Stay tuned for upcoming events by following our calendar at CONEXION.

However, I believe those factors are more symptoms than the root cause, and the infographic alludes to that idea. The real problem? Intellectual capital (or the lack there of). This is the brainpower provided by a person or persons who know your industry better than you do; they know the who, the what and the when of things, and they sometimes have access to key figures to plug-in to. They see your business from a different perspective and could even provide you with an advantage over your competitors.

As you look at the infographic below, think of your business and the pains that afflict you, and then think of who specifically would best solve that problem, their skill set, is it a consultant, and MBA, a SCORE mentor perhaps? Think of that person and don’t limit yourself by money, or as Harish R. Rao says: “pay enough so that money isn’t an issue, then give high recognition, autonomy, and the opportunity to learn and grow,” and watch your team excel. The right person, after all, could be the catalyst for growth in your business and thus worth the investment.

Folks, we as entrepreneurs need to stop trying to do it all ourselves and instead need to hire, outsource, or create partnerships – in other words; delegate to the right people!

As a former triathlete now turned Chubsy-ubsy, I find myself looking for time, motivation, and a simpler way to keep healthy.  My priority these days is my business and time is a luxury I don’t have, yet. Where I once ran 50 miles per week, I now walk the dog twice per day while handling business calls. Perhaps there is a smarter way to integrate fitness with business. Any ideas?

In any case, I wish all of you health, happiness, focus and inspiration in the New Year.

But like in any team environment (business, sport, or other), the success of the group is measured by their execution of the strategy or plan. And because a plan is a set of ideas, it is easy to surmise that in order to have a great team, one must first develop a team that creates, or births, many ideas.

I call my concept for fostering such team; SUN, and here’s the gist:

• Share. Let’s face it; until an idea is shared with the world it has neither the potential of being a success or failure, and as such it’s meaningless. Creating an environment where it’s safe to share basic or elaborate ideas is super important. No judgment, no criticism, no rules. Having your ideas heard and accepted gives everyone a sense of value and worth, it invites others to share, and it perpetuates the very essence of the process.
• Understand. Rather than jump to conclusions on why an idea won’t work, it is imperative to see it from multiple perspectives. Before anyone pokes holes in the idea or provides feedback, the team should articulate the concept back to the originator to ensure they are on the same page. Feeding an idea back can also lead to positive escalation of the initial thought.
• Nourish. Last, but equally important, the leader and the team must give ideas the necessary space and resources to become something – or become nothing. Remember the old adage; “some of the world’s best ideas have come from the world’s worst ideas.”

Some ideas are ahead of their time, and others have created new businesses, new industries and even new economies – but we only know this because the initial ideas were allowed to take hold and were properly cultivated.

Treat people like gold, and eventually they and their ideas will turn into gold.

Thanks for reading, this was my bit of gold gift to you for the holidays

The event was on its last eve of four full days, and it had taken place in some of the most posh venues around the Miami area. However, the highlight and lesson in this post took place in a much more modest venue – it happened in the men’s restroom. Working the towels, soap and gum dispensers was a figure I always imagined my grandfather to look like, had I met him. He had wrinkles so distinct across his face from left to right, you’d swear they were painted on. He was 72 years young Orlando, and his happy and proud demeanor told you he was honored to be doing his job.

As it’s my habit, I asked if the bosses were treating him right. He responded with a resounding; “de maravilla,” which loosely translates to “marvelous.” We struck up a conversation, and here’s where he captured my imagination; he told me he had recently arrived on a raft from Cuba. Orlando and twelve others had floated across the Atlantic Ocean for 13 days (and nights) with no more than the clothes on their backs.

I can’t even begin to describe how nervous the idea of being out to sea at night in a raft makes me – let alone having my grandfather out there for two weeks. Obviously I gave myself the freedom to be moved by this stranger, but then realized something very powerful; the injustice isn’t solely that a man at 72 would be forced to flee his native Cuba in a raft seeking a better life. An equally grave injustice is when those of us living right here with all of the tools at our disposal choose to do just enough to get by instead of aspiring for greatness. We possess many abilities and our opportunities are many – the question is; are we ready to do what it takes to make our dreams a reality? A desire that apparently does not subside, even at age 72. Perhaps some of us have it too easy…

For me, since meeting Orlando I am more committed to creating economic and social change for those who don’t have my opportunities. They are my destination, and entrepreneurship is my raft.

Thanks for reading – now get out there and let’s do more, be more!

Whenever crime stories are on the news I often cringe and cross my fingers in hopes that it’s not a Latino perpetrator. It makes me think of the village idiot who gives everyone in town a bad name, and in our case, eclipsing all the positive things that ARE going on, which of course hardly ever gets coverage. But, I digress.

Like many of you, I’ve always wanted mass-media to paint Latinos with a different brush. I mean, we’re not only the leaf-blower or the maid who watches novelas, and we’re definitely not all in gangs or the drug-dealers you see on TV. So, who are we?

Having just returned from the #Latism conference in Chicago, I am renewed with excitement about who we are and who we are becoming, and damn it! enough with the stereotypes. We are intellectuals who blog, MBAs, doctors, professors, reporters, scientists, CPAs, judges, lawyers, astronauts — even Supreme Justices. Many of us are well traveled, bilingual, and at times, multi-lingual. In the USA, we ARE the source of future innovation, intellectual wealth, today’s workforce and tomorrow’s Fortune-500 leaders. Most importantly, we are poised to take our place.

So how do I plan to influence change in how the world sees us? Starting today, I am embracing a new philosophy; I will focus on creating greatness with those around me – Latino, Black, White, Asian or otherwise. Change requires…well…change.

I, like many others, have focused on solving problems in my community for too long in lieu of supporting more successes. It’s like trying to appease one troubled customer who costs you money at the expense of the many who are satisfied and pay happily. All I’m saying is that if we want others to see us in a different light, we must take hold of the light and shine it on ourselves.

Who’s with me?
Cheers

Case and point: regularly I receive emails from LinkedIn notifying me that someone accepted my invitation to connect — and usually those emails get deleted, unopened. But today I received one titled: “See what Jesus has been up to…” Let me tell you, I’m not religious, but I opened that sucker up so quickly I nearly hurt myself. Turns out, I have a new Latino friend named Hey-zoos (Jesus).

The lesson: think amazing (even impossible) headlines when posting.
Cheers everyone!

The journey began out of Monrovia, California, two days before the actual convention. We arrived early to become closely acquainted with the venue for purposes of covering more territory while blogging, tweeting and posting live on Facebook more efficiently. Of course our plans also included catching some rays and enjoying a relaxing meal pool side. The calm before the storm, I guess.

Day one kicked off with a “Personal & Organizational Branding” session by Don Schindler, Director, Marketing & Communications at the Mendoza School of Business, at Notre Dame University. The workshop covered everything from Facebook tricks and tips, to Google+ versus Twitter, search algorithms, and insight on how best to leverage blogs for marketing purposes. Among the many tactics: “delete spam & cursing [from blogs], but negative feedback is good (way better than no feedback), because it shows readers still care. Respond with an apology and a request to continue the conversation in private.” Other clever tactics were: “educate your workforce so that they can continue and expand your social media strategy…and make sure you have a strategy as well as a public policy! Stay involved and don’t reinvent the wheel. Use the free, online resources already out there, and remember that good website design is worth the money.” #USHCC32. Most importantly; “the best way to kill a community is to set it up and never show up.”

Day one was a full-day of classroom-style education, long for sure, but well worth the brain boosting knowledge. Kudos to Professor Schindler for engaging an over-capacity number of CEOs and Chamber leaders and for making learning incredibly practical and fun.

Photos from day one: click here.

For Don Schindler’s “Social Media and Digital Marketing for US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce” Slide Presentation, click here.

Day two was jammed packed with BizFest Training for current high school students competing for startup capital to launch their own entrepreneurial ventures. These USHCC Foundation alums are the innovators for the business world of tomorrow and their work and ideas reflect their poise for success.

In addition, Chamber leaders divided into three groups and were tasked with creating a chamber program that was both innovative and sustainable. Wells Fargo proposed a $100,000 investment over two years for the winning concept. Groups pitched their ideas (which all closely resembled each other) and the winner was a micro-lending program in Spanish. Details of where it will be headquartered or when it will launch are pending.

Lunch on day two was dedicated to the amazing Gloria Estefan and all of her contributions to Hispanics, the entertainment world, and the world at large. Gloria and her husband Emilio have dedicated millions of dollars to causes to places like Haiti, Japan, Africa, and many more. As a team they are putting their great work to good use. And as words to live by, Gloria closed with the following quote; “you don’t have to eat a hamburger to know you have filet mignon at home” – in reference to how pivotal her husband has been and continues to be in her life. For Day 2 Photos, click here.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) delivered keynote address at the international opening ceremony on this day, and while he didn’t provide pre or post interviews, he didn’t disappoint. Photos, click here.

Congratulations to all of those who made the business matchmaking. This is where corporate buyers meet with Hispanic business owners for the chance to procure products/services from each other. I personally made the rounds asking both sides of the equation what if any benefit they drew from the matchmaking. It turns out most business owners were extremely satisfied with simply the chance to pitch. And I admit, I can relate. At times all we want is the opportunity to be heard. What happens beyond that is up to the decision-makers, but that initial opportunity can open doors widely.

As is USHCC Convention tradition, day two culminated with reception that quickly turned into a celebration of what’s so great about our culture – music, food and a good a time. On this special occasion, the fiesta was at Gloria Estefan’s Bongos in downtown Miami. Here are the incriminating photos (evidence) of that evening.

Of course, there were after-parties and parties after that. That’s not USHCC tradition, that’s more its members’ tradition. It’s what keeps us looking young and spicy, right?

And just like that we arrived at Day Three, a.k.a. Expo Day. It opened with a breakfast honoring the best performing corporations in total dollar purchases from Hispanic companies. Among those recognized in the $75 to $100 million in contracts were 7-11, Kraft Foods, MGM, NBC Universal, while in the $100 to $250 million were AT&T, Bank of America, GM, IBM, J&J, JP Morgan Chase, Marriott, Pfizer, Coca Cola, and Wells Fargo; in the $250 to $500 million: Ford, GE, Hewlett-Packard, Pepsi, Southern California Edison, SuperValue, Toyota, Kroger, and Verizon; and in the $500+ million: Avis Budget Group, Sprint, and the unbeatable Wal-Mart.

The expo delivered attendee numbers the Convention has never seen before. But then again, this is the first time Conexion is invited to be part of the marketing efforts. Woot-woot for Conexion.

The best was definitely saved for last. At the Gala on day three, the 2011 businesses and business people of the year were honored, among them; Marcelo Claure, CEO of Brightstar Corp, whose Hispanic-owned business is the only to break the $5 billion in annual gross revenue mark, in the Hispanic market. Marcelo is a towering figure in more ways than one, and his simple message: “Think Big!”

Verónica Edwards founder InGenesis focused on staffing the telecom industry, a natural fit having been nationally recognized as an Outstanding Employee and Top Performing Sales Director multiple times during her 12-year career. She shifted to medical staffing and achieved tremendous growth servicing top commercial clients, government medical centers and military treatment facilities nationwide.

John & Johnson, which is ranked among the most recognized and most favored brands in the world, as well as most philanthropic brands ever, received honors as Corporation of the Year.

Photos from the Award Breakfast, Expo & Gala.

Companies owned by Hispanic women:
SDI International Corp., Carmen Castillo
Ole Mexican Foods Inc., Verónica Moreno
Pinnacle Technical Resources, Nina Vaca-Humrichouse
Elder Automotive Group, Irma Elder
PS Energy Group, Livia Whisenhunt
The Alamo Travel Group, Patricia Pliego Stout
Argent Associates Inc., Beatrice Manetta
Navarro Research & Engineering, Susana Navarro-Valenti
Nexgen Information Service Inc., María del Carmen Jacob
InGenesis Inc., Verónica Edwards

Companies owned by Hispanic men:
Brightstar Corp., Marcelo Claure
MasTec Inc., José Mas
The Related Group of Florida, Jorge Pérez
International Bancshares Corp, Dennis Nixon
Quirch Foods Co., Guillermo Quirch
Greenway Ford Inc., Frank Rodríguez
The Diez Group, Gerald Diez
Ruiz Foods Inc., Bryce Ruiz
Group O Inc., Gregg Ontiveros
Gensis Networks Enterprises LLC, James Goodman

A few years ago I was finalist to both Hispanic Business and INC. magazines Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and while I was honored to have gotten that recognition, seeing the family at Goya celebrate 75 years in business, or Marcelo of Brightstar break the five billion in annual revenue, and Veronica of InGenesis break achievement records made me feel so incredibly fortunate to have access to these amazing business people, but most importantly, I left the Convention with a renewed fire in the belly and the desire to take over the world.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at next year’s Convention. Of course, because Conexion is in the Chamber business, we too have a calendar of events; maybe we’ll see you there.

PS – Thank you Maribel La Luz at USHCC for bringing us on board, Michele Ruiz for your super star blogs, Jessica Ramos for your support with the entertainment industry, Gabrielle Klein for your killer Twitter skills, and to the Twitter mob that supported us: @ThomasMiranda @MicheleRuiz01 @AymeeZubi @SparklingLala @webcitygirls @ernestososa @vivianahurtado @MDejean @Miamitude @EusebiaAq @MBEMag @RachelStone @mariaalexandra

Of course, part of that growth is purely a matter of numbers. The 2010 U.S. Census data showed that the Hispanic population increased by 15.2 million over the last decade to a total of 52 million. What’s more, Latino population growth is now driven more by births, not immigration – making many Latinos natural born Americans. This could explain why Dora The Explorer now outsells Barney and why piñatas are the country’s #2 party favor, behind balloons.

That still doesn’t explain why salsa outsells ketchup, why Gloria Estefan outsells Fergie, why Enrique Iglesias outsells Jay Z, or why tortillas outsell bread. That, my friends, is explained by mutual assimilation. We are becoming part of the American fabric as much as America is embracing our culture. Where once a Latino might have seemed out of place in some communities, it is now rare to see areas without bodegas, carnicerias or some other form of Hispanic representation.

But Latinos, as diverse as they are, have some general characteristics that make their impact on this country even more impressive than their sheer numbers. For one thing, and to put it simply; Latinos have power. Hispanic-owned businesses are growing by more than double the national rate. In ’09 (in the midst of a recession) these businesses generated $345.2 billion in annual sales, up 55 percent compared with 2002. For women, the growth is more impressive: Latinas now own 36% of all companies owned by minority women in the country.

By the time Hispanic Heritage Month swings around again next year, we’ll be just over a month away from electing (or reelecting) the President of these United States, and most pollsters say it will take only 40 percent of the Hispanic vote to sway the election in either direction.

Another exciting development: according to the Pew Research Center, from 2009 to 2010, the number of Hispanic students who enrolled in college grew by 349,000 – so the future is bright too.

The best part of it all is that Hispanics are a young community; the average Latino is only 27.5 years of age, and more than 46 percent are under the age of 25.

So why is everyone invited to this celebration? Let’s come right out and admit it: Latino culture and the food are just awesome. In this great melting pot that is our country, it is completely hip and American to exercise to Zumba, have taco night, listen to Marc Anthony, drink a mojito, and buy a piñata for your kid’s birthday. Maybe that’s why Hispanic culture has gone mainstream so quickly and easily. Salud to that!

The day will come when it will be completely unnecessary to write blog posts explaining why Hispanic Heritage Month is relevant to all Americans or detailing what is so outstanding about the culture. At some point in history, we all came to this country from somewhere else, and we continually renewed its influence with our customs, experiences and our intellect. If you are an American, then you are German, Filipino, and Chinese; you are Korean, African, and Latino. What’s not to celebrate about that? Well, it’s almost here: find some events, mark them on your calendar, and enjoy the Latino inner you.

[Thanks Gab for making me sound smart. I <3 U.]

My dad encouraged me to develop many skills but also to explore my passions. He himself was an industrial mechanic, a fireman, a soccer player, a welder, an artist, a cook, a professional cyclist…even the proud owner of multiple US patents. The guy gave everything he had to every single task, no matter how backbreaking or unglamorous. I credit my solid work ethic to that man.

Over the years, and through the course of his “real” jobs, my dad was happiest being his own boss. He was an entrepreneur up until he became ill and eventually passed away a year ago. I may be following in his footsteps or creating my own legacy; whatever the case, I’m glad I get to stand on the shoulders of a passionate and creative man – my dad. Happy Father’s Day!