Steve Job's life story inspired me in that it shows me that life is not perfect. We are thrown into situations in which we may not deem convienient or troublesome, but it all comes down to how we handle them. Even from the beginning of his childhood he started off being adopted. Given up by the same individual who brought him into the world. He was given up with the promise that he would go to college when he became of age, and he did. Eventually he gave up on college because it seemed like a waste of money and effort.
He eventually came to create Apple, his pride and joy. Ironically his investors would come to give up on Job's and he was eventually fired. Feeling betrayed he was stuck in a limbo, but that didn't stop him.
Jobs would later come to to found Pixar and NeXT. Pixar would in turn become successful and famous because of it's hit film "Toy Story". The Walt Disney Company would later come to purchase Pixar and Job's is now the majority shareholder of the company at 7%. NeXT would also be purchased by Apple Inc. and Job's would return to where he started.
This inspirational tale is a sign of proof that anyone can accomplish anything so long as they put in the effort. It also shows that an individual can truly do what they love the most in life. In the case of Steve Job's, it was the creation of innovative ideas.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Assignment #9
According to Brown the three main ideas in the process of making a design are inspiration, ideation, and implementation. Brown also states that a "design thinker" must be collaborative, and empathic in order to create things in this world. Collaboration is a key factor when it comes to knowledge management.
The collaborative efforts taken in order to design or create something often helps the complexity and uniqueness of the object at hand. Without collaboration, designs are left to the individual thinker which also leads to the clash of multiple opinions. But not all collaborative efforts are merely in the design or creation of an object.
Collaborative efforts can span from many sources such as process. Although an idea can be created, it is nothing until it actually takes a life of its on. For example; USB's have become a convient way for moving data from computer to computer, the idea is simple yet genius, but it would be nothing without the efforts of those individuals who took that idea and made it into a design, those who decided how to manufacture it, or even those who decided to market it.
Should an individual even be capable of collaborative efforts then they are capable of knowledge management. So when it comes to design-driven innovation, it can be understood how knowledge management may influence or even support it.
The collaborative efforts taken in order to design or create something often helps the complexity and uniqueness of the object at hand. Without collaboration, designs are left to the individual thinker which also leads to the clash of multiple opinions. But not all collaborative efforts are merely in the design or creation of an object.
Collaborative efforts can span from many sources such as process. Although an idea can be created, it is nothing until it actually takes a life of its on. For example; USB's have become a convient way for moving data from computer to computer, the idea is simple yet genius, but it would be nothing without the efforts of those individuals who took that idea and made it into a design, those who decided how to manufacture it, or even those who decided to market it.
Should an individual even be capable of collaborative efforts then they are capable of knowledge management. So when it comes to design-driven innovation, it can be understood how knowledge management may influence or even support it.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Assignment #7
NeuroSolutions is a neural network development software offered by NeuroDimension Incorporated. The software is capable of advance learning procedures and problem solving with the combined icon-based network design, C++ source code generation, DLL components, neuro-fuzzy architectures, and programmatic control from Visual Basic.
The software is now offered across several platforms which are commonly used to solve problems. Platforms such as excel. With the use of the software it is able to constantly collect data and make more efficient decisions when it comes across a problem.
Assignment #6
Friedman's "The World is Flat" deals with the idea that the the world is slowly become flat. Flat in the sense that on a global scale the world is all becoming similar; particularly in the aspect of business. What Friedman uses as an example is the fact that US jobs are being outsourced to countries such as China. The resistance met by such decisions made by corporations has become problematic. Friedman's response to such resistance is that Americans need to understand that the world is evolving and becoming more competitive. In order for individuals to stay ahead of the competition they must offer something that others can't; and that is knowledge.
Simply seeking a career with a high school diploma is not enough in today's society. We must expand our minds to higher education and even beyond that in order to compete with the rest of the world.
Simply seeking a career with a high school diploma is not enough in today's society. We must expand our minds to higher education and even beyond that in order to compete with the rest of the world.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Assignment #5
The video is regarding the "Cisco structure" as described by John Chambers. Several key points focus on ideas such as; focusing on markets not competition, or industry, that there are multiple ways to conduct productivity and collaboration are not merely limited to management, but the entire company. If employees feel that their ideas are taken into consideration then they will continue to come up with ideas that may or may not improve the company.
Back up statements that the company makes and follow up with improvements.
Culture is the hardest aspect to change in industry. If the company manages to innovate industry and shift culture into their favor, then success will follow.
Back up statements that the company makes and follow up with improvements.
Culture is the hardest aspect to change in industry. If the company manages to innovate industry and shift culture into their favor, then success will follow.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Assignment #4
The four modes of knowledge conversion is socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization.
Nucor Steel managed to create knowledge activities through all forms of knowledge conversion.
Socialization was achieved through locating plants in rural areas, away from the busy bustling cities. They branched out and received workers of a different caliber, with far more potential.
Externalization was achieved through their investment in continuous, on-the-job, multi-functional training. Creating the urge for more knowledge about not only a single job, but multiple jobs.
Combination was achieved when they decided to adopt the minimill technology. Although it was a risky move, the break-through success of the technology allowed Nucor to achieve an advantage over many of their competitors.
Internalization was achieved when recession hit the company. Through a recession they implemented a reduced workweek and reduced pay system instead of laying off workers. To counteract the tension between the company and employees, and preserve employee loyalty, they implemented a "share the pain" program. The program made sure that if the workers compensation were to be reduced, then the managers compensation would be reduced even more, and greater reduction would be placed on executive compensation. Although it was a risky move, it resulted in the lowest turnover rate in the industry during that recession.
Nucor Steel managed to create knowledge activities through all forms of knowledge conversion.
Socialization was achieved through locating plants in rural areas, away from the busy bustling cities. They branched out and received workers of a different caliber, with far more potential.
Externalization was achieved through their investment in continuous, on-the-job, multi-functional training. Creating the urge for more knowledge about not only a single job, but multiple jobs.
Combination was achieved when they decided to adopt the minimill technology. Although it was a risky move, the break-through success of the technology allowed Nucor to achieve an advantage over many of their competitors.
Internalization was achieved when recession hit the company. Through a recession they implemented a reduced workweek and reduced pay system instead of laying off workers. To counteract the tension between the company and employees, and preserve employee loyalty, they implemented a "share the pain" program. The program made sure that if the workers compensation were to be reduced, then the managers compensation would be reduced even more, and greater reduction would be placed on executive compensation. Although it was a risky move, it resulted in the lowest turnover rate in the industry during that recession.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Assignment #3
The TriStar Health System uses information technologies to better their services in the form of Meditech, PACS, Muse, and Powerscribe. Those are merely some among the many information systems used in the TriStart Health network.
Meditech allows for physicians to have up-to-date information on their patients as soon as the data is inserted into the system. Abnormal results are alerted to the physician, and the physicians themselves can electronically sign forms instead of having to go to a records office.
PACS is used to capture, transerm display, and store digital information in a medical imaging environment.
Muse is a critical care monitoring system.
Powerscribe is used to reduce transcription for radiologists via voice recognition system.
TriStar is the regions largest healthcare provider, and because of information systems such as these, they are allowed to share information with their network of hospitals resulting in reduced costs for not only the company, but the patients as well.
Meditech allows for physicians to have up-to-date information on their patients as soon as the data is inserted into the system. Abnormal results are alerted to the physician, and the physicians themselves can electronically sign forms instead of having to go to a records office.
PACS is used to capture, transerm display, and store digital information in a medical imaging environment.
Muse is a critical care monitoring system.
Powerscribe is used to reduce transcription for radiologists via voice recognition system.
TriStar is the regions largest healthcare provider, and because of information systems such as these, they are allowed to share information with their network of hospitals resulting in reduced costs for not only the company, but the patients as well.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Blog Assignment #2
When one thinks of business, one thinks of rational decisions. Rarely does one ever believe that irrational decisions would make for a wise business choice, but they sometimes do. An example of such a feat would be regarding decisions that affect the business in the long term. Although a decision to expand may cost a company at the beginning, it would save them even more in the long run. Would such a decision be irrational?
Ariely uses an example of the various countries of whom the citizens have opted to become organ donors. They do so not all entirely out of the kindness of their hearts, but too often is it because they failed to read the instructions clearly; thus resulting in them opting to become an organ donor. Now this is a mere misunderstanding on the drivers part, but from a business standpoint, this one tiny misunderstanding could cost the company money. Too often are we preoccupied and unable to fully think out our decisions and make them rational. Such irrationality can be costly for any business.
The busy life of a average human can often tend to result in such irrational decisions. Such as the case of the doctor which suggested hip replacement to a patient, and then realized that he had forgotten to try ibuprofen as a cure to the patients ailments.
Business is a fast pace industry, and yes decisions often have to be made on the spot. It is truly amazing how a second thought about a decision could be what makes or breaks a company.
Ariely uses an example of the various countries of whom the citizens have opted to become organ donors. They do so not all entirely out of the kindness of their hearts, but too often is it because they failed to read the instructions clearly; thus resulting in them opting to become an organ donor. Now this is a mere misunderstanding on the drivers part, but from a business standpoint, this one tiny misunderstanding could cost the company money. Too often are we preoccupied and unable to fully think out our decisions and make them rational. Such irrationality can be costly for any business.
The busy life of a average human can often tend to result in such irrational decisions. Such as the case of the doctor which suggested hip replacement to a patient, and then realized that he had forgotten to try ibuprofen as a cure to the patients ailments.
Business is a fast pace industry, and yes decisions often have to be made on the spot. It is truly amazing how a second thought about a decision could be what makes or breaks a company.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Blog Assignment #1
Are electric cars finally ready for the masses? Since the late 19th century electric cars have always been a popular topic. It wasn't until around 1990 when the electric car came into the mass media spotlight once again. With the pressure from environmental activists and lobbyist the government's regulations over the automaker industry tightened. As regulations became more strict, automakers began to come up with more innovative inventions to replace, or at least, compete with the combustible engine.
Returning to the original question, are electric cars finally ready for the masses? Nissan seems to think so. With the initial delivery of its highly reputable "Leaf", the automaker's all electric vehicle, the world has come to witness something that many other automakers have failed to deliver. No, it's not the electric car itself, but the fact that it is affordable. Nissan has made it possible for those of us who cannot afford a electric super car such as those produced by Tesla, and it has undercut its electric hybrid counterpart the "Volt", by Chevy, by several thousand dollars.
But what about the "Smart Car"? Nissan's "Leaf" offers seating for four, and includes room for a trunk. Thus making it a more reasonable choice in the eyes of the daily consumer, and with the range of 100miles to the charge versus the Smart Car's 62miles per charge, assuming it has lithium ion batteries, it fails in comparison.
Yes, the company has gone through many ordeals since it's merger with Renault back in the late 90's - early 2000's, but it has maintained its presence within the auto manufacturing industry. It's award winning VQ series engine, which debut back in the 90's, has continuously won rewards year after year up until the late 2000's. It was the first Japanese automaker to offer a full-sized pickup truck within the U.S, and a true super car.
Having said that, it continues to follow it's old business model, "Shift Innovation"; not only in a sense of technology, but also in business as well. With the arrival, and the well received reviews, of the "Leaf", it's recent venture with Mercedes, and the new line of commercial vehicles being offered; we can only wait to see what else this company will do in the future.
Returning to the original question, are electric cars finally ready for the masses? Nissan seems to think so. With the initial delivery of its highly reputable "Leaf", the automaker's all electric vehicle, the world has come to witness something that many other automakers have failed to deliver. No, it's not the electric car itself, but the fact that it is affordable. Nissan has made it possible for those of us who cannot afford a electric super car such as those produced by Tesla, and it has undercut its electric hybrid counterpart the "Volt", by Chevy, by several thousand dollars.
But what about the "Smart Car"? Nissan's "Leaf" offers seating for four, and includes room for a trunk. Thus making it a more reasonable choice in the eyes of the daily consumer, and with the range of 100miles to the charge versus the Smart Car's 62miles per charge, assuming it has lithium ion batteries, it fails in comparison.
Yes, the company has gone through many ordeals since it's merger with Renault back in the late 90's - early 2000's, but it has maintained its presence within the auto manufacturing industry. It's award winning VQ series engine, which debut back in the 90's, has continuously won rewards year after year up until the late 2000's. It was the first Japanese automaker to offer a full-sized pickup truck within the U.S, and a true super car.
Having said that, it continues to follow it's old business model, "Shift Innovation"; not only in a sense of technology, but also in business as well. With the arrival, and the well received reviews, of the "Leaf", it's recent venture with Mercedes, and the new line of commercial vehicles being offered; we can only wait to see what else this company will do in the future.
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