Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Web Secret 617: The Real Real

Periodically, I like to review a website that does a great job at whatever they claim they do.

The RealReal is an online luxury goods marketplace, where you can buy or sell Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel (and more) for a fraction of the cost.

What separates Real from the pack is that their experts do an exhaustive job of vetting the authenticity of everything posted on their website. So you can buy with confidence and save a ton of money.

Have you always wanted an iconic Hermes scarf? Instead of paying $550+, for a new one, you can buy these for a fraction of the price.

On the selling side, you can drop off your items at one of their bricks and mortar locations, or, if you have many items, they will come to your house to pickup. They guarantee each of your items will get 100,000+ views. Items that don't sell are shipped back to you at their cost.

It's pretty great.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Web Secret 616: Crafted by Carbon

The future will be printed.

You might have a few prized possession, but anything disposable, that becomes obsolete or gets used up will be printed. In your home, by you.

It's beginning to happen at Crafted by Carbon.

Check out the video:



20 years from now.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Web Secret 615: The end of serendipity

I strive for precision in all of my Internet based undertakings. I don't want to waste my time.

This means I have unfriended or unfollowed any individuals, companies or causes that I am against, or fail to interest me. I exist in a social media bubble of my own making.

I zero in on facts or objects with laser precision. I know where I can find red leather combat boots in size 10 wide made in Portugal. I am not surfing the Net, I plan drone strikes.

Recently, I watched a CBS Sunday Morning news piece on the founder of the eponymous Bob's Red Mill, a $100 million health food company started in the 1960s by Bob Moore. Bob Moore was working in the automotive industry when he wandered into a library, and for reasons he cannot recall, picked up "John Goffe's Mill," a book about an archeologist who rebuilt a flour mill. The book inspired Bob to start his own mill business producing whole grain oats and other products making him a very wealthy man.

And it occurred to me that with technology comes a loss of serendipity. No more browsing through libraries, bookstores, clothing racks and more. Or at the very least less browsing.

Think about it.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Web Secret 614: Mobile Microlearning

Have you been paying attention to how often you upgrade your smartphone, your computer, your software, your printer, the list goes on and on.

What about the way you perform your job? Have you added video based services, electronic record keeping, online appointment platforms, Square to accept payments, etc., etc.

What about information? New tests and treatments, new cures, new techniques, etc. etc.

The rapidity with which our world is changing because of advances in technology is increasing.

This means all of us, along with our our institutions and companies face a mounting challenge to learn new skills.

Often.

Upskilling refers to teaching employees new skills so they can thrive in their current position; reskilling means teaching them new skills to do a different job. We will be doing this a lot, as many jobs are going to become obsolete due to AI.

But how can we do it efficiently?

As learning evolves, we need to reimagine content delivery for the modern learner.

Learning 1.0 Traditional learning: face to face training

Learning 2.0 Old school web-based training - I learned Microsoft Word by watching a VHS tape

Learning 3.0 Video based e-learning - that's your live webinars and other forms of knowledge delivered on YouTube and the like

Learning 4.0 Mobile microlearning which is experiential and participatory.

Never heard of mobile microlearning? It's coming soon to a neighborhood near you.

You will be learning on your smartphone, using an app that integrates andragogy (effective teaching of adult learners) with technology that heightens powerful learning experiences on-the-go. It will be fun, interactive, it won't even feel like learning.

You've been warned.