The Octopus' Garden

Do You Really Need A Smartphone?

Marco Cabazal — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:57:56 +0000

Sometimes I just don’t get it with people’s obsession with the latest electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, etc) when the one they’re holding is a perfectly useful one.

Your smartphone, for one, is now more than just a phone and the things that you can do with it and what your phone can “become” will surprise you with the more than half a million apps available for it.

But the question is, have you actually made good use of the last shiny thing you bought just a few months ago? Or are you still using it like the good old Nokia 5110?

If you’re not exploiting it as you should, maybe all you need after all is just a simple phone.

Would You Be Your Own Customer?

Marco Cabazal — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:33:20 +0000

We’ve seen this scene many times. A company makes a product or does a service and sells it to a customer for bucks, moving on to the next customer, and forgetting about the last. Who cares whether our customers are happy? Who cares as long as we’ve made a sale right? Sadly, this is a scenario that is more of a rule than an exception.

Nobody comes up with a perfect product of service, sure. But the least we can do is to be open about how exactly our customers are doing with regard to their experience so we can tweak our product better. They paid for it anyway. It’s a chance to show that it’s not all about just the sale but that we truly care. Seth Godin suggests that it could very simply start with one small but brave move by asking your customers, “How’d it work out?”

If you refuse to listen, if you refuse to better yourself, if you refuse to even consider whether your product is really relevant or not, if you refuse to acknowledge that your business is about the customer’s delight in the first place, then, what differentiates you from con artists? What differentiates you from businesses who rely on breakage and slippage?

Marketing and selling a product is just a first step (some say it should be the later). Delivering a delightful product and a service that leaves your customers breathless is another.

So, are you someone who would pay gladly for your own company’s product and still be happy with the post-sales experience? Would you care about YOUR own experience? If YOU won’t be your own customer, then it’s time for some introspection.

Reminiscing My Not-So-Indiana Jones Moments on the Roofs of Trains

Marco Cabazal — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:19:44 +0000

A friend, Estan Cabigas recently shared an interesting story about the PNR (Philippine National Railways) Bicol Express that reminded me of a trip I have yet to make. I’ve been planning to do that some time next year. I’m still hoping there’s a cargo hold somewhere that would allow me to bring my Vespa with me so I can better explore the local towns. The other way to go is go Vespa all the way but the experience would, of course, be different (though equally fun, I’m sure!). That deserves a plan of its own.

More importantly, however, what Estan’s story did was to bring back memories of the 80s and 90s. Back in the day, when I was still in high school, I’d take the MetroTren both in the morning and in the afternoon. The fare back then was only 1 peso between the Bicutan and Pasay Road Stations. That was between 1988-92. The great thing about doing that was as soon as I boarded, the traffic factors usually affecting buses and jeeps, were practically non-existent. If it and I arrive on time on the boarding station, it’s almost as sure we would arrive on time as well, as long as there were no mechanical problems nor accidents which were really seldom.

When I went to college, it still was a staple for me and it saved me a few more bucks as the fare headed for the Paco station from Bicutan was only 1.50. By then, my preferred seat was on the roof (less crowded and quite windy) and for me was one of the things I dearly miss now. It was never safe, I know, but it all started one day when I was running late for my mid-term exams and the train was already full. I had to come up with a solution. The alternative was waiting for the next train to arrive in one hour. I couldn’t afford to miss that chance. And I knew it was time to make a risk.

The conversations I had with all sorts of people (strangers) on the roof became experiences I looked forward to each day. We would duck power cables together. We would pick mangoes together. We would all help each other go up and come down. We would say hello and take care to each other day after day. That’s in contrast to the cans of sardines down below in coach where you’d normally hold your breath for as long as you could so you wouldn’t be able to smell the soul of the guy next to you.

I would then write stories about those conversations in our school paper, The Bosconian Journal. Those conversations, of course, revolved mainly around middle- to low-class concerns, concerns some readers really wouldn’t have an idea about, but should have. A lot of these were gripes about how fluctuating costs (mainly headed for kingdom come) affect pretty stagnant incomes (sub-humane at that). If the middle class felt these effects, these same effects were felt with much greater magnitude by those less-privileged. And as with stories like this, the government, corporations and how they operated were a natural target for blame. Those days, the rich got richer, and the poor went even poorer. Add to that the perfect background of shanties along the tracks which served as the cozy homes of hundreds (maybe thousands) of families.

Fast-forward decades later, the train system has improved, with new engines deployed and tracks & stations renovated. At first, the roofs were made safer by putting a slope onto them that would make sitting on them impossible. Now, they’re even air-conditioned and security is surprisingly present. Things have definitely changed a lot but I’m sure the topics in those conversations we had are still as fresh as they are old. That part of the story really hasn’t changed.

On The Importance of Hiring the Right People

Marco Cabazal — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:50:57 +0000

It can never be underscored enough how important it is to get the right people for your organization and keep them there. This is an ongoing challenge that a lot of companies face regardless of industry. A lot are stuggling with it and a lot got burnt by it. A lot has already spoken and written about it but just the same, here’re a few insights that can get you started.

Ensure that they mesh well with your culture. In some companies, the new hires were practically instrumental in taking the place apart. The culture that was once instrumental in churning out cool and relevant products is now struggling under the weight of prison-like morale. If you’re to hire, hire people who can introduce great change, not the opposite. This is easier said than done. People can fake resumes and be great at interviews. So your best bet is to hire within your network. If your trusted peers are willing to bet their reputation on a candidate whose work they have first hand experience on, go for it.
Hire the right ones, the crazy ones. Be patient in finding them as getting the wrong ones will definitely prove more costly in the future. Some people are trainable but it’s still better to get those that already have the right maturity, civility, and determination to solve problems. At the least, get people who are willing to change, those who are willing to adapt as necessary. Process means nothing when you have the wrong people who simply refuse to budge. Steve Jobs, in his bio by Walter Isaacson, said, “A-plus Players like to work together, and they don’t like it if you tolerate B work.” So do your people a favor and don’t put in B Players into the mix. B Players can be such energy saps.
It’s also important to find out how curious your candidates are. Never ever settle for mediocrity. A curious, passionate, and resourceful person will bend space and time wholeheartedly, and work outside their silos to give you a solution. They’re the ones who won’t settle for the most convenient solution but who will look for the most elegant one. Everyone else will just give you a convenient excuse. Eric Villarama of IDEO emphasized how a problem-solving mindset truly delights clients, may the be internal or external ones.
Look for people who can think on their own. IDEO’s David Kelly is even known to hire those who’d disagree with him. Apple’s Steve Jobs was also known to have more respect to those who can stand up to him and defend their ideas. On the other hand, you also want someone with the humility to admit that sometimes, his/her idea can suck, civilly.
You have to be clear about your company’s objectives and values. If the candidate is as excited as you are and believes in what you believe in. A high salary does not always guarantee loyalty, but if you have the same set of values and are working towards the same big goal, this person will stick it out with you even when things are not turning out well. Do you or your company know what you’re doing this for in the first place? If not, how could you expect others to be as giddy as you are? Read Simon Sinek’s book Start With Why and know how leaders like Apple does it.

Of course, how you identify these people from the rest is another challenge so I hope you make good use of your probationary period. Set expectations well and review their performance frequently. Some people will adapt and make up. Some will really shine. Sadly, some will always turn out lacking. For your sanity and your company’s future, get rid of the slackers right away, while quickly optimizing your key talents after you get them on board and.. make sure you keep them on board.

Ensure that they’re being paid enough that they wouldn’t have to worry about money and how it needs to support their families. You don’t have to pay people twice or thrice as much as the other company. But sometimes, you need to do an introspection and stop pretending your salary structure is even at par with the market. If people believe in your cause, they’d stay as long as they can. But if their staying actually puts them in more debt, you need to wake up.
Honor your promises or at least be transparent that things may go on different directions beyond your control. Your credibility will play a good role in establishing or maintaining that trust. When an employee loses his/her trust in you. That’s already a crack that could widen anytime. If you know you can’t bet your own job or reputation for something, say it so. Never do a bait-and-switch, else you’ll be known as that two-faced double-standard invertebrate.
Keep them inspired. Keep them motivated. They work hard for you. The least you can do is make things a little bit more fun. If you need to create a crisis (controlled I hope), do it. That will keep bright minds challenged.
If there’s one thing you need not do, it’s to get in their way. Let them fly. As Henry Tenedero (Center for Learning & Teaching Styles) said, each of us has our own idiosyncracies in the way we learn and do things. The organization has to make an effort in knowing these and making room for people to shine, their way. Not everyone thrives on cubicles, but I know some who’d rather be there instead of their own room. Some need bright lights, while some would rather work in the dark, etc. Forcing one approach for the rest without really understanding what works best for each individual will cost you more than you think.

Now, what if you’re already stuck with the wrong people? If you could legally fire them, do it already. The longer they’re there the more damage it can cause to an already fragile organization. It’s in everyone’s best interest to protect and nurture the crazy ones. It’s even in your best interest as how your career fares would depend greatly on how they perform.

An Insider View Into Job Interviews

20,000 Miles To An Oasis

Marco Cabazal — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:30:32 +0000

Vespa PX150e

Frances

Marco Cabazal — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:50:44 +0000

Vespa PX150e

I’ve been wanting to get one for years but my fear of getting sideswiped or crushed to death in the mean streets of Manila has always haunted me. This year, I gave in and decided to buy a restored 1997 PX150e.

This particular Vespa is special because it used to be part of the fleet of Yellow Cab Pizza (ironically, my Yellow Ford Escape which I got about 5 years earlier, is named Pizza). I’m sure it has a lot of stories to tell and I’d like one day to be able to pose for a photo and have a few drinks with the riders who got to meet her.

I decided to call her Frances, based on Frances Mayes, whose memoirs was the basis for the film, Under a Tuscan Sun. For me, that film was a film about great realizations, freedom, and the guts to just let go and dive in.

Frances, my Frances, is all about that too.

The Super Moon from Makati

Marco Cabazal — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:20:28 +0000

Good Morning, Paradise.

Marco Cabazal — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:15:49 +0000

White House, Boracay Island.

Wolfgang: Plug & Play

Marco Cabazal — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:23:57 +0000

Here are some photos from the Philippines’ first-ever internet live-streamed concert: Wolfgang’s Plug & Play which was held last May 16 at the Whitespace parking lot in Makati.

It has been years since I last saw them live and it sure was great hearing them again like nothing has changed (except that Wolf wasn’t there). Coupled with over-flowing beer, this event also became a reunion of sorts with old friends from Wolfpac Mobile, Noreen & Ethan, and Norms from Paramita/Silent Sanctuary.

Kudos go to Channel [V], Smart Communications, and Lizza Nakpil for putting up a very wild, intimate, and jejemon/orc-free show! Of course, thanks go to Ian Magbanua of Pulse.PH for squeezing me in! Sorry Ian, I was hoping I could get better shots by flirting with the bouncers so they’d let me climb one of the scaffoldings. Sadly, I just didn’t have enough beer that night. Haha!

Anticipation

Marco Cabazal — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:45:37 +0000

At a NAIA Boarding Gate. En route to Boracay.

Going Places

Marco Cabazal — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:03:28 +0000

Sia Marcelo-Magbanua's Toes at 6 months

Been There, Done That

Marco Cabazal — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:55:32 +0000

Old barrels sighted on a Coron roadside.

There’s No Place Like Coron

Marco Cabazal — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:17:34 +0000

Last weekend, with the brute force planning of Dikky and a good friend, Ama, I was able to drag my ass out of bed to go on a flight to Coron via Busuanga. It was tempting to spend the long weekend resting at home but this trip had been planned for months already and I must say I was also excited to go. I’ve been eyeing this trip for years and finally, with a lot of political will, it has happened! After all, my ideal vacation has always been to spend it out at home with no additional expense. Yeah, I could be that boring at times. :)

Since we got to our hotel (Coron Village Lodge located in Coron Town, Busuanga Island) around mid-afternoon Friday, there wasn’t much left to do so we opted to visit the Maquinit saltwater hot springs north of where we were staying. We spent the rest of the afternoon there and started heading back slightly after dark, after which, we had a sumptuous home-cooked meal. Yes, our lodging had a good kitchen in it!

Early the next day, after filling up the chiller with fresh food, water, and beer from the Coron Public Market, we hopped on a boat to go around the Coron Island cluster itself. And that’s when we experienced the sheer awesomeness of what nature has laid out before us, from the interesting and towering granite formations of the island cluster to secluded white beaches, and of course, to the calm and really clear waters. The sights were simply captivating! While it’s okay to enjoy Coron from the surface, I believe, the real deal is when you dive into the water and experience for yourself the diverse marine life and shipwrecks beneath it, and if you don’t, you will just be short-changing yourself. :)

Before leaving Manila, I was contemplating on bringing my DSLR so I could be better “equipped” but decided against it and just brought a P&S so it won’t feel like “work.” The heft of the DSLR was also an issue so travelling light proved to be a better idea.

One would assume that I would have shot thousands of photos during this trip but you’d be mistaken. When Dikky and I got home and started organizing our photos, I soon realized that I only got to shoot a little over a hundred! Imagine my surprise and dismay! What was I thinking? What was I doing? Well, that’s what this paradise can do to you. It was just so breath-taking and peaceful you can get drawn to it easily. While I may not have lots of photos on this trip, I’m happy I still got a few keepers. Besides, what’s important was the total experience, right? It may have been disappointing at first but I realize this is another good enough reason to go back as this trip was definitely just a teaser. There’s just so much to experience in Coron! Of course, it was equally fun being with good friends from the other telco network so you could imagine ourselves bashing each other (in the spirit of fun) throughout the whole time. :)

I may not have been around much, as I have yet to see the rest of the Philippines, but I would tend to agree with what’s written on this funky tricycle we rode in on our way to the pier: There’s no place like Coron.

Dingalan Bay, Aurora

Marco Cabazal — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:22:31 +0000

I’ve been spending the past two Holy Weeks in a lovely beach-front home in Dingalan Bay in the Aurora Province (Philippines). Here, I offer a collection of photographs I’ve taken while seeking temporary asylum from the noise and chaos of the city. It wouldn’t have been possible without the hospitality and care of the lovely Dimarucot-Magbanua family who surely made us feel we were also part of it. My gratitude is yours! :)

Dingalan Bay Moon Rise

Dingalan Bay Sunrise

You can see the rest of the photos in this gallery.

Cafes Are Not Just About Exhorbitantly Priced Coffee

Marco Cabazal — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:51:49 +0000

Have you ever found yourself trying to work on something for hours and still ended up with nothing at all? Sometimes, the best way to actually get work done is to just walk away from it and have a change of scenery. Let’s admit it, there will always be times when you’d want to just get away from the cubicle dungeons and I’ve found that one of the best places to seek refuge on would be the nearest cafe.

Why coffeeshops just work.

it’s not so much about the expensive coffee but how it makes itself conducive for work. A cafe is a good balance between a prude office environment and your home that’s too comfortable for real work to get done. It can be surprising what you can accomplish in just 30 minutes to an hour. As I said above, while coffeeshops are technically more distracting than the confines of offices, the change in environment is what we’re really after. Simply put, it’s peace among strangers.

But for me, it can’t be just any coffeeshop. I still do have my preferences as far as choosing which coffeeshop to lay a nest on. Here are some tips you might want to consider in your own pilgrimage.

First, leave your AC charger behind.

While current laptops’ battery performance have greatly improved, somehow, without it, you’ll be “encouraged” to get your stuff done right away and get back to the office soonest. Besides, you won’t be staying there the whole day, or are you?
Do, however, leave with a fully-charged mobile phone.

This needs no explanation. If Houston needs you back, they need to be able to reach you even if you’re behind the moon.
Get a good pair of headphones.

While cafes usually feature relaxing house or chill-out music, sometimes, it’s just not enough to drown out the noise the other customers make, although sometimes the whitenoise is something that turns me into an energizer bunny. Music with words in it can really grab attention so stay away from it, unless it’s in a language you cannot understand, process, or sing along to. As soon as you can establish your OWN world, the sooner you can get to work, or at the least, catch up on your reading/research.
Choose a dead hour so you can have the place to yourself.

That means several minutes after lunch or after office hours is a no-no. I find that one of the most ideal windows to go there is in the early morning and in the mid-afternoon. Perfect for coffee! Weekends are great too as most people will just be lazily hanging out recovering from a hangover the previous night.
Find a cafe on a not-so-busy street.

The passing of vehicles and the noise they make can be very distracting. I’m also more particular for cafes with roadside parking in front of it. The sooner I get my coffee after getting off the car, the better. Be mindful of parking schedules though or else you may find yourself chasing after tow trucks. So, no, I’m not going to drive into mall parking and walk hundreds of meters just to get to a coffeeshop. That’d be a total time-waster.
Stay away from cafes with groups of friends in it.

if you really want some peace and quiet, you’d want to be with loners people who are busy themselves. A cafe frequented by serious post-grad students is best. Those with high school and college students tend to be noisier. Let’s see you go through that chatter and I’m sure you’ll be heading back to the office in less than 10 minutes.
Stay off the grid.

WiFI and 3G is a near-must and very reliable but sometimes, it’s good to be just offline. The less distractions you have, the better.
Keep your NDA in mind always.

You don’t want to be broadcasting your killer idea on public. So to be sure everything’s safe from prying eyes, adjust the size of your screen font so it can be less readable by that guy sneaking a peek over your shoulder.
Stay focused.

Lastly, I would suggest that before you leave your office, plan well what needs to be done so your new-found freedom is not wasted. Forget multitasking. Just concentrate on just one task and get it over with. The objective is to get to work. And when i say work, it’s not about FB’ing or chatting with friends on YM. :)

Are you a coffeeshop junkie or are considering taking your work there? How did your experience go? Can you say it’s for you or would you still rather be elsewhere? And is the price of designer coffee really worth it? Of course, not, unless the time used to sip it was used really wisely.

Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain) and How Cycling Helped Ease It

Marco Cabazal — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:15:15 +0000

Several months ago, after years of whining, I finally consulted a doctor and was finally diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis on my left foot. For those who don’t know, Plantar Fasciitis is a very painful condition of the heel which is aggravated by extensive standing, walking, running, and weight-bearing (including my own) activities. It has been bothering me ever since high school but I’ve been ignoring it all these years thinking it was just natural fatique. It would turn out, since I’m slightly flat-footed, that I was really predisposed to such a condition. And those CAT/ROTC boots just helped aggravate it!

The doctor also said that this is pretty much irreversible but its worsening can be delayed by going through physical therapy, by wearing a customized insert (orthotics) inside my left shoe, and by considerable weight-loss via cardiovascular activities. The first two was easy. It was the latter which was the problem. It meant I had to lose more than 8kgs.

Why Cycling?

I love to walk. I love to run, and I was hoping that that could help but the doctor also told me to avoid impact sports in particular. I’d love to swim but the pool at the rooftop of my condo which is just a few meters long doesnt provide much challenge. I call that pool, a formality. And that’s when I considered my other old love, cycling.

How I Did It.

Living in the city has its perks but being able to bike safely is definitely not one of them. I had to do my sessions when the roads are less filled with cars. Plotting a good route around Makati that isn’t that boring was a real challenge but I really didn’t have any choice but be like a hamster. I couldn’t afford to just wait for weekend out-of-town trips and I wanted to be able to bike whenever I could squeeze it through my work.

And while it wasn’t really necessary, I bought a Garmin Edge 705 so I could keep track of my “performance.” It also helped push me whenever my speed was too slow, if my pedalling was too loose, or if my heart was racing too fast (that happens whenever I get a close call with a speeding car). It also has a calorie-burnt calculator but I have yet to find out whether it can actually be trusted. For what its worth, it does give me an idea that I’m indeed making progress.

So How Did It Go?

Well, 4 months since I started cycling again, my beer belly has started to disappear dramatically that people would actually notice! I definitely feel much lighter after losing around 5kgs, and the effect on my foot is very significant. I also haven’t had the characteristic morning pains and the need to take a pain killer! It’s a very liberating feeling and my only regret was not conceding to a checkup much much earlier. Heck, now, I even miss my whining! Hehe. Of course, while this may have worked for me, it’s still best to consult your doctor.

How about you? Do you have Plantar Fasciitis as well? How are you dealing with it?

More Today Than Yesterday

Marco Cabazal — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:51:20 +0000

A Spiral Staircase

Clouds Over The Makati City Hall (Time Lapse)

Marco Cabazal — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:21:49 +0000

I was hoping the color of light would change dramatically but it didnt. However, subtle movement (cars, clouds) can be noticed if you look closely. :)

Manfrotto, please don’t fail me now.

Marco Cabazal — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:08:50 +0000

Camera Precariously Mounted On Tripod Without Sandbags

A Time Lapse Experiment

Marco Cabazal — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:49:00 +0000

I’ve had my camera, a D300, for years now and it has this feature to shoot photos at pre-defined intervals. I’m practically hitting myself in the head for not trying this early on, but it’s never too late to give it a shot.

So here’s my initial attempt at Time Lapse Photography.

Camera was mounted on a tripod.
A set of 200 still images shot at a 5-second intervals.
Exposure set at manual 1s and f/8.
White Balance set on manual (Cloudy).
Images batch-cropped in Aperture (no other post-prod).
Assembled in Quicktime as an Image Sequence, played at 10FPS, with titles added using iMovie.

I’m pretty okay with what I got but I need more work on the overall image quality. Will also try shooting at a lesser resolution because besides, the end-result was only a 640×480 movie.

It was pretty boring while the camera happily clicked away so I used that time to catch up on some reading. Next time, I’m bringing lots of coffee! And I hope there will be more cloud movement. :)