tas journal
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
positive
Went to the Exhibition Center last Sunday with a friend to listen to his testimony at a huge Christian conference. (My friend is a Christian.)
We were a bit late and happened to take seats in the very front row which flanked the stage. So when he came in and took a seat to wait to be called onto the stage he was almost in arms length to us. Although he is not like a celebrity I don't deny that I felt a bit lucky to see the main guest who gathered as many as 30K(?) people at the venue so close. Though I'm not a Christian, I think I was lucky to have the opportunity to listen to his speech. He was actually a very good speaker - it was well constructed, funny at times, his voice strong, and I could tell he was quite intelligent. It did tell me that positive attitude was important. After his speech someone approached me and asked if I wanted to know more about God. To this I politely answered that I wasn't ready. Much of his strength must be coming from the strong belief in the religion and I have nothing against it, but the whole process of converting is just a bit foreign to me.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
outsourcing
Interesting documentary on call center outsourcing to India.
"30 Days: Outsourcing" (2006) (Part 1/2)
"30 Days: Outsourcing" (2006) (Part 2/2)
- The Japanese market is protected partly due to the language barrier. Dalian may make a call center to Japan, but I imagine the Japanese are more xenophobic than Americans are given that people's expectations on services are generally high and they can be quite picky on how the service person talks.
- Whether people like it or not, however, there will be more outsourcing in the future. What's happened to America will probably happen to Japan, though it might be in a smaller scale. It's best to have good language skills whether you try to profit from it or not lose money / position for changes in the environment.
- There should be some scheme to judge the impact of outsourcing in accepting side, as a flood of new business can give huge impact to the local cuture and how people live. When good things are lost, it's very difficult to restore them.
- We should not fear changes ahead of us. We should rather enjoy them and try to devise new ways of doing things.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
structure
My boss has a very strong leadership. Sometimes too strong and stubborn, though. It's good to have that ability per se, but it should be exerted at a higher level. What lacks in the team is a good structure which makes our business less dependent on individuals. Good leader must be able to devise that structure and make it visible to everyone.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
autumn
After a few rather humid nights, Hong Kong air is suddenly cool and dry. I like this season. Want to go hiking and eat rosted chestnuts.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
language programs from shanghai
Not only ChinesePod, but also SpanishPod, ItalianPod and FrenchPod are hosted in the studio in Shanghai. Though I've never listened to those other than CPod, it's interesting this kind of thig is now possible. It tells us that:
- Basic approach of education for a language can be applied for another. (What system works for ChinesePod can also work for other language pods.)
- Shanghai does attract talents. (Who can imagine your Spanish teacher is neither in your area or in Spain but in Shanghai, China!)
- Related to above two points, having the core system in one place can have more cost benefits than running things in different locations.
By the way, I really think someone should start up a Japanese language program to reach out to people in China. That will bring about numbers of tangible/intangible benefits to Japan.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
saturday nap
When I take a nap on Saturday afternoon I hardly get into a deep sleep but my childhoold memories flash back at times and I notice how different things are in my current life. I cherish those cathartic moments.
Friday, November 07, 2008
things to work on
- State core values. Must be done by the leader.
- Define roles/responsivilities. Leader must take the lead. Everyone's participation is also preferred.
- Improvise processes to make things better. Everyone's participation is a must in terms of making them "processes" effectively followed by everyone.
What I want to do is to prepare a platform for people to do above and also to encourage them to do just that.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
hiayashi udon
I wonder if Hong Kong has hiyashi (cold) udon/shoba kind of thing. Just thought hiyashi udon could sell well here if the chef can replicate the tastes of Japan. A good supply chain and hygienic environment are needed. ひやしうどんくいたい。
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
atmosphere
A couple recent events - Aso's comment to support Murayama's line, and sacking of the high rank officer of SDF for expressing a contradicting view - seem to have worked positively by soothing the long-held enmity many Asian people have had toward Japan.
I don't know what political situation was behind those events, but I suppose this certainly is a positive change especially for us Japanese doing business in those Asian countries. I remember how a woman made quite a scene in the bus by saying that Japanese slaughtered Chinese in the past war as soon as she knew I was from Japan. It was 7 years ago. I believe the situation now must be better than that time.
Monday, November 03, 2008
attitude
As much as I want to point out what are lacking in the team, I should list up what I can do to bring about positive changes to myself, to the team and to the bigger community.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Saturday, November 01, 2008
halloween in hk
Sorry no photos, but I didn't know people celabrate halloween this much in HK. I went out for drinks last night but there were people dressed in funny/weird/insteresting costumes everywhere. I think it's more popular here than in Japan as I do not remember any kinds of celebration around me when I was there. This custom must have been brought in by the British but it makes me think Hongkers (oh, it sounds better than "Hongkongers" and easier to say) can be more pragmatic than the Japanese. Well, maybe about the same.
Halloween (Wikipedia)
Interestingly, though, Japan is counted as one of the "several countries of the western world" which celebrate it in this entry. Maybe there were celebrations going on outside of my small world.