Archives for February 2015

Are You Ready for What Will Happen in the Next Twenty Years?

February 27, 2015 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

Technology continues to move quickly. Before we know it, today will seem very old fashioned. A six-minute Microsoft video demonstrates what is close at hand.

Technology Hot Buttons are:

Augmented Reality
Wearables
Edge to Edge Displays
Foldable /Fabric displays
Ubiquitous Computing
Seamless Workflow
Multi-modal User Interfaces and Input Devices
Operating System Sublimation

I am fortunate to have my chief technology person, Loren, keeping me informed on what is coming down the road. He shared this video with me that I suspect you will enjoy and find it mind stretching. Go to Vision of the Future and press the PLAY button.

Twenty Years of Apple History … Bankruptcy to the Biggest

If there is any doubt about how fast technology can change and a company’s fortunes along with it; look at Apple. Twenty years ago Apple had a fraction of the market, failed products, and little hope of success. Today they show record profits,the largest market capitalization, and a stock ratio that assumes there is no end in sight. Looking back over a few short years we see:

2010 – The iPad was released to market with great doubt about whether it was something people would use.
2007 – The iPhone was announced along with a new business model that has changed mobile computing forever.
2005 – Motorola released the first phone with iTunes.
2001 – The very basic iPod was announced into a market filled with hundreds of competitors.
2000 – Bill Gates had bailed out Steve Jobs three times to avoid bankruptcy.
1993 – Apple delivered the Newton MessagePad that was deemed a market failure

Apple’s story is only one example of what can happen in twenty years.

Are you ready for what will happen in the next twenty years?

Feb 2015 – Change Masters President’s Letter

February 15, 2015 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

We live in very interesting times.

Maybe executive presence will be the main thing that separates humans from computers in the workplace. Computers that can learn by themselves, can now figure out how to do many things that we humans have historically been best at doing. Early benefits are Google Translate and smartphones that are able to be our personal translator as we expand in global communications.

The blogs this month touch on these new developments, as well as how to make yourself be seen as more trustworthy and intelligent. One hint: trying too hard will backfire.

One area we will be focusing on in 2015 is remote communications. An increasingly important set of success skills are centered on effective remote influence, persuasion, and executive presence. Let me know if you would be interested in giving feedback or hearing more about what we are creating regarding this topic.

Blog topics this month …

Terrifying Implications of Artificial Intelligence?

This might be the next major inflection point for industries.

It could make or break company strategy. Those who capture the lead could be the “Google” of their industry. Individuals will need to see what impact it might have on them. The ability to solve what were unsolvable problems may be within our reach.

The seeds of this capability were developed in the 50’s and 60’s. “Artificial intelligence” had this promise and threat in the 70’s. About the same time, “cashless society” was seen as close to reality. Both artificial intelligence and the cashless society faded to the background in the 1980’s. Those promises never materialized … until now. [more …]

Use Google Translate App for Conversations

A new version of Google Translate is now available that includes the ability to translate signs using your iPhone camera. View the sign using the iPhone screen /camera and the App will translate the words on the sign to another language. You can also translate using your voice. These are additions to the ability to use a keyboard to translate into written and spoken words with Google Translate.

The free App:

• Translates 90 languages
• Converse naturally and let Google translate*
• Translate with your voice, camera, keyboard or handwriting
• Star your favorite translations for quick access even when you’re offline
• View dictionary results for single words or phrases

*Voice translation in two directions

Google claims you can translate spoken words into on two sides of a conversation to facilitate an exchange of information. Initially, this translation capability works between English and French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, with more languages to be added (per Google’s blog).

How to Look Smarter – or Not

Many of the things people do to try to look smarter will backfire. Wall Street Journal reported what people do to attempt to look intelligent and compared those behaviors to what caused others to view them as intelligent. Using a large vocabulary does just the opposite of what you might think … people see such people as less intelligent.

Executive presence makes you look smarter.

The things I’ve identified as demonstrating executive presence are also the things that others see as being more intelligent. The WSJ reported, “One of the strongest and most accurate signs of intelligence is looking [more…]

Embarrassing iPhone stories … some career damaging

I have heard many embarrassing stories … some career damaging … where the iPhone substituted the wrong word for a misspelled word and it was not noticed before hitting the SEND button. There are a couple helpful options that [more…]

The Perfect Job

My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned…couldn’t concentrate.
After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn’t suited for it…mainly because it was a so-so job.
Then I tried to be a chef — figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn’t have the thyme.
Next I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting.
… [more …]

Thank you for feedback and questions

I appreciate your comments and questions. You can contact me at Tom.Mungavan@ChangeMasters.com

The Perfect Job

February 6, 2015 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned…couldn’t concentrate.

After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn’t suited for it…mainly because it was a so-so job.

Then I tried to be a chef — figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn’t have the thyme.

Next I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting.

I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.

I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn’t cut the mustard.

Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn’t hack it, so they gave me the ax.

Next was a job in a shoe factory. I tried, but I just didn’t fit in.

So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn’t fit for the job.

After many years of trying to find steady work I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it.

I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn’t have any patience.

My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn’t noteworthy.

I then became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn’t live on my net income.

My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.

SO I RETIRED AND FOUND I’M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!

Author Unknown

How to Look Smarter — or Not

February 2, 2015 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

Many of the things people do to try to look smarter will backfire. The Wall Street Journal reported what people attempt to do to look intelligent, and compared those behaviors with behaviors that actually caused others to view them as intelligent. Using a large vocabulary has just the opposite effect of what you might think … people view such people as less intelligent.

Executive presence makes you look smarter

Those things I identify as demonstrating executive presence are also the behaviors that others see as being more intelligent. The WSJ reported, “One of the strongest and most accurate signs of intelligence is looking at others when you are speaking to them … participants who appeared more relaxed and confident … listening carefully, responding in a way that shows understanding, asking questions and welcoming other points of view.”

For more information see the Wall Street Journal article called “How to Look Smarter – The Tactics People Use to Look Intelligent Often Backfire” . Some hints about what looks smart:

Looking at others while speaking
Standing or sitting up straight
Signing with your middle initial
Wearing glasses
Listening well
Addressing their point of view (OPPOV™)
Being clear and concise