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Why do I blog? Top 5 reasons.

October 22, 2009 in Innovation, Leadership, Technology with 0 Comments

The other day I was asked by a staff member why I blog? It got me thinking and here’s my initial response to that.

  • It sharpens my mind. It challenges my thinking and helps me to communicate what I’m learning
  • It gives a behind closed doors look at what I’m thinking about and what we’re doing at MSU
  • I’ve been challenged, motivated and inspired by other leaders blogs, perhaps I can do the same for someone out there
  • It adds to the spirit of collaboration (especially in light of leveraging technology for the Kingdom)
  • It helps me connect with people with similar interests beyond the borders of physical conferences and our region

Maybe blogging is for you too.

Need some blogspiration?

October 20, 2009 in Innovation, Leadership, Technology with 1 Comment

11 things that I want to know:

  1. How/why do you use Twitter?
  2. What are you reading that’s inspiring you?
  3. What do you wish you could use technology for to save time?
  4. What are the internet applications that you can’t live without?
  5. How do you use Facebook?
  6. Who’s blogs do you subscribe to that I should too?
  7. How do you decide when a new technology is worth learning?
  8. What’s your weekly schedule like and how do you plan for it?
  9. How do decide to risk spending time working on new projects?
  10. How do you increase your teams innovation capacity?
  11. How do you refresh and recharge?

Why fly when you can use the interweb?

September 13, 2009 in Technology with 6 Comments

Ok, it’s time for Campus Crusade (and other ministries for that matter) to start thinking more about using video conferencing and webinars.

Skype has changed the way I keep in touch with our staff around the world and we’ve been using free conference calling services for regional meetings for a while. But now it’s time to start utilizing technology, specifically video conferencing for regional meetings and national meetings. webinar_sign1

My wife just purchased a $440 airplane ticket to go to a conference at our national headquarters on reviewing staff applications. Could we figure out how to do the same content online? Obviously online meetings won’t ever completely replace face to face meetings, but the potential to cut costs is huge. If Leadership 2.0 is about collaboration and cross communication we need to master this medium.

I haven’t used any of these yet, but I’m starting to do my homework. These video conference services look promising:

  • Tokbox: Free online video chat with up to 20 people. You can also send video messages.
  • Oovoo: Free two-way video chat and pay per month service. Looks solid but requires some software download…ala Skype.
  • gotomeeting.com: Pay per month service. This seems to a popular option in the business world. Screen sharing is available.
  • Adobe Connect Now: Free for up to 3 people and then a pay service. Screen sharing and whiteboard service.

Does anyone have any success stories in their use video conferencing? Am I missing a killer service out there?

Michael Hyatt is the man

September 10, 2009 in Innovation, Leadership, Technology with 0 Comments

Michael Hyatt | Live and Lead on PurposeIf you haven’t added Michael Hyatt’s blog to your Google Reader yet, you’re missing out. He is the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing, a brilliant businessman and a standout when it comes to spiritual leadership. He is passionate about using social media to influence those around him for Christ. In fact he’s coined the term Leadership 2.0 (i.e. Web 2.0), where people will be interconnected and dialoguing across multiple platforms instead of the old-school uni-directional communication model.

Listen to this recent Catalyst podcast to get a taste of what Michael Hyatt is thinking about, including his take on using his blog and twitter to connect with people around the globe.

Social media…a fad?

September 1, 2009 in Innovation, Technology with 1 Comment

Mind blowing statistics about Social media…if they’re true. The better question, what are the implications for the Christian community?

Screenr

August 24, 2009 in Technology with 0 Comments

Screenr is the lastest screencast application to come out and the best of the ones I’ve seen. Let me just say…it’s AWESOME!

This was the first one I did. It took me about 3 minutes to do this.

Screenr uses your twitter login and with about 3 clicks you can begin recording what you see on your screen and your voice. No downloading and it’s free!

Once the recording is done the fun begins. You can actually send your Screenr screencast link via twitter, you can publish it to youtube, you can embed the video or share the link…all super easy! The possibilities are endless. A friend just sent me his Screenr link to help me connect a twitter account to his facebook fan page. Uhhmaazing!

Think about training people in technology using this tool. Create a quick screenr to teach your staff how to use a google calender or anything else! Visual learners love it! Go crazy.

Selective Twitter application for Facebook

August 19, 2009 in Technology with 1 Comment

Want to connect the Twitterworld with the Facebook empire? It’s easy.

First option: I originally started with the Twitter application for Facebook. This essentially takes all your tweets and puts them in your Facebook status. If you don’t tweet very often this is fine, but I soon starting using Twitter more often and didn’t want a complicated tweet with all kinds of RT’s, @’s, #’s, twitpics and tinyURL’s  to show up in Facebook. (sidenote: I think this application doesn’t link updates with the @ symbol in them anymore, so it’s not as overfacebook_twitterwhelming as it used to be).

Better option: Now I’ve found the Selective Twitter Application on Facebook. Just follow the directions to install and then enter #fb at the end of the tweets you would like to show up on Facebook. Please note, this will not work if your Twitter updates are protected.

If there are any better options out there, let me know!

Most helpful Mac applications for me.

August 17, 2009 in Technology with 2 Comments

There are thousands of “must have” Mac applications lists for you out there. Just check out this list to be slightly overwhelmed.

97442874_b06d05cc0e_bI’ve been a Mac user for about 8 months now and here’s my  “top 10 free Mac applications” that I’ve found. Keep in mind I’m still learning and I’d rather interact with college students about Jesus Christ than figure out how to use a program. There are new app’s released every day, but this is a good starting point. All of these are free!

  1. Firefox Internet Browser -don’t forget the myriad of add-ons…my favorites so far are Morning Coffee and the myibay (ebay bidsniper).
  2. Journler - I use this every day… from what I’m learning as I study the Bible to staff meeting notes and everything in between. Keeps it organized with it’s easy to use folder system.
  3. Skitch – Screen shot grabber. You can grab anything off your screen and put it in just about any format. Weird logo, but super handy. You do have to register for it, but it’s free.
  4. VirtualBox – Runs Windows on my Mac for a certain PC only program all Campus Crusade staff use. You do have to get a Windows license to be legal. Does the same things as Parallels, but for free.
  5. Burn – super easy burning software. I’ve only tried burning a CD so far…not sure about DVD’s
  6. Handbrake – Need to capture the perfect movie clip for a teaching illustration? This is it.
  7. Sidenote – A handy little “drawer” that pops out of the side-screen for you to take notes on.
  8. NetNewswire - Stop scanning blogs…save time and let them come to you like email with this handy application. Google reader is another great option for this. If you haven’t joined the RSS bandwagon, it’s time.
  9. Combine PDF’s - Just drag and drop your PDF’s into it and it combines them. Great for attaching multiple pdf.’s to an email.
  10. Spotlight – If you have a Mac, you already have this. Just hit command space and check it out. Great for launching programs or finding documents. Saves time and cleans up your desktop.

If you have any other favorite’s let me know!

How to convince yourself or someone else to Twitter

August 15, 2009 in Technology with 1 Comment

…or maybe I need to justify why this full-time campus minister uses Twitter :)

  • First of all I watched this to figure out what I was getting myself into. This helped me begin the process of understanding what Twitter is capable of.
  • Tons of other full-time Christian workers use Twitter  including: Andy Stanley (Northpoint Church), Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill),  John Piper, and Steve Douglass (Campus Crusade President).
  • According to Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson books it puts a human face on the organization, or in other words; it builds credibility… which, is increasingly hard to do in our culture.
  • Lastly, it’s been incredibly helpful in staying in tune with what’s going on in the Christian leadership landscape.  All you have to do is follow the right people and you get all kinds of helpful info. Right now my favorites are John Saddington/Church Crunch for tech info, and Catalystwittert for leadership thoughts. It has also allowed me to connect with other Campus Crusade staff members around the world which has spurred innovation thoughts in me.

When I first heard about Twitter, I thought it sounded pretty lame. I gave it a shot for a few days and I’ve grown to appreciate it. You can live without it for sure, but it’s kind of fun.

Don’t worry about connecting Twitter to Facebook, or third party applications Tweetdeck, or Tweetie just yet. Just get the hang of Twitter first.
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