Apple Watch: How to Pivot

But here’s the thing: The watch isn’t actually a fashion accessory for the tech-happy. It’s a tech accessory pretending to be a fashion accessory. I just couldn’t fall for it.

By VANESSA FRIEDMAN from NYtimes.com

I went to the Apple store in Manhattan and tried out the Apple Watch. There is something confusing about it. It didn’t feel fashionable. It didn’t feel techy either. There were no functions that I was in need. I didn’t know how it can make my life easier and how it would advance my life beyond iPhone.

Here is how I would pivot from here on. Stop looking at it as a fashion item. Go back to the basic and ask how it can make daily life easier with no intrusive alarms. The answer is easy. Stop calling it Apple Watch! Call it Siri on Wrist and then give her a 18k gold case. Now it’s sexy! The catch is Siri needs much improvement, but once it perfects the contextual assistance, it will open up a new world.

Amos Winter: The cheap all-terrain wheelchair

You can see a glimpse of creative/engineering process from an idea to a final product. And what a great product both from a design and a humanity perspective!

Steve Jobs on Computer in 1983

I think I’m a huge fan of Steve Jobs. He was in my dream after I listened to this recording. haha.

3 things I got out of this recording.

1. Jobs knows how to crack a complex and abstract concept and make it simple and concrete.

2.  He finds solutions from within.

3. The power of “a piece of shit.” the minute you say this is “a piece of shit,” you think of ways to make it better–>innovation begins.

3 Exercises On Leadership

Not all leaders have the leadership. I became a business owner and had the leadership position, but I didn’t have the leadership and just didn’t know how to influence my team. It took me a while to crack it. I want to share and also remind myself of the 3 easy exercises that helped me.

1. Show up.

Showing up is easy to do when things are going well for you. How about if you knew it’s going be a rough day? Or if you have to face an opponent or tough decisions? You would want to avoid them and not want to show up. There were times that I dreaded going to work, because I knew I had to deal with people/problems that bullied me. You have to push through that. Here is a solution: All you need to do is get there first and leave last. Literally, you just have to show up! People will notice your commitment and expect your leadership.

2. Do not try to please everyone every time.

You have to balance between love and discipline. I’m a people person, so I naturally try to please my employees, suppliers, customers, and myself. I know there are a lot books that emphasize the importance of making people happy. That is half true. You have to make them happy but what’s equally important is the discipline to do the right thing. When your customers, for example, ask for an unreasonable discount or favor that will hurt the long-term prospect, you have to be able to say no to that. If you don’t do the right thing, it always haunts you back. This candid approach is a basis for clear and efficient communication, which is a must-have quality for leaders.

3. Little Things First.

Leaders often face with many difficult problems. As a leader, you feel like you have to tackle the big problems first. However, big problems are difficult to solve and require a long-term commitment.  Important things first doesn’t always work for leaders. For example, if you want to change a corporate culture, you cannot just shove it down to your team members. This is when you have to start with the easiest tasks like changing seating arrangements. When the little accomplishments add up, the big problems no longer seem impossible, and often, the solutions reveal themselves along the way. When you want to  solve big problems, try little things first.

Start with Why

Let’s say, someone asks you what the purpose of your existence is. How many people can clearly define it? Not too many. Likewise, not many companies know the purpose of their existence other than of making money. Hence, many fall short of greatness. Sinek did a good job of illustrating the importance of a clear corporate vision. This is a good companion book for Good to Great or vice versa.

For Sinek’s presentation at TEDx, visit here.

Warren Buffett on Charlie Rose

Candor, No bullshit.