If 2007 was the year I really became engaged by the blogosphere, then 2008 ranks as the year I began to understand the power of connectivity.  And..No, they're not the same thing.  Although, I must admit, I used to think they were.

When I first started blogging about two years ago, it was all about communicating my message and getting a handle on commenting. 

Active Rain provided the perfect platform and I embraced everything the community had to offer, rarely venturing out to the wider world. 

Initially, it was hard to understand how videos, podcasts, pictures and a short 140 bit sentence bite on Twitter could be an integral aspect of relationship building. Afterall, wasn't that what blogging was all about?

Well, it is...but, it's not the whole picture. My experiences within the past 12 months have opened up a whole new comprehension of what Social Media and blogging can be about.  Effective Relationship Building requires Exposure as well as Connectivity.  If you have a great message, but no one understands it or sees it, the Value of the message is greatly diminished.  Far too many bloggers in the real estate community are making this mistake.  They're not investing the time and effort to ensure that their well crafted messages are seen.

For instance, when I started blogging, I totally underestimated the importance of labeling my pictures. In fact, it wasn't until I became an active member of Flickr that I truly began to appreciate the importance of a little identifier known as a tag.  I've been amazed to see how properly tagged pictures can land on the first page of an indexed search on Google.  I've learned that tagging can be as effective as a blog post in gaining better Search Engine positioning.

The next step for me is geotagging my pictures by location.  I'll admit that this still presents a little bit of a mental challenge for me as geography was not one of my favorite subjects.  But at least I'm getting it.  Search Engines don't want to play Hide & Seek to find our data.  They want it clearly identified and labeled so that they can do their job which is to provide FOLKS WITH THE INFORMATION they are searching for.

Many of us are playing the game of Hide & Seek and don't even know it. 

We fail to tag our pictures, don't tag our blog posts and give our articles very hard to understand titles.  In addition, we have different avatars and sometimes even names for different sites and often forget to complete our profiles when we are instructed to. To compound our evasion tactics, our blogs fail to link to other blogs with a similar focus and our articles don't provide additional related links within our own websites or blogs. Did you know that this type of activity makes it difficult for the Search Engines to give you credit for all the hard work that you're doing? 

Here are a few simple steps you can take TODAY to stop Playing Hide & Seek With the Search Engines and make it easier for them to find you:

1.  Create Relevant Titles!

The operative word is Relevant.  Cute and funny may be entertaining, but they won't give you much traction.  Cute and funny may give you tons of comments on Active Rain but if they're so irrelevant to your topic that the Search Engine Spider has to try to decipher your meaning...expect to be dumped into the heap of forgettable entries sooner rather than later.

2.  Create Links to Your Stuff!

This is so easy to do.  Every expert on SEO here on Active Rain has told us to do this, but most of us never do.  It's simply a matter of heading over to your sidebar, clicking on a relevant tag and copying 1,2 or more links to the bottom of your post.  It's better to revive your older posts if possible.  This gives additional relevance to your material.  You should also do this on your website which normally gets even less love than your blog.  Internal Linking can be extremely effective in helping Search Engine Spiders to weave your material into the world wide web.

3.  Tag, Tag, TAG!

Take a second to tag your pictures, your blog posts, your Utterz etc.  Anything that allows you to tag should be tagged.  No exceptions.  Failing to do this is like doing a ton of work and walking away without your payoff!  Tagging identifies what you are saying.  And no, the Search Engines don't just automatically get it.  If you're comfortable with it, I'd highly recommend you begin to Geotag or at least place your ZIP Code in the tag line if you're blogging about something which is real estate related.

4.  Build on Consistency!

You loose a lot of cache online when you appear as a variety of different persons online.  Now, if you're trying to hide the fact that you work in real estate, that's not necessarily a bad thing.  But, if on the other hand, you would like to take full advantage of this medium to do more business...the more easily recognizable you are, the better for you.  This year, I have been even more impressed by the number of people who are connecting with us online.  It's not the wave of the future...this is business today and into the future.

5.  Study the Pro Game!

I am not an SEO expert, but there are many who are here on Active Rain.  I've learned so much from reading their blogs; it has literally transformed my understanding of my profession.  Here are some of my Favorite bloggers: Mary McNight, Justin Smith, Jim Cronin, Jeff Turner, Brad Anderson, Barry Hurd, Laurie Manny & Karen Jason, whose extraordinary contribution to this network remains as a well spring of knowledge and insight. 

Not all these individuals are technical folks; some of them have simply done a remarkable job of translating their success for the rest of us.  In every case, I've found their contributions helpful.  Check them out!

Search Engines really want to know what you're talking about in your articles and online content.  Remember, you're the expert.  Let's do our own little part to make it easier for them to do their job.  This is a case in which a little due diligence can truly go a long way.

Other Related Posts about Blogging & Marketing Real Estate...

blogging: Sometimes...A little Grazin' is Great forYour Appetite and Your blog.

blogging: On Squid, Squeegees & Squidoos...3 Ways to Squeeze More Money From Your Online Content!

blogging: Blog Prospecting....Optimizing the Reach of your Local Real Estate Blog!

blogging: What to Do When Google Shows Up for The Interview Before You do!

Copyright 2008  Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved

Picture courtesy of: chris runoff's photostream

The debate about the viability and future of Multiple Listing Services has continued unabated for years. Brokers have locked horns about a number of issues ranging from how the data will be shared and what will be shared to the politics of 'leveling the playing field' and who's investment is being protected or squandered.  

While the battle has raged, players from various spectrum have stepped into the void to create options for consumers.  We're all familiar with the forays of Zillow and Trulia.  But less attention has been paid to the implications of another important element emerging in the online arena...the resurgance of Social Graphs.

What is is a Social Graph?

According to Google, a Social Graph is a network of connections that Google uses to identify RELEVANT social search results.  These are based on the following criteria:  1) Direct connections from your Google Chat buddies and contacts, 2)  Direct connections from links that appear on your Google Profile and 3)  Secondary Connections from links that are directly related to links from your Direct Connections.  In addition, content from blog posts in your Google Reader might also be included.

But Google is not the only Major Player experimenting with the Social Graph...

Have you checked your Facebook Privacy Settings lately?  You might be interested to know that you have been automatically 'enabled' to allow your 'friends' to see where you've checked into recently. And...NO, this does not have anything to do with Foursquare!  Yelp is using social graphing to link small business and owners and Multiple Open Graph projects around the world are developing applications for global mapping.

You may have noticed that when you checked into certain sites, you would see the profile avatars of friends from your Facebook page and would be encouraged to explore their experience with a particular place or product.  For instance a recent visit to the site trip advisor brought up several individuals who in some way were connected to the place I was thinking about planning a trip to.

So...What does this have to Do With Real Estate?

Well, a heck of a lot!  You might try typing in a search for your area's homes on Google.  If you page down to the bottom, there will likely be at least one link to an agent in your local network.  You can even explore WHY they were suggested.  You might be intrigued to find that they are linked to you via Flicker, or you subscribed to their blog or Facebook fan page...or perhaps, they are linked via your Blog Roll or their RSS Feed comes into your Reader.

Don't Get Hung Up on the Wrong Thing...

If you get hung up on the fact that this agent is a competitor, you'll miss the power of the implications of this potentially HUGE momentum shifter.  It's all about Relationships Folks!  

People who are forming those connections across the web today are in a sense building city scapes; vast arenas of virtual landscape in which the web of viral connectivity is being constructed - created via the links of shared interests.  

The Future of Real Estate Search?

Is there a possibility that in the future, real estate agents will not be identified through listings or MLS database profiles?  Will your next customer lead find you within a shared base of connection which is simply awaiting the barest whisper of a mouse click to guide their search to the one they have known and trusted online for a long, long time?  A paradigm shift to be sure...but one that has the potential to impact the fundamentals in profoundly important ways.

Suggested Additional Reading:  Facebook: One Social Graph to Rule Them All

Sometime ago, I opened my front door and found a note attached to the doorknob.  The flyer was advertising cleaning services by a company named Dutch Way Cleaning Services.  Since we have a significant number of persons with Dutch Heritage in Grand Rapids, MI I found the name intriguing.  

A few months later, the individual who assisted me with cleaning services was unavailable, so I picked up the phone and called for a quote. Wondering exactly what the Dutch Way of cleaning was... 

As spring cleaning was around the corner, I requested a very thorough cleaning job.  Several days later, a crew of four individuals arrived at my door with all their supplies and spent the next four hours cleaning every nook and cranny.  Ah...the smell of clean!  My home was spotless.

Since then, I've used Dutch Way Cleaning Services on several occasions and also referred their services.  I appreciate folks who do a good job.  In talking with the owners, they indicated that their services go far beyond cleaning residences.  They also provide office cleaning in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI area and industrial cleaning as well.  In addition, the company has a home care division which allows for supportive care for individuals in their own homes.

Dutch Way Cleaning Services was started in 2003  and has a branch office in West Michigan and Southwest Ontario, Canada.  The company has grown significantly within the past few years. The staff at Dutch Way Cleaning are service-focused and provide 100% Customer Service Satisfaction without requiring the necessity of entering into a long term contract.

One thing that impressed me about the company was the 'we can do it' attitude!  There's no...'that will be extra' here.  Quotes are all inclusive which provides for tremendous peace of mind.  Nor do you have to worry that they will leave you hanging if a job requires a little more effort than originally planned.  I've found Dutch Way Cleaning to be punctual and detail focused.

If you're in the greater Grand Rapids, MI area and are looking for cleaning services as a homeowner or builder, this is definitely a company worth checking out!

Picture illustration courtesy of garlandcannon on Flickr

The View from the House on Brookmeadow...

The idea started to percolate after reading the article.  A small write-up about a local real estate agent caught her eye. She had toyed with the idea of putting the house up for sale before, but this time the process proceeded rapidly. Signs, pictures, internet promotions and potential buyers all appeared in rapid succession.

As November blustered its' way into December, the cold chill of winter finally yielded to the unrelenting sunshine of spring.  But, it seemed that inside, an eternal winter had settled in for the long haul.  Potential buyers remained skittish about putting in offers.

Meanwhile, the free fall continued unabated.  I watched as neighbors lowered their expectations.  My proud community was plagued as distress sales wrought havoc with pricing.  Responding to the new 'abnormal' required her to follow suit.  I could sense the sadness on so many levels...For within my space, so much had happened between us.  If walls could only whisper...

The Process...

The process dragged on without a good end in sight.  The Redemption Period was drawing to a close and even with drastic reductions, the prospect of an offer seemed dimmer every day; an odd tension settled in...life in mute...suspended between hope and despair.

A hope that was dashed by the call at midnight.  A beautiful life...gone.  Time stopped.

As friends gathered to mourn, a knock was heard.  Two strangers stood on the front stoop.  There had been no call.  These individuals stood outside, unaware of the situation..the pain and trauma; asking on the spur of the moment to see the home.  Somehow, she managed to open up a heart pried shut with pain. Somehow, she found the strength to allow them in.

The Offer...

Life is curiously strange.  How is it that the real estate agent without a scheduled appointment who arrived on what could be deemed the worst possible day would be the one to present an offer on a Short Sale within the last couple of weeks of a Redemption Period in a non-recourse state?

The lady at the bank must have struggled to control herself as she explained that this just WOULD NOT WORK!  Banks don't negotiate Short Sales which only have 2 weeks left for the Redemption Period.  The lawyers said so too.  It couldn't be done.  The deal was dead before it even had a chance to breathe.

A week went by.  Lazarus remained entombed.

Then out of the blue a call came in asking to gain access for an appraisal.   Was this some sort of evil scheme to steal the home back ahead of the prescribed time?  No one seemed to know WHO gave the offer.  The representative who answered the phone at Bank of America emphatically denied that an order had been given.  The lawyers also swore they hadn't ordered one.  The appraisers themselves could not explain the origin of the appraisal order.  So entry was DENIED.  Lazarus continued to sleep...

A Man Named Noah...

He reached her that Friday evening.  The end of a long, difficult week.  He wanted to know WHY access had been denied.  Access that was vital to continuing the Short Sale Process.  Confusion??  Had he not heard? Short Sales CANNOT be completed in ONE WEEK!

The appraiser had already re-booked his schedule.  He would not be available to conduct the appraisal until Tuesday morning.   Then on Monday evening, Noah called to say, the file had been CLOSED.  After further inquiry it became clear that the company assisting with the Short Sale process had come to the conclusion that every normal thinking person would come to.  This deal could not be done.  It was a waste of time to try...

But to Noah's credit, he re-opened the file.  One which was as good as dead.  He was frank and careful to temper expectations.  He promised to do everything humanely possible to assist, but also admitted that he had NEVER seen a file like this close within a week!

A Lady Named Mandie...

But Mandie, didn't believe in giving up.  She had walked through tons of homes with this buyer.  And they both knew this was the one!  The conversation between both agents was starkly honest.  The stakes were high and neither agent wanted to contribute to any additional chaos to the lives of two sets of clients.  After consultation and laying all the cards on the table, the decision was made to proceed.

It takes a team to do a deal.  This one included Kevin, the lender who completed an FHA transaction in 7 days, Katie the title company representative who cleared title in 24 hours, agents on both sides who refused to let go and a buyer and seller who pushed through despite the very real potential for disappointment.

And Today...

Today, a week later, the transaction Closed!  A transaction which would have been difficult in far better times.  One which could be certified a miracle today.  With literally hours left till the closing of the Redemption Period, the transaction was completed.  We marvel.  

I think that angels sometimes play dress-up.  How else can you explain a Short Sale approval from start to finish in less than 48 hours?  More importantly, I believe in a God who IS able, one who answers prayers and is concerned about the challenges we face including the mounting obstacles of so many who are mired within the gridlock and despair of the Housing Crisis.

And...I am reminded that absolutely NOTHING is impossible.  No matter how difficult things seem, there is a Father who cares.  During one of the most challenging days of this journey, a man named Bob posted this video on his Facebook page.  It's a reminder that God doesn't just look at our struggles, He steps into them with us.  Perhaps, you're facing an obstacle course which seems to have no end in sight.  Be encouraged...Don't give up.

Picture courtesy of saxonymosely on flickr

The message to Realtors®  Leaders in Chicago this past week was clear…It’s time to Seize the Day!  Times have been tough for just about everyone connected to the real estate community.  Homeowners have watched the value of their homes drop precipitously and the much heralded tax credit has weakened sales at a time which is traditionally the most active selling period of the year.

But real estate leaders in Chicago were not moaning and groaning.  At least not visibly. Instead, there was a realistic evaluation of the challenges facing the industry as well as a sober assessment from Lawrence Yun, NAR’s  Chief Economist about the fact the the economic outlook remains unusually uncertain.  

A number of key issues on the national agenda were identified as potential flash points in the year ahead.  These included: FHA Reform, the potential for restructuring of the Home Owner Tax Deduction,  the future of Flood Insurance and general government policies regarding Home Ownership.

The conference featured mainly President-Elects from across the country and their respective CEO’s along with leaders from the National Association of Realtors® and key staff members.  It was a great opportunity to touch base with leaders from across the country and compare notes.

I also appreciated listening to the current President, Vickie Cox Golder and Ron Phipps – 2011 President who delivered inspiring thoughts about the difficulties they have overcome and the importance of moving forward in a way which incorporates the best energy and insights of the leadership team within an association.  It was well worth the time and I’m thankful that this opportunity was provided to me as I prepare to lead the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors in 2011 by God’s grace.

Here are some pictures from the conference:  To view more, visit my Flickr photostsream

A blind date has got to be one of life's scarier moments! Many of us have been the recipient of this form of 'relationship assistance' at some point in our lives.

Although, it's exciting to not know exactly who you will be meeting, the experience is fraught with much angst and trepidation for precisely the same reason...you don't know exactly what you'll get when your date shows up in person!

Yet, today, online dating has spawned hundreds of thousands of successful unions. I know at least eight happily married couples who met online and are still going strong years later.  However, we all suspect that for every success story, there are oodles of folks who don't have a storybook outcome. 

We all worry about the potential for this:

• A person whose in person appearance is not even remotely connected to how they appear online

• Fake Testimonials which promise more than they deliver

• Individuals who are not what they purport to be...ie the 'pretend doctor' syndrome with fake credentials

These issues are also a concern for millions of consumers who are now going online to select professional services like those provided by members of the real estate community.  Data from the National Association of Realtors indicates that more than 80% of all consumers will utilize the Internet as a part of their selection process for choosing an agent and/or home.  Selecting the right agent for your specific concerns can make all the difference in the world.  The good news is there are many great research tools which are now available to assist you in making a good choice.

Although, there are no guarantees that even your best efforts will yield the results you desire, taking the time to do some preliminary research will greatly enhance your prospects for a successful match.  Let's examine some critical aspects which you should consider as you review potential prospects.

Do You Know if they're the Real Deal?

I mean this literally.  Make sure you're dealing with a real person or business.  Do some checking.  It's pretty easy.  Here are some suggestions:  Contact the local real estate board to inquire about their membership and status.  If they indicate they hold certain awards or designations, call or go online to see if they are on the membership roster.  Google the physical location/address and if you still have doubts, do a drive by.  If things don't check out at this basic level, there's a problem.

Are their Products Visible?

You'll be hiring a real estate agent to market your home.  The disappearing agent who sticks a sign in the yard and NEVER calls is well documented in real estate folklore. 

But what about the disappearing listing? When the home is placed on the market, it becomes a part of the real estate companys' listing portfolio. 

Did you know that there is a dramatic difference between the levels of exposure which your home may receive on the Internet? Did you know that your agent's understanding of Search Engine Positioning and Optimization will be key determinants of your exposure?   If your home cannot be seen online, it's almost equivalent to not being listed because most buyers are searching online for homes.

For instance, a good online real estate agent can literally put your home on the map...the google indexing map that is.  Imagine being able to say to your friends and family...did you google my home?  If you're competing with 50 other homes for sale in your community, this may make all the difference in the world.

Do They Know What They're Talking About?

Here's the area where the Internet can be of the greatest benefit.  While an increasing number of agents and their agencies have websites, these will provide you with only static information about their listings and services.  To dig deeper, it's prudent to see if the agent you are considering also writes a blog.

Blogging provides a tremendous amount of benefit to the consumer who is in the process of selecting an agent.  For starters, it can save you TIME!  In reading a good agent blog, you will be able to determine the areas of an agent's expertise, their style with clients, the kinds of transactions they handle, and the way they resolve conflicts and solve problems.

Can You Interview them Without Extra Hassle?

You'll find that reading an agent's blog is similar to conducting an interview.  What's great is that you can e-mail or respond in the comment section if you have any additional questions or would like clarification on certain issues.  This type of dialog can be tremendously informative and provides a great platform to become comfortable with someone before hiring them for the job.

It's important to hire the right agent to get the job done.  Using this simple list will improve your chances of selecting someone who has the skill and personality which will be most in alignment with your specific needs.  If you are in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area and are looking for an Online Real Estate Expert, the real estate specialists at Audu Real Estate would be happy to explore how we can assist you.

Where Should you be looking?

Our listings are advertised in a number of Venues which include:  our website, numerous blogs, the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, NAR (National Association of Realtors), Zillow, Trulia, Real Estate Shows, Google, Yahoo, Oodle, Twitter & Flickr.  Contact us to discuss how we can create an Internet marketing strategy which makes sense for you!

*This blog was orginally published in 2008 and is part of the 'Oldies but Goodies' series from Audu Real Estate.

Copyright 2008, 2010  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

Fulton Street Farmers Market is a vibrant market located in the heart of Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between the hours of 8:00 a.m.  - 3:00 p.m.  

The market features all sorts of goods including locally grown produce and arts and crafts.  It remains one of my favorite things to do on a summer weekend morning.  But as life speeds up with work and family obligations, it's easy to forget the joy of simple pleasures such as a visit to the market.

A few years ago,  I rediscovered why I love the Fulton Street Farmers Market.  It was the tour of homes organized by the Women's Council of Realtors (WCR) for F.L.O.W. which had me driving past the market and unable to resist, we decided to pop in to see what was going on. 

When we arrived at noon, the place was packed!  We were lucky to find a parking spot.  It had been a very long time since I had visited, and the market has certainly grown in popularity.

The stands had a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, some select meats, arts and crafts, spices, health and beauty products and fresh flowers.  Talking to local farmers was great.  On more than one occasion, I heard merchants say they were selling out of products.

The appeal of the fresh market has grown as more people become concerned about environmental issues and supporting the local economy.  Did you know that the average product in your grocery store travels over 1000+ miles to get to your table? 

Today, several area restaurants, including popular sites like Marie Catribs, the Green Well , GRAM Cafe and Restaurant Bloom also highlight the fact that they strive to serve locally grown produce and food items on their menus.

The Fulton Street Farmers Market is located at 1145 E. Fulton Street, in Grand Rapids, MI.  49503.  The Market is the oldest of it's kind in West Michigan, having started in 1922.

Permanent stands have been set up in the middle of a parking lot which allows local farmers to back their trucks in and unload their wares.  Visitors to the market walk through the middle.

What I found especially delightful was the diversity of people...old, young kids and babies, moms and dads, foreigners, black & white...everyone was enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of the market.  

Music is also an active part of the experience of visiting the Fulton Street Farmers Market. On a recent Saturday morning, a four piece folk band set up shop at the entrance and on another occasion, a guitarist delighted passersby with his upbeat songs and smile.

You know, sometimes it's good to take a look at your back end...not as in derrière, but rather as in back end of your website. Web site statistics can provide a lot of very helpful data.  This evening, I pulled up my Advanced Access website (www.auduhomes.com) and was reviewing my stats.  

I clicked on a tab for Referral links and went back about a month to review the traffic over the past 30 days.  It was very interesting to observe the trends of where traffic to my website actually comes.  These are folks who are very likely to be looking for real estate assistance. It was also an important reminder to me to be prudent about where I spend my prospecting time.

Here are the main sources of leads to my website.

1.  Active Rain

2.  Trulia

3.  My local real estate blog ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate Musings

4.  Zillow

5.  My local MLS

I've always known & believed that blogging is important.  But, it's easy to get side tracked.  Today I was reminded that while it's fun to spend time on social media sites like Facebook & Twitter, the bottom line is that business (at least for me) is driven by my content. The content I create on my blogs. Curious...have you checked to see where your business leads come from online?

The Project RED sneaker advertisement by Converse brand & featured in  (Vanity Fair magazine  (June 2007) captures my interest. 

Re-defining Healthy Cultures...according to Converse:

"Healthy Cultures Nurture Creativity.  They help breathe life into the people who live within them.  They offer an array of perspectives to agree with, to fight against, to expand on or challenge."

"A Healthy Culture Welcomes Dissent.  Listens for the sound of new voices.  Supports original imaginations."

"Healthy Cultures are full of artists.  When hope dies, so does creativity.  When culture is lost, so is the Future."

"Indifference is the enemy.  Nothing is inevitable if you're willing to think.  Nothing is unattainable if you're willing to fight."

The ad which highlights the worldwide initiative to eliminate AIDS in Africa asks a question...How can we use our creativity within the context of culture to be an agents of change?  This was a fitting entry for Converse to feature in Vanity Fair's June edition which focuses on Africa and is Guest edited by Bono (U2). 

So, why is a sneaker company talking about Culture and expanding the definition way beyond the normally accepted boundaries of geographic location, socio economic statistics, politics and commonly acknowledged people groups?  Well, perhaps it is because the Internet has exploded the barriers that used to define culture into oblivion...forever!

If sneaker companies can expound on culture, shouldn't people whose job it is to move folks from here to there via the sale of their houses not be lending an active voice to the issues of our time which matter?  It's about the choice to raise a voice, get involved and participate in creating the future!

Culture is rapidly morphing from a place where one can excape the limiting contexts of physical or emotional space to one which links the environment and creativity together in new and interesting shapes.  The artist...aka the writer & the contributor, are recast in roles that highlight the importance of dissent; offering a unique recasting of the definition of health & what it means to function in community.  

•  
  • "Healthy Cultures breathe life into the life into the people who live within them.  Healthy Cultures offer an array of perspectives.  Nothing is inevitable if you're willing to think!  Indifference is the enemy."  (Converse Ad - Vanity Fair 2007)

Our world is activiely engaged in re-imagining the context of global relationships.  Bono, who is interviewed by ABC News (you can watch the interview below) indicates that our relationship with Africa as a continent will be the true test of whether we believe in equality.  Can we get beyond the limiting prejudices and widely cast images that are a sad caricature of a vibrant and eclectic continent of people whose wealth of humanity has much to teach and inspire? 

You see, sneakers are what we wear when we're exchanging the limiting constraints of formal wear shoes to be more comfortable and more flexible. Sneakers are what we wear when we really need to be able to  to move, walk...run and play.  Sneakers are shoes in which we engage with the world...not simply tippy toe through it. 

Sneakers are what we wear when we need to move with the freedom of our entire body! In a world where the problems that exist today require a fresh look at bold alternatives, we're reminded that it's time to let go of worn out, stiff ideologies and be prepared to flex, bend, shift and change.  For next to our bare feet, sneakers are the closest thing to healthy footwear that most of us possess.

So, is your Physical, Relational and Virtual culture healthy?  Are you choosing to make a difference in your workplace and community by becoming an Active Agent of Change? Are you a Sneaker Warrior?

To watch Bono interview...click here.

*This blog post was first published in June 2007.  It has has been updated and modified.

This weekend we can all add an additional day for the 4th of July Celebration due to the fact that the holiday falls during the weekend.  The weather in Grand Rapids, MI is great this Friday and hopefully this holds true throughout the remainder of the weekend.

The 4th of July has always been on of my favorite celebrations.  There is a great line up of activities taking place in the Grand Rapids area if you can resist the temptation to head out to Lake Michigan or any of our numerous lakes in lieu of staying in town. Here the link to a more complete list of happening in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan over this 4th of July holiday weekend.  There are a number of events, concerts and off course Fireworks displays.  Hoping you enjoy time with family and good friends this 4th of July!

picture courtesy of laudu on flickr