Play is nature's learning engine…

…says games researcher and author Aaron Dignan. In other words, we're hardwired to enjoy games - they're addictive, skill-building, and satisfying. So the question is: How can we integrate game concepts into our work lives to help us push ideas forward? In this talk, Dignan walks through the principles of creating a great game and suggests ways that we might use them to overcome email exhaustion, spice up workaday meetings, and more.

Aaron Dignan: How to Use Games to Excel at Life and Work from 99% on Vimeo.

Aaron Dignan dressed up like a superhero for 180 straight days of the first grade, which marked the beginning of his life as an iconoclast, observer, theorist, and performer. Now, as a founding partner of the digital strategy firm Undercurrent and based in New York, he advises global brands and complex organizations like GE, PepsiCo, Ford, and Estée Lauder on their future in an increasingly technophilic world. Aaron's first book, Game Frame: Using Games as a Strategy for Success, was released on March 8th, 2011.

Links:
www.gameframers.com
www.undercurrent.com
@aarondignan
http://the99percent.com/

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Building Blocks

Great article from fellow Duct tape Marketing Coach Bill Brelsford:

Building Blocks Referrals - Give Them to Get Them

Do you struggle to ask for referrals on a consistent basis?

Many of the professional service providers that I meet feel uncomfortable asking for referrals on a regular basis. They may feel it is not “professional”. Some feel they will be perceived as a nuisance.

If you happen to be one of these people who doesn’t feel comfortable asking for referrals, here is a tip that may help. Set goals related to giving referrals.

For example, I have a goal of giving 5 referrals a week. That’s just one referral a day. This modest goal helps me with my own referrals in a number of ways:

1. It forces me to get out from my office or behind the desk and talk to people. This can sometimes be a challenge for us technically oriented folks.
2. It helps me be a better listener. I am more engaged in the conversation, listening for ways I may be able to help the person I’m talking to.
3. I’ve become better at describing who is an ideal prospect for my business. When you are able to help someone, most people want to reciprocate. They ask how they can help you. By learning to be very specific in my description of who I am looking for, I make it easy for them to help me if they can.
4. I can talk to the same people, frequently, about referrals and how I may be able to help them without feeling I am being a nuisance.
5. More often than not, I end up meeting a new contact when the person I am visiting with thinks of “someone I should meet”.

So if you struggle with asking for referrals, change your focus and set some concrete goals for giving referrals.

Employee Referral System

Ok, every once in a while I use my blog for outright promotional efforts. This is one of those times. I have prepared another type of program for you besides that of our typical marketing system. I have just released a new product called Employee Referral System which can be found on Amazon. However, before you jump at the opportunity, please download the Employee Referral Guide from our website at www.youremployeereferral.com .

Deploy Employee Referral system and engage your employees by providing effective and inexpensive incentives to increase their interest and participation. This Employee Referral Solution can lower your recruiting costs by 20 to 50 percent. We have a special offer on Amazon this week where we are going to significantly drop the cost for one day. If you sign up for our newsletter or download the Employee referral guide we will tune you into the offer. Believe me, it is substantial.
Even at full price, this package will pay for itself on your first successful hire.