Last month I invested in a trip to Chicago and spent four days with peak performance coach Tony Robbins.

 

If you don’t know Tony or his work, he is worth knowing. He grew up in a household with very little money, often experiencing holidays with no food and a rotating door of four absent fathers.

 

His career took shape in the early 1980s as he walked on the beach, 40 pounds overweight, listening to the rock tune “Barracuda,” and feeling a big change was needed.

 

At the age of 19, after working with other legendary speakers like Jim Rohn, Tony’s path of success included conducting seminars, radio shows, writing books, and coaching.

 

Wikipedia reports Tony earned more than 30 million dollars in 2007, and that he has coached Serena Williams, Donna Karin, and Greg Norman, just to name a few. If that’s not enough, this spring NBC picked up eight episodes of “Breakthrough with Tony Robbins,” a reality show that follows Tony and participants as they battle personal challenges.

 

I’ve been a fan of Tony’s for years. I’ve read a few of his books and seeing him live was an item on my wish list. This year I decided I was going to do it.

 

A while back, I saw Tony on NBC’s “Today” show. The segment touted his web site so I checked it out and signed up for his emails.

 

I receive them often enough, but not on an obnoxious schedule. They’ve always been inspirational and have a deliberate business purpose. Most include a video of him, which I’ve found to be a great way to disseminate information and sell product. I’m definitely going to start using video when Oddpodz relaunches in few weeks.

 

TR sold me. The last email video message mentioned his upcoming Unleash the Power Within™ event to be held in Chicago.

 

I signed up. And not just as an attendee. I purchased a Diamond class ticket for an additional $1000. Why spend the extra bucks? Because, 1) I deserve it (which I know sounds like a Saturday Night Live segment with Jack Handy) and 2) If you are going meet other high achievers, it shouldn’t be in the nosebleed section. The extra fee was well worth it. Not only did I meet a ton of very cool, got-it-going-on people; the choice seating and no-wait entry zone is the only way to go.

 

By far this event was one of the most enjoyable, inspirational things I’ve done in my adult life. And I would highly recommend it to people looking to take their lives to next level of success and happiness.

The event was held at the Radisson in Schaumberg, IL, which is one of the nicest convention properties I have visited. It is very contemporary; hip, and energizing.

 

The event attracted over 3000 people from 18 countries. It was four packed days of incredible content, inspiration, and networking.

 

Tony was completely amazing. His nonstop energy and conviction were invigorating, and for me the fact that he and I were born in the same year and same month was my magic connection. I have to admit, there were moments during which being his age made me feel like a slacker.

 

Then I had a dose of reality. I am definitely not a slacker; I just need to amp up my standards and goals a bit this year.

 

All four days were extremely intense. There was lots of jumping, yelling, dancing, and loud music, and tremendous energy flow.

 

I learned some fascinating methods for controlling the mind and managing the body. And there are sessions that the wussies should not apply. Breaking old and bad patterns is very personal. While the event includes a big room of people, the exercises are very intimate.

 

If you ever take this journey, wear running shoes and bundle up. The room is frigid. In fact, I heard they kept the temperature at 58 to keep everyone alert and focused. It worked for me.

 

The first day Tony introduces human concepts about how most of us live; embracing our values and needs, thus creating the results we have. He then walks though those same situations and demonstrates how people can achieve different results by breaking old patterns, changing their story and mastering a deliberate, strategic state of psychological and mental being.

 

While none of this is new, breakthrough science or even a foreign language to most, it is presented in a way that can alter one’s thinking and beliefs and produce meaningful change.

 

My mind was in very good place when I arrived in Chicago. While the economy has challenged all of us, I had a very good year and continue to make excellent progress on my road to higher success.

 

My agenda in attending this event was two-fold, 1) observe a fellow master speaker and business authority and 2) further develop my success package. I took away both.

 

As many of you know, part of Tony’s Unleash the Power Within™ program is the infamous fire walk.

 

This is where sane humans prance across several yards of smoking-hot, burning coals while their fellow higher achievers and some tribal drummers chant on. And most don’t burn their feet.

 

Including me.

 

I’m not disclosing all the details, because the ultimate experience comes from participating in the journey; but I will tell you, it was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had.

 

Being with thousands of complete strangers, in 37-degree, raining and windy, freeze-your-ass-off, brutal weather and achieving this scary-as-hell task was freaking remarkable.

 

Some highlights the event taught me and Tony Robbins teaches so well.

 

• Fear is the universal poison. But there are ways to leverage it and manage it to achieve happiness and success.

 

• Your past does not equal the future unless you choose to live there.

 

• The one word to sum up success is progress.

 

• Your mind and body are amazing success and happiness alleys. Master them both.

 

• Proximity is power.

 

• Start now. Life is not a dress rehearsal.

 

So, did my fire walk experience unleash more of my personal power?

 

Stay tuned and you’ll see for yourself.

 

Countdown begins, as we get closer to the re-launch of Oddpodz. I promise you, the wait will be worth it.

 

If you’d like more information on attending one of Tony’s events, reach out to my pal This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it at Robbins Research International, Inc.


(The following post is by Sarah Guinot, Oddpodz newest team member).

 

I was until this week, when I attended Social School in Tampa.

 

I just joined the Oddpodz team as an intern. I’m finishing my MBA at the University of Tampa and I am thrilled to be working with such an exciting, young social media company. To learn more about me and connect, my Oddpodz user name is sarenka. I’d love to hear from you.

 

Part of my contributions to the company will be helping the Oddpodz community members and attracting new ones through social media.

 

My first assignment, get in the social media grove fast.

 

Lucky for me, the Oddpodz offices are located in www.Walkerbrands.com, a super cool place to work. Not only is it a design-centric, creative environment, the office culture has also lots of means for collaboration and learning via our roommates, tools and events.

 

This week the office hosted Social School. It was lead by Nancy Walker, President of Walker Brands and a super savvy, branding and marketing pro, and Julia Gorzka, a social media enthusiast and consultant.

 

The event attracted a diverse group of business people, all like me, hungry to get on the social media train.

 

So what is this international phenomenon sweeping the media, business and people’s lives?

 

It’s the “world’s largest cocktail party where everybody is invited”, explained Julia.

 

Such a definition makes it clear that social media challenges the “old school” marketing thinking. As most of the audience, you might find social media intimidating. After all, there are so many social tools out there, where does one start? How do you find your markets in this new World? You heard about Twitter and might wonder who is this new animal. But have no fear. The good news is that it is completely possible to understand social media and, even better, to make great use of them in order to support your brand and its delivery- two essential components for business success.

 

Here are some of the highlights I took away from Social School.

 

1) The first step is to define your brand. A brand is not merely a logo or a catchy slogan anymore. It’s what customers think, feel and expect about you, which is earned at every touch points, every contact with your customers, from product and signage to employee training.

 

2) Then, once you have a coherent and strong brand essence, it’s time for delivery. You are now ready to hit the social media universe. What are your goals? Is it brand awareness? Discoverability? Finding new leads?

 

3) Remember that in the World’s largest cocktail party (social media), the communication style is very conversational, helpful and educational and definitely not about hard selling. If you’re focused on mere transactions, you will be quickly black listed and your efforts will be a waste.

 

As Julia explained, “It is not as much about advertising anymore anyway, when companies were pushing their messages. It is about giving your customers something to talk about”.

 

For more on how social media can help your business check back, we will be posting other gems gained from the class. If you are interested in attending a future social media class go to social school.

 

Also we’ve posted and reviewed some great FREE social media tools and resources in Oddpodz FREE Biz Findz.

HOW Magazine knows you’re busy and has decided to make your life a little easier: they’re extending the Early-Bird registration deadline to July 31. That gives you two more weeks to save $60 on your registration for the new Creative Freelancer Conference, presented by HOW and Marketing Mentor.

This is the only deadline extension, though —so move the Creative Freelancer Conference up to the top of your list and register today!

Find out more about the Creative Freelancer Conference—and start making plans to join us in Chicago August 27-29—by clicking one of the banner below:

HOW magazine is teaming with creative-industry consulting firm Marketing Mentor to present the first and only business conference for self-employed creative professionals, the Creative Freelancer Conference, August 27-29, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The event is expected to draw several hundred solopreneurs from a variety of creative disciplines—graphic designers, copywriters, illustrators and photographers, as well as solo practitioners of interactive, interior and industrial design.

“Anyone who makes a living selling creative services on a freelance basis (or would like to) will benefit,” said HOW editor Bryn Mooth. “The business challenges we’ll address are not unique to designers, but they are unique to creatives who are flying solo.”

Those challenges will be addressed by a panel of creative-business experts, including Marketing Mentor co-founders Ilise Benun and Peleg Top. They’ll share best practices for marketing and positioning, talking to clients about money, building client loyalty, crafting proposals and contracts, maintaining a work/life balance and other skills critical to freelance success.

The conference program also includes breakfast roundtables by topic, networking events and optional, one-on-one business reviews of attendee portfolios, proposals and marketing materials.

Online registration is now available at CreativeFreelancerConference.com. Attendees who register by July 15 will save $60 off the $495 registration fee. Groups of three or more will also receive the discounted rate.

Published since 1985, HOW is the creativity, business and technology magazine for graphic designers. It’s also the force behind the HOW Design Conference, the Mind Your Own Business Conference and the In-HOWse Designer Conference.

Marketing Mentor is a mentoring and consulting firm specializing in the creative industry. Founded by Ilise Benun and Peleg Top, their expertise lies in marketing and business development. Their mission is to help creative firms market their services, get their ideal clients and create the work/life balance they want.

CONTACT: Beth Dean
(513) 531-2690 ext. 11552
beth[dot]dean[at]fwpubs[dot]com

HOW magazine is teaming with creative-industry consulting firm Marketing Mentor to present the first and only business conference for self-employed creative professionals, the Creative Freelancer Conference, August 27-29, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The event is expected to draw several hundred solopreneurs from a variety of creative disciplines—graphic designers, copywriters, illustrators and photographers, as well as solo practitioners of interactive, interior and industrial design.

“Anyone who makes a living selling creative services on a freelance basis (or would like to) will benefit,” said HOW editor Bryn Mooth. “The business challenges we’ll address are not unique to designers, but they are unique to creatives who are flying solo.”

Those challenges will be addressed by a panel of creative-business experts, including Marketing Mentor co-founders Ilise Benun and Peleg Top. They’ll share best practices for marketing and positioning, talking to clients about money, building client loyalty, crafting proposals and contracts, maintaining a work/life balance and other skills critical to freelance success.

The conference program also includes breakfast roundtables by topic, networking events and optional, one-on-one business reviews of attendee portfolios, proposals and marketing materials.

Online registration is now available at CreativeFreelancerConference.com. Attendees who register by July 15 will save $60 off the $495 registration fee. Groups of three or more will also receive the discounted rate.

Published since 1985, HOW is the creativity, business and technology magazine for graphic designers. It’s also the force behind the HOW Design Conference, the Mind Your Own Business Conference and the In-HOWse Designer Conference.

Marketing Mentor is a mentoring and consulting firm specializing in the creative industry. Founded by Ilise Benun and Peleg Top, their expertise lies in marketing and business development. Their mission is to help creative firms market their services, get their ideal clients and create the work/life balance they want.

CONTACT: Beth Dean
(513) 531-2690 ext. 11552
beth[dot]dean[at]fwpubs[dot]com

By Karen Post, the Branding Diva®

This past week, I was in Champaign IL, the University of Illinois to be exact. The university was the host and one of the sponsoring organizations of The National Center for Women & Information Technology’s, NCWIT meeting on Advancing Computing from Multiple Disciplines. The National Center for Women & Information Technology is a coalition of more than 100 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-profits working to increase women’s and minorities’ participation in information technology (IT).

Read the rest of this entry »

Via our friend Josh Spear.

The Society of Illustrators is hosting their 50^th annual editorial show in New York through March 23.

More details at Josh.

Dear Openeyez Reader,

It has been over a year since we started bringing you Openeyez, our weekly round-up of finds, quirky trivia and random wisdom.

As we grew, our readers have provided loads of valuable feedback. A large amount of that feedback has shown a serious interest in how one can amp-up his or her creativity to better serve entrepreneurship or an organization.

We aim to please. And as branding, marketing and promotions experts, we will start packing Openeyez with MAR/COM brain food (in easily digestible bites, because your time is valuable). We will strive to publish a weekly fix of smart ideas, new methods and stellar resources to help creative professionals succeed. We’ll mix up research findings, with creative thought leaders’ opinions, current affairs and promotional insight and execution; we’ll showcase great work and occasionally laugh at marketing screw-ups (and give thanks that it was not us who did it). Whether it’s marketing yourself or something for one of your clients, we are dedicated on adding to your success.

So here we go with our first official edition filled with a good dose of marketing and business building insight to keep creative professionals moving ahead.

We hope you enjoy the new look and direction and as always we welcome your feedback.

And don’t forget, our editors are always looking for meaningful content. Got something to share, send it on to info[at]oddpodz[dot]com

Read the rest of this issue, browse the archives and subscribe HERE.

(FYI-this is Zorbot. You can visit “Z” in the Muzeum here.)

Our person on the street in NYC “Zorbot” sent us an email to tell us about a recent must see show. Manu Chao rocked out in Prospect Park. Zorbot reports that the vibe was very cool with an audience demographic that was as varied as “that big jar of jellybeans on the boardwalk that you can win if you guess how many jellybeans are in there. Although it didn’t smell like jellybeans.” OK.

Anyway, throngs of people packed in to hear some of his newer work, but also sang along to old favorites like Clandestino. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative. Dark clouds rolled in quickly and thunder began to clap. Zorbot reports that the audience tried to muffle the sound of the impending storm and wanted to hear more! Manu had to plead with them to leave and seek safe shelter after one final song. The Manu fans were so dedicated that they put themselves their well-being in jeopardy!

Zorbot’s bottom line: if you have a chance to catch Manu this summer, do it. If people are willing to risk a lightning bolt to the head, that’s a rave.

Stop by Brooklynvegan.com for some other commentary and great photos…

P.S. Seen any great shows, exhibits or other cool things lately. Are you doing anything that you want people to know about? Drop us a line here in the comments or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

to us.

We launched the very first version of our Oddpodz site, our Odditeaz line and our blog on July 1, 2006. We can’t believe a year has gone by. We also can’t believe how much we’ve achieved. We’re not bragging or nothin’ (yes, we know, nice grammar), but our team of THREE has done A LOT in a year. Just one example, we pulled this giant rabbit out of a tiny hat.

Some other brief highlights:

*Introduced Zo to the world

*Designed and produced 65 styles of shirts for man, woman, child and canine.

*Created and sent out 40, plus installments of our ezine, Openeyez

*Brainstormed and built our online community, the Muzeum

*Met some cool new people and made new friends

*Got the word out - now more than a few people know who we are

*Chronicled our growth (and growing pains) in Fast Company

*Welcomed new enrolled citizens

*Learned some really cool things and heard great ideas from our very talented citizens (THANK YOU)

*Hosted a slogan and design contest from 1,000 plus submissions (still in progress)

*Relocated the corporate HQ from Tampa, FL to Savannah, GA (aka the “Creative Coast”)

*Revamped our front page and fine tuned our Oddpodz vision

*Experienced many a sleepless night

*Stayed flexible

*Learned from our mistakes (picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off and started all over again)

*Started each day with more enthusiasm than we had the day before

On that note, we’d like to take a moment to pat ourselves on the back. OK, moment’s over. More importantly, we want to thank you for your support and belief in Oddpodz. While we know we’ve accomplished a great deal, we’re not resting on any laurels. We are still working hard to achieve our grand vision for our global nation of creatives. We’re excited to have you along on this exhilarating ride. Oddpodz is a work in progress, and we appreciate your input. Just as a reminder, we’ve got a program in place to reward you for your contributions (HERE).

for a trip down memory lane, here are our maiden entries:

first
second
third

As we blow out the candle on our cake, we won’t tell you our wish, but we will say we’re looking forward to many more birthdays and hope you’ll join us in celebrating.