Blog
RIP Steve Jobs
Perhaps one of the most inspirational speeches I’ve heard was the one by Steve Jobs for June 2005, Stanford Graduates. It really cut through to the core of what’s important in life and impressed upon those listening that we need to be true to ourselves and live our life without fear.
Every time hesitation sets in or I consider taking a certain path because it’s well known, I remind myself of his quote:
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
If you haven’t already heard it or would like to be inspired once again, here is his speech again: Steve Jobs June 2005 Stanford Graduation Speech.
By Gülay Birand
Published: October 10, 2011
One Comment
Tagged In: I waited in line this time… and it was suprisingly fun!
My last iPhone order was somewhat unsettling. I didn’t receive much feedback from AT&T with regard to my order and I wasn’t sure when I would receive my 3GS. I decided that this time, I would brave the crowds and take matters into my own hands.
I’m not much of an early riser, so getting to the Apple store at the crack of dawn (while the smart thing to do) was not a realistic option for me. I got to UVillage with coffee in hand around 9ish and started waiting in the already lengthy line with my fellow die heard iPhone comrades.
Now I’m no fan of waiting in lines for anything but dare I say, this was one, fun experience! Our little “team,” pep talked it’s way to the front of the line rejoicing with every distance marker passed, “We just crossed the parking lot! Hurray!!”
The Apple employees periodically came by with line updates, water, SPF (!!) and snacks. At one point, a group of them came running by, clapping and cheering us on. As we neared the end of the line, they came around with cups of Molly Moon’s ice cream delivering a much needed dose of calories to see us through to the end.
When finally, it was my turn, I was applauded and courteously escorted into the cool, pristine Apple store. My Personal Shopper greeted me with a handshake and “Congratulations.” Sound cheesy? I know but most importantly, this entire experience was designed to make me feel “special.”And maybe in some small way, I did.
There’s no doubt that Apple has it figured out. It’s not just that their products are amazing functionally, beautiful to look at and revolutionary, it’s that they don’t limit the experience to their products alone. It’s all encompassing. From the moment you engage with Apple, through payment and product care, it’s a fantastic experience.
Apple managed to make what could have been a very boring two hours, enjoyable. Kudos to them.
By Gülay Birand
Published: June 24, 2010
No Comments
The experience of ordering an iPhone 3GS
In an effort to avoid the ridiculously long lines at the Apple store, I did everything right. I ordered my iPhone 3GS online, as an upgrade and I picked the right features. 16GBs of white sleekness. What I did wrong was to order from the AT&T site instead of the online Apple store. The user experience on each site is worlds apart. Following the interaction on the AT&T site, I felt helpless, anxious, in the dark and out of control of my order destiny. After a few calls to AT&T to find out the status of my order, I realized this was not the experience I desired so I placed an email request to cancel my order (let’s see if it happens) and ordered the 3GS off of the Apple site.
What a world of difference! First, ordering the phone was as easy as 123. Just a few clearly marked, full proof steps and I was on my way. Immediately following my order, I found myself on a page with details pertaining to my order such as when I could expect shipment and when I could expect to receive my phone. Having some inkling of what to expect following my purchase, I felt much more at ease.
In contrast, the confirmation I received from AT&T was problematic. I received one email containing an order number and a link to check status. When I followed the link and plugged in the order number I got a page that indicated: “We have received your order request, and we expect to begin processing it shortly.” This message is far too ambiguous to be helpful to anyone – hence my anxiety. Maybe I’m being nitpicky but even the smallest details matter. It would have been a nice touch to have the order # be a part of the link they gave me so that I didn’t have to copy/paste the link into the order search page.
All I have to say is: AT&T, please, you are selling an Apple product so don’t make the user think.
