Be Nice to Yourself – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 9.6.2019 We live in a dynamic, crowded, and fast-paced world. We take care of our children, care for our elders, work to earn a decent living, and strive to please our bosses and friends. We are the sandwich generation — constantly trying to balance our…
Read more
Measures and Surveys Everywhere – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 8.25.2019 Do you have the feeling that we are surrounded by measures and surveys? On my Apple Watch, I am constantly told how many steps I have taken, how many minutes of active exercise I have had, and the number of calories I have burned.…
Read more
Moments in Our Lives – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 8.13.2019 Fifty-five years ago today, a beautiful and lucky moment happened in my life. I was invited by a classmate to go to a folk dance lesson. The boys and girls formed two circles and danced in opposite directions. When the music stopped, a beautiful…
Read more
Learning From Show Biz – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 7.31.2019 Recently, after watching a movie preview and a local musical production, several friends and I talked about the skills and teamwork required to put on a show. The discussion reminded me of the questions I ask my MBA students. What lessons can organization leaders…
Read more
Cost Down or Value Up? – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 7.25.2019 This is a brutally competitive era for business. Globalization, fast information flow, low freight costs, uneven labor costs, and demanding customers have made business survival a very challenging act. Under such competitive pressure, the most obvious move for a business is to drive…
Read more
Moon Landing and My Smart Watch – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 7.22.2019 It has been 50 years since the first person set foot on the moon. Many of us still remember the anxious moment when Armstrong took his first step. The whole world cheered loudly as he uttered the famous words: “That’s one small…
Read more
Kindness Is Everywhere – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 7.18.2019 It is heartwarming to see a total stranger holding an umbrella for someone in a wheelchair. He is too focused on shielding her to notice the soaking rain on his shoulder. His caring expands beyond the umbrella’s reach. It is touching to see an immigrant…
Read more
Portfolio of Tech Talks — Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 7.17.2019 In my consulting work, I have come across many presentations and project reviews by technical people. They are PhDs, Masters, scientists, engineers, executives, and team members. In their speeches, they try to justify or get more funding and impress their sponsors and bosses. They…
Read more
Leading and Parenting – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 6.17.2019 I have watched various types of leaders in action over the years. To motivate their employees, some leaders appeal to their employees’ bodily needs, some appeal to their rational minds, and some appeal to their emotions. Similarly, parents use the same techniques to educate and…
Read more
Street Cleaning and Mind Cleansing – Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 5.31.2019 During our 50th anniversary vacation in Japan, we enjoyed warm friendship, marvelous food, and splendid scenery. Among the bustling city, hustled lives, beautiful gardens, and majestic temples and shrines, I noticed something very interesting: There are hardly any garbage cans in the streets,…
Read more
