Ted Tuesday: The Incomparable Seth Godin "Tribes We Lead"

Mass marketing, according to Seth Godin, requires average ideas. Because to sell in volume, you must cater to the average consumer. 

But what if you what to be remarkable?

Good Morning Folks,

In this 2009 presentation with over 1.5 million views, the legendary Seth Godin talks about the merits of not just a great idea, but how to find the right people to help that message spread. It's easy to look online and find every social media pundit blogging or tweeting about community management and building a strong brand evangelist platform, but many get it wrong. What we're looking to do is to build tribes of like-minded people. 

Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so.

Godin has some really good news for you. With the Internet, you can share your product or idea without targeting the masses. Instead, you can build your own tribe.

"Seth Godin may be the ultimate entrepreneur for the Information Age," Mary Kuntz wrote in Business Week nearly a decade ago. "Instead of widgets or car parts, he specializes in ideas -- usually, but not always, his own." In fact, he's as focused on spreading ideas as he is on the ideas themselves. 

After working as a software brand manager in the mid-1980s, Godin started Yoyodyne, one of the first Internet-based direct-marketing firms, with the notion that companies needed to rethink how they reached customers. His efforts caught the attention of Yahoo!, which bought the company in 1998 and kept Godin on as a vice president of permission marketing. Godin has produced several critically acclaimed and attention-grabbing books, including Permission Marketing, All Marketers Are Liars, and Purple Cow (which was distributed in a milk carton). In 2005, Godin founded Squidoo.com, a Web site where users can share links and information about an idea or topic important to them.

Blogs Samantha:

Looking back on Seth Godin’s speech, I remember feeling very inspired. He made me want to get up and do something, change something, become something. It sounded perfectly clear once he spoke it, why hadn’t I seen it before? There are a lot of different things we can do for our tribes, groups that can be based on many different things. We could choose each other based on a common interest, favorite something or a goal we all want to achieve. 

I personally don’t know what I would want to be grouped for. To be honest, I feel like I’m riding a Mary-go-round, always doing the same things everyday. I want to change that, but I’m not sure how. I don’t believe I’ve found my purpose yet. Maybe this project will help me find myself. 

One of the things said during this TED talk was, “Tell a story. Make a Connection. Lead a group. Make a change.” Eventually that small group can grow into a big community, full of other people who can relate to you all because you have one interest in common."

Seth Godin is one of those individuals who really inspire change, this talk and his book are no difference and Seth Godin is probably one of the best examples of a tribe leader.

Connecting with your own tribe is such a powerful and clear call to action. Nobody explains the power of new marketing and new business thinking better than Seth:

Each of you can benefit from watching this. Something to share with your colleagues and friends! Please pass this along to others!

Let's be thankful for the Internet and Ted where we can be inspired by great keynotes that in the past were only accessible to lucky few (or hard working President's Club winners) at expensive conferences. 

Speaking of inspiration, this morning is a morning to get fired up about and what we stand for. We have a new COO with Mr. Bomsi Billimoria, promotions abound like never before with Missy, Chelsea, Shalaine and our Chief of Staff and SVP, Corporate Strategy, Denise Ngeow is back today from maternity leave - a big welcome back to Denise.  

We are a tribe at FSO and we are remarkable, not average. Personal, Passionate and Productive, and we get the job done to perfection every moment and every day.


To a bright and successful day!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form. TED Tuesdays on MitchWeiner.com highlights some of today's most intriguing ideas. Look for more talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more— HERE.  


About FSO Onsite Outsourcing
Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of the nation's fastest growing companies for the third consecutive year, and lead by industry pioneer, Mitch Weiner, FSO's growth and success can be attributed to making a positive and powerful impact on their clients' bottom lines, as well as their employees' careers and lives.

Welcome Back Denise, And Celebrate Our Inc 500 Distinction For Third Consecutive Year!

"I am pleased to announce that our Senior Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff Denise Ngeow is back at headquarters from maternity leave this morning. On behalf of the Executive Leadership Team we welcome you home Scarlett's mom. :-)). We all missed you."

Photo: Denise Ngeow and Scarlett

Good Morning Folks,

Starting a company from nothing but a white canvas and an idea is one of the most rewarding elements of business that an owner can realize. But ideas are only as good as the execution that becomes part of the core fabric of a company. In 2010, “FSO” was just a thought I had. It was my vision and passion, and I could not be more proud of how it has been brought to life.

I always say, strategy is the first part of the plan and in this early phase it is not about the people, rather it is about defining who you are and where you want to go. Understanding the competitive landscape and overcoming market barriers, combined with fire and excitement, is when your strategy is actualized. Only then can you think about YOUR TEAM - who will do it and how will they help achieve the goals. You need to FOCUS.

To support, help and drive our strategic POWER OF FOCUS, I am please to announce that our Senior Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff, Denise Ngeow, is back at headquarters from maternity leave this morning. On behalf of the Executive Leadership Team we welcome you home, Scarlett's mom. :-)). We all missed you. 

I have been in constant contact with Denise and my niece during this time and Denise is up to speed on the needs, goals, expectations and great strategies we have upcoming. 

Denise is always bringing me endless ideas with strategies that can be executed. We could not have exceeded our knowledge and results without her endless pursuit for perfection and achievement.

==> FSO Recognized by INC 

For Third Consecutive Year

Lastly, I would like to take this moment to also announce an amazing award that we have just won. For a third consecutive year, FSO Onsite Outsourcing has been honored as one of Inc. Magazine’s Fastest Growing Companies in America! I cannot be more proud of our company and our people. This recognition reinforces the fact that the FSO Experience is truly being embraced from Coast to Coast. (scroll down)

To all our clients - Thank you for all you do. We will have more great information to share with you shortly that will continue to ensure that we hear you, support you, and will help you grow with us and support your companies’ and firms’ needs. 

To our staff - rock it kids. I will continue to love my staff. Hug and kiss all and say THANKS. We are not perfect yet. But I will not sleep until we are. 

We are a great team. We all believe in the POWER of FOCUS. Let’s be thankful for all we have and the great family we have created at FSO. 

We should all be very excited about our future and the opportunities to bring our clients new ideas and new solutions that deliver sustainable results.

Thank you for what you do every day to make FSO GREAT!

Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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"Let us always meet each other with smile"

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BIG NEWS: Denise Ngeow Promoted to Chief of Staff, SVP of Corporate Strategy

"After working with Denise over the past five years, I felt it was time due to her great work to give her a well deserved promotion in FSO. If one thing is for sure, we could not have exceeded our knowledge and results without her endless pursuit for perfection and achievement."

Good Morning Folks,

Starting a company from nothing but a white canvas and an idea is one of the most rewarding elements of business that an owner can realize. But ideas are only as good as the execution that becomes part of the core fabric of a company. “FSO” was a thought I had. It was my vision and passion, and I could not be more proud that it has been brought to life.

I always say, strategy is the first part of the plan and in this early phase it is not about the people, rather it is about defining who you are and where you want to go. Understanding the competitive landscape and overcoming market barriers, combined with fire and excitement, is when your strategy is actualized. Only then can you think about YOUR TEAM - who will do it and how will they help achieve the goals.

Since November of 2010, our official launch and first signed contract, we have come a long way. We had no employees, no revenue, no clients, lots of debt, but what we did have was lots of opportunity in NYC. Today, I am proud to announce that we have:

-          Over 213 clients
-          Operations in 57 cities across the country
-          Regional offices and management teams in six distinct locations across the US
-          Over 1,500 full time employees
-          And a profitable, healthy company.

THANK YOU! I could not have achieved this success without each and every one of you.

We will revel in our accomplishments this holiday season, but more importantly we will put in place the next phase of planning, strategy, and execution. Part of this includes identifying those same elements of business that I had to look at when deciding how to bring FSO and the Mitch brand to market in 2010. 

Today, we must ask: What are our inhibitors to growth? What are our inhibitors to sustainability? What are our competitive advantages and disadvantages? How do we ensure that we deliver our “Promises To Practice”? And, how do we ensure our commitment to our clients and employees exceeds what we have promised?

What makes a successful and sustainable company is not thinking you know it all, but in fact the other way around. I’m always thinking: What don’t I know? What do I need to hear? And what do we need to do to protect, grow, and thrive?

I can proudly say that because of you, I have that information to ensure the FSO and the Mitch brand are a force to be reckoned with forever and ever! To all of our awesome clients who have participated in the survey that was conducted by Frager Creative, “Thank you!” Your time, care, desire and passion to help my company is just simply amazing! And to all of our employees who write to me, attend our company meetings, CHO breakfasts & clubs, I must say thanks for your spirit and all of your great feedback.

I know that I am a very blessed man. Not only do I have a wonderful wife and two awesome children, (Chelsea who is now working as our trainer and providing motivational support to our teams), I have a great ELT (Executive Leadership Team) that supports my vision and legacy to build the Mitch brand to where it needs to be. And of course I have all of you - the amazing employees of FSO who have the passion and spirit to do whatever is necessary to exceed our clients and your wildest dreams and expectations.

Besides all of that, as an executive and owner, there is one other important piece of the puzzle – a person or people who serve as a friend, consigliore, confidante, intellectual property and capacity.

Well, I have been very lucky to have someone in my leadership team who is all of the above. I’m sure that many of you, if not all of you, know who she is - Denise Ngeow. For those who know her personally, she has an easy going approachable way about her, a wonderful smile, kind view of people, and yes that Australian accent does not hurt (LOL). Beside all that, Denise is a winner and a brilliant young lady that has taken me to task and challenge the status quo in FSO every single minute of the day.

Denise is always bringing to me ideas, issues, fires, concerns, and more importantly endless ideas with strategies that can be executed. If you are not aware Denise does not drink wine, or anything for that matter, and most of you are probably thinking, ‘How can such a person survive with Mitch without a drink!’ LOL! Well, thank god, she does J

To help me execute those plans, ideas, and strategies, I recognized that I cannot do it alone. I needed a friend and a caring, smart individual to sit by my side in NYC, on planes and more. With that said, I have decided that person, who many of you know and respect, is our own Denise Ngeow. After working with Denise over the past five years, I felt it was time due to her great work to give her a well deserved promotion in FSO. If one thing is for sure, we could not have exceeded our knowledge and results without her endless pursuit for perfection and achievement.

With all of that being said, I am pleased to announce the promotion of Denise Ngeow to Chief of Staff, SVP of Corporate Strategy! Please join in welcoming Denise to her new and well deserved promotion and position.

I need Denise to sit in every meeting across our enterprise and support our goals and our plans. After all, a company does not grow on one department. Rather all departments must work like a well oiled machine, together and not in silos. This is something I know that Denise can make happen allowing us to fulfill the dreams of our staff and bring our promises to practice for our clients.

Some of her expanded responsibilities will include working closely with me across all aspects of FSO enterprise-wide including Finance, IT, People Solutions, Operations and Marketing - ensuring all areas of our business are collaborating and in-sync across the country. Especially with our record growth and substantial investments in our corporate infrastructure, she will be strongly involved and engaged with our Clients and Employees. By doing so, she will be able to ensure we have strategic responses to our needs in the field, clientele and across our business.

With the above in place, you and our clients will experience the true difference in our ability to enhance, adjust, and act as needed to market trends, client needs, staff needs and more.

Our company is poised for amazing success and greatness due to all of our clients and staff, and I am not ever going to allow anything to get in the way of my promise to you and my personal commitment to ensure you all sleep easy and know that the Mitch brand and my legacy is protected until eternity.

Cheers to a bright and exciting future for the FSO and Mitch brand. Again, we could not have done it without you.

Have a GREAT day. Love LIFE!

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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"People don’t buy what you do; people buy why you do it.” 
— Simon Sinek
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