2011
HP kills webOS and maybe it's PC business
In an announcement that shocked the IT world, HP has abruptly killed it's webOS mobile operating system (it bought from Palm just a couple of years ago). As if this wasn't a big enough bombshell, their press release also highlighted that it's board of directors has authorized "the exploration of strategic alternatives for it's Personal Systems Group". Sounds to me like their PC business is the next victim.
iPhone devices are cheaper to support than Android or RIM
We have seen a handful to analyst reports that clearly show that a MAC is cheaper to support than a PC. An analytics company called ClickFox has now determined that the same is true for iphones [versus RIM and Android]. The research was conducted by analyzing the support calls places with call centers [that support all three platforms]. It was determines that Android and RIM calls required multiple transfers and often multiple support sessions to resolve an issue. It was found that most iPhone issues could be solved with one call.
Prize Linked Savings - encouraging people to save
We all know people love to play the lottery. For only a couple of dollars, they can dream big dreams for a week. The sad truth is that many people choose to play the lottery instead of building a nest egg. After all, putting a money aside is good but it doesn’t carry the chance of winning big. Or does it? There is an interesting invention (in some parts of the world) called a Prize Linked Savings account. It allows people to save money while giving them the thrill of the lottery (all without risking a penny).
Don't argue when negotiating
I recently read an interesting article inPsychology Today about negotiation that I wanted to share with you. In the article, Art Markman presents findings from a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that analyzed the role of persuasion in negotiations. For example, if you are interested in buying a house, the seller might ask for $350,000, arguing that the house was newly renovated and is near good schools. Maaravi, Gonzach, and Pazy argued that when people hear an argument in favor of the initial offer, they think of counter-arguments.
Xcom Global now offers an unlimited 40 country European data service
Frequent travelers know the headache and high cost of global “staying connected” while travelling abroad. Xcom Global recently solved this issue for travelers to Europe with their new EuroSIM. It enables US travelers to rent a device that will provide unlimited data connectivity in 40 European countries. They are renting a MIFI for $US14.95 a day (provides connectivity for up to 5 devices) or a USB WWAN for $US12.95.
DEALING WITH CHINA (PART 3)
The importance of “Saving Face” Having spent many years in Asia, I quickly learned the importance of maintaining “face” when dealing with Asian businessmen. This becomes important when engaging in negotiations (for example). You must always allow the other participant to have a little wiggle room [even after submitting their best offer]. Even tough the new offer may be only minimally better, it should allow the Chinese participant (whether customer, partner or other) to have the final say and maintain face.
DEALING WITH CHINA (PART 2)
... continuation Intellectual Property The previous paragraph highlighted the difference between laws “on the books” and the extent to which business people are willing to bend them for profit. As a foreign company entering into the Chinese market, you should be thinking about how you will protect your Intellectual Property. A common example of this is that of Will-Burt. Will-Burt is a company that manufactures and sells Night-Scan telescoping masts for police or military use. They entered the Chinese market and sales boomed.
How human needs influence motivation
Human needs psychology teaches us that all human motivation can be explained by the need to meet one or more of these primary needs: Certainty Variety Significance Connection and love Growth Contribution Anytime you are in an interpersonal relationship whether to close a sale or coach an employee, it is important to understand which of the needs (one or many) are motivating the other person. Each need is met differently so take the time to think about it.
Dealing with China (part 1)
If you have spend any time at a multinational company, the one topic that comes up is how to benefit from the rise of the dragon (aka China). Over the next couple of entries, I will provide some information about China that I hope you will find useful. The socialist impact Although it is easy to overlook China’s socialist political system, it is important to understand that it influences every aspect of their business style. As an example, they have very little creditor protection.
Consumers slow to adopt mobile payments
Gartner released some interesting statistics and predictions related to the mobile payment market. They estimate that 141.1 million people (around the world) will make some type of mobile payment this year. This would be a 38.2% increase over last year. Gartner estimates that this will account for $86.1 billion in transactions. Although the growth is very respectable, Gartner does say that growth has been slower than expected because of slower than expected uptake in developing countries. Possible causes to the slower than expected adoption may be: the complexity of the NFC (Near Field Communication) service model this model requires a shift in consumer behavior from using cash and cards to using your phone to make payments.
Twitter for marketing and Public Relations (PR)
When I first discovered Twitter, I thought it was the stupidest thing in the world. After all, how can you effectively communicate in 140 characters. Would it be worthwhile to follow others? I just did not understand it. Then after playing with it for a while, I finally understood it s value and power. It has started revolutions and has helped companies build direct relationships with their customers. Twitter uses related to Marketing and Public Relations (PR) Executive proof I have worked with dozens of large multinational companies whose CEOs started blogs [to communicate directly with their customers and employees] but gave up after a handful of posts.
Pittsburgh Pattern Recognition has been acquired by Google
Google has quietly acquired a Pittsburgh company that has technology related to facial recognition. The company, PittPatt, was founded and run by 3 Carnegie Mellon University PhDs. No one really know why Google made the purchase or where/when it will be used but it is safe to assume it will be one more tool in their anti-Facebook crusade. We will be anxiously waiting to see how this “computer vision technology” will be implemented and deployed while adhering to Google’s mantra “Do no evil”.
Could Apple make a bid for HULU?
Bloomberg reported [on Thursday] that Apple is considering a bid for video streaming site extraordinaire – HULU. HULU announced that they have retained the services or Morgan Stanley and Guggenheim partners to assist with the potential sale of the company. About 2 years ago, the interwebs were buzzing about Apple starting a new streaming Television service. Obviously that never got off the ground. Could this be the missing piece to the puzzle? This new rumor is in addition to the others we have already read about other potential suitors, mainly Yahoo,Google and Microsoft.
Please like my new profile on Facebook
Please LIKE my new FB page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edward-Kiledjian/260687717281559 I will use it to answer your business questions, post cool or useful links and even run some future contests. I really appreciate your support.
Review of the free scan to cloud software - ScanDrop
I am a big fan of Evernote and use it to store all of my reference material (as explained in the GTD methodology). One of the key requirements to my online storage strategy is converting paper into PDF and getting it into Evernote as simply and quickly as possible. A while back I found a free software called ScanDrop which did exactly that. I use it to scan paper directly from my Brother multifunction device and then upload it straight into my Evernote [For Google Docs users, it supports that service too] inbox ready for processing.
1 Million downloads of Mac OS Lion on its first day
We all expected LION to do well at $29.99 but few people could have foreseen the incredible volume of downloads in the first 24 hours. Apple claimed this was the "best OS we've ever made" and the numbers seem to back their claim. As you may be aware, LION is a download only product from Apple's Mac AppStore. For those that have slow or capped internet service, you can download it at any Apple store by simply bringing your device in using their free WIFI.
The wacky world of Google+ (aka Google Plus)
I was finally able to get into Google Plus about a week ago and my overall rating is that it is interesting but.... For those of us that played with other ill-fated Google products (such as Buzz), it is refreshing to see that they learned their lessons. The Interface As you can see, Google has used a clean and easy to understand interfacehoweverit will take some getting used to. Dozens of prominent tech bloggers complained that Google Plus is simply a different looking Facebook.
GHSA determines road risk of using a mobile phone while driving
An American association called the Governor’s Highway Safety Association recently released a report that use of a mobile phone correlates with increased risk of accidents in the United States of America (USA). To arrive at their conclusion, the association reviewed 350 scientific papers, published between 2000 and 2010, related to highway safety. Their review clearly showed that distracted driving accounts for 15-25% of all crashes (ranging from small fender benders to accidents with fatalities). Nothing here should be surprising as it based on common sense.
Risk Management when outsourcing (part 3)
Do I own the risk for outsourced activities? The most common misconception I have to deal with is customers that believe they “offloaded” a risk because the process or function was outsourced. Stand up and yell the following as loud as you can “Outsourcing an activity does not mean an organization has avoided the risk”. Many would argue that they have SLAs and penalties so the outsourcer is responsible. Generally penalties in a contract are motivators to perform but rarely compensate the customer for their full loss (for the occurrence of a business disrupting risk).
Risk Management when outsourcing (part 2)
This is a multipart discussion that will be posted over the next several days. Understanding how your company seems risk and the different types of risks will allow you to frame your risk management efforts with the proper light. Defining whether your risks are endogenous, exogenous or both is also critically important. Managing Risks The next question that comes up is “how do I handle risk?” For the purposes of our discussion: Do Nothing Hedge the risk by investing in risk mitigation processes, technologies and tools Transfer the risk via insurance or securitization Switch to a provider with a “better” risk profile Exit the business or relationship generating the risk The debate about outsourcing