Pretty Geeky
I once claimed that I would never use a computer personally. I realized how much that goal has  changed this morning when I was “caught” doing three different “computer things” at once; checking e-mail on my desk top, tweeting on my iPhone4 and watching Steve Jobs give a press  conference on my MacBook Air.

“We Have Come a Long Way Baby”
While it was my intention to never “personally” use a computer, I have owned them since the 60’s. We had a computer room that looked much like the photo above. My iPhone4 does more in the palm of my hand than all of those computers (and a few employees) could.
What a World! What’s Next?

Here We Go Again
I often joke that I get the pleasure of addressing groups of people every day of my life that are assembled against their will. I never know what to expect.

“Uh-Oh!”
I have been doing consistent Success Rallies for the merchants at Whaler’s Village on Maui for 19 years now. I always arrive a bit early and usually find Lelani’s to be empty. Fear rushes through my body, thinking, “Will they show up this month?” or “Did they get the memo?” or “Do they still like me?”

“Whew!”
In a short time my fears are washed away with the adrenaline created by the arriving crowd. There is a buzz of excitement in the room as they all get their coffee and sugar rush. I always head for the airport with my head already in the clouds.

“Oh No!”
The very next day I get to do it again, in this case for the merchants from the Outrigger Hotels on Oahu. Once again I show up early and get the “Uh-Oh” feeling in my gut.

Yeah!
But then as usual they begin arriving and my spirits soar again. My mission is to always say something that they can all take away from the rally and add to their selling routine that will make more money for everyone and create a lasting memory for their customers. Look for the “Yeah’s” in your job. Life is an exciting adventure.

Kaneohe Facility
The beautiful Pohai Nani facility in Kaneohe was the site for my talk this morning to the Kaneohe Businesses Association.

Laurie Rodriguez
Long time friend and owner of Today’s Little People, Laurie Rodriquez engaged me to be the luncheon speaker at the monthly Kaneohe Businesses Association luncheon.

Networking
There was a lot of networking going on between association members and their guests. The energy was good as today’s agenda included thanking the local Naval and Marine Servicepeople for all that they do.

Success Message
My message was all about success and I pleaded with everyone to take responsibility for his and her own economy and not buy into the negative spin spewed by the mainstream media.

My Pleasure
I was happy to sell a lot of books today, but most pleased with the opportunity to sign them for the US Marine and Navy personell.

So Proud
I was then honored with the opportunity to pose with these fine young men and women who are making major sacrifices on our behalf. This was a great priveledge.

Mahalo to Cindi Williams
I had a great time at the WHFA Conference on Maui the past three days. This is a First Class organization. Cindi Williams and the entire WHFA staff made something very complicated look very easy.

Congratulations to Naturwood Home Furnishings
The awards dinner on the final night was quite an event and everyone was happy to congratulate Naturwood Home Furnishings on being named Retailer of the Year. This is quite an honor.

Speaking of Honored…
I had the priveledge of addressing this fine group of furniture store owners from all over the country in two sessions; one on managing people and the other on dealing with the media and their negative spin on the economy; a favorite topic of mine these days.

Brad Huisken and Me
I especially enjoyed the time I was able to spend with fellow speaker Brad Huiskin of IAS Training. We were able to swap some great tales from our mutual experiences helping people be all that they can be.
This was my second opportunity to participate in a WHFA Conference and I am already looking forward to the next one.

Mahalo to all. 

It’s Here!
Like it or not, the cyber revolution is upon us.

Embrace It!
You cannot outrun technology; it’s too big, it’s moving too fast.

Big, expensive and Cool
I had computers like this in the 60’s and 70’s, but the technology was so complicated that I didn’t even try to touch them.

Early Geeks
We hired people much different than us to move those big discs around. They were very smart; what they did was a mystery, and they intimidated the rest of us with their knowledge. As I look back on it, those computers didn’t do near as much as your cell phone does today.

Mo Betta!
In the 80’s I hung it up for a simpler life, surfing in Hawaii. All I had to think about every day was if to surf at Queens or Canoes; both in Waikiki. I was determined to never touch a computer. After all, I didn’t even know how to type.

My Phobia
The truth was that I was afraid of the fast moving technolgy. As I ventured into the business world in Hawaii I continued to shy away from what was “the future.”

Mobile To Da Max
The first time an emplyee brought a PC to work I accused him of playing games in his office. Soon we won’t even have brick and mortar offices. Today you can work from anywhere, all because of technology.

“Tweeting”
I was moved to compose this post today as a result of my latest “brain strain” called Twitter. Two weeks ago I said, “No way” when asked if I am “Tweeting” yet. Now I find myself drilling down into all of the benefits and possibilities of this latest “easy” technology. See what I mean right HERE!

Pipe Dream
If nothing else I may be seeing a glimpse of my life long after I want to “work’ any more. Don’t worry Honey, that’s not tomorrow.

Are You Twittering Yet?
When I got e-mail (Friday) suggesting that I get a Twitter account, my reply was rather sarcastic. I said something like, “First there was MySpace, then Facebook, then LinkedIn. I did them all; why I don’t know. In addition I have my website, my calendar, my Blog and my Daily Motivator to stay on top of. And then there’s the business to run.” Well, being the curious person that I am, I checked it out, and now I have a Twitter account with a rapidly growing list of people finding and “following” me.
This one is different, and as I spend more and more time understanding how to use it I am seeing some real benefits. First is that you do not have to post anything at all, you can just “follow people” that you have interest in. My favorite one already is the Honolulu Advertiser. Any time that anything happens they “Twitter it” long before it appears anywhere else. Restaurants can post menu specials, artists post art shows, retailers release new products, movie theatres movie times, all in real time. The list is endless. My current Twitter update says simply, “Working on new Blog post.” Maybe someone will tune in to read this before getting my Daily Motivator in the morning. In a few moments it will say, “Blog finished, working on Monday Motivator.” That one you will have to wait to see. C’mon; follow me!

Sunrise Breakfast 1-29-09
I was honored to speak at the Small Business Hawaii January 09 breakfast meeting.

Protection
Knowing that my message would be a positive one, the Clone Troopers from Star Wars showed up to protect me from any possible “economy naysayers” that might be present. They were in actuality James Kerr as Han Solo, Elena as Princess Leia, Phillipe as Commander Rex, and Todd as Luke Skywalker, all from SuperGeeks. Fortunately there were no attacks, and they were able to dress down and enjoy breakfast with everyone.

Full House
I was pleased to see the Pineapple Room meeting facility filled to capacity. They actually were rolling tables in from the back. Senator Sam Slom took conrol of the room, as he always does, and had everyone introduce themselves and their guests. Small Business Hawaii is a great association for small business owners to meet one another and share ideas.

What an Introduction!
After one last phone call, Sam introduced me in such great detail that I started out by saying that should he ever leave the political world that I would like for him to work for me. As expected, my message was all about staying positive in light of the sensational headlines printed by the mainstream media. Bad news has always been the news of choice by the media, but there is always some good news as well, and we all need to look for it and spread it around.

“Step Right Up”
Sam asked me not to promote my own business during my talk as he would do that for me, which he did perhaps even better than I could have. I was able however to have a book table and made sure it was easy to spot. I was pleased by the comments (and book sales) that I received at the end of the meeting. Mahalo to Sam, Darlyn and everyone else for this opprtunity to tell “my side of the story.”

Busy, but…
I stopped in at the new Ala Moana Brighton Collectibles today and found them to be busy as usual. I normally won’t interupt that, but today I was a real customer, not just an observer.

She Just Had To Have It, but…
You see, while in the store a few days ago one of “Jerry’s Angels” showed Masae this new bag and she loved it. She didn’t want to use up what she had left of her “Brighton credits,” so she passed. But, she hasn’t stopped talking about it. So today I chose to buy her one of those “No Special Occassion Gifts.”

Ring It Up
Store manager DeAnne Imamura agreed to help me with the “surprise” by taking my ctedit card, ringing it up, and then holding it in the store until Masae sees this Blog post and then goes to get it.
You see, I am trying to condition her to pay close attention to this Blog. We’ll see how long it takes.

Mahalo for the Mahalo
I was suprised today to open the November issue of Hawaii Business Magazine to find this substantial public “Mahalo” for my recent lunchtime talk at Morton’s. This is an example of going the extra mile and doing the unexpected and uneccessary. The article says;

“Mahalo Ron Martin
Hawaii Business Magazine and the sposors of the SmallBiz 2008 Luncheon, Bank of Hawaii and Avis, would like to thank Ron Martin of Success Dynamics, Inc. for being the guest speaker and reminding all of us to look for the positive and keep things easy.”

My “Mahalo” goes to Hawaii Business Magazine publisher David Tumilowicz and his staff at the magazine. This was both touching and appreciated.

Best Restaurant on Maui
When dining on Maui, my Restaurant of choice is the Lahaina Grill in the historic Lahaina Inn,  just off of Front St. in Lahaina.

Celebrity Treatment
I can always count on the “Celebrity Treatment”, especially when Owner Jurg Munch is around. When Bill and Mary Ellen Jelen were on Maui last year we dined there, and Jurg gladly posed with the Jelen’s.

The Celebrity Table
Last night Terri Kohl, co-owner of Brighton Collectibles treated me and her friend Carolyn Clarke to dinner at Lahaina Grill. Jurg was off at a birthday bash (his own), but we were ushered to the “Celebrity Table”. I had coffee with Jurg this morning and he explained to me that this is the table where Oprah Winfrey sits when there; thus the title Celebrity Table.

Mirror Man
At the end of our meal we were treated to a complimentary desert dish. I snapped this delicious desert photo of Terri and Carolyn with my iPhone and e-mailed it off to Jerry Kohl saying, “Wish you were here.” I’m getting pretty good at catching myself in the mirror while photograhing others; acidentally of course.