Click here to listen to the podcast.

In today's Brain Storm! Business Podcast, we will discuss the lessons I learned at the APSE Conference about helping people with disabilities get employment or start their own business.

I learned so much, it's all crammed in my brain. It was an experience that launched that much more brainstorming, as well. It also confirmed that this is where my heart and passion is - helping people with disabilities who WANT to have their own business REACH THEIR GOAL.

I learned about Influencers in marketing, for better or for worse.

I am so naive. I didn't realize how much power some people have over the lives of other people. In the bureaucratic world that people with disabilities are forced to live in, other people can actually tell them, "No, you can never have your own business", and stop people from doing it. Well, stop some people - not David Taylor! Read more about him here.

David and his business, Race CAR Waterboy, are perfect examples of why you and I have NO EXCUSES not to be living our dreams.

David gets to spend all of his work time at NASCAR events, providing water bottles to people who don't want to wait in line with people who also want food. He knows the drivers and owners, and even uses his contacts to help other people with disabilities. He is living his dream - what is our excuse???

So I encourage you to listen to what I learned from this conference, and from David Taylor and Judy (his mom), about pursuing your passions and building your business.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & Online Community Magazines

Click here to listen to the podcast.

In today's Brain Storm! Business Podcast, we will review why the Wii has trounced the XBox 360 and PlayStation gaming systems, and what business lessons we can learn from Nintendo.

What do you get when you combine a non-threatening remote with wi-fi and cute little cartoon renderings of you and your friends? You get Wii - a gaming system that you can't find to save your life. Nintendo is making over 1 million of them a month, and still can't keep up with the demand. Unlike all other games that people line up to buy at Christmas time and then sales die off after January, the Wii remains elusive and highly sought-after.

A game your grandmother could play (and may possibly be playing right now)?

You betcha. Wii consoles are found in nursing homes, on cruises, all over the place. Why? Because Nintendo decided that the competition was NOT Sony and Microsoft. It was the indifference of people who don't care a thing about gaming - like me.

Blue Ocean business strategies win again.

Instead of playing in the kiddie pool with all of the other children, Nintendo has waded out into the ocean where no one else will venture. They are turning current technological convention on its ear by NOT increasing their prices and stuffing expensive geeky stuff into their games. They are actually making them CHEAPER with off of the shelf parts, instead of proprietary technology like the other players.

So many business lessons, so little time...

So you'll have to listen to discover what we can learn from Nintendo's business strategies and successes. You'll also find out what body parts to protect from danger while playing Wii. I encourage you to just go to a local gaming store and try it out like I did. You may find out it's just your cup of tea.

Until our next business podcast, do something about your brainstorming ideas!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & Online Community Magazines