Sunday, October 30, 2011

on marketing (a lesson learned from Apple)


The following excerpt from recent book of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson may offer us a good lesson on marketing.
[Mike] Markkula wrote his principles in a one-page paper titled "The Apple Marketing Philosophy" that stressed three points. The first was emphathy, an intimate connection with the feelings of the customer: "We will truly understand their needs better than any other company." The second was focus: "In order to do a good job of those things that we decide to do, we must eliminate all of the unimportant opportunities." The third and equally important principle, awkwardly named, was impute. It emphasized that people form an opinion about a company or product based on the signals that it conveys. "People DO judge a book by its cover," he wrote. "We may have the best product, the highest quality, the most useful software etc.; if we present them in a slipshod manner, they will be perceived as slipshod; if we present them in a creative, professional manner, we will impute the desired qualities." (page 78)
If you learn or follow how Apple sell their product, then the above marketing philosophy adequately explain everything. One thing for sure, Steve Jobs was not the one who 'invent' or 'create' that marketing approach. It's Mike Markkula. He is a first big Apple investor and chairman. And in Isaacson's book, he's describe as a father figure to Steve Jobs.

Perhaps the philosophy will be beneficial for marketing student or expert to learn further. For me, it is just a feeling of me being a victim of a good marketing strategy. But, I do not regret it!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Farewell Florence


Wifey's last (and the only photo) with Florence
Florence is a wonderful black cat. She's 21 years old cat who live together with our Australian best friend. Yesterday, she just finally closed her journey in this world. Our beloved friend will be missing her for sure. So do we. We might not having so much time together with her, but we heard a lot of incredible yet touching story about her. We had almost a week sharing the same roof when we look after our best friend house. And that week sharing time had proved the significant touch of hers. It's too bad that Arvind had not yet meet her. He will loves her so much, I believe.

So, farewell Florence! Be nice in heaven!

Thursday, October 06, 2011

tribute for Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Courtesy of apple.com
You may love or hate him, but I believe the whole world pretty shocked to hear the news. Although this unfortunate event was already predicted due to his health condition, I could not know how to respond properly. There are mix feelings inside!

There is a sad feeling for sure. I admit, this is my fanboy spirit of Apple that appears in mind from my early interaction with Apple product several years ago. Steve is Apple and if you believe in Apple's product then you - directly or indirectly - also believe all Steve's vision about technology. Like many others had in mind, the next question is how the world of computing and digital will be without such a genius around to serve his outstanding ideas? We'll see...

On the other hand, I would like to celebrate Steve leaving by learning to what he had giving us. He is an entrepreneur, innovator and creator of the best computer company in the world which are producing lots of great products in the history. If you read his story, you will see a person that rarely appears in a century of human history. He may be remembered with other great inventors like Thomas Edison or a genius like Albert Einstein. Yet, he created his own history and leaving a significant mark in time as well as in many people live. It is hard to believe a stranger to Steve bowed their head in front of one of Apple Store in Beijing. We'll see... more simple yet humble tribute like this for Steve.

For me, he is my Gandhi in computer and digital world. Initially, I was quite reluctant to accept his idea since I was bounded quite long with a single type of technology. Yet, I bought his idea with a trial. Before I realized that I kind of a big fan of him, I had learn and still learning a lot about the way he think from a basket of Apples that - fortunately - I can get in many legit ways. Now, I may claim that I am not a fanboy. I just agree and believe with his way of thinking and faith.

I am nobody and not good at all to write a tribute for a great guy like Steve. Therefore, I would like to quote President Obama's tweet as follow:
The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.
Finally, farewell Steve! And thanks a million! I'll Think Different for the rest of my life...


Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Quote of the day: DPR dan konsultasi

Dari artikel "Cari Angin" yang berjudul Konsultasi oleh Putu Setia:
Dulu, ketika memformat lembaga DPR, kita berasumsi bahwa yang duduk di sana adalah para wakil yang cerdas, jujur, bijaksana, bermoral. Karena kenyataan sudah jauh panggang dari api, namun kita terlanjur punya lembaga yang ideal dipayungi undang-undang superkuat, mari ke depan kita merancang bagaimana memasukkan orang "yang benar" ke Senayan. Minimal tahu arti kata konsultasi dan koordinasi.