Saturday, September 29, 2018

Your expert niche

Alibaba active consumers on its various websites hit 552 million,  and active mobile MAU's (monthly active users) reached 617 million. That is an astounding number when one considers the population in the USA. Almost 2x. The world’s largest e-commerce platform operator aims to become the fifth-largest “economy” in the world by 2036.

Each of us has ideas that can shape the world, in large ways or small.


Yet too many of us shrink back when it comes to sharing our ideas. We assume leading experts must have some unique talents. We assume that our own ideas may not measure up. We assume that working hard and keeping our heads down will be enough to move our careers forward. 


Most recognised experts achieved success not because of some special genius, but because they learned how to put disparate elements together and present ideas in a new and meaningful way.


Building a strong professional reputation is the best way to protect, and advance our careers. To succeed I today's world, we don't have to be a worldwide superstar. The competition is fierce and we do have to be deliberate about identifying the place where we want to make a contribution and start to share our ideas. 


But what if you're not sure where to start? A good first step is to follow your passions and see where they lead.


I aim to develop thought leadership. It's about solving real problems and making a difference. I am willing to be brave, open up and share myself. I am willing to risk having my ideas shot down, because I genuinely believe I can help others.


Almost anyone can be an expert at something. You don't have to be the #1 expert in your field; context matters. It's not necessary to be Shakespeare to be know around the office as a good writer, and you don't need to be Arnold Schwarzenegger to advice on fitness.



Sunday, September 23, 2018

Stop comparing

The AI Arms Race between the US and China is heating up. Ex- Google CEO Eric Schmidt said it won’t be long before China overtakes the US in the development of advanced artificial intelligence. A potato thief in Jianxing was caught when authorities used AI-powered facial-recognition technology to identify him from a crowd of more than 20,000 people attending a performance by Hong Kong crooner Jacky Cheung. The country that eventually leads in AI will have an advantage in nearly every industry. Second place might as well be last place.

Are you addicted to comparing yourself with others? Perhaps a coworker who gets more recognition and attention? A friend who's got more benefits and entitlements while you're working triple overtime? Though you may want to be happy for others, sometimes you just can't.

If you're single, you might envy apparently contentedly married friends in a way that leaves you painfully diminished. Though you wish them all the happiness in the world, you might secretly hope their relationship fails. It's difficult to admit - to ourselves or others - that we don't want the best for others, because their attributes, assets or accomplishments make us feel small.

Envy has been an important teacher for me. I've never felt envious of most people, but in my younger years I'd turn acidic when a peer, "deserving" or not, got a promotion. I felt "less than," overlooked, invisible.

I've made strides in overcoming it. Now I feel triumphant whenever I'm pleased for another's accolades without feeling slighted. As my self-esteem has grown, my envy has faded. The gateway is about discovering my self-worth, not raising it. The problem is not my actual worth, but my perceived worth.

The fact is, you are not inferior. No one is better than you, despite their moments of glory.

Comparing is a natural tendency we all have - we are a society of comparison junkies. It's productive if you're inspired to emulate another's impressive traits. Interestingly, it's more common to feel inferior to those with "more" than to feel grateful compared to those with "less."

Only when we stop blaming our boss or parents or partners or children or circumstances or fate can we change our lives and say "I chose where I am now, and I can choose something better." As an old proverb says, "Take it as a blessing or take it as a test; whatever happens, happens for the best."

Yoko Ono says, "transform jealousy to admiration, and what you admire will become part of your life" - an inspiring credo to live by.


 

Saturday, September 15, 2018

The power of progress

Coca-Cola vs Starbucks. Coca-Cola announced recently that it would buy British coffee-shop chain Costa Coffee for $5.1 billion - a move which is likely to have a major impact on Starbucks. The first Starbucks store opened in 1971 in Seattle and over the course of 1990s and 2000s grew into a massive organization. Coca-Cola was first sold at a soda fountain in Atlanta in 1886. sales for that first year added up to a grand total of $50. Today Coca-Cola is the largest beverage manufacturer and distributor in the world. 

It's an important question to ask ourselves: "Am I making progress?"

The reason I point this out is because progress animates us. It brings us to life. When we sense that we are making progress, we tend to be filled with passion, energy, enthusiasm, purpose and a real and sustainable joy. 

Are you making progress? Are you a better person today than you were a year ago? Are you happier? Are you a better partner? parent? child? leader? colleague? friend? Are you healthier? Are you more financially independent than you were a year ago? Is your work becoming more and more satisfying? 

Progress is moving towards a goal.  For every person the answer to what we wish to progress toward would be different.

Baby steps are the secret  Small victories lead to large victories. 

I take time at the end of each day, even at intervals throughout the day, to reflect on the progress I have made. I consider the different areas of my life. In some, I have made progress; I celebrate that progress. 

In other areas, I have stagnated or regressed; I don't beat myself up about it. If I fail in some way, I consciously take time to identify what I have learned from the experience. I have learned to see even my defeats are part of the process, as progress. I am a work in progress. 

Sometimes there comes a point on our journey when we become so locked up in the daily humdrum when we inevitably question the journey at all. Are we going in the right direction? How long until we get there? How much more of this can we take? Maybe it's event time to turn back.

Anyone who's ever gone to the gym knows that the results aren't immediate. You don't spend thirty minutes on the treadmill and look like a new person. But that doesn't mean what you're doing isn't working. With each exercise, each step, each movement, each action, you get a little better, a little closer. You're making progress. 

Until one day you look in the mirror and think, "Wow!"

It's the same thing with your work or your health or your career or your relationships. Even when you don't see anything happening, it is. Even when you're not hitting the mark , you're making progress. 

Until one day you look at your bank balance or your new job and think, "Wow!" 


Sunday, September 9, 2018

Change your expectations

At least 1,000 children were victims of priestly sexual abuse some over the past 70 years, according to a recent grand jury report in Pennsylvania. The Catholic Church’s credibility has been devastated by years of revelations that priests raped and molested children and their superiors covered up for them. Pope Francis issued a letter to Catholics around the world condemning the crime of priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up. 

Reality is not what we think. Things are not always as they seem. What's really happening is not always obvious on the surface. Even salt looks like sugar. 


We live in a world where many things and many people are fixated on the superficial.


Positive expectations don't always breed positive experiences. Those with idealistic expectations are often disappointed when reality doesn't meet them.


If a group of people go on a camping trip, some will form expectations of crackling campfires and starry night skies. Others will imagine snakes, bugs, pit toilets and dirt. Their expectations may influence their behaviour. 


The influence of expectations on behaviour can work for or against us. The key is to become aware of the power of expectations. 


If you feel dissatisfied with your life and want to improve it, change your expectations.


Have you gone to a film or party or vacation expecting it to be absolutely fantastic? Did your experience meet your expectations? Do you think your experience would have been different if you had different expectations, or none at all? 


Hardship is part of life - but whether we view it as tragic or heroic, depends on our perspective. Our minds can make meaning or madness, light a candle or curse the darkness - the choice is ours.


Sunday, September 2, 2018

Image can make or break our careers

Crazy Rich Asians is a movie about a Chinese-American economics professor from a modest background who falls for a super-handsome fellow academic in New York, without knowing that he is a Singaporean aristocrat who is "richer than God.". The first major Hollywood production with a predominantly Asian cast in 25 years, not a single central character is played by a white actor. This is a breakthrough in American cinema - an entire movie about Asians without martial arts or stereotypical nerds - as last year there were only four Asian leads in the 100 top-grossing films. 

The game has changed. 

Good performance alone will not get you the promotion you want. Years of experience and service won't prevent you from being downsized. I now recognize the importance of going beyond performance. Image is the corporate "it" factor. 

Image affects not only the workplace but also how clients, customers and other companies view you, your associates and your subordinates. Professionalism produces trust among peers and customers, fostering an image of competence, confidence and reliability. 

Like it or not, perception is everything in the business world. Executive presence becomes increasingly important the higher you move up in an organization. 

Leaders with executive presence demonstrate honesty, integrity and the ability to continually enrich a conversation. They are also skilled at listening and asking questions. Colleagues and clients immediately recognize the crispness of their thinking. It also requires understanding and mastery of a package of intangibles - passion, compassion, genuineness, authenticity, humour and humility. 

Make no mistake. I'm not arguing that you must shed your personal tastes when it comes to your dress, speech and behaviour. I'm merely advising that you express your individuality within the boundaries of what's considered appropriate in particular situations. 

For years, denial was my number one cause of failure. It all started with awareness - with recognizing (or rather should I say, I was helped to recognize) that I needed to change my image. Resistance to change was the second leading cause of failure for me until the day I finally decided that I will take actionable steps to change. Changing your image requires a sincere desire to change. 

Like me, you can choose someone who you feel is observant and a good judge of others. Invite that colleague, boss , partner or mentor to give you feedback on how you come across to others.

Don't think for a minute that you can dress better, sharpen your speech, develop a winning manner and fool folks. Remember you are in for the long haul. You can fool some people, some of the time and will. But if you are true to yourself and to others, your brand image will project authenticity. Others will sense that you are honest, real and sincere.