Brian Johnson, CEO Zaadz

CEO Quick "Q & A" -The Most Effective CEOs Thriving in Today's Attention Deficit Workplace

This month, Mitch Thrower, publisher of Attention-Deficit Times, had a chance to interview Brian Johnson, the founder and CEO of Zaadz (pronounced zaaaadzzz - like what you say when the Dr. is looking in your throat). It is a uniquely named company that is growing lightning fast with a great business plan. The commercial applications for this site are tremendous. Check it out, and you'll inevitably join - Brian is at the helm of a company that is well on it's way to changing the world. Zaadz is what MySpace SHOULD be, and more.

MITCH: Why do you think society and the workplace has become so "ADD?"

BRIAN: My first response: we’ve been told that we are by savvy marketing engines and pharmaceutical companies. (See Selling Sickness for a great look at how disorders are created within marketing rooms along with the medications to treat them. ADD is actually one of the case studies in the book. Good stuff.) But that’s part of a much longer philosophical conversation we’ll save for another time.

Having said all that, I don't want to discount the other factors. Our current lifestyle has us consuming all sorts of things that contribute to hyperactivity and distraction, from the preservatives and food additives in our diets (which affect our brains) to television advertisements designed to appeal to short attention spans. And our world is just getting smaller, and, it seems, busier every day-we're bombarded by so much stimulation and demands on our time and attention that we can easily feel scattered (myself included, obviously).

MITCH: ADD is a bit of a buzz word – and in our technologically advanced culture, do you think that technology adds to the inefficiencies of workplace ADD, or makes it more manageable?

BRIAN: Both. I think technology can be used to make things worse—it’s easy to use technology to distract ourselves further—and can also serve to help things run much more smoothly. And even though it's technology that's at the root of the increasingly busy world we live in, it's also technology that allows us to manage the flood of information. As with everything, it's really a matter of perspective.

MITCH: What are several strategies you have used to operate as a successful CEO?

BRIAN: The first and perhaps most important strategy for me is to have clear intention about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. It’s so easy for us to lose focus as we’re getting this business going, as so many opportunities are coming at us every day. With clear intention, we can say “no” confidently to the myriad of ideas that are great but not in our critical path.

That’s also tied to a willingness to be flexible and to evolve my thinking as we try different things out and flow where the opportunities and our instincts are guiding us. It’s an interesting balance between the clear intention and complimentary flexibility. I strive to be more and more graceful about the whole process every day. I’m also a big fan of hiring the right people. We’re blessed to have a business that attracts people who are aligned with our intention and who are truly committed to service and to making a difference in the world—which creates an inspiring culture and makes going to work a joy for everyone on the team. And, I have to say, my evolving daily meditation practice is hands-down my top strategy.

MITCH: Brian, you’re a philosopher, and you’ve started a very interesting company, tell us more about that.

BRIAN: We’re very much a mission-driven business, so the easiest way for me to capture the essence of who we are and what we’re up to is to give you a quick overview of my path. (I’ll try to keep the story short!) It goes something like this:

I’ve always been passionate about understanding what makes great people great—that .00001% who go out and change the world. I studied Psychology at UCLA and thought I’d get my Ph.D., but at the time there wasn’t a whole lot going on in the “positive” end of the field. So, logically, I went to work at Arthur Andersen (yikes!) where, in the year I was there I spent time in audit, tax, financial planning and business consulting. None of those were for me so I went to law school at Berkeley—where I dropped out before a semester was over.

From there, all I knew I wanted to do (other than burn my resume!) was to coach a Little League baseball team. I did that, and in the process of coaching a bunch of 9 and 10 year old kids (we were the Bad News Bears…), I realized that it was only a matter of time before every team and league in the world would be online (this was in ’98). So, my friend and I cracked open our piggy banks and built eteamz.com—a company that now profitably serves nearly 3 million teams from around the world as part of The Active Network.

After leaving that company in the hands of the brilliant team at Active, I went on a little sabbatical and spent a couple years figuring out what I’m here to do. I immersed myself in philosophy and psychology and mysticism and optimal living and thought about getting my Ph.D. again, but couldn’t find a program that integrated all my interests. So, I gave myself my own Ph.D. I launched a web site called Think Areté (http://www.thinkarete.com/) where I distilled the universal truths as taught by everyone from Socrates to Buddha to Nietzsche and Ayn Rand up to modern day psychologists and philosophers. Fun stuff. A newsletter I sent to 200 of my friends grew to about 10,000 in a couple years.

Then I got to a crossroads—I needed to make some money again. Realized I didn’t want to be a guru so stepped back and finally found a way to merge my passion for understanding and living my highest truths while inspiring others to do the same (philosopher) and my passion for creating technology driven companies that can change the world (CEO). That is a very long way to get to what I’m up to now: building Zaadz, Inc. (http://www.zaadz.com/), a social networking site that’s all about changing the world. We’re taking the best stuff from places like eteamz/active, MySpace, Yahoo! Groups, Meetup.com and other sites, and building world-class tools specifically for people looking to improve their lives and make a difference. And, much like eteamz, we’re focusing on the influencers within the space who are on the ground serving (except in this case it’s people like local veggie restaurant owners, yoga teachers, life coaches and massage therapists) as we develop enterprise-quality communication and community development software that will help them build their business within the framework of our broader community. Also like eteamz, we’ll be aggregating a typically highly fragmented market—which will help us catalyze conscious capitalism as we circulate wealth through our community, and through businesses looking to share their products and services with us.

We launched earlier this year, are still invite only, and just crossed the 20,000 member mark. Our traffic has already grown to a million+ visitors per month, and we’re continuing to ramp up our tools and marketing efforts as we head into 2007. Always fun to see it growing at this phase… Plus, I get to fly around and meet cool people like John Mackey of Whole Foods (we’re partnered with his non-profit, FLOW, which is focused on re-branding entrepreneurialism as a force for good), Ken Wilber (my favorite living philosopher who no-one’s heard of…yet…), and other amazing individuals. I love my job.

MITCH: You sold your company to The Active Network, a company I co-founded several years ago – did you experience any attention deficit management?

BRIAN: I have a huge amount of respect for the team over at The Active Network. A brilliant and solid group of passionate people make up the organization. Of course, we did that deal in the midst of the market correction of 2000 so there was a lot of dust flying around but I remain impressed with how efficiently we merged our two businesses operationally and strategically. And, it gives me a lot of joy and pride to see that the company’s been on Inc. 500’s list for the last three years. Says a lot about the team’s ability to effectively manage their attention in the midst of significant growth, eh?!?

MITCH: What is your greatest dream as a CEO for your company?

BRIAN: Quite simply, to change the world. I have no doubt we’re on the cusp of a revolution in consciousness—in all facets of our lives. People are waking up to the way we live in the world—we’re all becoming more aware of both our own incredible potential and the role we play as individuals when it comes to the health of the planet as a whole. And, I believe that business is perhaps the strongest catalyst to accelerate this shift in awareness. I see Whole Foods as a vanguard in the “conscious capitalism” movement and I look to them, and especially their CEO, John Mackey, as role models in how to build a significant, profitable business grounded in a true, deep concern for the well-being of our planet (I highly recommend Mackey’s blog and his debate with Milton Friedman in Reason magazine that significantly shifted my perspective on free markets and capitalism: The Role of the Corporation). At Zaadz, we intend to catalyze the conscious capitalism movement by providing the underlying communication and community development engine that powers the leading influencers within the movement—from places like Whole Foods and people like the Dalai Lama to the local life coach and the vegetarian restaurant owner. By connecting these people to their respective communities and empowering them to spend their money on the businesses and products that are most in alignment with their values, we believe we’ll accelerate the already rapid growth in conscious capitalism that’s occurring.

Brian Johnson's Official Bio:

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

~ Apple Computers, from "Think Different" Advertisement

As the Founder, Philosopher & Chief Executive Officer of Zaadz, Inc., Brian’s job is to fire everyone up while setting the overall vision/strategy of the company, financing the business while driving it to profitability, and forming relationships with key individuals within the self-development community. He loves his job. As the Founder & former CEO of eteamz, Brian led the creation of the world’s largest amateur sports site—which currently (and profitably) provides team and league web sites and a comprehensive suite of services to over 2.5 million teams from over 120 countries around the world. After spending the requisite time in “garage-mode,” eteamz won UCLA’s Business Plan competition, raised over $5 million of capital, grew from 3 to 45 employees in less than a year and was sold for over $13 million of stock and cash to The Active Network, Inc. in 2000. As Vice President at Active, Brian successfully led the integration of the two companies and set the division’s strategy before spending a few years as a philosopher, studying and teaching universal truths of optimal living and sharing this wisdom via his site, thinkarete.com and via his newsletter (that’s sent to over 10,000 subscribers) as well as his podcast and other audio material at LearnOutLoud.com. Before beginning his career as a consultant at Arthur Andersen, Brian graduated Magna Cum Laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors from UCLA where he studied Psychology and Business. Brian has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and various other publications on topics ranging from raising capital and building a successful enterprise to recruiting key management and downsizing. He has presented on various panels, served as a judge for the Anderson School at UCLA’s Business Plan writing competition, and given lectures on entrepreneurial finance and the Internet economy at USC’s Marshall School of Business and Cal Tech. When he’s not sowing the Zaadz, you might find Brian reading, playing some chess or enjoying a great conversation with a friend.

Google-You Tips and Tricks From A Cyber-Guru

"How to Boost Your Googlego"

by Jessie Stricchiola

Have you Google'd yourself recently? More importantly, have you Google'd yourself ever? Chances are if you haven't, someone else has - and it could have a significant and potentially permanent impact on that person's impression of you. In the age of "Googling," in which anyone can research your entire life's history with a few simple keystrokes, a gesture as innocent as giving out your business card at a cocktail party offers you an opportunity to either shine - or shame. It could be a potential employer, a business competitor looking for an edge, or the potential husband or wife you met at the gym - and it is in your best interest to present your best face when people are looking to learn all about the person behind the name. Google offers free name-based marketing for you, and if you know how to take advantage of it, you can be prepared for any "Googling" eyes.

It is important to understand that if you have a very common name, such as John Smith or Jen Roberts, getting your information to the top of any search engine is going to be much more difficult than if your last name is Zoomengroovenruben. However, with some concerted effort and a little elbow grease, you can certainly improve upon your current situation if you've done nothing thus far.

First, there are three main areas in which you can utilize your Google exposure: general search, image search, and news search.

General Google Search:

One of the most powerful things you can do to increase your exposure is to have a web site that includes your name in the domain, for example, johnroberts.com. Or, if that domain is unavailable, then visitjohnroberts.com or johrobertsonline.com could work just as well. You can probably think of many other possibilities for domain names that might pertain to your particular business, such as johnrobertsphotography.com. Your name might be long, but if someone is going to type it into a search field, then they won’t mind seeing it in your domain name – and Google will actually love it.

Next, if your web site has many links coming into it from legitimate web sites that have your name in the text on their page, you have a great start on getting some Google rankings. If however you don’t work in the internet industry, this might be something that will take longer to establish, so it’s not top on the list – however you should be looking for links whenever, and wherever possible as a long term strategy. The third step is to make sure that your web site page titles are short, sweet, and targeted – especially the title of your home, or index page. The
“title tag” is what appears at the top of your browser window (in Explorer, in the blue bar on the top).

The home page (or whichever page is the default when the domain is typed in) should include a short title that contains your full name – for example, “John Roberts Photography” is much more targeted and optimized than “John Roberts Photography Including Animal, Family, and Landscape Portraiture”. The shorter and more concentrated your page titles, the greater
emphasis Google places on the words that are actually in the title.

Next, you want to make sure that your page descriptions include your name and any other immediately relevant information about you, with your name being the first two words of the description: “John Roberts Photography – view client portfolios online and learn about John’s philosophy.” If your name is primarily associated with a company (whether or not it is your
own) you want to make sure you have the company name in your description as well, as people might be searching for “John Roberts 123 Media." You can also include the company name in the title tags if you prefer – it’s simply a matter of what’s important to you.

You also want to make sure you have enough text content on your pages that talks about you – with your name repeated at least a handful of times; Google wants to know the page is about you.

Google Image Search:

Have you tried an image search recently? There are some pretty bizarre results that can come up for searches for people’s names – not the least of which are pictures of the wrong people! If you want to ensure that pictures of you come up in search results, make sure you post pictures of yourself on your site – and name these pictures along these lines: john_roberts.jpg; john_roberts_academy_awards.jpg, etc.

Google News Search:

Lastly, use Google as your personal PR engine. There are many channels online that you can use to promote yourself and/or your business – PRWeb.com and PrimeZone.com for example. Simply issue a press release announcing your move from one company to another, your promotion to a new position, your accomplishments within your current post, or a new article
that you have written or been quoted in. These releases get wide distribution across online media channels, which are the first to come up in Google News searches – and these pages sometimes stay in the main index for extended periods of time, giving you double bang for your buck.

These tactics are based on general SEO best practices – and if you have a moderately unique name, you should see significant improvement in a few months if you don’t have a web site yet – and could see rankings in a few weeks if you do. And if you want proof that I know what I’m talking about, just Google me.

If at the end of the day, however, you’re still having a hard time getting ranked for your name - or if you are ranking well but just want to dominate all Google results – then go on and open your wallet and purchase ads through AdWords. You’re sure to be found then. Just make sure you don’t have any enemies, as some people have been known to repeatedly click on ads.

Jessie Stricchiola, President of Alchemist Media, Inc.

Billy Gerber CEO Profile

Billy Gerber, CEO
Gerber Pictures

By Eric Damassa

This month we bring you a behind the scenes look at one of Hollywood's most successful producers/studio executives. Billy Gerber, former President of Warner Bros. and current chairman of Gerber Pictures, shares his tips for success in the fast paced film industry.

ED: Managing the creation of a feature-length film is a huge undertaking; how do you effectively manage the attention of the various people involved, e.g. investors, studios, actors, agents, and crew?

BG: Dealing with different types of creatives and business executives always requires different approaches. Some, it's how to make the film better and some, it's how to make the film cheaper.

ED: Do the cast and crew tend to operate in an attention deficit environment? Do you have any recommendations for people to be successful in this environment?

BG: A film set is like a military operation. There is not a lot of room to improvise because every scene requires very specific actions from all involved.

ED: Are movie directors good at operating in an attention deficit workplace?

BG: The good ones are.

ED: How do you get an audience to pay attention to your film when they are watching it, is there a formula, or a timeline for how long action scenes, love scenes should last before you loose their attention?

BG: Some people do believe in formulas and pattern. For me, it is more instinctive.

ED: The battle for revenue (ticket sales) amongst film firms is incredibly competitive, what tactics do you employ to get people’s attention and keep it?

BG: You have to know your audience and make sure you sell them what they want.

ED: Was the “Dukes of Hazard” an attention deficit set? How did you keep people on task?

BG: You must keep people happy, warm, well fed and pulling in the same direction.

ED: Describe some of your current projects and your role with these projects. You are working on a college movie, is there a different “attention formula” for different demographics?

BG: Yes, the formula for a college movie is fun! I am also working on a film of the Budd Schulberg classic "What Makes Sammy Run", the screen adaptation of Michael Connelly's "Void Moon", The Jesse Owens' story and a heist/comedy called "The Fix Up".


Billy Gerber's Biography

Educated at the University of California, Santa Cruz, BILL GERBER first started his entertainment career in the music business, promoting concerts in Los Angeles. In 1979 he joined Elliot Robert’s Lookout Management where he oversaw the careers of Devo, The Cars, Heaven 17, and ABC. In 1984, Gerber began his producing career with projects at Warner Brothers and Paramount and in 1985 formed Gerber/Rodkin, a management production company that represented Judd Nelson, Robert Downey Jr., Billy Zane, Sara Jessica Parker, and Dan Hartman.

In 1986, Gerber left his firm to join Warner Bros. as Vice President of Theatrical Production. He remained there for twelve years and was successively promoted to President of Worldwide Theatrical Production in 1996. While at Warner Bros., Gerber supervised the films: L.A. Confidential, Unforgiven, Twister, Selena, Reversal of Fortune, A Little Princess, Goodfellas, Heat, JFK, Disclosure, Grumpy Old Men, Grumpier Old Men, You’ve Got Mail, Analyze This, and developed Perfect Storm and Space Cowboys.

In May of 1998, Gerber ventured out to form his own production company, Gerber Pictures, which is tied to a first look deal at Warner Bros. As a Producer, Gerber has made the films American Outlaws, starring Colin Farrell; the basketball comedy Juwanna Mann; What A Girl Wants, starring Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth; The In-Laws, starring Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks; the Adam Brody & Jennifer Morrison skateboarding comedy Grind; and the feature The Dukes of Hazzard with Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, & Jessica Simpson. Currently Bill is producing the Broken Lizard comedy Beerfest. Gerber also served as Executive Producer on the Warner Bros./ Franchise Pictures Get Carter; TNT’s Emmy Nominated and Golden Globe winner James Dean, An Invented Life; the Warner Bros./Village Roadshow film Queen of the Damned; and the Warner Bros. film A Very Long Engagement.

Bill resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three daughters. He serves on the Board of Trustees at the Center for Early Education and is a Board Chair of the Environment Media Association. Bill is also an Ironman competition finisher.

David Hayden CEO Profile

David Hayden, CEO, Jeteye www.jeteye.com





By Emily Nesselroad

As we begin yet another year, we thought it fitting to share David Hayden’s wisdom and experience as a true leader and internet pioneer. Hayden is a brilliant business man who has been quoted or featured in Forbes, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and other leading publications. Currently the CEO and founder of http://email.e-mailnetworks.com/ct/ct.php?t=1167316&c=663366280&m=m&type=1, Hayden and jeteye are up to something big. We have been able to peer behind the curtain on the latest confidential developments and products at jeteye scheduled for launch later this year, and we think that jeteye has a very good chance of being one of the next big interactive success stories.

EN: The emergence of the Internet has yielded enormous benefits for the global community, but what are the negative implications (i.e., information overload and clutter) of the prevalence of the web?

DH: I think what has emerged, in parallel with all the benefits of the ‘find anything, anytime’ phenomenon, is a growing complacency and acceptance of satisfactory and mediocre mass information. Lost I think, is the sense of wonder ­­–– curiosity around how and why…invention, intention and the process and satisfaction of getting there.
Cultural issues have barely been identified let alone thought about socially – the primary one being what I call the ‘dumbing-down’ of education. Today’s internet provides fast information, or answers. This ‘great thing’ (Google currently playing the leading role), is an answer seeking/answer driven mentality that justifies not thinking. Especially in schools, where the ‘answer’ is paramount to passing the test, we are no longer really teaching our children that learning is to think, to question, and to really absorb the process. An entire new generation is growing up with the ‘benefits’ of the Internet –– that of getting whatever they want quickly, without having to think about it. That, in my opinion is a tragedy.

EN: What differentiates Jeteye from competitors such as Yahoo! and Google?

DH: At Jeteye we believe knowledge is a human quality, a manifestation of belief, intent, thought, experience, trial and error – assimilation in order to actually ‘know’ something is what matters. To take each person’s ability to think, intuit, learn, and decide and then communicate that expression is what is irreplaceable and different from the approach taken to date. Many engineers believe the computer can or will be able to do this. I don’t. We are working at Jeteye towards creating a product that encourages the sharing of information from person to person, and also encourages the mental activities of thinking, which have been so well-represented in the act of writing and communicating.

EN: What role do you think search engines play in our attention deficit society?

DH: Attention deficit, as we are referring to it, as a societal problem. We are experiencing severe cultural entropy. This is precisely a result of the current environment and our cultural shift toward information overload as a way of life rather than toward understanding ‘why’ and ‘who’ –– we are moving toward a fast, ‘give me the answer now’ society. In fact, we are already there. I think search engines in their current incarnations are contributing to the problem, rather than working to solve it. We “Google” everything now and much of the time settle for the first few results. The competitive advantage companies like Google used to tout was speed…now we simply expect infinite information instantly.

EN: What is a Jetpak? How do you see the Jetpak technology revolutionizing organization, efficiency and time management?

DH: I think of them as light, efficient, turbo-charged vehicles for transmission and communication of what matters to us individually. One can bundle all kinds of stuff in them and send them from one spot on the web (or any network) to another. Think of the ubiquitous cars on the interstate highway: movies, monies, books, messages…anything… nested in, contained, and transported in Jetpaks for organization, information expansion and development and forwarding, (medical records, summons, signatures, games, vouchers ,etc.) While one might argue these are nothing but super-email applications, I will suggest that this is the next layer, above the web and its infrastructure, offering a new applications-based tool for transport and communication. The difference is that they are created by people from the resources already available on-line, to the knowledge they each add, trade and share. Jetpaks are easy to create…they encourage thought, collaboration, digging deeper, having an opinion. Jeteye is not an effortless ‘consumption’ oriented technology. Well placed effort is a good thing.

EN: The Internet and Search Engine industry is extremely fast-paced and constantly evolving; how do you stay effective as a tech-industry executive and how do you plan to keep Jeteye relevant and competitive?

DH: I read a lot, especially current cultural works, philosophy, science, and history, all are important to me. And I talk to people a lot. I think a lot about what is important, what is lost and/or lacking in our evolving global cultures. That helps my imagination, and helps keep me current, or at least trying to stay effective and in tune with myself, which is the only way I know of guiding the vision to keep Jeteye relevant. I feel that we have touched on something at Jeteye that has been largely ignored in technology, but that at the very core was meant to happen: that we need to see computing as a tool not a crutch. Much of the time I am striving to define this as an area that is not competitive with a fast paced, instantaneous machine oriented universe.

EN: What role do you see the Jeteye technology playing in the attention deficit workplace as well as in the sphere of students and education?

DH: I think we learn when things are fun – we’re definitely working at Jeteye to keep our work and product fun, so that means we’re looking always for ways to put fun and intelligence into the web! And it’s quite simple really. Jeteye technology is one way of creating shared work, shared play, in any workplace or environment. One of the nice things about the technology is that we’ve made Jetpaks persistent – they exist, and once created, they exist indefinitely. They can appear anywhere the creator intends.

EN: What is the biggest challenge you have overcome?

DH: Probably the biggest challenge is solving the intuitive flow in the product – what we are trying to do is tap into the creative and playful side of the brain, and engage that… it is what leads to better thinking, and to satisfying our natural hunger for knowledge. This is just the ever-so-slightest shift from the behavior we have come to think of as efficient. Jeteye is much more an extroverted environment than the impersonal experience of search, and it can be far less restrictive than social networks. In fact, Jetpaks are a natural currency we can have between the many social networks that will be coming into existence

EN: As a successful entrepreneur, what recommendations do you have for other entrepreneurs?

DH: That’s a really tough question. I’ve worked closely with a number of entrepreneurs, and I always try to steer them away from feeling that money will solve their problems. That’s actually never the case, but it’s a hard lesson to learn. For me, success has come with the persistent belief in the ideas I am bringing to fruition. There is always change, and going with change is important, but there is such a misunderstanding among the entrepreneurs I have talked to – there is too much focus on money solving problems. Money doesn’t actually solve any problems. Anyway, there are many people and situations along the way that can derail a great idea and it is especially in those times that it is sometimes sheer endurance and maintaining belief in oneself and the team that marks a company for its success.

EN: Do you foresee any drastic changes in internet technology during 2006?

DH: Whether this year or next, I think we’ll see some radical changes – I think in a human sense, the Internet as we have known it for the past 10 years, is going away. “When” is a good question.

EN: Describe an instance where an interviewee has really gotten your attention, and what it really takes to get your resume noticed.

DH: Something I read about Sir James Goldsmith some years back, probably in Vanity Fair, got my attention because his intelligence simply leapt through the print. I immediately went out and bought his book “The Trap,” and from there, it was simple to get his resume ;-) So the answer to the last part of your question is speak your truth and people will notice you.

EN: How can we use technology to get and keep people’s attention?

DH: I don’t think we can – at least, what keeps my attention has nothing to do with technology, and only to do with people.

EN: With our increasing access to “everything” via the internet, what do you believe we can’t find by tapping into the World Wide Web?

DH: I think it’s really hard to find what’s inside your heart by tapping into the web.


DAVID HAYDEN’S BIOGRAPHY

David Hayden is currently Chairman, CEO of Jeteye Technologies which he founded in early 2004.

Prior to this he was Executive Chairman of Critical Path, the company he founded in 1997, and came back to in 2001 to lead the company’s financial turnaround. Previously, he was President and Founder of Archipelago.net, a holding company investing in global technology, education, and ecology, which he founded in 1999.

Prior to Critical Path David was co-founder, chairman and CEO of Magellan, one of the Internet’s first leading search engines, which was sold to Excite in 1996.

Since 1996 David has served on many public, private and charitable boards, including E*Trade, Andale, and the GGNPA. He has been successfully backed by notable venture capital firms, given the keynote address at the World Bank’s Government Borrower’s Forum 2000, been quoted or featured in Forbes, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Red Herring and other leading publications, and is referenced in several successfully published books about entrepreneurs. David’s college degree is from Stanford in Political Science.

Dmitry Shapiro CEO Profile

Dmitry Shapiro, CEO Veoh Networks www.veoh.com


By Emily Nesselroad

Dmitry Shapiro is a recognized thought leader and visionary in electronic communications, peer-to-peer networking, online community, and computer security.

EN: Tell me a little about how you started Veoh - your inspiration for the company.

DS: Veoh has been an idea mulling around in my mind for quite some time. I have always felt a great desire to make an impact in the media space, as I firmly believe that media, specifically television, is the most powerful communications medium of all time. Because of this I believe that such a powerful medium should not be under the stringent control of a limited number of people (Television Networks, Cable/Satellite companies, etc.) Veoh was built to democratize television broadcasting, allowing anyone in the world with a computer and an Internet connection to become a television broadcaster. Veoh does for television what the World Wide Web did for print publishing, and just as profoundly Veoh will change everything in our lives, from entertainment to education to politics.

EN: As you see it, how does Veoh fit into the attention deficit workplace?

DS: Veoh is perhaps a poster child for attention deficit workplace. We are a company of many simultaneous projects, instant messaging, email, blackberries, treos, wikis, blogs, etc. Dealing with so much information is becoming more and more difficult and really understanding how to deal with these distractions becomes critical.

EN: There is great technology at your disposal to enhance the speed of communication, but do you ever feel burdened by it? How?

DS: All the time, but we live in a competitive society, so it is either embrace or die. I now find it difficult to get through a one hour meeting without having to field phone calls, instant messages, or urgent emails.

EN: You have spent a good part of your professional career in the tech world, what product/invention has revolutionized the way you do your job currently?

DS: Clearly the Internet has changed everything, but there are lots of other technologies that have become key as well. Blogs, RSS Readers, Blackberry, Verizon Wireless PCMCIA cards, etc.

EN: How do you think Veoh can be utilized in the professional world, outside of the television and film industry?

DS: Veoh will be used by political parties to reach their constituents on a continuous basis, able to deliver in depth discussion on platforms and agendas. Veoh will be utilized by industry to deliver pre-sales productorials as well as post sales video user guides. The applications for Veoh are as wide as the applications for the World Wide Web.

EN: What distinguishes your technology from Apple’s release of video and T.V. capabilities on iTunes?

DS: Veoh allows everyone in the world to broadcast FULL SCREEN TV-QUALITY video to the masses, without cost, without geographical restrictions, and without heavy handed regulations. Apple’s system is a directory for mostly short-form videos, which must still be served from user’s own servers. What this means is that if someone’s show becomes popular on Apple, the user will get a gigantic bill in the mail from their ISP, as all of the content comes from their servers. Veoh hosts large video files for broadcasters, eliminating this type of a situation. Veoh utilizes a proprietary P2P technology to make this possible.

EN: What do you want the public to know about Veoh?

DS: Veoh is the place where individuals as well as studios can broadcast their own TV Channel. Veoh has over 12,000 videos available for watching right now, and growing every hour. Veoh has enough videos to completely fill up your video iPod, free of charge. Veoh is working on making television a truly democratized medium, bringing diversity, choice, and truth to television. If successful, Veoh will change every part of our lives. In your opinion, what’s the next big thing in the future of communication technology? Teleportation. I am waiting for it with bated breath! On a more practical note, I am a big fan of Web 2.0 philosophies.

EN: What is one strategy that you use to sustain productivity, despite a ceaseless number of demands on your schedule?

DS: That’s a tough one, and I am not sure that I have mastered it yet. I find that I just work more, and have definitely learned to type much faster than I used to. Hiring an assistant is definitely a necessity. As an entrepreneur, you’ve experienced the highs and lows of starting your own companies, what factors have kept you motivated and positive?

1. This is as bad as it gets, so the future must be brighter
2. There’s got to be someone in the venture capital world that understands what I am doing.

EN: What advise would you give today’s attention deficit executive?

DS: Learn to interview, learn to delegate, trust the people that you hire, make tough decisions often, learn to type faster, learn to carry on 5 IM conversations simultaneously, stay away from golf as it will eat up all of your productive time, if money is available, take it. Don’t worry about Series A valuations or losing control of your company, it is not a baby it is a company, read blogs, write a blog, get an RSS reader, hire an assistant, use interns, believe in grassroots viral marketing. Once in a while, drink some alcohol or whatever else gets you relaxed, and reflect on how crazy your life is, and how much you actually enjoy this craziness. The day that you stop enjoying it, retire!


Dmitry Shapiro’s Official Bio:
Dmitry Shapiro is a world recognized thought leader and visionary in electronic communications, peer-to-peer networking, online community, and computer security. Mr. Shapiro is a frequent speaker at major technology and business events, and is widely quoted in the press, including InfoWorld, PCWorld, Computer World, eWeek, Internet World, and other publications.

Prior to founding Veoh Networks in 2004, Mr. Shapiro founded Akonix Systems, Inc. Under his vision and leadership, Akonix Systems pioneered the technologies that are now standard corporate requirements for IM and P2P management.

Prior to founding Akonix, Mr. Shapiro led technology development for CollegeClub.com, at that time the world's largest community of college students, which provided innovative real-time communications to its community of over four million users.

Before CollegeClub.com, Mr. Shapiro led the Internet technology group at Fujitsu Business Communication Systems and was a key player in Fujitsu's systems engineering team.

He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

In his spare time, Mr. Shapiro is a hobbyist videographer, activist, and philanthropist.

CEO Profiles With The Most Effective CEOs Thriving in Today's Attention Deficit Workplace

DAVE ALBERGA, CEO
The Active Network, Inc.

Despite his chaotic schedule and endless number of responsibilities, Dave Alberga’s friendly disposition and quick and enthusiastic sense of humor are anything but typical for an executive in today's Attention Deficit Workplace.

Emily Nesselroad, Chief Editor of The Attention Deficit Times, recently caught up with the CEO of Inc. Magazine’s 99th fastest growing company on the Inc. 500 list -- The Active Network, Inc. (http://www.theactivenetwork.com/) a software, marketing and registration powerhouse based in San Diego, CA.

Emily Nesselroad (EN): What advice would you give today’s attention deficit executives?

Dave Alberga (DA): Unplug if you can. Getting access to greater technology and thus information faster and more readily, in some respects, has been really positive. It has also led to an environment where it’s very difficult to unplug oneself, where you’re kind of deluged with more and more information every day on a real time basis. The result is, it’s really hard to be productive because you’re always in reactive mode to what’s coming across your Blackberry, email, voicemail, Skype or your instant messenger. I’ve found myself getting caught up in the whole cycle where I am waiting for the next email to come in, just trying to keep my head above water. The fact is that you can spend a whole day responding and realize you haven’t pushed the business forward at all.

EN: Is there a solution?

DA: My advice is, unplug, close your email, and don’t answer your calls for certain parts of your day. Get yourself out of your email, and schedule times of the day when you’re actually going to respond to email, listen to voice mail, and return phone calls. I personally make good use of my assistant. She schedules phone calls for me so that I’m not spending all my time volleying back and forth trying to get calls scheduled or trying to respond to emails.

Emily: It is often easy to lose track of whom and what is truly important in our life. How do you maintain quality relationships in both your personal and work life?

DA: Yeah, I don’t. Basically, I fail at that. You know, I say that only “half-kiddingly.” My feeling is that anyone in a leadership position gives up a certain amount of personal time, and time for personal relationships. It’s a matter of managing my time, and I’m not great at it. But the fact is, the demands of the job are pretty high. So, that puts demand not just on me, but on my family as well.

Emily: Does your work creep into your weekend?

DA: All the time. I have to plan well to avoid it. Because if I don’t, once again, I’m going to get caught up in response mode. It’s next to impossible not to respond to all of the data we’re deluged with because of modern technology. You have to step back, and take the time to think about how you are responding. And so, my feeling is, once again, you’ve got to put the Blackberry away on certain weekend days. It also a sign of respect for the people in your life that you love. If you turn the Blackberry off, you clearly communicate to your family that they are the most important people in your life. That said, we live in a 24/7 work world, and with that comes certain levels of urgency, so I’m not saying to go dark for the whole weekend, just try to put it away for part of the time.

EN: What is one strategy that you use to sustain productivity, despite a ceaseless number of demands on your schedule?

DA: Goal setting. Taking the time to actually write down goals for a month, quarter or a year for the company. I tend to work in shorter terms than a year, I kind of look at things over the course of weeks and months. And then lists - just making a lot of lists, to-do lists. And getting things checked off of that list. If you make a list in the morning, or at the end of the day for the next day, at least you’ve got something staring you in the face all day that really matters as to what’s critical for the business.

EN: Do you make that list on a spreadsheet, like Excel, or do you use the old fashioned steno book?

DA: It depends; sometimes I put it into my Task Manager in Outlook. Most of the time, I just do it on a legal pad.

EN: Would you ever throw out a list?

DA: You know, it’s not a matter of throwing out a list. I’d throw it out after it’s done, because I obliterate my lists. I tend to cross things out to the point where they’re not readable anymore.

EN: The scorched-to-do-list sense of accomplishment?

DA: Yeah, the tattered remains go in the trash.

EN: What kind of technology do you utilize most often?

DA: I’ve got a Blackberry, for me a Blackberry is fundamentally for email. So I have a Blackberry, my desktop email and separate cell phones. I don’t really like the phone function of the Blackberry, so I walk around like a jackass with two phones.

EN: Anything else?

DA: I have a separate cell phone and a laptop computer that goes with me most places. Those are the things I rely upon most; cell phone, Blackberry, laptop. What technology really gives you is access to more data at your fingertips, which in some respects is a time suck. And so, you know, I don’t know whether it saves me time or not. It certainly keeps me more attuned to what’s going on and allows us to be much faster in reacting to needs of the business. I’ve yet to decide whether or not the business would be growing faster or slower if I didn’t have a Blackberry.

EN: And how have your time management strategies changed since Active became a cash positive company?

DA: Significantly. It’s a big difference.

EN: And from a “now-profitable perspective” your management of time has changed how exactly?

DA: I’m now spending more time thinking beyond this month or this week. We’ve had the luxury of being able to hire back a level of middle management folks to help run day-to-day operations, so my senior guys are doing less and less day-to-day operations and more actual thinking about where the company should be next year and the year after. And that’s exactly the same for me. So profitability has given us the leeway to hire great middle-level and senior middle-level management to run day-to-day business. It also gives us time to actually think somewhat strategically about the business, even though we’re still pretty tactical.EN: As a manager dealing with many different types of people, how do you deal with an employee who gets bogged down in the attention deficit workplace? DA: I’d say doing some structured goal setting so they know what they’ve accomplished. Get thinking beyond what you have to respond to today, and the bigger picture. They probably suffer from the same things that I do. The best thing is work with your team and managers to set clear, trackable goals.

EN: As an entrepreneur, you’ve experienced the highs and lows of starting your own companies, what factors have kept you motivated and positive?

Dave: My team – it’s all about the team. Recruiting and retaining a team of folks you want to spend your time with. I have an overriding desire to deliver to people who have invested time, money, effort into the company. Whether it’s Investors, board members, or team members, I just don’t want to let them down. Nothing gets done unless you will it to happen. It helps to have the active environment and flexible hours when it comes to stress management. The majority of the team is active, and living an athletic lifestyle. Our team at Active is pretty inspiring.

EN: How have you seen an office romance add to the attention deficit workplace?

DA: Office romance has to be taken on a case-by-case basis. Who’s involved, in what capacity and proximity to those involved at work. It’s silly to suggest that you can have an absolute rule against office romance with the average age of our team, and the considerable amount of time we spend together. That said, there should be rules around proximity and how it manifests itself. i.e. I would view an intradepartmental relationship differently than a romance between folks in different parts of the operation. If it’s a healthy relationship and it doesn’t get in the way, it’s really hard to mandate social behavior.

EN: what do you do in your spare time?

DA: I don’t have much spare time, but much of the time that I do have is spent with my wife and my two daughters. I spend a lot less time on the bike, running, and climbing than I used to – but it’s definitely a worthwhile sacrifice.

END

The Active Network, Inc., is:

• Top 100 fastest-growing private businesses in America (ranked 99 by Inc. Magazine)
• 15th fastest-growing technology company in North America (Fast 500 by Deloitte & Touche)
• Leading online community for active lifestyle consumers
• San Diego’s top ten fastest-growing technology companies (Ranked 8th by Deloitte & Touche)
• Marketing services business was ranked among top ten fastest-growing promotions agencies in the U.S. (PROMO magazine)

Dave Alberga’s Official Bio:

Dave Alberga is chief executive officer for The Active Network, Inc., a leading provider of application services technology and marketing access to community service organizations and the leading online community for active lifestyle consumers. Under Alberga’s direction, The Active Network now serves a customer base that includes local governments, park and recreation, golf courses, non-profits, sports organizations and associations, educational and healthcare organizations, and consumer products corporations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to The Active Network, Alberga spent three years in operations for TicketmasterOnline CitySearch (NASDAQ: TMCS), a leading portal and transaction company. In his three years at TMCS, his initial role as general manager of established markets for CitySearch City Guides was expanded to executive vice president and then, Chief Operating Officer. TMCS career highlights include successfully leading local management teams in 35 markets, while overseeing operating and reporting procedures for each field organization, and participating in raising private and public equity for CitySearch.

Alberga has also held a number of senior management positions with diverse, technology-based companies, such as Linear Technology, a leading analog semiconductor manufacturer, and Silicon Valley Technology, Inc. He brings strong management consulting and brand management expertise from his work with the Boston Consulting Group and Procter & Gamble.
Alberga holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts from Stanford University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Alberga is also a board member of Running USA, a national non-profit trade organization dedicated to improving the status of road racing and long distance running in the United States.

The Official Attention Deficit Workplace Website

Please click the following link to visit the official Attention Deficit Workplace website.

A Sample Chapter: "The Office Romance"

In Early 2000, I traveled to Westminster, Colorado, with several members of Active’s senior management team. We were there for a tour of the company we recently acquired, LeagueLink.com, servicing Little Leagues and other team sports. Jon Belmonte, one of the LeagueLink.com’s quirky founders, assembled his staff of 40 in a conference room and introduced us to everyone.

After introductory comments, he then asked another: “How many people are related to someone else in this room?” The other half of the room raised their hands. This was a very, very tight-knit company, I thought.

As a self-professed workaholic, I see the basic logic in workplace romance, but I’ve also seen its downside. Cupid’s arrow can strike an emotional bull’s-eye or cause a gaping wound. Workplace romances aren’t a distraction so long as they bring with them harmony and remain positive. When they turn tumultuous, a lovers’ quarrel can affect the morale of entire divisions of companies. This is why people often frown upon workplace romances.

Then there’s sex....

To read more of this chapter, please visit the official Attention Deficit Workplace website.

A Sample Chapter: "Pay Attention to the Details of Communication"

One of my friends had a girlfriend with a Hotmail e-mail account. He set up a new e-mail account and the name he selected was an exact duplicate of her name except with one letter missing. He then sent an e-mail to another person with whom he suspected she was having an affair. He simply sent one sentence on her behalf, “Hey Richard, my computer just crashed and I deleted all your e-mails from the past year, so can you send me them because I want to keep them?” Guess what happened? Sure enough, what came back in the e-mail was heartbreaking electronic documentation that confirmed his suspicions that she had been unfaithful.

With instant messaging and e-mail, the game of intentional mistaken identity looms large over both the work and personal landscape. I met a venture capitalist whose company did not have the exact web address that his company’s name would logically own, and he said that the other “Frank” at the company, who actually owned the web address was receiving tons of unsolicited business plans. The VC’s response: “Good. I could never read them all, anyway.”

Lesson: When someone contacts you for the first time, always confirm it is indeed the person he or she claims to be. And always be very careful of the reply button, because some e-mail programs make it easy to confuse “reply” with “reply all.”

Testimonials & Press

The Attention-Deficit Workplace
Winning Strategies for Success in Today’s Fast-Paced Business Environment

“The pre-eminent playbook for thriving and winning in the turbo-charged world of 24/7 companies.”
— Jonathon Spalter

Based on the author's experience as a business leader, lecturer and e-commerce pioneer, here’s an important book that offers smart, timely advice on how to succeed in today's workplace.

Today’s executive is like a sprinter poised at the beginning of the race. He or she sends an e-mail, takes a speakerphone conference call, signs a contract to close a deal, practicing the balance of office yoga, all the while nursing a morning latte gone cold. These simultaneous demands placed on the executive are an inevitable part of managerial life that can lead to either stress or success.

So how does one effectively manage these competing demands in the attention-deficit workplace? The answer can be found in the highly informative and entertaining book, THE ATTENTION-DEFICIT WORKPLACE (THE LYONS PRESS, JUNE 2005), which offers over 50 experience-based parables and lessons. The topics covered are essential for working executives and managers, home-based business owners, job-seekers and even people who never have to work again.

Chapters include:

• How to persuade others to accept and implement your ideas.
• How to handle office romances.
• How to manage your personal "ATM" (Attention Time Machine).
• How to make multitasking more effective.
• How to handle office nuisances such as "spam people."
• How to get your resume noticed.
• How to manage the daily onslaught of e-mails.
• How to avoid stress and workplace conflict.
• How to make multitasking work more effectively for you.

The author, Mitch Thrower, takes readers on a breezy, insightful journey filled with lessons on how to successfully navigate the attention-deficit maze that is so familiar in today’s workplace. Growing up in Westport, Connecticut, he learned firsthand from his father who was a television pioneer and president of WPIX TV in New York City, and his mother who was one of Jacqueline Kennedy’s executive assistants in New York City, the importance of time and attention management. In the span of just one decade after finishing college, Thrower founded and later sold a student travel business, became an owner of Triathlete magazine, and was co-founder of The Active Network, Inc., (Active.com) which is the world’s largest sports software, marketing and commerce service provider. Active.com was named Inc.’s 99th fastest growing company in 2004 and now employs over 300 people. Thrower is also a fourteen-time Ironman Triathlon finisher. Thrower shares with readers his experiences, business know-how, mistakes made, and lessons learned in this valuable book.

Contact Us

Mitch Thrower
Author
P.O. Box 1201
La Jolla, CA 92038-1201
(858)551-1728
mitch@attentiondeficitworkplace.com
www.attentiondeficitworkplace.com

Publisher
Lyons Press / Globe Pequot Press
246 Goose Lane
P.O. Box 480
Guilford, CT 06437
Vendor, Bulk, University and Corporate Sales, Contact: michelle.brown@globe-pequot.com
Press Contact: gwen.forrest@globepequot.com

Main Phone Number: (203)458-4500
Customer Service Phone: 1-888-249-7586
Customer Service Fax: 1-800-820-232

Welcome to our FREE monthly newsletter “The Attention Deficit Times”

Welcome to our FREE monthly newsletter “The Attention Deficit Times,” which reveals new secrets and strategies, along with a brief and insightful profile of a Top Manager revealing his or her insights into today’sfast-paced workplace.

Here’s a sample chapter from The Attention Deficit Workplace… “The Office Romance.” An excerpt… “Then there’s sex. You can’t prohibit sex from consenting partners who are colleagues. (Will we ever see a new hit television series called Desperate Wives in Business Development?) Think about it. Being in close proximity with the opposite sex eight hours a day is probably more time than one will spend with one’s spouse. There’s even a term for female assistants to male bosses; they’re called……” (more…)

Be sure to order your signed copy, or a gift copy, of the book, and remember, you can order it at your local bookstore or directly from Amazon.

The Attention Deficit Workplace by Mitch Thrower – Book Reviews

Reviews from Amazon.com

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Fast and focused!, December 8, 2005
Reviewer: Angus Wilson - [5 of 5 Stars]

I had the pleasure of seeing Mitch lecture at the Stanford Business School. This book was a great follow-up to his inspirational discussion of athletics and entrepreneurship - now I know how he did it all. I am armed and ready for the work place with the nuggets of wisdom and time management tips that Mitch has sprinkled throughout - a great, fast read!

Fast-Paced Book for Fast-Paced World, December 8, 2005
Reviewer: Wesley Hein - [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

I'd love to have the time to read more business books. Heck read more books in general. Mitch's book is great because it packs a tremendous amount of useful information into an easy, enjoyable and quick read. The lessons that I apply to my daily work life are too numerous to list hear but suffice to say a worthy read.

Spread the word about ADD!, November 30, 2005
Reviewer: Rep Roy Baldwin (Lancaster, PA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

"This book offers honest yet humorous stories that are all too familiar in my workplace. I even assigned my staff to read it, and it has helped us all a great deal, from managing the constant stress of mega-multi-tasking to dealing with the constant onslaught of emails. I highly recommend this book to you and your staff!"
Written by State Rep. Roy Baldwin

A Refreshing Approach, November 30, 2005
Reviewer: Mark Willoughby (San Diego, CA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

Not only have I had the privilege of reading Mitch's book, but also that of seeing him speak on multiple occasions. His bold, progressive approach to life is refreshing, and he understands how to project his motivation and focus onto the reader. This book provides insight into simplifying & improving many facets of personal and professional life. It is a very easy read, and Mitch has a sense of humor that relates his concepts to all types of people.

Travis Smith, November 29, 2005
Reviewer: Travis Smith – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

Mitch is truly an amazing business and athletic superstar. I enjoyed every aspect of his book and recommend it to anyone that plans on doing well in this game they call life. I might even read this book again after reading it cover to cover in 2 days. Thanks Mitch, hope to see in a lecture format in the future.

Chris Carlesimo, November 29, 2005
Reviewer: Chris Carlesimo – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

I first learned of Mitch when he came and spoke to our class. He was an amazing speaker and motivator. His book was just as great as he was in person. It is extremely relevant for today's business world and helps you grasp certain concepts you will encounter in your workplace. I would definately recommend reading it.

Very interesting!, November 29, 2005
Reviewer: Brittany Huartson "I am an entrepreneur" (San Diego,CA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

It was definitely a good read. I really makes you think about the work atmosphere and how things operate. If you want to be successful in the business world I would definitely recommend this book.

Intriguing and Useful November 29, 2005
Reviewer: Derek Lancaster (San Diego, CA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

The thing I loved most about The Attention Deficit Workplace is its applicability to real-life situations. If your a student or a business person, you will use and benefit from the many lessons and principles from this book.

A Must Read, November 28, 2005
Reviewer: Brenden Nakata – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

This book is definitely a must read to help one excel in our ever changing society. The book describes ways to deal with time management, which will help one to excel, whereas others might flounder and not be as productive.

November 27, 2005
Reviewer: Moulika Heng (San Diego) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

This book is written in a way that entertains and instructs without putting you to sleep. It includes funny but true situations that most people can relate to. It's definitely not your conventional, monotonous business guide...it's one that brings up issues in the workplace that are mostly overlooked.

Wonderful Tool for Success, November 26, 2005
Reviewer: Erin Shaw "Erin" (San Diego, CA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

This book is a wonderful tool for success. Mitch walks the reader through a huge variety of different work place problems or errors and helps you to understand how to solve them in order to be more efficient and successful in the workplace. The thing I loved about this book was the way it was written. Each problem/issue is its own chapter and each chapter is only about a page long. This makes it easy to read, and it keeps your attention. It also makes it easy to put down and come back to. I would recommend this book to anyone- even if they are already a successful business person.

The Attention Deficit Workplace: Winning Strategies for Success in Today's Fast-Paced Business Environment, November 26, 2005
Reviewer: Jeffrey B. Viers "My Loan Coach" (St Louis, MO USA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

Mitch Thrower has put together nuggets of truth and insight to help you bring wisdom to all areas of your business & personal life. This book presents and discusses issues, gives a short story to clarify and define then offers a lesson to learn.

If you are caught up in business you need to read this for clear and concise strategies from a champion.

Brilliant, November 21, 2005
Reviewer: Andreas Thogersen – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

The book is an excellent guide in how to manage your time.
It is well written, easy read, and contains funny stories we all can relate to.

Devotional Format, November 21, 2005
Reviewer: Thomas C. Cathey - [Rating: 4 of 5 Stars]

One of the things that really communicate Thrower's understanding about how attention deficient we really are is the format he chose to write his book in. Studies show that people are more likely to read an article if it is formatted into narrow columns and small paragraphs. The same can be said for books that are broken in to very small chapters. It makes sense to say that we are more inclined to open a book up and read it if we can finish a section in five minute increments. We love the closure of finishing a chapter and that is what this format allows.

Excellent Book for a Student, November 21, 2005
Reviewer: Christian DeBlis (San Diego, CA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

I found this book to be very worth-while. The author's style was concise but also entertaining.

It's the kind of book that you can read in a weekend, but would be useful to refer back to. I've already lent it to my brother and my girlfriend, and they both enjoyed it. I've met Mitch a few times, and his enthusiasm for life and success are unparalleled.

The Attention Deficit Workplace: Winning Strategies for Success in Today's Fast-Paced Business Environment, November 19, 2005
Reviewer: Dan "Dan" (California) – [Rating: 4 of 5 Stars]

This is a very interesting, well thought out book. There are many short stories that keep your interest and the advice given in each story is very useful. You can read it one story at a time and don't have to feel compelled to read it all right away. A good buy.

The Attention Deficit Workplace -- a collection of gems, November 16, 2005
Reviewer: Scott W. Kunkel "Scott Kunkel, Ph.D." (San Diego, CA USA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

The Attention Deficit Workplace by Mitch Thrower is not just a gem -- it is a collection of gems. Written as a series of one or two page vignettes with a moral for each, this book is equally worthwhile read straight through in a few hours or read one or two vignettes per day over months. It can be a truly life-changing book of the calabre of Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. A must read for those just starting in the business world to those in mid-career fighting to get everything into a 24 hour day.

A "Mustread", November 11, 2005
Reviewer: Kai Baumgartner "kaihawaii" (Kailua-Kona, HI USA) – [Rating: 4 of 5 Stars]

A book with on-point statements and parables that every business man in fast-paced business environment knows well or should have read and consider.

A Very Strong Read, November 11, 2005
Reviewer: Michael J. Reilly "Ironman Voice" (San Diego) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

The Attention Deficit Workplace nails it. It is a short, concise but powerful insight to common pitfalls in today's corporate work environment. It's a must read for any new young employee embarking on their career path in this environment. It will help you avoid common mistakes that lead to unproductive behavior. Mitch Thrower writes this book as if he is talking to you face to face and gives you quick solutions to practice daily. It's constantly on my desk to use as a workbook.

We live this life.... this is me (us) in a mirror, September 29, 2005
Reviewer: John H. Sexton "John Sexton" (Newport Beach, CA United States) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

I've been a fan of Mitch's "Starting Lines" column in Triathlete Magazine for years. He has a way of capturing the essence of what it means to be in motion and to be alive that resonates with me every month. As I was taken to a Board Meeting this week, I watched our driver as she handled her cell phone, changed lanes in her SUV, and talked to me about another subject all at the same time. We joked about this life we lead. Not all of us (me included at this point in my life) are going to climb to the top of some Entrepreneurial Corporate ladder. But, most of us are juggling an incredible amount of data, relationships, tasks, and pressure. And, have forgotten how to say no or just slow down and be in the present. Mitch offers tip after tip about how to deal with all this in an interesting and readable way. If the title doesn't resonate with you, you're lucky and may not learn anything from this book. Otherwise, it's a great read.

Words of Wisdom for Everyone, July 20, 2005
Reviewer: Cherie Gruenfeld – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

This book is packed full of gems of wisdom, each supported by wonderful life stories. Every page is fun reading.

Mitch Thrower- a.k.a. SUPERMAN, July 14, 2005
Reviewer: Andrew J. Baldwin – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

Mitch Thrower does more in one day than most people do in a month. But what is most important is that he does it with a smile on his face, and influences so many people positively along the way. This man is the master of leading a balanced life in the midst of a high stress, fast-paced business environment. The world has changed tremendously over the past ten years with the advent of the "wireless age." Conventional wisdom no longer applies. We need a new chapter on how to survive in this globally connected world. Mitch Thrower has provided us with this in his book, The Attention Deficit Workplace, Mitch shares with us through some real life examples, how he has been able to achieve all of his successes. Definitely a must read!

Impressive Lessons Overlooked In Most Business Schools About TODAY's Workplace, July 11, 2005
Reviewer: J. P Panas "Health Guy" – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

The book is a lot of fun to read. The author explains interesting concepts very well with personal examples and solid lessons. Because of his clever and clear writing style, anyone should be able to understand and implement his valuable advice.

I decided to give his many of his lessons a try and they actually work!

I really enjoyed this book.

Excellent snapshots on how to improve your habits!, July 5, 2005

Reviewer: C. Riggs – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

Mitch Thrower has put together an excellent collection of time-saving and attention refocusing examples and lessons. As I read this book, I could easily see the logic and value in his lessons and examples.

I have found that I can read one chapter and then focus my attention on its subject for several days, working to hone and improve my efforts in that area alone. This book can really help you to get better control of your valuable time- and due to that, it will stay on the top of my desk as a reference tool.

Overall, there is much to learn in this book and I highly recommend it.

Reviews from Yahoo! Shopping

Attention-Deficit Workplace: RECOMMEND
November 25, 2005

Reviewer: grats_sd – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

Pros: Easy to read and understand. Author makes his point and ideas clear

Cons: You will wonder in what other life topics Mitch Thrower can give you advoce

If you feel that the steps you are taking to pursue your business career are failing, consider reading this book. This book covers topics that all of us today can relate to at all levels of employment. He keeps his content simple and to the point. Truly recommend to any person interested in improving their life style.

Reviews from Target.com

Intriguing and very useful, November 29, 2005

Reviewer: Derek Lancaster (San Diego, CA) – [Rating: 5 of 5 Stars]

The thing I loved most about The Attention Deficit Workplace is its applicability to real-life situations. If your a student or a business person, you will use and benefit from the many lessons and principles from this book.

Reviews from Barnes & Noble

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Jeff Viers, My Loan Coach, December 5, 2005 [5 of 5 Stars]
Managing Your Distractions

Mitch Thrower has presented here clear concise examples of your business environment, tells you a story to make you understand the context and provides his solution or lesson learned. Champions are always honing their edge, Mitch is sharp!

Rita, A reviewer, November 11, 2005 [5 of 5 Stars]
I REALLY liked this book!

This book not only has great stories and tips, and it really made me laugh! You can relate to each situation in the book vicariously, and at the same time is such a valuable read. I actually read it twice!

A Reviewer, November 11, 2005 [5 of 5 Stars]
Insightful and Inspiring

Not only did I enjoy this quick, humorous read, I have applied some of the strategies from the book in my “personal attention deficit workplace” and seen surprising results. It transforms the daily grind against the clock into a powerfully motivating reminder that you can manage your schedule to maximize productivity and profits. This book is a small investment for a life changing return.