[slideshare id=459696&doc=contentmarketingslideshare-1213135180137165-8&w=425]

Every once in awhile you come across a presentation that blows you away…both because of its content and because of its design.  The latest from Helge Tenno is one of those presentations (which I found thanks to Paul Isakson who consistently delivers his own great presentations).  Helge’s presentation takes you through the concept of Content Marketing, pointing out that “Content isn’t king.  Conversation is king.  Content is just something to talk about.”

Wonderful stuff that I really encourage you to check out.  My favorite quote of the presentation:

Content Marketing = Participating in activities facilitated by the brand (slide 62)

“It’s clear this conversation ain’t’ doing a thing, Cause these boys only listen to me when i sing” – Sara Bareilles, City

Over at Conversation Agent, Valeria Maltoni gives a great post of “how a blog is born“.  By giving a peak into how she views her “job” of blogging, she really helps all of us that are trying to do the same thing.  I particularly love when she writes ”I am talking about connection vs. transaction.”  Everyone that is deeply involved in social media gets that is about conversations and connections.  Its not just about pushing out news (that would be the purpose of CNN) and it’s not about just giving an opinion and leaving it at that.  The job is engaging with your peers, starting a conversation and seeing where things go.  At least that is what I am trying to do here on Hard Knox Life.  How do you think I am doing?

As I was going through my morning blogs, I came across a week old post by Bob Gilbreath at The Challenge Dividend entitled Life Lessons from Tony the Barber.  For anyone that has spent time at P&G, they know Tony as the barber who has a shop downstairs at the Central Building.  The man is an institution in Cincinnati and probably knows more about the movers and shakers of the town and P&G than anyone else.  But none of that really matters to Tony.  He’s the type of guy that is quick with a smile and handshake.  He treats everyone the same, whether that person is a former CEO or a new 22 year-old Assistant Brand Manager fresh out of college (that would be me).  A trip to Tony was always a great break in my day and after a discussion on bocce ball or the Bengals, I was always ready to head back to work recharged.  Now that I’m down in Arkansas, I’ve realized how much that little monthly break meant to me.  Funny how it is the seemingly little things about a place that matter the most.