Job Applications just get stranger and stranger

Posted by bert at 03:10 PM on September 2, 2007.

Back in the day, it was who you knew that got you the job.

Then famously came along Microsoft's "tough question"/Role Playing interview, which asks why manhole covers are round and how many damn stoplights are in teh city of baton rouge (answer is 0 after katrina, but you'd lose the job out of insenstivity)

 well... not for a company I won't be naming but am applying for..  Here is my entire application.

"your response to this exercise: find an environment where you can watch people going through daily life (such as a park, a restaurant, a transit station or vehicle etc.) Spend time observing activities and interactions, documenting what you notice (in photos or diagrams for instance) and share with us your thoughts about how people's experiences there could be enhanced, and what resulting opportunities there might be for a viable market offering."

that's it.  They want to see how you work.  its indicative of your abilities to how you think and act.   well.. 

I Guess this is why I have labor day... 

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so hey you apple geeks out there...

Posted by bert at 04:09 PM on September 6, 2007.

Just curious for all of you apple folks who live and swear by steve jobs' every word.   How does it feel to be treated just as a number with your close intimate company?

I'm not an Apple fanboi by any means.  And don't get me wrong, I really like what they've done with the company since 97.  (i had my dad buy into AAPL when it was hovering around 7.  and yes.. it's still int eh portfolio).   But I think Apple alienated its greatest source of PR by admitting something that we all knew deep down inside yesterday.  Apple is no longer a safe haven for tree hugging hippy geeks, but a heavyweight corporation. 

iPhones were EXPENSIVE.  we all knew they were expensive.. and strangely it was part of the appeal for those early adopters.  Those people were essentially saying.  "yes.. I'm crazy and I'm ok with it,  but did you check out my kick ass phone?  It's Apple!"   ok.. lets put it this way..  iPhones are to geeks at LV bags are to gold digging girls.  (and when you have a gold digging geek... well..  can you say high maintenance?) with all that aside though, I think all the adopters who forked out so much money to get the phone early and get their status are realistic.  They knew prices of that phone were not staying that high..  But for it to get slashed so much in so little time is unreal.  

Unfortunately, these also happened to be Apple's most loyal and dedicated customers.  And they just got F*cked by their messiah.  Face it guys, you are just a number to the marketing wiz's out there. 

*note from b-school perspective.*  Customers are numbers and while in a marketing class I tried to argue for the benefit of "doing right by the customer" and got laughed at.   Good customer service does not show up in immediate numbers nor can you measure it accurately in the bottom line.  But despite pure analytics, I believe a lot can be said for the relationship a business develops with its customers.  I guess not surprisingly I am in the VAST minority on this issue. (this is why you have indian call centers) Restaurants are the greatest proof of this.  Treat your best customers the best.  They were the foundation you were built on.  Why would you want to shake that??

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NFL football

Posted by bert at 05:30 PM on September 9, 2007.

yay... we're back.  another weekend completely wasted.   just terrible =)

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i love this commercial....

Posted by bert at 06:55 PM on September 9, 2007.

it's so bad.... so funny.. so bad though..

We always stop everything just to watch it.=) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGZxaDKmtwE

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too little too late?

Posted by bert at 08:34 AM on September 11, 2007.

for those of you who care about our political system, here's a nice little snippet about Rudy Giuliani.

or for you lazy, Rudy is going against typical conservative issues on abortion and gay rights. 

What it basically is saying is rudy is conceding and listening more to the younger conservative crowd.   you know the one that's all for being able to live off of our hardwork by remaining fiscally conservative, while also appealing to our socially liberal and tolerant side.  

this sounds a lot like....  South Park Republicans.

 oh well..  i know I'm middle to right leaning anyway, but i'll find it hard to vote for someone outside of obama.  and whwy?  I thnk he lies to me the least.  period.  He's the only one i inherently trust.

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Product Innovation and Design

Posted by bert at 08:07 PM on September 11, 2007.

had a pretty fun homework project for class today.

Design a "chindogu" with intentions to commercialize it.

Basically I had to design something that at first glance you understand the need it meets, but on second glance it's basically useless.

Rapid prototyping is next week... Should be fun =P

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Fearrington House

Posted by bert at 10:47 PM on September 27, 2007.

Deloitte Consulting took a select group of UNC'ers to Fearrington House for a very nice dinner.   Lets just say..  only some restaurants in NYC and LA that I've been to top it.  It easily tops Angus Barn as the best restaurant I've been to in NC....

3 Course Dinner:

Sliced Pear in Raspberry Vinagrette Dressing with Blue Cheese wedge - Yum!

Wild Mushroom Risotto...  - 2nd best part of meal

Beef Tenderloin Medallions in white and bernaise sauce..

Maine Lobster Tail in some garlic chive sauce

Butter Seared Jumbo Bay Scallops.

Chocolate Lava Souffle, drenched in Fudge (better than Morton's Godiva Souffle)

um..  yeah.. so tasty...  Now for BCG and McKinsey, where money really is no object.  I wonder what they'll do to top this...

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