After much neglect, I've realized I just don't have the time to update this summer as often as preferred. With this in mind, I've decided to close my blog for the summer.
My Summer Reading List:
Direct Mail Copy That Sells!
The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO's Strategies for Defeating the Devil's Advocate and Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization
The Four Steps to Epiphany
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
The Only Other Investment Guide You'll Ever Need
The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More
Zig Ziglar's Secrets of Closing the Sale
Connect and Contact:
www.twitter.com/callmeelee
www.linkedin.com/in/eblee
eblee.yelp.com
Closing Notes:
Since I might as well end this entry on a high note, this past Monday I had the pleasure to eat lunch at DFJ headquarters and sit directly next to Tim Draper for an hour in a board meeting.
See you again in the fall.
EB
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Road Trip! Day 1: Candlelight Inn - Scarsdale, NY
I gave in to my thrill seeking adventurous side and therefore currently on a road trip from the east coast to west coast. I will be updating my blog with my tasty travels whenever possible. My focus for food destinations are inspired by Diners, Drive-ins and Dives as well as Hamburger America.
The first day brought me to the Candlelight Inn in Scarsdale, NY. My friend Jimmy who is from the area has talked about the quality of the wings numerous times, and I knew I had to try them out. I spent the night at his place and we took the drive to get those infamous wings.
Candlelight Inn itself is a hole-in-the-wall institution, with a dingy interior. We opted to dine in the outside area since it was a nice day. I didn't take a look at the menu as Jimmy already knew what to get; he ordered us a large wings of Hot and Teriyaki mixed and a small order of fries. The wings typically come partially joined; the joints that connect the "drum" and the "wing" are separated, but they are still connected by the skin. This makes the frying surface area that much larger which means more crunch. The sauce was one of the best sauces I've had ever. Most "hot" sauces only have heat while most "flavored" sauces lack heat; this sauce had the perfect mix of flavor and heat. Most of the wings were plump, but some of the wings that weren't joined were on the skimpier side and thus were more prone to drying out. Overall though, probably the best wings I've ever had.
The french fries were crinkle cut and actually tasted like potatoes. The first fry shocked me, since I was use to my fries tasting like oil and salt, but it was definitely a good change. The fries were just thick enough to have a fluffy interior while still having a crunchy exterior snap.
The fact that the Candlelight Inn isn't out of the way adds the convenience that will only assure my return in the future.
The first day brought me to the Candlelight Inn in Scarsdale, NY. My friend Jimmy who is from the area has talked about the quality of the wings numerous times, and I knew I had to try them out. I spent the night at his place and we took the drive to get those infamous wings.
Candlelight Inn itself is a hole-in-the-wall institution, with a dingy interior. We opted to dine in the outside area since it was a nice day. I didn't take a look at the menu as Jimmy already knew what to get; he ordered us a large wings of Hot and Teriyaki mixed and a small order of fries. The wings typically come partially joined; the joints that connect the "drum" and the "wing" are separated, but they are still connected by the skin. This makes the frying surface area that much larger which means more crunch. The sauce was one of the best sauces I've had ever. Most "hot" sauces only have heat while most "flavored" sauces lack heat; this sauce had the perfect mix of flavor and heat. Most of the wings were plump, but some of the wings that weren't joined were on the skimpier side and thus were more prone to drying out. Overall though, probably the best wings I've ever had.
The french fries were crinkle cut and actually tasted like potatoes. The first fry shocked me, since I was use to my fries tasting like oil and salt, but it was definitely a good change. The fries were just thick enough to have a fluffy interior while still having a crunchy exterior snap.
The fact that the Candlelight Inn isn't out of the way adds the convenience that will only assure my return in the future.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Failure
Failure is amazing. Failures are what make life interesting. Failure is a driving force people use to keep motivated (or rather the fear of failure).
The best part about failure though is you can see a person's true self at these times of need. When faced with failure, men who act big and tough reveal to the world that they are far from it. People who put on various faces and give the world false perspectives of themselves have their true colors shown.
What should you do about failure?
This is what I propose:
Most of the time failure isn't really failure; it's just a really tough challenge you have to overcome. If you are willing, there are many solutions that can and will bring you away from the prospects of failing. As my professor Babs always said, "Think entrepreneurially." You have to be creative and think outside the box. There will be a solution. This is what separates the weak people who give up at challenges from the dedicated motivated ones who refuse to give up.
(note: there is a fine line between being dedicated and being stubborn. Don't be stubborn. You'll look foolish and won't be liked. People might tell you to go home.)
So what if the situation is actually one that you can't work around and failure is inevitable?
First of all, take accountability. Then embrace it. Love it. Cherish it. You learn so much more from failing than from succeeding. If you've messed everything you've ever done in life, great news. If you are smart enough to learn from your failures, you won't make them anymore. (Granted if you aren't smart enough to learn from past failures, there's not much I can really say or do for you...) If you aren't willing to take accountability, you definitely won't be willing to try and learn from your mistakes either. Anyways, eventually you'll have failed so many times you can't fail anymore and everything you do will be a success!
Don't be weak. And don't whine about it or find excuses. No one likes a weak excuse-finding whiner.
EB
The best part about failure though is you can see a person's true self at these times of need. When faced with failure, men who act big and tough reveal to the world that they are far from it. People who put on various faces and give the world false perspectives of themselves have their true colors shown.
What should you do about failure?
This is what I propose:
Most of the time failure isn't really failure; it's just a really tough challenge you have to overcome. If you are willing, there are many solutions that can and will bring you away from the prospects of failing. As my professor Babs always said, "Think entrepreneurially." You have to be creative and think outside the box. There will be a solution. This is what separates the weak people who give up at challenges from the dedicated motivated ones who refuse to give up.
(note: there is a fine line between being dedicated and being stubborn. Don't be stubborn. You'll look foolish and won't be liked. People might tell you to go home.)
So what if the situation is actually one that you can't work around and failure is inevitable?
First of all, take accountability. Then embrace it. Love it. Cherish it. You learn so much more from failing than from succeeding. If you've messed everything you've ever done in life, great news. If you are smart enough to learn from your failures, you won't make them anymore. (Granted if you aren't smart enough to learn from past failures, there's not much I can really say or do for you...) If you aren't willing to take accountability, you definitely won't be willing to try and learn from your mistakes either. Anyways, eventually you'll have failed so many times you can't fail anymore and everything you do will be a success!
Don't be weak. And don't whine about it or find excuses. No one likes a weak excuse-finding whiner.
EB
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Leaders vs. Managers
People confuse the differences between a leader and a manager all the time. In college, many kids think they are leaders when they are given "leadership" positions in a student club or organization. They get all excited over the opportunity to delegate orders to subordinates while they manage over an organization. Yes, I said manage.
Most roles people attribute to a leader are actually those of a manager. Managers are in charge of groups, projects, teams, etc. Managers have subordinates to who they assign deliverables. Managers check in with these people to see the progress of these deliverables. In short, managers make sure the group, project, or team that they are in charge of accomplishes what it is meant to accomplish.
Leaders on the other hand lead people. Leaders create change they believe in.
"Leaders have followers. Managers have employees." - Seth Godin
Managers lack the innovative properties of a leader. Managers are too scared to challenge the status quo, too scared to think outside the box. Managers fear failure and thus avoid decisions that might not work. Managers do what it takes to get the job done. Managers are scared of change.
Shake things up and break the status quo. Start something new. Be a leader. Don't wait for someone to lead you.
EB
Most roles people attribute to a leader are actually those of a manager. Managers are in charge of groups, projects, teams, etc. Managers have subordinates to who they assign deliverables. Managers check in with these people to see the progress of these deliverables. In short, managers make sure the group, project, or team that they are in charge of accomplishes what it is meant to accomplish.
Leaders on the other hand lead people. Leaders create change they believe in.
"Leaders have followers. Managers have employees." - Seth Godin
Managers lack the innovative properties of a leader. Managers are too scared to challenge the status quo, too scared to think outside the box. Managers fear failure and thus avoid decisions that might not work. Managers do what it takes to get the job done. Managers are scared of change.
Shake things up and break the status quo. Start something new. Be a leader. Don't wait for someone to lead you.
EB
Saturday, March 21, 2009
I have decided to drop out of the TVC this year.
Creating a quality business plan takes more time commitment than a couple all nighters on the weekends. I am not happy with this most recent iteration of the plan, the financial forecasting model is far to naive at the current moment. I have decided to save it for next year after I have more experience and more time. I also decided to go part time second semester senior year to give me the much more needed time when I need it the most. Tentative schedule is as follows:
Fall 2009
70-201: Professional and Service Projects
70-397: Venture Capital Investing
70-483: Advertising and Marketing Communications
70-485: Product Management
70-440: Corporate Strategy
70-637: Interactive Media Design Management
80-321: Causation, Law, and Social Policy
69-134: Beginning Golf
69-102: Weight Training
Teaching:
98-131: Progress with PowerPoint
99-101: Computing @ Carnegie Mellon
EB
Fall 2009
70-201: Professional and Service Projects
70-397: Venture Capital Investing
70-483: Advertising and Marketing Communications
70-485: Product Management
70-440: Corporate Strategy
70-637: Interactive Media Design Management
80-321: Causation, Law, and Social Policy
69-134: Beginning Golf
69-102: Weight Training
Teaching:
98-131: Progress with PowerPoint
99-101: Computing @ Carnegie Mellon
EB
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