Very early in my speaking career, I was saying yes to every speaking opportunity. I had a J-O-B in marketing at the chamber of commerce, a great place to make a difference in the world -- or at least your own town. 

Saying yes to every speaking engagement puts you in some pretty funny situations. 

Business owners shouldn't master everything, but you should know enough to be able to ask the right questions and direct your team on what you want. Derek Sivers believes you shouldn't have to build your own website, but you're a better boss and leader if you know how. 

These days, if you've got your hands in your marketing, this means being directly involved in the storytelling. And storytelling in a digital age means knowing a thing or two about video production. I've put learning video production and studio work into my own job description for the last 10 years. Having produced commercials, directed subjects on camera, written campaigns and the whole deal, it's fun to flex that muscle from to time to time. 

Why is it Starbucks instead of Maxwell House? Why is it an iPod instead of a Walkman? Why is it LinkedIn instead of the Chamber of Commerce? 

If the mission of Rosetta Stone is to teach people a new language, why haven't they offered to a six-month subscription to every non-English speaking household in America for free?