one-way ticket...

Eight years ago, I was fortunate enough to be in Rome, sitting in St. Peter's Square when they elected Pope Benedict XVI. We were in Europe for Duquesne University's semester abroad. I remember sitting in line for over 22 hours to see Pope John Paul II when he was laid out after he passed away.  It was a crazy time. 

Often late at night, I would often venture out on my own to do some sight seeing.  Duquesne University had our classes and dorms in a convent.  Nuns would cook us food 2-3 times a day and we had school 4 days a week.  Our free time was meant to explore.  So, that is exactly what I did.

I would go for a long run in the early AM, grab a quick meal, and be on my way to see some wild places with only a backpack, a passport, and camera.

The mentality was:  You only have 3 months here, so see as much as you can.  And like I said, we were very fortunate to be in Rome during such a historic time.  We were able to see a lot.

As I see all of the coverage on the news about the transition of Pope's, I can't help but reflect on my experience when I was there last time this happened.

 Eight years went by in a flash.  It is incredible how much has changed.

However, I do know one thing that hasn't changed though - the mentality of "this time is meant to explore, so see as much as you can".

On that note, I gotta run, grab a quick meal, and check-in a few new places today.  Hopefully, some historic events happen along the way.

Let me know if you want to meet me there...   

 

the ultimate incentive...

Last night at Applebees, we had our final meeting before the big ad meeting next week.  It was to fine tune some details before we present to the web and graphic designers.

Our head programmer presented his plan for how we will charge for advertising.  Originally, it was to be a flat fee per ad-xperience.   This is no longer the case.

GoNextWorld will be introducing the bid function.

As I have said time and time again, GoNextWorld is built upon incentives in every aspect of the company.  We want to offer the incentive to ad owners - if you pay more per Xperience, you will have the highest visibility.

Therefore if you choose to pay .20 cents per Xperience, your ad will show in front of the ad-owners that pay .10 cents per Xperience.  It all comes down to incentives.

Each Xperience will guarantee your ad be shown at least 3 times to a member... (and actually the entire time a member is within GoNextWorld until he/she logs out)

It's a much more solid product. 

To hear the man in charge of bid function say "I don't want to hold anything back for next update"

It only reassures me that seeing #ProjectHailMary come to life is the ultimate incentive.
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What do you look forward to every day?  What are some of your personal goals and incentives?  We would love to hear from ya, so tell us what you use as your motivation HERE

waking up...

 

 It took us a long time to wake-up. By this, I mean it took us a long time to realize what we were doing wrong.   We always played this game as hard as we can, but realized EFFORT is only a piece to the large puzzle. 

A strategy to not wait for someone is the key.

The best way I can explain what we've learned is this:

To have an idea truly succeed, people have to say "yes" to it.... before they actually summon the energy and thought to actually say the word "yes".

We always wanted to write a book about our adventures and what we learned throughout the journey.  So, the first ebook will go into more detail about this lesson soon enough.  Of course, I will also include a few other things I have learned in life, like:

- Never think that a smoke machine is good way to impress a girl (fire alarms are not romantic)

and

- Listening to songs from the artist Meatloaf in your car is not ok, ever.

February 26th will be a chapter all to itself.  It was the first day that we were able to see the GNW check-in come alive!


Look for the book, it will be worth it...

there's only one way to find out...

Do you remember how exciting it was to find a lighter on the side of the road when you were a kid?

Nine out of ten times the lighter didnt work, but when it did - that was your lucky day.



Well, now that we are a little older, that same type of excitement still applies to other aspects of life.  The circumstances are a just a little bit different.

 This weekend, we added:

The "QuickFind: Enter Business Name" search field for members to find the business easily. Or members could Search by Genre as usual.

This is going to streamline everything for the "GoNextWorld Check-In" that will be debuting soon, along with approximately 1,000 businesses.  Our top sales managers, Carolyn and Alexandra, are shooting for 2,000!

And, we started to break the searches down by zip code.  Members will be able to see:
-Only the businesses near them.
-Only the businesses near the zip code they are visiting
-or Every Businesses on GoNextWorld.com, period.

And on top of all of these additions, the "Check-In" promo signs are underway.  Due to requests from certain businesses, we needed to offer signage that will notify their customers to "check-in and share @ GoNextWorld.com to receive a reward every time they visit their business"

Our original signage (seen below) was a small step towards an idea.  Since we are not a card program anymore, it is severely outdated.  The movie poster look still looks pretty wicked though.

 However, it wasn't enough.  I can't wait to show you the next promo tools. 


So, to recap - this weekend was everything we hoped for. Like I said before, there's nothing like finding something new.... and then seeing that it actually works.

your worn in leather jacket...

I wake up every day with the intent to write.  Not only does it help to document everything, so I never forget it, it is also very therapeutic.  And it helps keep my direction and purpose clear.

With business, it is extremely important to formulate an idea clearly into words without much time involved.  I truly envy people that can write well.  It has been a weakness of mine for a very long time, but these daily blogs are helping to fix that issue.

The way I see it, if I can begin to formulate ideas clearly at 5am before the two cups of coffee settle in, it will help when it all really counts.

Like I said, I truly envy people that can write well.  Here is a blog from someone who does know how to write well.  He is a friend from the hockey days at Duquesne University.  It is a must read and it fits quite well into what GoNextWorld is all about:

Jack Has Spoken - On Quitting

playing emotionally...

The above picture is one of the drafts for the new website that will be debuting soon. 

Growing up, it seemed that the only thing I could win at was hockey.  It was one of the few things I was good at. It was one of the few things I felt I could control.  The more intense the game was:    the harder I played... and the better I played.  It was something I truly cared about and I played emotionally.

Seeing the team you are on, put together an amazing run when it all counts in the big games:  there's nothing more intense.
You better believe we are playing emotionally.
#ProjectHailMary

 

Show me the way to the Next...

 
I am one of those people that constantly asks the question: What is Next?

I see that same type of mentality in the entire GoNextWorld team.  As a business, I feel it is a must have quality and you absolutely need to  have that question constantly burning in your mind as you sleep.  Otherwise, the hunger will disappear and mediocrity will settle in.

This makes the to-do list quite long.  But, that is a good thing...

Here is a sneak peek of what IS next...
---------------------------------------------

Hello Palzy's Pizza,



Here is your free auto-emailed progress report for the MONTH:
Compared to the previous month, are you moving forward?

                                                                 Yes or No

Total Check-Ins:	30	-23.1%
Unique Customers:	17	+21.4%
New:	1	-92.9%
Repeat:	16	N/A

Males:	18	-28.0%
Under 21:	0	N/A
21 to 28:	7	+75.0%
29 to 35:	1	0.0%
36 to 45:	0	N/A
46 to 60:	9	-52.6%
Over 60:	1	0.0%

Females:	6	-25.0%
Under 21:	0	N/A
21 to 28:	3	0.0%
29 to 35:	2	-50.0%
36 to 45:	0	N/A
46 to 60:	1	0.0%
Over 60:	0	N/A

Your top clientele/promoters are: Males Between 46 and 60

Advertise to these people and many more at GoNextWorld.com/advertise

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Remember, more Check-ins mean:
- More members sharing your business on Facebook and Twitter = More people promoting your business for free!)
- More accurate information on your progress reports regarding your clientele.
- More people you can advertise directly to & more!

Also Available:
- Get our Check-in promo signs for your customers to see.  See them HERE
- Check out GoNextWorld Universal Rewards to track ALL of your customer habits. Learn More HERE
 

higher...

Last night was the final meeting before the "GoNextWorld Check-in" begins.  It was our chance to put all of the last minute ideas on the table before we make the changes to the database.

As we build this company from the ground up, it is quite evident where our weaknesses are.  There are a few areas that need to be addressed immediately.  

In the beginning, we built an amazing product.  We believed in the "If you build it, they will come mentality".  This mentality may be true and will eventually get to a goal... but only to a certain point.  If we want to jump on the Citation X and spend our next birthdays drinking chocolate milk in the Caribbean with , then we must take it one step further.

 Right now, businesses must download our software to reap the benefits of program.  This has worked.  We have businesses all over the U.S. using our software.  Now, we will make it a little easier for everyone. 


1) Through an approval process, members will sign businesses up themselves.

2)  Our call center will call the businesses to see if they want the FREE effiective and simple reports via email daily/monthly.  The reports will show their clientele and who they may want to advertise to via GoNextWorld directly.

3)  Members are rewarded by GoNextWorld for each check-in with credits to use towards some amazing new additions (I will disclose at a later time).  Also, Members may be rewarded by the businesses for "checking in" X amount of times (i.e. Check-In & Share at Palzy's Pizza 20 times, get a free Appetizer).  AND, GoNextWorld can reward the top "progressor" (the person who checks in the most) with $ towards other top brands.

GoNextWorld - where you are rewarded for sharing and inspiring progress.

#ProjectHailMary is all about:
"If you build it, people must be able to join without doing anything different in their life, THEN they will come."

reaction is everything...

As I was prepping everything for taxes on Saturday morning, I decided to run to the bank for a quick 15 minutes and come right back.

I never made it to the bank.

Approximately 3 miles into the short journey, as I was heading on to a narrow road, out of nowhere, a black Audi heading towards me, crossed over into my lane.  Staring immediately into the potential head on collision, I jerked the wheel right, slammed on the breaks and held on tight.  I heard the tires skidding, then I felt a crunch on the right side of the car, and then all of the air bags deployed.  At that moment, it was completely silent.  The airbags' smoke clouded up the car and the noise of the airbag explosion was ringing my ears.

My first thoughts -  Am I alive?  Answer "yes".
Am I hurt?  Answer: I don't think.
What happened to my car?
What happened to the other car that almost killed me?

After stepping out of the car, I saw the Audi speed off.  Immediately, I called the police.

Fortunately, when I pulled the car right, I missed hitting the car head on.  However, I did hit a concrete block, almost like a curb, and it pulled my wheel almost clean off. Except for the wheel,  I couldn't see any body damage, so I had a chance at salvaging the car.

I didn't know if :  1) I was more happy that it wasn't much much worse like a head on collision.... or 2) more angry at the fact of someone almost killed me because they didn't know how to drive.  Thanks to my guardian angel, I think it was the first one...

After I had it towed home, I was pretty much in a daze the entire day.  We ordered the parts that it needs and we will hopefully have it back on the road by the end of the week.  I calmed down with a quick run with the GNW mascot and a feature presentation of "TED".  It ended up being a good night.

As you may know, I like to tie every experience to some type of "take-away" in regards to starting a business or just life in general.

So here is my attempt:

- Bad things will always happen, but reaction speed may be the difference between life and death.

and

-Since we share this planet with billions of people, there will always be people that get in your way.  You sometimes can't stop them from getting in the way of your day to day objectives, but you can stop them from getting in the way of your life objectives.

With that said, I will just head to the bank tomorrow.

#ProjectHailMary is near.

  

its been a long time coming...

About 7 years ago, I remember my employer/mentor handed me a book and said I needed to read it.  It was called "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki.

I think it was one of the first books that helped me see that I needed to change my thinking if I ever wanted to afford a car that didn't require me to add oil to it every week.

A few years later, a free seminar offered by the same author came to Pittsburgh.  It was all about real estate investing. 

I remember calling off of work.
John actually had his company fly him back from Idaho so he could make it.

We were 22 year old kids surrounded by a bunch of 45 year old people that were stuck in a career that they did not enjoy.  They were looking for a big change...and a way out of their day to day life.

John and I were simply looking for a way that could buy us some time until the real dream could take off.

After the seminar, I remember going to the Fish Fry to plan the next few years.

I wish I started this blog back then.  It's amazing how things can change.

Tonight, I am going back to that same Fish Fry.   But times have changed just a bit.

Below are two blogs that were recently posted.  One by John and one by James Saxton.
-------------------------
submitted by John Donovan on 2-13-13

"When the iPhone was originally released, critics asked Steve Jobs if he was worried that the iPhone functionality would make the iPod obsolete and hurt revenue.  Steve Jobs responded with, "If we don't make ourselves obsolete, someone else will."

Even though the iPod was dominating the market, Apple knew they could do better.

Its easy to keep doing something you are doing.  But, one of the most exciting things imaginable is realizing there is a better way to do what you are doing... and then adjusting accordingly.

I've always had confidence in GoNextWorld, and I am proud of what we do, but in the past two months, we've truly solidified our product.  Seeing something you love, constantly analyzing the hell out of it, and then making it even better is tough (especially if you are proud of what you currently have), but I think it is essential both in business in life.  That's Growing. Constantly Refining. That's Progress.

It's exciting to be passionate about your work and realize that there is a way to improve it.  It means you are switching directions to aim for something even better. Even when just a day before you thought better didn't exist.

I'm excited for our growth today, but I can't wait to see what's in store tomorrow."


 -------------------------------------
 Submitted by James Saxton on 2-14-13

The Solution

Valentines Day…a time to show your love and appreciation to that special someone in your life. I can hear the plates stacking and silverware rolling now, restaurants all over the city are being booked with parties of two looking to spend that nice romantic evening together.
Its hard not to notice the numerous Valentines Day specials being advertised for various places to eat around the city. I thought to myself, why can’t people take advantage of specials and discounts like these more often? Why offer customers a special depending on what day it is of the week, month, or even they year? Why not let customers influence when they are offered a special? Why can’t businesses reward their customers in more convenient and mutually beneficial ways?

Michael Fallat, CEO of GoNextWorld, might just have the solution. This could change everything! The competitive service-based industry we accompany today demands more ways for businesses to reach and serve their customers. We are encompassed within a more dynamic environment than ever before, stop living in the past and make the right choice.

Commence Project Hail Mary

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

Charles Darwin

Tagged: GNWCheckin

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a desire for adventure...

Valentines day - A day where effort is expected and romance is supposedly in the air.

Turns out, one of the older definitions of romance is "a desire for adventure".  

Call me crazy, but a box of chocolates and $40 dollar flowers doesn't necessarily label you as having "a desire of adventure."  

The way I see it, Adventurous is a lifestyle, not a holiday.

So, even though the flowers will eventually die... it doesnt mean that the surprises have to.

Be crazy, my friends.

In bloom...

Last night, we met for another home  cooked dinner with the entire team.  Project Hail Mary has many changes, so it is absolutely necessary to keep everyone on the same page. 

The basics include:

GoNextWorld will be known as:  The place where you are rewarded for sharing and inspiring progress.

Checked-In:  People will be able to check-in to virtually any business.  (businesses are added by the GoNextWorld members)

• By checking-in to any place on GoNextWorld, members can receive money to use towards other businesses that we find in our DNA like Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Honda, Virgin Atlantic, Apple, and Nike, etc.
• By checking in to specific businesses, members may receive specials, offers, discounts, and freebies from the businesses they check in to.  (Check-In to Palzy's Pizza 15 times, receive a free appetizer)
• By Checking-In, members are promoting it on Facebook and twitter.  Which indirectly promotes their favorite businesses they are checking-in to.  (This ultimately generates free advertising for the business).  By checking-In, it will also lead to advertising for the member.  (People that check-in the most (known as top progressors) will be given the ability to promote their own facebook and twitter pages on our page for free, so it will be seen by all members)
  

Check-ins will give the business an up to date snapshot of their customer clientele.  Daily, Weekly, or monthly reports will be auto deliverd to the manager's email.   Businesses will be given the ability to advertise DIRECTLY to the people that are shopping at their business or in their area for absolute specific target marketing. (No technology upgrades are necessary other than email access)

In addition to the participating businesses, advertisers will be able set campaigns seen on GoNextWorld.com  or on the new feature called "GoNextWorld Ad-Stars".  Website owners can embed our code on their page to receive revenue from the advertisers themselves.

Once a Business is added to GoNextWorld by a member, our call center reps will notify the business.  If they would like to receive the free emails, they must provide an email over the phone.

If they would like to advertise to their customers, they would simply click a link in their email.
 If they would like to increase more "Check-Ins" for free advertising by the members, they can purchase signage and materials offered by GoNextWorld.
If they would like to update their current rewards program to integrate our own universal rewards program, they could do that at anytime.  (They only have to download our APP and install it on their computer)

People now will be rewarded for living and promoting an active lifestyle.  Progress is the end result... for them and the businesses.

the "NEXT" identity...

The "NEXT" identity.  
That's what I'm calling it.

----
It took us a long time and a lot of money to figure out what we wanted to accomplish.  Approximately 4 years and $109,000 to be more precise.

Identity plays a big part in a company's life... and even a person's life.

It all comes down to "What do you want to be remembered for?"  That's the ultimate question, right? 

 
I struggled with this for years.  You see, as we were building the company, we were holding various jobs to keep the company afloat.  Running a business and also having a couple different jobs at the same time can mess with your mind.

Everyday is different:  One day you are on the phone with potential investors asking them to invest 100k into your idea called GoNextWorld.  Later that same day, you are taking the trash out of a doctors office earning $8.50/per hour.  And the next day you are door to door salesman selling windows earning a commission.  And later that day, you are fixing a toilet for a tenant.
It all adds up to some serious mind games. 

When all of this is happening, identity is hard to define.


Then, it hit me one day, ... an identity is not in the day to day tasks.  Identity is only what is accomplished at the end of the road.  For an entrepreneur, the "end of the road" IS the company they are helping to create and the people that surround them.  For others, it IS the life that they leave behind.

I may have been chased off of people's porches with brochures of windows in my hand.  I may have been required to clean bloody rags up off from the doctor's trash bins.  I may have been covered in human feces when fixing a toilet.
But none of that mattered, nor would it last forever.  During that time, the company was being built to last. 


Who you are is not defined by "how" you get there...it's defined by "IF/WHEN" you get there.

What's your NEXT identity?

write to GoNextWorld and tell us your story HERE

  

As One...

 

I believe inspiration can come from anywhere and from anyone.  Therefore, GoNextWorld will be accepting blogs from our guests so they can share their own stories.

Today's guest blog comes from James Saxton.   If you would like to be a guest blogger, please submit your blogs HERE .

---------------------------

Submitted by James Saxton on 2/7/13

"Where do your inspirations come from? How often are you inspired?

For me, it would be my father who inspires me each and every day…

Throughout my life, I have had the privilege to learn from the examples he set before me. By observing how he dealt with the challenges in his life, I have witnessed the results of hard work, discipline and determination—all of which contributed to his financial ability to attend college and law school, by receiving swimming scholarships, both undergraduate and the NCAA post-graduate scholarship for law school. He has shown, first hand, that every challenge or hardship is an opportunity to reach a higher level. Extremely passionate about the work he does, my father has shown me that a fulfilling life is not one of shortcuts. Rather, it is something that takes patience, endurance, and the absolute wherewithal to do what is right—to give all that you can with no expectation of return. He continues to maintain that same level of determination and motivation in serving others, a goal we both share. It is quite evident that my father’s thirty some years in helping others, through his career in law, is something he never wants to give up. I can say with absolute confidence that my father is one who truly loves the work he does. He has, is, and always will be, my life’s greatest inspiration—something for which I am so gratefully thankful. To have seen someone this close to me have such an impact in society is not something I will ever take for granted.

Inspiration gives us meaning. It gives us courage and the ability to rise above, it eliminates our doubtful spaces and fills them with confidence and determination. Even in the smallest doses, the inspiration you fill your life with will take you places you never thought you would be. It can be found in everyday life in many places from many people. Put a little effort up front and seek what inspires you, trust me, it will be well worth your time.

At GoNextWorld we are all about inspiring others, but we aren’t the only ones! Pretty soon, GNW will be provide a whole new opportune way for all to inspire and to be inspired! Ill make I keep you updated on our progress..

Until Next Time,
Discover Your Inspiration,
Keep. Moving. Forward."

-----------------------------------

#BeMyPalentine

Valentines day is approaching fast.  So, that means:  overpriced flowers, infomercials about giant teddy bears, and the go ahead to reach deep inside and pull out the true romantic found in each and everyone of us.

GoNextWorld has reached it 4th year, so we want to celebrate by giving back by way of a little contest to all of the hopeless romantics that want to do something a little more than the standard flowers and chocolate.

The winner will receive a gift certificate for two to a evening at a romantic getaway.  Where and how much?  Well, if I gave you ALL of the details, that just wouldn't be any fun... for me.  So, you will just have to wait and see.



All you have to do is follow me on twitter and tweet me a picture of yourself with your loved one...(pics with pups are a bonus). Include the hashtag #BeMyPalentine and, on Valentine's Day, I'll pick one winner who'll receive the prize (via email).


I hope to make this one memorable.  Maybe not as memorable as the time I left my pride and dignity dangling in front of the entire school of North Catholic when I was trying to get a girl to notice me.... but memorable enough.

AD-Stars

In a previous blog, I mentioned a few of my heroes growing up:  Richard Branson, Evel Knievel, Billy The Kid, John Carpenter, Mike Ness, James Cameron, Rocky Marciano, etc.

Well,  as a company, I also have a few idols that I look up to like:  Virgin, Coca-Cola, Apple, Red Bull, and Honda, etc. 

Many people believe these are all companies that have a marketing department.

I believe they are all marketing companies... that offer a product/service.


Coca-Cola was able to become one of the top companies for 80 years and they simply sell sugar water.
How is this possible?

Well, they were brilliant enough to design a campaign that assimilated their company with "HAPPINESS".
In the 1920's they started advertising their product with pictures of childhood and Christmas.  This was to separate themselves from any other drink product on the market.  Other companies were focusing on advertising the taste or ability to quench thirst.  Coca-Cola did something different.  They focused on making your life better if you bought their product.  The crazy part was that the marketing is what made the company more than just a good product. 

This is how it is with all the great companies. 

The aforementioned companies are my idols and  I want them to be affiliated with GoNextWorld someday.

Coca-Cola = Happiness.
Honda = Innovation
Virgin = Adventure

and someday you will know...

GoNextWorld = Progress

Project Hail Mary might be able to bridge the gap.

 ------------------------------------

Coming Soon:  GoNextWorld Ad-Stars

GoNextWorld AD-Stars is a program in which enterprises can display GoNextWorld advertisements on their own Web sites and earn revenue from hits that generate traffic for the GoNextWorld Ad owners.