How Will Technology Change Fathers Day?

"The spoken word was the first technology by which man was able to let go of his environment in order to grasp it in a new way."

~ Marshall McLuhan

   

Wow! What a great Father's Day weekend! There was a lot to do in Jones County over the weekend. Downtown Movie Night, Farmers Market, Car Show, Benefit Rides, Cookouts, Pool parties, Fathers Day festivities and so much more!

While I was hoping this weekend was going to be uneventful and lazy, some of you know, this past weekend I had an unfortunate accident. As I was trying to help a buddy remove a deck from his house, my thumb decided to play chicken with a sledge hammer. The hammer won.

As I was in my state of shock, disbelief, trauma or whatever else you might want to call it, I was calm enough to collect my composure and against my typical judgement, I decided to let a doctor check things out, just to be safe.

I should clarify that as a member of a long line of Simpson men, we don't do hospitals. We don't do doctors. We're MEN! We beat our chests and grunt! We grin and bear it. We're tough! (In the words of Tim Allen, "Aaugh, Aaugh, Aaugh, Aaugh, Aaugh"!)

My wife has banned me from sharing all the gory details (and pictures) and only allows me to share that my thumb is broken. (Thanks to the very attentive weekend crew at SCRMC Urgent Care. It could have been worse.)

Once again I found myself in the South Central Medical Center Urgent Care. This time it wasn't for my son but for me. As I was in the waiting room I noticed all the signs for the new "In Quicker" campaign. This is a campaign South Central has started to allow you to go online, enter your information and wait until an arranged time for an appointment. Had I been in my right mind, I might have given the system a try.

Thinking about the In Quicker system as well as the online medical records South Central is moving to, it got me to thinking about an article I read about the number of "smart" devices outnumbering traditional forms of mobile communication.

The article references Pew research which shows more Americans now own smartphones as compared to typical cell phones. The use of tablet devices is soaring and expected to double this year to somewhere around 51 million Americans.

So what does this mean? The immediate implication is that mobile Internet use is set to grow substantially, according to Forrester, which forecasts that by 2016 more than 150 million Americans will be browsing the Web on their phones. 87 million people will be able to access the mobile Web via tablet.

From a marketing perspective, mobile marketing spending will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 38 percent between 2011 and 2016. For brands, mobile marketing opens up the ability to engage consumers wherever they are throughout the day, on a variety of devices.

Just think about what this will mean for my son's generation, "Generation GO". A generation that has grown up not knowing a world without the Internet. A generation where cell phones have always existed. A generation that has always been connected. A generation where everything is "On Demand".

What does this mean for your business? How will you adapt to this generation of consumer? How will this generation change the face of our community? How will we enjoy Fathers day weekend 20 years from now? What about 10 years from now? Will we have downtown movie nights, farmers markets and car shows? Will my son know what a sledge hammer is? I sure hope so.

I hope the ability to always be connected will only enhance his learning potential. I can envision us walking down Central Avenue for the 23rd Annual Crusin' Main Street holding up our phone/communicators to "scan" a particular 1980s model car, what pops up is a video from the designer talking about his passion for the car. A list of all the original equipment options are listed and a list of places to purchase a "project car" perfect for a father-son restoration.

(I also hope by that time we can use the "always on" internet to warn me that I am about to smack my thumb!)

I think we are in a very interesting age of merging business, technology, generations and history. I am excited for the potential for our world, our state and for Jones County. I hope you are too!

As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.

Larkin

A Leader That's the Real McCoy

"American families have always shown remarkable resiliency, or flexible adjustment to natural, economic, and social challenges. Their strengths resemble the elasticity of a spider web, a seagull's skillful flow with the wind, the regenerating power of perennial grasses, the cooperation of an ant colony, and the persistence of a stream carving canyon rocks. These are not the strengths of fixed monuments but living organisms. This resilience is not measured by wealth, muscle or efficiency but by creativity, unity, and hope. Cultivating these family strengths is critical to a thriving human community."

~ Ben Silliman

I had a rare opportunity this past weekend. Thanks to the previous holiday weekend, I was able to accomplish many of my "to-dos" and so this past weekend I didn't have too much on my plate to get done around the house. I was able to spend much of my time with Rebekah and Ethan, not out in the yard or in my shop.

Rebekah and I got to do something together we haven't done in a long time. We got to sit down and watch TV... during the daytime... and it was actual people, not cartoons or animated dancing aliens or dinosaurs.... actual people.

It was great because we missed the original airing of the History Channel's three part miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys". We had it on DVR and were able to watch much of it all at once while Ethan was napping.

Neither of us knew much about the story behind the legend although we did have some working knowledge of the feud. We both grew up in families where our parents were raised on Westerns and from time to time if we catch a good one on TV we'll watch too.

The miniseries was beautifully done. The actors were well cast and at one point I commented to Rebekah that I had forgotten that it was Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton who were the lead actors.

As most of you know I am a history nut and what I like about the way the History Channel put together this miniseries is that it paints a picture for you of the story behind the "facts". It gives you a glimpse into the people who were living the history as they were making it.

In an ironic turn of events, Rebekah and I attended a wedding for her cousin Benton in New Hebron. The wedding was in an old country church and the reception was held at Bethany's (the bride) family's house. Everything was beautiful. The setting could not have been more perfect. It was a blessing to be a witness to their marriage and start of a new chapter in their lives together. It was also great to see most of Rebekah's family that I haven't seen since Christmas.

While sitting in the pews waiting for the ceremony to begin, I couldn't help but play the story of the Hatfields and McCoys over in my head. (I probably shouldn't have watched it up to the minute we had to leave.) What was amazing to me was at the wedding we were witnessing two families become one. Watching two individuals as friends, become more than friends in the eyes of the Church and all the witnesses present. In my head I was thinking, "What on earth could make a family want to tear this apart?"

Obviously I know the story of the Hatfields and McCoys was much more than just two families who couldn't get along. I also know from some of the other documentaries that it is more than just a fight over a pig.

I came to the realization that what led the Hatfields and McCoys toward their path of feuding, and what lead Benton and Bethany toward their path of marriage was their family; more specifically the leadership of their families.

Our families are as unique and rare as snowflakes. Each family has different values, morals, and beliefs. Our families have histories and events which meld the perceptions and paradigms of the generations to follow. Our families have scholars, historians, businessmen, losers, bruisers, abusers, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. Our families are made up of all kinds of individuals but what guides and directs the destiny of our family is the belief and desires of its leadership.

You can look at any family, whether you think they are good or bad and you can just about always trace that family's path back to one or two individuals who set the course for the future generation's success or failure. Likewise, if a family makes a turn in course, it is probably because the desires of one or two individuals who have the ability to influence and lead the others.

Like the leadership needed to guide the future direction of a family for generations to come, our communities also need strong leadership. Our communities need leadership from influential individuals. Our communities need leadership from great visionaries, individuals with great passion and leaders with great charisma.

We have these leaders in Jones County. If you know of someone who would benefit from developing their leadership skills and learning more about our community and how they can become involved in shaping our history for future generations, I encourage you to nominate them for the 2013 class of Leadership Jones County.

Leadership Jones County is a great way to become involved in your community and to learn how you can give back to those who helped lead our community to where we are today. I encourage you to help grow our community and equip its next class of emerging leaders.

Larkin

Our Best Days are just beyond the Mayan End of Days!

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

~ Charles Dickens, a Tale of Two Cities  

Okay, Okay, I am sure you are wondering what the heck the Mayan End of Days has to do with community & economic development and the growth of Jones County. Bear with me.

As you have no doubt seen in previous writing I have a strange way of looking at things but I do have a point.

As we have recently graduated sixty participants from our three leadership programs (C.L.A.S.S., Leadership Jones County and Future Leaders of Jones County), I have been thinking a lot about how leaders take on tasks and what it is that prepares them for their destiny. I have been going over last year's leadership programs and evaluations looking for changes that need to be made to make an even bigger impact with next year's class. (From the success of this year's participants, that will be a lofty goal, but I think we can accomplish it!)

In a somewhat purging my mind of the leadership program and trying to transition from the "doing" of the program to the "planning" of the program I decided I would take some "me time" and catch up on the recorded programming I have on my DVR.

Unfortunately with an almost three year old at the house, Rebekah and I don't get TV privileges until after 8 pm. By that time of the night I don't even feel like watching TV as I am still trying to get the theme songs from the Mickey Mouse Club House, Dora the Explorer, Veggie Tales, Wonder Pets and other shows out of my head so that I can actually sleep at night.

Interject the DVR. (What I consider to be one of the greatest inventions of our time.) I can record several shows I want to watch and wait days or weeks to actually watch them.

As I scrolled through my DVR listings (after all of Ethan's prerecorded cartoons) I got to my list... a History Channel Special on the Mayan End of Days, a National Geographic show called Doomsday Preppers, a Discovery Channel rerun called Doomsday Bunkers and the movie 2012 with John Cusack. (I had a couple of other "happier" sitcoms too... but those don't fit the story.)

As I looked at my list of shows that I had recorded I was somewhat depressed by their morbid nature. But then it hit me as I saw the relationship between the shows and what we are doing to prepare the next generation of leaders in our county.

One of the things I think drives leaders is the execution of preparation and character in times of uncertainty.

 I certainly don't hope the worst for anyone in our community, but I do think preparation is key in our survival, business decision, daily activity, and basis of our growth.

I have a guilty pleasure in watching many of the "history" specials about the "End of Days" and the thought that aliens helped our ancient ancestors "predict" the future and when the world will end. I also enjoy watching the "prepping" shows, but I think that feeds my OCD addiction of gadgets, organization and being prepared.

I don't know what will happen, I don't think anyone does. I don't think we are supposed to know. But I do like to plan ahead and get my mind right to make sure that if the world ends tomorrow or if I get hit by a bus, my family is taken care of and prepared to pick up the flag and march forward. (Fortunately we have very few buses in Jones County so my odds are pretty good.)

I am not necessarily an advocate of planning for the end of days, a zombie apocalypse, or the collapse of the world economy, but I will tell you, in watching some of these shows, I began to look at my "72 hr emergency kit/ hurricane kit" that I had on the coast. I had let it dwindle down to two packages of ramen noodles and a bottle of water. I don't think that will get our family of three very far in an emergency. After about two months of consciously planning and storing up, I should be okay with my supplies if we have another Katrina-like event.

All of us still remember what Katrina did to our State and our home. We can't sit on the sidelines and say "it won't happen to me". As we head into the hurricane season, I encourage you to look at your supplies and stock up BEFORE you need them. It is always better to have supplies and not need them than to need them and not have them.

Be the leader your family needs. Be the leader our community needs. Follow the motto of the Boy Scouts of America: "Be Prepared"... (and be safe.)

Larkin

Leaders Who Care Overcome Their Fears

Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. ~ Henry Van Dyke

Leaders Care - Leadership Story and Inspiring Leadership Video Happy New Year! I hope 2012 has greeted you with a refreshed and invigorated spirit for the New Year. I wish you all the best for a spectacular and prosperous new year! I apologize for not getting a newsletter out before now but perhaps that is a good thing. We've been busy at the Chamber in these first few weeks of 2012 and perhaps if you haven't noticed not getting these eNewsletters that means your business is very busy too and that's a good thing for your bottom line and our local economy! I have to go ahead and warn you to get out a box of tissues. The video above is somewhat of a tear jerker but the message is something I have been thinking a great deal about. I love the holidays because it usually gives me a lot of time to think. One thing I have kept coming back to in my thinking over the break is Passion, Excitement, Caring and Commitment. All of these are adjectives we would want most people to say about us as individuals but what do they say about the "personality" of your business? When people think of your business or your brand, do adjectives like these come to mind (or are they using other adjectives in their place)? We've heard it over and over that the "attitude" of the business is in the people. I think that is absolutely true. Everyone your customers come in contact with from the receptionist to the CEO themselves directs the attitude of the company. And those at the top usually dictate the attitude of those underneath and specifically those who are the first face of the company. How are you directing that attitude? Are you directing it in the manner in which you want the customer to view the company? Are you leading with Passion and Courage? I have a very unique position in the community because I get to interact with all walks of businesses and community leaders from start-ups and family owned and operated two man shops to world leaders in their fields. It is interesting seeing the leadership capabilities and styles of each individual as they chart the course of their company's fate and how they go about obtaining their dreams. I can guarantee you that just like the big sister in the video, these leaders have been afraid, they weren't sure what to do at times but they knew what was right, they knew they had to protect the future of their business and so through some tears and many prayers they too made it through dark times. As it says in the video, being courageous doesn't mean you aren't afraid; it just means you care more about something else than what you fear. I hope you won't have to endure many dark times in your journey. We all go through them, but how we overcome them is what builds our character and sets the attitude and direction of our forward motions. Whatever you do in 2012, I hope you do it with passion. I hope that it is exciting for you and your company as well as for Jones County, and I hope that through a caring spirit you will be committed to making this one of your best year's yet! I am looking for great things to happen in Mississippi and in Jones County in 2012. I hope you are along for the ride because it's gonna be fun!  If you would like to see more videos like this:  Visit Teamwork and Leadership Website

Shoppers Contend With Socialnomics

"You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need."

~ Vernon Howard

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and have charged full steam into the CHRISTmas spirit. If you haven't been a part of the kickoff events for the CHRISTmas season, you have missed out on some great fun and fellowship with our community. Not to worry though. We have a lot more in store and many, many more opportunities for you to be engaged and surrounded with holiday cheer! I encourage you to be a part of the community this holiday season and invest your time (and money) in making this CHRISTmas season extra special for someone in our community. Also let's remember to help out the less fortunate and donate a little bit more of our time and money to charitable causes that need our contributions this CHRISTmas season. 

On the topic of investing money in the community, were you apart of the American Express Small Business Saturday? What about Black Friday? I have to admit I am not much of a shopper but I was unfortunately indoctrinated into the Late Night Thanksgiving Shopping "Extravaganza" - not of my own choosing of course. I had to go to Wal-Mart in Carthage (MS) on Thanksgiving night. I had gotten something in my eye and it had almost swollen shut. All the other stores were closed and Wal-Mart was my last option (believe me we looked). Anyway, Rebekah and I had to wait in line until the cash registers of the local Wal-Mart were unlocked from headquarters in Bentonville, AR. No one could purchase anything until 9 pm. It was one of the craziest things I have ever seen. If you got some good deals and that type of "shopping" is your thing, congratulations but I think I'll wait and spend a little extra a day or two later. 

I do want to share with you a new experience for me this year. I know online shopping is nothing new, but online shopping and social media truly changed the way I shopped this year. I have purposefully chosen to try to buy all or the majority of my CHRISTmas gifts locally and in smaller stores. For months Rebekah and I have been looking at tricycles for Ethan for Christmas (I am safe in that he can't read this newsletter, but I am trusting none of you will tell him what he is getting). We found the one we wanted in a local store a few months back and have been tempted to buy it almost every time we have been in the store. The day finally came and I went to pick it up. No go. Not a single one in the store. I asked the manager and none were expected to be shipped. I could have changed my mind and thought of some other gift he would like just as much but that didn't happen. I whipped out my smart phone and "Googled" the tricycle. I found the same model in another store and about $8 bucks cheaper. Score! 

I went to the second store. Same story, none in stock and none expected to be shipped. With that I started to get suspicious. What if it has been recalled, was it safe, why would all the stores have pulled the product or sold out right at CHRISTmas time and not chosen to restock? Again, I pulled out my handy-dandy smart phone and began reading reviews of the tricycle. I did find out the tricycle has not been recalled although the reviews were mixed about the product. The majority of them leaned negative for Ethan's age. 

This story does have a happy ending though, again due to the internet and reviews from buyers, I was able to find another tricycle with all the features we wanted (and more) for about $20 bucks cheaper. Double Score! Ethan will have his fun on CHRISTmas morning tearing up the roads on his new trike and I will have my fun on CHRISTmas Eve putting that and his other toys together! 

I tell you this story not to showcase what a frugal and awesome shopper I am (Rebekah can attest to the opposite), but to get you thinking about social media, internet sales and how even in "small town" Jones County, internet reviews play a part in what people are purchasing in our stores. They may even be making people's decisions as to whether or not they even visit our stores. Do you know what people are saying about your business online? Is it positive? 

A friend forwarded me this video. It talks mainly about Social Media and the Socialnomics (Social Media + Economics) revolution. I want to point out a few things from the video and have you ask yourself how this affects your business:

• Over 50% of the world's population is under 30.
• In ten years, over 40% of the Fortune 500 companies will not be here.
• Facebook tops Google in weekly traffic in the US. 
• 1 in 5 couples meet online. 
• 1 in 5 divorces are blamed on Facebook. 
• What happens in Vegas stays on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, etc. 
• An education study revealed that online students out performed those who receive face-to-face instruction 
• Kindergartens are learning on iPads, NOT chalkboards. 
• 50% of mobile traffic in the UK is for Facebook (imagine what this means for bad customer experiences.) 
• Over 37million people watched the VW Darth Vader Super Bowl Ad on YouTube (The child actor had never seen Star Wars). 
• Generation Y and Z see email as passé. 
• Some universities have stopped distributing email accounts. 
• 69% of parents are "friends" with their children on Social Media. 
• GROUPON will reach $1 Billion in sales faster than any company in history. 
• There are 1.5 Million real farmers. There are 80 Million Farmville farmers. 
• Social gamers will buy $6 Billion in virtual goods by 2013. Movie goers will only buy $2.5 Billion in real goods. 
• Word of Mouth is on DIGITAL STEROIDS. 
• 34% of bloggers post opinions about products and brands (do you like what they are saying about your brand?) 
• 90% of consumers trust peer recommendations, only 14% trust advertisements. 
• 93% of marketers use social media for business.  

Click Here for Video

Happy Thanksgiving

"May you get all your wishes but one, so that you will always have something to strive for!" 

~ Irish Toast

I hope that today you are surrounded by friends, family and loved ones. We all have a lot for which we can be thankful. Jones County has seen its share of hard times and success this past year and I hope you are thankful for the progress taking place in our community. In light of the recent storms, there are many who we could offer our assistance to in their time of need. Together we can all be thankful for our health, prosperity and ability to live another day.

On the thought of volunteerism, we have so many volunteers and leaders in our communities who are working very hard and diligent to make Jones County a better place for us all. Through their tireless efforts and personal giving, we can all sleep a little safer at night and be proud of the accomplishments they are making to make our home a better place to live, work and play. If you are out an about today, think of those who don't have the day off like our policemen, firemen, emergency personnel and especially our troops overseas and abroad. If you are one of those reading this, then thank you for your service. 

I want to keep my thoughts short today, but many of you know that around the holidays (and especially this time of year) I do a lot of reflecting and thinking. This year is no different. I am not sure if it was the etiquette class Mitch, Sandy and I attended a few weeks back or if it something different all together, but I have been thinking about the gesture of toasts a lot lately. Not some quirky dancing piece of bread, but he idea of sharing a few words among peers to let someone know how thankful you are for their contributions. Perhaps today you will have an opportunity to make a toast with friends and family. I like the expression of giving a toast, especially to honor a really good host or friend. I don't always know what to say when giving a toast but I have a few that I like to keep in my back pocket for special occasions. 

The history of toasting is quite unique. Today we think of it as a way to honor someone. Originally it was used to make sure that someone had not poisoned the wine or spirits being shared before a meal. The mere fact that the term "toast" originated from placing a piece of toasted bread in a drinking glass to soak up any poison which could have been maliciously placed is quite frightening. I certainly hope you don't share that experience today but I do want you to think of toasting someone. 

Each of us needs a little encouragement from time to time. Take the time to notice the little accomplishments those around you have made this past year. Thank them. If you have the opportunity, raise a glass to them in a group and let everyone and them specifically see how much you care for them and what they do to make you thankful. 

As we bring 2011 to a close, let's go out strong. Let's take the opportunity each day in the last part of this year and express how thankful we are for the things we have, the things we have accomplished and the opportunities we have to make our business community, our neighborhoods, churches, schools, families and communities better. We can all work together and make Jones County the best place on earth to live. I know you can do it, and I want to be right here with you making the change. So to you my Jones County friends, family and neighbors, I raise a glass (figuratively) and share with you a few of my favorite toasts... 

There are good ships, 

and there are wood ships, 

The ships that sail the sea. 

But the best ships, are friendships, 

And may they always be. 

~ 

May neighbors respect you, 

Trouble neglect you, 

The angels protect you, 

And heaven accept you. 

~ 

May your mornings bring joy 

and your evenings bring peace... 

May your troubles grow less 

as your blessings increase!

~

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

What is Your Story?

It's finally here! In case you missed it, in a press conference held November 1st, the EDA and Chamber of Commerce, in front of a crowd of approximately 50 business leaders, elected officials, media and friends, unveiled the redesigned www.jonescounty.com 

After months of development, research, design and thought between Marketing Alliance, Inc., a Jackson, Mississippi based marketing firm, Immediate EDA Past Chair Marlo Dorsey and Chamber of Commerce Director, Larkin Simpson, the website was reviled to the public. 

So what is the big deal? Why a re-launch? www.jonescounty.com is our window to the world. It's working 24/7 to promote our community and attract investors, new residents, visitors and others to our community. In today's technological world, many people are quick to pull out their smart phones, tablet devices or laptops and Google you (or Jones County) before they ever talk to anyone who has been here, lives here or knows the wonderful tradition that is Jones County. As our current EDA Chairman, Linda Gavin, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at South Central Regional Medical Center has said, "We have a lot to be proud of in Jones County and our new web site showcases our community very well." 

She's right! We do have a lot to be proud of in Jones County. We have a lot of history intertwined within our community; some good, some bad but it is that rich history that gives our towns a romantic charm; unique to anywhere else in the world. In addition to our history, an entrepreneurial heritage is common to Jones County. Many of our founding fathers (and mothers) and business leaders today have that "I can do it better and I'm going to prove it to you" attitude. It's that very same "rebel spirit" that has garnered national attention for Jones County. And, in addition to those causing a ruckus, we also are well known for those with a loud voice and a sweet message such as Leontyne Price; one of many in a long line of artists to come from Jones County. From the stage to the big screen to the athletic field and the board room; Jones County has a lot to be proud of and a lot of alumni we can look to for inspiration. 

These are exactly the type of story we need to be telling. Who knows our history better than those who have lived it and are building on it every day? My hope is that the website will take on the form of the Jones County story. Sure it will be a resource for information about our communities and county as well as house demographic data and site specific statistics for economic development and business recruitment but in addition to all of that, I hope the site will be an evolving tool to help visitors understand the rich history and heritage of this place we all call home. The place that is more that a dot on a map. A place called Jones County, Mississippi! 

We all have stories about our communities, stories of our own experiences as community members, leaders and neighbors. In many communities, the same stories are retold over and over because they help us define our identities - both as individuals and as members of our communities. Stories help us to learn about our world. I hope our Jones County story will help the world learn about us. I'd like to leave you with a charge that I hope you will seriously consider. I want to charge you with telling me your story and your version of the Jones County story. In addition to that, if you have friends, family, loved ones or business acquaintances who have moved on from Jones County but still have a fond place in their memory for home, I'd like to hear their story. 

Hopefully through the tapestry of stories told and pride in our home and in Jones County, we will all come to believe in the our Jones County tag line: Jones County, Now this is living!

If you would like to see more of the Jones County story;

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