The fact that The People's Bank of China (PBOC) was the first major central bank to launch its own central bank digital currency (CBDC) shows that China is not afraid of taking bold actions and can implement complex new systems much quicker than their American or European counterparts. Sometimes being first really does matter and I’m absolutely certain that there are lots of people within the Fed and the ECB who are justifiably very worried about the situation.
Read MoreWaking up early is smart but darn hard
Personally, I fully agree with Schopenhauer, Willink, and all the other early birds, who preach the gospel of early mornings. I can clearly see why it’s a good thing and why I should get up every morning at 5am. The problem is that it’s never been natural for me to wake up at 5am. Not even at 7am for that matter.
Read MoreShould I upgrade my Apple Watch to Series 6?
I’m intrigued by blood oxygen measurements and I applaud Apple for adding yet another health sensor to the watch, but the main reason I’m considering upgrading to Series 6 from Series 4 is the always-on display and the improved battery.
Read MoreRevisiting Chris Anderson's Long Tail
Despite the fact that the WIRED article “The Long Tail” came out ages ago, it’s still an educational and entertaining read. Not only did Chris Anderson coin a phrase that became widely used, but he also did some good predictions, especially regarding online streaming services and that the most successful online businesses will be about aggregating the Long Tail in one way or another.
Read MoreThe Law of Focus
On its surface, the Law of Focus seems simple and straightforward, but actually it’s got quite a few layers to peel. It’s perhaps more about narrowing things down than finding and owning a word, and being able to own a word comes as an end result of the process. Then again, perhaps first trying to find and own a word can be a means to an end, a way to ensure that your business is focused enough. In any case, there’s no doubt that a company can become incredibly successful if it can find a way to own a word in the mind of the prospect.
Read MoreHard systems, soft systems, and information systems
Looking at the various elements of a business through the lens of systems makes a lot of sense. When the systems are in check and work together, they enable you to create a strong brand that can be replicated, enable growth without chaos, and eventually turn your business into a systems-dependent, not people-dependent, operation.
Read MoreThe Entrepreneur, the Manager, and the Technician
In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber explains why the majority of small businesses fail and what to do in order to make them work. He describes three different business founder personalities, relevant for understanding the entrepreneurial myth. These are the Entrepreneur, the Manager, and the Technician, and typically one of these personalities is dominant in a founder.
Read MoreThe Law of the Category
The Law of the Category makes a lot of sense and there are many similarities to The Blue Ocean Strategy. Creating an uncontested market space is of course easier said than done, but still worth thinking about carefully before setting up a new venture. There’s nothing wrong per se in the alternative, i.e. starting to compete in an existing category, but it seems obvious that it’s much harder and might ultimately become a race to the bottom.
Read MoreHighlights from Epictetus's handbook
What where the chances that a slave, who had been beaten to lameness by his former master, would rise and become one of the most influential Stoic philosophers of all time? Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. This shines through in his handbook, a.k.a. The Enchiridion, which is a short but useful manual for living a better life. In this article you’ll find some of the highlights from the handbook, together with some commentary of my own.
Read MoreWhy was The Mandalorian season two finale so emotional?
I firmly believe that the season finale titled The Rescue will go down as one of the best moments of sci-fi history on television and here’s my breakdown of the ending where most of the magic happens.
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