Moderated a terrific CFO/Executive Finance Roundtable today for TechAmerica, with presenters by senior partners at Moss Adams.  The Topic...Upcoming changes to expect from Healthcare reform and the impact to individuals/companies bottom lines.  The take away...be afraid...be very afraid.

Started the day early (5:30 am) to attend at 7:00 am Executive Board meeting at my company TechAmerica. We're a non-profit High-Tech Trade Association advancing the cause of technology and innovation across the country. We are primarily driven by volunteers and committees from member companies in the area who are passionate about technology. Software/Hardware, Internet, Cloud Computing, Chips, Telecom, Networks, BioTech, you name it...our membership represents the best of all sectors in the technology space.

I am head of the Orange County Council (19 councils total across the country). I manage one staffer, 7 committees, around 30 volunteers and approximately 40 annual events/roundtables. In addition, I manage all of our PR, marketing and business development efforts, so cultivating new business while managing/growing existing relationships. It’s fascinating and a privilege to work with executives in the business community...they are so passionate about what they do. And what's most interesting, NONE of them are in it for the money...they do it because they love it. They thrive on technology, and asking the question "What's next?" And I think we can all learn a lesson from them....as the saying goes...

Happiness brings success...Not the other way around!

I am very lucky to be in this position. I am working with pioneers in technology, and learning so much about what it takes to be successful in business, and in life. Do what makes you happy, help others...and the rest will fall into place.

SO many ideas for new 'creative' projects. The hardest part?,,,getting started. Here's a brief synopsis of some of the ideas I've started, or are still floating around in my head.

Book concepts - 2
Song concepts - 6
Fundraising concepts - 3
Cartoon/Comic Book concepts - 4
TV Show concepts - 6
Business concepts - 2

So how do you put legs on concepts. There are no rule books, no maps, no guides. All you have is your gut, and MAYBE an example to follow by someone who's travelled the path before. Even that does not free up the time you need, or put the funding you need in your pocket, so how/where to start. How does something go from your head, to paper, to market, to bank, if you don't have the time, connections or relationships.

Gene Simmons LOVES to tout how he has all these projects in the works, and how HE made them all happen and nobody helped in, he makes the calls, he gets the appointments, and that if he could do it you could too. Great words, and all true, the problem and difference is if you HAVE a name people recognize, if you HAVE an established brand or track-record, of COURSE people are going to take your call, and take your meeting. the problem is 99% of the rest of us don't.

The moral of the story...? NONE, just venting/whining. Have a great weekend everyone.

A busy day at the office in store.  My 'to-do' list has 21 items on it...some big, some small.  We shall see!

After a great couple of days with meetings, in the office today hoping to plow through a lot of pending projects/work.  One of the items we're working on is a Podcast of some of our member company CEO's.  Recorded one the other day, and I have to say, one of the real joys of my current position is talking to and working with people who are so passionate about what they do.  Listening to these business leaders describe their vision and passion is truly inspiring, and is something we all should aspire to.

Morale of the story, best told by David Frost..."Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally"

Started at 9:00 with a client meeting/presentation, then back to the office at 10:00 for a committee meeting, then back out for a lunch meeting with an important law firm/client. Meeting lots of great, important new people in this position.

Growing and nurturing a robust, engaged network is so critical to success!