You are probably wondering what in the world is Chadology? Well, I am glad you’ve asked. This popular term has been used by quite a few of my clients and is taking off quickly. Since there are different permutation: Chadology or Chadnology or Chadknowlogy are all representing the power of Chad’s knowledge and wisdom, combined with technology and then simply applied to the client to improve their lives and businesses. I have just received this photo, of walking Chadology, taken by one of my clients upon my arrival to the Providence airport last week for The New Product Experience workshop I co-hosted with Alan Weiss.

And yes, I am working on simplifying Chadology so there is less gear to carry.

So there you go and now you know.

Apple has just announced their latest gadget – the iPad which I belive is an industry and revolutionary game changer. Although some critics are already citing reasons why this technology is not as advanced as expected and are finding flaws with it, I think to the contrary. Similar to what Apple has done with graphic user interface (GUI) in the 80s, then followed by many innovative technologies in the 90s, and then the introduction of the iPhod, iPhone, music and movies, they are now leading into the future again with this remarkable invention.

So what is the big deal with this iPad and is it just a big iPod? Well read on.

1. Several years ago I said that sales of hard copy books will drastically subside and be replaced with the dramatic increase in digital book purchases. This is already happening and the iPad will make it a complete reality.


2. The newspaper industry is in a huge decline and elimination. The iPad will make it attractive to digitally read newspapers in intuitive ways which are unimaginable in hard copy.


3. I resisted the Kindle because I wanted a cool tablet which has the power of a powerful computer and displays vivid colors. Steve Jobs made this a reality for me today.


4. I am already using an app on my iPhone that has handwriting capabilities. I am sure this is going to be available on the iPad very shortly and not require these silly digital pens to be carried around.


5. So just a big iPod? Absolutely not! I would call this a Microsoft and Kindle killer. And actually the more I think about it, this is an amazing example of looking into the future in the present.

I recently spoke on Social Media and All That Online Jazz to the Pittsburgh Consulting Community. Here are some video testimonials I have captured with my flip video camera.

It is quite obvious that one of the keys to the business success of many, is their ability to offer valuable products on their web sites. When I demonstrate, review and discuss this with my clients it is quite common to hear them share with me their aspiration to create such products to promote on their own web sites. The unfortunate thing is that such aspiration is often associated with an immense sense of frustration and the rudimentary challenge of how to make this a reality. The other obstacle is how to get their knowledge and ideas out of their head and into a completed product such as a booklet, book, CD, DVD workshop, Teleseminar and more.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Interview other thought leaders, record the conversation and create an audio file that is available as an MP3 download off your site or a CD.


2. Have others interview you or even video tape the conversation and make it available as an audio or video file.


3. If the objective is to increase your audience by providing free value, interface your audio recordings with iTunes and your videos with YouTube and such services. Also make your transcript available as an eBook in a PDF download.


4. Hire a content writer that will help you get your great ideas unto paper or digital files.


5. Assemble some of your best articles into a powerful collection and create a new eBook that is also available as a hard copy.


6. Create a weekly podcast series.


7. Create a monthly video series.


8. Invite your audience for three free teleseminars, deliver outstanding value and announce your new monthly teleseminar series.


9. Get together with your Internet company and layout the strategy and tactics to implement and promote these products successfully.


10. Chart your way to success – Determine one of your desired products, pull out your calendar, write down the date it will be completed and available, determine all the steps necessary to accomplish this and schedule them accordingly. Now repeat for the next product.

Unless you have already mastered the creation of such products and are doing so effectively, consistently and profitably, the key is your discipline and creating a powerful support system to help you get there. To become successful at creating products, you may need to select an accountability partner, a mentor, an Internet and a business strategist, a content writer or someone who has done so successfully and learn from them.

Since it is that time of year when making resolutions is popular yet only few follow through with, why not take a moment, determine a product your customers need that you are passionate about and have the knowledge and expertise. Then, pull out your calendar and take your first step by taking action now. You’ll be glad you did. I promise.

I was chatting with a client of mine the other day, not realizing that my browser’s facebook page was open. My attention was interrupted by the sound of my facebook instant message screen. Here is the brief online conversation that ensued with my face book friend Mark or so I thought:

Mark: Hey. are you there?
Chad: yes, on the phone. you good?

Mark: Not too good at the moment and need your urgent help
Chad: what’s going on?

Mark: We stranded in London,England. Got mugged at gun point last night all cash credit card and cell phone were stolen
Chad: so sorry to hear this. You will have to go to a place that has a phone so i can verify it is you!

Mark: all cash credit card and cell phone were stolen. Thank God we still have our lives and passport
Chad: Since you have your passport, get to the American Embassy and call me from there
and by the way, what is my granddaughter’s name?

9:28amMark is offline.

So called “Mark” disconnected our chat and also and immediately removed his facebook connection with me, which means that he defriended me (social networking term). That was all I needed to realize that my friend’s account was hacked. It was actually kind of eerie to realize that I actually just had a conversation with an impostor – a cyber thief.

I called my “real” friend Mark who was vacationing in Las Vegas and explained to him the situation. He apparently had idea of this and was shocked to hear it. I also explained to him that it is quite likely that this cyber crook may have already contacted others and possibly even engaged in other fraudulence activities. I suggested Mark logs back on, change his password, change his status message to notify his friends of the posisble fraud and then contact facebook to report this issue.

My suspicion is that my friend’s computer security was compromised by him surfing the net and accessing the wireless network in his hotel room.

Protect your passwords by changing them frequently, encrypting them, installing a firewall on your computer and making sure your data is not open to the world and especially when accessing a wireless network.

Safe surfing,

Chad

I was scheduled to talk with a client of mine recently. I reviewed the most recent email she sent me, prior to dialing the phone number, and noticed her phone number at the bottom of her email signature, which I do recommend as a great pragmatic practice. I picked up the phone, dialed the number listed and got the sound of a fax machine on the other end. Thinking I dialed the wrong number, I dialed it again and got the same fax machine sound. I then pulled up her cell number and when finally connecting she asked me why am I calling her on her fax line. I said that I called the number listed in her own email signature. She indicated that she uses that email address only for private communication and her telephone number listed is her home number that is also used as a fax machine. She then asked me to dial another land line number which was not listed in her email signature.

This illustrates a prime example of how technology may actually complicate the ease of being able to contact you. If you require a fax machine, set up a dedicated number and do not run the risk that your fax machine answers human calls and especially those from your prospects and clients. And if you are listing the phone number to contact you in your email signature, which you should, make sure that number leads to you or your voice mail and not your fax machine.

Share your story with us.

I was recently interviewed and quoted in BusinessWeek.

Last Thursday I received an urgent email and a voice mail from a consultant and speaker, who is also a colleague of mine whose identity I will keep anonymous who is not my client and is not hosted on our server. She reported to me that her web site was infected (see slide below) which presents a serious risk to all visitors arriving to her site. Upon further investigation, not only did we find out that her own site contains serious viruses but the server her site was hosted on was reported to contain thousands of viruses and malicious content.

This is an example of a credible, competent, successful professional who is using the services of amateurs and a hosting company that threatens infecting all the sites hosted on their server if not already done so.

This is also an example of what happens when one selects a cheap solution that may have greatly damage their repute. Can you imagine being the client visiting this site, only to find out that the consultant you’ve trusted over the years, has just infected your computer and potentially your organization with viruses?

Not only should you do business with people you trust, who are extremely competent and highly recommended but you ought to think twice before you select your hosting company.

(Click on image to enlarge)

© Chad Barr 2009. All rights reserved.

Hysterical spin on our technologies from comedian Louis C.K.

If you have an iPhone and a blog I recommend you purchase the BlogPress app from iTunes. It is a great application which will enable you to post directly to your blog from your iPhone. So now there should be no excuses for you or for me to post such interesting threads which I am doing from my iPhone right now. The landscape keyboard and cut, copy and paste which I use for my signature below are awesome additions as well.

And attaching photos is a piece of cake. Even my dog Noodles agrees since you can see him wagging his tail.