Business

Impressions About the New iPhone

Hello, my name is Howard; and I'm a gadget addict. This week I went out and upgraded to the new Apple iPhone 3GS, even though my 3G worked fine. I had to, though; didn't I?

It's the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. It has video, and my old phone didn't have video. It has a compass; and you know I need a compass. Okay, I don't need a compass; but apparently the new turn-by-turn mapping capability needs a compass to understand which direction you're turning (and that's pretty cool). It has voice control to dial the phone, play music, and otherwise avoid typing. And it has double the storage capacity, which I'm sure still won't be enough.

Actually, I'm very happy with the new phone and the upgrade process. I connected it to my computer, and all the applications and settings from my prior version migrated all by themselves. Even the high score lists for games I play transferred. More importantly, the phone does everything I expected, and seems faster.

And, of course, I no longer have iPhone envy. The fact that I waited a week after it came out to order mine took amazing willpower. I thought about it so many times that it was no longer worth it to wait. So Happy Birthday to me, a few weeks early.

Joking aside, the iPhone has become an important business tool for me. I am more surprised about how much less I use my laptop, than I am about how much I use the iPhone.

Even when I'm in a meeting, I have access to the internet. I can search Google. Or even better, I can use Twitter or Facebook to crowd-source an answer. It's almost like being able to "Call a Friend" or "Ask the Audience" on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".

One of the features I like best, is being able to use my voice instead of typing. So, I can quickly look-up a contact by saying their name. It's surprising how many places voice control like this comes in handy. For example, Google has an iPhone application that allows you to search by speaking. So I could speak an address, and the Google map comes up. Or, I could say "stock price for Apple", and the current quote and chart comes up. Similarly, I use an application called Jott to verbally capture tasks, ideas, and to-do items. The service transcribes what I say and puts it into my task list. It's important because I'm now capturing things that used to slip through the cracks.

I'll review some of the more helpful iPhone applications in a later post. In the meantime, if you don't have the new iPhone, I recommend you go check them out. It's a very fine piece of technology.

July 12, 2009
Impressions About the New iPhone

Hello, my name is Howard; and I'm a gadget addict. This week I went out and upgraded to the new Apple iPhone 3GS, even though my 3G worked fine. I had to, though; didn't I?

It's the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. It has video, and my old phone didn't have video. It has a compass; and you know I need a compass. Okay, I don't need a compass; but apparently the new turn-by-turn mapping capability needs a compass to understand which direction you're turning (and that's pretty cool). It has voice control to dial the phone, play music, and otherwise avoid typing. And it has double the storage capacity, which I'm sure still won't be enough.

Actually, I'm very happy with the new phone and the upgrade process. I connected it to my computer, and all the applications and settings from my prior version migrated all by themselves. Even the high score lists for games I play transferred. More importantly, the phone does everything I expected, and seems faster.

And, of course, I no longer have iPhone envy. The fact that I waited a week after it came out to order mine took amazing willpower. I thought about it so many times that it was no longer worth it to wait. So Happy Birthday to me, a few weeks early.

Joking aside, the iPhone has become an important business tool for me. I am more surprised about how much less I use my laptop, than I am about how much I use the iPhone.

Even when I'm in a meeting, I have access to the internet. I can search Google. Or even better, I can use Twitter or Facebook to crowd-source an answer. It's almost like being able to "Call a Friend" or "Ask the Audience" on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".

One of the features I like best, is being able to use my voice instead of typing. So, I can quickly look-up a contact by saying their name. It's surprising how many places voice control like this comes in handy. For example, Google has an iPhone application that allows you to search by speaking. So I could speak an address, and the Google map comes up. Or, I could say "stock price for Apple", and the current quote and chart comes up. Similarly, I use an application called Jott to verbally capture tasks, ideas, and to-do items. The service transcribes what I say and puts it into my task list. It's important because I'm now capturing things that used to slip through the cracks.

I'll review some of the more helpful iPhone applications in a later post. In the meantime, if you don't have the new iPhone, I recommend you go check them out. It's a very fine piece of technology.

July 12, 2009
The Flow of Planning

I was in Columbus Ohio last week for a series of meetings and strategic planning sessions.

I love getting away from the business in order to work on the
business. That means stepping back from day-to-day issues, to look at
the bigger picture. It also means getting back in-touch with goals and
intent.

In a sense, the process acts like a compass, which sets the general direction for the journey.

In addition, preparing for a series of meetings, like this, is a lot like working on a business plan.

Personally, I've found that that one of the primary benefits of
creating a business plan has almost nothing to do with the plan itself.
Working on the plan, immersing yourself in the ideas and possibilities,
and ultimately choosing what stays-in, versus what's filtered out …
there is magic in that.

Yes, the plan is important. But it is the planning that takes you from thinking … to feeling … to knowing. That's where the real benefit of business planning comes from.

A Good Sign.

Sometimes you hear a question and it takes the air out of an idea.
Other times a question helps you make a new distinction or consider an
alternate and better course of action.

At our planning sessions, last week, there was a lot of those
pushing, pulling, probing, and deep thought … yet it built momentum.
So, I felt like we were on the right track.

How to Tell You Are On the Right Track.

I
tend to be analytical. Yet, over time, I've come to believe that one
of the best tools to measure whether you are on the right track is how
you feel.

Have you ever gotten a phone call from someone, and when you saw or heard that it was from them, you wilted? In
contrast, have you ever become more animated and energized while
interacting with someone else? It is easy to recognize the difference.

Each person has different thoughts, people, or situations that trigger these positive and negative states.

In sports, this positive state is often referred to as being "in-the-Zone". It is also called "Flow".
It happens when someone is fully immersed in what they are doing, and
has a feeling of energized focus or awareness, full involvement, and
success in the process of their activity.

Being in Flow feels good. On some level, when you are in Flow, you know you're on the right track.

July 6, 2009
The Flow of Planning

I was in Columbus Ohio last week for a series of meetings and strategic planning sessions.

I love getting away from the business in order to work on the
business. That means stepping back from day-to-day issues, to look at
the bigger picture. It also means getting back in-touch with goals and
intent.

In a sense, the process acts like a compass, which sets the general direction for the journey.

In addition, preparing for a series of meetings, like this, is a lot like working on a business plan.

Personally, I've found that that one of the primary benefits of
creating a business plan has almost nothing to do with the plan itself.
Working on the plan, immersing yourself in the ideas and possibilities,
and ultimately choosing what stays-in, versus what's filtered out …
there is magic in that.

Yes, the plan is important. But it is the planning that takes you from thinking … to feeling … to knowing. That's where the real benefit of business planning comes from.

A Good Sign.

Sometimes you hear a question and it takes the air out of an idea.
Other times a question helps you make a new distinction or consider an
alternate and better course of action.

At our planning sessions, last week, there was a lot of those
pushing, pulling, probing, and deep thought … yet it built momentum.
So, I felt like we were on the right track.

How to Tell You Are On the Right Track.

I
tend to be analytical. Yet, over time, I've come to believe that one
of the best tools to measure whether you are on the right track is how
you feel.

Have you ever gotten a phone call from someone, and when you saw or heard that it was from them, you wilted? In
contrast, have you ever become more animated and energized while
interacting with someone else? It is easy to recognize the difference.

Each person has different thoughts, people, or situations that trigger these positive and negative states.

In sports, this positive state is often referred to as being "in-the-Zone". It is also called "Flow".
It happens when someone is fully immersed in what they are doing, and
has a feeling of energized focus or awareness, full involvement, and
success in the process of their activity.

Being in Flow feels good. On some level, when you are in Flow, you know you're on the right track.

July 6, 2009
Software to Help You Manage Your Mind

Visual Thinking, Idea Mapping or Mind-Mapping … whatever you call it, there are some terrific new tools available to help you think, plan and write better.

I find I'm using it more often and for more things, like: note-taking, process maps, brainstorming and presentations.

How Does It Work?

Mind-Mapping is related to outlining. So you already know how to do it. It is intuitive, and makes it
easy to see thought structure and relationships. It also makes it easy to review and re-organize the framework that organizes your data. Here is an example showing what you can do with a tool like this.

How Can You Use Mind-Mapping Software?

I use this type of software like a virtual whiteboard. It helps me organize a meeting or present a thought process. What used to be a form on a piece of paper, now becomes the dynamic center of collective focus. For example, here is a map template from Mindjet's MindManager; it is used to evaluate an
idea using SWOT analysis (which stands for: strength, weakness,
opportunity, and threat).

The structure of the outline and actually
helps control focus and trigger new ideas. And the software allow me to add detail and new items in any order. The result is better understanding and often, new ideas and possibilities.

Brainstorming.

The computer age has made it a lot easier for me to collect data. Then what? Data is a raw material, but I often want to think better …
rather than to just have more data. So, I use visual thinking tools to help me
make sense of lots of ideas. It often helps me see relationships and
move items around to places where they fit better, or trigger new
thoughts.

For brainstorming, the software is a lot like writing ideas on Post-It Notes and moving them around on a whiteboard. I like being able to enter information the order
that occurs to me, rather than having to understand the bigger picture.

In fact, it's by placing all the seemingly random bits of information
page and dragging them around into piles, that the bigger picture often
reveals itself to me.

To do that, I try to figure what relates the piles, and I create a label for that category. I then try to figure out how categories fit together, and ultimately come up with a better understanding of the thought framework. From there, it doesn't take much work to fill out weaker areas of the outline, adding an idea here, moving an idea from there.

The Software Tools.

Even if you tried a tool like this before, it is time for a fresh look. These tools have evolved and are worth having and using.

Mindjet's MindManager is the tool I use most often. The current version is stable and mature, with a nice feature set and the ability to export information into a variety of programs and formats. I especially like the new option to export a live branching version of the mind map in PDF format.

Mindjet offers a template gallery for you to download 70+ sample maps to use.

Another tool I've been using more of lately is Tony Buzan's iMindMap. Buzan is a well-known proponent of mind mapping and has created a visually appealing tool.

It's compelling, and I'm trying to use it more. They also have a nice collection of videos explaining the software and concepts behind mind-mapping that is worth exploring.

Personally, though, for real work I find myself going back to Mindjet product.

In addition, there's an open-source version called FreeMind. Here's the link to try that tool as well.

June 7, 2009
Software to Help You Manage Your Mind

Visual Thinking, Idea Mapping or Mind-Mapping … whatever you call it, there are some terrific new tools available to help you think, plan and write better.

I find I'm using it more often and for more things, like: note-taking, process maps, brainstorming and presentations.

How Does It Work?

Mind-Mapping is related to outlining. So you already know how to do it. It is intuitive, and makes it
easy to see thought structure and relationships. It also makes it easy to review and re-organize the framework that organizes your data. Here is an example showing what you can do with a tool like this.

How Can You Use Mind-Mapping Software?

I use this type of software like a virtual whiteboard. It helps me organize a meeting or present a thought process. What used to be a form on a piece of paper, now becomes the dynamic center of collective focus. For example, here is a map template from Mindjet's MindManager; it is used to evaluate an
idea using SWOT analysis (which stands for: strength, weakness,
opportunity, and threat).

The structure of the outline and actually
helps control focus and trigger new ideas. And the software allow me to add detail and new items in any order. The result is better understanding and often, new ideas and possibilities.

Brainstorming.

The computer age has made it a lot easier for me to collect data. Then what? Data is a raw material, but I often want to think better …
rather than to just have more data. So, I use visual thinking tools to help me
make sense of lots of ideas. It often helps me see relationships and
move items around to places where they fit better, or trigger new
thoughts.

For brainstorming, the software is a lot like writing ideas on Post-It Notes and moving them around on a whiteboard. I like being able to enter information the order
that occurs to me, rather than having to understand the bigger picture.

In fact, it's by placing all the seemingly random bits of information
page and dragging them around into piles, that the bigger picture often
reveals itself to me.

To do that, I try to figure what relates the piles, and I create a label for that category. I then try to figure out how categories fit together, and ultimately come up with a better understanding of the thought framework. From there, it doesn't take much work to fill out weaker areas of the outline, adding an idea here, moving an idea from there.

The Software Tools.

Even if you tried a tool like this before, it is time for a fresh look. These tools have evolved and are worth having and using.

Mindjet's MindManager is the tool I use most often. The current version is stable and mature, with a nice feature set and the ability to export information into a variety of programs and formats. I especially like the new option to export a live branching version of the mind map in PDF format.

Mindjet offers a template gallery for you to download 70+ sample maps to use.

Another tool I've been using more of lately is Tony Buzan's iMindMap. Buzan is a well-known proponent of mind mapping and has created a visually appealing tool.

It's compelling, and I'm trying to use it more. They also have a nice collection of videos explaining the software and concepts behind mind-mapping that is worth exploring.

Personally, though, for real work I find myself going back to Mindjet product.

In addition, there's an open-source version called FreeMind. Here's the link to try that tool as well.

June 7, 2009
Seth Godin: Why Tribes, Not Money Or Factories, Will Change The World

Terrific video from the TED series.

Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so.

Direct link to the Seth Godin's Tribe Talk at TED.

I'm seeing more examples of Tribes. For example, Facebook and Twitter have become an important part of my day and business process. I am pleasantly surprised by how many people have offered ideas, opinions and insights that make a difference and move things forward.

Everything old is new again. Welcome to the tribe.

May 29, 2009
Seth Godin: Why Tribes, Not Money Or Factories, Will Change The World

Terrific video from the TED series.

Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so.

Direct link to the Seth Godin's Tribe Talk at TED.

I'm seeing more examples of Tribes. For example, Facebook and Twitter have become an important part of my day and business process. I am pleasantly surprised by how many people have offered ideas, opinions and insights that make a difference and move things forward.

Everything old is new again. Welcome to the tribe.

May 29, 2009
Capitalogix Commentary 05/24/09
A good magician misdirects your focus with clever patter, distracting gestures and a pretty assistant. Why does that remind me about the current state of market perception and the economy?

Perhaps in part because of the rosy picture the recent rally paints, while few notice the plunge in S&P 500 earnings. That means the great bargain you think you are buying isn't such a bargain.

Stocks Are Expensive Again.

The chart below, from Chart of the Day, illustrates how this plunge in earnings has impacted the current valuation of the stock market as measured by the price to earnings ratio (PE ratio).

Generally speaking, when the PE ratio is high, stocks are considered to be expensive. When the PE ratio is low, stocks are considered to be inexpensive. From 1936 into the late 1980s, the PE ratio tended to peak in the low 20s (red line) and trough somewhere around seven (green line). The price investors were willing to pay for a dollar of earnings increased during the dot-com boom (late 1990s) and the dot-com bust (early 2000s).

As a result of the current plunge in earnings and the recent 2.5 month stock market rally, the PE ratio has spiked to the low 120s – a record high.

Click here for a different perspective on this chart.

Precious Metals Are Performing Well.

At the same time, there is another trend worth watching. Money is moving to gold.

The chart displays the relative performance of several market sectors over the past few weeks. The chart below shows the same data, but compared to Gold as the baseline. It highlights how dramatically the other markets have under-performed recently.

The recent financial crisis has clearly re-ignited investor interest in precious metals. Many believe that gold and silver are good bets during tough times – and a hedge against inflation. So it doesn't surprise me that I'm hearing more investors using Warehouse Depositary Receipts to actually take delivery of the asset rather than just speculating.

What To Expect.

A short-term bounce wouldn't surprise me here. The markets have held-up fairly well after the big rally. So another test higher makes sense. However, based on the weakening internals, the intermediate-term outlook is looking more bearish to me.

Business Posts Moving the Markets that I Found Interesting This Week:
- Will the Fed's Medicine have Inflationary Side-Effects? (WSJ)
- Treasury's Next Phase Of Bank Rescue: Buying Toxic Assets. (Dealbook NYTimes)
- Two Tech IPOs This Week: Is The Dry Spell Over? (NYTimes)
- Financiers In China Are Getting Leery Of Dollars & Are Accumulating Gold. (Forbes)
- Russians Offers to Invest $200 Million in Facebook at $10 Billion valuation. (WSJ)
- Despite Russia's Struggling Economy, Its Market Surges. (NYTimes)
- Is A Low VIX Good? Not In My Experience. Who's Afraid Of the Bear? (Money)
- More Posts Moving the Markets.
Lighter Ideas and Fun Links that I Found Interesting This Week
- How Well Can You Live In India On $2 Per Day? (Slate)
- Verne Harnish Insights & Best Practices for Growing Leaders and Companies. (Blog)
- In Praise of Dullness: the CEO Traits That Most Help Them Thrive. (NYTimes)
- When Will Computer Intelligence Surpass Our Own? (NYTimes)
- IBM Unveils Software to Find Trends in Vast Data Sets. (NYTimes)
- Kindle Books Now Account for 35% of Sales When Available. (Business Insider)
- Why Predictions Based On Search Were Wrong About 'Idol' Winner. (MediaPost)
- More Posts with Lighter Ideas and Fun Links.
May 24, 2009
Capitalogix Commentary 05/24/09
A good magician misdirects your focus with clever patter, distracting gestures and a pretty assistant. Why does that remind me about the current state of market perception and the economy?

Perhaps in part because of the rosy picture the recent rally paints, while few notice the plunge in S&P 500 earnings. That means the great bargain you think you are buying isn't such a bargain.

Stocks Are Expensive Again.

The chart below, from Chart of the Day, illustrates how this plunge in earnings has impacted the current valuation of the stock market as measured by the price to earnings ratio (PE ratio).

Generally speaking, when the PE ratio is high, stocks are considered to be expensive. When the PE ratio is low, stocks are considered to be inexpensive. From 1936 into the late 1980s, the PE ratio tended to peak in the low 20s (red line) and trough somewhere around seven (green line). The price investors were willing to pay for a dollar of earnings increased during the dot-com boom (late 1990s) and the dot-com bust (early 2000s).

As a result of the current plunge in earnings and the recent 2.5 month stock market rally, the PE ratio has spiked to the low 120s – a record high.

Click here for a different perspective on this chart.

Precious Metals Are Performing Well.

At the same time, there is another trend worth watching. Money is moving to gold.

The chart displays the relative performance of several market sectors over the past few weeks. The chart below shows the same data, but compared to Gold as the baseline. It highlights how dramatically the other markets have under-performed recently.

The recent financial crisis has clearly re-ignited investor interest in precious metals. Many believe that gold and silver are good bets during tough times – and a hedge against inflation. So it doesn't surprise me that I'm hearing more investors using Warehouse Depositary Receipts to actually take delivery of the asset rather than just speculating.

What To Expect.

A short-term bounce wouldn't surprise me here. The markets have held-up fairly well after the big rally. So another test higher makes sense. However, based on the weakening internals, the intermediate-term outlook is looking more bearish to me.

Business Posts Moving the Markets that I Found Interesting This Week:
- Will the Fed's Medicine have Inflationary Side-Effects? (WSJ)
- Treasury's Next Phase Of Bank Rescue: Buying Toxic Assets. (Dealbook NYTimes)
- Two Tech IPOs This Week: Is The Dry Spell Over? (NYTimes)
- Financiers In China Are Getting Leery Of Dollars & Are Accumulating Gold. (Forbes)
- Russians Offers to Invest $200 Million in Facebook at $10 Billion valuation. (WSJ)
- Despite Russia's Struggling Economy, Its Market Surges. (NYTimes)
- Is A Low VIX Good? Not In My Experience. Who's Afraid Of the Bear? (Money)
- More Posts Moving the Markets.
Lighter Ideas and Fun Links that I Found Interesting This Week
- How Well Can You Live In India On $2 Per Day? (Slate)
- Verne Harnish Insights & Best Practices for Growing Leaders and Companies. (Blog)
- In Praise of Dullness: the CEO Traits That Most Help Them Thrive. (NYTimes)
- When Will Computer Intelligence Surpass Our Own? (NYTimes)
- IBM Unveils Software to Find Trends in Vast Data Sets. (NYTimes)
- Kindle Books Now Account for 35% of Sales When Available. (Business Insider)
- Why Predictions Based On Search Were Wrong About 'Idol' Winner. (MediaPost)
- More Posts with Lighter Ideas and Fun Links.
May 24, 2009