Virtual Value: Why COVID-19 is the strongest technology mechanism
The world will never be the same. COVID-19 has certainly made it’s mark. Being a chronic optimist, I am determined to find the good that has come from these unique times.
You don’t have to look far for information on how struggles breed growth. Here’s how Struggles Can Lead to Success from a parenting perspective and here’s How Struggles Can Lead to Success from a more professional view.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right Kelly Clarkson? I know this saying has been around for a while, but sometimes you just need a good song to motivate you. Wait, that song is nine years old?
I am aware that many people have lost their life during the pandemic (some I have known). This is terrible and I am not willing to assume those were necessary losses for the advancement of society. However, the pandemic is real, the virus spread, and we have had to make changes. It is the necessity of those changes that has made us grow.
The most important growth that struggle can yield is personal and it is up to you to determine how YOU have grown. But after your internal growth, what else is there? It may not always stand out, but this time it does. Digital communication has advanced. Rapidly.
This article from April has some pretty eye-popping Video Conferencing Statistics. Since then, the numbers have grown. I think it’s great. We are finding ways to be productive and make in impact even with distance.
Six months ago I wouldn’t dream of having business meetings, board meetings, game nights, competitions, networking, and birthday parties via web conference. Now, I can’t dream of living without it.
When I was a kid, Nintendo came out with Virtual Boy. This thing was cutting edge! I loved video games (still do). My parents loved me (still do?). I did my chores. I treated people with respect. I did my homework. I got great grades. The stars were aligned. I deserved this masterpiece. It was released August 14, 1995 (I had to look that date up, but I bet I knew it back then). Sometimes things take some time to develop. I figured by Christmas, which was much about the gifts at that point in my life, I’d be living in a virtual (Boy) world.
Four months went by and the holiday season was upon us. This was quite an exercise in patience for a young Bobby. In fact, in some ways the following thirty years were an exercise in patience. I never did get a Virtual Boy. But, I think I turned out ok. I just needed a global pandemic to bring me into my virtual dream world.
Sadly, the Virtual Boy was discontinued in 1996. It never took off as was expected. There was a lot of hype and millions of dollars of wasted marketing efforts. It sounds like there’s another blog entry about over promising somewhere in this story.
At the time, I was disappointed. I felt like I missed out on an incredible opportunity. I’ve always enjoyed the next new things. Video games really just fit into the “newest fancy technology” box for me. Virtual Boy was supposed to be the first of its kind and a can’t miss source of entertainment. What was missing though, was the necessity.
In the mid 90’s Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis were doing a fine job of keeping gamers entertained. Nintendo didn’t really need to compete with itself and Sega. However, you have to admire the desire to push things forward.
What makes today’s situation different, is the need for businesses, organizations, and families to continue to operate. Communication is essential and it must continue. It should be noted that companies like Citrix, Zoom, and GoToWebinar have been around for a while and there has been video conferencing software in circulation. Remember when “Skype” was a verb? FaceTime still is. Yet, in our isolated world, these companies have been working overtime to improve their technology. It has been there, but it hasn’t been optimized for the masses.
Ironically, it is the video game industry that has led the technology space this whole time. Online video games have been flourishing for decades. Have you ever sat and watched Twitch for a while? I’d argue it’s better than today’s sitcoms. Check out some of the numbers on the Top 10 Most Popular Online Games. 50 million players?! Imagine if you could speak to 50 million people. Talk about impact!
Now that we have the need coupled with better technology, we should all embrace the opportunities we have to reach more people. It’s a great chance to share your thoughts and gifts with more people who need to experience them.
I suppose it was some time around my love affair with Virtual Boy that my elementary school class had Australian pen pals (I think this also lead to my love for travel). I remember finding it fascinating that there was another group of kids on the other side of the world who gathered for school everyday just like we did. I didn’t quite understand how far it was, but I knew I couldn’t see them.
I can only imagine what it would have been like if we were able to video conference. I really wanted to share my message with them. I wanted it to be fast. Looking back, it was also a good lesson in patience, but it also provided me with a sharer’s mindset. I realized that there were people out there who wanted to hear what I had to say.
I remember anticipating a reply from them that would take at least a month. We probably only communicated a few times over that year, but it was a great lesson in how small our world is. Now, it’s even smaller. Penpals can be direct messaged in seconds.
These days, it makes me smile when my wife sets up her classroom as an airplane and takes her kindergarten class all over the world. The students are learning about travel, other cultures, language, food, and technology. If it’s possible, we should embrace it and use it for good.
I see two main ways our virtual environment can lead to greater impact. First of all, it allows us to be more productive and efficient in many of the things that we do. If we can work, shop, sell, meet, schedule, exercise, and research more quickly, it gives us a lot more time to concentrate on making a difference. There’s only so much time in a day, so use those seconds wisely.
Beyond extra time, I think our virtual world can also help us do better. We can use technology to improve. If you’re a professional in the charitable space, look at The advantages of videoconferencing for non-profits. Many organizations are offering discounts for qualifying 501(c)(3)s. If you’re just some one looking to make an impact, most companies have a free version of their web conferencing software that is more than enough to help you communicate, share screens, pass documents, and record meetings.
I have written before about the importance of identifying your skills and passions. This will always be paramount to making an impact. What has changed however, is that it is much easier to take action.
If you haven’t read Rocket Fuel, you should probably stop reading this blog, and experience the book first.
I’m a visionary. Taking action is hard. I want it done, but I get distracted by the next idea. I need an integrator. I need someone who will “do”. Take my crazy ideas (throw out 90% of them), and implement the great ones.
Today’s world is much easier on visionaries (I would argue integrators too). Gratification is much closer than it used to be. You can find results from and responses to your ideas almost immediately. Ever had a reply to your tweet before you even had a chance to refresh Twitter?
If you’re a visionary looking to make in impact, you can, and should use virtual technology to implement. If you have a person to mentor, video call them. If you have a group to inspire, organize a webinar. If you have an idea to share, YouTube!
Unfortunately, I must confess, with simpler, more user friendly technology, there is over-saturation. This makes it imperative for the visionary to be consistent, the integrator to be compelling, and both to be credible.
Don’t get lost in the crowd. Believe in your passions and make your message unique. You will attract supporters because your energy is contagious (even over digital media) and you’re the consistent visionary. If they know what to expect, they will make time to experience it.
Embracing the environment has also led to accelerated learning. Not only can we share our own thoughts and ideas more easily, we can also find those of others. This is important. You must also apply the credibility rule here, but it’s much easier to educate oneself now.
The combination of sharing and learning is what sparks impact. The more you learn, the better you’ll be at sharing and the more you’ll have to share.
Again, my mind tells me that the video game industry is just way ahead of everyone else. Is The Sims real? Truthfully, it is. It exists. It’s modern technology. But it’s not taking over, it’s just leading, and there is nothing wrong with following an effective leader.
Today’s circumstances are unfortunate, but we can be fortunate of the results. It would be wise to familiarize yourself with the technological tools we have available to us today. That way, you can be more efficient with your essential tasks, and you can take accelerated action on your visions of impact.
The key is value. There is value in virtual. Use it for good.