Last night was thundery and scary. I had a thought in back of my mind that something big is going to happen but didn't know it will be thousands of miles away.

Early morning, while checking facebook on mobile, feed page was full with posts paying tribute to the icon. Steve Jobs, Apple's ex-CEO and Chairman, died last night. It was really sad to hear the news but death is reality that no one has ever escaped and only destination we all share as steve puts it.

People are remembred for their legacy and no doubt, Steve's legacy will be cherised for many decades to come. He was a legendary, iconic and will be remembered as charismatic leader, pioneer, innovative, visionary and good human being. "Steve was brave engouh to think of changing the world, bold to believe he can change the world and talented to change the world by giving us the aesthetically pleasing and quality products" as Obama put it today.

Apple and Steve knew Why they are doing what they are doing. They knew Apple is not like traditional companies and exist to think different and change the world. That is evident in many of their slogans and proved by the products they offer.

What I admire the most about Apple and Steve, is the customer loyality they are able to produce for their brand. Well, I've not seen loyal customers for any other company in world than Apple. Even, the teachers teaching customer loyality don't have other example to quote than Apple. Contemporary authors can't finish customer loyality books without mentioning Apple. People are crazy enough to wait in queues for weeks to buy Apple products. 

In the end, I feel that I am fortunate and will cherish always to be part of Steve's era who always stayed foolish and remained hungary to change the world.

My Condolences go out to his family and friends and may he rest in peace.

Customer care is of paramount importance in any type of business. A great built product/service can be doomed with bad customer servive but an average product/service can do wonders with good cusotmer care. Being a part of service industry from last few year, I've always tried to serve the customers in a best possible way. Therefore, whenever I see anyone striving his best when I am on receiving end then I couldn't help appreciating.

I experienced the same situation today in the hotel I am staying in Norway...

Hotel Receptionist: 

Sir, When do you leave for office in morning?

Me: 7:30 in morning

Hotel Receptionist:

We're planning to paint the lobby near to your room on coming monday around 7:00 am. So, I just wanted to tell you to please make sure you don't touch the walls near your room. Since you leave at 7:30 am so we'll make sure we start painting after you leave.

Me: Thank you....

 

Although, It was not necessary to call and lobby is wide enough :). There were two important lessons in this call from customer service point of view which I believe are important for any service based business.

1- Proactivity

2- Keeping the customer convenience first.

 

I am working in a company which is providing IT services to many customers outside Pakistan. When I see the biggest strength of my company, to me, it's the customer care. I am happy to be part of company which is growing rapidly and using customer care as its competitive advantage.

Google conducted Google Code workshop in 30 cities on 75 differerent locations via HEC video conferencing infrastructure. Although, the registration was confirmed only few hours before the event but the particiaption was good. It was interesting to see so many people from different cities like Nawab Shah were attending this workshop via video conference.

 

The basic purpose of workshop was to introduce participants that Google is not just a search engine company. There are so many APIs available by Google at http://code.google.com/ which developers can use in their own applications instead of re-inventing the wheel themselves. The best part of these APIs is that everything is free and so much learning material is available by Google.

 

Google development advocate from UK delivered presentation via video conferencing system. He started with Google's mission which is "to organize the world's infomation and make it niversally accessible and useful" and also talked about Google philosophy on great products, users and money. Then, he covered some APIs available at  http://code.google.com/ like Javascript API, Google Map API, Google Web Toolkit, Google App Engine and HTML 5 and also demonstrated how these APIs are being used by developers all over the world to create stunningthings. In the end, he answered the questions posted by participants on Google Moderator including my two questions http://goo.gl/mod/JGAv and http://goo.gl/mod/5QG1 :)

 

In a nutshell, I would say experience has been really good. It was great to finally see the initiative in development space by Badar Khusnood, Google Country Consultant, who I must say is very active in Google evangelical activities in Paksitan. Also, I was really amazed to see the great infrastructure by HEC which is best in whole Asia as told by HEC representative.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Cricket is something very dear to the people in subconitnent specially in Pakistan and India. When it's pakistan vs india in world cup it's not less than a lavish treat for all fans. Semi-final between india and pakistan is round the corner and every one in both countires is going nuts. 

Media in both countires is in business as always and portraying it as a war as if their country loose then the world would end on wednesday night.I being a Pakistani support my team and looking forward for our win but I would not really mind if they loose by putting up a great fight. So let's put the war thing aside,chill pill and see the best of the cricket on wednesday..

During the latest earning call, Google has announced that Erik Schmidt, Google current CEO, will step down from his role and assume the executive chairman position. Larry Page, co-founder Google, will be their next CEO effective from 4 April. Erik Schmidt tweeted recently "Adult Supervision no longer needed" and Larry Page is ready to take on the role of CEO now. Well, with this lots of debate is going on whether Page will prove himself as the Steve Job of Google. Let's wait and watch whether Page, who is considered to be reading notes during meetings and thinks answering the analyst and media is just a waste of time, has the charisma to take Google to the new heights.

We all have to make critical choices in life and sometimes taking the road less travelled makes all the difference. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because it was grassy and wanted wear, Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I marked the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. By: Robert Frost

There are movies which entertain you for some time then you forget it but few of them really touch you deep inside. "The Pursuit of Happyness" is one of such movies which overwhelmed me. The movie is based on a true story of a guy, Chris Gardner, who is struggling hard to keep his life going. He is also a great father who, with all the difficulties in his life, loves his son so much. The story shows the dedication of person who is striving for happyness and full of the inspirational lessons. Some of the lessons I took away from this movie are - Be honest - Don't judge the intelligence of person from his clothes. - When you are struggling, do your sums carefully. - Dreams don't come true in easy way. You've to work hard. - Don't take things for granted. Show gratitude. - Networking is important in business. - Last and most import lesson is Don't give up no matter what.