Okay...I am looking at my GCI report, sharing some of the result, which is suppose to be "Personal and Confident". Actually I wasn't that surprised to see my stress related score, and I know I have to work on that. But I was rather disappointed to see my score for Social Flexibility where I did very well in cosmopolitanism. I always though that I was quite flexible when it comes to social interaction with people from different backgrounds. But I guess I need to get much more exposure to situations where it is absolutely necessary to shine with your social skills.
I always have an open mind to any culture. I welcome diversity but there are some values and beliefs that I would not change. May be that is why I didn't do great in some of the Perception Management part. Though my overall GCI index is in the High, I still need to work on to improve my competency. I think the best way to achieve this is by growing interest in knowing the world. If we maintain our interests the rest will fall into place with time.
Monday, February 8, 2010
GCI Results
OK, I didn't expect to be cosmopolitan, but the bottom ranking possible? I guess a lot more goes into that than tourist travel. I rarely read the travel section or the news beyond current local and national events, so the assessment is fair. I would love to travel more and would have by now if it were financially feasible. My husband has worked in more countries than he can remember, but never actually saw any of them so I don't think short-term assignments are an effective way to learn about a country's culture.
I had some issues in the relationship management section of the assessment, as the questions kept asking about "values". I don't think we change our core values in a social situation. We adapt, we do our best to understand each other's perspectives and issues, but I don't think anyone changes their core values. They may, over time, develop an appreciation of each others which may have some impact, but I don't think core values change.
I think I'm usually good at engaging others and trying to build positive relationships. The feedback I'm seeing here is that perhaps I'm not very good at it.
There are plenty of positive takeaways, but overall it was a bit depressing.
I had some issues in the relationship management section of the assessment, as the questions kept asking about "values". I don't think we change our core values in a social situation. We adapt, we do our best to understand each other's perspectives and issues, but I don't think anyone changes their core values. They may, over time, develop an appreciation of each others which may have some impact, but I don't think core values change.
I think I'm usually good at engaging others and trying to build positive relationships. The feedback I'm seeing here is that perhaps I'm not very good at it.
There are plenty of positive takeaways, but overall it was a bit depressing.
This opinion piece was in todays SJ Mercury news. I thought it seemed relevant to our class....
Opinion: Ramsey: U.S. must get its innovation mojo back
By Rey Ramsey
Special to the Mercury News
Posted: 02/07/2010 08:00:00 PM PST
Is America slipping? Have we lost a quality that made us the innovation center of the world? Does invention matter to us anymore?
Let's be clear: America is still top dog when it comes to innovation. The United States accounts for nearly a third of the $1.1 trillion spent globally on research and development. We graduate more science and engineering doctorates than any other country and lead the world in patents.
We're not innovating just for innovation's sake. Being the best at creating what's new provides jobs, tax revenue and a lift for many out of poverty.
We still have the innovation magic, but the questions above are becoming more real every day as other nations aren't sitting still. The National Science Board's annual report on innovation found that for the 10 years ending in 2007, U.S. spending on R&D grew between 5 percent and 6 percent annually. Similar spending in India, South Korea and Taiwan grew more than 9 percent. In China, it averaged a whopping 20 percent.
It's as if the United States is walking up a set of stairs while other nations are running up an escalator. Clearly, our global competitors are paying more attention to what it takes to nurture innovation.
We've all witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technological tools. Access to computers, information and broadband grows our economy and improves lives. For example, federal stimulus targeted at greater adoption of broadband will help create jobs and entirely new industries. One study found that a 7 percent increase in adoption could grow more than 1 million jobs.
President Barack Obama understood the issue when he said: "The United States led the world's economies in the 20th century because we led the world in innovation. Today, the competition is keener; the challenge is tougher; and that is why innovation is more important than ever. It is the key to good, new jobs for the 21st century."
The administration has taken some positive steps in that direction. The Educate to Innovate campaign to improve math and science education, the Energy Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy effort and commitments to support green technologies, along with investments to deliver ubiquitous broadband, are a good start.
But more needs to be done, and Congress needs to take up the baton. Innovation isn't a partisan cause, but rather something that needs to permeate all strata of American society.
Three Americans took home a Nobel Prize in 2009 thanks to research on telomeres, which play a role in aging and cellular life spans. The scientists attributed the prize to basic research and to America's ability to attract brainpower. Two of the winners are immigrants. One, Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, was born in Australia but moved here because the U.S. is a "notably attractive" place to pursue science, something she warned "one shouldn't take for granted."
She's right. Since I became president and CEO of TechNet, I've been thinking a lot about that. We're still a destination for scientists, engineers and innovators of all stripes, but being on top of the mountain may give us a false sense of well-being. It's easy to look down and forget what we did to get here, or to get careless and fall off. To win this race, our policies must encourage everyone to contribute to innovation — urban, rural, immigrant, minority, young and old.
Are we slipping? Maybe. But we should view any stumble as an opportunity to shake off the cobwebs and get our innovation mojo back.
REY RAMSEY is president and CEO of TechNet, an industry advocacy group, and chairman of One Economy, which works to broaden access to technology in low-income communities. He wrote this article for the Mercury News.
Opinion: Ramsey: U.S. must get its innovation mojo back
By Rey Ramsey
Special to the Mercury News
Posted: 02/07/2010 08:00:00 PM PST
Is America slipping? Have we lost a quality that made us the innovation center of the world? Does invention matter to us anymore?
Let's be clear: America is still top dog when it comes to innovation. The United States accounts for nearly a third of the $1.1 trillion spent globally on research and development. We graduate more science and engineering doctorates than any other country and lead the world in patents.
We're not innovating just for innovation's sake. Being the best at creating what's new provides jobs, tax revenue and a lift for many out of poverty.
We still have the innovation magic, but the questions above are becoming more real every day as other nations aren't sitting still. The National Science Board's annual report on innovation found that for the 10 years ending in 2007, U.S. spending on R&D grew between 5 percent and 6 percent annually. Similar spending in India, South Korea and Taiwan grew more than 9 percent. In China, it averaged a whopping 20 percent.
It's as if the United States is walking up a set of stairs while other nations are running up an escalator. Clearly, our global competitors are paying more attention to what it takes to nurture innovation.
We've all witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technological tools. Access to computers, information and broadband grows our economy and improves lives. For example, federal stimulus targeted at greater adoption of broadband will help create jobs and entirely new industries. One study found that a 7 percent increase in adoption could grow more than 1 million jobs.
President Barack Obama understood the issue when he said: "The United States led the world's economies in the 20th century because we led the world in innovation. Today, the competition is keener; the challenge is tougher; and that is why innovation is more important than ever. It is the key to good, new jobs for the 21st century."
The administration has taken some positive steps in that direction. The Educate to Innovate campaign to improve math and science education, the Energy Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy effort and commitments to support green technologies, along with investments to deliver ubiquitous broadband, are a good start.
But more needs to be done, and Congress needs to take up the baton. Innovation isn't a partisan cause, but rather something that needs to permeate all strata of American society.
Three Americans took home a Nobel Prize in 2009 thanks to research on telomeres, which play a role in aging and cellular life spans. The scientists attributed the prize to basic research and to America's ability to attract brainpower. Two of the winners are immigrants. One, Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, was born in Australia but moved here because the U.S. is a "notably attractive" place to pursue science, something she warned "one shouldn't take for granted."
She's right. Since I became president and CEO of TechNet, I've been thinking a lot about that. We're still a destination for scientists, engineers and innovators of all stripes, but being on top of the mountain may give us a false sense of well-being. It's easy to look down and forget what we did to get here, or to get careless and fall off. To win this race, our policies must encourage everyone to contribute to innovation — urban, rural, immigrant, minority, young and old.
Are we slipping? Maybe. But we should view any stumble as an opportunity to shake off the cobwebs and get our innovation mojo back.
REY RAMSEY is president and CEO of TechNet, an industry advocacy group, and chairman of One Economy, which works to broaden access to technology in low-income communities. He wrote this article for the Mercury News.
Technology and culture
I've recently been aware of a minor conundrum that technology has introduced into my communication with my staff. I have staff located around the world and we use personal video systems during regular 1:1's. My challenge is maintaining eye contact during our conversations. It is such a strong cultural norm in western cultures to look someone in the eye when talking. Unfortunately, if you look into someone's eyes on the video display, you CANNOT look into the camera so it appears you are not really maintaining eye contact. What do we do?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Article "Microsoft's Creative Innovation"
Joyce has posted this article on BB. It makes a very interesting read. The same article can be accessed on the web at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/opinion/04brass.html?th&emc=th
It is sad to note that even in a new age corporation like Microsoft, internal rivalry between established BUs is slowly but surely killing off the innovations. The article is authored by ex Microsoft executive and thus gives a first hand view of the malaise within Microsoft.
The senior execs within Microsoft seem to be resisting change and more interested in perpetuating status quo (i.e) keep milking profits from Windows and Office products. Perhaps the execs running the WIndows and Office products BUs have become so powerful that grown so cozy in the status quo that it is cluding their judgement regarding future of Microsoft.
I see this as a failure of the CEO and the board. The organizational inertia and internal politics is killing them. Time seems to be ripe for a reorganization to save this one time icon of innovation from sliding into mediocrity and eventual demise.
The lesson is no to get too cozy in the current slot and constantly keep evolving. Beware of the people who propound status quo.
Rememeber what the legendary founder of Intel Andy Grove said -- "Only the paranoid survive". Innovate while you have the time, gain the first mover advantage and enjoy (for a short time) the success from it.
It is sad to note that even in a new age corporation like Microsoft, internal rivalry between established BUs is slowly but surely killing off the innovations. The article is authored by ex Microsoft executive and thus gives a first hand view of the malaise within Microsoft.
The senior execs within Microsoft seem to be resisting change and more interested in perpetuating status quo (i.e) keep milking profits from Windows and Office products. Perhaps the execs running the WIndows and Office products BUs have become so powerful that grown so cozy in the status quo that it is cluding their judgement regarding future of Microsoft.
I see this as a failure of the CEO and the board. The organizational inertia and internal politics is killing them. Time seems to be ripe for a reorganization to save this one time icon of innovation from sliding into mediocrity and eventual demise.
The lesson is no to get too cozy in the current slot and constantly keep evolving. Beware of the people who propound status quo.
Rememeber what the legendary founder of Intel Andy Grove said -- "Only the paranoid survive". Innovate while you have the time, gain the first mover advantage and enjoy (for a short time) the success from it.
GCI
Overall my Global Competency Index (GCI) scores were accurate. I am aware of how I deal with stress, relationships, and other cultures. The challenges I've faced in the MBA program and at work have shown me how I handle these areas. I also think about how I can improve in all of those categories.
Honestly the lowest I scored in some areas surprised me, such as cosmopolitanism. I love learning about new cultures and would jump at the opportunity to travel abroad. I know I need to work on learning more about international events, but I definitely do not avoid anything non-U.S. I love food and I use that as a way to learn about other cultures.
Across the board I need to work on stress management and flexibility. I think things are a bigger deal than they seem. As my husband tells me, "Just chill out."
Saturday, February 6, 2010
We are over half way done
It is really hard to believe that 12 days ago that class had not even started and now we are over 50% complete. There has been a lot information that has been offered up during the previous two weeks. What I a have taken away is the relevance of the simulations that we have done. Beginning with the debate of globalization and the relevant points that can be brought up to support both sides of the equation. The importance of education and a more thorough understanding of the subjects make decisions in this area and other areas much less emotional based and much more based and facts.
The other simulation when we were asked to role play as part of "The Owl" exercise also provided some interesting in-sights into different cultures. We were the American trying to get invited to a garden festival. We definitely fell into all of the stereotypical behavior. We ultimately were not invited, but I think my partner and I both learned to slow down and evaluate a situation before imposing our will on the other culture.
The Sally Chang case and the Aracruz Celulose, S. A. simulations also reinforced the importance of cultural understanding in problem solving. Many people will take the time to prepare for technical challenges while thinking that is expected behavior. The same due diligence should be used in understanding cultural challenges
Keith
The other simulation when we were asked to role play as part of "The Owl" exercise also provided some interesting in-sights into different cultures. We were the American trying to get invited to a garden festival. We definitely fell into all of the stereotypical behavior. We ultimately were not invited, but I think my partner and I both learned to slow down and evaluate a situation before imposing our will on the other culture.
The Sally Chang case and the Aracruz Celulose, S. A. simulations also reinforced the importance of cultural understanding in problem solving. Many people will take the time to prepare for technical challenges while thinking that is expected behavior. The same due diligence should be used in understanding cultural challenges
Keith
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)