I was one of the first to receive the new T-Mobile G1 phone last week (known to some as the Google Phone, GPhone or Google Android phone). It has been a lot of fun getting to know my new phone and there is definitely quite a bit of “WOW factor” from friends who play with the gadget.  While I have not had too much time to really learn all of the features, below are the major functions that I have been utilizing.  As I find more features, I will comment on this post.

Here are the things I love about my new phone:
• Amazing form factor with crisp, super responsive touch screen and easy to use slide out keypad
• Crisp vivid imagery, icons, etc. with highly customizable desktop
• Easy browsing and fast connection through the 3G or WiFi
• Pattern unlock is faster (and cooler) than typing in a numeric code
• Small scroll ball as an additional navigational tool – this comes in really handy when trying to click something smaller than my finger tip
• 3 megapixel camera is easy to use with button where it would be on a regular camera
• Awesome Google Maps integration with GPS and Google Street View including Compass View (you can actually rotate the phone and the view of the street changes with the angle of the phone)
• ShopSavvy Application - you can scan a barcode and compare product prices with many online sites
• Shazam Application - the application will listen to music and tell you what is playing, then can connect you to YouTube or the Amazon MP3 store.  I have even tested it with obscure songs, and it has been able to find it every time.
• Compare Everywhere Application - similar to ShopSavvy, except it tells you what local stores are selling a product you scan
• Open Source Android Market - many, many more useful applications should be on their way

What I don’t like:
• No integration with Microsoft Exchange Outlook email. Supposedly third party developers are working on fixing this
• When the charger is plugged in, it is hard to use the flip open keyboard
• No “pinch and spread” multi-touch on the screen

If the goal for the first “Google Phone” was to compete favorably with the Apple iPhone, then the T-Mobile G1 has hit a home run. The potential for this phone becomes even greater as time passes and more developers leverage the open source Google Android Marketplace to develop additional functionality. Also the form factor of the devices launched by carriers will change as more handset providers design for Android.

I have been thinking a lot about viral video …  What makes a video go viral?  Great content! 

What makes great content?  Who knows?  That is like saying “what will people find interesting, funny, relevant, etc.”  

Some colleagues recently shared a viral video with me that underscores that it does not take expensive production costs to create something that people will find interesting and pass along to friends.

Flea Market Montgomery

After watching this video just once, you will be humming the song and singing the tagline “It’s just like a mini-mall!”  The brilliance in this video (with over 2.5 million views on YouTube and counting) is that is it simple, catchy, original, and fun.  The Flea Market Montgomery owner, Sammy Stephens has become a minor celebrity with appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Family Force 5’s webisode series The Really Real Show. 

Why did this video become viral?  It is just plain FUN!

The Goizueta Business School of Emory University hosted a Spring 2008 Entrepreneurial Leadership Event on Wednesday night, April 23, 2008 that featured:

• David Duncan, CEO of Paddywax, Inc. and President of The Atlanta Chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• S. Dee Davis, CEO of Digital Visual Display Technologies, Inc.
• Mike Landman, Founder and CEO of Ripple, Inc.
• Jeff Hilimire, Co-Founder and President of Engauge Digital (formerly Spunlogic)

The event drew a large (100+) and diverse crowd of mostly students and entrepreneurs.  When one panelist asked how many in the room were business owners, about half of the hands were raised.  The dialogue was frank and provided insights into the reasoning and drive that helped each entrepreneur endure the challenges that business owners face.

The best way to disseminate the information that the seasoned entrepreneurs shared is to list out some of my favorite highlights from the panel (paraphrased by me).  David Duncan did a great job of moderating, so most of the answers did not come from him.

What is your best entrepreneurial advice?
Dee Davis: You have to lead by example and take the pulse of the business frequently.
Mike Landman: It is easy to take on more risk when you are young because you have less to risk.
Jeff Hilimire: You have to be “all in” to start a business.  There is no pressure for you to give the business a 100% chance when it is only a hobby.

How do you recommend building a team?
Dee Davis: You need a relatively flat structure when the company is young.
Mike Landman: We use a lot of pre-hire testing and multiple interviews.
Jeff Hilimire: Promoting from within is the best practice. 

What is the best advice you have been given?
Dee Davis: “Energy and persistence conquer all things” – Ben Franklin
“Get out of your comfort zone!” – Bob Parsons
Mike Landman: “Fight through the brick walls that are everywhere.” - Randy Pausch (Carnegie Mellon Professor)
Jeff Hilimire: “Lead by example” and “Passion, Intelligence, and Hard Work are the three most important traits of an entrepreneur.”

What is the one thing that you wish you knew when you started your business?
Dee Davis: I am not the smartest guy in the room, so try to fill the room with smart guys.
Mike Landman: Marketing and managing cash flow.
Jeff Hilimire: How to hire the right person.

What is your best marketing advice?
Dee Davis: Think in different ways from your competitors.  Get out there and meet people.
Mike Landman: Pick a small enough niche to become an expert in that space.
Jeff Hilimire: Become a thought leader and host private events that show off this leadership.

How do you go about finding the best sales person for your team?
Dee Davis: Incent your sales people REALLY well.  Some may make more than the CEO.
Mike Landman: Be your company’s best salesperson.
Jeff Hilimire: Find someone with skills, but who you are also really comfortable with, as they will be representing you! 

Jeff also gave a plug to yours truly, which was an unexpected bonus…

Everyone who attended the event was highly engaged, and they seemed very appreciative of the wisdom that the panel imparted.

(Panelists: S. Dee Davis, Mike Landman, and Jeff Hilimire)

(Emory Entrepreneurship Event Audience)

After spending almost eight years with KnowledgeStorm, which was acquired by TechTarget (NASDAQ: TTGT) in November 2007 for $58 million, I finally decided to make the leap into the interactive agency world.  

Spunlogic president and CEO, Jeff Hilimire had been talking to me for years about how his organization was growing and would need someone to lead his business development and marketing teams.  Despite the emergence of Spunlogic as one of the premier interactive agencies in the Southeast and quite possibly the nation (doubling in size and revenue and making the Inc. 5000 list in 2007), it was clear that they could use my help responding to massive list of inquires from companies that want to work with Spunlogic, and frankly I was excited for a new challenge. 

In the tradition of the clichéd practice of a “Top 10 List”, I would like to share with the reasons that I chose to join the team at Spunlogic: 

1. Incredibly talented, brilliant, and creative people 
2. Phenomenal clients from some of the top brands in the world 
3. Prospective clients pursuing Spunlogic to do work 
4. World class behavioral research and user experience design 
5. Excellent balance between marketing and development 
6. Cutting edge projects that “push the envelope” 
7. Team environment with service focused colleagues 
8. Reputation as a classy organization that produces only top quality work 
9. Unparalleled flexibility to meet clients’ needs 
10. Fun atmosphere 

It is important to love what you do (if you do not, then I strongly advise you to make a change NOW).  I am very confident that I made a great decision to join the team at Spunlogic.  I look forward to sharing our successes with you over the coming years!