February 25 2009
How did Google come to accurately track flu activity more quickly than the CDC (Center for Disease Control)? Well Google found that when people get sick with the flu they tend to use the internet to conduct flu related research. Google then aggregated this search activity to estimate flu activity around the United Sates. Not only did the numbers prove to be quite accurate, they were available two weeks sooner than those published in CDC reports.
So why would an internet search company be interested in tracking flu activity. Well, they probably aren’t. But what they are interested in is creating an environment of innovation at the company. Google Flu Trends is just one of many products created by Google employees during their “20% Time”. “20% Time” means that each Google employee is allowed to devote 20% of their working time towards a project of their choice. Google understands that although many of the products developed during this “20% Time” will not directly create any revenue, what is learnt during the process will eventually provide an excellent ROI.
Tags: Google, Innovation
February 23 2009
Cameron Moll posted a great list of 20 tips for better conference speaking. Although most of us are not public speaking professionals I imagine many people are required to give presentations at work. I like Cameron’s 8th tip the best:
There is absolutely no reason in the world you should use anything other than Keynote. Period. I don’t care if you’re on a PC–if you’re serious about speaking, buy a MacBook just for presenting. There is an astounding difference (not an exaggeration) between the tools, canvas placement, typographic control, and overall aesthetics in Keynote compared to PowerPoint. Once you become familiar with Keynote, which isn’t an arduous process, the productivity and just plain enjoyment you’ll experience using it over PowerPoint is completely worth any switching costs.
Garr Reynolds writes an interesting article contrasting the presentation styles of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. As the two photos illustrate, Steve’s presentation style is more minimal while Bill’s is more like the day to day presentations many of us see at work. Garr makes the argument that minimal presentations are more effective and I would have to agree with him.
Tags: Keynote, PowerPoint, Presentations
