DX3 March 5 here I come!

I registered for the DX3 Digital Conference last week.  It's being held on March 5 and 6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  I'm looking forward to it!  

I went to DX3 in 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed both the sessions and the vendor displays.  One session in particular was great:  David Labistour, CEO of Mountain Equipment Co-op spoke eloquently about how MEC was moving into the eCommerce space while keeping the bricks-and-morter stores vibrant, relevant and alive.  

Additionally, many of the vendors showcased new and innovative digital technologies that are changing the business world so quickly. The key learning:  the marketing world continues to change quickly;  companies need people who are knowledgable, smart, technically-savvy and most importantly, who eagerly embrace learning about new ways to communicate and connect with their customers.   Plus I got a lot of cool swag!  This is my Globe and Mail photo:

So check out the lineup so far for this year's DX3 Conference. 

See you there.

Chris Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

647 393 3855

Linkedin:  Chris M Morales 

Running is better than...

...just about everything else!  But then runners are nuts!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Predictions for 2014

I frequently get asked, "What's going on in the job market?".  

I'm not clairvoyant but I do see trends in the job market and I share those insights individually with my candidates and clients.  Some major events that will affect us:  As the economy continues to rebound, companies will continue to grow and hire; Municipal elections in fall 2014 combined with an expected Provincial Spring election in Ontario may will keep things interesting; The Pan Am Games in 2015 will keep us growing in the Greater Toronto Area.  More specifically, in marketing the biggest growth areas will be in digital marketing.  S here are my predictions for 2014:

1. Continued growth in eCommerce especially in the traditional retail sector:  bricks and mortar stores will be working hard to figure out how to sell online and deliver in-store.  
2. Digital Strategy will change to just 'Strategy'.  The distinction between 'Traditional' and 'Digital' will finally vanish.  
3. 'Mobile' will finally be recognized for what it is not:  it is not a strategy!  Mobile is how people use technology:  anything anywhere anytime!
4. Clients will continue to build digital expertise in-house.  Agencies beware!
5. Advertising will be exposed for what it really is:  sell stuff to people.  We're already there in the instant-results-driven digital space.

Isaac Asimov

For a another take on predictions, here is a recent article from the Huffington Post with predictions for 2014 from Isaac Asimov...from 50 years ago!  

Isaac Asimov's Predictions for 2014

The most accurate prediction is that 2014 will be another year of change. Are you ready?

Chris Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

647 393 3855

Linkedin:  Chris M Morales 

Running in the snow in Toronto

A few years ago when living in Wasaga Beach running on hard packed snow was normal in winter. It was actually safer than it sounds:  Wasaga Beach used sand on the roads and this provided some decent traction. And combined with a lack of salt, there was not much ice.  On many early morning runs after the frequent snowfalls making tracks through freshly fallen snow was truly special.

Fast forward a couple of years to this winter in Toronto!  Who ordered the snow!

One of the 'nice' things about winter in Toronto is the lack of snow.  At least that was how it was up until this year.  We've had frequent snowfalls and with below freezing temperatures it's been sticking around.  I've had to re-learn snow running techniques from Wasaga Beach!  Normally that wouldn't have been too bad but the real challenge has been the ice.  Snow control in Toronto is all about the salt.  Regular salt, sodium chrloride makes things sloppy and dirty when temperatures are near freezing.  As the temperature drops into the deep freeze levels...and we've had that too this winter...the salt stops working and the slush turns to ice.  And that's no fun!

With winter officially only 12 days old now it looks to be 'interesting' running ahead for the next few months. So far no slips or falls but the winter is early.  Stay tuned...

Oh and remember, 'Don't eat the yellow snow'! :)

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy