Let’s begin with a riddle:
What do you get when you cross a hyperactive Jew from Rochester NY, an Email Marketing Maven, a Social Media Evangelist, and a sick but curiously clean sense of humor?
You get a Sponge.
The
most boring of all sea creatures and the self-description of one of the most
aggressively friendly enigmas with whom I’ve had the pleasure make an
acquaintance.
His
daytime name is DJ Waldow. And the handle he casts about like confetti during
the NY Giants Super Bowl victory parade is DJWaldow (or @DJWaldow for those of
you haunting twitter).
In
this short interview I hope to capture, cow tie, bag, and deliver to you, my
dear reader, the quintessential DJ. That would be impossible without first
doing to you what he has done to me countless times over the past two years.
Whenever there is a uncomfortable silence, a tension filled room, or just a
natural pause in a conversation among a group of friends, The Sponge rolls out
with something like this. Watch it all the way through and wear it like a badge
of pride and courage:
I’ve known DJ for just under 2 years. He and I are in the final throws of completing our MBA’s at, what he refers to as b-school (AKA UNC Kenan-Flagler). During this brief time I’ve come to understand and respect his unique outlook on life and the process of living it.
DJ
attacks life. You know how those people you know who seem to always be happy or
excited, until you catch them when they don’t know anyone is looking and you
realize it’s all a facade; the real person is just as lonely and insecure as
everyone else in the world? Well, that is not DJ. He’s the dude who really does
work to make the best out of every situation he faces, and find the positive in
every person he meets. What I always wondered is, Why? What is it that makes
someone work so hard to be happy and make the people around him happy? Well, I
thought I’d ask.
<Q> Besides direct family members, who would you say has been the most influential and inspirational person in your life? Why?
I'm really struggling to answer this question. I have several names in mind, but it is not fair to single out one or two individuals. The truth is that I've been fortunate to have many influential people in my life that have all helped me learn and grow at various times. I'm constantly seeking mentors, coaches, and people who have experiences to share. I don't believe that one single person can can inspire/influence - it's the collection of all people that make the difference.
Interesting.
So surrounding yourself with the kind of people that inspire and influence
creates an environment where you can inspire and influence.
<Q> Why don't you think "one single person can can inspire/influence" - what about MLK, Gandhi, or Barack Obama (and yes I'm putting them in the same sentence though there's still much to prove)?
It's not that I don't think you can be inspired by one person, it's just that I believe people are inspired by many people/events/"things" that happen over their life. To single it out to one person would be unfair to all of the others out there that have shaped you into the person you are. Also - the "single influencer" theory doesn't leave room for another person/event/"thing" to inspire later in life.
OK,
good dodge. Let’s try another way.
<Q> If you just got the dreaded diagnosis and only had time to do one thing - take one trip, meet one celebrity, speak at one venue, etc... - what would it be? Why?
Right. For a guy that wants to do everything in his lifetime...you really think I can answer that question? Ha. (Well...at this moment in time, spending a day shooting the breeze with President Obama would be right up there. It would have to include sitting at the rail drinking a pint of beer as well).
Ding Ding Ding, We have a winner folks. Mr. President please step
forward to accept your prize - a Bad Penny with The Sponge. Speaking of, what’s the deal with this
sponge thing anyway?
<Q> I once heard you refer to yourself as a sponge. What did you mean by that?
I love almost everything. I soak up as much knowledge as I possibly can every opportunity I have. While I hate the phrase (hate it), I'd consider myself a "lifelong learner."
I can see that. I bet that’s why DJ joined the MBA program.
<Q> You are about to complete your MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Why did you become an MBA candidate and how do you see using the degree?
I went back to graduate school to get my MBA because I was tired of just relying on my gut. I needed some solid theory to back up what I was saying. I've been able to get away on intuition for years, but the time was ripe. Also, speaking of timing, my wife was finishing up her last 2 years of Ob/Gyn residency at UNC-Chapel Hill. If I got in, I'd finish my MBA at the same time she finished her program. Also...we could both be busy (and child-free) at the same time.
How will I use my
MBA? To make a crapload of cash, of course. Kinda serious. But really, I've
matured as a business person over the past 18 months of my MBA program. I'm not
sold on the course work / content in and of itself actually making me smarter.
It's all about the process - teamwork, struggling through tough concepts,
accepting that you don't know it all (and you probably never will), meeting
deadlines, etc.
Right, he joined because he’s a “lifelong learner” and to make a “crapload of cash.” Love the honesty (love it).
So, to contextualize this a bit for you, DJ is the “Director of Best Practices & Deliverability for Bronto Software, an Email Service Provider (ESP)…” From where I sit, he’s basically a hired gun who you turn to when you need 100% assurance that your message reaches it’s target. Seem a little dramatic? It’s not. He’s that good. You'll see what I mean at the jump.
<Q> What are your thoughts on the growth of the Social Internet? Do you have any predictions for where this movement will take society in five, 10, or 20 years?
Social
Internet. Interesting phrase. I would have called it Social Media (SM). Either
way. To me, SM is all about building relationships. It's what humans have done
for centuries. SM provides another mechanism for doing this. The big difference
is that SM is without borders, without time, and has the potential to be
measurable. But...the key is relationship building. The hottest SM tool out
there right now is, of course, Twitter. But Twitter is not where it ends.
Twitter is just another vehicle to connect - to communicate - to build
relationships. In 5-7 years, the term "Social Internet/Social Media"
will no longer exist, as that will be how most marketing is done.
And
in closing…
<Q> What would you like the world to know about DJ Waldow, and what do you want to be remembered for when you're gone?
Tough one. I want
the world to know that I care. I have good intentions. I kid because I love. I
am always trying to put a smile on people's faces...make them laugh. Can't take
life (or yourself) too seriously. I want people to know that I always give it
my all. That's how I roll...
Or perhaps they’ll remember:
Maybe they’ll remember with help from Anderson Cooper.
For
my part? I’ll remember The Sponge for introducing me to the real side of
Papa Bear: