Books

  • Delivering Happiness

    100701 Zappos Delivering Happiness I've been reading a pretty good new book that is an interesting mix of stories, life-lessons, and business content.  It combines a behind the scenes peek into the situations, emails, checklists, sample interview questions, and "Happiness Framework" that led to some surprising results.

    For example, here are Zappos' Core Values from which they develop their culture, brand, and business strategies:

    1. Deliver
      WOW Through Service
    2. Embrace
      and Drive Change
    3. Create
      Fun and A Little Weirdness
    4. Be
      Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
    5. Pursue
      Growth and Learning
    6. Build
      Open and Honest Relationships With Communication
    7. Build
      a Positive Team and Family Spirit
    8. Do
      More With Less
    9. Be
      Passionate and Determined
    10. Be
      Humble

    Why Should You Care?

    In 1999, Tony Hsieh (pronounced Shay) sold LinkExchange, the company he co-founded, to Microsoft for $265 million. He then joined Zappos as an adviser and investor, and eventually became CEO.

    In 2009, Zappos was listed as one of Fortune magazine's top 25 companies to work for, and was acquired by Amazon later that year in a deal valued at over $1.2 billion on the day of closing.

    So, you might guess that he learned a few things about what worked, and what didn't.

    In his first book, Tony shares the different business lessons he learned in life, from a lemonade stand and pizza business through LinkExchange, Zappos, and more. Ultimately, he shows how using happiness as a framework can produce profits, passion, and purpose both in business and in life.

    Here is a video of Tony Hsieh on Delivering Happiness.

    Zappos is Famous For Their Culture.  Here's a Taste of It.

    Here is Tony's BigThink video explaining his company's culture and belief that managers should "hang-out" with staff after work.

    Other Resources.

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • A Father’s Day Investment Guaranteed to Pay Dividends.

    My kids are getting older.  So Father's Day looks a little different than it used to.

    Fathers Day Cartoon

    But as I look back, there is an investment I made that paid-off in a big way, and I want to share it with you.

    Like many parents, I wanted to teach my children that, to a large extent, they control what happens to them. One of the first ways I did that was to set up a "compensation system" for them to earn video games.

    Some parents try to limit the amount of time their kids spend watching TV or playing video games. I tried something different.  Instead, my kids earned their games by reading books.  Here is a photo from way back then.

    BZandH_edited

    Paid With Play.

    Here's how it worked. When they were younger, 10 books was enough to earn a small game. When they finished a book, it was their right, and my obligation, to take them to the bookstore for us to pick up the next book together. Likewise, when they finished the requisite number of books, it was their right, and my obligation, to take them to the computer store or game store for them to choose any game they wanted.

    When they finished hundred books, they got a bonus of earning the next game system. That meant if they had a Nintendo, they could now also get a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360.

    How Can You Encourage a Jump to the Next Level?

    There came a point when I wanted one of my sons to start reading grown-up books. He was comfortable reading a certain type of book, and didn't want to read the kind of books that I read.  So, I created a bonus system that counted a particular book as three books.  I didn't force him; I just let the easier path to a reward "whisper" in his ear what to read. Once he finished that, he never went back to teen fiction.

    It Is a Great Way to Learn About Your Kids.

    I also used the bookstore visits to get a sense of how the boys were doing. For example, I might say "I notice that you read five books in that series, maybe you'd like this book".  Or, "That sure is a lot of science fiction; what was the last biography you read?"  For the most part, though, I didn't care what they read.  The key was to get them to want to choose certain books for their own reasons.  Ultimately, their preference meant they were learning to love reading.

    It Puts Them In Control of Their Destiny and Rewards.

    My younger son likes competition. He also broke or misplaced many things. So, in order to earn back the Game Boy unit that he lost, I challenged him to read five books in five days. These weren't easy books either. It was designed to stretch him, and also to teach him that he could read a book a night. The bet was that he either finished all the books in the allocated time, or none of them counted towards games or Game Boys. On the other hand, if he read a book a night for two weeks, not only would he get to have his Game Boy back, the books would count towards a game too. It worked like a charm, and we were both happy.

    So, Who Got the Better Bargain?

    As they started to get into their teenage years, I needed to up the ante a little. So, 500 books meant they got a laptop of their choice. Both boys cashed in, and probably felt like they were taking advantage of their dad.

    I got what I wanted, though; both my boys love reading, and know that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to … one step at a time.

    100109-Boys-at-the-Cowboys-

    That's an investment that will pay dividends for a long time.

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • A Father’s Day Investment Guaranteed to Pay Dividends.

    My kids are getting older.  So Father's Day looks a little different than it used to.

    Fathers Day Cartoon

    But as I look back, there is an investment I made that paid-off in a big way, and I want to share it with you.

    Like many parents, I wanted to teach my children that, to a large extent, they control what happens to them. One of the first ways I did that was to set up a "compensation system" for them to earn video games.

    Some parents try to limit the amount of time their kids spend watching TV or playing video games. I tried something different.  Instead, my kids earned their games by reading books.  Here is a photo from way back then.

    BZandH_edited

    Paid With Play.

    Here's how it worked. When they were younger, 10 books was enough to earn a small game. When they finished a book, it was their right, and my obligation, to take them to the bookstore for us to pick up the next book together. Likewise, when they finished the requisite number of books, it was their right, and my obligation, to take them to the computer store or game store for them to choose any game they wanted.

    When they finished hundred books, they got a bonus of earning the next game system. That meant if they had a Nintendo, they could now also get a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360.

    How Can You Encourage a Jump to the Next Level?

    There came a point when I wanted one of my sons to start reading grown-up books. He was comfortable reading a certain type of book, and didn't want to read the kind of books that I read.  So, I created a bonus system that counted a particular book as three books.  I didn't force him; I just let the easier path to a reward "whisper" in his ear what to read. Once he finished that, he never went back to teen fiction.

    It Is a Great Way to Learn About Your Kids.

    I also used the bookstore visits to get a sense of how the boys were doing. For example, I might say "I notice that you read five books in that series, maybe you'd like this book".  Or, "That sure is a lot of science fiction; what was the last biography you read?"  For the most part, though, I didn't care what they read.  The key was to get them to want to choose certain books for their own reasons.  Ultimately, their preference meant they were learning to love reading.

    It Puts Them In Control of Their Destiny and Rewards.

    My younger son likes competition. He also broke or misplaced many things. So, in order to earn back the Game Boy unit that he lost, I challenged him to read five books in five days. These weren't easy books either. It was designed to stretch him, and also to teach him that he could read a book a night. The bet was that he either finished all the books in the allocated time, or none of them counted towards games or Game Boys. On the other hand, if he read a book a night for two weeks, not only would he get to have his Game Boy back, the books would count towards a game too. It worked like a charm, and we were both happy.

    So, Who Got the Better Bargain?

    As they started to get into their teenage years, I needed to up the ante a little. So, 500 books meant they got a laptop of their choice. Both boys cashed in, and probably felt like they were taking advantage of their dad.

    I got what I wanted, though; both my boys love reading, and know that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to … one step at a time.

    100109-Boys-at-the-Cowboys-

    That's an investment that will pay dividends for a long time.

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • I Played With an iPad, and I Liked it

    100412 iPad Bookshelf The iPad is a revolutionary machine. I had a chance to spend time using one this weekend.

    Overall, the experience was impressive and compelling.

    The screen was beautiful. Looking at a website was
    better than expected. For example, reading the New
    York Times     online (using their iPad App) was, in many ways, a
    better experience than with the actual paper. Likewise, the e-book interface was stunning, easy
    to use, and also more compelling than paper.


    An Incredible "Consumption" Device.

    At first glance, the iPad seems like an incredible tool to
    consume media.

    • If you like to sit on your couch and read the paper or
      magazines, the iPad will clearly make that better.  Why?  Because you will have
      a much wider range of reading material available in one place, along
      with access to multimedia, streaming video and internet links.
    • If
      you play Sudoku or crosswords, again, the iPad will clearly
      make that better. You will have access to extra games, more varieties of
      games, and the ability to play against other people.
    • If you want to do research for something you're writing, it's the
      perfect platform to browse through websites, blogs, or to launch a news reader to scan RSS
      feeds      .
    • You can even use it to watch videos and browse through pictures.

    Here is a video review.

    So, will I buy one?  Not yet; and I do have some mixed feelings about this device.

    So What Was "Wrong" With It?

    To be sure, it is fast and powerful enough to do many of the things I do on a laptop.
    However, I don't think that it's a great "creation" device (at least for me). In other words, I don't believe that I would want to use it to do extensive
    writing, spreadsheet editing, or that type of "computer" work.

    Also, its big beautiful screen makes the device "too big" for me to imagine carrying around.

    One of the primary benefits of my iPhone is that I have it with me everywhere.  That means I use it at the grocery store, while I'm waiting for my car at the car-wash, and to look up something during a business meeting or lunch.  That wouldn't happen with the iPad. 

    Instead, I'd want one in my briefcase, another one in the living room, and another in the bedroom.

    Again, the iPad seems designed to be a "consumption" device for media.  As the price point comes down, I believe that consumers will buy several of them (much the way they have
    TVs in different rooms).

    100412 iPad iBroke Cartoon

    Even though it so impressive and compelling, I will probably wait for its next generation before buying. 

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

  • I Played With an iPad, and I Liked it

    100412 iPad Bookshelf The iPad is a revolutionary machine. I had a chance to spend time using one this weekend.

    Overall, the experience was impressive and compelling.

    The screen was beautiful. Looking at a website was
    better than expected. For example, reading the New
    York Times     online (using their iPad App) was, in many ways, a
    better experience than with the actual paper. Likewise, the e-book interface was stunning, easy
    to use, and also more compelling than paper.


    An Incredible "Consumption" Device.

    At first glance, the iPad seems like an incredible tool to
    consume media.

    • If you like to sit on your couch and read the paper or
      magazines, the iPad will clearly make that better.  Why?  Because you will have
      a much wider range of reading material available in one place, along
      with access to multimedia, streaming video and internet links.
    • If
      you play Sudoku or crosswords, again, the iPad will clearly
      make that better. You will have access to extra games, more varieties of
      games, and the ability to play against other people.
    • If you want to do research for something you're writing, it's the
      perfect platform to browse through websites, blogs, or to launch a news reader to scan RSS
      feeds      .
    • You can even use it to watch videos and browse through pictures.

    Here is a video review.

    So, will I buy one?  Not yet; and I do have some mixed feelings about this device.

    So What Was "Wrong" With It?

    To be sure, it is fast and powerful enough to do many of the things I do on a laptop.
    However, I don't think that it's a great "creation" device (at least for me). In other words, I don't believe that I would want to use it to do extensive
    writing, spreadsheet editing, or that type of "computer" work.

    Also, its big beautiful screen makes the device "too big" for me to imagine carrying around.

    One of the primary benefits of my iPhone is that I have it with me everywhere.  That means I use it at the grocery store, while I'm waiting for my car at the car-wash, and to look up something during a business meeting or lunch.  That wouldn't happen with the iPad. 

    Instead, I'd want one in my briefcase, another one in the living room, and another in the bedroom.

    Again, the iPad seems designed to be a "consumption" device for media.  As the price point comes down, I believe that consumers will buy several of them (much the way they have
    TVs in different rooms).

    100412 iPad iBroke Cartoon

    Even though it so impressive and compelling, I will probably wait for its next generation before buying. 

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

  • A Reminder of Simple Truths

    Here is a link to short video by Mac Anderson of Simple Truths.

    100311 Simple Truths Video

    It is a collection of quotes and simple truths set to music.  Hope you have a good week.

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

  • Simon Sinek Says “Start with Why”

    091220-Simom-Sinek-and-Howa Inspiration is stronger than persuasion.  It gives people a sense of purpose and belonging that has little to do with external incentive or benefit.

    Simon Sinek, who is quite charismatic and well-spoken, is delivering this message to a rapidly growing fan-base. 

    My team thought Simon was inspiring, engaging and insightful.

    You can watch a short video that introduces his material below. 

    In addition, you can explore more of his ideas in his book,
    Start
    with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action    .

    An Example of Finding the Right Person for a Job.

    Who do you believe will do a better job, someone who takes a job because of the salary and benefits … or someone truly inspired to accomplish the job's purpose? 

    Phrased that way, of course you know the answer.  Still, how can you leverage this to better select customers and employees?

    Shackleton's Boat Stuck in Ice in at the South Pole For example, Simon uses the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton to illustrate this concept.  Shackleton was preparing to lead the first expedition across Antarctica in 1914. Legend has it that when seeking crew members for his journey, Shackleton placed the following ad in a newspaper:

    "MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOUR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS.
    – SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON"

    When the expedition became stuck in the ice and could not be rescued for 22 months, not a single man was lost. The reason Simon gave for their unlikely survival was that Shackleton hired survivors that could deal with the situation and were aligned with the mission and purpose.

    Can you imagine writing an ad like that to attract the right people to your cause?

    Watch This Video.

    Here is a video of Simon speaking at a Ted Conference.  It is a great intro to his stuff. 

    Other Resources:

    Related Posts:

  • Simon Sinek Says “Start with Why”

    091220-Simom-Sinek-and-Howa Inspiration is stronger than persuasion.  It gives people a sense of purpose and belonging that has little to do with external incentive or benefit.

    Simon Sinek, who is quite charismatic and well-spoken, is delivering this message to a rapidly growing fan-base. 

    My team thought Simon was inspiring, engaging and insightful.

    You can watch a short video that introduces his material below. 

    In addition, you can explore more of his ideas in his book,
    Start
    with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action    .

    An Example of Finding the Right Person for a Job.

    Who do you believe will do a better job, someone who takes a job because of the salary and benefits … or someone truly inspired to accomplish the job's purpose? 

    Phrased that way, of course you know the answer.  Still, how can you leverage this to better select customers and employees?

    Shackleton's Boat Stuck in Ice in at the South Pole For example, Simon uses the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton to illustrate this concept.  Shackleton was preparing to lead the first expedition across Antarctica in 1914. Legend has it that when seeking crew members for his journey, Shackleton placed the following ad in a newspaper:

    "MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOUR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS.
    – SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON"

    When the expedition became stuck in the ice and could not be rescued for 22 months, not a single man was lost. The reason Simon gave for their unlikely survival was that Shackleton hired survivors that could deal with the situation and were aligned with the mission and purpose.

    Can you imagine writing an ad like that to attract the right people to your cause?

    Watch This Video.

    Here is a video of Simon speaking at a Ted Conference.  It is a great intro to his stuff. 

    Other Resources:

    Related Posts:

  • Palin and Shatner’s Strange Word War

    Words alone, won't do this justice.  You should watch for yourself.

    Sarah Palin and William Shatner channel something strangely reminiscent of beatnik poetry or Haiku.

    Enjoy.

    It is like a competitive poetry performance, except they are reading each other's words out of context.

    Other Resources:

     

  • Palin and Shatner’s Strange Word War

    Words alone, won't do this justice.  You should watch for yourself.

    Sarah Palin and William Shatner channel something strangely reminiscent of beatnik poetry or Haiku.

    Enjoy.

    It is like a competitive poetry performance, except they are reading each other's words out of context.

    Other Resources: