Maurilio Amorim

Author: Maurilio Amorim

Why Are You Here?

The question was part rhetorical and part inquisitive: “Why are you here?” I was in my second year of college and the exchanged happened because of my asking for an extension on a paper, due to a volleyball tournament on my schedule. I was a bit shocked by the bold retort of my English teacher. I expected her to understand that there was more to life than her class, be gracious and let me off the hook. She didn’t. She jolted me with an existential question that haunts so many of us on a daily basis.

The simple answer was “I’m here to go to college, learn and graduate.” But the bigger life answer is much more elusive. And while I still wrestle with God’s will for my life on a daily basis, I learned something that day that has served me well over the years. Even when I cannot connect all the dots from where I find myself to where I think I want to end up, I can, and should, understand and seize the opportunity that’s right before me. That’s all I have anyway. That’s all we all have.

I moved 6 thousand miles away from home to attend college in Nashville. I had to leave family, friends and even learn a new language to make it work. My parents had sacrificed resources and let go of the elder son so I could pursue what I wanted. And my most important concern was to play volleyball, even thought I was not that great of a ball player.

I have asked the same question of some of my younger friends whom I mentor,”why are you here?” Those who get “it” go on to seize the day and make the most of their current situation so that they’ll be ready for the next challenge and opportunity. They don’t know all the answers but they embrace the challenge and perform to their best. They grow, stretch and are given more.

Unfortunately some decide to “wait” for their ideal situation to present itself. And in doing so, waste opportunities that might never come back around. Call it maturity, grit, hunger, responsibility, passion, but whenever they figure out how to harness the motivation to roll up their sleeves and get the job done, they will open the doors to the life they have searching for.

Where are you today?

February 28, 2011
Waking Up Guilty

I saw this video a couple of weeks ago and it impacted me more than many sermons on the subject I have heard over the years. It’s not only powerful but a work of art as well.

Short Film produced about the immediate emotions of waking up the morning after an affair.

What kind of emotions did you feel after watching it?

February 27, 2011
Social Digital Fraud: A Failed Social Media Campaign

I was recently reminded of a failed social media campaign that started with a lot of promise but went nowhere. For all practical purposes the campaign is still going because there are “posts” being created everyday. As I reflect what went wrong, here’s my assessment:

Blog content is never fresh. It is re purposed from old material. It’s edited, sanitized and packaged but it lacks soul and relevance.

There are no personal posts in the blog, twitter or Facebook. And the reason why there are no personal posts is because the author delegated his entire campaign to someone else. The few people who began following early on quickly figured that the author was not the one posting and stopped following.

Readers were ignored. Early on when people commented on posts, they were ignored. So they stop commenting, and eventually reading it.

Posts are monologues. There are no questions, no interactivity, just a one-way message. That’s not what people want in social media. We want dialogues.

Twitter mentions, ReTweets and Facebook posts were never acknowledged, reciprocated or thanked. Digital generosity pay dividends. A self-serving strategy does not.

There are no posts with anything current, funny or whimsical. Since none of the posts are by the author, they lack personality, commentary and the humanity that makes social media work at its most basic level: the personal.

If you’re not willing to engage personally in social media, don’t do it at all, and by all means, don’t do it under your name and likeness. When you create an account with your picture and name and then delegate your entire social media campaign to another person, you are committing social digital fraud. People don’t really understand the extend of the power they are delegating to someone else and how much they’re losing by doing so.

How do you feel when you start following someone and realize they are not the ones posting updates or writing on their blogs?

February 24, 2011
How Much Rejection Can You Take Before Getting a Yes?

As I listened to the radio interview with Cordia Harrington, I was surprised by her tenacity. While trying to get MacDonald’s to allow her to bake buns for the company, she was rejected 33 times. Today The Bun Company, bakes more than a 1,000 buns a minute for McDonalds, KFC, Pepperidge Farms among others and is one of the most dynamic business in Tennessee. I have played that interview in my mind over and over the past few days. I have become convicted of, well, my lack of conviction. After all, how many times do I need to be rejected before I give up? That number is smaller than you might think.

The implications of such “sticktuiviness” goes way beyond sales. My concern goes deeper than being rejected by a potential client or not getting the deal that I wanted. My dilemma lies in how willing I am to give up when I don’t get my way, right away. Much like the disposable world we live in where replacement is often cheaper than repair, I’m afraid that at the first sign of rejection, we’re ready to walk away from

a friend who has not reciprocated properly

an employee who has not performed well

a marriage that has not fulfilled our needs

writing a book

a son who has disappointed

a partner who has not pulled his weight

a church that has not entertained us

a parent who has not loved us enough

a small group that has not accepted us

a daughter who has chosen poorly

a career that has not taken off

Cordia was rejected 33 times until she got her “yes” so she could bake bread. Do I have half of her tenacity? A third? Even a tenth?

How much rejection will you take for something you are passionate about? What would that be?

February 23, 2011
3 Things You Must know in Order for Your Business to Make It

I love the entrepreneurial spirit. People who can see opportunities where most can’t and have the guts to jump out into and make it happen, are some of my favorites. In my experience, most business owners start their companies without all the “facts.” While some might have a well-thought out business plan, most only have an idea, a lot of passion and energy and enough gambling instinct to pull the trigger on and move forward. But while no amount of education or research can prepare you for the real world of business, here’s a few things you must figure out if you’re going to make it whether you’re starting a free-lance business out of your home, a manufacturing facility, or a marketing agency.

Who is my ideal customer? My company became a lot more profitable once we decided what our ideal customer looked like. We realized that some of our clients were not a good fit for us and we let them go so we could pursue those whom we could serve better. A critical mistake early in most business is finding clients anywhere you can. Whatever comes your way, you are compelled to take because, after all, it pays the bills, right? Not always. By saying yes to a client or even a industry that’s not a good fit for your product or skills might lead you down a path you don’t want to go. I helped a friend through this dilemma who was getting several requests from small business in the food industry because he said yes to an acquaintance and undercharged for the project. He was busy with requests that were far too small of projects for his business model.

What are my true operating costs? “I don’t think I can charge more than $50 per hour,” the man across the table said. “But how much does it truly cost you per hour to operate?” Unfortunately, he didn’t know the answer. If you don’t know your true costs, you won’t be in business long.

Is my business model sustainable? I know people who have been pouring their lives in a start up that cannot pay them much, sometimes nothing at all. I remember telling someone recently, “you don’t have a business; you have a hobby.” Unless you are able to pay for your work and continue to build the business, you don’t have a sustainable model. Volume, product quality, recognition are all irrelevant at this point. If you’re not charging enough, then up your prices. If you cannot compete in the marketplace because your prices are too hight, do something else.

Have you ever started or thought about starting a business?

February 22, 2011
Questions Every Guy Should Ask About His Date

I have several friends who are single and a lot of our conversations revolve about whom to date and what to look in a wife . While I have made a lot of mistakes over my lifetime, and I mean a lot, I got one of the most important decisions right: I married well. Outside my re-generational faith experience as I accepted Christianity and made peace with Christ’s death on the cross for me, my marriage to Gwen was the most important decision to date. It has impacted every single area of my life in ways I could not have imagined before we were married. So to my single friends who are looking or dating, here are some thoughts I processed before I asked Gwen to marry me.

Does she truly love God? “Christian dating” means more than going out with someone you picked up at church. People pay lip service to their faith in order to “get the date.” Yep, even girls do that. I don’t care if you met her at the singles’ group, or as member of the praise team. Professing to be a Christian is easy. If you have a set of core values and beliefs, make sure you’re on the same page before getting emotionally involved. If you don’t settle the faith question early, your marriage will be disastrous. Gwen’s faith in God and trust in His Word have meant more to me than anything else.

Does she have strong morals? “Well, she’s a lot of fun, but sometimes she gets a little crazy.” “She’s just blowing some steam; she’ll mellow out.” That usually translates in a growing series of excuses for a lack of moral or ethical fortitude. You might find it amusing early in the relationship, but it will grow into a nightmare. Don’t underestimate the value of a strong moral compass. After 20 years of marriage, I know exactly what my wife would say and do in any moral conundrum: the right thing.

Is she gracious? One of the greatest tests of someone’s character is to watch how they treat those who have nothing to offer them. Watching Gwen treat a server, a clerk, or immigrant workers at our house with dignity and compassion has been a tremendous lesson for me. Anyone who dismiss or mistreats those around them, specially the disadvantaged, lacks grace. Get rid of her fast.

Does she believe in me? I’m not asking if she thinks you are good looking, fun or talented. Those are pre-requisite for your first date. The question goes deep into the heart of every man: can I draw strength from her when life gets tough? I remember telling Gwen I wanted to start The A Group nearly 10 years ago. I’ll never forget her answer: “I believe you can do whatever you set your mind to. I always have. I’m not afraid. I’ll help in any way I can.” That’s all I needed to hear.

Is she trustworthy? I know people who are always wondering what their mate is doing, or not doing, or how they’re spending their money. Money woes wreck more and more marriages everyday. If you can’t trust her with money or a credit card or to make good choices, you might want to reconsider. If you are worried about who she’s talking to or where she at times, you don’t trust her. The only thing I don’t trust Gwen to do is buy my clothes.

Does she make me a better man? I want to be with someone who encourages, challenges and loves me into being a better man. Who doesn’t? I broke up with a very attractive young lady because instead of bringing the best in me, she drew my dark side. You know what I’m talking about: your lazy, selfish, critical, materialistic tendencies that you need help to fight and not someone to fuel them. I know men whose wives demand more stuff, more bling, more and more from them constantly. I’m thankful that Gwen has helped me fight my materialistic tendencies buy helping me see what really matters in life.

What other question would you add to this list?

February 21, 2011
Product + Experience = Power Brand. The Imogene+Willie Jeans Story

This is a Fashion Friday Mashup. It’s as much about a fashion trend as it is about how to create a brand and a customer experience that matches the brand promise. This week I bought my first pair of Imogene + Willie Jeans after my friend Zach Sutton showed up in church wearing a pair and sent me to their website. You probably have never heard of them. You will. This is a husband and wife team, Carry and Matt Eddmenson who have created not only a business, but a story, an experience and a product that embodies both.

The cornerstone of Imogene + Willie Jeans is their unwashed jeans you have to break in over several wears. They suggest you only wash them every six months and even then do it gently. I’m breaking in my pair as I write this post. The jeans is simple without embroidery, holes, snaps or any big logos. Besides the dark color and stiffness, the only logo is a small “+” sewn on the right pant leg.

The boutique, design studio and small manufacturing facility is housed in an old gas station on the historic 12 South district of Nashville. “Quaint” does not do the place justice. The sewing area starts where the “showroom” ends creating a feeling of buying art. Where the artists brushes and canvases share the same space with his creations. The space is filled with old leather satchels, vintage boots and the smell of denim fills the air.

I was greeted at the door by Lalai the lab, and shortly afterwards, Chad, also wearing their signature jeans, helped me find the perfect pair for me. I don’t think I had been excited about a pair of jeans since my high-school Brazilian designer phase. The online experience, the store experience and well as the product were perfectly aligned. These guys don’t just understand jeans and fashion, they understand branding. Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon and other celebrities are fans of the brand.

Years ago a salesman in NYC at a trendy boutique tried to get me to wear cuffs on my jeans, by hemming it longer and turning the fabric up exposing its flip side. I was not ready then. I am today. I’m starting slowly with a 2 inch cuff above my shoe break. Chad had his way higher–not even touching his shoes. I’m not quite there yet, but I really like the look. I’m wearing boots with my jeans today and the cuffs just bring a very interesting visual break. This look has been very popular in NYC, London and Paris for a couple of years now. It’s about to hit mainstream soon.

How do you feel about stiff, dark jeans? Are you ready to wear a cuff?

February 18, 2011
Apple’s New Game Changing Content Strategy

Yesterday Apple laid out a new subscription service and broad rules for digital content sold through the iPhone and iPad. Apple wants to make sure all app purchases and subscriptions, such as content from Amazon’s Kindle or Nextflix streaming, only happen inside the Apple Store, it also wants to make sure publishers’ subscriptions outside the Apple Store is never less than what’s offer within an app. But the most significant move might be Apple’s decision to allow customers the option to provide their name, email and zip code to the content providers, as oppose to require them to pass that information on.

Running subscription restriction and pricing restrictions will create better margins and cement Apples’ dominance as a content provider. The fact that Apple is betting most of us will choose not to give our personal information to the content providers, (and who would?), is a total game changer. I have always said that whoever controls the audience controls the business. I saw it happen back in the 90’s when a high-profile music client had the foresight to create a strong relationship with his fan base. One million names and addresses later, my client was poised to continue to sell products and shows to his fans without a label or distribution channel. When the music business collapsed, his career didn’t. At that point, he didn’t need them. As a matter of fact, the labels needed him.

Steve Jobs and his team at Apple have figured that out. They don’t want just the margins that come from content sales. They want exclusive control of the content consumer. If Apple is successful in making that work, they will control the most important part of the business pipeline: the consumer himself.

I work with a lot of content providers including authors, film makers, and musicians. One of the most important advice I give them early on our relationship has not changed over the past decade, if anything, I have gotten more passionate about its importance: get hold of your audience. Do not let anyone stand between you and them.

How do you feel about Apple’s new strategy move?

February 17, 2011
Find Happiness in Any Circumstance

So your life is not necessarily where you wanted it to be right now. Happiness is an elusive feeling that comes and goes with circumstances, and you can’t seem to hold on to it long enough to enjoy it. I hear those sentiments quite often. Many of my conversations give me a glimpse of how difficult to achieve happiness is for most of us. But I think we’re getting it wrong. Circumstantial happiness is by any standard, a fleeting and fickle feeling (sorry about the alliteration and don’t try to say it tree times fast). There has to be a better way to live.

Whether you verbalize it or not, how many times have you thought: I would be happy if I had

a job

more money

a wife

a better job

a house

a boyfriend

a slimmer figure

a newer car

six-pack abs

better friends

a better looking boyfriend

a big break

a bigger house

more popularity

brighter teeth

a more outgoing personality

brains

not married poorly

better parents

richer parents

better and richer parents.

This list could go on and on. And yes, the trill of a new relationship, the comfort of surplus money, the popularity of physical beauty are things that make life easy and enjoyable at times. But they don’t make you happy. They never will. Years ago I read Happiness Is a Choice. and thought, “could it be that simple?” As the title says, happiness IS a choice and not a circumstance.

I embraced my ability to chose happiness decades ago. It made all the difference. Yes, I still have bad days and bad seasons where I’m not myself. Winters are specially difficult for my tropical self, but for the most part, I choose to be happy. Along the way, I realized that happy people are attractive. Think about it. When we find ourselves in a room filled with strangers, we tend to gravitate to the people who are laughing, smiling and having a good time. Happiness by itself will make you more attractive.

I’m writing this post to myself today. I needed to be reminded that my circumstances should not dictate how I feel. I must confess I was getting upside down and allowing everyone and everything control how I felt. So today, I choose anew to, well, be happy. I hope you’ll join me.

Do you have a problem with the concept that happiness is a choice?

February 16, 2011
Before You Walk Away

I’m glad I didn’t give up on the relationship. I was disappointed and thought that it was time to sever ties. But I didn’t. And I have not regretted my decision. Have you ever given up on a friend, a coworker, a client? If you are like me chances are you have. So before you let a relationship “go” consider:

Find a proper time and place to let them know how you feel. You should not “let them have it” when you’re upset or in the middle of a bad day. Sometimes your bad day gets folded into the emotion of the discussion.

No matter the response, promise yourself you will not react–only listen. During a difficult conversation I am more interested in getting my point across than listening.

Reflect on the conversation and try to put yourself in their shoes.

Examine your motives. Why are you really upset? (This one usually gets me) I tend to justify my personal hangups on the crucible of business and reason.

What’s your part in it? I remember hearing a friend say this years ago: there’s his side, her side and the truth.

How would Jesus handle this? I know this sounds trite, but for the Christian that’s our example and guide through life. Jesus is our model for living.

What else would you ad to this list?

February 15, 2011