Tribute to Steve Jobs from Mr. President

“Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.

By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.

The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.”

iPhone 5 to Feature Apple Friend Locator?

http://www.iphonefaq.org/

By Bob Bhatnagar - Published December 24th 2010 - 00:37 in Apple

Recently revealed patents point to Apple developing a native location reporting app that would make it possible to broadcast your iPhone location to friends and see who's nearby. The patent, filed in June 2009, is titled "Push-Based Location Update" and is credited to four Apple engineers.

The Friend Locator app would track users based on their iTunes account login, and feature voluntary privacy controls such as blocking individual users from seeing your location. Those who have their iPhone set to push location updates will be listed along with their location and the distance, or as a push pin on a map.

Location services can be set to automatically update the service or use only manual updates similar to a Foursquare check in. Apple is competing directly against Google's Latitude service, which finally launched in the App Store last week. Apple had said it was evaluating the app and they were concerned it could confuse users of the built-in Maps application. Google Latitude boasts nine million active users.

When it comes to location services and GPS, speculation has centered on Apple's recent acquisitions of mapping companies Placebase and Poly9. Recent reports have indicated that Apple might offer a native navigation app that would speak directions to iPhone owners for free. With this patent on the books, it seems that the Apple Geo Team has its hands full developing a variety of new built-in features for a future iOS devices.

The iPhone 5 is expected to ship in summer 2011. Apple could include Friend Locator and voice navigation applications on the next generation device, however the company normally keeps tight-lipped until several months before a new product is available. Stay tuned for updates on new location services coming to future iOS releases.

Don't criticize, condemn or complain.

I think it is funny that how people are so easy to judge and point out other people's flaws. However, if the people in the world focused more on themselves rather than judging people or worrying about what everyone else is doing, then things would be much different, I believe.

In the book "How to win friends & influence people", there is the1st principle Dale Carnegie addressed, which is, "Don't criticize, condemn or complain".

Critisisms are useless, because it could put the person against you and then make the person trying to make excuses to defense himself or herself against what he or she was told.
Condemning is risky, because it would hurt the person's pride and damage one's importance or contribution in the world as a human being and finally would lead to resentment. (I would feel strong resentment and deeply condemn the person if someone would condemn me.)
Complaints cannot solve issues and are not helpful to improve or progress, either.

If you are asked to evaluate someone else in your company or from your friends,
Do not criticize, condemn or complain.

Let's make things better!

A Story about one young man transformed entire store

"The Simple Truths of Service" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDrmFolx2wc&feature=player_embedded)
- Inspired by Johnny the Bagger
- By Jen Blanchard & Barbara Glanz

Johnny the Bagger
A Few years ago, I was hired by a large supermarket chain to lead a customer service program - to build customer loyalty.
During my speech I said "Every one of you can make a difference and create memories for your customers that will motivate them to come back"
How?
"Put your personal signature on the job"
Think about something you can do for your customer to make them feel special - a memory that will make them come back"

About a month after I had spoken, I received a call from a nineteen-year-old bagger named Johnny.
He proudly informed me he was a Down Syndrome individual and told me his story.
"I liked what you talked about:" he said "but at first I didn't think I could do anything special for our customers"
"then I had an idea" Johnny said,
"Every night after work, I'd come home and find a thought for the day"
"If I can't find a saying I like, " he added, "I just think one up!"
When Johnny had a good "Thought for the Day" his Dad helped him set it up on the computer and print multiple copies.
Johnny cut out each quote and signed his name on the back. Then he'd bring them to work the next day.
"When I finish bagging someone's groceries, I put my thought for the day in their bag and say, "Thanks for shopping with us."
It touched me to think that this young man - with a job most people would say is not important - had made it important by creating precious memories for all his customers.

A month later the store manager called me….
"You won't believe what happened. When I was making my rounds today, I found Johnny's checkout line was three times longer than anyone else's ! It went all the way down the frizzed food aisle. So I quickly announced. 'We need more cashiers; get more lanes open!' as I tried to get people to change lanes. But no one would move. They said, 'No it's okay - we want to be in Johnny's lane - we want his "Thought for the Day",
The store manger continued, "It was a joy to watch Johnny delight the customers"
"I got a lump in my throat when one woman said, ' I used to shape at your store once a week, but now I come in every time I go by, because I want to get Johnny's "Thought for the Day."

A few months later, the manager called me again…
Johnny has transformed our store.
Now when the floral department has a broken flower or unused corsage, they find an elderly woman or a little girl and pin it on them."
Everyone's having a lot of fun creating memories.
Our customer are talking about us…they're coming back, and bring their friends,
A wonderful spirit of service spread throughout the entire store and all because Johnny choose to make a difference
Johnny's idea wasn't nearly as innovative as it was loving. It came from his heart - it was real. That's what touched his customers, his peers…and those who read this story.
Great service comes from the heart....
Will you be a Johnny today?

Here is the youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOZPlt3Ha0Y&feature=related

Life Explorer

I never know where the life takes me.
Sometimes I had so much fun with my job, colleague, friends and family.
Since I moved to States, I observed people here in Pittsburgh , especially Carnegie Mellon University students and faculties, and I learned from them the spirit of "Share - any information, any experience, any tips ..so on and so forth" and "Explorer" Which does not mean vega bonding life but means "be initiative" or "make mistakes".
Life is full of freedom with limited resources like time and money, opportunities with responsibilities, challenges with risks.
Yes, I took the risk when I came here, but I explored student life here in Pittsburgh, software architect in San Francisco, and back to School as a faculty in CMU.
Yes, my life has been full of opportunities and choices I could get.
Still I have no idea where I will end up, but It could not better than my current life.

Motivation vs. Mamangement

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/kor/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

사회과학이 밝혀낸 사실은 비지니스에서 하고 있는 것과 차이가 있습니다. 사회과학이 밝혀낸 사실은 다음과 같습니다. 하나 : 비지니스의 자연스러운 부분으로 여겨졌던 20세기 식의 보상을 통한 동기 부여 방식은 아주, 굉장히, 좁은 범위에서만 적용 가능하다. 둘 : 이러한 if-then 보상은 창의성을 파괴한다. 셋 : 높은 성과의 비밀은 보상과 처벌에 있는 것이 아니라, 내재적인 욕구에 기인한다. 자신의 것을 하고 싶어하는 욕망, 자신에게 중요한 것을 하고 싶어 하는 욕망,

그리고 여기가 가장 중요합니다. 우리는 이미 그것을 알고 있다. 과학은 우리 마음 속에 알고 있는 것을 확인하는 것 뿐이다. 그러니, 이제 우리가 사회과학과 비지니스가 알고 있는 괴리를 고쳐 나간다면, 우리의 동기 부여라는 개념을 21세기에 활용한다면, 이 게으르고, 위험하고, 관념적인 채찍과 당근을 벗어난다면, 우리의 비지니스를 더 강력하게 할 수 있고, 수 많은 촛불 문제를 풀 수 있으며, 그리고 아마, 아마도, 혹시라도, 세상을 바꿀 수 있습니다.

<내용 일부>
외적 동기 유발자와 내적 동기 유발자의 효과에 대해서 연구를 했습니다. 그 관점에서 말씀 드리자면, 현재의 인센티브 효과는 전혀 효과가 없습니다. 이러한 사회과학 실험의 결과를 보면 사회과학에서 밝혀진 사실과 비지니스에서 통용되는 사실의 괴리를 발견하게 됩니다. 또한 우리의 비지니스 운영 시스템이 어떻게 사람에게 동기를 부여하고, 인재를 활용할 것인지에 대한 비지니스의 기반이 되는 가정들과 규약들이 -- 완전히 당근과 채찍 같은 외적인 동기부여 효과에만 기대고 있다는 것은 굉장히 위험한 일입니다. 이런 생각은 20세기 때의 작업에 적합한 생각입니다. 하지만 21세기의 업무들은, 보상과 처벌 같은 방식은 효과가 없습니다. 대개 효과가 없고, 때때로 역효과를 냅니다.

여기서 사회과학이 밝혀낸 사실과 비지니스에서 하고 있는 것의 차이가 나타납니다. 제가 걱정되는 것은, 우리가 지금 경제 위기의 어려운 상황에 있어, 너무나 많은 조직들이 능력과 사람에 대한 제도를 결정하는데 있어 진부하고 검증되지도 않은 전제에 기반한 가정을 과학적인 실험의 결과보다 더 신뢰하고 사용한다는 것입니다. 그리고 정말로 이 경제 위기에서 탈출하고자 한다면, 정말로 21세기 식의 개념적인 문제를 해결하는데 높은 성과를 보이고자 한다면, 사람에 대해 더 달콤한 당근으로 유혹하고, 혹은 더 가혹한 처벌로 위협하는 등의 잘못된 결정을 하지 않아야 합니다. 우리는 완전히 새로운 방법으로 접근해야 합니다.

좋은 소식은, 동기 부여에 대해 연구하던 과학자들이 우리에게 새로운 관점을 가져다 주었다는 것 입니다. 내재적인 동기 부여에 훨씬 더 강조를 둔 관점입니다. 자신의 문제가 되기 때문에, 좋아해서, 재미있어서, 또는 중요한 것의 일부여서 하고자 하는 욕망에 관련된 것입니다. 제 생각에, 비지니스에 대한 새로운 운영 시스템은 세 가지 요소를 축으로 해서 돌아갑니다. 주도성, 전문성, 그리고 목적입니다. 주도성은 우리 삶의 방향을 결정하고 싶어하는 욕망입니다. 전문성은 의미 있는 것에 좀 더 잘 하고자 하는 욕망입니다. 목적은 우리 자신보다 더 큰 무언가를 향한 뭔가 하고 싶다는 열망입니다. 이것들이 우리들이 완전히 새로운 비지니스 운영 시스템을 구성하기 위한 요소입니다.

오늘 여기에서는 주도성에 대해서 얘기하고자 합니다. 20세기에는 관리라는 개념이 등장했습니다. 관리라는 개념은 자연적이지 않습니다. 관리는 -- 나무 같은 것이 아니라, 텔레비전 세트 같은 것입니다. 아시겠죠? 누군가 만들어 낸 것입니다. 그리고 그것이 영원히 작용 할 것이라 생각 할 수 없습니다. 관리는 좋은 것입니다. 단순히 복종하기를 원한다면 전통적인 관리의 개념은 매우 좋은 것입니다. 하지만 무언가에 기여하고, 자기주도적으로 더 잘 하고 싶다면 그렇지 않습니다.