fundamental factor that we should not forget - FAMILY.

My parents reinforced to us the importance of a university education. It has become a legacy of the Pintado family that we have embraced the Macquarie University family. Two of my brothers and one sister; my former wife, Kerry; my two children, Rachel and Andrew; my daughter in law, Jessica, my son-in-law, Sam and no less than three of my nieces – including ANTOINETTE who is graduating at this ceremony today – now have degrees from Macquarie.

We have all established a strong relationship with Macquarie post-graduation, through the Alumni program. As a graduate of the University, we are part of the global alumni community, spanning 140 countries. My strong advice to each of you is that you STAY CONNECTED with your fellow students, staff and other alumni through their formal program and their presences on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin through your Macquarie connection. You are now formally welcomed into the Macquarie family – BOTH physically and virtually!

In conclusion, as a member of the connected generation, you have been granted the gift of enhancing your physical presence by being given the opportunity to establish and activate your virtual presence. You have the capability to actively contribute to society and business globally by being informed, voicing an opinion, starting a movement, making a stand and sharing insights to effect change in the world . The starting point is through the familiar connection point of family, commencing today with your induction into the Macquarie family.

I sincerely thank the university for the honour of addressing you today and I wish each and every one of you the best of success in developing and defining YOUR OWN STORY amongst the six billion that connects us all. Thank you.

Contributing to Inspired Marketing Predictions 2013

When I was approached by respected marketing author and friend, Kyle Lacy to contribute to an article on future marketing trends for Exact Target, I was honoured. 

In collaboration with Global Marketing Thought Leader, Dr. Chris Baumann we re-worked a piece we did for Marketing Magazine and called it "The Year of the Social Brand Conversation". There are some great articles contained in the collection, which you can download directly from Exact Target.

As always, I'd appreciate any comments and feedback.

Lessons from a Rose Revisited

Two years ago, I wrote this loving tribute to my grandmother, Rosie Pintado. On the 30 year anniversary of her passing, I thought that the best way to remember her was to re-post her story to keep her spirit alive:

      "Tu Seres Queridos No Te Olividaran"  

    (Your Loved Ones Will Never Forget You")

Rosie Elzingre Pintado is my grandmother. To say she had an amazing life is the boldest of understatements. She was born in the Philippines in 1910, the daughter of Swiss and Spanish parents. She was married at the age of 19 and had five children with her husband, Felix Pintado I. In 1945, she spent months with her family fleeing the rampaging Japanese invasion of Manila, losing her husband and three of her children during the conflict. Her son, Jose Juan, just over a year old, died in her arms during a particularly savage bombing raid. 

She survived the war along with her two children, son Felix II (my Dad) and daughter, Teresita. She migrated to Sydney, Australia to rebuild her life in 1972 with her children and grand-children. On this day in 1993, she passed away peacefully. She is survived by her two children, thirteen grand-children and more than 30 great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. 

On the last day of her life, I was by her hospital bed as she lay there in a coma struggling to breathe. My Dad, Mum and I watched her and talked about her life, her fighting spirit and her good humour despite all the challenges that befell her. During a break in our conversation, I witnessed her take her final breath - a moment that profoundly affects me to this day.

On the anniversary of her passing, I pondered on the 3 things that I learnt from my beloved grandmother and thought I'd share. 

1. Family as a Life priority - with the passing of her own children, Rosie realised that having family support is vital for survival. As the matriarch of the family during the rebuilding process, she always prioritised family celebrations and every occasion to get the family together. There were the usual trials and tribulations that every family must endure but her perseverance to keep the family united was relentless.

2. Technology as an Enabler to Adversity - Rosie loved watching movies and dramas on TV and even in her mid 70's, she mastered the TV remote control. As her hearing began to falter, she adopted a hearing aid to ensure she could still listen to her favorite films and shows. When she lost her eyesight eventually, she registered with the Royal Blind Society (now Vision Australia) to send her audio books on cassette so she could still enjoy her favorite literature. She taught me that if technology is available, embrace it to live, learn and enjoy.

3. Celebrate Life through Expression - Rosie was a master cake-maker and seamstress. She baked the most magnificent cakes ever and sewed clothes for almost every member of the family. She adored birthdays and anniversaries because she loved to celebrate with family and friends. She taught me how to dance for both fun and expression. She would hit the dance floor with her favorite Charleston jig or the more traditional Spanish Flamenco, regardless of who was watching her. She used self-expression to reveal her talent and to celebrate the joys of life.

I am so thankful for the gift of my grandmother, Rosie. 

If you're reading this and haven't thought to do so yet, say 'hi' to your grandmother for me. If she's no longer with us, take a moment to remember her for what she taught you.

Comments always welcome.

 

On Being Invited to Speak at #TEDxMacUni 2012

For many people, speaking to a large audience is a cause for fear and anxiety. Over the years, I've developed a passion for sharing my thoughts, concepts and experiences through public speaking to anyone willing to listen as I truly believe that I have 'ideas worth spreading'. I was introduced to TED.com by a good friend in 2009. I became an instant fan of these "riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world" whose mission is simply in spreading ideas. 

You can imagine my delight when I was invited to speak at the TEDx Macquarie University event (#TEDxMacUni) in Sydney in August 2012. As a self-described Connector, the 'No Boundaries' theme is a perfect match for my favorite topic - connection. The challenge of presenting my ideas in a compelling way in under 18 minutes to both a live and online audience can only be described as the most honorable thrill.
The other bonus of attending the event is sharing the stage with a smart and eclectic group of speakers including the vivacious Internet chef, Bridget Davis and the inspirational Tim Noonan. I can't wait.
If you happen to be in Sydney on Saturday, 18th August, the organizers have generously made available an exclusive offer for readers of this blog to purchase tickets to the main event and the cocktail evening post-event, for 14% off the ticket price.
To take advantage of this offer which expires on Friday, 10th August 2012 and limited to 50 tickets, use promotional code TEDXMUBLOG upon registration.

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