Apple iPad - I watched the keynote last night. I tried to avoid the news of the device until I could sit and watch Steve and company present it in their own words. Then I cruised through the headlines on Techmeme and Digg and read what I expected would be the media reaction - "It's just a big iPhone."
Now, I don't buy the media explanation, nor will I buy the iPad when it comes out. It did further solidify my decision to buy the next generation of iPhone because the iPad announcement was a sign that Apple is hyper focused on innovating the computing experience in a direction that makes computing more about what you are trying to view or consume rather than being concerned with how you will do it. I saw a similar comment on John Gruber's post: Various and Assorted Thoughts and Observations Regarding the Just-Announced iPad. Good post by the way - excellent auto/manual transmission analogy.
In my view, the Apple iPad will be great for people that want to sit back and consume content in a visual way that the iPhone, laptop, netbook or iPod could not provide. As I watched the keynote speech for the iPad I kept on wondering what's next for the AppleTV product - could I interact with MLB.com on my iPad while watching the game on my AppleTV? What if I want to go from reading about the history of the financial meltdown to watching a Frontline special on my AppleTV/TV? For publishers this should open up doors of connectivity that were never available. When the NYTimes was showing off their native app for the iPad the presenter said something very profound that was not emphasized in articles I reviewed. She was showing an article and decided to save it for later so that she could read it on her "iPhone" later. I don't know if she slipped up stating the iPhone or if that is a preview of what's to come for developers - wireless sync between iPad and iPhone apps.
An area very close to my interest outside of work is how this device can reshape the learning industry. There's been a lot of content created for students, but I have yet to find a truly interactive learning experience that can be contained within one device. I think publishers could become the next university. Teachers will go to work for the textbook publishers recording and mixing in text, videos, presentations, interactive tests and graphics that allow for an experience that engages the student and reduces our reliance on the classroom. Saying that gives me goose bumps because I enjoy the classroom environment, but I do realize that its an expensive infrastructure to keep supporting. We shall see.
1.29.2010
7.08.2009
Rainy day - Day of Rest
Taking jogging and exercising a day at a time now. No big hairy audacious goals to post here, like I accidentally did a month ago stating that I want to run a half marathon this year. In my lifetime, yes; this year, probably not. I've learned to keep most of my goals to myself as a result of that post and a recent article.
I read an interesting article last month that simply stated, if you announce your goals your are less likely to fulfill them. I don't buy into this 100%, but I can see part of the point - you almost feel as though stating your goal is more than half the battle.
Mum is the word for now in terms of my jogging and exercise aspirations.
I read an interesting article last month that simply stated, if you announce your goals your are less likely to fulfill them. I don't buy into this 100%, but I can see part of the point - you almost feel as though stating your goal is more than half the battle.
Mum is the word for now in terms of my jogging and exercise aspirations.
6.07.2009
Good week - starting to feel the rhythm
This week was not a perfect week, but I did get a fair amount of road time in and I am starting to chart a path to more consistent jogging. Also, I want to start logging a bit more distance each week. I wanted to run a half marathon a couple of years ago, but did not reach my goal for weekend long runs. I'm going to go after this goal again and try a slower pace and less aggressive training plan.
Here's what I did got accomplished this week:
Thursday:
Thirty minutes - jogging
Friday:
Thirty minutes - jogging
Saturday:
Thirty minutes - walking (1/5) and jogging (4/5)
Sunday:
Ten minutes - walking
Thirty minutes - jogging [lap 1: 11:39, lap 2: 11:50, lap 3 (shorter lap): 8:30]
Have a great week! Go! Go! Go!
Here's what I did got accomplished this week:
Thursday:
Thirty minutes - jogging
Friday:
Thirty minutes - jogging
Saturday:
Thirty minutes - walking (1/5) and jogging (4/5)
Sunday:
Ten minutes - walking
Thirty minutes - jogging [lap 1: 11:39, lap 2: 11:50, lap 3 (shorter lap): 8:30]
Have a great week! Go! Go! Go!
6.06.2009
Thinking about retirement
"What happens if 401k matching goes away? How will that impact our retirement model?"
That was the question that I could not shake out of my head this week. I asked my financial adviser to think about that question a couple weeks ago. I realize it's too early to call the match a foregone conclusion, but I have a hunch that we are going to be financing our retirement sans match in the future. Check out this list (not comprehensive) of companies that have dropped their 401k match over the last year. It will probably continue to grow.
I was listening to NPR Monday (6/1/09). The interviewer asked the same question that kept rattling around in my head, "Will companies that stopped their 401k match plans reinstate them when the economy improves?" Here's a link to the story online and a key quote from the story:
"The Pension Rights Center, a consumer advocacy group in Washington, D.C., keeps track of the companies that have cut or suspended their 401(k) contributions.
Spokeswoman Nancy Hwa says the center is keeping the list to try to keep the companies accountable, in hopes they'll restore the contributions when the economy improves. But she's not optimistic.
"I call it the slippery slope of retirement insecurity," Hwa says. She sees this as the latest step in a 30-year trend of employers using the promise of free, matching 401(k) contributions to shift workers away from traditional pensions.
"It's like the siren song of free money," Hwa says. "But what's happening is that it's becoming the swan song of employers contributing to their employees' retirement.""
After hearing this I thought to myself, "We are going to have to work much longer," but there are ways to work with this situation. We'll call it "worktire."
I remembered a post from Brad Feld. The post was titled, The Variable in Work Life Balance. Brad recalled a discussion he had with a colleague of his about a generational shift happening. To paraphrase, we have to come to grips with the fact that the length of our life is variable, not constant. Therefore, why do we spend so much time planning for retirement as if we all know the age we can retire and the length of time that we will be retired? Instead, why not carve out a portion of our regular week, month or year that we spend in retirement instead of waiting until a set date?
I realize that my views are in no way representative of the entire population and there is a chance that 401k matching will make a big comeback as employers vie for the best talent down the road, but I keep on thinking that the old ways of planning for retirement are going to change. Maybe now is the best time to start doing some rethinking. What will retirement plans looks like 10, 20 or 30 years from now? Will we become a generation of independent contractors funding our own healthcare and retirement savings?
That was the question that I could not shake out of my head this week. I asked my financial adviser to think about that question a couple weeks ago. I realize it's too early to call the match a foregone conclusion, but I have a hunch that we are going to be financing our retirement sans match in the future. Check out this list (not comprehensive) of companies that have dropped their 401k match over the last year. It will probably continue to grow.
I was listening to NPR Monday (6/1/09). The interviewer asked the same question that kept rattling around in my head, "Will companies that stopped their 401k match plans reinstate them when the economy improves?" Here's a link to the story online and a key quote from the story:
"The Pension Rights Center, a consumer advocacy group in Washington, D.C., keeps track of the companies that have cut or suspended their 401(k) contributions.
Spokeswoman Nancy Hwa says the center is keeping the list to try to keep the companies accountable, in hopes they'll restore the contributions when the economy improves. But she's not optimistic.
"I call it the slippery slope of retirement insecurity," Hwa says. She sees this as the latest step in a 30-year trend of employers using the promise of free, matching 401(k) contributions to shift workers away from traditional pensions.
"It's like the siren song of free money," Hwa says. "But what's happening is that it's becoming the swan song of employers contributing to their employees' retirement.""
After hearing this I thought to myself, "We are going to have to work much longer," but there are ways to work with this situation. We'll call it "worktire."
I remembered a post from Brad Feld. The post was titled, The Variable in Work Life Balance. Brad recalled a discussion he had with a colleague of his about a generational shift happening. To paraphrase, we have to come to grips with the fact that the length of our life is variable, not constant. Therefore, why do we spend so much time planning for retirement as if we all know the age we can retire and the length of time that we will be retired? Instead, why not carve out a portion of our regular week, month or year that we spend in retirement instead of waiting until a set date?
I realize that my views are in no way representative of the entire population and there is a chance that 401k matching will make a big comeback as employers vie for the best talent down the road, but I keep on thinking that the old ways of planning for retirement are going to change. Maybe now is the best time to start doing some rethinking. What will retirement plans looks like 10, 20 or 30 years from now? Will we become a generation of independent contractors funding our own healthcare and retirement savings?
5.31.2009
Staying on track is not easy
What a beautiful day - thank goodness for days without rain. I'm not at that point where I will sprint out the door and go for a jog rain, sleet or snow. Earlier this week there was quite a bit of rain and therefore not a lot of walking and jogging.
Here's what I did get accomplished this week:
Saturday:
Thirty minutes - walking (1/5) and jogging (4/5)
Sunday:
Ten minutes - walking
Thirty minutes - jogging
[While I was jogging I crossed paths with a runner out for a 14 mile run - Go! Go! Go! That's where I want to be by the fall.]
The last couple of days I have been witnessing a bit of a transformation in our neighborhood. It appears that they are planting prairie grass seed on the empty lots in the area. Why they are doing this escapes me, but I am in favor of them covering up the dirt lots with some wild foliage. I hope this means that we'll have some nice flowers to look at in a year or so instead of seeing dirt.
Here's what I did get accomplished this week:
Saturday:
Thirty minutes - walking (1/5) and jogging (4/5)
Sunday:
Ten minutes - walking
Thirty minutes - jogging
[While I was jogging I crossed paths with a runner out for a 14 mile run - Go! Go! Go! That's where I want to be by the fall.]
The last couple of days I have been witnessing a bit of a transformation in our neighborhood. It appears that they are planting prairie grass seed on the empty lots in the area. Why they are doing this escapes me, but I am in favor of them covering up the dirt lots with some wild foliage. I hope this means that we'll have some nice flowers to look at in a year or so instead of seeing dirt.
5.25.2009
Thank you for the memories
Wow, what a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! First, thank you to all of the unsung heroes that have served our country to uphold our pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
Memorial Day weekend brings back many memories for me, but the one place that comes up the most frequently in memory is the Indianapolis Speedway. I spent many days during the month of May going to time trials and then as I grew older I got to attend the big race day event. It still keeps making memories for me.
It had been quite a few years since my last chance to attend the race. This year I got to go with my father and two of his friends and their sons. It was filled with tradition and new memories. There were the B-52 Bombers hovering over head as the final words of our National Anthem were sung and the sound of the cars warming up during the pace laps.
The most memorable part of the race was the moment after Helio Castroneves crossed the yard of bricks and he started his victory lap. Everyone started packing up, but my Dad and I knew we were going to witness something special. Dad asked our group to wait just a few more minutes. We paused and watched the giant video screen in front of us as Helio got up and out of his car after the victory lap and proceeded to do his emotional fence climb. You don't get to see someone that passionate about what they do that much these days. Thank you Dad for a day at the track that I will remember. It was great to unwind a bit and spend time with family and friends this past week - it's been a busy year so far.
Finally, I need to catch up on my exercise posts. Here's a quick rundown of Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I took Sunday and Monday off, although there was lots of bleacher climbing and walking on Sunday at the race.
Thursday, Friday:
Thirty minutes - walking (1/4) and jogging (3/4)
Saturday:
Thirty minutes - walking, with my Dad
Memorial Day weekend brings back many memories for me, but the one place that comes up the most frequently in memory is the Indianapolis Speedway. I spent many days during the month of May going to time trials and then as I grew older I got to attend the big race day event. It still keeps making memories for me.
It had been quite a few years since my last chance to attend the race. This year I got to go with my father and two of his friends and their sons. It was filled with tradition and new memories. There were the B-52 Bombers hovering over head as the final words of our National Anthem were sung and the sound of the cars warming up during the pace laps.
The most memorable part of the race was the moment after Helio Castroneves crossed the yard of bricks and he started his victory lap. Everyone started packing up, but my Dad and I knew we were going to witness something special. Dad asked our group to wait just a few more minutes. We paused and watched the giant video screen in front of us as Helio got up and out of his car after the victory lap and proceeded to do his emotional fence climb. You don't get to see someone that passionate about what they do that much these days. Thank you Dad for a day at the track that I will remember. It was great to unwind a bit and spend time with family and friends this past week - it's been a busy year so far.
Finally, I need to catch up on my exercise posts. Here's a quick rundown of Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I took Sunday and Monday off, although there was lots of bleacher climbing and walking on Sunday at the race.
Thursday, Friday:
Thirty minutes - walking (1/4) and jogging (3/4)
Saturday:
Thirty minutes - walking, with my Dad
5.20.2009
Day Two of My Return to the Trail
Looking at my subject line one might think I am running for office - implying the campaign trail. Sorry to disappoint, but that is not going to happen. I see myself as more of a teacher, which has a certain degree of leadership included in the profile, but not to the degree of being a politician.
On to today's run. Another beautiful day in the Midwest as I noted earlier today on Twitter. Same as yesterday, my main focus for this week and next is to get out and do some walking and jogging every day. The geese were out right on schedule to watch me jog by. They did not put up a chase today; they must be waiting until I get some of my speed back.
I spent most of today's exercise time thinking about areas I need to improve. Exercise is one area, but a larger common theme amongst a series of items was relationship building. I see relationship building as the core item for improvement, which entails quite a few different off-shoots that I can work on to ultimately improve my relationships in life. First up, follow through and exercise.
Today's exercise:
Thirty minutes - walking (1/3) and jogging (2/3)
Paved road - although getting a little loose in some areas
On to today's run. Another beautiful day in the Midwest as I noted earlier today on Twitter. Same as yesterday, my main focus for this week and next is to get out and do some walking and jogging every day. The geese were out right on schedule to watch me jog by. They did not put up a chase today; they must be waiting until I get some of my speed back.
I spent most of today's exercise time thinking about areas I need to improve. Exercise is one area, but a larger common theme amongst a series of items was relationship building. I see relationship building as the core item for improvement, which entails quite a few different off-shoots that I can work on to ultimately improve my relationships in life. First up, follow through and exercise.
Today's exercise:
Thirty minutes - walking (1/3) and jogging (2/3)
Paved road - although getting a little loose in some areas
5.19.2009
I Think They Learned Something
Being a teacher is a long-term goal of mine. Not something that I want to take on full-time right now, but further down the road when I have experienced more of life. I find that it's important to bring to the classroom two things: life experiences and business principles. There is a third thing to bring or more so to possess and that is the ability to interlace life experiences and business principles. I don't want to see a class turn into an entire semester of lessons learned. Lessons learned are good, but it's important to teach and help students learn how to apply the lessons learned and principles of marketing strategy (my forte).
I had the chance to teach a single class during the Spring 2009 semester. It was a Marketing Strategy course for graduating college seniors. At the end of the semester I delivered the last lecture, which I put together using quotes and comments from my peers at work and mentors. The class gave a nice round of applause and I was happy to pass along the positive reaction to those that contributed to my lecture.
Now as I reflect back on the semester I wonder, what worked and what did not work in the class? There were no multiple choice question tests to judge their retention throughout the semester. They wrote several papers applying the subject matter, which was one gauge, but looking longer-term I hope to hear that members of my class set goals and get to achieve or exceed them in life down the road. That would be one long-term test of success in teaching.
I had the chance to teach a single class during the Spring 2009 semester. It was a Marketing Strategy course for graduating college seniors. At the end of the semester I delivered the last lecture, which I put together using quotes and comments from my peers at work and mentors. The class gave a nice round of applause and I was happy to pass along the positive reaction to those that contributed to my lecture.
Now as I reflect back on the semester I wonder, what worked and what did not work in the class? There were no multiple choice question tests to judge their retention throughout the semester. They wrote several papers applying the subject matter, which was one gauge, but looking longer-term I hope to hear that members of my class set goals and get to achieve or exceed them in life down the road. That would be one long-term test of success in teaching.
Back on the Trail
This morning was not unlike many of the days precluding it, except for one thing. I was back on the road early in the morning trying to get back into shape. It was a mix of walking and jogging. I'm not counting miles yet, just minutes spent on the road. As I wandered around the neighborhood I was greeted by a fleet of geese and their goslings - and quickly reminded not to get too close by the hissing from the adults.
During the entire run I was thinking about what the future of neighborhoods will bring. Will we see the same crammed designs for neighborhoods used going forward after the housing boom we just experienced? Or will we see neighborhood developers and towns move towards offering more park, forest and gardening spaces? Nothing stuck in my mind, but I believe developers will have to think differently going forward.
Thirty minutes
Paved road - although getting a little loose in some areas
During the entire run I was thinking about what the future of neighborhoods will bring. Will we see the same crammed designs for neighborhoods used going forward after the housing boom we just experienced? Or will we see neighborhood developers and towns move towards offering more park, forest and gardening spaces? Nothing stuck in my mind, but I believe developers will have to think differently going forward.
Thirty minutes
Paved road - although getting a little loose in some areas
6.30.2008
Teaching Telecommuting
Looking at Google Trends this week, there has been a steady three month increase in the number of search requests and news references for the words "telecommute" and "telecommuting." Following this thread I flipped over to Google News and saw a stream of articles outlining the benefits of a 4-day work week or employing telecommuting to cut back on the miles driven to work and the dollars spent on fuel.
I am lucky to be a part of a company that has offered most of its employees the opportunity to work from home on a regular basis. I prefer to work from an office most of the time because driving there helps me turn my focus towards the work at hand. Also, working in an office helps when I have an idea to discuss with my coworkers there. I work in a small office that is 30 minutes away from my house. I usually end up working from home one or two days a week to keep my driving at an acceptable level.
I remember a couple years ago I started working from home five days a week. Working from home has its pros and cons as many of the articles penned recently will illustrate, but I'm not about to build upon this list that pops up every time gas prices trend upward. No, you see when I started telecommuting I had lots of coworkers to learn the ins and outs of the home working arrangement. I received some sage advice from one of my coworkers in New York who put it very simply. He said, "Brian, to work from home you have to be disciplined." That's it. I had to ponder this advice for some time and even struggled with it as I transitioned from driving 30 minutes to work to walking a few steps to work. I was lucky to have coworkers with experience working from home or else my transition would not have gone as well as it did.
I regularly read one website that may help newly minted telecommuters, aptly named Web Worker Daily. It's geared more towards people working in the technology and creative industries from home, but there are some useful tips and tools that they list throughout their daily posts. I've also read numerous articles about Sun Microsystems embracing telecommuting arrangements for over 50% of its employees (helps Sun save money on operating costs and facilities maintenance). Whatever your reasons for telecommuting, make sure you don't loose the benefit of face to face contact, whether it is with your coworkers or folks in your business network.
To all of the new telecommuters, how will your organization teach you to telecommute? Are there organizations that can help a company make a smooth telecommuting transition? What lessons have been learned and what technologies or processes work best to maintain the benefits of working in an office?
I am lucky to be a part of a company that has offered most of its employees the opportunity to work from home on a regular basis. I prefer to work from an office most of the time because driving there helps me turn my focus towards the work at hand. Also, working in an office helps when I have an idea to discuss with my coworkers there. I work in a small office that is 30 minutes away from my house. I usually end up working from home one or two days a week to keep my driving at an acceptable level.
I remember a couple years ago I started working from home five days a week. Working from home has its pros and cons as many of the articles penned recently will illustrate, but I'm not about to build upon this list that pops up every time gas prices trend upward. No, you see when I started telecommuting I had lots of coworkers to learn the ins and outs of the home working arrangement. I received some sage advice from one of my coworkers in New York who put it very simply. He said, "Brian, to work from home you have to be disciplined." That's it. I had to ponder this advice for some time and even struggled with it as I transitioned from driving 30 minutes to work to walking a few steps to work. I was lucky to have coworkers with experience working from home or else my transition would not have gone as well as it did.
I regularly read one website that may help newly minted telecommuters, aptly named Web Worker Daily. It's geared more towards people working in the technology and creative industries from home, but there are some useful tips and tools that they list throughout their daily posts. I've also read numerous articles about Sun Microsystems embracing telecommuting arrangements for over 50% of its employees (helps Sun save money on operating costs and facilities maintenance). Whatever your reasons for telecommuting, make sure you don't loose the benefit of face to face contact, whether it is with your coworkers or folks in your business network.
To all of the new telecommuters, how will your organization teach you to telecommute? Are there organizations that can help a company make a smooth telecommuting transition? What lessons have been learned and what technologies or processes work best to maintain the benefits of working in an office?
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