My dad once told me that writers write. As a professional writer, I would add that writers also read. Whenever I begin a new writing project, the first step always involves reading -- and lots of it. At the moment, I'm writing a book on leadership and performance improvement for a new client. It's aimed at a general audience, so I'm reading a bunch of titles that would normally be off my radar. For instance, I'm reading "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren because it's divided into many short chapters and people seem to like that kind of approach. I'm also reading "Strengths Finder 2.0" by Tom Rath, which is a popular self-help book. And I've picked up a copy of "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" by T. Harv Eker, to see how he integrates the book's message with his training business.

For ideas and inspiration, I'm reading "The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell, "The Rational Optimist" by Matt Ridley, "Nonzero" by Robert Wright, "Drive" by Daniel Pink and "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Arielly. These are exceptional books, and I recommend them highly.

For me, one of the best parts about starting a new writing project is that it gives me an excuse to go out and buy a new bunch of books. I need to see that stack of books sitting on my desk ... that's how I know I've got to start writing again! 

Jolie O'Dell recently posted in Facebook that she sometimes has a difficult time understanding people on the phone. Her post sparked a lively conversation, and it reminded me of the strange way that our brains work. For example, when I was a child, the numbers one through twenty and most letters of the alphabet (and even some words) had distinct personalities, genders and colors in my mind whenever I saw them ... now I just see numbers, letters and words ... it's OK, but sometimes I miss my childhood ability to create vivid hallucinations around graphic images ... and around music ... on the other hand, I'm happy it doesn't happen while I'm driving or trying to finish a manuscript on deadline ...

Had a wonderful time at the CT Business Expo in Hartford. Enjoyed chatting with lots of very nice people who seemed really interested in learning about social media. A big "thank you" to the excellent sound techs who loaned me a laptop for my afternoon workshop on "industrial strength" social media strategy. The room was hot and the audience was tired, but the PowerPoint slides kept them awake. Sometimes PowerPoint is a good thing, after all!

This Tuesday, David B. Thomas and I will be leading a panel at the MarketingProfs B2B Forum in Boston. Should be fun!

Hey, it's great to be back in the saddle. For some reason, the network connection between GoDaddy and my ISP, Optimum Online, was glitching out somewhere, and as a result, I couldn't access my blog for a while. At any rate, here's the latest: On June 9, I'll be speaking at the CT Business Expo in Hartford. On June 14, I'll be speaking at the MarketingProfs B2B conference in Boston. It would be great to see you there!

Yesterday we drove up to New Haven to see an exhibition of portraits by Sir Thomas Lawrence at the Yale Center for British Art. The exhibit and the paintings were absolutely amazing. The power of his artistry is even more impressive when you're standing directly in front of the paintings. Even if you don't have a chance to go, I recommend reading Sylviane Gold's excellent review of the exhibition.

Dave and I will be leading a workshop on B2B social media strategy at this excellent event in Boston next month! We look forward to chatting with you in person! And let's not forget beer! We look forward to having several beers with you!!!

If you're a diehard Rangers fan, check out this clip with footage from the 1971 Stanley Cup playoffs ... amazing!

My friend Hunter Muller has just launched a new blog, The Transformational CIO. The blog supports and extends the content in his new book of the same title. I urge you all to read the blog, and buy the book! If you're interested in corporate information technology strategy and operations, the book and the blog will definitely provide lots of useful insight, ideas and information. Enjoy!

Here's a great post by my old friend Mike Minelli that appears in GigaOM. Even if you're out of the dating game, it's still fascinating to read about how and why people choose dating partners, find romance, and all that good stuff! Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Well, we put the new curtains up in time for Thanksgiving, and now we're slowly rolling through the rest of the holiday season. Fortunately, I have an adequate supply of my favorite single-malt Scotch on hand, and I look forward to welcoming the new year in a genuinely mellow fashion.

As some of you already know, my new book with a very long title, "The Executive's Guide to Enterprise Social Media Strategy: How Social Networks Are Radically Transforming Your Business," is due out in January. If you find it readable, please buy a copy for a friend. If you find it excruciating, please don't tell me.

At any rate, I'm just beginning a new book project on cloud computing. I promise that it will have a shorter and catchier title. And my name won't be on it, because I'm ghosting it for a very nice client. If anyone out there wants to add his or her two cents to the book, please contact me at your earliest. I look forward to chatting with you!