the world is flat

Dear all,

  Recently I read a book titled “The World is Flat” by
Thomas Friedman, as recommended by WIM Book Club.

Attached is my synopsis of the book.

Personally, I find it scary, and I had to stop every
now and then to reflect and think how my job will
be affected.

My own opinions are :
1.    We have to learn new skills that emphasizes
more on creativity and personal relationships, so that
we cannot be replaced, in a sense that we are able to
integrate things and provide more intangible benefits.
2.    Jobs that can be replaced (e.g. manual intensive,
call centre, low level calculation, data entry,….)
will be replaced. It is just a matter of time. So
we have to be prepared.
3.    We have to plan a little bit further, to
acquire backup skills, e.g. I am learning tai-chi now with
the intention to teach it when I am retrenched in the
future. Find something that you like apart from
your work, and spend some time to cultivate it (e.g.
dancing, painting,sculpting,…)

Synopsis – The World is Flat

1.    (pg 11) Globalization has evolved from
empowerment to a country, then to a company, and now to an
Individual.
2.    (pg 15) Those who can create value thru
leadership, relationships and creativity will transform the
industry.
3.    (pg 21) Work gets done where it can be done
most effectively and efficiently. It helps because it
frees up people and capital to do more creative, more
sophisticated work, and also deliver the end
product better, faster and cheaper to the end user.
4.    (pg 153) One of the ways to a more reliable,
low cost delivery system is to replace inventory with
information.
5.    (pg 302) How we educate our children/ourselves
is more important than how much we educate them/us.
6.    (pg 564) People don’t change when you tell
them there is a better option, they change when they
have no other option.
7.    (pg 565) People change when they see that
others, like themselves, have changed and benefited.

Hope it is beneficial for you all.

May you be happy and healthy always :D

Rgds,
Leh