Category: Inspiration

My Take: The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs

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Though I haven’t read the book itself, I have come across a fair share of references to the book & also interviews of the author Carmine Gallo. Listed below are a few of my notes from the book & its message:

  1. Do What You Love
    • Do what you love. For anyone who has not found their passion yet, Jobs recommends they keep looking till they find it rather than getting into something one don’t care about.
  2. Put A Dent In The Universe
    • Have a vision that is much bigger & more impactful than your product / service.
  3. Kick Start Your Brain
    • The most important skill that separates innovative people from others, is their ability to connect seemingly unrelated issues or concepts from diverse experiences. Opt for varied life experiences.
  4. Sell Dreams, Not Products
    • Advertising should show how the product can make life better, rather than flashy visuals and texts. The iPad + Velcro video popped to mind.
  5. Say NO To 1,000 Things
    • Eliminate clutter & keep it simple. Apple is as proud of all the things they don’t do, as they are about the things they do.
  6. Create Insanely Great Experiences
  7. Master The Message
    • Explain your product / services in three precise points to make the message easy to remember. Consistency of messaging is as important as the message itself.

Resources:
~ Technometria with Phil Windley (podcast)
~ Fast Company (article)

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Ric Elias – Lessons From A Plane Crash

Ric Elias had a front-row seat on Flight 1549, the plane that crash-landed in the Hudson River in New York in January 2009. Through this TED talk, he shares what went through his mind as the doomed plane went down & the invaluable lessons he learnt from the experience.

Lesson #1: It all changes in an instant. I no longer want to postpone anything in my life.

Lesson #2: Decided to eliminate negative energy from my life. I no longer try to be right, I choose to be happy.

Lesson #3: I was given another gift, to be able to see into the future and come back & live life differently. How would you change to be the man you want to be? What would you change today to live the life you want to live? What would you get done today that you are waiting to get done because you believe you will be here forever?

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Pictures From Lunuganga

While checking the Things-To-Do listings for Bentota on a recent vacation, Lunuganga grabbed my attention. The Lunuganga Estate was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa – considered one of the most influential Asian architects of the century. The estate offers a guided walk of the estate & its garden. The steep entry fee didn’t deter us from enthusiastically including it into our itinerary.

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SL_Apr2011_IMG_5744Bawa has recycled quite a bit of woodwork from older buildings in the area. Some of them left dilapidated as it were, and the rest refurbished to fit into the decor.  This one is in the Yellow Courtyard.

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SL_Apr2011_IMG_5745A concrete slab table set in an open sit out.

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SL_Apr2011_IMG_5797_picnikThe Glass Room is one of the living rooms that is now rented for tourists. Bringing the outside in using glass is a common theme across many of the rooms at Lunuganga.

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A sit out in the main living area was my absolutely favourite spot in the estate. It opens up to the Western Terrace & offers some fantastic views (next 5 pictures below).

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Almost every sitting area has a view of a water body.

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Apparently this tree “structure” too was designed by Bawa. Two saplings were brought together & their branches shaped with gentle weights during the course of their growing years to give this shape. The shape has visual appeal & also served as peacock sitting areas.

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A lot many of these Ming vases dot the estate.

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Many interesting artefacts even within the living area makes every nook & corner an interesting place.

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Water & green are maximized in almost every view within the estate – makes for a very serene & peaceful setting.  

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A lot many of these statuettes scattered across the estate lend that quirkiness to the place.
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The Gate House at the foot of a hillock offers an impressive sight & also houses a residential suite.

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A view of the main living quarters overlooking a man made valley.

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There are spots around the estate where Bawa used to sit to soak in the environs. Each of these sitting spots has a bell that produces a unique sound. These bells were used by Bawa to summon his staff to where he was located in the estate.

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Apparently an Italian garden was Bawa’s inspiration to create Lunuganga Estate. The various statuettes & structures are reminiscent of this source of inspiration.

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Frangipanis are wonderfully spread across the estate.

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Check http://www.lunuganga.com/ for more information on the Lunuganga Estate.

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