Don't worry, be crappy
Sunday, January 28, 2007
"An innovator doesn't worry about shipping an innovative product with elements of crappiness if it's truly innovative. The first permutation of a innovation is seldom perfect--Macintosh, for example, didn't have software, a hard disk (it wouldn't matter with no software anyway), slots, and color. If a company waits--for example, the engineers convince management to add more features--until everything is perfect, it will never ship, and the market will pass it by."
- Guy Kawasaki on The Art of Innovation
I always feel the only way for a company to innovate is firstly, break a rule.
"Do something that disrupts a fundamental tenet of your market or industry" said Thomas Ordahl
Jeff Bezos of Amazon didn't just add 10% or 15% more books than the 250,000 titles stocked in the average Barnes & Noble bookstore or any other Borders Bookstore. He went for 2.5 million titles!
So in the state of describing "Don't worry, be crappy", below are several ads which I personally enjoyed whom I believe didn't shy away from crappiness (at all!)
For more ads go to Epica Awards
posted by sam @ 7:50 PM,
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My first job
Thursday, January 25, 2007
My first real job, got it on my first attempt interview, to the only company I applied to. (Had several Engineering offers and an apprenticeship thingy with Zang Toi's restaurant/food business but hey it's Pringles company, how can I say no). Up to now I still have no idea of what I'm getting myself into. An Engineer doing some sort of sales? To find out more about my job, click here (just replace the country with Malaysia).
Well practically it's something that I've always wanted to learn about. I still have my dreams of business but I figure hey I'm still young, get the experience and the much needed capital then bootstrap a business when I'm ready for it.
So here I go.
When I got the offer letter the guy painted me this picture.
"This is not going to be an easy job depends on you. It requires you to travel a lot. A lot of responsibilities would be laid on you doesn't matter you're a fresh grad or with experience. You've got to work hard. I don't want you to have the picture of this huge corporate company with executive chairs and all. You have to get your hands dirty. And did I mention you need to be mobile?"
And right after that.
"Felix (the other guy who got the job) since you've got some experience in the industry, we're sending you to Melaka!"
Me: (Imagine the irony if they did send me back to Melaka!)
"Samuel since you're a fresh grad, we're sending you under a more experienced person. You're going to Kuantan! You'll be at least 6 months there starting this Feb. All the best"
Think he also mentioned that a group of us will be responsible for all of P&G's products on the entire East Coast. Still in a surreal state of mind.
But..
Kuantan?! The last time I was in Kuantan was way way back. I vaguely remember what Kuantan looks like. So a quick search on the net on the words "Kuantan" and I get this pictures.
Of course the next picture we see it all over Malaysia.
Ok, Kuantan's not that bad now.So Kuantan people (or those who've been there) tell me is the real Kuantan? Enlighten me then.
Anyhow the moment I accept the offer, I'm instantly shipped off there. So visit me!
posted by sam @ 8:34 AM,
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24
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
24 hours
24 karats of gold
24 is the number of frames per second at which motion picture film is usually projected
24 bits for true colour images
24 the tv series
24 is the number of ribs in a man
I just turned 24!
And so a funny thing happened on the eve of my b'day. I used Deric's phone to call Chern Wai (since this Maxis dude gets RMXXX to use a month, capitalize on it!) to ask him where he was.
Me: Hey, where are you?
CW: I'm looking for a place to buy cake. (thinking it was Deric)
Me: Cake?
CW: Yalah. Most of the shops are already closed.
Me: Oh k, get a nice nice one!
CW: Sure.
As for me who wasn't expecting anything to happen at all, discovered it all by a simple phone call and simply playing along.
Lesson learned: When you see Deric calling you on your phone, it's most probably not him.
Thanks all for the birthday wishes and the "surprise" celebration ;)
posted by sam @ 7:53 PM,
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In the waiting
“In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.”
- Laurence Sterne
“Language has created the word “loneliness” to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word “solitude” to express the glory of being alone. “
- Paul Johannes Tillich, The Eternal Now
“Solitude is painful when one is young, but delightful when one is more mature.”
– Albert Einstein
“I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.”
- Albert Einstien
"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."
- Isaiah, NKJV
For further reading by Brian Kim
posted by sam @ 7:32 PM,
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What's in a face
Sunday, January 14, 2007
(Click the picture to know further)
posted by sam @ 8:18 PM,
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Crushed resolutions
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
So it's yet another new year. 2007 to be exact. How many of you still remember what your new year's resolution for 2006 was, raise your hands. Hmm.. I see a couple of hands. Now how many of you that remembered your resolutions actually managed to complete and achieved those targets that you set? None?!! one?! haha.
I vaguely remember mine. One of it was to keep fit and lose a couple of pounds. Achieved? Nada. In fact I gained a couple of pounds. My aunty commented that she saw my size changed (horizontal addition) before Christmas and 2 days after the new year started.
We all start of every new year motivated to do something significant. We have big dreams, high hopes and a positive mind. So let's try something different instead, keep things small first then let the dreams slowly grow.
Came across this site, Despair Inc. : Demotivator Calenders
At least it helps in dealing with disappointment. haha. Not a very motivating new year post eh?
posted by sam @ 7:17 PM,
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15 seconds
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
A friend of mine once asked me this question:
"What would you say if you had 15 seconds of air time on an international TV? You've got the whole world watching and listening to you. All the leaders of the world, every man and woman, boy and girl. What would you say?"
Honestly I have no idea. I could say something motivational. I could mention a philosophy. I could tell the Good News. I could tell a joke. I could critique politics. I could do an advertisement. I could sing. I could dance. I could just be silent. 15 seconds is all you got in an entire lifetime. Think of it I really have no idea what to say.
posted by sam @ 6:50 PM,
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A stupid idea or a work of genius
A stupid idea which makes millions of dollars is a work of genius but a stupid idea that doesn't benefit remains just another stupid idea.
Bean bags, Customized love songs, oversized bows, santas with real beards, divorce rings, beverage boutique, designer crutches, selling old baby clothes, hair salon just for geeks, selling something you know nothing about, dogs sleepover hotel, telling nun jokes.
All of these were but a fool's dream till it was put into action and became a work of a genius.
posted by sam @ 6:32 PM,
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The Author
Samuel Yau
How do you truly know someone? The truth is, you can't. Each person that you come across have a perspective of you that differs from another. So it's entirely up to you on how I am perceived to be
About This Blog
Initially this blog was birthed out of curiosity, on what it would be like to have a blog. To explore the world of entrepreneurship, business, marketing, etc and to jot down my learnings/experience here. As time passes on, the purpose change, the passion change, the person change.