Reinvent Yourself. Designed In California.

The 2nd week of June, thus far, has been exciting. First - I traveled to Kovalam from 7-9 June. Kovalam is a beach town by the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala, India, located around 16 km from the city center. Was a guest speaker at the first ever International Conference on Travel Technology (ICTT), India organized…

DNA of Apple – so rightly put by Bono

There are dreams that you Search for. There are dreams that Search for you. Some adore Steve Jobs. Some despise him publicly. But what most companies try and fail - is to emulate the core DNA of people & innovation that represent Apple. I had written an earlier blog post on how to 'Fight Off…

Fight Off the Bozo Explosion; Hire for Attitude

Steve Jobs had an apt saying. "One bozo gets another bozo. Soon, you're surrounded by bozos. This is called a bozo explosion". Till Steve was alive, the best of the best of the best worked at Apple. Still does; and thus, its one of the most valuable and respected companies (read: Global Brands) worldwide. Bozo…

The Honest Advice.

Whether you're a CEO of a Fortune company, or a startup, or of a small Unit, or just a professional trying to move up the career (and monetary) ladder, here's a simple advice. Straight from the Heart of Steve Jobs to the newly become President & CEO of Nike, Mark Parker in 2010. Easy to say,…

Yahoo! A Case study in Lack of Focus.

Yahoo!"s main problem has always been the lack of FOCUS. It's a common joke - what is Yahoo! this year? Is it an internet company, or an internet portal, or internet media company, or media company, or aggregator of news? Only God almighty knows. Wait. Fucking Christ. Marissa Mayer calls it, "global technology company focused…

A Lesson in Accountability: Difference Between the Janitor and the Vice President

I've often wondered the reason why some people make it to the top; and a few don't, eventually, I mean. Is it the lack of qualifications, degrees from top colleges, or is the interest level in their professional lives that eventually dies out, or is it lack of 'do what you love' Steve Jobs philosophy...…

iOS App, eCommerce Store OR Digital Agency?

If given a choice of becoming an entrepreneur and opening your company, which one would you opt for - - an iOS app that makes an effort to solve a problem in a known domain; and commercialize it OR - open an eCommerce store selling (say, CD/DVDs, books, mens/womens/kids clothing) OR - open a digital…

Some Terrible Decisions by Apple in 2012

You may say - some terrible decisions by Apple. Or, some terrible decisions by the CEO himself - Tim Cook in the past few months. As a long time Apple follower and fan; simply put, this is quite hurting. And most disturbing of all - not sure Steve Jobs would have permitted any of these.…

iPad Mini – Did Apple Really Need It?

Apple iPad Mini. Priced at $329. Understood - Apple wishes to compete with Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD and Google’s Nexus 7; but the question is - 'Did Apple really need this one?' I believe this is a terrible decision by Apple. And Steve Jobs if alive, would have had been extremely mad. Before he died,…

Apple Most Valuable Public Company of All Time – Lessons for Entrepreneurs

20 Aug 2012. A day that shall remain in the annals of history forever. TechCrunch, an hour ago, broke the news of Apple Inc. becoming the most valuable public company of all time. In fact, I had recently argued with a friend of mine, that within 31 Dec 2012, Apple would become the most valuable…

iPhone 5 Release. Take this Poll.

Apple iPhone 5, expected to be announced on 12 Sept. and available for worldwide release from 21 Sept. will have a 4-inch screen. Are you excited? Take this Poll and let me know...

Things About Business & Life That Steve Taught Me: Tim Cook

Tim Cook needs no introduction. But during the Steve Jobsian Era, he was mostly the back-seated Apple executive who was hired by Steve in 1998 as the 'Inventory Genius' to solve a problem that Steve Jobs (could understand that he himself cannot solve, even with his innate genius) - i.e. the massive piling of inventory…

iPhone’s 5-Year Anniversary: The most *successful* phone of all time

The Apple iPhone completed its 5-year anniversary on June 29, 2012. Read reports of widespread anxiety amongst Apple fans from around the world - to celebrate this day. Unfortunately, Steve is not with us anymore; but am sure, looked down on Apple proudly from the heavens. No mobile device in the history of electronics has…

The Craziness About Being Crazy

Rash. Selfish. Envious. Deceitful Liar. Manipulative. Yet charismatic and a genius - Steve Jobs has been called all, one and everything. Received Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography by Walter Issacson a few days ago. Got 3 of them - one for myself, and 2 as gifts. Having read a few hundred pages, can definitely say…

iPhone 5 Release Date – On Steve Jobs’ First Year Death Anniversary?

iPhone 5 is on the way. Soon. But when - the release date, is the million dollar question. There are a few rumors in the market - pertaining to the reason and exact date of the official release of iPhone 5. Personally, having followed Apple's past history of product announcements, I feel: Apple will NOT…

Bean Bags – Love it Or Hate it?

I like Bean Bags. So got 3 of them for my new flat in New Delhi for guests to sit when pals drop in for beer! Here's some pics from my room... a 32" LCD is missing... which I will get soon...

When does a Brand Become an Experience?

Most companies have product(s) to sell to make money and remain in Business. A few make the fruitful transition from 'products' to Brands. A very very very less number of Brands make the cut to the final stage of their lifecycle - a lifelong experience. Zappos, Starbucks, Apple are not brands anymore - they are…

What Happens When CEO Lacks Vision: Steve Ballmer Laughs at iPhone

Vision. The single most important thing on Earth - that separates a good CEO from an outstanding one. Steve Ballmer the Salesman. Steve Jobs - the Visionary - the Genius. Want to know WHY they are where they're today? Check this video out. Steve Ballmer opening ridiculing iPhone for being an overly priced hardware piece…

Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch… Coming Soon!

15-inch. Air. Thinnest laptop on Earth. A design marvel from Jony Ive, this is touted to be the bestseller for 2012. Currently in final stages of product testing, Apple is going to release: 15-inch Apple MacBook Air in 1st Quarter 2012. I would definitely get one for sure. I love my MacBook Pro, but use…

iPhone 4S – Buy in India from November 25, 2011

From Nov 25, 2011. Apple iPhone 4S will be available in India. Airtel & Aircel as providers. IBN Live says the price could be marked at: iPhone 4S, 16GB = Rs. 40,000 iPhone 4S, 32GB = Rs. 50,000 I will wait to upgrade from my iPhone 3GS 32GB, originally bought in 2010 for INR 50,000,…