S. Nick Nelson

Sr. Director & GM of Hosting @ eNom & Name.com

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Tragedies are necessary..

First, let me say, I don’t know who reads this. But it doesn’t matter to me. If I’m writing this for my own peace of mind, that’s just fine. (For what it’s worth – Analytics tells me quite a few people actually read this, for some reason. I hardly update it, my fault.)

Yesterday, a tornado wrecked havoc on Moore, OK - as I’m writing this, I’ve heard 91 dead and many many more injured. And worst of all – a lot of children. This is tragic and my first reaction is “how can we prevent this?”

Every morning I listen to the Bobby Bones Show - and this mornings show was dedicated to getting everyone to donate to the RED CROSS (Text REDCROSS to 90999). Listening to the show stirred an array of emotions. Ranging from sad to happy. So many people have to suffer, but the results of these tragedies in my eyes are that it brings people together. It causes at least for a short news cycle for us to appreciate each other.

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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Last week, eNom brought in James Cathcart, a Leadership consultant from Franklin Covey to teach a few of us the 7 habits of Highly Effective People. I’ve read the book, I’d say most business folks have. 15 million sold. However, having this two day workshop taught me a lot. A few friends asked me to give a cliff notes version of the 2 days so here we go.

Habit #1 – Be Proactive

To me, this isn’t as much about being proactive as not being reactive. Don’t let things happen to you, happen to them first. Instead of being a product of your circumstances, be a product of your choices. The key for me here is to always pause and respond based on my principles. As well, making an effort to use Proactive language like “Let’s look at our alternatives” instead of “They won’t allow that.”

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Is “Instant Gratification” an unreasonable desire?

Twice this weekend I found myself being impatient in business, and I’m now thinking back – was I unreasonable?

I haven’t posted this yet – but I’ve joined Demand Media as Sr. Director & GM of Hosting for eNom and Name.com. With an office in Denver, I’ll be traveling frequently there – so I decided to make the jump from Star Alliance to Frontier. Now to me, that’s a frequent flyer wanting to jump to a new airline, I’d think airlines should be all over this – but instead it took 5+ days for their customer service to get back to me..I tweeted Sunday and had a response within an hour. My gut says that means they simply don’t prioritize these type of issues. Okay, that’s fine. Continue Reading

  
  

Mm..Paleo Friendly hidden menu at Panera

On December 10 of 2012 I made the commitment to become healthier. It was shortly after I read The 4 Hour Body. Didn’t really follow that book, definitely didn’t set any rules. However, it worked. I just weighed in at 30 pounds less than I weighed that day – 181.5 pounds, I was 212 pounds at Thanksgiving 2012, and 233 pounds at Thanksgiving 2010. Sitting at a desk all day, eating whatever you want, and not being active takes it’s toll.

I stepped on a scale and thought – obese? This scale is full of it. I felt okay at 212 pounds last year, after all I was 20 pounds less than I was 2 years prior. Each time you hit a goal, you set another. Aim higher.

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There’s ROI on Social Responsibility

I’ve always believed there’s a positive ROI on being socially responsible, but that was mostly fiscally. In 2010, VPS.NET supported UNICEF through a great program called 24ways. Since then I’ve contributed where I can, whether it be IJM, KIVA or DonorsChoose. While living in Ukraine I started spending time at a local orphanage, distributing school supplies and clothes and I really enjoyed it.

Today I completed my first of a regular trip to FoodLifeline with some encouragement from StarbucksMelody.com. I’ve reenforced that the ROI you get on these trips comes in many forms.

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A Hosting Company’s Purple Goldfish

Hopefully you’ve already read What’s your Purple Goldfish?. But if not,  a purple goldfish is any time a company goes above and beyond and provides the client something that is unexpected and appreciated. This purple goldfish then acts as a Unique Selling Proposition.

Some famous purple goldfish includ Southwest Airlines “Bags fly free” policy, Five Guys Burgers giving free peanuts and Zappos does next day shipping upgrades free on all orders.
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