When was the last time you spent quality time with your customer or key stakeholder? – really got to know what they want and what they are really after?
In Lean… everything starts and ends with the customer. Because, at the end of the day – it’s those customers who’ll be parting with their hard earned money….
Firstly, Happy New Year! – Hope you had a great time celebrating and seeing in the New Year.
This year, will see me continue with my Friday Thoughts – however, I will be revamping my blog page – and adding more photos! There’s also the introduction of the Think Lean workshops, and the Get Digital workshops – more details coming soon – I share a little bit about these last year, and will be working on these more – building a community to Think Lean and Get Digital. I’ll be bringing along a friend or two for them to share their thoughts – how they’ve become so successful – and what we can all learn from them!
Now for my Friday Thought – You may have chosen a number of New Years Resolutions…. and right now, you may be overwhelmed or…. you may be doing things and just need to be a little patience or re-adjust your focus. Whatever it may be, remember…. Anything is Possible.
Firstly, hope you all had a lovely Christmas – and are looking forward to 2020!
One thing, I was alerted to recently, was about Windows 10. You may be thinking – what about Windows 10?!
Well – for those who have a computer. And run windows. You must ensure you have upgraded to the latest version of Windows…. which is Windows 10.
This is because Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7 Operating System on January 14th, 2020.
Now, whilst there’s been a lot of information around this – I’m sure… lots of people may have missed it!
Bal, why should I upgrade?
Explaining more about the end of Windows 7 and why it is no longer offering updates, the US firm said: “Microsoft made a commitment to provide 10 years of product support for Windows 7 when it was released on October 22, 2009. “When this 10-year period ends, Microsoft will discontinue Windows 7 support so that we can focus our investment on supporting newer technologies and great new experiences.
“The specific end of support day for Windows 7 will be January 14, 2020. After that, technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC will no longer be available for the product.
“Microsoft strongly recommends that you move to Windows 10 sometime before January 2020 to avoid a situation where you need service or support that is no longer available.
“You can continue to use Windows 7, but after support has ended, your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses.
“Windows will continue to start and run, but you will no longer receive software updates, including security updates, from Microsoft.”
So the key thing is security!!!
The world we live in today isn’t nice – there’s a lot of hackers and people wanting your personal information… so having the latest operating system, the latest security on your computer – will help protect it!
You all know Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs…
I won’t go through it all – but the basic is physiological, safety, etc… but it just seems to be, that our needs are changing!
What you saying Bal? – we still need the basics of Food, Water, Sleep etc…
We do indeed – but as technology is advancing – so are our needs.
We now rely more on our devices than ever –
That’s right – a bit cheeky, and a bit jokey – but now it’s more about the battery on our phone/device – and then wifi!
Ok, lets be honest – we still need food and water… but talk to alot of young folk, and it’s about where the charging points are, how much battery they have – most will probably plan for the day based on their battery life!
Also – when they go places… it’s very much about the free wifi, or wifi that is available. Connectivity right? – we all want to be connected and online.
But here’s something – do we really have to be connected all the time?
Holidays (Christmas) are coming soon – recommend, if you have a chance, unplug… disconnect… and do something you haven’t done for a while. It’ll help you re-focus… and then you can work your way up the needs!
As promised, here’s another idea for Christmas.
Now – whilst you’ve got a few books, and are reading and learning – or well, at least the people you’ve given them to – are reading and learning – what other things are there out there you could get?
So… for me, I wanted to share with you some motivational folk that have inspired me – or at least have my attention when i’m listening to them.
First up – Gary!
That’s right – Gary Vee, actually known as Gary Vaynerchuk is a great inspirational person. Not only on all the social media channels – but his quotes and books, are simple, effective and really make you think.
For example – one of the things he says is – you’re young, you got time – to those younger folk who want to achieve success quickly. There’s so many things that Gary has done – it really does make you think about your future.
So for Christmas – head over to his website and have a look at what you could get for a friend or family.
Also – don’t forget to follow him on Twitter, Insta, etc… he’s all over social media!
Next up… Tony Robbins!
There’s so much he offers – all depends on your budget. But maybe start with a live event or training programme first. Then move up to a coaching session perhaps…
Find out more about Tony – read his blog, listen to his podcast or watch a video.
There’s plenty more inspirational folk out there – but these two have built a great foundation – and the amount of material they offer is phenomenal.
So…. with the books, you can truly inspire someone to take themselves to the next level!
Okay, Christmas is coming – and I’m usually on BBC Radio letting you lovely folk know what to get as presents….
This year, I’m going to do it slightly different. I’m going to recommend a few presents over a few blog posts – with some reasons why you should get that as a present for a friend, family or loved on.
So first up – it’s a book! – I’ve recommended it before – and I’ll be honest, many of you didn’t listen – so this is the last time I’ll mention it! (Actually it probably won’t… I will mention it again – because I think it’s soooooo important you read it).
It’s the Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***
Honestly – one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Really made me challenge my thinking. Really made me think! – and I can say, I was a lot more happier and focussed since I read it. I’ve got it on my shelf and will be reading it again very soon.
Now – I’m recommending you buy this book and give it as a present to people who like to read – who need a little motivation – who need to think differently – who really need to not give a f*ck in life!
Now – I’m not just recommending the one book – I’m going to share 2 books with you!
Me personally…. I’m going through a thousand thoughts…. I’ll let you know what they are…. basically, if you’re reading this, you probably know I work for Coca-Cola EP and have done so for the past 10 years! – That’s right….10 YEARS!!! – Damn!…. in addition… I’m at that stage in my life where I’m thinking… how long have I got left… don’t worry, nothing happening to me, but it’s like – I’m not getting any younger, I’ve had a close friend pass away, there’s a lot to do in life, right? – so with all these thoughts going on…. I’m picking this bad boy of a book up over Christmas…
Now one thing I want to point out is I have loved the 10 years at Coke… and I’m saying that, because if you’ve read this book, then you’ll know the bit about the commentator… and how he was moved to another sport.
Who Moved My Cheese was first introduced to me at Kodak. Absolutely loved it the first time I read it – and love it today.
So there you go – 2 books for Christmas.
I’ll share some other Christmas present ideas in my next blog post…. don’t worry, it’ll be before Christmas lol
Had a lovely note from someone today…. saying thank you for your positivity.
I do intend to look at the positive side of things… usually asking, what’s the worse that could happen!?!
Did you know – it was 15 years ago that Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook invited five people to his room at Harvard.
Why?
He wanted to talk about a business opportunity.
Only two went to meet him – and accepted the challenge. Those two are now billionaires.
Dustin Moskovitz ($6.5bn) and Eduardo Saverin ($3.4bn).
So, when someone wants to talk to you about a business opportunity, listen and open your mind… who know’s what can happen….
Yes, that’s right – Black Friday is nearly upon us… or is it?
Well… actually it isn’t. It started last week! That’s right – the likes of Amazon and others, started with their sales last week…. when they dropped the price of their Amazon Echo Dot down to £22…. and lots of other items right down in price!
Just seems to be getting earlier and earlier…. Now… whilst, I’m not going to tell you what the best offers are, or how to shop during Black Friday Sales… make sure you know what you want and that you’ve checked the price of it -what it was before the sale, what it was for the past year or so… and most importantly… is it really a bargain?!
Bal, how can I check the prices?
Well – you have several options… for me, I’d recommend – https://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/ – where you can check what the price has been before and if it’s really a bargain.
For example… check the price of an iPad Pro…
that’s right… down to £399! Now – you can check the biggest price drops and you can check your items.
So… enjoy Black Friday Sales… hope you get the bargain you want, and make sure, you don’t go too crazy!