Reading books is one of the best ways to invest your time. But as a busy entrepreneur, you probably don’t often find the time to sit down and read.

And a common cure is to turn your commute, trips, and other adventures into a mobile library. In other words, audiobooks.

But the problem with the traditional audiobook is two-fold. They’re on CD’s, which isn’t the most preferred format these days. And more importantly, they are expensive. Often over thirty bucks an audiobook. Yikes!

What if I told you there was a better way to consume a book?

Well I am…

The Biggest Well-Known Secret

There is a popular service called Audible to download audiobooks. If you haven’t tried the service yet, check them out. It’s amazing!

Each book costs one credit and you are instantly able to download it to your computer. In turn, you can play it in iTunes or on a digital music player. It’s relatively easy from start to finish.

And since you are able to buy credits in bulk, the books are extremely cheap. Personally, I’ve been using them for almost 4 years and have listened to close to 100 books with their service. Everything is always high quality and impressive.

But what about the speed reading I mentioned?

If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you are able to hit a button on the player that will double the playback speed!

Meaning that a 250 page book, which is usually about 7 hours long, can be finished in around 3 hours at this accelerated pace.

While for some, this may be too fast for comprehension. After a few minutes the speed becomes relatively easy listening. And at any rate, even if you miss a word here and there, the ability to listen to a book in a few hours is well worth it.

Cool, huh?

When I first found this option I was extremely happy. And have since been able to cruise through dozens of books in the past few months.

I hope this little trick helps you out! Good luck and happy listening!

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I despise most networking events.

Of the countless networking opportunities I’ve been invited to, I oftentimes decline. Mostly because they are at the crack of dawn and require me to use a handful of alarm clocks to successfully wake up… Only to meet a bunch of self-serving business people.

But when I do take the plunge and attend networking events, it’s for one main reason:

Experimenting with Interactions

Where else can you go into a room filled with dozens of business people, all wanting something from you?

Whether it be to give you their business card or sell you something, most people’s intentions at networking events are egocentric. And this makes them perfect guinea pigs for testing business interactions, communication techniques and a multitude of other people skills.

Step 1: Determine the Variable

The variable is the one factor about yourself you would like to test and improve.

Is it how people respond to your profession? Is it your sales skills? Is it how you flip conversations in your favor? Is it your elevator pitch?

It can be anything.

Step 2: Maximize the Constants

In order for an experiment to yield statistically significant results, you have to identify as many unique components of yourself as possible. These must stay the same throughout the event.

This may come in the form of what you say, how you hold your drink, the way you smile, etc. Every aspect that isn’t being tested during the experiment must be painfully similar in each interaction.

Step 3: Start Networking

If you’ve been to a networking event before, you know the procedure. But keep in mind as you approach people, be sure to keep the way you introduce yourself constant. (Unless the intro is what you are testing, of course)

Step 4: Discover Your Test Subject’s Disparities

Not only do you have to track yourself, you must also take a mental note of the differences in people you talk to. Mainly, the three to concern yourself with are:

• Their personality (analytical extrovert, amiable introvert)
• Their experience (fresh newbie, experienced executive)
• Their outward characteristics (middle-aged male, young female)

These variables should be relatively easy to spot. But are essential to your test’s accuracy.

Step 4: Get to Testing Your Styles

Here comes the fun part. Now that you have a good grasp on how to carry yourself. As well as identifying the variables within your networking guinea pigs, you can now get to testing.

However – and this is important – you must test only two or three different styles. And test each style multiple times with a wide variety of people.

Step 5: What’s Working?

As you continually chat with others you will begin to see what styles resonate with certain people. And also see what doesn’t.

It’s important to start crafting your style only around what works, forgetting what doesn’t.

Step 6: Success

In short time, this strategy for networking events will help you become a master at social interactions. And ultimately, your abilities will constantly be enhanced through this near scientific approach to learning social skills.

What’s you’re thoughts? Have you tried this?

(photo: PerformImpact)

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As we settle into this second decade of the 21st century, our world is rapidly changing. Moore’s Law, which states technology doubles every 18 months, is fostering an exponential growth in the way we conduct business and live our lives. Or so it seems…

We can video chat with a business colleague in Japan via Skype, effectively creating a global business landscape.

We can track the exact distance and how many calories burned during our last run via a smartphone app, signifying our growing integration of technology into our everyday lives.

But what notable changes have we seen in the world of education? In our pedagogic foundation for which our entire lives are based?

America’s Population of Products

Our industrial-age mindset still holds prevalent when thinking about learning. That we are nothing but products on a factory line. And after 18 or so years of systematic construction we are sent out into the world, a “finished product.”

“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
- Albert Einstein

However, this age-old mentality doesn’t work anymore. If you truly want to stay on the top of the education hierarchy, there must be a smarter way to learn. And it shouldn’t be generically designed for you by someone else who thinks they know what’s best. There’s got to be a revamp of our frame of mind towards educational design.

Grade levels based upon age not skill, graduations signifying completion, and a multitude of other preconceived notions of an educated life is our downfall. And ultimately, will become our failure as a society.

So this, from my eyes, is where we stand: A nation filled with undervalued educational beliefs. That a piece of paper on the wall is all that is needed to succeed in the world. And most unfortunately, that education only happens in the classroom.

The questions I pose:

Do you think Americans, in general, stop learning once they graduate school?

How can we start (or how are you) integrating technology into education?

What can be done to shift the mentality of those who rarely pick up a book?

And if books are becoming the unpopular way to learn, what are the alternatives?

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I'm on a Boat!

I remember this vividly: It was the summer of 1994. I was 8 years old. And my Dad and I were out fishing during a weekday.

I asked a simple question from my young inquisitive mind. And his answer was the catalyst for why I’m typing this outdoors from a cedar lawn chair at 1:30 on a Friday afternoon.

As I watched him put a minnow on my hook, we had a 30 second chat that changed my life forever…

“Why aren’t you working?” I ask.

“Because I own a business,” he replies.

“But don’t you have to work?”

“Yes, but my business is still running and I choose when I work”

“So this is how you can go fishing with me right now?”

And with a big smile he says, “Yes, buddy.”

Trading Time for Money

There’s a preconceived notion in the world that you must work for a paycheck. And it’s not just an employee mindset, we all know employees trade time for money. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs I’ve met or worked with share this mentality.

The self-employed syndrom, as I call it, is an unfortunate learned trait from the do-it-yourself school of thought:

“I just want to be my own boss!”

This quintessential self-employed statement is most likely the number one phrase people scream before leaping into business for themselves.

But it’s flawed in so many ways. While, when it comes down to it, you do become your own boss. Your job not only stays the exact same, you’ve added 15 other hats to wear. Sure, you may have “fired your boss.” But you also metaphorically fired your cook, chief chef and bottle washer.

And now you’ve taken on those roles as well. Welcome to self-employment!

Ditch the Self-Employed Syndrom

It’s time you take a step back and realize what you’re doing. Are you making money on a Sunday afternoon while you’re at a park with friends and family? Can you take a trip somewhere for three weeks, only to find your bank account is larger than before? Or as in my story above, can you go fishing with your son on a Wednesday afternoon?

If not, you’ve got a task on your hands. But luckily, it’s not as daunting as it sounds.

Through a little research and out-of-the-box thinking, you’ll find a way to remove yourself from the day-to-day equation of your business.

Maybe it requires hiring a staff and training them on your methods & business to replace your efforts. Maybe it requires collaboration or partnerships with fellow businesses. Or maybe it requires you take your service offerings and turn them into products.

Whatever it takes, I have faith that you’ll discover a way to allow yourself to stop work in your business. And start working on your business.

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When was the last time you hopped out of bed, excited for the day to begin? To wake up with a smile on your face, knowing you have the chance to improve the lives of others around you? For most, it’s been far too long. And for some, it’s a daily routine.

But why is this?

In the history of the world, it’s never been easier to do what you love. To work where you want, when you want, if you want. And create remarkable lives for you and your loved ones. But it’s only possible with a passion for what you do.

The Hard Truth

Your passion takes money. It’s true. Those who say money isn’t everything, hasn’t lived without it for long. I’ve had days I was unsure if I’d be able to eat while praying my cell-phone isn’t disconnected and hoping that my last pair of jeans didn’t rip further beyond repair. Trust me, money is a necessity.

Don’t get me wrong, money does not cause success nor happiness. Money is simply the gateway to doing what you love. It creates the ability to help others, to travel the world, to support your favorite charity or whatever else you dream of doing.

But you will never achieve the financial strength needed by working a bullshit 9-5 job for someone else. Current business owners will agree with me on this. The only person getting rich in the corporate world are the owners, not the doers.

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.”
- Unknown

So where does this leave us? Current wisdom tells us that if we go to college and get decent grades we’ll get a great paying job. Kiss your boss’ ass for 40-50 years, invest in a 401k and hopefully you’ll retire a millionaire. This advice is utter bullshit.

I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer to do what I’m passionate about today. To live the life I dreamed about as a kid. To support my parents who devoted their lives to supporting me. And wake up happy.

The Balancing Act

In comes this blog, The Edge of Innovation.

Greg Hartle and I have decided to help you find your passion while growing your business. And to cease your objections before they begin; a business should not require millions of dollars to launch. Nor a large factory and countless workers.

Today’s business models can be based on a laptop and Internet connection. One that utilizes innovative strategies mixed with the latest technology. And most importantly, a business that opens up a lifestyle conducive for helping others, for following your passion.

Does your business need to be your main passion?

No. Mike Rowe will tell you that someone needs to do the dirty jobs. But at the end of the day, whatever business you’re in must improve the lives of others. As well as facilitate a better life path. And ultimately, strive to create unlimited wealth beyond your wildest imagination. It’s possible.

We Need You

But no business owner will be able to enjoy their passion if they get stuck in the business. Becoming overworked is never fun, no matter how much you initially enjoyed the work. Therefore, this blog will act as an occasional motivator, instructor and mentor. Not just from Greg and I, but from you, the reader. We, in no way, feel we have all the answers. So the community that will be formed around this blog will be asked for input and advice. Lurkers are welcomed… but to truly receive the best benefit from this chronicle of business building concepts we hope you’ll ask questions, pose alternatives and hopefully become a regular contributor.

We look forward to the future with you.

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