Today is a day of celebration, a day of joy and a day of family and friends. I just wanted to take a minute and look back at some things, 25 to be exact, that have made a difference/been an inpsiration to Bonus Track and me over the last year. It has been such an incredible experience to deliver daily content here and I look forward to another great year.

1. The Recruiting Animal Show. The ultimate pot stirrer - take a chance and enjoy the fun and gained knowledge that comes from engaging with some of the sharpest minds in this industry.

2. The community. The friends I have made here have changed not only my perspective but who I am.

3. Jason Davis and his team. Jason continues to be the man to watch when it comes to building community and making wise choices.

4. Claudia Faust. Her Wednesday Wisdom column was always a delight and inspiration.

5. John Sumser. Some one needs to step in and be a guest columnist for Top 100 Influencers so they can write about the incomparable John Sumser.

6. Twitter. No matter what anyone says, Twitter has changed the rules.

7. Mobile Devices like the iPhone and Blackberry. The internet at your fingertips, wherever you are, what more could you want.

8. 24 hours. I love that RecruitingBlogs is NEVER closed. No hours posted on these doors.

9. Laundry. Whenever I have had writer's block, I just wash and fold for a bit. Clears my mind instantly.

10. Google. What else do you need to say?

11. MaxHire. MaxHire was the first sponsor for Bonus Track and the advertiser that made it possible for me to start on this adventure. Thanks MaxHire.

12. My clients. Those companies and individuals that chose to use my consulting services in business strategy, biz dev, marketing and search, thus affording me the opportunity to continue to write.

13. My first recruiting gig as an Executive Recruiter. I have loads of stories from those early years, they continue to fuel my daily musings.

14. Working for several Start-ups. These experiences drove my return to complete my degree and cement my interest in business.

15. Colleagues. Those whom I respect in business, recruiting, finance, marketing, and consulting.

16. New Media. OK, it's really Social Media but it made some of my clients feel better to call it New Media, so I did.

17. Google and Twitter together. Search Engine Optimization will never be the same again.

18. Online News Sources. Getting info here and now.

19. My mom. Yup. She's my angel and constant support.

20. Continuing Education. My frustration with the lack of eMarketing/eCommerce/eBusiness that is taught today drives me to seek information almost daily. Thanks for the fodder.

21. My readers. You know who you are. Thanks.

22. Broadbean. The support of the company where I daily work is mind-boggling.

23. The Evolution of Technology. Hardware, Software, IT, SaaS, Cloud, Mobile, etc. Thank God for brains bigger than mine.

24. Coffee and Spark. Sometimes I don't sleep enough. It's in my nature to go, go, go, write, write, write. Supplemental energy is my friend.

25. My Children. For the peace they let me have when my office door is closed. It means "Mom is writing... shhhh."


I could keep going, but I promised 25. Happy 25th of December - whatever you celebrate, may your 2009 pour into a grand 2010. Hope. I'm holding it high and giving it away. There's plenty to go around.



© by rayannethorn