Our new virtual realtionships can be broken down into 3 types of communities:

1. Cities hold millions of people, and so do large social media platforms. Belonging to a social network of Mom’s is like hanging out in a bustling city center where there’s generalized conversation and a wide variety of things to see and do (or click on). We can easily weave in and out of conversations that interest us, collect information and take or leave what applies to our particular likes.
2. Towns are smaller interest groups and could be focused around social media platforms like Facebook or Flickr. The connection exists because of a specialized interest and wonderment in what others are doing and how they’re doing it.
3. Villages are where I see the majority of average users taking online relationships offline. The village conversations are more interesting and memorable. Here is where you can develop a strong bond of trust, sharing interests and conversing more frequently. Chris Brogan’s Cafe-Shaped Conversations easily occur here and segue into offline friendships and face to face business.

Villages are Where Small Businesses Flourish

Social networking in the online village is ideal for entrepreneurs and small business owners who market services locally. As more people from a variety of local businesses connect online, like-minded people living in your general geographic area will begin to congregate. I believe you’ll begin to see a cross-section vaguely reminiscent of the old village services.

A village where amongst general conversation, Joe the butcher will twitter specials, Sue the Realtor will invite you an Open House using images posted on Flickr, and your favorite pub will announce the entertainer for the evening through Facebook. These reciprocal relationships with local business owners will occur naturally and benefit our business as we connect, build trust and expand our sphere of influence within our new communities.

Enjoy Your Business Again

The ultimate benefit of this type of networking is that business will be FUN since we’ll be working with people we like and trust. We also have a wonderful opportunity to build stronger bonds within our business relationships.

If you’re not sure how to get started on developing your own village, let Shannon Paul be your tour guide.

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I am thankful to each and every veteran on both sides of the Can Am border. I’ve had the exceptional pleasure to live in both countries and I give thanks to the men and women who have made it possible for us to have freedom of choice in our lives.

As we officially recognize the important role the veterans have played in our quality of life, we also need to recognize and remember them on a daily basis. It’s easy to forget as we get caught up in the intricacies of life, but every time I put on a certain ring, it prompts me to give thanks.

My grandfather was stationed on a minesweeper in the Pacific Ocean during WWII. He worked in the engine room keeping the ship in motion. He was the single most influential person in my life and many of my values are based in beliefs he instilled in me. All his life experiences helped to mold him into the exceptional person he was. The story below, is the only one I ever heard from his days in the Royal Canadian Navy.

On a short shore leave my grandfather decided to propose to a young woman he had fallen for. He wanted her to know he’d be back to marry her but didn’t have enough money to purchase an engagement ring. His shipmates knew this and each chipped in a few dollars to loan to him so could present a ring with his proposal. My grandmother loved to joke that she had been engaged to the entire crew of the Miramichi.

My single most prized possession is the engagement ring my grandmother willed to me.

They’re both gone now but every time I look at it I see the eternal love they had for each other. I also see beyond to the closeness of a crew wanting to help a fellow sailor, to a crew sweeping for and clearing mines to keep other ships safe, to supplies safely delivered to troops that fought for our safety and freedom.

I strive to have a positive impact on the people in my life as my grandfather, and all veterans have had on mine, and I am eternally thankful to them that I don’t have to risk my life in process. My ring symbolizes those feelings and when I look at it I am filled with love and gratitude.

Is there anything in your life that makes you stop and give thanks to our veterans the rest of the year?

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