NOWNESS is a new platform for luxury online. It launches in early 2010, and will feature daily content from the world’s leading creatives. Until then you can visit the NOWNESS.com to get a taste of what is coming.

Visit www.NOWNESS.com and don’t forget to sign up to be an insider!

Become a Fan of NOWNESS on Facebook

Follow NOWNESS on Twitter 

With the emergence of social networking, i picture a piazza in Italy where a tourist throws a small piece of bread on the ground.. and it is then spotted by a flock of pigeons- we know what happens next. Move aside- you know what happens next- fight to get to it first, to get a piece and participate in this mission. Unfortunately, even though I can justify why pigeon’s instinctively act this way, with marketers (holding advanced post-graduate degrees, MBA’s, backed with years of experience) I have a harder time understanding why common sense and rational thought does not prevail.

Sometimes I wonder if everyone read Seth Godin’s Purple Cow and just didn’t get that once everyone notices the purple cow- it becomes just another cow.

Benjamin Franklin

Over 100 years ago Wannamaker phrased the problem statement that would plague marketers until this day. Why is it that most marketers at all level of organizations still fail to address this problem? My opinion is that there remains a disconnect between what marketers claim “their Marketing” is and what they actually remain committed to which is often non-accountable marketing practices, the development of vague objectives that determine success of marketing plans/ campaigns/ advertising and in turn ineffective or non-performing marketing dollars.

As our economy continues to put pressure on executives to justify their Marketing dollars, online channels have truly emerged as the efficient ways to exchange dollars for customers. The shift to data driven marketing still cannot realize itself solely based on online channels without a firm commitment and investment in a robust a marketing data intelligence infrastructure, the alignment of channel metrics, a dedicated analytics team and a belief that marketing intelligence will guide decision making.

Until we can quantify marketing investment by channel, segment, customer and tie it back to our business objectives- marketing will not gain the place in the organization that it truly merits.

I have been able to define true happiness for me as being true to who I am, to my ideals and my core values, and consistently being “me” at every moment of every day. Being true to me does not imply a need for external approval of “me.”  Being true to me means requires resisting pressures to conform while being flexible enough to accept that the “me” of today will evolve over time and be shaped by the experiences that I encounter. Being happy with who I am allows me to experience all the things I love in an authentic way and remain positive about all the great things this earth has to offer.

I was recently introduced to Chris Guillebeau via Seth Godin’s Blog which I follow religiously. In discovering Chris’ blog I came across an article “The Decision to be Remarkable” and I was truly impressed. His article allowed me to realize that in addition to being happy by being true to “me” I should take it one step further and focus my energy on becoming a truly remarkable person through action.

Chris starts with a definition of remarkable: re•mark•able [adjective]: worthy of being noticed, especially as being uncommon or extraordinary. Remarkable is subjective and very different people can all be very remarkable at the same time.

He states that to become remarkable you must consciously decide to do so:

1-Stop Making Excuses; 2-Take Responsibility; 3-Start questioning rules and expectations; 4-Find work that you Love and do it Well; 5-Begin living your own life; 6-Take it up a level.

These are rules that I think everyone should live by whether or not they are seeking to be remarkable. They are not complex rules, not mysterious and not impossible but for those in pursuit of happiness.. they may be a good start.

I recommend reading the full article here.

Get your copy of The Forex Traders Bill of Rights

You can order your hard copy on Amazon or visit OANDA to read a soft copy online now.

OANDA FX Converter Mobile Edition allows you to convert currencies wherever you go. Planning your next vacation or business trip, take OANDA’s FX Converter tool with you.

Visit http://m.fxconverter.com/ on your Blackberry to download immediately or visit OANDA to learn more about gaining immediate access to real-time conversions for 164 currencies.

• Low spreads to all traders, regardless of account or trade size. Trades of 1 unit or 9,321,641 units all at the same tight spread.
• Interest rates calculated by the second on account balances and open trades. No rollover swaps and no lots and no minimum balance required.
• Spreads are shown live and visible to all and a 0.9 EUR/USD spread.
  

Need real time currency rates: OANDA’s Currency Converter is the reliable source
New to trading: Open a FX Game account and try it out here
Ready to start trading: Open your account today
Need to transfer money internationally: Open a Global Transfer Account

A few things that I now remind myself every day..

#1 it is never too late to do what you keep telling yourself you wish you had done. Make a list and start doing them, then instead of wasting time thinking about the past you can re-invest it in living the present.

#2 trust your instincts, they are usually right. if you listen carefully, you’ll know what to do.

#3 you may not understand why things happen, but you always do in time. Don’t stress, breathe slowly and never regret.

Enough for tonight- a presto