Capture Stuff with Jott

One of the coolest productivity tools I have adopted recently is Jott. Using Jott, you can record a 30 second voice message to yourself or others. Jott transcribes the message and sends it via email or text message to whomever you wish.

Every time I describe it to one of our CEOs, they jump on it.

Get a free account at www.jott.com and start Jotting. Set up the “J” speed dial on your mobile phone to dial the toll free Jott number. You designate anybody you want to Jott back at the web site.

Here’s what happens.
Hit “J” on you speed dial. Jott recognizes you by caller ID.
Jott answers and asks, “Who do you want to Jott?”
I most often Jott myself, so I say “Myself.”
I speak clearly and hang up.
Before long, I have an email containing my message in text. The voice file is also attached, just in case the transcription is confused.

Jott keeps me from typing on my Blackberry while driving! Aren’t you glad?
I use Jott to record ideas, tasks, reminders (it allows you to set a reminder for a specific date and time), mileage … whatever. I also Jott my wife and my administrative assistant. Believe it or not, they love it.

Jott helps me get stuff out of my head (unreliable) and into a trusted system (my email inbox).
Did I mention that Jott is free? Happy Jotting.

CEO Retreat Podcast

Thanks to our talented Retreat Chairman, Keith Warman, we have a terrific podcast containing highlights of an interview with our Retreat presenters, Bo Burlingham and Doug Tatum. Hear directly from them why you can’t miss this Retreat. Bo and Doug will tell you how they are going to use the “Four M’s” to structure the Retreat and guide you through keynotes and small group discussions to develop a strategic map for your business. To download or listen to the podcast, go to:
http://web.mac.com/keith.warman/iWeb/VACEOS/Podcast/Podcast.html

CEO Retreat Registration

Registration has begun for CEO Retreat 2008, to be held at Kingsmill Resort on April 15-17. For the complete brochure, or just a registration form, go to www.vaceos.org.

Register by March 14 and save $100!

Biz Gurus Relish VACEOs Forum

Bo Burlingham is a contributing editor for Inc. Magazine, and an author of several books, including the acclaimed Small Giants. Doug Tatum is founder of Tatum Partners and author of the recently released No Man’s Land.

When we called these two business gurus and said, “Hey, what if we brought both of you to our CEO Retreat in April 2008?”, they were doing back flips! Each of these authors said that when they do presentations, they spend a lot of time referencing the other’s work. Their two books positively intertwine. As Doug said on a conference call yesterday, “By having both of us present at the Retreat, it will give VACEOs members a great opportunity to think strategically about their businesses. It all comes down to a choice.” Our sense is that these two business growth experts offer different, compelling stories that can help a CEO make important, strategic choices about what sort of business they want to grow.

The upshot of yesterday’s conference call? Doug is flying out to California in two weeks to spend a day with Bo to work on our Retreat program. There is a tremendous advantage in having the presenters involved in planning the Retreat. I can’t wait to hear what they come up with!

Call in The Marines!

What unconventional sources of talent do you have?