Can I Get an S? Can I Get an M? Can I Get an X?

by Paul O'Brien / Thursday, 02 October 2008 / Published in Conferences / Events, Insights / Research, Search

Is that grammatically correct? If S is a consonant, should it be “Can I Get a S?” an S?

Who’s going? I couldn’t be more excited; the conference is expecting over 2,000 search marketing professionals, agencies, and marketers and I haven’t been to NYC in some time. Monday through Wednesday next week, the industry converges on New York’s Javits Convention Center to yell, “No Jon Swallen, Search is not my ‘Ugly Cousin’ Her name is Telemarketer.” (Those do-not-call lists aren’t working for me, am I doing something wrong?)

Keynotes include Bill Tancer and Google’s Tim Armstrong giving us a chance to get more insider tips on the skunk works that is Google AdWords. I’m looking forward most to the Local Search discussion featuring Mike Blumenthal, Steve Espinosa, Craig Greenfield, Eric Stein (no blog Eric?), and Tony Wright. Hosted by Greg Sterling, we have an exceptional panel that I hope (no! expect darnit!) makes mention of one minor, recent announcement in particular. Second, only to the Local Search panel, is a session on search dedicated to Retail. With Vintage Tub & Bath’s Allan Dick wrangling Vic Dabricky, Greg Hintz, Ken Jurina, and Stephan Spencer (with whom I’m still fascinated by the fact that their entire website, I believe, is actually a blog). I expect to hear that great news mentioned again 😉 as there is no better opportunity for retailers this holiday season! (tell me I’m wrong) Let alone a very interesting (if that’s the right word) session on Search Marketing For Newspapers & Magazines and another on Search & Branding; and that’s just the first day!

Squeeze in to that Searchbash, and a song AND dance I’ll be doing at 1 from the show floor on Tuesday, and you have the makings of what might be the year’s best search marketing conference. They even dabbled in that old fashioned, print marketing world to promote this thing! (*shudder* risky I know… how are they tracking ROI?!) I’ve got a booth on the floor so grab a map and come say hello or I hope to catch you at one of the networking events – drinks are on… well… I don’t know? Danny?

Related Questions

Why do cities fail to develop local venture capital?

Because venture capital manifests for opportunity; it doesn't respond to programs designed to serve founders. Cities that want more local VC need to produce the deal flow, exit track record, and co-investment conditions that make a region worth allocating to. Asking VCs to "come support our startups" is the wrong frame entirely.

Should governments fund IaaS for startup ecosystems the same way they fund roads?

That's the argument Paul makes directly. A city's economic development office asking whether founders can find the right mentors, connect with the right investors, and access the right deal flow infrastructure is asking whether the city has invested in ecosystem infrastructure, not whether it has hosted pitch competitions. Governments underwriting purpose-built ecosystem infrastructure would produce better outcomes than funding another cohort of another accelerator running on ad hoc tools.

Why do ecosystem builders focus on the wrong things?

Because what's visible is not what's causal. Event attendance, media coverage, and accelerator cohort size are easy to count. What actually drives ecosystems (trust networks, capital recycling, sector-specific talent density) is harder to measure and even harder to claim credit for.

Can a region be great for small businesses but bad for startups?

Absolutely, and this is common. Strong main street economies, low cost of living, and good quality of life attract lifestyle businesses and remote workers. None of those factors necessarily produce venture-scale deal flow. The conditions that create great places to live are not the same conditions that create great startup ecosystems.

Can entrepreneurship be taught?

The personality traits that define an entrepreneur (risk tolerance, creative disruption, compulsion to act) cannot be taught. Business can be taught. Marketing, finance, and operations can be taught. But the intrinsic drive that makes someone entrepreneurial is closer to personality wiring than skill development. Universities offering degrees in entrepreneurship are largely teaching business with a startup aesthetic, which has value, but calling it entrepreneurship education is misleading.