I had a few beers tonight with Derek Ellis of Tsuvo Social. We talked a lot about leadership styles and in some cases the lack there of. And as I sit here thinking about these styles that I have been exposed to in the past five years, I wonder who or what style I want to work for in my next endeavor.
I honestly can’t sit here and quote leadership styles. But it’s kind of like pornography at this point…I know it when I see it.
So yes, I could Google and read up on different styles and types, but I want to know from you…where have you been the most productive and the happiest…and how did you use that to further develop who you are as a working, contributing human being?
Xoxo
-jen
BlueLine Marketing Update July 29, 2009
People are constantly asking me: What ever happened to everyone at BlueLine Marketing? (and that is usually followed by “what happened TO BlueLine?” and “wow, you guys were WAY ahead of the curve“)
For those that don’t know: BlueLine Marketing was a word-of-mouth marketing company based in Boise, Idaho. We were preaching, teaching & selling what is now Social Media to companies that “got it”…there were not many. Things happened and doors closed in December 2007.
The Founders: (in alphabetical order)
Brian Critchfield: Director of Marketing at Boon, Inc. LinkedIn:
Justin Foster: Founder/Managing Partner at Tricycle Brand Development. LinkedIn:
John Hardesty: CEO & Co-Founder of Tricycle Brand Development. LinkedIn:
Brian Packer: Director VP of Marketing at ZAGG Inc. LinkedIn:
Soon thereafter: (in the order that I remember)
Erik Warila: Marketing & Communications at Micron. LinkedIn:
Tac Anderson: Social Media Director at Waggener Edstrom. LinkedIn:
Jen Harris: My bio here. Looking to solve people’s social media woes, whether it be as an independent contractor or inside a really brilliant company that understands they need someone “on the inside” to move their social media needle. LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jenharris
Mike Boss: At Mike’s request: “It would be great if you would leave out the stuff about my time in rehab, although my two years as a soldier of fortune is OK.” No worries Mike, your secret is safe with me my friend.
Mike lost his job back in November as MPC Computer’s PR Manager, is currently taking the inspiration and tools he gained from his BlueLine days and applying is BYOM (Be Your Own Media) model to the creation of a social media association for independently owned culinary businesses (www.behindthemenu.org). He remains determined that the business model for this endeavor should be as innovative as the tools and techniques that make it possible to begin with. In the meantime, as a self-acknowledged unemployed bum, he believes you should feel free to buy him lunch whenever possible and at least feign interest in his goofy ideas. His mother will bless you for those small acts of kindness.
Kristine Asin: Marketing & Events Owner at StinaLu Studios. LinkedIn:
Krissa Wrigley: VP Research & Evaluation for Idaho TechConnect
Rachel Wilson: Corporate Education Liaison at University of Phoenix. LinkedIn:
FlatPlanet People (web development company that was aquired by BL in 2006)
Sam Swenson: Founder of Socialplasam. LinkedIn:
Ben Whitaker:
So there you have it!
Did I miss anyone…is your job not accurate or detailed enough? (Mike is our writer, he is allowed).
I love everyone here, no matter what the past was. It was the experience of a lifetime that has allowed me to change the lives of others. xoxo, always.
#FollowFriday in +140 Characters March 6, 2009
In the spirit of #FollowFriday on Twitter, I would like to introduce you to five Tweeple that always catch my eye and why I think you might enjoy following them. #FollowFriday is nice & all, but I like to hear from people why they think they are so great…here are my Tweeps!
@TacAnderson Tac introduced me to Twitter. He is also the first person, outside of my husband, that I told I was pregnant with the twins. He jumped up and gave me a great big hug—if you can hug, you can be my friend. Oh, and he’s frickin’ brilliant. He knows every new product, every cool kid knows him, follows him & wants to be him. The thing is – he isn’t arrogant about his notority in the world of social media. He is cool as a cucumber & genuine to the core. And he doens’t owe me a coffee at all for this. 🙂
@MikeBoss Disclaimer: I set up Mike’s original Twitter account while we were at MPC Computers together. Mike took the love of telling stories about food, his Middle East travels & his cats and turned that into relationships with computer and education publications that got MPC Computers off the “black ball list” (btw: that is not my quote, it is someone that was higher up the MPC food chain than me). He didn’t have to buy the inside front cover to get a story or a quote from the publisher, he gave them content & value through stories, insights and heart felt comrodery with people.
@SaulColt Saul is the Head of Magic (and self proclaimed Mayor or Twitter) at FreshBooks and he holds that position close to his heart & does it damn well! My favorite part of following Saul on Twitter is that he is FUNNY! His little insights about the cabbies he encounters, the food he is eating & the house he just lost make me laugh…and he responds back – kudos!
@DirecTV If you have DirecTV you MUST follow them. They don’t tweet out that much but when they do it is valuable info…like when they offer free HBO! Quick story: Our signal went out one night and my husband was on hold wiht them for 45 minutes (on that thing-a-ma-jiggy called a “phone”). I had just started following them & gave it a crack – with in 8 minutes our signal was back!
@SteveAMiller My favorite part of his bio is his first line: Kelly’s Dad. Won my heart right there. Steve has given me advice during my most recent lay off & we have actually had a REAL phone call. He has many years behind him in consulting in the marketing world and shares his knowledge & tidbits well….and he has a great band (jk-not THAT Steve Miller).
Thank You Tac Anderson January 9, 2009

My Friend Tac...I owe him lunch
Yesterday while I was in an eye opening sales meeting with the TSheets gang, my husband text’d me:
“I see you made Tac’s top 10 most valuable tweeple. Right on!”
“Whaaa? Whoooa?! Who? Where? Me?”
I think that is what I text’d back to him.
I have always been either a team player (I know cliche’, but I was actually on a college team, so I get to say that) or I have been the one behind the scenes making things appear as if they are running smooth as mud. Yes, we all like to be acknowledged, but I am not an egomaniac thinking that idea “X” was all mine & I should be recogzized every time something goes right…I know it did & that is good enough for me.
I am VERY humbled by making Tac’s list with the likes of locals like Stephen Nipper, Memo Cordova, Ryan Woodings & Jess Flynn.
And to even be mentioned in the same list as Jeremiah Owyang & Steve Rubel literally makes me well up.
Do I owe Tac lunch now? Or did HE owe ME a big favor? I do owe Jess a glass of wine, so maybe she will put me in her list next! 🙂
Really, Tac, thank you friend for even considering that what I have to say on Twitter is relevant to you and the mini masses that choose to follow me. I am always eager to teach the fundamentals of Twitter & how it can help an individual or a business further their pursuit of Twitter happiness.
My Twitter objective here at TSheets is to have us set a standard for businesses on how they should act and interact with Tweeple when looking for a time tracking system. Thank you @joshdaws, for the nice compliment this week – that means the world to me.
For anyone that knows me, I don’t push-I create relationships & make the best possible decisions that will have the most relevant impact on our company as possible. Good friends and business deals that are made along the way are just a bonus!
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