I doubt you grab the same things now. There aren’t as many notepads floating around anymore. The majority of people I associate with in the business world have gone completely digital. Notes are taken on a laptop, tablet or even the occasional phone note app (it’s an 84.5% chance mobile note takers are also texting addicts – there’s nothing like making up a statistic). I’ll admit I do work with some that are an exception to this rule, but I don’t get it. Why waste the time to transfer notes to your computer? Agendas and notes can be brought up on your computer, along with most anything you’ll need for a business function such as presentations, charts, etc. What about the classic business card?

Although many have tried to invent an alternative solution, the business card is still something that everyone carries. Yes, we are all on LinkedIn and that is a modern form of business card / professional bio. Yes, there are apps such as Bump that claim to be the future. Seriously though, have you actually asked someone to Bump business cards with you in a professional setting? “Bump me?”. I’ll pass on asking that question. I’ve never seen a successful card Bump. Yes, there are social business cards that are catching on such as TwtBizCard, but the fact is that you still carry a business card.

Do you think business cards will last another decade?
I think people will continue to create new technology replacements, but that the business card is as important as a handshake. You?

What does your business card say about you?
That I’m a company man. I wish my cards were more unique and reflected more of my personality. Anyone have an especially unique business card?

Other things to consider:
Do you get all the design upgrades or do you buy the cheapest, flimsiest card available?

Do you care when people give you an oddly shaped card that doesn’t fit within your stack of cards?

Do you just slide a few cards in your wallet or do you have a card case? If so, what kind? I’m in the market.

Here are some of unique ideas if you are on the hunt for new business cards (sponsor).

Some responses to my Tweet and later conversations reminded me of the fact that Josh is being sued by Adobe. At that point I put the idea of “lightening striking twice” (reference to one of the new billboards) out of my head. Omniture was obviously a huge success, but could this guy really create another ground breaking company in the state of Utah with Adobe on his back?

Then, Josh’s new co was able to create a small buzz by offering a $10,000 giveaway to the first person that could solve this problem.

The solution eventually resulted in Josh’s cellphone number which he reported was ringing constantly for 3 days.

So I decided to check out the new company’s launch party last night. I wasn’t expecting much, but was surprised to see such a huge turnout. The seats were gone in minutes and I was left standing. My initial impression may have been more enhanced if Josh had moved forward with his idea to have random celebrities mixed in the crowd. This reminds me of the Omniture Halloween stories I’ve heard (think Josh in costume with little people and $xx,xxx department decoration budgets). He mentioned during his presentation that they looked at Spud Webb, Mike Ditka and even Angela Lansbury. Shockingly, Mrs. Lansbury requires around $100,000 for an appearance. Although no sports or television celebrities were present, there were elite business executives and politicians everywhere. Some notables included: Senator Orrin Hatch, Paul Kwan, Dave Clark, Mark Gorenberg, Todd Pedersen, Dave Bateman, Blake Modersitzki, and Matt Cohler.

Here are some of the highlights of the event:

Benchmark announced 33 million in series A along with the earlier angel investments of $10 million.

Executive reporting is 15 years behind tech. What is executive reporting? Sales, marketing, etc all in one place.

Business intelligence is broken. I know that’s been my experience as well. I’ve worked with smart BI guys, but their main job was to pull data, rather than think about what the data meant. Turn BI from cost center to a revenue department. Focus on valuable data.

My first thoughts. Aggresive? Can they pull it off? Can they tie all of the necessary APIs to their product? Josh said from stage that he didn’t want IT to be necessary for a CEO to use this new dashboard. They can’t build ties into every data set, especially proprietary databases.

Next, Stephen Dubner spoke – co-author of Freakonomics
He was interesting and shared some entertaining anecdotes, but definitely went on too long. His best comparison of the night was relating hand washing to business intelligence / company data. Everyone exagerates their own reports to make themselves look better. Self reported data is almost always inaccurate, which means almost everyone lies. In one study, only 9% of doctors washed their hands when tracked.

Then, Mark from Benchmark Capital who was one of the first employees at both LinkedIn and Facebook talked about Big Data and the potential of this new form of BI. Blah blah. Smart guy, but not an interesting speaker.

Next, Josh prepared to unveil the new brand. He talked about branding and mentioned the Law of Color. Coke is the first brand people think of when they see red. Fedex uses two colors at the opposite end of the spectrum (orange & purple) and that works well for many brands, including most sports teams.

He talked about customer focus. Putting the customer first. The customer is always right.

Finally, they unveiled the new name. Domo.

gOOgle, yahOO, facebOOk. What do they have in common? Two o’s (oo). dOmO.

Overall, the night was a success. In my opinion, everyone left the Grand American thinking that lightening will strike again, but I just can’t get Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto‏ out of my head.

–

The launch party ended with this fine video.

The original, unedited version has over 11 million views, but out of the kindness of my heart I embedded the clean version here. Honey badger don’t care.

How to be friends with Alex McArthur?
1) Add me on your social network(s) of choice.
2) Subscribe to my RSS feed.
3) Tell your friends about me by using the links below.
4) Enjoy that special feeling of knowing you have a new, trusted friend.
5) Tell me all of your secrets. I’m taking this one back.
6) Come back often.

Yeah, it’s that easy. Expect a Christmas card next year.

Tweet

ATTENTION: If you are looking for Alex McArthur from the movie Desperado or the Papa Don’t Preach video you’ve come to the wrong place. You can indulge yourself in his fan site at AlexMcArthur dot org (ok…so the link to his site doesn’t really go to his site – I think it died a while back anyway).

Who am I?
Name: Alex McArthur, in case the domain didn’t give it away.
About: Check out my bucket list or places I’ve been for more info.
Hobbies: Anything internet related (search engine marketing, web design, content management systems, web analytics, etc.), acoustic guitar, traveling/outdoors, being a family man
What makes me unique: I have as much gray hair on my head as black at the young age of 34.  I often get mistaken for Taylor Hicks.

Where have I lived?
Born in North Carolina
Maryland
California
Tennessee
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Utah

I’m always looking for web dev or internet marketing projects to work on. I can assure you that my rates are much lower than most as I love the challenge and enjoy the work. Check out my Utah internet marketing company for some examples of my work. My resume is also available here.

*Alex speaks only for himself, and especially doesn’t speak for any person or entity writing him a check (you are welcome to join the list).  In other words, views of the author do not represent current or previous employers, unless they ask me too.  And that would suck because I’d have to rewrite this and I kind of like it.

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*In no specific order, besides the obvious…

SEO.com

Yes, I’m a biased part of the crew.  SEO.com really takes the time to do things right and understand each unique success metric.  Many household names trust and continue to work with us.  Do your research and I think you’ll come to the same conclusion.  *Contact me directly and I can probably get you a deal or at least help decide if it’s a good fit.

OrangeSoda

I was with OS during the first three years of the company as VP of Search, and I have some great friends over there.  If your business matches the target small business client I think they’re a great option.  They’ve got some great partnerships that many agencies can only dream about.

SearchandSocial

I don’t know much about their client work, but I know Jordan and have met the rest of the staff at one trade show or another.  Great group – seriously, some great minds.  I don’t know how they handle it all from agency work to SEJ.

MWI

I’ve met Josh once or twice in the past and have followed a few of his blogs for quite some time now.  He definitely knows his stuff and will continue to do great things.

97thFloor

Even if you don’t use 97thFloor you should definitely check out BlvdStatus, a slick analytics package.  It has some unique features for rank tracking and social monitoring.

GrowaSite.com / Crexendo

Hopefully someday I meet someone over there, learn more about them and decide to give them the benefit of the doubt.  Until then, all that I know is that they have close ties to StoresOnline (I do know a few SO employees and they’ve only encouraged my doubt of Crexendo).  Do a search for the parent company and you tell me if they can be trusted.  Yikes – that’s as many bad reviews as AT&T and Comcast combined from a company a tiny fraction of the size.  They do so much advertising in Utah (billboards, Lavell Edwards Stadium, Energy Solutions Arena, etc) that I’m sure they’ll land a hefty amount of clients, especially with their “free seo training”.  These guys know how to sell.  Do they know SEO, though?

Companies to get to:

Leadgenix

Vizad

IOVenture

DIY SEO (do it yourself)

I’ll be honest, I have mixed opinions on DIY SEO.  I think there is a need for it, but it really has to be the right fit.  If you don’t understand SEO and can’t put in the time it won’t do anything besides ding your credit card.

*I’ve tried all of the following, but will get to actual reviews in the future.

LotusJump

Boostability

SoloSEO

DIYSEO, not in Utah, but worth checking out even though Aaron Wall shredded them.

Places

• Australia
• Jerusalem
• ✓ Paris
• ✓ Prague
• ✓ Hawaii – Oahu
• Hawaii – Maui
• Hawaii – Kauai
• Mayan Ruins
• ✓ Caribbean Islands
• ✓ Hong Kong

Activities

• (2x)✓ Ride class V rapids
• (2x)✓ Sleep in a cave
• ✓ Rappel in a cave
• ✓ Swim in a cave
• Go Hunting
• ✓ Snorkel
• ✓ Scuba dive
• ✓ Fly in a powered parachute
• ✓ Bungee Jump – I’m counting this

Accomplishments / Goals

• (2x) ✓ Buy a home
• ✓ Work for a startup
• ✓ Work for an Inc 500 company
• Build a six figure revenue stream on the side
• (3x) ✓ Build a website that gets 10,000+ unique visitors per month (*have gone way over 10k)
• ✓ Rank #1 on Google for a one word term
• ✓ Program an entire website from scratch
• ✓ Serve a two year LDS mission
• ✓ Speak in front of 1,000 people or more

Learn a Thing or Two

• ✓ Attend a Ted event
• ✓ Digital photography class
• Memorize 10 entire songs – Guitar and lyrics (I have a horrible memory when it comes to lyrics)

Sports

• ✓ Attend March Madness
• ✓ Attend every home BYU football game for 5 years (over 10 years now with one slip up – had to attend a wedding)
• Compete in a half iron man