Libraries giving way to Kindle

"...(In) the past few years, the old library in Cushing Academy was in danger of becoming a relic. Its 20,000-book collection was barely used, administrators say. Spot checks last year found that, on some days, fewer than 30 books, or about .15%, circulated. And it was becoming rather lonely down there."

What do you think? Do you feel that e-readers will soon libraries obsolete?

Negotiation Kinder-Style

Negotiation comes naturally to a kid. If you're a parent, I need say no more. For all the non-parents, newsflash: Bargaining with that cuddly loving 'slice of heaven' child is torture because the last thing you'd expect is to have to deal with a pro.

Here are some - inborn? - tactics that my son has been using for the past two or three years (professionals, heads up!):

1. 
   
   Appeal to a separate authority - often granddad, grandmum or the other parent (sometimes Nicky ropes in his 3-month old sister as a last resort; obviously he understands the thing about "balance of power" even if he can't quite define it yet)
   
2. Say No from the start - forcing you to backtrack, throwing you off balance; notice how it's EASIER to keep saying No as opposed to finding new ways of encouraging a Yes?
   
3. Persevere, persevere, persevere - when he wants a Yes, he too knows about switching personalities and approaches, repeating the same request a dozen times in as many seconds, wearing the other party down (with shades of Luke 18:1-8?)
   
4. 
   
   Set the terms and conditions - see no.2, Nicky also doesn't often let me get away with making him submit free-of-charge; he usually demands a 'fee' as part of the deal. Makes you wish there were more chapters on Bartering in child-raising books, eh?
   
   
   
5. Go CUTE mode - turn up that pout, speak softly and gently to get more people (incl. the separate authorities) to go awwwwwwww... seek pity points and leech on the sheer sentimentality of others!
   
6. Go BERSERK mode - they somehow came across the parents' manual and memorised that part about parents getting tensed up when their kids go nuts, not to mention the Conclusion : When parents are tense, consent follows easy.

Keep the list going if you can. I'm making notes to secure that next million-dollar project...

UNN Research Workshop (Pt.4)

View more presentations from Alwyn Lau.

Emerging City Innovation

UNN Research Workshop (Pt.3)

View more presentations from Alwyn Lau.

CIDTT videos

UNN Research Workshop (Pt.2)

View more presentations from Alwyn Lau.

UNN Dissertation Files

For UNN students, please download the dissertation documents provided by the university.

Most Influential Management Gurus 2009

Go here for the full list.

Learning With The Saujana

TLC had lots of fun with the team that came from The Saujana. On the agenda were topics like Conflict Resolution, Time Management, Communication Skills and Email Etiquette. The Saujana participants also sat for the TOEIC exam. Overall it was a fun time of learning, conversation, friendship, creative art (see below) and Danish pastries!

UNN Research Workshop (Pt.1)

Dear UNN students,

Please remember that the point of the Literature Review is also to help you formulate an adequate research question. You must always bear in mind what research you plan to do and how you intend to obtain the data as you perform the literature review.

E.g. there's no point doing a review on "Financial banking in Iceland" if you have no way of doing research on Iceland!

View more presentations from Alwyn Lau.

International Paella Day

Pastries from Team Independent!