Disqus - Friends of dwacon

Re: Is This Why So Many “Christian” Movies Fail?

Phil Cooke — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:59:03 -0000

I'm focusing mostly on dramatic movies, but my comments could include documentaries as well...

Re: What Areas Are You Focusing on in 2011?

Phil Cooke — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:15:10 -0000

Leah - it's not about which is better, it's about which do you need to work on? Don't think of these as more important. Think of them as which area is more critical for your growth during this year.

Re: Upset About a Network TV Show? Here’s How to Express It

Phil Cooke — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:24:47 -0000

A) Easily found through Google or the end credits of the program.
B) In the article I said that snail mail is best, followed by Email. Twitter might help, but it's early to tell.
I agree. Instead of recruiting people for a mass campaign, if they just gave us the information to act, it would make a big difference.
Thanks for posting....

Re: When Do Personal “Updates” Cross the Line?

Phil Cooke — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:59:40 -0000

Carol - I think you're exactly right. Maybe the actual culprit is the difference between "real" friends and "Facebook" friends. I don't mind that info from real friends (within limits of course), but people who've friended you that you don't know is another matter... Thanks for posting!

Re: The Bread Plate Lady and the Power of Your “One Big Thing”

Phil Cooke — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:04:23 -0000

Actually Glenda, I'd say quite the opposite. She was INSIDE in an arcade, because she's had her business for so long. Plus, at 80+ years old, her option is a rest home or sitting alone in an apartment. Instead, she's still doing what she loves, engaging with people, and by the looks of it, the owner of a pretty financially impressive collection of plates. That's the option I'd choose in that situation.

Re: The Bread Plate Lady and the Power of Your “One Big Thing”

Phil Cooke — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:33:22 -0000

Great point Newton. There's no question that you have to find the right platform. It's a two way street - the right platform with the wrong message doesn't work. Likewise, the right message with the wrong platform doesn't either. But I DO think the key to cutting through competition and clutter - especially in the early stages of your career or company is to strive to be the best in the world at ONE BIG THING.

Re: Honoring the King James Bible in 2011

Phil Cooke — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:20:34 -0000

The Tyndale New Testament.

Re: The Bread Plate Lady and the Power of Your “One Big Thing”

Phil Cooke — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:22:26 -0000

If you've got the talent of Da Vinci, then go with whatever. But if you're a normal person like most of us, then consider the "one big thing" concept...

Re: The Shame of Today’s Church?

Phil Cooke — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:50:48 -0000

Wow Robert. Encouraging corporate worship doesn't line up with the Bible? Trying to bring people into a local church fellowship is just a "marketing" thing?
And even if you were right, the Bible doesn't talk about brushing your teeth, but I'll bet you do that....

Re: Narnia Fans and The Power of a Niche

Phil Cooke — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:23:53 -0000

Great point. The key is that Apple STARTED out focused on a niche, and grew from there. I encourage people to use the niche concept to cut through the competitive clutter and get noticed. Once you're a known entity, then you can branch out in other directions.
And yes - you're one big thing doesn't have to be a product - it could be whatever is the thing that makes you unique and different.

Re: Does Social Media Influence Translate into $$?

Phil Cooke — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:24:45 -0000

I heard an interesting thing from web maven Nathan Tabor recently:

“Behold, a social media fundraiser went online to sow the word about his organization. And it happened that as he sowed, some messages went to accounts that hadn't been accessed in several months, and the full inboxes devoured them.

Some messages went to those who only carried about the latest online craze or what their friends were having for breakfast, and they were promptly deleted. Other messages went to bots and hackers, and those automatically replied with ads for the latest pharmaceuticals.

But some messages were received by audiences who were interested, and those yielded a long and healthy relationship, growing followers, donors and referrals: a crop returning thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or even a hundred times what was sown.”

Learn more at http://www.teninternetcomma...

Re: When Stepping Down is Your Greatest Act of Leadership

Phil Cooke — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:47:28 -0000

Reality helps... :-)
Actually, it takes real courage to step down at the right moment. Truth is, the vast majority of leaders fail at this incredibly important task...

Re: Churches and Non-Profits: Are You Ready for the Wave of Aging Baby Boomers?

Phil Cooke — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:49:37 -0000

Yes I have. And PBS really gets it's audience (which is similar from a demographic perspective to Christian non-profits - 55 and older) - mostly women.

Re: Churches and Non-Profits: Are You Ready for the Wave of Aging Baby Boomers?

Phil Cooke — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:50:37 -0000

There's no question that there's a HUGE potential group of aging Americans with great expertise out there who could make a real difference in local church ministry.

Re: Can You Handle 30 Minutes of Solitude?

Phil Cooke — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:51:45 -0000

Let me know what happens...

Re: Creative Failure: Being Creative for Creative’s Sake

Phil Cooke — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:58:24 -0000

Good thought Adam. There's a place for "creative R&D" but the fact is, if you're working for a client, you need to make sure your creative work delivers every time. As long as you do the "exploring" on your own time, then it will work....!

Re: When Stepping Down is Your Greatest Act of Leadership

Phil Cooke — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:59:51 -0000

Succession plans are critical, and you're right - most people wait way too long to pull that trigger. But that's probably another blog post... :-)

Re: When Stepping Down is Your Greatest Act of Leadership

Phil Cooke — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:01:28 -0000

Great thought John. I've discovered that leaders who connive, strive, and plot behind the scenes to get the top spot usually end up in failure. But the leaders who understand timing, flow, and aren't pushing end up with the longest (and most effective) tenure...

Re: The Biggest Mistakes Christians Make in the Media

Phil Cooke — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:28:29 -0000

That's a great point. I do wish seminaries taught these principles to a new generation of pastors. To not understand issues like perception, branding, and other things today would be a significant obstacle to getting the message out...

Re: The Biggest Mistakes Christians Make in the Media

Phil Cooke — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:43:12 -0000

Thanks for the link! There's nothing like a good sarcastic Christian to get conversations moving in the right direction.... :-)

Re: Do You Consider Yourself a Leader or Follower?

Phil Cooke — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:33:52 -0000

Gotta admit you're right Jan. Good call.

Re: Things My Mom Taught Me About Church

Phil Cooke — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:34:23 -0000

Brother!!!

Re: Things My Mom Taught Me About Church

Phil Cooke — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:37:15 -0000

I think there's something to this. I do know one church that I'm uncomfortable in because in the contemporary service the women dress pretty provocatively. Certainly some of it comes from people who aren't familiar with church. But truthfully, some of the more sexy attendees are the members... Definitely distracting...
My mom would not approve...

Re: Stop Defending Yourself and Start Fixing the Problem

Phil Cooke — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 16:01:15 -0000

I think that's a great suggestion Carol. After problems happen, if leaders would open the conversation with "I'm not interested in placing blame..." it would make a huge difference in the response from the team. Good word for all of us.

Re: Stop Defending Yourself and Start Fixing the Problem

Phil Cooke — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 16:02:07 -0000

MJ - I totally understand your situation. In fact, I feel another blog post coming on.... :-)