Setting a goal, then go

Burying our heads in the sand, we feel save. But some day, our heads could be out of it and then we would see the world again: the outside world is so big and so different than we have ever imagined.

After an alumni conference given by former graduates who later integrated in the top American business schools, I feel that having the chance to see the brilliant “precedents” who are dedicating themselves in changing, challenging and more importantly rewriting their adventurous stories was a good lesson and turning-point for my following journey.

I have to say that motivating and inspiring stories always share common features: passion, perseverance, action and among others. So, today’s lesson: set my goal, take action consistently. All is well.

That’s all.

“Forces force me forward”

“Forces force me forward.”

Actually, it should be some kind of uncontrollable power makes me be exposed to something, either delightful or depressive. At that immediate moment, the “stuffs” seem to  weigh less than the understanding of the fact, that is, in many occasions, I am of out control of my life. The more I want to deny and get rid of the reality, the harder it is to be liberated from the vicious circle.

As my minds were disturbed by the issue, a beautiful parabola was done: I slipped heavily on the group! Once a time of out of control! But consciously, I used my arms and hands to support myself and quickly stood up, hoping not to be noticed with the embarrassed maladroitness.

Afterwards, an idea passed by: Does it really matter if things come across out of my expectation and control? If not, what could be real worthy of consideration?

Looking into the unexpected tumble, I figure out that our control-ability of unpredictable issues are not the decisive power to mark our level of happiness or define our achievement. Who can avoid the ups and downs? Who can say that everything goes smoothly all the time? Nobody can, I believe. So the thing is, the ability to get back our courage and the speed to stand up again does work more to help distort the result and eventually make a difference.

Thus, whatever happens, I would restructure the decoding logics: Oh, so lucky to have another chance to rethink of the case and do something (and don’t be lazy)!

First Lady Peng’s Delivery of an English Speech at UN Says Something

« First Lady Peng Delivers Speech in English at UN », this is the title of an article released by China Daily on September 29, during a state visit of the United States and precisely speaking, a roundtable delivery for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

Interestingly, the title seems to speak louder the importance of the way the speech has been conducted—in English, rather than what the messages are sending to the public. But it is reasonable to be accepted and I would believe that most Chinese when seeing this title will be likely to be grabbed by the proud event. Certain people might consider that a Chinese high level speech in English should be no big deal. However, it says something, that is, China is really showing power and progressing forwards regarding the openness of its door and the mindset, and equally important: the progression of education.

Just as the the key points demonstrated in the speech, the young generation’s education is of great importance. Issues considering the equality of education, particularly the necessity to improve education in rural and poverty-stricken areas, the equal opportunities for women and girls, are the series of concerns that should be put on the agenda in China and in a worldwide range.

Peng said, “Education is very close in my heart. My father grew up in a small village in China. In those days, not many villagers could read. So my father opened a night school to teach them how to read. With his help, many people learned to write their own names; with his help, many people learned to read newspapers for the first time; with his help, many women were able to teach their children how to read.”

“Education is about women and the girls. It is important for girls to go to school because they will become their children’s first teachers someday. But women still account for over half of the world’s poor in population and 60% of adults who can’t read”, she added.

At the end of the speech, she mentioned her Chinese dream: “I hope all children especially girls can have access to good education.” Definitely,
it is first lady Peng’s great Chinese dream. But who can deny that it is not the specific and concrete dream of the 1,37 billion Chinese people. Supposing one dream is multiplied by 1,37 billion, it turns out to be a huge common dream. And if multiplied by 7,369,529,150, the enormous world population, not hard to image the importance of the issue. Thus, individual and concrete dreams together with the huge population’s common dreams, it says something!

PDF Full Text of First Lady Peng Liyuan

The Charm of Paris is the “Underground”

There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s eyes. So is the case of Paris. It’s not easy to make a bet on general issues, but at least one thing I bare to say, that is, the charm of Paris is in its underground–the metro, a place full of wonders and fantasies.

Paris, France — Art Nouveau Sign for Paris Metro — Image by © Eye Ubiquitous/Corbis

Each time I get on into a “wagon”, even on the most usual and mundane days, things happen: unexpected “actors” with dolls in hands putting on tiny spectacles; singers with a flexible and walking voice box trying to inject beats and tastes into our film-like life. The show is on! I have to admit: if time stops right here, I
would not hate it.

However, what attracts me most comes to the “silence” and “serenity”: another show is going on. Unbelievable one!

The silent quality time does not mean the infinite deep love among the  young couple: not a deep gaze on a girl; not even a long kiss and a charming smile…

Not really, the silence!

So where does the real charm lie? It’s in the words. The romance of lecture as reading a pocket book or a great heavy piece. I am into the “daily chores” and words-built tranquility. Once upon a time, I was lucky enough to be buried in a book and all round me was the sounds of turning the pages, a mobile library! It is the right moment in the metro of Paris, one of the cities with the most rapid rhythm. A city with high speed of life, but the time in the metro, is more for reading. That is Paris’ charm!

There could be a reason

For everything we do, there could probably a reason lying behind in the shadow or under the sunshine. Considering the motivation to write something, it could be that I think too much and consequently, the accumulated effects burn out: INPUT>OUTPUT! In this case, some channels allowing me to give vent to my minds do help to release, reorganize the picture and regain the power.

Personally, I prefer running alone and listening to music for more than an hour or taking a semi-marathon. It works well and I can feel stronger my heartbeat and my breathe. I can feel myself. Amazing thing, isn’t it? So, running has been one efficient way for me to make me feel healthy, dynamic and positive. It seems that the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle supports my grit of the one or two hours’ exercises.

Backing to the reason. Most frequently, I am confronted with one issue, that is “what on earth the reason is”. Just now, I read a blog written by Seth, a famous blogger and practitioner of one post per day. It goes below:

“Attitude is a skill
You can learn math. French. Bowling.

You can learn Javascript, too.

But you can also learn to be more empathetic, passionate, focused, consistent, persistent and twenty-seven other attitudes.

If you can learn to be better at something, it’s a skill.

And if it’s a skill, it’s yours if you want it.

Which is great news, isn’t it?”

Then, I started to think about the idea: the reason is that simple–the attitude to believe in something, particularly in ourselves, and take action! Too simple to be mentioned; too simple to be buried in the shadow.

That is the idea.

Hello “One Day, One Word”

Persuading myself to create a daily post could be a nightmare for some reason. Now, sitting in front of my computer and typing a few casual words seem like delivering the “Declaration of Independence” as in most occasions, series of “elegant” excuses pop out of minds trying to “saving” me from pressure and responsibility. However, sometimes, at least, I can still keep a cool mindset and tell myself: “I need to figure out whether I have the courage to keep the promise and make a big deal.”

“Tomorrow” is a tough word, which always frightens the decision making process and turns out to be a huge stone in the middle of our pathway since not all of us would like to bear more burden on our shoulders like posting daily stuffs. But, there is always a “but” in our communication. And this time, I would prefer to challenge myself and move the stone out of my eyes.

Therefore, as I declared just now: “One Day, One Word” is born! Now!

Pyramid Principles’ applications

Pyramid Principles

Logics behind our writing, presentations and interviews

Introduction

One principle to pay attention: remind rather than inform

Why:

1. Easier to attract reader’s attention
2. Easier to build connection with reader

The structure of introduction

1. Background/ Situation
2. The problem:

The value/ contribution of the work: Build connection between the author and the reader

• Why does the author write the article?
• Why does the reader have better read the article?

Give answers/ solutions

3.  Show the plan: present the “agenda” of the article (Most used in presentations)

Create an introduction with SIX steps:

1. Draw a box and write down subject. (To figure out the main sentence: topic)
2. Decide the question the reader wants answered. (Narrow down the topic & seek out the problematic issue)
3. Write down the answer. (To illustrate the author’s idea: main idea of the article)
4. Describe the situation without controversy.
5. Develop the complication–Answer “so what”.
6. Recheck the question and the answer.

Body

Body is the main part of the article for developing, supporting, and proving Topic Sentence.

Two principles to group ideas

1. Inductive
2. Deductive

Three principles when develop “sub-Topic”

1. Ideas at any level must be summaries of ideas grouped below them
2. Ideas in each grouping must always be of the same kind
3. Ideas in each grouping must be logically ordered

When Grouping and Ordering “sub-sub-Topics”, Four approaches can be used:

• Deductive reasoning
• Chronology
• Structure
• Comparison/classification/ranking

Summary/ Conclusions:

One Principle: Summary needs to show implication of the article.

Each type of grouping has a clear method of summarizing:

• Summarize action ideas by stating effect of carrying out actions
• Summarize situation ideas by stating what is implied by their similarity
• Summarize deductive arguments by leaning on the deduction

Sources:

1. Pyramid Principles, Barbara Minto;
2. http://weatherhead.cwru.edu/degree/Pyramid; http://intergon.freeyellow.com
3. http://colelearning.net/rw_wb/module4/page11.html

Strategic analysis: Layers of business environment

Layers of business environment categorizes the complex business world into four basic levels:

1. The macro-environment.
2. The industry (or sector).
3. Competitors.
4. The organisation.

The macro-enviroment ranks the highest level, consisting of the general and global (or national) factors which might influence the lower layers in the economic activities. PESTEL framework is favored in this condition to grasp a whole picture of the market.

PESTEL framework is composed of the following ingredients:

1. Politics. The role of state and political forces.
2. Economics. Macro-economic factors such as exchange rates, business cycles and differential evonomic growth rate, GDP etc..
3. Social factors. Cultures, demographics, religions etc.
4. Technology. Internet revolutionizes series of industries, for instance, the retailing and financial services sectors.
5. Ecological concerns. Pollution, waste, climate changes and certain environmental issues are calling for more and stricter regulations, in a way that promote and/or limite the investment and development of industries.
6. Legal factor. Policies, regulations or regulatory guidances that could influence the rescture of the market.

The industry (or sectors) with a group of companies producting the same products and services can be analyzed based on Porter’s Five Forces Framework.

1. Threat of entry.
2. Threat of substitues.
3. Power of buyers.
4. Power of suppliers.
5. Extent of rivalry between competitors.

Through the Five Forces analysis, it is likely to generate an overview of the competitors, the industry’s growth rate, the competitive advantages, the level of entry and exit barriers and react in response to the market flucturations and conduct differentiation strategies or business decisions.

Competitors and markets take into consideration of the two major issues: the strategic groups and market segment. Strategic groups are defined as organizations within an industry or sector with similar strategic characteristics, following similar strategies or competing on similar bases (Exploring Strategy, Gerry J. Richard W. etc., Pearson). The understanding of strategic groups can help better under stand the competition and then figure out strategic opportunities.

Market segment focuses on the customers’ side, referring to groups of consumers who share similar needs that are different than needs in other parts of the market. Specifically, consumer profils can be constructed based on certain indicators, for instance, demographic information (age, gender, ethnicity), consumption power (disposable income), lifestyle etc.

Competitors analysis starts from the comparison of performance among the strategic groups and within the market segment. The evaluation of performance can be attributed to selected indicators or indeces. Under this analysis, Blue Oceans Strategy derives to innovate, differentiate and out-perform others in the competive “red ocean” market. The success of Blue Oceans relies greatly on the selection of critical success factors and the innovative ideas to identify potential spaces–the niche, with little competition.

The organisation-oriented outlook is largely interanl analysis of the business activities. SWOT analysis or approaches aiming to be self-diagnosed could help to bear the awareness of the ressources and advantages of the company and seek out opprotunities based on such core values.

Author

Specializing in Master in Management with a Finance-oriented program, I am lucky enough to discover the business world with the excellent academic elites through discussions and co-works. But some kind of spirit has been rooted profoundly in my minds that is: “sharing brings you more than you can ever imagine”.

The birth of PyramiDNA tells what I believe and will prove it is definitely true, which I name it as “Common Progression” & “Kaizan (Continuous Improvement)”.

Hello world!

See through the World with a telescope

The changing world is all around us and all about us. It is us who see it through a telescope from the narrow side. But sometimes, it is equally important to reverse the telescope, jump out of the box and see something new and fresh.

This is why PyramiDNA comes into life.

Embrace changes and welcome new ideas.