Pseudo-Factual Insights

2011-02-17T13:26:00.001+08:00

to thrive means to adapt. in instances when adaptability is not possible, one can opt to chart his own path and thrive elsewhere.

Disturbing a peaceful ecosystem

2011-02-01T21:01:00.001+08:00

I haven't had much problems with my oral hygiene for the last decade, except when i needed to extract my wisdom tooth. All four of my wisdom teeth are impacted, and i've made it an annual activity to have them extracted one by one (not because i want to prolong the agony, but because my pain tolerance is very low and i can only handle one extraction at a time).

I had my 3rd wisdom tooth extracted 3 weeks ago. It has been by far the worst I had in terms of impact to my gums. The doctor actually used scissors and drills on me. Up to now, I still can't fully chew with my left side of the mouth, I still feel the pain of the wound. I especially feel the wound when I'm gargling and desperately trying to get rid of the stuck food particles. I can still feel the wound so vividly that I now refer to my recent experience as the great wisdom tooth excavation.

I hope my fourth and last wisdom tooth won't be as bad.

Plan Thwarted

2010-08-07T12:49:00.001+08:00

On September 18, my boyfriend and I will be celebrating our first anniversary. I already thought of the perfect gift last July, a watch. He's been saying how much he liked watches, so I thought I wanted to be the first person to get him one.

So I did my homework and asked around on what nice watch I can buy. A few weeks later, he's been more and more vocal on what watch he wanted, taking it so far as to posting a poll on facebook and even dreaming about the watch he wants to buy. I was afraid he would thwart my plan to give him the watch as a gift so I conspired with his closest friend to prevent him from buying. It worked for a while, but his desire for that watch grew more and more. Finally, he decided that he will buy the watch on his next credit card cut- off date, which is one month earlier than our anniversary.

It has now come to the point that it's impossible for me to give him the watch he wanted. Giving him that gift would've given me so much joy, knowing that he would've loved it and I would've loved to be the one to give it to him. Now I'm left with other gift options, but none that would be so perfect as that watch. Yes, he would still have that watch, but at his own expense, at the same time depriving me of the joy of giving it to him.

This incident made me think how we sometimes ruin God's best plan for us just because we cannot wait. Our own desire grows more intense each day that we let this desire take control of our actions. Of course, we do not know what God plans for us in the first place, but if we are sensitive enough to feel Him nudging us, we wouldn't have chosen hasty decisions that would lead us to a plan that's only second best to God's.

I am still disappointed and sad that I have to give my boyfriend something else. I do not love him any less because of this, it's just that I would've been happier to have seen his face when I give him that gift. But that's not gonna happen anymore. So I'm now open to new suggestions. Anyone?

Sleep Scrimping

2010-05-29T23:47:00.001+08:00

I heard fom a friend that optimum sleeping hours is either 6 or 8 hours, anything more, less, or in between is already unhealthy. This was advised to him by a doctor. I'm used to sleeping 8 hours but I'm training myself to catch 6 hours of sleep starting tonight. Hope this works!

2010-05-06T08:49:00.001+08:00

breakfast at jollibee for a change...aside from being P5 cheaper than mcdo breakfast rice meals, it's more eco-friendly with the use of small mugs...i just might patronize jollibee more than mcdo from now on...;)

Excel exercises

2010-04-13T16:23:00.001+08:00

interesting Youtube links

2010-04-13T15:18:00.001+08:00

Sharing with you some useful links I found on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUdDhWfpqxg – Sixth Sense

A creative use of ordinary gadgets like camera, projector, and mobile internet device. When these gadgets are used together, the camera serves as a sensor of images, which then inputs the information onto an internet mobile device and automatically searches for information about it. The projector then flashes the information onto any surface. Imagine having an actual mobile device like that in the future? It'd be like having a sixth sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY – Do Schools Kill Creativity?

An interesting view on education and how people's out-of-the-box thinking should not be hampered by it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVimVzgtD6w – Hans Rosling – no more boring data

Aside from the mountains of world data on health, mortality, per capita income, and the like; this video shows how to creatively and animatedly present data via charts.

Google sketchup image

2010-04-13T15:10:00.001+08:00

Assignment on Photoshop

2010-04-13T13:55:00.000+08:00

Fidelity Investments (Case Study)

2010-04-13T13:52:00.001+08:00

Background

Fidelity Investments is a company focused on managing investments over the long term. It pools together funds from clients into an investment vehicle, professionally manages the fund through diversification to reduce risk, and grows this fund for its clients.

Fidelity Investments prides on being the most technological investment house in the market. It invested huge sums of money on its computer systems, toll-free customer service lines, in-house bookkeeping functions, website for online trading and transactions. This enabled them to provide excellent customer service to their clients.

The company was established in 1940’s and boomed to its peak in the 1980’s. The company’s decline started in mid 1990’s when it began losing market share due to questionable decisions made by its fund managers. Its biggest fund, Magellan, started to dip in returns. It also faced bad publicity due to controversial decisions made by its fund managers.

Currently, the company’s biggest market is the retirement fund, known as 401(K). It made use of technology to improve service for their 401(K) products, such as use of mobile or wireless capabilities for transactions, multiple servers and improved networks to handle traffic, and competitive monitoring of rival sites to ensure its sustainable advantage.

I. Statement of the Problem
How can Fidelity Investments satisfy and grow customer base in face of volatile financial markets?

II. Objectives

1. To find ways for Fidelity Investments to satisfy customer base.
2. To find the appropriate strategy for Fidelity Investments to grow its customer base.

III. Areas of Consideration

1. Strengths
a. The size of Fidelity Investments can demand special services from its suppliers (i.e., faster turnaround of research results, suppliers’ provision of trade secrets such as statistical models)
b. Investment on technology gives the company long-term solutions for effective and efficient solutions
c. Fidelity Investments is known for excellent customer service throughout the years
2. Weaknesses
a. Decisions to re-organize fund managers might not be the best ones made; this resulted in bad publicity brought about by fund managers’ decisions and low returns on their products
b. Too diversified product lines could have caused the company to lose its focus
3. Opportunities
a. High-tech business solution systems can be maximized further
b. Further growth and establishment of strong leadership in 401(k)market
4. Threats
a. Fast obsolescence of technology can make technological investments wasteful
b. Volatile market can impede returns on company’s products

IV. Alternative Courses of Action

1. Strengthen offer for a wide range of product lines
a. Strength – this will make the company appeal to a wide range of customers
b. Weakness – this will not assure high returns since products are highly dependent on volatile market
2. Establish Fidelity Investments as a brand that is in line with its 401(k) market
a. Strength – this will give company focus and expertise in their target market
b. Weakness – the strategy will be limiting if not backed up by initiatives that will expand market share
3. Capitalize on technological investments to come up with innovative services that will suit its market
a. Strength – this will give the company a competitive advantage that will help them attract more customers
b. Weakness – fast-paced technological development would require constant updating of their processes

V. Conclusion and Recommendation

The company should establish its name as a brand that is in line with its biggest business, the 401(k) market. This strategy should be supported by various initiatives such as coming up with solutions that will offer value to its market.

Technological initiatives are a good start to be in line with this strategy. Since the company already has a head start in setting up its high-tech systems for quicker access to information, it can offer other solutions as well such as:

1. web-based and mobile customer service
2. web-based information about complementary products like loan facilities, insurance, etc.
3. web-based and mobile widgets for smartphones and PDA’s – this can serve as the customer’s gateway to his account an even be used as an application that serves as personal financial consultant

There are many ways wherein Fidelity Investments can grow its business, especially with a 15% market share, there’s more room to establish a strong leadership in the 401(k) business. Fidelity Investments should aim to own the market and eventually have their name synonymous with 401(k).

Feedback on Information Management Course

2010-04-13T13:50:00.000+08:00

5 Things I Have to Say About InfoMan

1. introduction to useful software – eDraw, Google Docs, Google sketchup, to name a few

2. technology as a means to an end – be it better business, better life, better relationships

3. imposed contacts with classmates during midterm – only Prof. Avila would’ve thought to make us memorize the names of our classmates and include it as a test in the midterm exam

4. critique on anything under the sun – we’ve talked about 4G technology, we’ve talked about YouTube, we’ve talked about loaning from banks, we’ve talked about congee business, there’s no end to the ideas our minds can conjure

5. class party that will rock!!! – looking forward to tonight! =)

Here's my cool fun photo (funphotobox.com)

2010-04-13T13:46:00.000+08:00

Delia’s 2020 Vision of the Philippines

2010-03-22T12:32:00.002+08:00

Coming from an article that talks of China plannning to connect different countries via railway in 2020 (http://www.popsci. com/science/ article/2010- 03/china- plans-beijing- london-high- speed-rail- link), here are my thoughts on the following items for Philippines in 2020:

Transportation. Improving infrastructure for transportation is relatively easier to accomplish compared to solving more complex problems of the country. It only takes government decision to support these projects with budget in order to make transportation easier and efficient for the public. This concern, however, gets bumped off when planning for budgets due to more graver and more urgent problems of the country.

In 2020, I doubt that there will be any drastic development on the country’s transportation infrastructure. At the rate things are going, the Philippines will just be a dirtier and more polluted place in 2010. I’ve seen pictures of different areas in the Philippines taken in the early 90’s. Although less modern, the cleanliness and order seen in the pictures is a far cry from what we have today. The continuous use of jeepneys and second-hand buses will continue to pollute our air. It doesn’t seem like there will be any change with that anytime soon.

It is a good thing that private sectors have made improvement in the travel industry. Affordable airfare makes traveling possible for ordinary juans. I wonder how airlines can sustain this, though, since their costs are highly dependent on volatile elements like fuel price and uncontrollable factors like government regulations and taxes.

Communication. Private sectors have also sped up the development of communication in the country. Cut-throat competition in telecommunications industry has propelled Philippines’ advancement in telecommunications beyond proportion to its economic advancement. The trend is to converge all forms of communication available today (i.e., use of one device for all communication needs; use of one number/account/identity in various communication channels, etc.)

Technology. We’ve discussed in Information Management class how technology will advance in years to come. No one can stop the development of better and faster technology. In 2020, there is no doubt that this will continue.

On graver and more urgent issues, though, my projection is that there will be very little development in education, health, and social welfare. Poverty will still be rampant, if not worse. Governance with integrity will still be an issue, corruption will still be severe. Hence, the comfort of advancement and development in technology can only be enjoyed by the few middle and upper class segment of the population.

one of those few left

2010-01-22T18:34:00.002+08:00

I got so much delighted that I just had to share this story.

My sister and I put up a small business a few months ago. It didn't work out. One of the things, though, that I was less worried about was our stall helper.

You see, I hired this girl for our stall. She was referred to me by a friend. Actually, I was supposed to interview her friend, she just tagged along. I ended up choosing her over her friend. Let's just say it was gut feel. My gut feel proved me right. She turned out to be smart, conscientious, responsible, and very dependable.

Just this January, we decided to stop operations due to non-profitability of the business. It broke my heart to tell her she had to find a new job. I said I would still give her salary for 1 month while she looks for another job. I just asked for her help to process some documents we needed at City Hall before she finally ends her employment with me.

Just today, she told me she already found a new job and has started to work already, but she still took a leave from work to finish the last task I assigned her, which was to claim a document from City Hall.

This girl was a personification of dignity and character. I was glad she already found a new job upon a few weeks of unemployment. It gives me hope to see people like her. She did not finish a full undergraduate degree due to lack of money. She just took up a short IT course. Her lack of education and opportunity might have hampered her finding a good job, but that doesn't severe her perseverance. Despite her lack of good education, it did not prevent her from getting out of unemployment. I'd say she's far better than those who have been blessed with much but still deem themselves helpless or deprived.

I'm happy to have encountered this girl once in my life. She gives me hope. I wish her good things for her future. With her character, she can go a long way. She really is one of those few good ones left.

Getting to Know Me

2010-01-19T10:41:00.006+08:00

As advised by our professor, I took up several tests at the site www.test.cafe.com. Here are the results I got.

IQ

Personality

Ideal Job

Sleep Health

I also just created a Linked In account. Check out my site http://www.linkedin.com/in/deliasze

Delia Sze, InfoMan Student

2010-01-18T21:14:00.003+08:00

I’m Delia Sze, 24 years old, currently working at Smart Communications. I’m under the Marketing team handling subscribers’ acquisition for the brand Talk ‘N Text.

I got my undergraduate degree from University of the Philippines Manila, my course was BA Organizational Communication. I attended high school at Hope Christian High School.

Why am I taking up MBA?
The line “‘to stop learning is to stop living” might be a cliché but are words that I religiously live by. Four years of work experience has given me quite some knowledge on principles that lie behind business objectives and processes behind these objectives. I believe that the insights I obtained from my marketing background has helped me understand the interconnection of all functions in a company towards the achievement of any goal set by an organization. Hence, I took this learning to a higher level by pursuing an MBA program.

What do I know about IT?
Other than the basic tools like Microsoft Office, IT has been intricately woven into my daily life. Online activities such as chatting, e-mails, social networking sites, reading news, watching videos, etc. have been part and parcel of my daily life that I decided I no longer wanted to be confined in front of a desktop or laptop just so I could engage in online activities. I recently bought an HTC Touch 3G, its OS is Windows Mobile, and it allows me to do practically anything I can do with my laptop, while on the go. Whenever I’m out of office, I can still receive and send e-mails, I synchronize my Outlook with it. Once while bored on a bus, I looked up on YouTube a song that has been playing in my head the whole day, found an online converter, and converted the song to mp3. I did it all using my phone.

On taking the course InfoMan
Information Management surprisingly piqued my interest. I like how the course encourages us to enhance our life through technology, and not just in the aspect of work.

What makes me tick?
I like discovering and trying new things. I like going to new places, I like learning new things. The hope of something new and better always excites me. I’m looking forward to the many new things I will learn from different subjects in the weeks to come from the different classes I’m taking.

new use of my blog

2010-01-12T19:20:00.003+08:00

i'm in Information Management class right now and got inspired to post school requirement outputs in my blog. Sounds fun. Who knows, I might be immortalized someday through somebody's footnotes. This actually challenges me to produce quality publish-worthy outputs. I'm excited! :)

Last Day of Tim and Tab (S.Y. 2008-2009)

2009-03-07T19:57:00.002+08:00

As the title connotes, today was the last day of Tim and Tab for this school year. Tim and Tab is kind of like Sunday School for kids, except it’s held every Saturday. We sing songs, tell Bible stories, do crafts, and play games.

I’ve been part of Tim and Tab for two years already. Last year I was in charge of the games. This year, I tell Bible stories to the small kids.

It’s such a blessing to see how God works in the lives of these kids. I watched some of these kids come out of their shells; from quiet, zone-into-space, blank faces when you talk to them; to active, enthusiastic, dancing-into-music little kids. On some days, I also saw the most restless and deviant kids become respectful and obedient (though I hope these instances will happen more often). I observed how some of these kids are born leaders and can do mighty things for the Lord when they grow up. Of course, there will also be the cutest and most adorable ones whom you wish you could take home with you.

I’ll definitely miss these kids as we pause Tim and Tab this summer. Will look forward to June when classes resume.

Beautiful Mornings!

2009-02-18T11:11:00.003+08:00

The title of this post is taken from an ad campaign of a popular fastfood chain. I believe it captures the essence of why mornings are great. It’s because of breakfasts.

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Here are some ways that I enjoy breakfast:

Breakfast at McDonald’s. Now as a marketer, I believe that any form of advertisement should have some sort of compensation. Hence, I wouldn’t normally mention any brand names in any message I would convey publicly. But this is an exception. Breakfast at McDonald’s forms a vital component in my weekly routine (before it was daily). I would sometimes stop by at the nearest McDonald’s branch from my office and take my time eating their breakfast meal with coffee. My order always has to be with coffee.

Breakfast when out-of-town. They say pictures paint a thousand words, so I’m not gonna use many words here.

Breakfast in the office. I usually bring a loaf of bread to the office and have coffee while reading the news. Sometimes, my officemates would also bring food and we’ll exchange stories while sharing our food. What a lovely way to start stressful work days.

So many ways to enjoy breakfast. I even think breakfast dates can be more romantic than dinner dates. Don’t you agree?

Thank God For Friends

2009-02-16T22:26:00.000+08:00

I’ve had a friend whom I’ve known since I was 8. Fifteen years later, we’re still very close. Thank God for her for entertaining me tonight after a very stressful Monday. These are some of the things I appreciate about her:

• She feeds me. The beauty of having her as neighbor all my life is that I can drop by her house anytime and forage their food supply. I think I take up a significant share of their monthly food expense.

• She has ESP. This is freaky. But I love her for this. Just last week I was feeling really down and she just texted me out of the blue to ask how I was. It’s also not the first time she did it.

• She’s a safety net. Always dependable. Always there when you need her most.

• She feeds me. I can’t emphasize this enough.

For Starters

2009-02-15T17:29:00.005+08:00

I've created this blog for a few weeks now but haven't posted anything. I've never really posted anything online before so this will be my first. I just copied and pasted what I wrote on Facebook's "25 random things." I'm still warming up to the practice of writing blogs. So here's 25 random things about me...

1. when i can't sleep at night, i just hug my sister (usually already sleeping like a log by then) until i feel sleepy.

2. my sense of direction is hopeless. when i walk into a mall or any establishment, it's like having a lab rat enter a maze.

3. i'm usually the fastest typist among any crowd. i can go as fast as more than a hundred words per minute.

4. i never need house keys. i can fit my fist into the 2x2inch square holes of our metal door.

5. when i find out the scientific/technical word to something, i tend to use that word even in ordinary conversations. i don't mean to sound high-falutin when i do that, i just want to be precise so that there'll be no room for misinterpretation.

6. drinking coffee, tea, or milk tea gives me some form of relief, i never go through the challenges of a day without drinking any/all of the above.

7. i like long trips. i can sit for hours in a moving vehicle, but i feel very restless
when stuck in non-moving traffic for more than 10mins.

8. i never liked self-introduction. after many years of doing it since the first time we did it in grade school, i still never know what to say about myself when asked.

9. i used to eat at mcdonald's for breakfast everyday of the week. now that i'm cutting cost (and for my health's sake), i try to do it every weekends only.

10. for some reason, i don't use capital letters anymore when typing. i used to adhere strictly to rules such as that.

11. i can multi-task only when one of those tasks requires thinking, and the other tasks only require physical movement. in essence, i can multi-task, but i can't multi-think.

12. my favorite number is 16. i also like 4. i like them basically because they're square numbers.

13. i can't swallow mashed potatoes, oatmeal or juice with pulp without chewing first. i believe that as long as it's solid, it has to be chewed.

14. when i see a thin sheet of glass or mirror, i would always imagine myself chewing off the corner of that glass or mirror.

15. i need to chew food when i'm stressed.

16. i have a thing about chewing.

17. the quality of my handwriting seems to degrade as years go by. sometimes, i myself can't understand my own notes anymore.

18. when i'm excited, i can tell you why i'm excited in only a fraction of the time needed to tell the story and it's usually delivered in a pitch that sometimes only dogs can hear.

19. i dream to build my own milk tea brand someday.

20. my favorite movie of all time is you've got mail.

21. when i was a kid, i was a tv addict. i can recite the commercials verbatim by heart. up to now, i only watch tv for the commercials.

22. i tried to audition for the school choir in grade school. i didn't get accepted. i attempted to join the church musical play when i was in college but failed again. i've now accepted the fact that i can't carry a tune.

23. i used to drink milk everyday when i was a kid. for some reason, i'm now lactose intolerant.

24. i always predict my cause of death will either be cancer or mad cow disease.

25. my greatest fear for the next few years is to have 3 more wisdom teeth extracted.

Special thanks to rom for inspiring me to write blogs. Naks! Palibhasa we follow each other's blogs. Hahaha.