NonStick World
Wednesday Apr 30, 2008
Zappos is the Neighborhood Shoe (and more) Store
I was really excited as more retailers went online to hawk their wares. It allows folks like me, over-scheduled while trying to maintain a family life, to purchase what I need at anytime of day or night, all without having to leave my desk.One thing I lamented was the loss of the shopping experience (looks cute on hanger, try it on, not so cute on me). But now, retailers offer free shipping and returns so you can try things on and, usually, keep more than you intended.
The other thing I lamented was the loss of person-to-person contact. It was bad enough with the big box stores, gone were the friendly chats with the proprietor of the neighborhood store; it is worse with online retailers.
Well, Zappos.com has found a way to be an online retailer AND a neighborhood store by using online social networking.
Tony Hsieh, CEO, and Alfred Lin, CFO/COO both blog and tweet. They update us with who they are meeting, what they are doing and conduct contests, among other things. Zappos also has a Facebook profile.
It's brilliant that they leverage online networks to build relationships with their customers and constituents. I can honestly say that I am more inclinded to shop at Zappos.com because I know that @zappos loves Red Bull with Slim Jims but not pretzels. I am buying from friends, not just some faceless, soul-less corporation.
Posted at 09:28AM Apr 30, 2008 by nonstick in General | Comments[1]
Tuesday Apr 29, 2008
Go Green, Stay Home
I was thinking about how I am doing my part to save the environment by working from home.
Even though I don't drive a Prius (is it possible to cram a 3 year old and all her crap into one, anyway?). I am doing my part.
Posted at 08:11PM Apr 29, 2008 by nonstick in WFH | Comments[1]
Thursday Apr 17, 2008
Conversation with Kid
MUI: What's wrong Mommy?ME: Mommy's old.
MUI: I'm old, too.
ME: No. You are young. Mommy is old.
MUI: Maybe you need more cream.
Posted at 06:38AM Apr 17, 2008 by nonstick in Family |
Saturday Apr 12, 2008
My New Blackberry
I just got a Blackberry Curve from AT&T to tie me over until the 3G iPhone comes out. $25 for the phone if I sign up for at least a $40 plan.I don't know how I survived so long without carrying the internet in my pocket. But it's awesome. Kid in Little Gym? Check my email, follow up on tweeters, expand my mind with NPR news...
As I was sitting there, catching up on the Sun blogs, I realized that as I was connecting to the world, I was disconnecting from the people around me. I typically strike up a conversation with the Little Gym parents, usually about our kids or apologizing for my kid running over their kid. But today, I was glued to my Blackberry.
So, I don't know if having the internet in my pocket is such a great thing. I love the fact that I can connect when and where I want. I guess I have to temper the wanting (i.e. not at the dinner table). As they say, Blackberries don't alienate people, people alienate people.
Posted at 01:18PM Apr 12, 2008 by nonstick in General | Comments[1]
Monday Apr 07, 2008
Temptation, Remove Myself from Thee
During our last visit to the Bay Area, my daughter did something surprising and quite admirable.We were at ABC Cafe in Oakland Chinatown and sitting at one of those tables with swivel chairs on one side and a bench on the other. She was driving me insane by swiveling around in her chair so hard that every time it reached the end of travel, it shook the whole table. Her little cousin, who was sitting in the swivel chair next to her, started swiveling, too. I was about to smack someone.
ME: Mui, stop spinning your chair.
MUI: (continues swiveling)
ME: Mui, stop spinning your chair.
MUI: (continues swiveling)
ME: Mui, that's one. If you don't stop, we will wait in the car while Yi Yi and Avery finish lunch.
MUI: (continues swiveling) I'm not spinning. The chair is spinning me.
ME: That's two.
MUI: (Gets up and walks over to my side of table.) Mommy, can you move over? I want to sit here.
ME: Why?
MUI: Because I don't want to spin and when I sit in the chair it spins.
How many times I wish I knew my will power was not sufficient, that I should just remove myself from temptation.
Posted at 10:08AM Apr 07, 2008 by nonstick in Family | Comments[1]
Welcome, Marc!
My friend and colleague, Marc Dierens, recently started his own Sun blog. He is avid in virtual social networking and just gave our staff a briefing on Second Life and Facebook and how Sun utilizes them to build and strengthen networks internal and external to Sun.Posted at 09:48AM Apr 07, 2008 by nonstick in General | Comments[1]