Negotiation is probably the course that has the broadest application. Basically, you are negotiating everyday, with your families, friends, colleagues, clients, and more.
The class is mostly negotiation exercises, with a little bit of lecturing and videos. In the exercises, it's interesting to see how people with different characteristics and dynamics would work out of each scenario. Sometimes, though, it was hard to get into character and act out the scenarios.
What I will remember in 10 years from this class:
1. I am too compromising in negotiations
2. Need to have better postures and speaking tempo
3. I am a very objective person
2007-12-23
2007-12-20
MBA in Review: 2007 Term 1: Feasibility
I took 5 courses in the fall term. They are pretty much all over the map. I guess I will talk about the entrepreneurial class first: Cases in Feasibility
Entrepreneurial Study is a pretty good sell for USC; its entrepreneurial department is ranked 1st in several academic magazines this year (I still couldn't spell it right even if my life depends on it... god bless spell checking). My MBA application also had entrepreneurship as one of my long term goals. As I study more about business, though, I find that while I may have the skill and innovativeness to develop a new business, I just don't have the drive and commitment to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are a special kind of people. They have to have the guts to do it their way when everyone else doesn't agree. I am just not that kind of person. Anyways, even if I am not fit to be an entrepreneur, I still find the mental framework and skills of an entrepreneur are an important asset when you are into business development or planning. That's why I took this course.
This particular course deals with feasibility studies. What is a feasibility study? In essence, it's what you need to do before you do a business plan. A businss plan is usually something you need to have to present to the investors. It has a lot of nitty gritties, like business model, marketing plan, operation, financial forecasts, etc. A feasibility study is what you should do before you do a business plan: research the market, research the business, find your customers, do a sales forecasts, etc. Basically, you are convincing others with a business plan, and you are convincing yourself with a feasibility study.
My feasibility project, if you read the last post, is about a online baseball simulation game. I won't go into many details about it, because I just wrote a 20-page report... but basically, during the course, the professor would take each of us from the initial concept to the full-blown analysis, with many guest speakers, some of whom were previous students of this particular course and actually went ahead with their feasibility studies. I think what I will remember 10 years from now from this course is that you need to talk to a lot of strangers to generate ideas and feedback about your business ideas or concepts, but ultimately, it is up to yourself to decide what and how you want to do it.
Entrepreneurial Study is a pretty good sell for USC; its entrepreneurial department is ranked 1st in several academic magazines this year (I still couldn't spell it right even if my life depends on it... god bless spell checking). My MBA application also had entrepreneurship as one of my long term goals. As I study more about business, though, I find that while I may have the skill and innovativeness to develop a new business, I just don't have the drive and commitment to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are a special kind of people. They have to have the guts to do it their way when everyone else doesn't agree. I am just not that kind of person. Anyways, even if I am not fit to be an entrepreneur, I still find the mental framework and skills of an entrepreneur are an important asset when you are into business development or planning. That's why I took this course.
This particular course deals with feasibility studies. What is a feasibility study? In essence, it's what you need to do before you do a business plan. A businss plan is usually something you need to have to present to the investors. It has a lot of nitty gritties, like business model, marketing plan, operation, financial forecasts, etc. A feasibility study is what you should do before you do a business plan: research the market, research the business, find your customers, do a sales forecasts, etc. Basically, you are convincing others with a business plan, and you are convincing yourself with a feasibility study.
My feasibility project, if you read the last post, is about a online baseball simulation game. I won't go into many details about it, because I just wrote a 20-page report... but basically, during the course, the professor would take each of us from the initial concept to the full-blown analysis, with many guest speakers, some of whom were previous students of this particular course and actually went ahead with their feasibility studies. I think what I will remember 10 years from now from this course is that you need to talk to a lot of strangers to generate ideas and feedback about your business ideas or concepts, but ultimately, it is up to yourself to decide what and how you want to do it.
2007-11-19
My Feasibility Project
我的作業是關於創業的計劃
我的idea是做一個網上的棒球策略游戲
1. 跟其他棒球游戲不同的地方在於玩家不能直接控制球員， 而他們的角色比較類似監督， 可以組隊， 交換球員， 跟在比賽中下一些策略的決定（移動防守位子， 下達打帶跑戰術，etc)
2. 每個球員會是一張球員卡， 而每個球員可能根據年份或是等級不同而有不同的球員卡。球員卡可以根據比賽獲得的經驗而增加技能
3. 每個玩家可以免費玩游戲， 可是如果需要自己組隊，交換球員或是參加比賽， 則需要買球員包， 然後從包裡的球員組成自己的隊伍
我需要一些關於游戲方面的意見（比如這些能不能吸引玩家， 或是有什么可以新的玩法）或是商業上的意見（需要多少人力， 看起來會不會賺錢。。。）
謝謝！
Hi,
I am doing a feasibility project for new business ideas, and my idea is to create an online baseball strategy game The rough outline of the idea is:
1. It will be a strategy game. Which means the human players will act like a manager but not as individual players. They can design their own team, trade players, and initiate game strategy (defensive shift, hit and run, etc)
2. The baseball players will be represented as baseball cards. Each player will have different statistics and skills
and can level up with more experience gained. Each player card can be separated in to different years and rarities to introduce more variety
3. The human players can play the game for free, but they will have only computer-generated players. They can't modify the team, and the gameplay option might be more limited. To have their own team and compete in leagues or ladders. they need to purchase virtual packs, and assemble the team from the cards they received from the packs.
I would like some feedbacks on the game idea, and also any business related comments (target segment, whether if it's
feasible, etc)
Thanks!
我的idea是做一個網上的棒球策略游戲
1. 跟其他棒球游戲不同的地方在於玩家不能直接控制球員， 而他們的角色比較類似監督， 可以組隊， 交換球員， 跟在比賽中下一些策略的決定（移動防守位子， 下達打帶跑戰術，etc)
2. 每個球員會是一張球員卡， 而每個球員可能根據年份或是等級不同而有不同的球員卡。球員卡可以根據比賽獲得的經驗而增加技能
3. 每個玩家可以免費玩游戲， 可是如果需要自己組隊，交換球員或是參加比賽， 則需要買球員包， 然後從包裡的球員組成自己的隊伍
我需要一些關於游戲方面的意見（比如這些能不能吸引玩家， 或是有什么可以新的玩法）或是商業上的意見（需要多少人力， 看起來會不會賺錢。。。）
謝謝！
Hi,
I am doing a feasibility project for new business ideas, and my idea is to create an online baseball strategy game The rough outline of the idea is:
1. It will be a strategy game. Which means the human players will act like a manager but not as individual players. They can design their own team, trade players, and initiate game strategy (defensive shift, hit and run, etc)
2. The baseball players will be represented as baseball cards. Each player will have different statistics and skills
and can level up with more experience gained. Each player card can be separated in to different years and rarities to introduce more variety
3. The human players can play the game for free, but they will have only computer-generated players. They can't modify the team, and the gameplay option might be more limited. To have their own team and compete in leagues or ladders. they need to purchase virtual packs, and assemble the team from the cards they received from the packs.
I would like some feedbacks on the game idea, and also any business related comments (target segment, whether if it's
feasible, etc)
Thanks!
2007-10-04
From 暖暖, 痞子蔡的新書
學弟，我大你兩歲。在我們這個年紀，每增加一歲，純真便死去一些。
我曾經也嚮往採菊東籬下，悠然見南山的陶淵明式愛情；
但菊花已在現實生活中枯萎，而我也不再悠然。
這並不是我喜歡你、你喜歡我便可以在一起的世界。
這世界有山、有海，也有牆，並不如我們想像的那樣平坦。
我不會告訴暖暖我喜歡她，或許就像蘇州街算字的老先生所說，
這是我內在的束縛，自己在心中畫出的方格。
我不會越過這方格，如果因為這樣便得在公園牽著老狗散步，我也認了。
---------------------------------------------------------
痞子蔡總是可以寫出不同哀愁的感覺... 真厲害
我曾經也嚮往採菊東籬下，悠然見南山的陶淵明式愛情；
但菊花已在現實生活中枯萎，而我也不再悠然。
這並不是我喜歡你、你喜歡我便可以在一起的世界。
這世界有山、有海，也有牆，並不如我們想像的那樣平坦。
我不會告訴暖暖我喜歡她，或許就像蘇州街算字的老先生所說，
這是我內在的束縛，自己在心中畫出的方格。
我不會越過這方格，如果因為這樣便得在公園牽著老狗散步，我也認了。
---------------------------------------------------------
痞子蔡總是可以寫出不同哀愁的感覺... 真厲害
2007-09-19
Insomnia
Things running through my head at 5:23am:
Toshiba Protege R500
First commercial solid state drive slim notebook? Soooo wanna get one...
play.blogger.com: Something that just screams Googleism to me...
Toshiba Protege R500
First commercial solid state drive slim notebook? Soooo wanna get one...
play.blogger.com: Something that just screams Googleism to me...
2007-09-01
1st term electives
Having survived the 1st year of Marshall, course load doesn't really faze me anymore. After all, we had more than 15 courses last year, what's another 10 gonna do to me? Here are the courses I am taking this term:
FBE 527: Entrepreneurial Finance: Financial Management for Developing Firms
BAEP 552: Cases in Feasibility Analysis
IOM 530: Applied Modern Statistical Learning Methods
MOR 542: Strategic Issues for Global Business
MOR 569: Negotiation
FBE 527: Entrepreneurial Finance: Financial Management for Developing Firms
BAEP 552: Cases in Feasibility Analysis
IOM 530: Applied Modern Statistical Learning Methods
MOR 542: Strategic Issues for Global Business
MOR 569: Negotiation
2007-08-31
Back in LA
My summer went away just like that... Before I knew it I am back in LA already. I thought it would be cooler in LA, but I forgot the fact that I don't have an AC in my apartment...
To compound the problem, there's no wind coming into my apartment, so my apartment is literally like a sauna (at 11:43pm, it's 35C....) I am thinking about getting a portable AC, but with my luck, the weather will probably just cool down right away after I buy it, so I am gonna just wait it out for a cooler weather, if that doesn't work, i will just stay in the library until midnight everyday for free AC (yeah, I wish...)
To compound the problem, there's no wind coming into my apartment, so my apartment is literally like a sauna (at 11:43pm, it's 35C....) I am thinking about getting a portable AC, but with my luck, the weather will probably just cool down right away after I buy it, so I am gonna just wait it out for a cooler weather, if that doesn't work, i will just stay in the library until midnight everyday for free AC (yeah, I wish...)
2007-08-22
Starting to Pack
Only when you are starting to pack will you realize just what kind of crap you have...
Well, I didn't really buy that much stuff (some people might disagree with this statement), after a rough calculation of my expenses, I realized that I ate/played most of my money away. The only things I bought were shirts, shoes, and a single-lens camera. The things that took the most space though... are my ufo catcher prizes...
I didn't update my collections after a few, but it's safe to say that the number and volume of the prizes has increased at least two-fold since my last update. It takes so much space that I couldn't fit all of them into my duffel bag. The good thing is that those are plush toys that are easy to squeeze (well except for one which I think deserves a separate post). So while they take space, they are not that heavy.
The other thing I've spent a lot of money from is arcade game... These days, Japanese arcade companies have developed many card-based arcade games, ranging from football simulation, gundam strategy, role-playing and many other more. I am particularly interested in a baseball simulation game called baseball heroes 2 I kept telling myself it's for research (I think it will port well to US), and that why I've spent "quite a lot of" money on that. I was hoping to sell some of my cards before I leave, but couldn't find a buyer in time. So I will need to take it back and put them with my Magic cards....
Well, I didn't really buy that much stuff (some people might disagree with this statement), after a rough calculation of my expenses, I realized that I ate/played most of my money away. The only things I bought were shirts, shoes, and a single-lens camera. The things that took the most space though... are my ufo catcher prizes...
I didn't update my collections after a few, but it's safe to say that the number and volume of the prizes has increased at least two-fold since my last update. It takes so much space that I couldn't fit all of them into my duffel bag. The good thing is that those are plush toys that are easy to squeeze (well except for one which I think deserves a separate post). So while they take space, they are not that heavy.
The other thing I've spent a lot of money from is arcade game... These days, Japanese arcade companies have developed many card-based arcade games, ranging from football simulation, gundam strategy, role-playing and many other more. I am particularly interested in a baseball simulation game called baseball heroes 2 I kept telling myself it's for research (I think it will port well to US), and that why I've spent "quite a lot of" money on that. I was hoping to sell some of my cards before I leave, but couldn't find a buyer in time. So I will need to take it back and put them with my Magic cards....
2007-08-09
Recent Updates
Before I knew it, the internship is about to end in 2 weeks...
Just a brief list of what I did so far:
1. Market Research for US Market Expansion, including potential market and market size
2. Analyze and propose mid-term and long term strategy roadmap
3. Market Research for annual budgeting and proposal
4. Analysis on acquisition of potential companies
Aside from that, I also participated in several meetings on European business development issues.
Wow it sounds much better once I've written it down....
Just a brief list of what I did so far:
1. Market Research for US Market Expansion, including potential market and market size
2. Analyze and propose mid-term and long term strategy roadmap
3. Market Research for annual budgeting and proposal
4. Analysis on acquisition of potential companies
Aside from that, I also participated in several meetings on European business development issues.
Wow it sounds much better once I've written it down....
2007-07-31
Widgets
An inspiration from Facebook...
Create a widget that shows your love! Whether it's sports, fashion, or anything else. The important thing is to limit space, and use it more as a self-expression. For example, a person who loves A&F can just display a fancy A&F logo, or some recognizable A&F merchandise.
business opportunity? Advertisement: Merchandisers can provide coupons or discounts through the particular widget. If they complete the purchase through the widget, then the coupon/discount is redeemed. Also, if others wants to use the discount, they need to install the widget for a few days and then use it.
problems: typical egg/chicken problem: merchandisers want users, and users want merchandisers. a good way is to create the widget without advertisement first. Attract enough users to join the network. Even without advertisements, the user data can be used as a marketing/data mining tools. Then once there is user base, merchandisers will be interested in tapping into the potential pool
Create a widget that shows your love! Whether it's sports, fashion, or anything else. The important thing is to limit space, and use it more as a self-expression. For example, a person who loves A&F can just display a fancy A&F logo, or some recognizable A&F merchandise.
business opportunity? Advertisement: Merchandisers can provide coupons or discounts through the particular widget. If they complete the purchase through the widget, then the coupon/discount is redeemed. Also, if others wants to use the discount, they need to install the widget for a few days and then use it.
problems: typical egg/chicken problem: merchandisers want users, and users want merchandisers. a good way is to create the widget without advertisement first. Attract enough users to join the network. Even without advertisements, the user data can be used as a marketing/data mining tools. Then once there is user base, merchandisers will be interested in tapping into the potential pool
2007-07-25
Fooooood
ひつまぶし, you are now No. 2 on my best food list...
Spent the weekend in Nagoya. We basically just went around trying to find the best food there (or maybe that's all I remembered)
Saturday was Miso Katsu at Yaba-ton. Miso-based fried pork originates from Nagoya, and the taste is great: strong flavors but not in an overwhelming manner. There are also spices and sesames that you can put on the pork. They change the miso flavor to the supporting taste to bring out the different taste...
Sunday was hitsumabushi at Hourai-ken. Hitsumabushi is a type of unagi(eel) rice, but what's unique about it is that it has 3 ways to taste it: by the usual way (unagi with sauce), with green onion, wasabi, and nori (dried seaweed), and then mixed with tea. It is, honestly, the 2nd best thing I have ever had (previous ranking: 1. あぶりトロ 2. Porterhouse steak). It's hard to describe how the different tastes are... the first one brings out the unagi taste, the second one brings out the rice taste, and the 3rd one just mesh everything together...... if you are in Nagoya, you NEED to try hitsumabushi.
みそかつ
ひつまぶし
Spent the weekend in Nagoya. We basically just went around trying to find the best food there (or maybe that's all I remembered)
Saturday was Miso Katsu at Yaba-ton. Miso-based fried pork originates from Nagoya, and the taste is great: strong flavors but not in an overwhelming manner. There are also spices and sesames that you can put on the pork. They change the miso flavor to the supporting taste to bring out the different taste...
Sunday was hitsumabushi at Hourai-ken. Hitsumabushi is a type of unagi(eel) rice, but what's unique about it is that it has 3 ways to taste it: by the usual way (unagi with sauce), with green onion, wasabi, and nori (dried seaweed), and then mixed with tea. It is, honestly, the 2nd best thing I have ever had (previous ranking: 1. あぶりトロ 2. Porterhouse steak). It's hard to describe how the different tastes are... the first one brings out the unagi taste, the second one brings out the rice taste, and the 3rd one just mesh everything together...... if you are in Nagoya, you NEED to try hitsumabushi.
みそかつ
ひつまぶし
2007-07-19
IT Trends
Came across a good website/blog yesterday:
digital wall
It's a Taiwanese IT enthusiast commenting on various aspects of IT business. I particularly like the ones where he defines the characteristics of Web 2.0. His concepts are very clear and insightful. I believe he also has some of his articles in English.
digital wall
It's a Taiwanese IT enthusiast commenting on various aspects of IT business. I particularly like the ones where he defines the characteristics of Web 2.0. His concepts are very clear and insightful. I believe he also has some of his articles in English.
2007-07-17
What a weekend
If every long weekend in Japan is as eventful as last weekend, then I am definitely going to reconsider working here...
The weekend started with Typhoon No. 4, the first one to hit Japan this summer. It wrecked havoc in Okinawa and Kyushuu areas on Friday and Saturday. It was supposed to have the strongest influence on Tokyo by Sunday, so I didn't plan anything on Sunday, just was going to sit at home and watch tv. What happened was that most of the rainfall was over by Saturday night, and there was just gushes of strong wind on Sunday. Some of the JR lines were closed though, so I still couldn't get anywhere even if I wanted to.
Then of course on Monday morning, the earthquake hit Japan. I was sound asleep at the time, but I think I would have feel it if I was slightly conscious. Tokyo wasn't affected at all. We ended up going to Ikebukuro to do some shopping and arcade gaming. The final measurement was 6.8 I think. What caught my attention was that the nuclear plant nearby had to shut down and release some slightly irradiated water into ocean, and the magnitude of this earthquake is 2.5 times more than its designed resistance. It may look like the nuclear power plant is way under-designed, but since Richter's scale is exponential, 2.5 multiple is about 0.4 on Richter's scale. that means the plant should have a designed resistance of around 6.5. That isn't that bad. It's all about perspectives.
The weekend started with Typhoon No. 4, the first one to hit Japan this summer. It wrecked havoc in Okinawa and Kyushuu areas on Friday and Saturday. It was supposed to have the strongest influence on Tokyo by Sunday, so I didn't plan anything on Sunday, just was going to sit at home and watch tv. What happened was that most of the rainfall was over by Saturday night, and there was just gushes of strong wind on Sunday. Some of the JR lines were closed though, so I still couldn't get anywhere even if I wanted to.
Then of course on Monday morning, the earthquake hit Japan. I was sound asleep at the time, but I think I would have feel it if I was slightly conscious. Tokyo wasn't affected at all. We ended up going to Ikebukuro to do some shopping and arcade gaming. The final measurement was 6.8 I think. What caught my attention was that the nuclear plant nearby had to shut down and release some slightly irradiated water into ocean, and the magnitude of this earthquake is 2.5 times more than its designed resistance. It may look like the nuclear power plant is way under-designed, but since Richter's scale is exponential, 2.5 multiple is about 0.4 on Richter's scale. that means the plant should have a designed resistance of around 6.5. That isn't that bad. It's all about perspectives.
2007-07-09
2007-07-05
Steroids
For those who don't know, I recently started to take steroids to build up my muscle mass for the 2008 Mr. Olympics competition....
Of course that's a lie, but I actually received my first steroid yesterday...
for my eye infection. Turned out my first trip to a Japanese clinic was for eye infection... I had no idea where I got it. All I know is that when I woke up Tuesday, I suddenly realized that I couldn't open up my left eye.... coz it's been glued shut with tons of eye boogers = =. It wasn't only a little red then, so I thought I ate too much fried stuff or whatever, but by the afternoon it's bloodshot. I went to an eye clinic last night after work and got some eye drops for the infection. Costed me 8000 yen.... It is much better today already, but still a bit itchy sometimes. Hopefully it will go away by this weekend....
Of course that's a lie, but I actually received my first steroid yesterday...
for my eye infection. Turned out my first trip to a Japanese clinic was for eye infection... I had no idea where I got it. All I know is that when I woke up Tuesday, I suddenly realized that I couldn't open up my left eye.... coz it's been glued shut with tons of eye boogers = =. It wasn't only a little red then, so I thought I ate too much fried stuff or whatever, but by the afternoon it's bloodshot. I went to an eye clinic last night after work and got some eye drops for the infection. Costed me 8000 yen.... It is much better today already, but still a bit itchy sometimes. Hopefully it will go away by this weekend....
2007-07-04
Market Research
For the first two weeks, I was mostly sitting in meetings and trying to read as much stuff about Felica as I can. Last week, a manager from US flew over to discuss about Sony's strategy in US. Since I am probably the person in the office with the most free time, and reasonable knowledge with US market, I was naturally assigned to do some market research on the potential market
It wasn't the first time for me to research a market, but it was the first time that it has meanings other than my raising GPA (which isn't that high). A couple observations:
1. K.I.S.S. method applies: I might have collected a lot of information and have a lot of my personal observation, but to condense them into 1 or 2 powerpoint slides are nearly impossible. The best thing is to stick to your task, fill in the numbers, and comment when necessary in the meeting.
2. California is a BIG market. If California is an independent country, it's GDP is equivalent to that of Canada. As an aside, I guess that's why most Americans don't know about anything outside of US, coz they don't have the need to.
The US manager flew back today. I still have a few slides to do, but it's pretty much done. On to the next project...
It wasn't the first time for me to research a market, but it was the first time that it has meanings other than my raising GPA (which isn't that high). A couple observations:
1. K.I.S.S. method applies: I might have collected a lot of information and have a lot of my personal observation, but to condense them into 1 or 2 powerpoint slides are nearly impossible. The best thing is to stick to your task, fill in the numbers, and comment when necessary in the meeting.
2. California is a BIG market. If California is an independent country, it's GDP is equivalent to that of Canada. As an aside, I guess that's why most Americans don't know about anything outside of US, coz they don't have the need to.
The US manager flew back today. I still have a few slides to do, but it's pretty much done. On to the next project...
2007-07-01
2007-06-25
The Horror of Japanese Mobile Technology
It has been a great revelation using cellphone technologies in Japan. I got a N703iD from Docomo last week and have been playing with it ever since. Japan probably has the most commercially advanced and successful mobile platform in the world. At the moment, Japanese cellphones can be used for mobile banking, transportation ticket, payment medium and many things more. However, such a great technology does have its pitfalls...
Because my internship is related to mobile IC applications, I feel obligated to try as many mobile applications as possible. So far I have downloaded and installed: Edy: A new e-money service that is very popular in Japan. It serves both brick-and-mortar shops, as well as the internet companies (in fact, I think it just started a partnership with Amazon Japan). Suica : A rechargeable e-ticket for the Japanese railway system. Besides e-ticket, it also provide some cash card services for its shop in and around railway stations. Mobile Banking (Mitsui Sumitomo): a mobile application from Mitsui Sumitomo bank that allows you to manage your bank account from the phone, and transfer money to other account and/or services such as Edy and Suica. And finally, how can I be serious all the time and not try downloading mobile games such as MomotaroDentetsu
Unfortunately, all the downloading comes with a hefty cost, literally.
It seems that for each packet transmitted (I think each packet is 1kb), I am paying 0.2 yen. It might not seem much but it adds up, fast, especially when I am not only surfing and instead i am downloading all these applications. It has not been a week, and my mobile internet charge has run up to 6000 yen already. That doesn't include my monthly fee, which I figure to be around 4000 yen. So I am already 10000 yen in debt before I know it...
Because my internship is related to mobile IC applications, I feel obligated to try as many mobile applications as possible. So far I have downloaded and installed: Edy: A new e-money service that is very popular in Japan. It serves both brick-and-mortar shops, as well as the internet companies (in fact, I think it just started a partnership with Amazon Japan). Suica : A rechargeable e-ticket for the Japanese railway system. Besides e-ticket, it also provide some cash card services for its shop in and around railway stations. Mobile Banking (Mitsui Sumitomo): a mobile application from Mitsui Sumitomo bank that allows you to manage your bank account from the phone, and transfer money to other account and/or services such as Edy and Suica. And finally, how can I be serious all the time and not try downloading mobile games such as MomotaroDentetsu
Unfortunately, all the downloading comes with a hefty cost, literally.
It seems that for each packet transmitted (I think each packet is 1kb), I am paying 0.2 yen. It might not seem much but it adds up, fast, especially when I am not only surfing and instead i am downloading all these applications. It has not been a week, and my mobile internet charge has run up to 6000 yen already. That doesn't include my monthly fee, which I figure to be around 4000 yen. So I am already 10000 yen in debt before I know it...
2007-06-22
A Good Read
From Marc Andreessen. For those who don't know, he was one of the founding member of Netscape. Found his new blog: blog.pmarca.com. It talks about technology and business stuff. If you are interested in any kind of entrepreneurial ventures, it's a must read. He has some very interesting insights to these areas.
2007-06-20
3 days of Sony
After 3 days of leaving the office at 8pm....
I am impressed with Sony so far, or more specifically this particular department...
1. Everyone is very intelligent. Especially my supervisor. Even though he is handling multiple projects at the same time, he is very good at following the progress and coordinating with in the different departments
2. The degree of coordination is incredible, both within Sony and with other partners. I didn't really get a chance working in a big, international company before, or my position was not high enough to be involved in such meetings, but I think having a chance at these meetings alone is worth the internship experience
3. This department really has a entrepreneurial feel to it. Maybe it's more culturally related, but everyone is taking their own project and responsibility seriously.
Can't wait for my first weekend of break....
I am impressed with Sony so far, or more specifically this particular department...
1. Everyone is very intelligent. Especially my supervisor. Even though he is handling multiple projects at the same time, he is very good at following the progress and coordinating with in the different departments
2. The degree of coordination is incredible, both within Sony and with other partners. I didn't really get a chance working in a big, international company before, or my position was not high enough to be involved in such meetings, but I think having a chance at these meetings alone is worth the internship experience
3. This department really has a entrepreneurial feel to it. Maybe it's more culturally related, but everyone is taking their own project and responsibility seriously.
Can't wait for my first weekend of break....
2007-06-18
First Day
What a day....
Woke up at 4 am. It wasn't completely unexpected, since I still have a bit of jetlag, but I think every first day i arrive in a new country, my nose starts to run and my eyes start to water... so I got woken up because of my running nose mostly...
My actual day started at 9, took a tour around Shinagawa with my HR contact. Went to my apartment for this 2 months, registered my foreigner card and bank account. The most interesting... culture shock... would probably be that I had to re-write my bank application because my name wasn't completely the same with my foreigner registration... And that's because my registration card has all capitalized letters =.=
Got those done by 1pm, and then finally went to the office. Had an overview of the business. I finally knew that I am in the business strategy department, and my summer project is going to be dealing with some strategic planning for felica services. Looking forward to it, but I need to start practicing my Japanese and networking skills...
Woke up at 4 am. It wasn't completely unexpected, since I still have a bit of jetlag, but I think every first day i arrive in a new country, my nose starts to run and my eyes start to water... so I got woken up because of my running nose mostly...
My actual day started at 9, took a tour around Shinagawa with my HR contact. Went to my apartment for this 2 months, registered my foreigner card and bank account. The most interesting... culture shock... would probably be that I had to re-write my bank application because my name wasn't completely the same with my foreigner registration... And that's because my registration card has all capitalized letters =.=
Got those done by 1pm, and then finally went to the office. Had an overview of the business. I finally knew that I am in the business strategy department, and my summer project is going to be dealing with some strategic planning for felica services. Looking forward to it, but I need to start practicing my Japanese and networking skills...
2007-06-17
Arriving in Japan
After 9 hour 30 minutes of plane ride, I am back in Japan
The ride wasn't that bad, except I got the aisle seat, right beside the food preparation room. Couldn't sleep for more than 30 minutes on the plane... ended up watching 3 movies:
Music and Lyrics 4/5: Good romantic comedy, Hugh Grant is always good in this kind of role; "Pop goes my heart" is catchy...
Ghost Rider 2/5: I have no idea what the plot is... the CG for the rider is pretty cool, but that's about it
Zodiac 3/5: Ok suspense movie. I heard it's from a real story. Has a pretty weak ending though
Got out of Narita and rode on the bus to Shinagawa Prince Hotel uneventfully. Took a while to confirm my reservation, and it turned out it's scheduled on July 17 =.=
Anyhow, got into my room, spent 1500 yen for a 3-prong-to-2-prong converter (damn!) and went out looking for dinner. Found this interesting place near JR Shinagawa Station:
It's a small plaza that has 7 raman shops. When I got there at 7pm, there were already lineups in some of the shops. I ended up eating at 熊本ラーメン「ひごもんず」.I like pork-bone based ramen, and it's really a good one, especially with fatty pork... yum...
So right now I am just fighting the jetlag... Tomorrow will be my first day of intern... yipee...
P.S. When I arrived in Narita, I saw a person holding up "Harvard Internship 2007." I would be very curious if someone can find out which internship is that...
The ride wasn't that bad, except I got the aisle seat, right beside the food preparation room. Couldn't sleep for more than 30 minutes on the plane... ended up watching 3 movies:
Music and Lyrics 4/5: Good romantic comedy, Hugh Grant is always good in this kind of role; "Pop goes my heart" is catchy...
Ghost Rider 2/5: I have no idea what the plot is... the CG for the rider is pretty cool, but that's about it
Zodiac 3/5: Ok suspense movie. I heard it's from a real story. Has a pretty weak ending though
Got out of Narita and rode on the bus to Shinagawa Prince Hotel uneventfully. Took a while to confirm my reservation, and it turned out it's scheduled on July 17 =.=
Anyhow, got into my room, spent 1500 yen for a 3-prong-to-2-prong converter (damn!) and went out looking for dinner. Found this interesting place near JR Shinagawa Station:
It's a small plaza that has 7 raman shops. When I got there at 7pm, there were already lineups in some of the shops. I ended up eating at 熊本ラーメン「ひごもんず」.I like pork-bone based ramen, and it's really a good one, especially with fatty pork... yum...
So right now I am just fighting the jetlag... Tomorrow will be my first day of intern... yipee...
P.S. When I arrived in Narita, I saw a person holding up "Harvard Internship 2007." I would be very curious if someone can find out which internship is that...
2007-06-16
Great Blogger Hack Site
For people who are using Blogger: I came across this great hacking blog
hackosphere
I was looking for hacks that display summary of the blog on the title page, and found this nifty trick:
Selective Expandable Post
If you are comfortable with editing a little bit of html, this is a great blog to dig around
hackosphere
I was looking for hacks that display summary of the blog on the title page, and found this nifty trick:
Selective Expandable Post
If you are comfortable with editing a little bit of html, this is a great blog to dig around
2007-06-14
2007-06-13
mayonnaise jar and the coffee
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar... and the coffee...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff."
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff."
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
2007-06-12
Recent Tech News
Asus annoucing $200 notebook
It's not a $100-or-less computer, but it's close enough. It's got wired/wireless lan connectivity (plus data modem), good weight (under 1kg), built-in mic and speaker. What are left to be desirable are the average battery life (3hrs) and built-in RAM (only 512mb; barely acceptable for XP). What's most interesting is that this particular model uses Flash RAM as the main storage instead of traditional hard drives. It may look like a notebook with minimal specs that target disadvantaged consumers who are very price sensitive, but I can definitely see technophiles wanting one to play with for its mobility and simplicity (After all, it's only $200!)
Apple Safari 3 Public Beta for Windows
Amid the hooplas for the latest Apple OS and iphone news is this particular gem. I think it's another briliant move by Apple trying to chip away Windows dominance. What's already conceded is that Apple will never replace Windows OS, but Apple is trying the next best thing: compete in the web browser market. Apple can safely leverage its advantages in technology and brand image on the windows platform without much fear of retaliation from Microsoft. Much like its Bootcamp emulator, Apple is forming an interesting co-opetition relationship with Microsoft. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft will react, but my bet is on Apple to successfully increase its market share
2007-06-09
蘇格拉底談失戀
蘇格拉底：孩子，為什麼悲傷？
失戀者：我失戀了。
蘇格拉底：哦，這很正常。如果失戀了沒有悲傷，戀愛大概也就沒有什麼味道。可是，
年輕人，我怎麼發現你對失戀的投入甚至比對戀愛的投入還要傾心呢？
失戀者：到手的葡萄給丟了，這份遺憾，這份失落，您非個中人，怎知其中的酸楚啊。
蘇格拉底：丟了就是丟了，何不繼續向前走去，鮮美的葡萄還有很多。
失戀者：等待，等到海枯石爛，直到她回心轉意向我走來。
蘇格拉底：但這一天也許永遠不會到來。你最後會眼睜睜地看著她和另一個人走了。
失戀者：那我就用自殺來表示我的誠心。
蘇格拉底：但如果這樣，你不但失去了你的戀人，同時還失去了你自己，你會蒙受雙倍的損失。
失戀者：狠狠地傷害她，我得不到的別人也別想得到。
蘇格拉底：可這只能使你離她更遠，而你本來是想與她更接近的。
失戀者：您說我該怎麼辦？我可真的很愛她。
蘇格拉底：真的很愛？
失戀者：是的。
蘇格拉底：那你當然希望你所愛的人幸福？
失戀者：那是自然。
蘇格拉底：如果她認為離開你是一種幸福呢？
失戀者：不會的！她曾經跟我說，只有跟我在一起的時候她才感到幸福！
蘇格拉底：那是曾經，是過去，可她現在並不這麼認為。
失戀者：這就是說，她一直在騙我？
蘇格拉底：不，她一直對你很忠誠。當她愛你的時候，她和你在一起，現在她不愛你，她
就離去了，世界上再沒有比這更大的忠誠。如果她不再愛你，卻還裝得對你很有
情誼，甚至跟你結婚，生子，那才是真正的欺騙呢。
失戀者：可我為她所投入的感情不是白白浪費了嗎？誰來補償我？
蘇格拉底：不，你的感情從來沒有浪費，根本不存在補償的問題，因為在你付出感情的同
時，她也對你付出了感情，在你給她快樂的時候，她也給了你快樂。
失戀者：可是，她現在不愛我了，我卻還苦苦地愛著她，這多不公平啊！
蘇格拉底：的確不公平，我是說你對所愛的那個人不公平。本來，愛她是你的權利，但愛
不愛你則是她的權利，而你卻想在自己行使權利的時候剝奪別人行使權利的自由。這是何等的不公平！
失戀者：可是您看得明明白白，現在痛苦的是我而不是她，是我在為她痛苦。
蘇格拉底：為她而痛苦？她的日子可能過得很好，不如說是你為自己而痛苦吧。明明是為
自己，卻還打著別人的旗號。年輕人，德行可不能丟喲。
失戀者：依您的說法，這一切倒成了我的錯？
蘇格拉底：是的，從一開始你就犯了錯。如果你能給她帶來幸福，她是不會從你的生活中
離開的，要知道，沒有人會逃避幸福。
失戀者：什麼是幸福？難道我把我的整個身心都給了她還不夠嗎？您知道她為什麼離開我嗎？僅僅因為我沒有錢！
蘇格拉底：你也有健全的雙手，為什麼不去掙錢呢？
失戀者：可她連機會都不給我，您說可惡不可惡？
蘇格拉底：當然可惡。好在你現在已經擺脫了這個可惡的人，你應該感到高興，孩子。
失戀者：高興？怎麼可能呢，不管怎麼說，我是被人給拋棄了，這總是叫人感到自卑的。
蘇格拉底：不，年輕人的身上只能有自豪，不可自卑。要記住，被拋棄的並非是不好的。
失戀者：此話怎講？
蘇格拉底：有一次，我在商店看中一套高貴的西服，可謂愛不釋手，營業員問我要不要。你猜我怎麼說，我說質地太差，不要！其實，我口袋裏沒有錢。年輕人，也許你就是這件被遺棄的西服。
失戀者：您真會安慰人，可惜您還是不能把我從失戀的痛苦中引出。
蘇格拉底：是的，我很遺憾自己沒有這個能力。但，可以向你推薦一位有能力的友。
失戀者：誰？
蘇格拉底：時間，時間是人最偉大的導師，我見過無數被失戀折磨得死去活來的人，是時間幫助他們撫平了心靈的創傷，並重新為他們選擇了夢中情人，最後他們都
享受到了本該屬於自己的那份人間之樂。
失戀者：但願我也有這一天，可我的第一步該從哪裡做起呢？
蘇格拉底：去感謝那個拋棄你的人，為她祝福。
失戀者：為什麼？
蘇格拉底：因為她給了你份忠誠，給了你尋找幸福的新的機會。
失戀者：我失戀了。
蘇格拉底：哦，這很正常。如果失戀了沒有悲傷，戀愛大概也就沒有什麼味道。可是，
年輕人，我怎麼發現你對失戀的投入甚至比對戀愛的投入還要傾心呢？
失戀者：到手的葡萄給丟了，這份遺憾，這份失落，您非個中人，怎知其中的酸楚啊。
蘇格拉底：丟了就是丟了，何不繼續向前走去，鮮美的葡萄還有很多。
失戀者：等待，等到海枯石爛，直到她回心轉意向我走來。
蘇格拉底：但這一天也許永遠不會到來。你最後會眼睜睜地看著她和另一個人走了。
失戀者：那我就用自殺來表示我的誠心。
蘇格拉底：但如果這樣，你不但失去了你的戀人，同時還失去了你自己，你會蒙受雙倍的損失。
失戀者：狠狠地傷害她，我得不到的別人也別想得到。
蘇格拉底：可這只能使你離她更遠，而你本來是想與她更接近的。
失戀者：您說我該怎麼辦？我可真的很愛她。
蘇格拉底：真的很愛？
失戀者：是的。
蘇格拉底：那你當然希望你所愛的人幸福？
失戀者：那是自然。
蘇格拉底：如果她認為離開你是一種幸福呢？
失戀者：不會的！她曾經跟我說，只有跟我在一起的時候她才感到幸福！
蘇格拉底：那是曾經，是過去，可她現在並不這麼認為。
失戀者：這就是說，她一直在騙我？
蘇格拉底：不，她一直對你很忠誠。當她愛你的時候，她和你在一起，現在她不愛你，她
就離去了，世界上再沒有比這更大的忠誠。如果她不再愛你，卻還裝得對你很有
情誼，甚至跟你結婚，生子，那才是真正的欺騙呢。
失戀者：可我為她所投入的感情不是白白浪費了嗎？誰來補償我？
蘇格拉底：不，你的感情從來沒有浪費，根本不存在補償的問題，因為在你付出感情的同
時，她也對你付出了感情，在你給她快樂的時候，她也給了你快樂。
失戀者：可是，她現在不愛我了，我卻還苦苦地愛著她，這多不公平啊！
蘇格拉底：的確不公平，我是說你對所愛的那個人不公平。本來，愛她是你的權利，但愛
不愛你則是她的權利，而你卻想在自己行使權利的時候剝奪別人行使權利的自由。這是何等的不公平！
失戀者：可是您看得明明白白，現在痛苦的是我而不是她，是我在為她痛苦。
蘇格拉底：為她而痛苦？她的日子可能過得很好，不如說是你為自己而痛苦吧。明明是為
自己，卻還打著別人的旗號。年輕人，德行可不能丟喲。
失戀者：依您的說法，這一切倒成了我的錯？
蘇格拉底：是的，從一開始你就犯了錯。如果你能給她帶來幸福，她是不會從你的生活中
離開的，要知道，沒有人會逃避幸福。
失戀者：什麼是幸福？難道我把我的整個身心都給了她還不夠嗎？您知道她為什麼離開我嗎？僅僅因為我沒有錢！
蘇格拉底：你也有健全的雙手，為什麼不去掙錢呢？
失戀者：可她連機會都不給我，您說可惡不可惡？
蘇格拉底：當然可惡。好在你現在已經擺脫了這個可惡的人，你應該感到高興，孩子。
失戀者：高興？怎麼可能呢，不管怎麼說，我是被人給拋棄了，這總是叫人感到自卑的。
蘇格拉底：不，年輕人的身上只能有自豪，不可自卑。要記住，被拋棄的並非是不好的。
失戀者：此話怎講？
蘇格拉底：有一次，我在商店看中一套高貴的西服，可謂愛不釋手，營業員問我要不要。你猜我怎麼說，我說質地太差，不要！其實，我口袋裏沒有錢。年輕人，也許你就是這件被遺棄的西服。
失戀者：您真會安慰人，可惜您還是不能把我從失戀的痛苦中引出。
蘇格拉底：是的，我很遺憾自己沒有這個能力。但，可以向你推薦一位有能力的友。
失戀者：誰？
蘇格拉底：時間，時間是人最偉大的導師，我見過無數被失戀折磨得死去活來的人，是時間幫助他們撫平了心靈的創傷，並重新為他們選擇了夢中情人，最後他們都
享受到了本該屬於自己的那份人間之樂。
失戀者：但願我也有這一天，可我的第一步該從哪裡做起呢？
蘇格拉底：去感謝那個拋棄你的人，為她祝福。
失戀者：為什麼？
蘇格拉底：因為她給了你份忠誠，給了你尋找幸福的新的機會。
2007-06-08
2007-06-07
My Summer Internship
Just received an email from Sony. It has finally received the working visa application and is sending it to me. In a week or so I should be heading to Tokyo to start my internship.
Got this offer through USC's Career Resource Center. Sony was coming on campus to recruit for internship. Basically there were 2 positions: a marketing position for VAIO, and a biz dev position for Felica (contactless IC). Most of other MBA's probably like the sexier sounding position of VAIO marketing, but I chose to apply for the biz dev one, since I like new technology and want to experience what a biz dev position is like. Fortunately I passed 2 rounds of interview and was chosen to intern in Tokyo this summer. Paid air transportation + board, and good salary too. There's probably a good chance that Sony would offer me a full-time position if I don't screw up too much. I am hopeful for that too...
Got this offer through USC's Career Resource Center. Sony was coming on campus to recruit for internship. Basically there were 2 positions: a marketing position for VAIO, and a biz dev position for Felica (contactless IC). Most of other MBA's probably like the sexier sounding position of VAIO marketing, but I chose to apply for the biz dev one, since I like new technology and want to experience what a biz dev position is like. Fortunately I passed 2 rounds of interview and was chosen to intern in Tokyo this summer. Paid air transportation + board, and good salary too. There's probably a good chance that Sony would offer me a full-time position if I don't screw up too much. I am hopeful for that too...
2007-06-05
My Poor Driver License
Ugh... got wakened by alarm clock.. who would set it at 4:30am....?
Anyways, having traveled across Pacific Ocean for the 2nd time in 20 days, I am not exactly having the normal hours. Couldn't stop thinking about my driver license debacle though:
For the uninformed: Apparently to renew your BC driver license, you can''t have another valid driver license from another country. Being the honest person that I always am, I said "yes" when the clerk asked me if I have a driver license from another country. The result was that my BC license got taken away, and I would need to hand in my California license if I need to renew my BC license next time.
Fear not, though, for I have had a solution to resolve this situation... We can find out if it would work today...
Anyways, having traveled across Pacific Ocean for the 2nd time in 20 days, I am not exactly having the normal hours. Couldn't stop thinking about my driver license debacle though:
For the uninformed: Apparently to renew your BC driver license, you can''t have another valid driver license from another country. Being the honest person that I always am, I said "yes" when the clerk asked me if I have a driver license from another country. The result was that my BC license got taken away, and I would need to hand in my California license if I need to renew my BC license next time.
Fear not, though, for I have had a solution to resolve this situation... We can find out if it would work today...
2007-06-04
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