Closing Bell 2010
December 17, 2010 
22 Comments
As I sit here ready to pen the 5th edition of the “Closing Bell Newsletter”, I am understandably daunted by the prospect of summarizing the past 12 months into two simple pages.
2010 of all things I think reminded us of our shared humanity and codependence on each other. From ash clouds to earth quakes, and oil spills I think more than ever we’ve come to realize that we’re all interconnected in some way or another and thanks to tools like Facebook and Skype, we’re all starting to live in the same reality.
2010 has been a year filled with news, both good and bad, and we got to witness it all first hand, live and in a totally new way. From Google news, to Twitter and via our friends on Facebook we consumed media this year, faster, more intelligently, and more selectively than ever before.
Whether it was the EU debt crisis, “Beaver Fever” or the release of the IPAD, we “tweeted”, “facebooked” and “skyped” our way to a new reality, and that my friends is what I call a revolution. Frankly I am startled it all happened so naturally and in just 12 short months.
They say people are creatures of habit, and unfortunately the folks at Google have bought into that notion, and have continued to do the same old two-step all year long. They’ve unsuccessfully tried to copy just about everything that showed promise on the web, including Facebook, Skype and Twitter only to be taught a lesson they still seem a little slow to learn, which is stick to your core business and don’t try and be all things to all people.
2010 also saw the birth of the Microsoft and Yahoo search alliance, which still has not really amounted to much, but it’s a positive step to balancing the search market share and hopefully long term this alliance will break Google’s market dominance and force a culture change within Google, because frankly their arrogance is growing old.
On the home front, Justin Harrison Marketing continued an amazingly healthy growth pattern in 2010 and despite numerous challenges throughout the year, we’ve continued to innovate, refine and lead the way in terms of the way business is done online.
On the 1st of November 2010, after months of careful planning, consulting and testing we took the entire company virtual, and we’re extremely proud to be leading the way in terms of having all our employees home based and interconnected in a whole new way that will undoubtedly eventually become the norm for many office based businesses.
This bold move means that our employees get to spend less time commuting, and more time being productive so that ultimately they get to spend more time with the ones they love, and that’s something that as CEO and founder makes me extremely proud to be a part of.
From the business end of things, this means that Justin Harrison Marketing is more scalable, and is able to innovate more than ever before. The world literally just became our backyard, and this gives us an enormous opportunity and access to a truly global talent pool.
I want to thank all the consultants, providers, suppliers and most of all my staff who went above and beyond to adopt my crazy ideas and who bought into the notion that we can and must make bold and decisive moves to ensure we remain the best at what we do, and none of what we have achieved would have been possible without you.
On a personal note, 2010 has been thrilling, engaging and life changing in every way imaginable. From witnessing the birth of my daughter, to the awesome growth and innovation at Justin Harrison Marketing, I feel truly humbled to be on this journey, but most of all I am humbled by the people and relationships around me.
To my staff, management, business friends, partners and loyal suppliers, thank you for your continued faith and belief in my values and vision, and thank you for your unwavering support, I promise you I will never take this lightly.
To my mentorship group, whom I am personally grooming as the next big movers and shakers on the web and hopefully infusing with the same passion for business, life and leadership that I become privileged to, I want to encourage you to keep your heads down, your focus tight and most of all encourage you to continue having fun along the way.
Continue to relentlessly pursue your goals with single minded determination; continue to choose innovation and leadership over moderate success, and most of all don’t be scared to push boundaries, that’s why they were invented in the first place. I am proud of all of you, and I can’t wait to share 2011 with you.
On that note, I am taking the time off to read, reflect, invigorate and rejuvenate myself for the year ahead, because it’s going to be one hell of a year.
See you in 2011
Justin thank you for another fantastic year, and I know I speak for all at JHM when I say that it has been a true inspiration to be part of this business.
Thank you for your leadership, thank you for always putting our needs first, and thank you for always inspiring, motivating and challenged us to rise above ourselves.
Thank you for all the trust you place in me and all the others, and thank you for being not just a wonderful boss, but a wonderful person.
All our love and thoughts are with you and your family this holiday and we look forward to meeting your daughter soon.
See you in Africa soon YAY!
There is not much that can be said after Justin Harrison has spoken.
When you leave a room, everyone knows that something important has been said, done or is about to take place and that’s the exact feeling I get after reading the closing bell.
Being part of this business has been life changing in every sense of the word. I’ve been challenged and I’ve grown because of it, but mostly because of the trust you have placed in me. I want you to know I don’t take that lightly and I will never ever let you or anyone at JHM down.
You once spoke to a group of us who arrived at JHM “fresh off the boat” about taking responsibility and being accountable as the only way to succeed, and those words ring true in everything we’ve done as a company, and that is a testimony to your awesomeness as a leader.
Bring on 2011, I because I can’t wait!
How time flies when we are having fun.
This year has been more than I could have ever hoped for, and it gives me such joy to be part of something so amazing.
Justin you are one in a million and somehow even on my worst PMS days you manage to make me smile and get me motivated.
My biggest regret is that I did not arrive at the company sooner, and when I hear all the war stories from the early days I am kind of jealous.
That’s not to say that you and your “pushing boundaries” does not continue to provide for interesting days at the office almost weekly. LOL
Thank you for being a great boos, friend and mentor, and I hope you really do take a break this holiday.
Rounding off another great year at Justin Harrison Marketing and looking forward to everything that 2011 holds for all of us.
Thank you for your great leadership Justin, and I know that everyone here is totally inspired and committed to the plans for next year and we are all ready to start blazing a trail through 2011.
To infinity and beyond!
I loved every second of the closing bell, and as always Justin your words inspire.
I think if 2010 taught us anything, it would be the fact that great team work can overcome any challenge.
I am so grateful for the way in which you and Natasha are leading this company, and I am totally blown away by all the amazing people I get to work with every day.
BRING ON 2011 – Bring it!
Every year at this company is like climbing on a 100 pound rocket, it all happens at 1000 miles an hour and the ride is thrilling from start to end.
I want to firstly thank everyone in my team for pulling their weight this year and then also a big thank you to our tri-factor of enforcement (BIG G, Natasha and lady Fed aka Melanie) and last but not least the man we never see but always know is watching… the BIG BOSS. Mr Harrison.
Thank you Justin for trusting us, and thank you for giving us the freedom to innovate and take ownership of everything we do.
See you in Africa soon.
Thank you for everything you have done for us in the mentorship group and spending so much of your time on us. I feel privileged to have you as a mentor and the advice that you have gave us the past year has been priceless. Looking forward to 2011!!
we’ll the say time fly’s when you’re having fun … but by golly where have these past few years gone since we last spoke on the phone … and how haven’t i already taken you cage diving & you take me on a safari trip, serious that has been on my TOP of my goal list for years ( it has to happen in 2011 for sure )
with all honesty Justin … im proud to know you – and im proud for the personal time you have given to me over and again knowing i was such a small puppy with regards to your standards.
you always told me that the IM niche was small and i could never see it untill now … ( i’ve finally broke into the 7 figures and focused on new and more exciting markets )
you have always played a part in my thought process and kept me on track – even when you are not around
so i want to take this time to say thank you SO MUCH for your direct input into my company without really knowing you did so.
ya have always kept me on track dude since we first spoke in 2008.
im glad business has been the best for you this year – and i wish you all the best in the future.
to happiness and success
Alex “BLESSED” Jeffreys
cya in S/A soon buddy
Hi Justin,
Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for all your patience and allowing me to make mistakes. I have truly learnt alot over the last year. I am looking forward to 2011 and hope to make it my biggest year ever.
It has been a very challenging year, but thanks to your inspiration, guidance and wisdom I have managed to keep it all together. It’s an absolutely honor and a privilege to be your friend and business partner and I can’t wait for 2011. Thank you for every thing.
Its been a great year overall.
With all the troubles and trials I have experienced this year. There is always those great blessings that covers for all that.
More power for year 2011 Justin
The year really has been a blur, and the many long hours put in through the work in the mentor program obviously contributed big time.
Justin, many thanks for the assistance and time you have devoted to our group – it is greatly appreciated and valued.
Congratulations to you and Shea on the addition to the Harrison family – now you truly will start to enjoy life.
See you in 2011!
Hi Justin,
Thanks for the inspiring words and encouraging message.
I appreciated all the help, guidance and most of all friendship you have afforded me this past year, it has truly made a massive difference in my life.
May you have an awesome time off with the family – BRING ON 2011….
Justin it has been such a pleasure and honor to work with you. Not only are you a complete marketing wizz, but you are a fantastic and inspiring leader.
From the entire Virgin team, thank you for your total honesty, commitment and ethics.
Thank you for all your input and guidance this year. You and your team are amazing and it is such a pleasure to deal with a group of people who totally get what business is about and how it should be done.
Justin I have learnt over the years to take your wise council and to know that everything you say comes from a basis of fact, and you have no idea how reassuring this is.
Thank you for being such a great inspiration to not only your own staff, but also to mine.
You kind sir, are what business is about.
Thank you for another fantastic and profitable year. Your input is always valued and your knowledge and marketing mind respected.
Have a great holiday and see you in the new year.
What can I say that would adequately describe my respect and awe of the company you have built.
Your staff and partners are amazing and all I can say is that your respect and admiration from so many is completely earned.
Happy holidays to you and your family and I wish you all the very best in the year ahead.
Congratulations to you and your staff Justin, and thank you for all your effort and input in making our projects work.
Enjoy your new addition to the family and have a good rest this holiday.
Justin thank you to you and your team and the professional yet personal manner in which you run things for us.
You are one of the partnerships that we are very proud to have and I personally look forward to another excellent year working with your team.
Happy holidays to you and your team.
A wonderful and insightful wrap up for the year as always. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to brining change to the web and change to all the people around you.
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
To all at the Justin Harrison Marketing, thank you for your support, friendship and commitment to excellence.
We look forward to another year doing more of the same, and continuing to strengthen our partnership with you.
To Justin, thank you for always being there for us and always providing wise council.
Have a good rest and we’ll see you in the new year.