I am in love my my Mac

I remember thinking back to my early middle schools days, and having to write book reports for every book we read in class. If it was possible, you were to type it up so it looked more professional. But because not everyone had access to do so, it was not mandatory. Because we only had a typewriter, I always opted to write in my best penmanship in black or blue ink. I have always had decent and legible handwriting, so it was not an issue for me. However, I do recall some kids getting a lower grade because of their poor penmanship, the teacher could not read what they wrote, and therefore they were docked. Then along came the personal computer (PC), and the computer lab at school was born! We still could not afford a PC at home, so my parents opted on getting a word processor. Writing book reports became so much easier for everyone involved, especially the teachers, and within a few years, everyone had to type up their reports. We soon had computer lab at school, and got to spend a whole hour on the computer once a week. Who else remembers playing The Oregon Trail on an Apple Mac? Those were the days! Of course you could not play if you had any schoolwork to be done. We soon started to learn about the wonderful world of the Internet, and now searching for information was no longer limited to your home set of encyclopedias, which always had a book missing. “Hey Mom, I am doing a report on elephants, where is the E?” 

Before I knew it, I was in the sixth grade, and my parents bought our very first PC.  I do not even recall the brand, but this thing was huge! The whole set took up the little desk my parents had it set up on. It changed my life. I could now play The Oregon Trail anytime I wanted, but more importantly I was able to research, type, and have all my book reports spell checked and printed out for school. This thing was awesome. I do have a pretty large family, so time at home was limited on the PC, but I always squeezed any extra time I could. Ever since then, I have used a computer for everything in y daily life. I have my own Mac now, and of course my computer at work. And you can’t forget your mini computer called your smartphone, in your pocket. I cannot even fathom having to do all the daily tasks I have to do, and do them manually. We take email for granted; I hardly use it unless I am at work, but it is really an amazing tool. Just imagine having to send a letter and wait 2-3 days on either end, just to communicate over a written contract or something similar. Now you can say, email that as an attachment and I will take a look at it right now.

But let us not forget one of the biggest changes ever, online classes for school! We all take classes online for different reasons, and usually it is due to a hectic schedule, or maybe you work weird hours or have small children at home. There are only so many hours in the day to attend a class. Whatever the reason, we are all able to continue and further our education while we are at home or even on a work trip. Last week I read my book and wrote my blog while I was 30,000 feet up in the sky. I am very grateful for my ability to be able to connect to the world with a touch of a button on my personal computer, all while earning a degree online and trying to better myself.

Would you like some fries with that

This week, I have continued with my reading in Friedman's book. He talks about so many interesting topics. I read about one of these topics called comparative advantage. This is how you explain why some countries are better at doing certain things than other countries or regions. India and China are prime examples, but another country to keep an eye on is Ireland. China has transformed their country into an industrial powerhouse by focusing on certain aspects of trade. As a result, they have moved ahead of Mexico for imports into America, and earned the number one spot in many other countries around the world. However Ireland has put their focus on educating their younger generation, and they are doing so for extremely inexperienced amounts. Their thought is with a widely accessible education system their younger generation will become more interested in school and help further Ireland's growth in this flat world. It takes focus on a country's part to assist with growing and moving up on a global scale, whether it is a affordable education or motivating the next generation to want to succeed in specific fields or trades.

I would definitely consider myself a self-directed consumer. A good example that is discussed is Starbucks. They had to adapt to be better than anyone else, so they listened to their consumers and added soy milk as an option. Companies want your feedback and many times will reward you for your time. I always give my input when it is appropriate, such as a good experience or noting my opinion if I think a company could use some improvement in an area. You are no longer competing with your next-door neighbor or even the guy across town. Your competition is now the world. If you don’t learn to stay one step ahead of the consumer, someone else will, and before you know it a start-up coffee shop in a garage will overtake Starbucks.

I have always thought of Americanization and how amazing and comforting it is for me when traveling abroad. I have been to some amazing and beautiful places in this world and when the hunger bug strikes, I have multiple local cuisines to choose from, none of which cannot be bought at home. But all I wanted was a simple cheeseburger and fries, and wouldn’t you know, there was a McDonald's down the street. While all of this can be great, I don’t think we can consider globalization and Americanization the same as one. Globalization is a mix of every walk of life and is getting bigger. I do agree that America has played a big role in the ‘culture’ of globalization, however it really has been a handful of multicultural ideas that has created this flat world we call home.

This book has been a huge wake up call for me, and the issues we face in todays society. The crazy part is this book was written almost a decade ago, and Friedman nailed it on the head with the reality of this super fast-paced, constantly changing world.

Is free trade really free?

While I have continued reading my book for my class, Thomas L Friedman, The World is Flat 3:0 A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century (Further Updated and Expanded, 2007), I learned about a few things that I never really gave much thought about. One of which is free trade. Is it a good thing? There are arguments on both sides that are valid. Free trade can be described as an agreement in which governments on both sides allow a mutually beneficial agreement of trade and do not interfere with goods being imported or exported by applying tariffs and taxes. I feel free trade is a very important aspect of the flat world and plays a huge role in globalization. Free trade allows businesses, companies and even individuals to exchange goods and services freely across the globe, and without interference from governments is endless. Many have felt free trade was a bad idea simply because many free trade initiatives start with outsourcing. As many have thought, outsourcing is taking jobs away from American workers, when in fact it is actually doing the exact opposite. Combining our efforts with other countries and sharing our thoughts are opening new doors for ideas to expand and the job pool to get even bigger. The world is catching up with us, and we need to learn to open up and learn to work together, otherwise we, as Americans, will not survive.

Friedman also talks about the middle class, and how certain middle class workers will be saved from outsourcing. These middle class workers are simply called the ‘untouchables’. Much of our economy is built on the middle class worker, and we have specialties that cannot be outsourced, as these require a human touch that no computer system can compete with. We need this working class to help everyone else understand how the business works, by working as explainers where computers are unable to do so. Our untouchables are versatile people and can operate, navigate and mobilize a multicultural job market on a multinational level.

Another term I read was when Friedman said he lives by an equation CQ + PQ > IQ. Which, when broken down means that it is more valuable to have a curiosity quotient (CQ) and passion quotient (PC) than it is to just simply have a high IQ. He would prefer to take a curious kid as a candidate because nobody works harder than a curious kid. We need to learn how to re-learn. We need innovators and students who have a passion to learn new and exciting things, and not be afraid that their job title will be new and something no one has ever heard of. As Doc Searls, one of the most respected technology writers in America once said, “in the flat new world, educational opportunities are limitless, even without help from school, government, churches or business.”

We all need to be the lemonade guy at the ball game, we need to reinvent ourselves and teach our younger generation to do the same also so that we are once again standing at the top, instead of at the bottom trying to catch up with the world.

Tell me your billion dollar idea!

As I am back to reading my book, Thomas L Friedman, The World is Flat 3:0 A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century (Further Updated and Expanded, 2007) I was able to really grasp the true meaning of globalization and how it has made this world flat. What has really enhanced this new age is the Triple Convergence. The Triple Convergence is the process that combines all ten of the flattening forces in which Friedman has discussed thus far. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the rise of the PC, Netscape, work flow, outsourcing, offshoring, uploading, insourcing, supply chaining and in-forming, are the drivers behind this phenomena that all just so happen top work together perfectly. This is what allows us to connect to anyone, anywhere and collaborate ideas at anytime of the day, and receive an answer within minutes if not seconds. The Triple Convergence is so important to me because it allows us to receive the things we want for a lesser price due to outsourcing and offshoring. However, as well all know, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. As we strive to want the finest things in life for the cheapest possible price, we are driving jobs and business right from our own back yards. The most eager young minds from India, China, Russia and essentially all corners of the earth are vying to get out and study in America, and they seem to want it more than we do.

I was intrigued to read about the Indiana versus India conflict because it really puts into perspective how easy it is to outsource, and just how much money you can save by doing so. With India being able to outbid the next closest local competitor by over eight million dollars, as a company, you would be dumb to turn down such an offer. I did not like that the government canceled this bid contract, paid them for the time they were there, and spread out the job so more local companies could have a piece of the pie. I understand that some things needed to change moving forward, but Tata deserved this contract, and they should have been able to completely update Indiana’s computer system. I feel as if Indiana exploited them by promising them jobs and a contract, and then backing out after they had already started.

Do you have a great idea, especially a lucrative one that could make you rich beyond your wildest dreams? Well if so, come sit next to me! Even if you don’t, there is a very good chance that once you put your idea out into the public domain, that it will be copied, pirated, and replicated, all without you earning a cent. Intellectual property used to be easy to follow and very hard to duplicate. Once you had a patent, no one could ever duplicate your work and reap the rewards for doing so. Long gone are those days of being protected. Almost everything that has ever been made has at some point been replicated without the original owners consent. We need new laws to regulate how ideas are created, and how they are to be protected. I know that if I came up with a billion dollar idea I would want to know that I am protected in some way and will always be able to reap my rewards, because that’s part of the ‘American dream!’

What time is it in China?

I have stopped reading The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century for this week and have asked a fellow colleague some questions pertaining to her job. Her name is Nicole and she works for a major airline based in the United States. I wanted to get Nicole’s perspective on her job and job functions, as well as how the flattening of the world has affected her job duties and everyday life.

Nicole works in a specialty area that handles many job functions that not many other frontline agents do. She is a supervisor who, mainly, responds to Elite members emails and major complaints that come into the corporate offices. She is equipped with a nice little cubicle desk, with family pictures hanging up on a wall full of accolades from co-workers and customer compliments.  Having those hanging there reminds her of the job she does and helps motivate her to be better every day. She has worked for the airline for four years this coming November. On a daily basis she reads and responds to 15-20 emails, depending on the severity of the issue at hand. She also assists her fellow colleagues around her when they have questions. Nicole works the late evening shift, and many times will make outbound phone calls after midnight to customers who are halfway around the world. “Being a global airline, we have to assist passengers from all around the world, 24/7, and this includes calling passengers late into the evening while my family is asleep," said Nicole. One of the many tools she uses to assist customers is through her company email and her IM, or instant messenger. “Email generally gets the job done when I need assistance from a co-worker or I need to ask a passenger some follow up questions,” she adds, “ but when I need an answer right now, I use IM.” She followed up by telling me one of the desks she works closely with is another specialty desk based in Singapore. “They are specialists who handle difficult reissues and assist with fare rules.” She goes on to say, “When I need to help someone who is stranded in China, and it is 1:00 am in the States, and I need help now, I can IM the Singapore desk, and they will have an answer for me in minutes.” Without the tools of the Internet, she has said her job would be far too difficult given the complexities of the situations she handles. I asked how different her job would be 25 years ago, especially without everyone having access to email. “I am in such a speed mode, and I cannot fathom having to write a passenger an actual letter back, and then wait another week plus for their reply in the mail. If I don’t get an answer via email with in an hour, I send a follow if the situation warrants it. The Internet has changed the world for the better and I am glad to be a part of it.”

Nicole had to get back to work to assist some high value passengers who were going to be stranded in Dubai due to a canceled flight. Thanks to the advances in technology, she was notified of this irregular operation as soon as the flight cancelled, and was able to re-protect these passengers to a new flight even before they stepped off the plane. This would not have been possible twenty-five years ago. Nicole left me with last quote, “Technology is amazing, don’t ever take it for granted. We are so lucky to be able to get assistance from anyone, anywhere, no matter the time of day. I am lucky to be alive.”