January 31, 2010

Shrinking the fudge factor - when we remind people about morality, they cheat less

Today I gave a speech (a "talk") that touched on several life principles, one of them, morality's influence on decision making.

Behavioral Economist Dan Ariely author of the book "Predictably Irrational", created a fascinating social experiment intended to understand how people handle being tempted with cheating.

He called it, shrinking the fudge factor. In other words how much are we willing to "fudge", or walk the line or cheat a little or a lot.

Dan gave two tasks to a large group of students. He asked half the people to recall either 10 books they read in high school or to recall the 10 commandments and then he tempted them with cheating. Turns out the people who tried to recall the 10 commandments given the opportunity to cheat did not cheat at all. The moment people thought about trying to recall the 10 commandments, they stopped cheating. The 10 commandments is something hard to bring into the educational system so Dan brought an honor code. Again, once signed. No cheating whatsoever.

His biggest conclusion: When we remind people about morality, they cheat less.

To watch Dan's TED talk in its entirety, check out the embedded video below. For more of Dan's thinking, visit his website.

January 27, 2010

The Official Apple iPad Video Demo Tutorial

This morning our team at Fresh Consulting, sat around our many computer screens watching live video and blogging streams of the Apple keynote announcing the launch of the iPad.

Available in 60 to 90 days depending on the model, this new device ranges in price from $499 to $829.

I went ahead and embedded the eight minute video Apple just released featuring their design and development team discussing all the specs and use cases. Check it out!

January 24, 2010

Quality Job Opportunities in Telecommunications, Healthcare, and Technology

Over the last 1-2 weeks I have learned of 3 job opportunities. Please read the brief snippets below. If you are interested in any of them, contact me. If they are still available and if there is a good fit, I will get you connected. There are also links below to learn more.

(1) Senior Business Analytics Specialist or Manager, Business Analytics - Telecommunications, Project Management - Bellevue, WA

Oversee all consulting and analytics work for a large enterprise customer in the Telecommunications industry. Read More

(2) Analyst / Senior Strategy Analyst — Healthcare, Corporate Finance - El Segundo, CA

The Analyst will work as part of a special projects group within Corporate Finance. Projects relate to corporate resource stewardship and analyses are operational in nature; ranging from operations improvements to vendor renegotiation. Analyst must be able to work successfully with a cross-functional team that directly reports to the CFO and COO. Read More

(3) Web and Social Media Analyst - Technology, Startup Business Group - Redmond, WA

January 15, 2010

5 Reputable Organizations that are helping Haiti - and what you can do to help


My good friend, George Durham, who has excellent experience with working in international development wrote an insightful perspective on how to best help Haiti. I included his thoughts in quotations below. To sum it up, be prepared so that you are ready to help when the crisis comes and in the meantime, give funds to quality organizations who have people who are trained.

At the bottom, I listed what I have found to be the best organizations providing aid right now to Haiti. We can all do something; if only, just a little.

I was particularly moved yesterday when on NPR, I heard accounts of the Haitian people staying strong, not blaming anyone or anything for this natural disaster and for humbly praying to God into the night.

"I've had a few folks ask me (I work with NGOs around technology needs) how best to provide support around the disaster in Haiti. It is a cruel tragedy that continues to unfold. Already the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, Haiti does not have the infrastructure to withstand/absorb what is unfolding. In the first 24/48/72 hours, NGOs are primarily focused on rescue efforts and assessment of immediate needs. Partners, governments, intergovernmental agencies all begin to mobilize efforts. It can be an extremely difficult time for NGOs to manage the logistics around in-kind donations (blankets, water, etc.) and interested volunteers -- important as those are -- because many of those supplies and personnel are staged/prepared well before disaster strikes. Connectivity (telephone, Internet, etc.) is critical, and often (and certainly in Haiti) a real challenge. Though it may seem somewhat impersonal, one of the most important things NGOs (nonprofits) need is cash. Those contributions, even small ones, matter, because it allows NGOs the flexibility they require in responding quickly to changing needs and circumstances on the ground, getting their trained staff and volunteers deployed and helping most effectively. I know and understand the desire to get involved personally, to go and help. I see the images, read the stories, and want to do the same thing. But when disaster strikes, non-profits need trained volunteers and professionals. What do I recommend? Give generously, where and how much you are able -- to reputable orgs leading efforts on the ground. Don't travel there yourself if you are not trained and deployed under the auspices of a relief agency. Get trained! Volunteer your time with nonprofits so that when disaster strikes they can call on you and use you. Too many of us are willing to help when it's on the front pages, but perhaps slacken in our conviction when the media spotlight shines elsewhere. You can have an important impact, and there are many who can benefit from your time and material contributions. Pray for those impacted in Haiti. The devastation continues to mount, unfortunately, and I fear it will get worse still." Source


There are a number of different ways to give. Here are the top organizations I have found to come recommended by reputable sources.

Recommended by local (Seattle) groups: Medical Teams.

Recommended by Unitus: Stand with Haiti and Mercy Corps

Promoted by the BBC: Disasters Emergency Committee

Through my religious affiliation
: LDS Philanthropies

Via text messages:

Red Cross: Text HAITI to 90999 ($10 donation)
YĆ©le Haiti: Text YELE to 501501 ($5 donation)
United Way: Text HAITI to 864833 ($5 donation)
Intl Medical Corps: Text HAITI to 85944 ($10 donation)

Photos courtesy of Mashable and TweetPic

January 2, 2010

Today is the first day of the rest of my life

"This is the beginning of a new year, and each of us might well say to himself, 'Today is the first day of the rest of my life.'" N. Eldon Tanner

Let us all strive to make each day of 2010 better than the previous day. And in so doing we will collectively make 2010 better than 2009 and 2010 will be known as the year we emerged net positive in all things after the "lost decade." After all the crisis is over and things are looking up ....