1 Feelink 2013 Posts FEELINK – FEEL & THINK APPROACH FOR DOING LIFE! ivangruer.com BUSINESS WORLD ....................................................................................................................... 2 IT, I, WE: A Framework For Assessing the Consumer Behavior ..................................................... 2 Tripadvisor: a case study to think why bigdata variety matters ........................................................ 3 Firm Infrastructure Vs Catalyst to Change Business Models: the Double Side of IT (Change Management) ................................................................................................................... 6 My Issue with BigData Sentiment Bubble: Sorry, Which Is the Variance of the Noise? (NON Verbal Communication)................................................................................................................... 8 Saving IT Expenditures and sourcing Business Intelligence and Analytics tools: which are the KPIs for BigData? .................................................................................................................................. 10 Semantic search algorithm, behaviorism and fairy-tale Snowwhite with the seven dwarfs. Would SEO behave like Grumpy? ............................................................................................................ 12 The D.A.I. model to better understand different mindsets and cultural values: why social responsibility means higher prices? .............................................................................................. 14 Firm Infrastructure Vs Catalyst to Change Business Models (part 2): New IT Innovation Process (NITID) ............................................................................................................................ 16 A question about IT change management: does the DNA of the company fit your IT vendor? ...... 18 COACHING & TRAINING............................................................................................................. 21 A good picture for Acceptance: feel the divergences & think how to deal with............................... 21 Developing Emotional Intelligence with TIP competencies and Kindergarten Cop… Arnold Schwarzenegger! ............................................................................................................... 22 A possible TIP for giving effective feedbacks: wearing a SCARF that is SMART, does it make sense? ................................................................................................................................ 24 The Gift and the artists of leadership at MIB ................................................................................. 27 Barriers to change… Should I stay or should I go? A ripped up speech ........................................ 31 LEASSURE, FUNNY STORY, MISCELLANEOUS ...................................................................... 34 Almost everybody knows the fear of the rabbit: do you know also its resilience and focus on goal? ..................................................................................................................................................... 34 Does the price for inequalities exist because of the second law of thermodynamics? (Entropy) .... 35 Chaos vs. Determinism: why not both? From evolutionary theory to BIG Data challenge.............. 37 Changing clothes: an incipit for a new novel ................................................................................. 41 What’s wrong with EU? Appling the 7-S framework by McKinsey to EU (Open Innovation) .......... 42 The 2nd Law: a MUSE for a Sustainable Economy ....................................................................... 44 X and S band radars: a great metaphor for logistic professionals… and not only, also for everyday life!................................................................................................................................. 47
Posts of year 2013 from the blog Feelink - Feel & Think approach for doing life!
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Feelink 2013 Posts
F E E L I N K – F E E L & T H I N K A P P R O A C H F O R D O I N G L I F E !
ivangruer.com
BUSINESS WORLD ....................................................................................................................... 2
IT, I, WE: A Framework For Assessing the Consumer Behavior ..................................................... 2
Tripadvisor: a case study to think why bigdata variety matters ........................................................ 3
Firm Infrastructure Vs Catalyst to Change Business Models: the Double Side of IT
IT, I, WE: A Framework for Assessing the Consumer Behaviour (Infographic)
The result obtained from the analysis of the Chinese consumer behaviors has shown:
A consistent preference to the WE area: 45% and 38% from the Cultural and consumer behavior
respectively. The result suits the high context mark of the Chinese culture where trust is based on
relationships rather that tasks and facts.
Divergences between IT and I areas. In fact, with the selected items, the Chinese Culture has shown a
preference to the IT area (35%) rather than to I (20%), while the Chinese behaviors has shown a balance
between them, 25% and 37% respectively for the IT and the I.
For further details see the references.
References
1. Ofman Daniel. (2004). Core Qualities: a Gateway to Human Resources. Cyan Communications.
2. Gruer Ivan. (2013). “ IT, I, WE: a framework for the consumer behaviour“. (Slideshare).
3. www.diversityicebreaker.com
Tripadvisor: a case study to think why bigdata variety matters POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ AUGUST 14, 2013 ⋅ 2 COMMENTS FILED UNDER BIGDATA, BUSINESS, GARTNER, LEISURE, MARKETING, NEGATIVE SEO, TOURISM, TRIPADVISOR, VARIETY
The recent scandals about fake reviews has put the reliability of TripAdvisor under discussion (see The
Guardian).
Such a bad quality of service is not useful for consumers, entrpeneurs as well as in the long run for the
reputation of TripAdvisor. So, where is the problem?
Clearly it’s a question of reliability of the sources of information and specifically for TripAdvisor is a question
of assessing the reliability of the user that post a new review. Nice and easy…like discovering the hot water.
Firm Infrastructure Vs Catalyst to Change Business Models: the Double Side of IT (Change Management) POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER CHANGE MANAGEMENT, INNOVATION, IT
Technology improvements, such as mobile devices with embedded GPS, RFID, WiFi receivers that are
becoming cheaper and cheaper, are enabling new business opportunities as well as new threats arising from
disruptive innovations.
Few weeks ago I saw a video from MIT Sloan “Video: What Digital Transformation Means for Business.“. A
meaningful and for me inspirational chat with Kim Stevenson (Intel Corporation, @Kimsstevenson), Mark
Norman (Zipcar), Didier Bonnet (Capgemini Consulting) and Andrew McAfee (MIT Center for Digital
Business, @amcafee) about how technology and IT are nowadays impacting businesses. Booking a flight and
see its status in real-time or check the bank account are nowadays common consumer habits thanks
smartphones and apps, while few years ago that was something beyond imagination.
IT is a catalyst to change business models
If I have to chose a slogan that summarize the video from MIT, I would pick up the words “Nowadays IT is a
catalyst to change business models” (by Kim Stevenson and Andrew McAfee). Many cases have shown how
technology impacts business by redefining how services\products are delivered to customers.
Side 1 of IT: process automation
Anyhow, what is IT for a company nowadays? According to the value chain model (see Figure), IT is firstly
part of the firm’s infrastructure. When IT plays this role, the objective is to automate standardized processes
My Issue with BigData Sentiment Bubble: Sorry, Which Is the Variance of the Noise? (NON Verbal Communication) POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER ANALYTIC, BIGDATA, MARKETING, SENTIMENT, STATISTIC
Why sentiment analysis is so hard? How to interpret the word “Crush” in a tweet? Crush as in “being in love”
or Crush as in “I will crush you”? According to Albert Mehrabian communication model and statistics, I would
say that on average a tweet for a sentimenter has an accuracy of 7%. No such a big deal, isn’t it?
Let’s think about it by considering, as an example, the case of the sentiment analysis described in My issues
with Big Data: Sentiment: crush as in “being in love” (positive) or crush as in “I will crush you” (negative)?
What is a sentimenter? As a process, is a tool that from an input (tweets) produce an outupt like “the sentiment
is positive” or “the sentiment is negative“. Many sentimenters are even supposed to estimate how much the
mood is positive or negative: cool!
Paraverbal and non-verbal communication
Anyhow, according to Albert Mehrabian the information transmitted in a communication process is 7% verbal,
38% paraverbal (tone of the voice) and the remaining 55% is non-verbal communication (facial expressions,
gestures, posture,..).
In a Tweet, as well in a SMS or e-mail, neither paraverbal nor non-verbal communication are transmitted.
Therefore, from a single tweet is possible to extract only the 7% of the information available: the text (verbal
communication).
So, what about the paraverbal and non verbal communication? During a real life conversation, they play a key
role since they count for 93% of all the message. Moreover, since paraverbal and non verbal messages are
strictly connected with emotions, they are exactly what we need: sentiments!
Emotions are also transmitted and expressed though words such as “crush” in the example mentioned.
However, within a communication process, not always the verbal and non-verbal are consistent. That’s the
case when we talk with a friend, he\she saiys that everything is ok while we perceive, more or less consciously,
something different from his\her tone or expressions. Thus we might ask: are you really sure that everything
is ok? As a golden role, also for every day life, I would recommend to use non-verlbal signals as an opportunity
to make questions rather than inferring mislead answers (see also: A good picture for Acceptance: feel the
divergences & think how to deal with).
For these reason, the non-verbal messages are a kind of noise that interferes with verbal communication. In a
tweet, it is a noise that interferes with the text. Such a noise can be as much disturbing as much the transmitter
So, I have a question for bigdata sentimenters: which is the sample variance of tweets due to non-verbal
communication? Acknowledge the sample variance, the error of prediction of the best sentimenter ever is also
given:
error of prediction (size of the bubble sentiment) = sample variance of tweets…
…with the assumption that both samples and algorithm used by the sentimenter are not slanted\biased. If this
is not the case, the sentiment bigdata bubble might be even larger and the prediction less reliable. Anyhow,
that is another story, another issue for BigData sentimenters (coming soon, here in this blog. Stay tuned!).
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
Saving IT Expenditures and sourcing Business Intelligence and Analytics tools: which are the KPIs for BigData? POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT
FILED UNDER ANALYTIC, BIGDATA, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE, PROCUREMENT, SOURCING, TECHNOLOGY
The IT expenditures are forecasted to growth due to the business speculation behind the buzz word BigData.
Therefore, in order to avoid biased insights, How to measure the quality of the information extracted? How is
it possible to get more value from BigData and saving useless expenditures? Are the insights provided by
business intelligence, analytics, and prediction tools really reliable?
advertisements based on questionable data suppliers: fake TripAdvisor’s users (see Tripadvisor: a case study
to think why bigdata variety matters).
Beeing aware that ignoring bigdata opportunities means also ignoring a better restaurants, with delicious meal
and low prices, Companies that define best a procurement process for data sourcing will enjoy the best meal
in a bigdata restaurant.
Feelink – Feel and think approach for doing life!
Semantic search algorithm, behaviorism and fairy-tale Snowwhite with the seven dwarfs. Would SEO behave like Grumpy? POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ OCTOBER 7, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER ANALYTIC, BEHAVIOURISM, GRUMPY, NEGATIVE SEO, SEMANTIC SEARCH, SNOW WHITE
How does semantic search work? Which are the implications regarding SEO tactics and users/customers’
behaviors?
Google search is not unlike the “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” where the question asked,
reveals (in the fairy tale) the Evil Queen’s narcissistic obsession
, what a great metaphor to explain how semantic search works! (see Google Search and the Racial Bias).
I will take the assist from David Amerland to help me to better understand how the SEO world (something still
unknown from me) as well as remembering childhood times with the fair tale “Snow White and the seven
dwarfs“.
So, let’s have a look at the characters of the famous fairy-tale:
The mirror is the result of the search engine. According to what I’ve understood about semantic search, the
mirror reflects back a result that is contextualize accordingly to the user and his/her relationships among the
social networks as well as thorough the analysis of past behaviours.
Snow White is the most beautiful creature in the WEB forest. She publishes smart content as well as she
establishes such trusted relationships in the social medias so that the mirror (the semantic search engine)
reflects back a beautiful princess… accordingly to the algorithm I would say.
The evil queen is the bad guy, attempting to be viewed as the most beautiful in the WEB forest while it is not.
The evil queen struggles and suffers a lot for that, since the mirror suggest always Snow White as the best
result… the life in the digital jungle is not so easy for the evil queen!
The poisoned apple represents a trick, a negative SEO attack where the objective either is to game the search
engine (the mirror) or to compromise the reputation of Snow White. Fake reviews, negative or positive SEO
tactics, are just an example of how an apple could be poisoned in order to kill digitally a competitor and game
the search engine algorithm (see the case of Tripdavisor).
The D.A.I. model to better understand different mindsets and cultural values: why social responsibility means higher prices? POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ OCTOBER 14, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER CULTURE, INFORMATION THEORY, MARKETING, MINDFULNESS, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL RESPOSIBILITY
Few weeks ago, from a new Twitter follower, I’ve received a direct message with the following question: “Do
you spend more money with a brand that you think is socially responsible?”. I felt immediately that it could
be either a marketing research or a way to create awareness on something, nothing bad on it whatever it is.
Anyhow, the aim of a question is to gather an information. So which is the information that the question above
wants to address? Suddenly came into my mind a principle from information theory: information is an
interpretation of data based on assumptions (see figure). Usually assumption are due to culture, mindset and
context in general. Think, as an example, how the same gesture of moving the head up and down (data) means
yes for Europeans and Westerns but for Indians means exactly the opposite.
So, why not applying such a principle from information theory also for every day life in order to better
understand ourselves as well as others? Let’s analyze deeper the question “Do you spend more money with a
brand that you think is socially responsible?”
First of all, the question is a close one since the answer must be yes or not. When I’ve realized that I felt myself
uncomfortable… why? I thought and I realized that is due to the value of “social responsibility” that in the
Acknowledge that, I inferred unconsciously that if the answer of the question would have been YES it means
that social responsibility is priceless thus more important that money. Vice versa, if the answer would have
been NO.
…however, why inferring such considerations? which is the assumption behind? That was my doubt and my
hypothesis was that the assumption behind the tricky question “Do you spend more money with a brand that
you think is socially responsible?” is: beeing social responsible costs!
…wow, eureka! So, why not creating such conditions so that pursuing social responsibility implies intrinsically
cheaper products?
That was my question that I’ve delivered to the owner of the research…and, as an incredible surprise, I’ve
receive the following answer: “The impression is socially responsible = higher product cost to the consumer.”
Bingo! The assumption that I’ve inferred is right. There is a kind of cultural impression, suggestion and mindset
that unconsciously let us to think (me included) that if you want social responsible products there are no other
ways: you have to pay more! Why?
Paradoxically, since people behave according to incentives, if socially responsibility implies intrinsically
cheaper prices instead, a virtuous circle will be established!
How to create a context where the assumption “socially responsible = higher product” is replaced with
“socially responsible = cheaper product”?
…I don’t know, any idea?
Meanwhile, why not applying the DAI (Data, Assumption, Information) model whenever we inferred quick
answers?
Behind each information there is an unknown world of undisclosed assumptions.
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
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Firm Infrastructure Vs Catalyst to Change Business Models (part 2): New IT Innovation Process (NITID) POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ OCTOBER 21, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER CHANGE MANAGEMENT, INNOVATION, IT, PROCUREMENT
Acknowledged the role of IT and technology as a catalyst to change business model (see the previous post
“Firm Infrastructure Vs Catalyst to Change Business Models: the Double Side of IT“), how to implement new
IT innovations in practice?
Each innovation implies a changing process and each changing process implies commitment and
investments…so, which IT innovations to choose in order to avoid a waste of resources? Are the IT innovations
under development in line with the customer needs (actual or potential)? Which are the key competences
needed for developing a new IT innovation?
Whatever the industry of the company is about, since the focus is customers’ needs, why not thinking how to
adapt the NPD (New Product Development) process to IT innovation? The NPD is a structured creativity
process focused on introducing new kind of products\services that effectively produces innovations.
In particular, the NPD process combines lateral (generations of ideas) and vertical thinking (selections of ideas)
together and it is divided into four stages: ideas brainstorming, ideas classifications, ideas evaluation and ideas
Too much enthusiasm on IT initiatives has a side effect to much IT complexity. How to innovate without
adding superfluous IT complexity? What about using NITID (New IT Initiative Development), a revised NPD
method widely use for product innovations?
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
A question about IT change management: does the DNA of the company fit your IT vendor? POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ NOVEMBER 4, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER CHANGE MANAGEMENT, INNOVATION, IT VENDORS, PROCUREMENT, SOURCING, STRATEGY
When delivering my final dissertation of the MBA program (here the link of a short presentation), along the
research I’ve encountered the topic of IT Change Management.
As a matter of fact, whenever a company decides to implement IT innovations most likely new collaborations
or partnerships with IT Vendors, consultants or third parties are needed. Usually, within a selection process,
IT suppliers are evaluated accordingly to theirs know how and proven expertise. However, what about other
aspects such as the agility to change, the ability to innovate and corporates’ cultures? Is there a potential fit or
a misfit between the company and the selected IT vendor?
The company’s DNA
In order to avoid failures, it’s fundamental to set a pace for IT innovations that is affordable to the company
according to its DNA. According to R. Ray Wang (@rwang0) there are two kind of attitudes when defining a
DNA of a company: proactive vs. reactive and incremental vstransformational attitudes.
COACHING & TRAINING A good picture for Acceptance: feel the divergences & think how to deal with POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ MARCH 19, 2013 ⋅ 2 COMMENTS FILED UNDER ACCEPTANCE, COMMUNICATION, TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
How should Acceptance be defined? A definition should be as the ability to accept positively different
behaviors and ideas. Ok, and what does it mean in the real life?
In the Leadership Development course, that I am attending as an MBA student, in a lecture was analyzed and
practiced the one-to-one communication and that day I saw this meaningful picture:
For me was illuminating: I found a great metaphor for Acceptance in
the each day life. How? I will try to explain you.
In the communication there are the following actors: you with your
values, the other with his\her values and the message.
In the picture the values are represented by the ground, a field in
which each one of us feels himself comfortable. Someone likes to run
in a field of green grass, someone else likes to run in the sand and other likes mountain landscapes just because
we are different!
The world is the message of the communication that is made by the content (what is said) and the context (how
is said) like the non-verbal communication: gestures, postures, volume of the voice, tone, rhythm,…
So, how should Acceptance be achieved by the actors that are playing the communication comedy (or drama,
it depends)?
Well, Acceptance will lead an effective communication that means floating in the air in a perfect harmony
and balance without touching each actor: you and your believes, the other and their believes and the message
(content + context).
Nice words, but how such a harmony should be achieved?
Usually, an issue in the communication process is due to two different kind of negative reactions: “I am NOT
OK” or “You are NOT OK”. (see also Thomas A. Harris and Transactional Analysis).
Thus, there are two requirements, as showed in the figure, needed in order to establish an effective
1. Respect yourself: how? By leaving for a while you comfortable ground made by your values, believes and
habits, but not too much in order to still remember who you are. So, leave also a pair of shoes in you
ground! Moreover, respect yourself by also feeling involved without been touched as a person by the
message (the world) if this is not a direct and explicit attack to your ground (your values). This means
avoid judgments and asking for clarification\feedback.
2. Respect the other by help him\her to respect himself\herself as you respect yourself. Thus help the other
to leave his\her values by focusing your attention on the message (the world) and help him\her to be
focused on the message as well by avoiding to attack his\her values as an individual. When a value is under
attack? According to my own experience a value is under attack when a difference is pointed out: “I like
pizza and you like Sushi” (verbal) or, someone is speaking loudly while the other is very quiet (non-
verbal).
So, whenever during a tough debate I feel myself under “attack” and uncomfortable or I perceive such feeling
in the other, for example in some signs in the non-verbal communication, I will think to that picture in order
to recover a good harmony through Acceptance.
I will test if this metaphor works or not! Would you like to try so?
However, as Bill Cosby said: “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is to please to everyone“.
Thus, it’s wise to be aware that also Acceptance has a limit!
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
Developing Emotional Intelligence with TIP competencies and Kindergarten Cop… Arnold Schwarzenegger! POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ APRIL 2, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, ATTUNED, COMPETENCIES, COPYING, DANIEL GOLEMAN, EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE,INTERNATIONAL PROFILER, KINDERGARTNER COP, NEW THINKING, REFLECTED AWARENESS, RESILIENCE
Emotional Intelligence and TIP competencies
The Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has been defined by Daniel Goleman in his best seller “Emotional
Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ“. Nowadays, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a well-known
concept both in the everyday life and in the work environment and it has become as much important
as Analytical Intelligence (IQ).
Moreover, EQ is even more important for a “finely Attuned” leader in order to develop a Social
Intelligence (See Social Intelligence and the Biology of Leadership by D.Goleman & R.Boyatzis – Harvard
Business Review) and thus improve the team effectiveness with better decisions, more creative solutions and
more productivity (see Building the Emotional Intelligence of Groups by V.Urch Druskat & S.B. Wolff –
Harvard Business Review). In the book mentioned above by D. Goleman, there are many useful TIPs for being
aware and learn how to deal with emotions such anxiety, sadness, anger, etc.
A possible TIP for giving effective feedbacks: wearing a SCARF that is SMART, does it make sense? POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ APRIL 10, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT
FILED UNDER COACHING, COACHING & TRAINING, FEEDBACK, MATRIX, SCARF, SMART
Smart scarf matrix from Ivan Gruer
Four ways to provide effective feedbacks
Few weeks ago, the Time has posted an article by Annie Murphy Paul: “Four Ways to Give Good Feedback”
(originally posted in theBrilliant Report blog). As reported in the post, “feedback is a powerful way to build
knowledge and skills, increase skills, increase motivation, and develop reflective habits of mind in students
and employees“. Briefly, the four ways suggested to provide effective feedbacks are: 1) supply information
about the learner is doing, 2) taking care about how a feedback should be presented, 3) oriented feedback
around goals and 4) use feedback to build metacognitive skills (develop the awareness of learning).
What’s stimulated my curiosity is the point 2: How present a feedback in a way that is effective? I think is the
toughest aspect because requires something that the brain naturally refused to do: deliver the message
according to a mindset that is different! In the article mentioned above, taking care about how feedbacks should
be presented means avoiding three things: a) closely monitoring the performances because reduce the self-
consciousness of the learner b) providing unique solution like “This is how you should do it ” – because it
might be interpreted as an attempt to control, c) establish a sense of competition among colleagues because
Have a nice reading and thanks to all MBA23 class!!!
Karaoke
A karaoke evening party.
Personal Value Added: I’ve never sung before in a Karaoke and since learning how to handle amygdala
in public is part of my personal development, that was a good low risk situation in which to put myself. It
was for me very useful.
Group Value Added: despite we’ve just come back from Munich, we had fun. Music brings people
together… always!
Thanks Flavio!
Trip to vineyards of Collio
Personal Value Added: I’ve never known the so called “acid friends” of vinegar. I enjoyed a great
vinegar, wine and food from Collio, a little Tuscany here in Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy).
Group Value Added: an opportunity to relax, enjoy beautiful landscapes and delicacies with all MBA
classmates and their relatives\friends.
Thanks to Sholpan, Yevgeniy and Revaz!
MBA, a weird story
An illustrated story about our experience here at MIB
Personal Value Added: while reading the story I was happy and yes… I was a little bit moved. The gift
make me aware that sometimes stop for a while what you are doing\thinking and looking back to see
your\our “story” helps you to made the next step: today we are the result of what we’ve lived, tomorrow we
will be what we are going to live!
Group Value Added: it’s something that remains. The MBA23 class will be over soon, but its story is
forever.
Thanks Giovanna!
MBA 23 Talent Book
A book that summarized the skills of the MBA23 class.
Personal Value Added: remember “There is no secret ingredient, it’s just you!”.
Group Value Added: another thing that will remain as a sign of our class!
Thanks Katlego!
Voluntary Blood Donation
A voluntary blood donation organized at MIB.
Personal Value Added: I had been postponing a blood donation for months, and the initiative of Vedran
forced me to do it. Great!
Group Value Added: It was a good initiative for all the MBAs, but also for the whole school
and, especially, for all the lives that will benefit of our source of life.
Thanks Vedran!
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A movie about challenges
The movie “Peaceful Warrior”.
Personal Value Added: I liked the story and the moral behind: love what you do and do what you love,
that’s what I learn.
Group Value Added: it was one hour and half of relax for all the class that was so stressed after thousands
and thousands of assignments. Good!
Thanks Giorgio!
Cup TAGs
A cup of tea with a TAG Cloud that summarized in words all the feelings of class MBA23.
Personal Value Added: as a coffee lover and tea addicted I like it! Moreover, each time I drink coffee I
will enjoy not only the taste, but also I will remember the MIB experience.
Group Value Added: the cup it’s a synthesis of feelings for MBA23 class…what about a welcoming coffee
or a cup of tea together?
Thanks Ivan (…yes, there are two of them to stand!)
A “travel” for a while to Jordan and Croatia
Food, drinks and music from Croatia and Jordan.
Personal Value Added: I like the experience because it was a great example of how simple things might
be so powerful. Some wine, some food, some music and a good company. Great MBA pick experience!
Group Value Added: I saw almost everybody so relaxed despite it was a tough week and in particular,
after many negotiations role plays. Everybody was enjoying the food, the wine and the music… signs of
social intelligence.
Thanks to Ana, Mays and Ante!
Yoga Experience
An introduction to yoga.
Personal Value Added: I’ve discovered a new way for dealing with stress and how to discover self-
awareness through the “connection with the universe” of yoga.
Group Value Added: someone was embraced, someone was losing balance and control, someone was
sleeping or even laughing. In any case, at the end of the experience the whole group was relaxed: a great
example of synergy among different people and behaviours. Moral: one shared goal, many different paths
to reach it.
Thanks Giulia!
Extra lessons on Accounting and Managerial Accounting
Two additional lectures of Accounting and Managerial Accounting by official CA(SA) of MBA23 class.
Personal Value Added: I would never passed the exam of Accounting without the lecture provided by
Adrian. He gave me at least a structured procedures to follow in order to read the balance sheets without
getting lost in numbers and figures in a time-stressful situation. An example of uncertainty avoidance
through procedures: It works! So, Am I German?…moral: I should check deeper the origin of my family
name!
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Group Value Added: at the end of the lectures, all the class gave to Adrian a spontaneous applause. A sign
of a good mood among classmates.
Thanks Adrian!
MBA23 Hi5: an interpretation of synergy
That’s my gift: a T-shirt with all the handprints of the class that create a bigger hand. Which are the desired
individual and group values added that I had in my mind? Of course there are, but that’s not what really matter.
Why? Because since we have different culture of origin, different experiences and different mindsets how
should be possible to have feelings and reactions that are consistent with a desired purpose and
inspiration?…no way, each one will have his own experience.
It’s like for art. Thinking that a painter must impose his own idea and inspiration to the observer as the only
one possible it will be pointless as well as arrogant.
Harvey S. Firestone defines leadership as:
“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.”
Acknowledged the key role of development, how is possible to answer to the “call” of leadership?
Well, there is another definition of Leadership by Lance Secretan:
“Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is
about inspiration of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes.
Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers
the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.”
So, leadership is for L. Secretan a question of inspiring people and arts are fed by inspiration as well… thus is
leadership a kind of art? According a quote from Max De Pree, yes, it is:
“Leadership is much more an art, a belief, a condition of the heart, than a set of things to do.”
Anyhow, as a moral for this story, since I was surprisingly inspired by all the gifts I would like to say thanks
to all the artists of leadership of class MBA23!
P.S.: A special thanks also to the lecturers Tim and Valeria who promoted the idea of The Gift because, as
mentioned at the beginning, “You only get what you give!”.
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
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Barriers to change… Should I stay or should I go? A ripped up speech POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER CHANGE, CHANGE MANAGEMENT, COACHING, MBA, MIB SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC SPEAKING, TRAINING
Ferdinandeo (Triest), Saturday 21st September 2013 around 12:00 a.m.: what to say as a final speech after
attending an MBA program in behalf of all the class?
Here below an idea, a story about barriers to change… delivered here, in a comfortable “context”, with 10 day
of delay: should I stay or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go? A story about barriers to change
Should I stay or Should I go? That was the question that each MBA participant has faced when applying for the master
program in business administration here at MIB School of Management.
Should I get an MBA in my country or abroad?
The MBA class of the 23rd edition was almost equally distributed: 60% foreigners and 40% Italians. Who made the
right decision?
Nobody knows… now!
Anyhow, what all the participants of the 23rd edition have in common, both foreigners and Italians, is that they have
started a changing process in a way:
someone changed country, some other quit a job and somebody did both.
Why? Because each change requires a transformation process, and each transformation process requires resources:
physically, mentally and emotionally.
So… which are the barriers to change? I would say mainly three:
unawareness, laziness and conservation of the status quo.
The first one, unawareness, means that since I don’t know there is a problem, why to invest resources for a change?
How to start a changing process in such a situation? Simply by creating awareness: “Houston, we have a problem!”
The second one, laziness, I know there is a problem but it requires too much resources: physically, mentally and
emotionally. In this case the therapy is defining an objective that is attractive enough in order to justify the effort.
The third one, conservation of the status quo, is the toughest: I do know there is a problem and I do not want to change
since I feel myself comfortable in the current situation. I am not sure… in this case uncertainties about the current
situation and status quo will establish a changing process.
Why uncertainties? According to a passage taken from a speech held here in this hall few months ago: “Since the
economy is not growing in Europe and in the Western counties, the only alternative for getting good jobs is to go abroad
where the economy is booming”
So… should I stay or should I go? According to this story, I would say: it depends!
It depends on how much uncertain and uncomfortable you are with your current situation and status quo… unless
new innovative opportunities and unconventional alternatives will be created from scratch.
All the best for the MBA23 and MBA24 classes!
Thank you!
The story was slightly different and this speech has not been delivered because the “context”, the final
ceremony for the MBA23 class, was not comfortable for the speaker.
How to break such a uncomfortable situation? …well, you already know the moral of the story: by creating
uncertainties through innovative and unconventional alternatives!
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
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LEASSURE, FUNNY STORY, MISCELLANEOUS Almost everybody knows the fear of the rabbit: do you know also its resilience and focus on goal? POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ MARCH 14, 2013 ⋅ 1 COMMENT FILED UNDER FOCUS ON GOAL, RABBIT, RESILIENCE, TIP COMPETENCIES
Almost everybody knows the fear of the rabbit: do you know also its resilience and focus on goal?
See also: TIP Competencies by WorldWork
Three years ago I met a rabbit called Minny and what I previously knew
about this funny pet was: a rabbit is always scared and worried about
predators due to a weak control of its amygdala!
Knowing Minny I’ve discovered that these characteristics are true, but I’ve
also realized how a rabbit can be persistently focused on its goal and with
a high resilience. How? I will tell you!
Rabbit’s Focus on Goal: you should never let a book, a magazine or a
houseplant in the sights of the rabbit’s eyes or nose! Since the rabbit
strongly enjoys biting paper, fresh grass and electric cables (be careful!) it
will go and bite them overcoming any kind of obstacles.
Rabbit’s Resilience: unfortunately Minny broke her leg. That happens
quite often to rabbits due to their light but fragile bones. Despite suffering from her pain Minny is always
willing to demonstrate her affection and she never gives up! Now the leg has fully recovered!
Moral n.1: the first impression is important. However why not taking the opportunity to enjoy that you were
wrong – knowledge by change!
Moral n.2: the rabbit is a great example of how leveraging weaknesses and strengths in order to survive in this
tough world!
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
Have you ever known the resilience and the focus on goals of a Rabbit?
Thinking about the current situation of European Union (EU) and in particular the youth unemployment and
the nequalities among the members (see [2]): “Is the 7-S framework applicable also for other kind of
organizations such as the EU?”
Let’s see how the 7-S framework might be applied to EU (comments coming from experts in business and law
are more than welcome).
Shared Values
The EU doesn’t have a constitution that formally define itself as a country. However, the values shared among
the members of EU are stated in the article 2 and article 3. In particular, “The Union is founded on the values
of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights,
including the rights of persons belonging to minorities” while the aims of the EU are 1) to promote peace, 2)
offer to each citizen an area of freedom, security as well as ensuring free movement of people and 3) establish
an internal market based on balanced economic growth aiming full employment and social progress. (see [3]).
Is it reasonable to consider the principles stated above as Shared Values?
Strategy
For a company, a strategy is the definition of a plan for the implementation of its values and objectives. What
about EU? During last decades, the EU promoted the enlargement program (see [4]) in order to help countries
in the Central East Europe to join the Community while last year (2012) the members signed the fiscal compact
where it was agreed a reduction plan of the public debt in order to face the economic crisis. Should the EU
enlargement program and the fiscal compact be considered as part of the Strategy of EU?
Structure
In a company the structure is related to its organization and governance. For a country in general, government,
parliament, banks, unions and other institution might be considered as a part of the structure of a state.
Regarding EU, there are the European Parliament, Council, Commission and the European Central Bank.
System
In a company, the System is everything that defines policies and formalizes procedures. Thus, does it make
sense to consider as part of system for a country all the laws, the regulations and the policies? Regarding EU,
its system is defined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). An example, is the
article 294 of the TFEU that defines the ordinary legislative procedure.
Style
The Style of the company is about people and in particular the managerial style adopted by the
governance. There are many models that define the different styles of leadership (see [5]). Is it possible to
assign a Style also for the institutions that lead the EU?
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Staff
If the Style is related to managers, the Staff is about employees. The Staff are the generic capabilities of the
employees in a company in terms of soft skills, behaviors, habits and ritual that are strictly related to the culture.
Since the employees that work for a company are also citizens the Staff of a country or an institution like EU
might be defined as the culture or the cluster of cultures within its territory as well. An example of how a
culture should be described is given by the 6-dimensions model by Hotsfede (see [6]).
Skills
The Skills are the actual competencies of the employees working for the company. Thus, what about consider
the same capabilities of the citizens as set of Skills of a country and EU as well?
What do you think? Is it possible to apply the 7-S framework aslo for insitutions such as the EU? If yes, within
the 7-S framework, is the EU properly defined?
Share you thoughts and feelings.
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
Resources:
[1] The 7-S framework
[2] Unemployment statiscitcs (April 2013)
[3] The ABC of European Union law
[4] EU enlargement program
[5] Leadership Styles
[6] Culture: 6-dimensions model
The 2nd Law: a MUSE for a Sustainable Economy POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ JULY 30, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER ECONOMY, ENTROPY, LIFE, MUSE, SUSTAINABLE, THE 2ND LAW, THERMODYNAMICS, UNSUSTAINABLE
What does it mean sustainable? After the last financial crisis in 2007 as well as the issues of global warming,
pollution and deforestation the word “sustainable” has become very popular.
That is the question that many people have. That’s why there are many best sellers about economic crisis.
That’s why nowadays economists are so popular… that’s why I’ve just bought the last book by @TimHarford
Energy from the Sun [S] < Energy for sustaining Life [L] + Energy consumed by the economy [E]
Mr. Charles, after few calculations, will give the answer: UN-UN-UNSUSTAINABLE!
So, conscious about the uncertain sustainability of the world economy as it is defined nowadays, let’s move
our bodies following the irresistible funky rif of “Panic Station” from “The 2nd Law” album by Muse while
since entropy is inattentive (it’s still singing “Time is on my side”).
MUSE – Panic Station
You won’t get much closer
Until you sacrifice it all (all the energy available)
You won’t get to taste it
With your face against the wall (the truth of The 2nd Law)
…actually, the humankind has already “tasted” the unavoidable rule of the 2nd law. In the 18th century, the
population of Easter Island has dropped from 15.000 to 2.000-3.000 because an ecology disaster due to an
unsustainable use of the natural resources (see Easter Island, they harvest all the woods in the island). If the
inhabitants of Easter Island had had the chance to see a concert of “The 2nd Law” tour in Rapa Nui probably
they would have decided not to hack up so many trees. Is the humankind smart enough to learn from his
mistakes and make the optimistic view of growth really sustainable? Who knows!
Feelink – Feel & Think approach for doing life!
X and S band radars: a great metaphor for logistic professionals… and not only, also for everyday life! POSTED BY IVANGRUER ⋅ OCTOBER 28, 2013 ⋅ 2 COMMENTS FILED UNDER COACHING, DEMAND DRIVEN, LOGISTIC, METAPHOR, OPERATIONS, SUPPLY CHAIN
This time I want to tell a story of mine. Recently I was struggling with figures regarding a new kind of analysis
in the field of procurement, supply chain and inventory management. Something that I’ve never done before.
Since I was too focus on the jungle of numbers and details what happen is that I’ve completely missed the
path…I felt myself completely lost in the middle of the forest of figures!
So, my mentor helped me to find the path again in order to complete the analysis with an inspirational
metaphor, well-known among logistic and operation professional: the X-band and S-band radars.