We Are Era’s Post

I have seen over and over that people don't buy what you do as much as they buy WHY you do it. I'm hoping you will give me a moment to share some behind-the-scenes of one of the most important moments in Suits & Sneaker's history ❤️ Today marks exactly FOUR WEEKS go to until we host the Suits & Sneakers Main Event and I can't say thank you enough to everyone that's bought their tickets 🥰 We've just crossed over 1,100 sales and still hopeful that we can reach at least 2,000 on the big day. I'd like to share WHY this event is so important to us as a small business: ✅ I got kicked out of school when I was 17 and my primary medium of learning became informal education. Those who join us on the day will see firsthand why this form of learning is so powerful (even though you don't get a certificate at the end) 😂 ✅ The fact that so many people have bought tickets for this event is a signal that our product market fit is improving dramatically. If we execute this event correctly, it leads to so many bigger opportunities. ✅ Since we see ourselves as the "guardian angel of small businesses", this event allows us to pick a bunch of businesses doing amazing things and give them some air time on the big day at no cost to them. ✅ We get to officially launch our "Business in a Box" concept at our big event, starting with our "Small Coffee Co." pod on full display. Instead of telling people about the concept, we get to show them. ✅ This big event also gives us a massive stage to show the world the work we're doing with Like a Tourist. We live in the most beautiful country on earth and our goal is to get more South Africans to act like tourists in their own country. Later on, we see our content going global in the hopes of attracting many more foreign tourists to visit. There are many more points I could list but I think you get the idea. We're effectively trying to create a shared value exchange with the people that attend. Come listen to a world-class list of speakers, reset some of your thinking, meet and some new people. In turn, we will use the generated profits to do some really important work that moves a sector of this country forward in a meaningful way. If this thinking floats your boat, give me a shout and I'll share the details of how you can get some tickets. Big love to Discovery Bank and Melon Mobile for their support so far, and of course thank you to the 1,100 people that have bought their tickets. Four weeks to go. Oh boy, here goes nothing ❤️

#ThankYou #Booking Engagements: #Keynote #Speaking : - 2 events on the West Coast, 4 on the East Coast - Australia is set to release a groundbreaking report 2x August and November 2024 , acknowledged Social Media Research as #9 publicly in Australia Parliament - Upcoming speaking engagements in 2025 will be international, with specific countries to be announced soon ( speaking on our global expansion plan and global network of partners and our 10-20 goal 🔐 To those who have supported me in regaining my footing, I want to acknowledge that I've been working in this field for 15 years. I've encountered a lot of unwarranted resistance from the establishment, which led to being silenced, excluded, and denied opportunities, many who follow me on LinkedIn know and have seen form even those who tried to help how far folks will go. It was a few traumatic experiences that bent me out of shape , and I had to seek opportunities overseas to find my way back, if you catch my drift and I had to learn to “ Trust Again “, everyone was against me it self or would turn on me even those with good intention I helped on all levels and I felt burnt and used, yet still needed. I understand the power of words it has built industries, change policies, and influence global events. Even though I struggled with imposter syndrome after those experiences played into the Triple Conscious Theory living out the reality of that was insightful reflection , I was reminded I have the federal and legal documentation, as well as military recognition , to prove that we laid the foundation for this industry's growth even if we’re overlooked or not supported. This line of work demands strong faith and passionate commitment, it's not for the faint of heart. If it wasn’t for some of yall, I wouldn’t have been strong enough to continue this fight. Yes, I know we’re up against trillion and billion dollar companies …. I know they’re watching …. We’re holding the line and the collective is building and support by 2025 you’ll see just how many people believe in the cause and how many folks it to to keep me from going on my famous rants 🤣🤌🏾 I promised yall, I’ll keep it to the speeches and lectures. #Classic #MoreToCome Email: Jonathan@SocialMediaAwareness.org

Talk about it Tuesday. Yesterday the conversation was about goals and how only 8% are successful in following through with their goals. Well let's talk about goals and impacts on telling someone. Andrew Huberman advises against announcing goals prematurely, as it can lead to stress, a loss of motivation, comparison, and criticism. He suggests keeping goals private until you make significant progress, increasing the likelihood of your success. If this is the case...maybe break down your goal into parts? Maybe your goal is too big and you don't have all the tools or a team to support the plan? On the other hand, an American Society of Training and Development found that people are 65 percent more likely to meet a goal after making a commitment to someone else. Well let's take it one step further... Another study showed that 76 percent of participants who wrote down their goals, actions and provided weekly progress to a friend successfully achieved their goals. This result is 33 percent higher than those participants with unwritten goals, with a success rate of only 43 percent of goals achieved. From my own personal experience, I appreciated this statistic. And I'll use #cupofcheer as an example. Elise from United Way, said it would be great to have a coffee event. And I was curious in asking what does that look like as an event? She said people walking around trying different kinds of coffee. Well my light bulb went on... I was able to piece in some key partners (Tourism Abbotsford and Abbotsford Downtown Business Association) that might want to be a part of the event. Mark Wessner, PhD thanks for the inspiration to post an updated video on how sharing my goals, writing it down on paper made us to have a successful event. Yes, in any goals there are many hurdles...this is just the jyst of it, of us continuing to get back up...together in accomplishing our goals. #Abbotsford #cupofcheer #tourismabbotsford #unitedwayofthefraservalley #abbotsforddowntownbusinessassociation #breakfastwithrupi

🌟 “You’ve got to dance like nobody is watching.” – William W. Purkey 🌟 This year, I’ve made it my mission to elevate, which has meant taking a leap of faith, nose diving into challenges, trusting the process and pushing my boundaries so that I can continue to grow 🌱. I cannot tell a lie! It’s uncomfortable at times, I’ve felt vulnerable, and I’ve had to embrace change with open arms (when sometimes all I want is familiarity). BUT it’s also been opening doors 🚪 I didn’t know needed opening, helping me understand what truly drives me, expanding my awesome network and opening my mind up to the bigger picture. If you have an idea, a goal, a dream - Embrace the freedom to take risks, innovate, and step out of your comfort zone without fear of judgment. When you let go of what others think, you unlock a potential that’s purely your own. So, find your stride and work like nobody is watching 💼✨ Oh, and I will be at Business Travel Show Europe tomorrow on stand J20, just in case you are attending and would like to pop by and say hello 👋 (shhh 🤫 we giving away personalised mugs too). #WorkLikeNoOneIsWatching #BeBold #EmbraceChange #Innovation #CareerGrowth #Fearless #Confidence #Success #SelfImprovement #PushYourLimits #WorkPassion #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessTravelShow #BTS

🌍 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁, 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 🌍 Want to broaden your cultural horizons but your passport is gathering dust? Here’s how to become globally savvy right from your living room: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘆 – Dive into books from authors around the world. Literature can transport you across borders. 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 – Films and TV shows offer insights into daily life, values, and social norms of different cultures. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Attend international webinars, virtual cultural festivals, and workshops. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 – Social media can be a window to the world. Follow diverse voices to get varied perspectives. 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗨𝗽 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 – Explore international cuisines through cooking. It’s a tasty way to learn about different traditions and histories. Enhancing your cultural awareness can enrich your personal insights and professional interactions. Ready to explore? ___ 🔄 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 if you found value to share with others in your network! 👣➡️ 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 Rajeev Mudumba for more value 2-3x daily! #CulturalAwareness #GlobalMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment #LifelongLearning #DiversityAndInclusion #Planb #Planbsuccess

This is awesome and the video will go viral!!!! Happy Global BA Day Everyone! I could listen to this for hours and maybe days but I do have a few other things I need to be doing. Please share this with your network, especially all BA's. #balife #gottabeaBA #globalbaday #balife2025 #businessanalysis #ba #businessanalysts

Story time. In 2005, I made a big decision to switch things up in my life and move from the UK to Barcelona. It wasn't just a change of scenery; it was more like a leap into the unknown. I had already started to make some moves in the drum and bass scene as an MC in the UK, won a couple of decent up-and-coming competitions, and started to get booked at events across the country. Some of my peers thought I was mad for moving away, but I wanted to take the risk. I was also going out every weekend and partying quite hard. Upon reflection I'm sure there was a part of me that wanted to distance myself from that lifestyle and give myself some space to breathe and find myself again. Driven by a desire for freedom, fun, and adventure, I packed my bags, booked a hostel for the first 5 nights, and set myself a challenge: ✅ Find a house, ✅ Secure a job, and ✅ Get my name on a flyer within two weeks. And guess what? I smashed it! I remember two things vividly from my early days in Barcelona. My job interview where I was asked the classic question: "Where do I want to be in 5 years' time?" I replied by saying I don't care where I am as long as I'm happy. (Thankfully I got offered the job right there and then!) Walking through Plaza Catalunya one warm evening, looking around and just absorbing and savouring the moment. Reminding myself that I wasn't there out of luck, but out of determination and self-belief, and that in life if you want to achieve something just go and make it happen. This move was more than just switching countries; it was a testament to setting clear goals and pursuing them with laser-focused determination. Despite the fear and uncertainty, staying true to my values led me to not just survive, but thrive in a new land. 🎤 What's a leap you've taken in your life that scared you but ultimately led to growth? Hit me with your inspirational stories! #LeapOfFaith #Goals #NewBeginnings #MakeItHappen #BelieveAndAchieve #Mindset #GoalSetting #Barcelona

𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝑮𝒆𝒕 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕? 🤔 One of my clients was in the same boat. She was so excited about her event but only 8-10 people were joining.  She thought she was doing everything right: ✅ Posting content regularly ✅ Going live in her group ✅ Talking to people ✅ Engaging in targeted groups She poured her heart and soul into her work, day and night. But still, the numbers were low. She was confused, frustrated, and almost ready to give up. I decided to dig deeper. I looked at her profile and asked her some deep questions. That’s when the real problems came to light: 🚨 Not enough promotion about her events – She was doing great content but wasn’t shouting loud enough about the event itself. 🚨 Not sending reminders to people – People are busy and forget things. A little reminder can work wonders! 🚨 No benefits were highlighted to attend the event – Why should people care? She wasn’t showing them the value and benefits they would get. We rolled up our sleeves and fixed these issues together. ✔ Promoted the event more – We used every platform possible and kept talking about it everywhere. ✔ Sent reminders – Regular reminders kept the event on top of people’s minds. ✔ Highlighted benefits – We clearly showed the amazing value and benefits of attending the event. And guess what? BOOM! 💥 30 people joined her next event! And the numbers kept growing with each event. She was over the moon and said, “I never got this many people in a single event before! This is incredible!” 😍 Her happiness and excitement were so high. Seeing her event full of enthusiastic participants was the best reward. If you are also struggling with low numbers, don’t worry. Sometimes, small tweaks can make a big difference. Keep promoting, reminding, and showing the value. You have got this!

#SpeakerDiversity As a speaker striving to make a mark in the meetings and events industry, the journey toward securing opportunities remains fraught with challenges. Despite the industry's progress in embracing diversity, the reality is that the same well-known speakers often dominate the stage, leaving little room for emerging voices. Even as we see strides in representing various gender identities, races, ages, and physical abilities, the industry still tends to favor the familiar faces. Last year and again this year, I've experienced firsthand how the most coveted speaking spots are reserved for big names or tied to sponsorships. This practice sidelines many capable speakers who bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights but lack the high-profile recognition or sponsorship backing. At events like PCMA's Convening Leaders, Meeting Professionals International 's WEC, or #cemasummit speaker lineup and panels still lack true diversity with the industry’s entrenched practices continuing to create barriers. The process of achieving true diversity needs more than just good intentions. As Jessie States, CMP, CMM, vice president of the MPI Academy, pointed out, it requires proactive outreach and engagement with diverse communities. Now, that sounds like a great intention that also requires real follow-up. For middle-ground speakers like myself, the challenge is twofold: not only must we compete with industry giants, and also face the systemic issue of limited opportunities. The industry’s heavy reliance on sponsorships for speaker slots further narrows our chances to shine. The path to true diversity on stage is a continuous one, requiring ongoing conversations and relationship-building. It’s essential to recognize that bringing new voices to the forefront enriches content and attracts diverse audiences. To create truly inclusive events, we must ensure that every voice has a chance to be heard, not just the ones with established names or corporate backing. Let's continue pushing for more inclusive practices that provide opportunities for all speakers, regardless of their fame or sponsorship status. By doing so, we can create richer, more diverse event experiences for everyone. #Speakerchallanges #Inclusion #EventIndustry #EmergingSpeakers #ChallengesInSpeaking #MPI #DiversityAndInclusion #EventPlanning #meetingprofs #eventprofs #speaker #events

Last weekend, I made a conscious decision to step out of my comfort zone and connect with new people. An invite to watch the Euro finals was the perfect opportunity, and I'm thrilled I accepted. The experience was not only enjoyable but also led me to meet incredible individuals I wouldn't have otherwise encountered. Which brings me to the topic of community. I've been thinking about how life happens and sometimes overwhelms us, leaving little to no room to connect outside our immediate circles and even worse, outside ourselves. Let's get social - Sometimes LinkedIn, other times (most times when possible) face-to-face 😊 Beyond the occasional meeting of new strangers every now and then, numerous studies have highlighted the positive impact of social connections and community involvement on health and well-being. If you are an introverted-extrovert like me (you love being social and building community but by default, would rather just chill at home🙈), try this Experiential exercise: ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ This week(end) #Invest in making new connections, #explore new places, #discover a new activity, join a new #network... however building community and connection look like to you - just do it.😊 Mindful reflection: What benefits would like to give and gain from your community/social network? It's the simple things that create big impact.✨️ #getsocial #buildcommunity #newconnections #mindfulness #health #wellness #sustainability phot credit: RNZ News