Simplicity is the property, condition, or quality of being simple or un-combined. It often denotes beauty, purity, or clarity. Simple things are usually easier to explain and understand than complicated ones. It is also a term used to denote candor, guilelessness, innocence, straightforwardness, and freedom from duplicity.
Artificial intelligence points to a bright
future for retail
I’ll let you into a little secret. I really
don’t enjoy shopping. Yes, I know that sentiment will resonate with many people
– men in particular – but I feel it with a passion. My frustrations came to a
head recently when I was buying new shoes in Central London. The traffic to
reach the store, the general indifference of the staff, the fight to find the
right style of shoe. And then the inevitable comment from the member of staff,
“Sorry, we don’t have the shoes in that size”. Shopping and I don’t go
together.
It’s no wonder retail is changing. The Internet
has been a magnet for many, drawn by the convenience, speed, and typically
lower cost of online retail. The shoes I trawled London for were ordered at 7pm
and delivered by 9am the next day, for example.
Now we’re in the next phase of retail change.
Being a total tech geek, I’m fascinated by the emerging opportunities
surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its influence on how retailers
operate and how we consumers buy. This is game-changing technology, linking
sales, customer, and other data analytics to turn my static retail journey into
a smart one. Retail stores – both online and physical – can react, learn, and
adapt in real-time based on data such as click-stream and social activity as
well as inputs such as weather, lookalike audiences, and Internet of Things
data.
Amazon Go is a great example of how AI may
progress in retail. Customers can choose their food shopping and stroll out the
store without having to queue up and pay at the checkout. Sensors track
customers as they move around the store, record items they pick up, and have
the cost of their purchases automatically billed to their Amazon Prime account.
Fast, simple, and frictionless.
Virtual reality also points to a bright new
future for online shopping. In China for example, Alibaba recently launched
Buy+, a virtual reality experience using a virtual reality headset. Customers
can walk through a virtual store, browse items, and add items to a shopping
cart if they stare at a product for long enough.
There’s clearly a long way to go. The cost of
deploying AI systems within largely proprietary retail environments will be a
barrier for some. However, there’s no mistaking AI has the potential to
transform the customer experience, improve a retailer’s inventory turnover, and
increase revenues. In an ultra-competitive retail market, defined by low
margins, it’s also a significant business differentiator.
It also has the potential to change this
author’s perception of the retail experience.
To find out more about AI and its influence
on business, Oracle has produced a fascinating series of O-Talk videos on the
topic. You can view them here.
Dipabhāvan Meditation Center - Koh Samui - Thailand
It all started with a strange feeling to do something meaningful during my backpacking trip to Thailand away from nice hotels and my way of living to get back to basic. I found this retreat center online and within a few clicks I booked my seat. I started to look at the daily schedule and I have to admit I was freaking out...
DAILY SCHEDULE
04.30Wake up
05.00Morning Reading
05.15Sitting meditation
05.45Yoga / Exercise
07.00Sitting meditation
07.30Breakfast & Chores
09.30Dhamma talk
10.30Walking or standing meditation
11.00Sitting meditation
11.30Lunch & chores
14.00Meditation instruction & Sitting meditation
15.00Walking or standing meditation
15.30Sitting meditation
16.00Walking or standing meditation
16.30Chanting & Loving Kindness meditation
17.30Tea
19.30Sitting meditation
20.00Group walking meditation
20.30Sitting meditation
21.00Bedtime
21.30LIGHTS OUT
Everyday I was asking myself shall I do it or not until I finally arrived in Koh Samui from Koh Phagan and here the taxi for the retreat to pick me up. Direction the mountain in the rainforest where the monastery is...
Tons of feelings were coming into my mind and this is it, I am doing it, going into an unknown world which is scary and exciting too.
When I arrived at the monastery they gave me the instructions for my stay, here your bag for your bed, a blanket and a mosquito net (mosquitos loved me so much during that stay!). I took my bags and direction the men dormitory as we are separated from the girls. I was about to discover the most troubling part of this retreat... my bed...
men dormitory at the retreat
inside the men dormitory
My Bed... Buddha was sleeping on a wood panel with a wood pillow and we should sleep the same way.
my bed
my pillow
I have unpacked, give away my belongings such as mobile phone, watch etc and the first monastery bell rings which means we all have to go to the main mediation hall. The teacher gives us all the details and this is the time we should not talk anymore until the end of the retreat.
Not speaking was my main concern but in fact, I found it pretty easy to follow, the weird part was to say thank you or greet people as you don't anymore so there is a very awkward moment each time but after a few days it faded away.
No watch, no wifi, no mobile, finally a true freedom starts! During our breaks, I have noticed all of us started to observe things more in details. A few was contemplating a tree, a bird, an insect. On my side I discovered nature/animals were doing specific sounds depending of the time of the day. Some frogs were making one sound in the morning and another one at the same time (4.30PM) in the afternoon so by listening nature I could tell the time. Another thing amazed me, well annoyed me too! the number of sounds at night!!! Obviously I couldn't sleep on my wood bed! but like it was not enough, it was sooooo noisy!! from frogs to birds, crickets or any strange animals, the nights were restless!
The mediation hall
Waking up at 4.30am by the sound of the bell left like I was in a movie, we all met at the mediation hall on the left the boys and on the left the girls. all sitting like Buddha with our first lesson of the day. The place surrounded by the forest was giving the best experience ever to observe the world waking up. I could see the sun giving birth to this forest every day with the appearance of the sun. This show was the most beautiful thing to observe when you start a day and you feel so F@~~ lucky to be part of it.
view from the meditation hall
Learning to meditate was an important revelation of how this can keep you sane from our crazy lives. One rule from Buddha is not to motivate people to do it, they have to find their own way to it. It's true and wont describe my experience as this is personal and each of us would have different ways to do it.
Meditation spot for walking breaks
The rhythm of the retreat was hard I wont hide it, however we were all committed to stick to it till the end. Only one guy couldn't cope and left. The last day I felt very sad, weird isn't it? Usually when something bother you, you are happy it ends.
While talking to the teacher, I described my own experience of meditating and he said I managed to get the full experience which is not common for those short retreat so I was pretty happy. Now it's time to bring it with me back home and make sure I dont let it go with our busy lives.
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment"
"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without"
"The mind is everything. What you think you become"
In Hammersmith, racist graffiti was daubed on a Polish cultural centre; in Birmingham, angry demonstrators shouted slogans outside a mosque; and most worryingly in Newcastle, a placard was placed urging the country to “start repatriation”. Unfortunately, these episodes are only the tip of this hateful iceberg. www.theguardian.com
I came to London full of admiration for this nation, from their culture to their Monarchy (I couldn't say food here). I always felt I was European and having the chance to do my studies in France and UK was for me something natural until now.
This referendum was mainly based on xenophobic arguments and little about real facts. EU system is not perfect, but which institution is?
The following day of the vote, I woke up and like 99% of the ppl, I check my mobile to look at the BBC News app to discover the result.
When I saw it, I felt like something was broken with my so loved United Kingdom in my heart.
Populism and Xenophobia were both the best tools for the first and Second WW so a bitter feeling started to grow after this result, and I suddenly feel not welcomed anymore despite being here for more than 15 years.
UK increased University fee from £20k to £90k a couple of years ago and nobody said anything which amazed me! The best way to keep your ppl is to put them into debt straight away! Well done.
Now, the same young generation won't benefit of freedom of movement in EU anymore, and Trump is becoming dangerously popular... I feel sorry for you guys.
The rats left the boat; Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage leaving the mess to the next Prime Minister to deal with.
Is this the new way to do politics? Tony Blair is a war criminal alongside with Bush as we all know they lied to the nations, but what about those two idiots leaving the ship while is sinking after the EU referendum?
We all observed a change of vibe in London and I feel very sad for the new generations to let them witness such a pathetic masquerade.
I want to tell them one thing: your freedom is never granted, you have to keep fighting for it.
xenophobia
zɛnəˈfəʊbɪə/Submit
Submit
noun
dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
"racism and xenophobia are steadily growing in Europe"
I have met this famous blogger while traveling in Sicily last summer and here a lovely interview made on the go now live - Life is full of surprises! Thank you!
I was happy to share some of best online practices during this event in London.
Recently our London office hosted a marketing themed event called ‘Marketing to the Next Level’. Designed to inspire marketing pros and show them what makes a truly exceptional marketing campaign, with tips to help them supercharge their future campaigns.
We had the privilege of hearing from three creative leaders, each speaking about different areas of marketing: Creativity, Refining Communications and being “Glocal”.
So if you’re looking for ideas on how to create unique, memorable and truly inspiring campaigns, check out our experts’ tips!
1. Get Creative
Creative Partner at Mr. President, Laura Jordan Bambach says to keep yourself and your campaigns creative, you need to expose yourself to different influences. This could be anything from reading things outside your comfort zone or going to exhibitions that you wouldn’t normally go to. “Get interested to get interesting,” as Laura puts it.
2. Experiment
It’s really easy to forget to explore and try new things with marketing, or spend too long in the planning stage, instead, try to allow yourself room for experimentation. But always remember that you should use technology to suit your ideas, rather than creating your ideas based on the technology.
3. Collaborate
Letting go of ego and bringing different viewpoints and ideas to the table can often yield amazing results. "Team up. Collaboration is Queen” says Laura.
4. Make it Relevant
Think about why the user would be interested in your marketing and what it is you want from them. Conversion Specialist at Google, Xavier Colomes, says, "You can be relevant to your user by making your marketing encompass both what the user wants and what your company offers."
5. Don’t Forget Imagery
Images are often the most under-utilised resource in campaigns and can communicate both what you offer and who you are as a company. Your imagery is the quickest way to draw people in, but make sure it is the right imagery. "If your competitor could use the same image, then don't use it,"cautions Xavier.
6. Get Glocal
EMEA programs & Demand Generation Manager, David Navaro Vera, tells us, “It's a global world. Even if you are a UK based start-up, we are in a digital age, a global age and everything you do should be glocal, reflecting both local and global considerations.”
7. Added Value
The more value you give with your marketing, the more you will receive. Do something different than your competitors or else you won’t stand out. This could be a competition, a game, or simply information. "Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with your marketing," says David.
Thank you to all our speakers: Laura Jordan Bambach, Xavier Colomes and David Navaro Vera for their great tips.
Maybe you don’t have “Manager” “Director” or “Lead” in your job title, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a leader and make a positive impact in your job. No matter where you are on the job chain, you have the ability to be a leader. To hone your inner leadership skills, harness these 7 leadership characteristics your team (and boss) will be sure to recognize and appreciate:
1. Make Things Happen Once you are settled in your job, identify a problem and figure out a way to solve it. Look for something that could be redone or improved to benefit your team. 2. Collaborate With Power Players Take a look around you. Who are the decision makers? Which coworkers are making a difference and changes in the workplace? Get to know them, collaborate with them on projects, pick their brain, and help them with a problem they’re facing. 3. Be Flexible To move forward in your career and to be a good leader, you must be flexible and adapt to change easily. A rigid personality will not take you far. Be open minded to other’s ideas, encourage them, and look at your team’s goals as the big picture. 4. Verbalize Praise One thing to always remember is to be authentic when complimenting a teammate on a job well done. Be selfless in sharing credit and responsibilities. 5. Honesty Wins If you make a mistake while working on a big project or lack a certain skill, be honest about it. Leaders don’t make excuses… they own their actions. No body is perfect. People make mistakes no matter what your job title is. Own it and you’ll be deemed respected, honest, and humble. 6. Be A Resource Freely share any information, resources, quick tips, etc. that can help others. This will empower them to do their job and reach their goals. This kind act will also help you build meaningful relationships and be viewed as a team player. 7. Live Your Values Make your personal values come alive. Honoring your values will make you more productive, keep you accountable, and inspire others. Leadership isn’t about the title… it’s about the inspiring behaviors, actions, habits, characteristics, and beliefs you live each day that impact lives around you. Source: Marc Carroll - Client Relationship Director at WorkCompass
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