Here is an interesting analysis of marketing strategies to attract more customers. Persuasion triggers make customers feel better when purchasing an item. :)
Please click on the link below for the full article.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/11/29/persuasion-triggers-in-web-design/
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Future Technology...
I just read about an article that talks about the research of 1000-core processor by Intel. That will really be a breakthrough. However, is 1000-core processor really necessary?
Please click on the link below for the full article.
http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/article/368762/intel_1_000-core_processor_possible/
Please click on the link below for the full article.
http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/article/368762/intel_1_000-core_processor_possible/
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Collaborative Business Structure
There are 101 business models in the world and one always strive to find the best. What is the definition of best? My personal advice is to find one that fits your lifestyle and your objective in life.
Collaboration is my approach towards building my business. Customer is important but working partners are equally important to help sustain a business. Without a good working relationship between your working partners, it may be pointless to have a lot of customers. The reverse is also true. My philosophy is that inter-personal relationship skills are important to making a business successful, retaining good talent and preventing them from jumping over to work for your competitor simply because they are offering them higher wages. If you do not attempt to understand your working partners, you may have a problem getting them to work loyally for you to help making your customers happy.
To make this business structure work, one should not hold back rewards. Rewards are the key to recognizing and showing people you are aware of what they have done for you and that you appreciate them for who they are. So do not hestitate to reward people. Also, reward people based on their efforts and not just on the results they produce. It is important to never take rewards as an additional cost to you as an employer. Instead, you may want to consider it as a long term investment. "When there's no pain, there's no gain."
For example:
John is an young developer in the company. He is very hardworking and put in his 110% effort in everything he does. However, because he is young, the company does not want to consider promoting him nor keen on giving him any pay raise for his commitments and sacrifices to the company. As a result, he quits the job after 2 years. The company has to retrain a developer for at least 6 months to take over his tasks. As we all know, there are risks and costs involved in getting a new developer. Just a rough estimation, 6months * $2500 will equate to $15000. The company incurred $15000 as compared to giving a $200 monthly pay increment which equates to 75 months that is about 6 years. This example is based on just an employee. Just imagine the impact to the entire company. In terms of knowledge management, this will definitely cripple your business processes.
Therefore, I feel that management should always judge each individuals based on their attitude, commitment and abilities instead of just age and experience. Age and experience should just be a guideline and not a requirement.
Thanks and feel free to comment.
For potential collaboration, feel free to contact me at eugene.chen@unicomi.com or visit my website at http://www.unicomi.com/
Collaboration is my approach towards building my business. Customer is important but working partners are equally important to help sustain a business. Without a good working relationship between your working partners, it may be pointless to have a lot of customers. The reverse is also true. My philosophy is that inter-personal relationship skills are important to making a business successful, retaining good talent and preventing them from jumping over to work for your competitor simply because they are offering them higher wages. If you do not attempt to understand your working partners, you may have a problem getting them to work loyally for you to help making your customers happy.
To make this business structure work, one should not hold back rewards. Rewards are the key to recognizing and showing people you are aware of what they have done for you and that you appreciate them for who they are. So do not hestitate to reward people. Also, reward people based on their efforts and not just on the results they produce. It is important to never take rewards as an additional cost to you as an employer. Instead, you may want to consider it as a long term investment. "When there's no pain, there's no gain."
For example:
John is an young developer in the company. He is very hardworking and put in his 110% effort in everything he does. However, because he is young, the company does not want to consider promoting him nor keen on giving him any pay raise for his commitments and sacrifices to the company. As a result, he quits the job after 2 years. The company has to retrain a developer for at least 6 months to take over his tasks. As we all know, there are risks and costs involved in getting a new developer. Just a rough estimation, 6months * $2500 will equate to $15000. The company incurred $15000 as compared to giving a $200 monthly pay increment which equates to 75 months that is about 6 years. This example is based on just an employee. Just imagine the impact to the entire company. In terms of knowledge management, this will definitely cripple your business processes.
Therefore, I feel that management should always judge each individuals based on their attitude, commitment and abilities instead of just age and experience. Age and experience should just be a guideline and not a requirement.
Thanks and feel free to comment.
For potential collaboration, feel free to contact me at eugene.chen@unicomi.com or visit my website at http://www.unicomi.com/
Monday, November 15, 2010
Freelance or Full Time
There are always pros and cons in life, even deciding your career path. Freelance or full time? Not all profession will encounter this dilemma, but this is always a question in the Information Technology industry. After working as a freelance content / software engineer for more than 7 years before I started this company, I shall share with you my insights.
Pros of being a freelance
No boring routine - one does not have to follow daily routine. Freelance is best for people who do not like a boring life because everyday is unique and challenging.
In control of your schedule - one has full control over his/her own schedule. You could knock off anytime, wake up anytime, fall asleep during normal working hours, go for a movie during normal working hours.
In control of your income- one is able to control his/her income if there are many projects on hand that one can either accept or turn down according to the individual's availability.
Always been envied - people around always envy me that I do not have to squeeze with people on the train / bus during peak hours. This is one of the best thing being a freelance.
Pros of being a freelance
No boring routine - one does not have to follow daily routine. Freelance is best for people who do not like a boring life because everyday is unique and challenging.
In control of your schedule - one has full control over his/her own schedule. You could knock off anytime, wake up anytime, fall asleep during normal working hours, go for a movie during normal working hours.
In control of your income- one is able to control his/her income if there are many projects on hand that one can either accept or turn down according to the individual's availability.
Always been envied - people around always envy me that I do not have to squeeze with people on the train / bus during peak hours. This is one of the best thing being a freelance.
After sharing some pros of being a freelance, let me talk about the cons.
Cons of being a freelance
Unable to control your income - one is unable to control his/her income if the industry is bad or if the individual is unwell and not able to complete tasks within a certain time frame.
Unable to predict the nature of the projects - projects come in as and when and one has no control over the nature of these projects. They can also come in all at once.
Unable to predict the payday - project payments can be a pain in the neck. Some could take up to months to make the payment in other words this means you will not be able to expect a fix monthly income.
No long holidays - due to the unpredictable projects, long holidays is out of the question. You would not want to turn down any projects due to your holiday trips as that would affect one's reputation in the industry and make your prospective clients question your reliability and professionalism.
No benefits - no paid sick leave, no paid leave, no birthday off, no compassionate leave. Basically no benefit at all. All benefits have to be covered from your own pockets.
The above mentioned are some of the things I encounter personally as a freelance, feel free to comment and add on the list if there are any pointers you like to share. :)
Cons of being a freelance
Unable to control your income - one is unable to control his/her income if the industry is bad or if the individual is unwell and not able to complete tasks within a certain time frame.
Unable to predict the nature of the projects - projects come in as and when and one has no control over the nature of these projects. They can also come in all at once.
Unable to predict the payday - project payments can be a pain in the neck. Some could take up to months to make the payment in other words this means you will not be able to expect a fix monthly income.
No long holidays - due to the unpredictable projects, long holidays is out of the question. You would not want to turn down any projects due to your holiday trips as that would affect one's reputation in the industry and make your prospective clients question your reliability and professionalism.
No benefits - no paid sick leave, no paid leave, no birthday off, no compassionate leave. Basically no benefit at all. All benefits have to be covered from your own pockets.
The above mentioned are some of the things I encounter personally as a freelance, feel free to comment and add on the list if there are any pointers you like to share. :)
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