with Auren
Hoffman
Month of April, 2003
|
Summation Push Auren Hoffman's Summation Push for April, 2003 This issue:* Auren Quoted in Article on Psychographics * Visiting with the U.S. Armed Forces * The Connector: E-Mail/Web Time Management * Book Review: Against the Gods -- The Remarkable Story of Risk -- by Peter L. Bernstein * Reader Responses: * Friend of Auren: Steve Vachani, CEO of Locksley Ventures & FreeRazor.com * Summation Push Pick Links * Hoffman Reading List Note: There are currently over 11,000 people subscribed to Summation (Share Summation Push. Forward it to the smartest people you know.) -------------------------------- Variable Product Specialist interviewed me for an interesting article on marketing and psychographics. It is worth reading: http://www.summation.net/articles/psychographics.html -------------------------------- VISITING WITH THE U.S. ARMED FORCES by Auren Hoffman From March 23 to March 29, I had the opportunity to visit with all four branches of the U.S. military. Some of the highlights included:
* Enjoying beautiful Nellis Air Force base supervised by Major General Stephen Wood. Seeing the F/A-22 Raptor up close and meeting Lt. Col Dave Rose who pilots the plane -- sometimes for up to 8 hours at a time (his wife packs his lunch). Seeing the Predator. Learning why some bombs have parachutes. Taking off in a C130 to head to San Diego. The 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' flight is coming up this December, 2003. Special thanks to Colonel Walter Givhan.
* Military personnel and their families make great personal sacrifices for our country. http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=61598678205.63688878205&n=115944616 -------------------------------- SUPPORT SUMMATION Steve Marshall, President of Marshall Associates, recently donated $18 to Summation. You can to: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=push%40summation.net&item_name=Summation+Push&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD -------------------------------- The Connector Tools for Increasing Your Network E-MAIL/WEB TIME MANAGEMENT The Connector is not just someone who knows tons of people, s/he is someone who truly understands time management. Here are some quick tips to increase your productivity if you are a wired worker: ** Modify the start page of your web browser. When most people open a new web browser window they see a news page like MSN, Yahoo, Netscape's home, AOL, Drudge, etc. These sites are trying to captivate you so you stay on them -- and they usually work. Instead of doing something you planned to do, you get caught up in the newest story. Change your default page to blank to decrease your temptation to be diverted. ** Turn off instant messaging. This might be a huge sacrifice, but it stops distractions. Do you really need to chat with people during the workday? Let your friends send you emails which are much easier to manage on your own time. ** Change the start-up window when launching your contact manager. Most people use MS Outlook to manage their emails, calendar, tasks and contacts. When launching the program, instead of having the first thing you see be your emails, change the default screen to view your tasks. This will force you to take on the many to-do items you have for the day. To make the change in MS Outlook go to Tools/Options/Other/Advanced - and change the option "Startup in this folder:" to Tasks. ** Check your email regularly, but not every second. Never check your email more than once every 30 minutes -- don't get sucked into the e-mail trap that kills most people's productivity. If you only do one small thing to change your habits, do this. ** Turn off all email reminders. Email reminders kill your productivity because they distract you. And if you are not going to check email more than once every 30 minutes, you do not need to know the second you get an email. Turn off all sound, cursor changes, that little icon in the bottom right-hand corner, etc. Any reminder you getting an email will distract you. And, of course, either close or minimize you contact manager. ** Powering through emails. If you get home from a few days of vacation and are faced with hundreds of emails to respond to, block out a few hours to power through all of them at once. Then sort the emails by subject so you can immediately identify long threads and you only have to reply to the last one. These little changes sound stupid, but they will massively increase your productivity. Past musings on "The Connector" at http://www.summation.net/connector.html (What are your thoughts about connectors? Write auren@summation.net) -------------------------------- SUPPORT SUMMATION You tip the taxi driver, the hairdresser, the housekeeper, and everyone at the hotel. Please also tip Summation for making you think -- we'd be very grateful for a $5-$25 donation. Thank you. https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=push%40summation.net&item_name=Summation+Push&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD -------------------------------- Useless Fact: President John Tyler had fifteen children. -------------------------------- Book Review: Against the Gods The Remarkable Story of Risk by Peter L. Bernstein In January I was in NYC with a few minutes to kill and I wandered into the Barnes & Noble on 66th and Broadway. This store is incredible (and huge!). While there I saw the Against the Gods book and I remembered that my friend Doug Kilponen recommended it to me. Doug also recommended Generations (see last Summation), one of my all-time favorites, so I figured I couldn't go wrong. This book is a real gem. It goes over the history of probability and mathematical decision-making and how these quantitative devices are the bedrock of a complex economy that relies on futures, insurance, options, and statistics. I HIGHLY recommend you read this book. (To see more book reviews, check out the Hoffman Reading List at http://www.summation.net/reading.html) (What are you reading? Write auren@summation.net) -------------------------------- The objective of Summation is to make you think. Pass it on to a friend. -------------------------------- READER RESPONSES AND OPINIONS Regarding last month's article on "First Names vs. Last Names Personality Test" (see http://www.summation.net/push0302.html) Jon Weber, Managing Director at Earned Capital, remarks: I think that persons who use first names voluntarily are less formal, not necessarily more individualistic. Use of the last name implies, to me at least, a preference for reserve, except where used as a 1st name substitute ("Weber here"). To be sure, Tricky Dick and Slick Willie reflect a lack of respect for the persons rather than a choice by them about their appellation. ("I like Ike" was probably a politically motivated calculus to bring the ex-general candidate closer to the polity). Nonetheless, 1st name use for in public venues is a fairly recent US phenomenon. Interestingly, in Brazil, from where I write these lines, most everyone is referred to by 1st name or nickname (Lula, Fernando Henrique) even in formal business and political settings, except when the name is very common or already "in use" by someone in the same circle. ... and Richard Miller, CEO of Advisor Team, adds: I came out of the brokerage/investment banking community prior to moving into Internet. All the sales/trading types always seemed to be Richie, Charlie, JimmyMac, and so on, and the saying was never to trust a banker who had a last name for a first name. ... and Elizabeth Malloy at Cable & Wireless opines: First names v. last names: I identify strongly with my last name. Partly because Elizabeth is boring, partly because I was not a firebrand who would put the name Elizabeth on the map in the way Hillary or Eleanor did, partly because my last name (Malloy) is an easy nickname and finally because I think so highly of the heritage it represents. This raises another, related issue: last name choice for women upon marriage. I have no interest in losing my last name, although the event has never presented itself. Finally the other interesting slant on naming is this: I used to work in pre-school camps and noticed that those kids with interesting names, even at the age of 2 or 3, both received different attention and responded to it, forming unique personalities that I'm sure set them apart favorably thereon. Names like Kent and Olive for girls and Roary and Spencer for boys. If I ever have kids, I'll be thinking hard about names as there is some push and pull going on there!! ... and Winnie Wong writes: What about people who are known by their first and last name? For example, everyone I know (and meet) always refer to me as 'Winnie Wong', never by my first or last name. Regarding last month's article on "The Connector" on Party Planners (see http://www.summation.net/push0302.html) Sharon Miller of Marquee Events chimes in: Event planners have mastered the art of socializing. We are always making appearances at all social functions to see familiar faces and hopefully new faces. Not all event planners are networkers, some often remain only on the operations side.....one has really mastered it if you can do both. This is however a very exhausting role to play in life. Regarding last month's article on Generation X and Reunions (see http://www.summation.net/push0302.html) Yuta Lee offers: One thought: With the proliferation of digital technology, in a few more generations handwriting will only be an art form. An entire generation not knowing how to use a pen is mind-boggling. I think the loss of class reunions is tragic. But that is just a small piece of what we will lose as a generation moving forward. To be a bit nostalgic, I am going to walk down to the bookstore and buy the book with cash. ... and Christine Herron at Cycle Partners brings up the following point: This is a topical item for me, as I just completed fleshing out my documentation to apply for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Essentially, you are eligible if you can document that an ancestor saw active duty in the Revolutionary War.) The last member of my family to join was my Great-Aunt Pat, and since she is getting quite old, I felt that I should join while she was still around to share our family history. This made joining much easier for me, as it only takes 3 birth certificates to document that I am related to my great-grandma. After that, I am able to reference information from Pat's original application, including lineage to and proof of ancestor's service. What's fascinating is that the NSDAR has archived EVERY member's application...and Pat had referenced her aunt, who had referenced her grandmother, and so on. This never skips more than one generation. I believe that two generations are the chasm that can't be crossed in generational history. If I had not applied, it is extremely unlikely that anyone after me would be aware of our ties, much less be interested in joining NSDAR. Americans are much more mobile than they used to be. A scarce few of us can still go down to the local chapel and page through the record of births for each of the families in the community. So, while NSDAR has a more famously checkered history than other institutions of like vintage, there is a sense of responsibility to participate in order to leave the door open for those that come after. In the personal scenario, without my participation, a chasm would form in my family's lineage. The question this brings up for me is, what will be the impact of a generation - or even worse, two - that doesn't take pause to document their past, providing a historical stepping stone for the generations to come? Also, how does this intersect with the developments in gene research? Will the stories, talents, and physical characteristics of the generations that came before aid in interpretation of our own genetic codes? And if the chasm grows, what research efforts will be hindered? There are potential implications here beyond being condemned to repeat the past. ... and another interesting point from Pat Flanders: i think an extension of what you're talking about is reflected in the decline in community involvement (i haven't read "Bowling Alone", but i've heard from friends that it's an excellent overview of the decline in concern over civic traditions and involvement). Quite frankly, i don't really know much of what the elks, the soroptimists, or even the daughters of the american revolution do, and i'm actually quite skeptical of anything that's overly organized and might foster "group-think". but these groups, and probably thousands of others across the country, encourage bonds among people, and those bonds strengthen the fabric of so many aspects of our society. all cliches aside, i'm heartened every time i walk into a bookstore and there's a group discussing a recent bestseller, or when a group of older men emerge from the VFW hall...perhaps these people aren't making any direct contribution to our society, but slowly and surely, they're helping preserve what's great in it. ... and Nicholas Poras remarks: I come from a town where most people went to the same elementary, middle, high schools and in many cases the same preschool. My high school reunion lasted a span of three days and had a great turn out. The first night was for Reno High graduates only, no spouses, loved ones, etc allowed. It was a great time and not very many people turned in before 3 am. The second night was more formal and spouses, loved ones, etc were invited. The third day involved everyone getting together at the school and touring the new buildings along with a barbeque, a football game, viewing of pictures, etc. A great deal of us have moved to various places of the world but we all look forward to the times when we can get together and drown ourselves in nostalgia. Every year for the past decade a guy from the class of '89 throws a Christmas party in which about 5 years from my high school attend. This year was the biggest yet and once again has been moved to a bigger club. Similar events occur amongst my college and law school people. It may that as a generation we are less nostalgic because we have no great war or are roots don't run deep in any one geographical area, but as a whole I think that there are people that are and always will be of the nostalgic type and those that won't, like you I am one of the nostalgic types. ... and Beth Gilbert differs: While I agree with you that Generation X seems intent on doing things differently than previous generations -- whether it's living a more spiritually- or eco-conscious lifestyle, having more personal freedom, or carving out a new future avoiding the mistakes of the past -- I don't think nostalgia is dead. Not at all. It's just that Gen X is, and will be nostalgic for different things. It seems to me Gen X nostalgia is of a more recent time and more pop-culture oriented. Since my college days, we've rehashed the last thirty or so years in fashion, music, art, and decor. Hippies, 70's clothes, mid-century modern furniture, and of course, you can't go to a party these days without those disco favorites we all know so well playing at some point. The last JCrew catalog looked like they raided my closet from 7th grade, but people are buying it. Consumer consumption is fueled by nostalgia. Regarding Japan's debt, Tim Dick, CEO of Hawaii Superferry, writes: In the relevant facts dept, check the real time U.S. national debt clock. We have about 2/3 of Japan's national debt per capita. http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/ Separately, U.S. consumer debt is $1.7 trillion. ... and Scott Burger adds: Just so you know, the US also has 6 trillion in debt (6,399,240,555,827.75 through yesterday, to be exact--from http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdpdodt.htm). (Write Auren your thoughts: auren@summation.net) -------------------------------- SUPPORT SUMMATION If you like what you read, give us a tip: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=push%40summation.net&item_name=Summation+Push&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD -------------------------------- FRIEND OF AUREN (FOA) [This section updates you an interesting person that is a member of Auren, Inc.] Steve Vachani CEO of Locksley Ventures & FreeRazor.com Steve founded Qool Media (http://www.qool.com/) and was a co-founder of FreeLotto (http://www.freelotto.com) and he is an entrepreneur that is a free spirit. Not tied to any geography, Steve spends most of his time in Rio, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. I've know Steve since we went to college together at Berkeley. He was an entrepreneur back then too. Steve started a roller hockey league business in high school and then started a meal delivery (to dorm rooms) service while at Berkeley. Since then, Steve has been into online ads, portals, nanotechnology, and more. He's now pushing FreeRazor.com (http://www.freerazor.com) which, you guessed it, gives you a free razor when you commit to buying the blades online (and having them mailed to you regularly). See past profiled Friends of Auren at: http://www.summation.net/friends.html -------------------------------- Send Summation Push to a colleague. -------------------------------- THIS WEEK'S SUMMATION PUSH PICK LINKS TO MAKE YOU THINK: * ProtestWarrior (http://www.protestwarrior.com/) -- one of the funniest anti-anti-war sites. Thanks to David Blumberg for pointing out this site. * They Rule (http://www.theyrule.net) - this site is very conspiratorial but interesting. Forwarded to me by David Sachs of Redpoint Ventures. * GreatBoyfriends (http://www.greatboyfriends.com) - funny site for women who nominated single guys to be on the site. * Auren's Ryze page (http://www.ryze.org/view.php?who=auren) -- worth viewing. * RSVP for the Party of the Decade (http://evite.citysearch.com/ggparty@eudoramail.com/2011Party) -- taking place on Nov 11, 2011. * Auren on How to sell via e-mail (from the book "21st Century Selling"): http://www.summation.net/emailselling.html * What am I reading? (http://www.summation.net/reading.html) -- The Auren Hoffman Reading List. * Send a tip to Summation (https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=push%40summation.net&item_name=Summation+Push&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD) NOTE: Auren Hoffman works for Stonebrick Group but the opinions expressed herein are solely those of Mr. Hoffman. NOTE: You may reprint in full or in part (for free) with permission from author. Auren Hoffman's bio can be found at: http://www.summation.net/hoffman.html ------------------------------------ Comments: E-mail: auren@summation.net
|
SUMMATION |
Subscribe? Unsubscribe? Go to ... Subscribe/unsubscribe page
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Auren Hoffman. All Rights Reserved