25 February 2007

Wow Beta

"Being happy is something you have to learn. I often surprise myself by saying 'Wow, this is it. I guess I'm happy. I got a home I love. A career that I love. I'm even feeling more and more at peace with myself.' If there's something else to happiness, let me know. I'm ambitious for that, too." Harrison Ford

Wow is a reaction, and can be positive and negative.

When the touchpoint in terms of people, information, and deliverables delivers experience that exceeds expectations, the immediate reaction is "wow!", and it is a positive wow. Negative wow

A more powerful wow happens when negative is turned into positive.

When everything begins at zero, anything adding to the zero is a plus, since zero is the origin. However, when everything begins from negative, it is not just simple plus nor minus. If adding something to the negative gives a plus, it is going to be a big plus. Why? Because when something is negative, the chance of staying negative is high. People have less expectations to bounce back when everything is negative. If it really turns out to be positive, it is something beyond expectations! This is again the notion of "hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

The sequence of "hope for the best, prepare for the worst" should actually be reversed.

People feel upset when things are negative. What are negative things? Things that go against will. Why are things negative? Because of wrong attitude and perception. Nothing is negative if it is not seen negative. Expectations not met? So? How often are expectations met?

Everyone has a dream, but not everyone has the dream come true. After all, a dream is a dream... it is not even a hope.

Everyone can deliver wow to others by UPOD - underpromise and overdeliver.

WOW is also an acronym for "Words Of Wisdom." WOW gives wow, as WOW provides insights and is always inspiring. When people are inspired, negative can be turned into positive.

23 February 2007

So What? Beta

"Inches make champions." Vince Lombardi

What is the difference between what and so what?

What is to get information for the sake of getting information. "What is your name" is to get to know a person's name. It helps break the ice, and prompts more follow-up questions. People asking "what do you think?" may not be really interested in the answer. They may just not like the dead air, or do not know what to say next.
"What" is a neutral question. It is used when people are curious about something.

So what is also to get information, but it demands more. It goes beyond curiosity. People asking so what questions do not only want to know more, but they are also serious about how they are going to be affected. Are they going to be benefited at the end of the day? What's in it for them? If it has no real benefits, nobody will pursue further. There has to be something in the so what answers. People answering the so what questions have to be prepared in order to move forward. So what sounds like offensive and negative, but if handled well, it delivers positive experience. The person asking the so what question is actually looking for relevance. Relevance is an indication of potential positive touchpoint experience.

So... what is so? Why a "so" can create so much difference? After all, so is just a conjunction.

It is always the little things that say so much. Never underestimate the power of one seemingly insignificant touchpoint.

22 February 2007

Little Things Beta

"It is the little things that say so much." Anonymous

There are many things that everyone can do to deliver positive touchpoint experience. Yet the most effective involves the saying of just three words.

"I'll be there." - Being there for others is the greatest gift everyone can give. When people are truly present for others, important things happen. Everyone is renewed in love and friendship. Everyone is restord emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

"I miss you." - Perhaps more marriages can be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely say to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners that they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how ecstatic the person would feel, if he or she received an unexpected phone call from the better half in the middle of the workday, just to say "I miss you."

"I respect you." - Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal.

"Maybe you're right." - This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side to "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting "maybe I'm wrong." When having a heated argument with someone, all the person does is cement the other person's point of view. Nobody is willing to change the stance and eventually runs the risk of seriously damaging the relationship. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to further explore the subject, in which everyone may then have the opportunity to get own view across in a more rational manner.

"Please forgive me." - Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Everyone is vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. Nobody should ever be ashamed to own up that he or she has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he or she is wiser today than he was yesterday.

"I thank you." - Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who do not take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

"Count on me." - A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating that you can "count on me."

"Let me help." - The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

"I understand you." - People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in so many little ways that they are being understood is one of the most powerful tools for healing relationship.

"I love you." - Perhaps the most important three words that one can say. Telling someone that they are truly loved satisfies their deepest emotional needs - the need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Everyone needs to hear those three little words - I love you.

20 February 2007

Appreciation Beta

"I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you." Friedrich Nietzsche

It is not difficult to lose control and find a reason to blame, but it is difficult to control and appreciate. One negative touchpoint experience can ruin a thousand positive touchpoint experiences built in the past. People remember pain better than joy, although both may deliver more or less the same impact. Pain hurts. When it hurts, it leaves a deep track in the heart. Joy? People can anticipate joy, like birthday and holidays. People simply plan for joy. But pain, it is unpredictable. It just comes out of the blue, like sudden death. Unexpected events always linger in memory.

When people fail, they feel bad. People want to win, and they like to win. They just feel good winning. Winning is about positive touchpoint experience, and losing negative.

They shy away from failure by making up excuses to comfort themselves when they lose. They see failure as a lesson learned, but actually they never learn from mistakes. They see others luckier than themselves, but actually they just lack the ability to do the right things at the right time. They simply fail to see that they themselves may be the root problems.

They only know how to appreciate themselves, but never learn how to appreciate others. When things go wrong, they deny efforts by others, but demand everyone to acknowledge their efforts spent instead. They do this by redirecting whatever wrong originated from themselves to others. They wash their hands of everything, and simply walk away without feeling shame. Full appreciation of oneself and no appreciation for others often result in negative touchpoint experience.

When people win, they feel great. Even if they win by luck, they will attribute the success to their own ability, which makes them feel even greater. If they win continuously, they become complacent. Complacent is also a result of 100% self-appreciation and 0% appreciation for others.

Positive touchpoint experience is achieved by appreciating what has been done, but not what hasn't yet been done.

Focusing only on "nothing" gets nobody nowhere. Switching the focal point to "something" gives hope, and motivates everyone to stay positive.

The "take it for granted" mindset basically is an inappropriate attitude.

Even if people show appreciation, thank you from the head does not change a thing. Thank you from the heart, and with all the heart, delivers everlasting positive touchpoint experience. People insult themselves when they tell people they thank them from the heart, but actually it is only from the head. People can tell whether it is from the head, or from the heart.

Every single grain is the result of toil. Even if the experience delivered by either people, information, or deliverables, is negative, it is better to appreciate first, and then provide constructive criticism later, if it really has to be criticized.

19 February 2007

Footprints Beta

"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes of his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. 'Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed You most, You would leave me.'

The Lord replied, 'My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." Anonymous

People seldom think twice before act. They just do it without considering the consequences. Without planning, there is usually no bottom line. Even if there is one before, it now becomes meaningless.

When people encounter difficulties, they expect others to help. When nobody offers any assistance, they tend to blame others and think it is their problem. However, nobody really owes anyone anything. It is nobody's fault indeed not to help.

Help actually comes from within, but not from outside.

14 February 2007

Together Beta

"Together forever, never apart. Maybe in distance but never at heart." Anonymous

What is so special about team? There is no "I" in team, and "T"ogether "E"ach "A"chieves "M"ore!

Distance means nothing if everyone commits. Distance however is related to space. The longer the distance, the greater the space. Space is about comfort zone. The greater the space, the bigger the comfort zone of oneself. Comfort is something that everyone wants to have in life.

In order to stay together forever, everyone has to be willing to minimize own comfort zone, but maximize others' comfort zone.

Happy Valentine's Day.

07 February 2007

Shift+Delete Beta

"Really the best thing to do is to keep hitting delete, delete, delete, delete. Just get rid of everything." Harry Ponfil

People always like to keep everything, although it has no value, or even negative value. There is really no solid reason for keeping everything. It is not rational, and definitely not logical. Why create more waste when unlimited amount of rubbish is already being produced every day?

People have the habit of just "deleting" and store everything in the recycle bin. Is this only a habit though? The more the touchpoint, the deeper the relationship. It is really difficult to let bygones be bygones. However, where the touchpoint chain is terminated, and no future touchpoint is possible, it will be better off to simply permanently delete, and save the task of emptying the recycle bin to permanently remove. Storing everything in the recycle bin delivers no value to anyone. What is the point of using "delete" when everyone can "shift+delete" to lessen the pain in remembering unhappy thoughts?

It is definitely a wrong move to simply "delete" when that valueless something can be permanently deleted in the first place.

Never give excuse to restore that valueless something. It is only going to hurt more!!! Never allow the pain of negative touchpoint experience to unnecessarily alter behavior. Help me... help me! Don't use back up as an excuse to keep rubbish in the recycle bin. The rubbish won't thank anyone for keeping it in the recycle bin, but will only laugh at this stupid act of hoping for the best.

Flush...

Seven Beta

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion and desire." Aristotle

Seven is an interesting number.

First, there are seven days in a week.

Then, there are seven deadly sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and laziness.

And, there are the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The seven dwarfs are: Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sneezy, Bashful, Sleepy and Dopey.

Then again, there are seven gods of luck in Japanese folk religion. They are: Hotei, Bishamonten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, Daikoku, Ebisu, and Benzaiten.

And again, there are the seven wonders of the world. They are: Great Pyramids of Giza, Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, Serengeti Migration, Galapagos, Grand Canyon, and Machu Picchu.

And guess what? There are the seven steps to win sales. Try this.

Step 1 - Listen
Step 2 - Repeat
Step 3 - Narrow
Step 4 - Corner
Step 5 - Answer
Step 6 - Close
Step 7 - Shut Up

Happy hunting!

06 February 2007

HELP!!! Beta

"Help me... help you. Help me, help you." Jerry Maguire

Nobody can help anybody. At the end of the day, it is all self-help.

People love themselves. There is nothing wrong. It is not selfish, but just another ugly human nature. When things go wrong, they immediately find someone to blame. Once the scapegoat is identified, they rest their case, and continue to have fun and make never-ending mistakes. The cycle simply goes round and round, with no intention of ending the pain for others. It is unfair, but ridiculously enough, from the perspective of those who only love themselves, everything bad is good for the scapegoat! Everything bad is good for others!? Really? Is everything bad good for themselves then? If not, then why everything bad is good for others?

Are there any other more unreasonable excuses to treat others bad? HELP!

Nobody likes to bear any responsibility, and take the initiative to correct anything even if something is wrong. Everybody just wants to have fun. It is better to stay in wait-and-see mode than take risk and suffer. Help!? Forget about it.

However, people are too naive to believe that someone will help when they shout for help. Fact is, who really cares? It is not their problem. Even if it is their problem, they will either direct the problem to others, or blame others for giving them the problem. They are simply blind! Besides, they are too busy for nothing. They have to have fun! After all, what is the consequence of not offering help? They are not going to be punished anyway, and those who seek help will sooner or later heal themselves. Help!? Forget about it.

Help me... help you...?

Help me... help me instead!

05 February 2007

Period Beta

"The truth simply is that's all. It doesn't need reasons: it doesn't have to be right: it's just the truth. Period." Frederick Carl Frieseke

When enough has been said and done, but nobody appreciates and acknowledges the efforts, and everyone still only makes up excuses to deny everything being done, it becomes a complete waste of time to prove anything. If future touchpoint experience is going to be negative, then it is more right than wrong to terminate the never-ending negative touchpoint chain. It is even better to explore other opportunities than solve existing problems. There is simply no reason to maintain the negative touchpoint chain forever, and suffer from long-term pain unreasonably.

Life already contains more downs than ups. In order to stay happy and healthy, which are the two most important things in life, get rid of everything and everyone that only bring sorrow.

Nothing lasts forever. Forget about history. Look ahead. Don't ever give up the whole forest for one tree. It is just not worth it. At the end of the day, nobody is going to take pity on anyone. :)

04 February 2007

Doomsday Clock Beta

"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people." Zig Ziglar

The Doomsday Clock, created in 1947 by University of Chicago scientists, is a widely recognized indicator of the world's vulnerability to the danger of nuclear war. It is a symbolic clockface using the analogy of the human race being at a time that is
"minutes to midnight", or the end of civilization.

On 17 January 2007, the Clock was reset for the 18th time. It was forwarded by two minutes to show that the world is now only five minutes away from the ultimate catastrophe, symbolically represented by the midnight hour.

Five minutes...? A lot can be done in 5 minutes, or 300 seconds... Every second is a choice. One can choose to recall history, predict future, or enjoy now.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present. Time is running out soon. It is time to right the wrong. The future is going to be right, the present is almost right, but the past is definitely wrong. If nobody bothers to take the time to love anyone, share love with everyone.

I learn to love myself. I love myself.

02 February 2007

Chance Beta

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." William Jennings Bryan

What does a sinner want?

He or she definitely wants everyone consciously and unconsciously forgets completely about how he or she behaved in the past. What is done cannot be undone, and it is sometimes impossible to be forgotten, but time heals what reason cannot.

Forgiveness means nothing if everyone still expects the sinner to repeat the same mistakes, and consciously and unconsciously handles the sinner with precaution.
It really does not matter whether or not the sinner is explicitly labeled a sinner. The sinner may be stupid enough to make the wrong first move, but the sinner is not stupid enough not to be able to realize how he or she is being treated.

The second chance is really not about forgiveness, but a chance to reborn, and to be a brand new person.

Of course, everything has a pattern. Things happened in the past are definitely are more likely to happen again in the future. However, it should still be forgotten but not to be ignored. People who are eager to change are determined to change the pattern, and correct the wrong. Handling the sinner based on his or her behavior in the past will not help the sinner get back to the right track, but only “encourage” the sinner to be a sinner again!

What one thinks of oneself is always affected by how others think of him or her.
If A thinks B is good, then B will act and behave good in order not to disappoint B and most importantly A himself or herself. If A thinks B is bad, B will still try to behave good for a while, but if B is continued to be seen as a sinner, then B will sooner or later lose the motivation to keep doing good. B is perceived as a problem anyway, why still try to be good? Nobody appreciates B’s efforts. Every good intention is simply seen as bad. Nobody is simply willing to support B to turn over a new leaf. Without support, B is alone. Loneliness has no communication. When there is no communication, B is isolated. At the end of the day, it is simply a dead end. B is forever bad with definitely no hope of being good again. Everyone creates a sinner again.

It is B who ruins himself or herself in the first place by wronging the right, and B has to take full responsibility for his or her actions. B simply has to bear the consequences.

When everyone is willing to give him or her a second chance and accept his or her again, why then everyone kills B again by giving false hope that he or she can be a brand new person?