Apr 20, 2008

Imperfection makes the beauty

The way I think about my MBA experience is one that you need to focus more on your inner self rather than pursuing outer achievements. In the real world, it's so easy to get into the habit of evaluating what you've gained through a set of achievements (promotion, bigger bonus, higher title , recognized company brand etc) rather than through understanding how the experience has changed you into a better or stronger person. I suspect that if one doesn't fully understand what has made him/her achieved his/her goals, it would be hard for him/her to replicate the success. In my view MBA (particularly the Haas environment ) is a perfect environment for you to think about how all the extra-curriculum activities, study group discussions, group projects, speaker series and lectures have changed you. After all, MBA is a life changing experience. If you cannot articulate how the experience has changed you, you haven't open yourself up

Recently I was involved in the Challenge 4 Charity cheerleading competition. Before our final practice, we were taking things very easy and slowly.
Initially I was a little frustrated at how uncommitted people were towards the practices and was beginning to regret that I signed up for the competition. But in the end we pulled everything together and I had a great time. We put our 100% effort during our performance and that was all it takes to be good enough.

I learned that although practice makes perfect, perfect doesn't make you happy. Imperfection is what makes everything funny, cute and beautiful


Watch our funny/cute cheer leading on you tube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhJv39zg6P0

"We are here
It's clear
We are too good to stop
Charging in at full speed
Reaching to the top. Go Bears!"



Apr 18, 2008

Innovation and business

If you have the chance to browse through the recent business books there are many out there that talk about innovation. Innovation indeed has become a popular word in today's business world. However, a very famous retired marketing professor, David Aaker , recently gave a speech on innovation. He said "Innovation without branding reduces its potential business impact." His whole idea was that once you brand your innovation/technology, it won't matter if the competitor comes with a copy because you own it. In other words, branding allows the company to own the innovation. For example, Apple cannot claim they own the MP3 technology but they can certainly say that they own iPod (imagine what would happen if Apple did not brand this user-friendly MP3 player!) So here is the bottom line is: Competitor can copy the technology in a relatively short period of time but not the brand. Aaker's speech has led me to explore further the relationship between innovation and impact on business. The question I have in my mind is: How does innovation impact the way company does its business? As my marketing professor, Rashi Glazer, have once said: Innovative technology might have provided new solutions to the customer but it has not changed the fundamental business question: What is the core benefit that your innovative technology is providing to the customer? What problem are you trying to help the customer solve with your new technology?

Once again, I am convinced that technology is not the answer to the business question, the passion to improve human being's life is.


Apr 4, 2008

Peru

Despite all the drama happened during our Peru trip ( connecting flight was cancelled, luggage was lost between LA and Lima. Wendy's serious fever, problems with the returning flight..) the Peru trip was amazing. The country itself is a mess but I am sure no tourist will mind. We visited three major cities in total: Lima, Cusco and Puno, each has its own uniqueness:

Lama: We did not have much time exploring Lima but my impression is that it's a typical country capital where the most wealthy people live. It's a city where you need the locals to show you around or else you'll get ripped off.

Cusco: The city is just beautiful and lively. It is said that during recent years, driven by Peruvian and foreign citizens, Cusco has began to host many fusion and neo-andean food places where traditional andean taste is found fusioned with modern techniques and ingredients, delivering a very innovative, exciting and trendy cuisine. One night we visited a trendy bar Los Perros where I swear I had the best sandwich and potato dish in my life. Another aspect that made visiting Cusco particularity exciting was that it sits at a daunting altitude of 3,400 meter. I remember the first day I was there I had to constantly remind myself not to walk too fast because it was so hard to catch my breath. During our 3 nights there, we stayed at a cozy hotel Cusco plaza , which is only 3 minutes away from the Plaza de Armas (the city central). Because the hotel location was so close to the most popular restaurants, every night after dinner we'd walk back to the hotel while enjoying the charming and dynamic nightlife of the city.

Puno: I have to admit I was a bit disappointed about the city, especially after we have experienced the beauty of Cusco (Not to mention our tour guide could barely speak English) Tourists visit Puno to see lake titicaca (pronounced ti-ti-ha-ha). As I had expected before the trip, it was nice to see things other than Inca ruins for a change. I particularly enjoyed the tranquil islands and the lake. The tour guide insisted that the lake resembles the shape of a puma even though it was obvious that it dif not. He said " Here in Peru, you have to use your imagination." I am an impatient person who usually pays very little attention to tour guides. His words, however, caught my attention. In the real world, people tend to only search for the truth. But I believe that those who are truly successful are the ones who imagines. They take challenges well because they can imagine themselves succeeding the daunting tasks. More importantly, they use imagination to create the self they want.

Last but not the least, there are so many moments that made the Peru trip memorable: The surprisingly good Purvian cafe au lait, playing "raise your hand if you have.." beer game, singing silly songs on the road trip to Pisac, fighting to eat before the food is all gone, indulge myself in the gorgeous Andes landscape and petting the adorable llamas.

Whenever the going gets tough, I imagine I have never left Peru.

Peru