Book Review- Makers: The New Industrial Revolution by Chris Anderson

 

As I began reading Chris Anderson’s newest book- Makers: The New Industrial Revolution, I knew Chris had written another masterpiece. It wasn’t based on the fact he was a best-selling author of The Long Tail or the former Editor of Wired Magazine. No, the title and opening story was all I needed to know this is a ground-breaking book. The title relates to the new Industrial Revolution and the opening story is also something my Dad modernized after Chris’s grandfather invented- the automatic sprinkler system.

Chris Anderson’s grandfather; Fred Hauser invented the underground sprinkler system and the patent in 1943. Within the book Chris discusses modernizing the sprinkler system with sensors to measure the moisture in the soil. My Dad designed and tinkered until he modernized this product around 1980. He just couldn’t find a source to license the idea.

This was before the Internet and like Chris’s grandfather; Dad was great at tinkering, figuring out how things worked, re-designing and inventing. He just had no idea how to seek the right sources to bring a product to market. If Dad were alive today, odds are, after reading Chris Anderson’s new book, he could have done it all.

Chris points out one of the most exciting facts of this new revolution: anyone with a credit card and a laptop can start their own company or manufacture their own products. The days of mass are going the way of the old Industrial Revolution. We live in a generation that can produce unique products cheaply and compete with the West. The DIY (do-it-yourself) movement began in the 1980’s with the music industry and has progressed using technology to allow any inventor to become an entrepreneur. (Above left-photo used coutesy of: Pop!Tech).

This book gives you the details on how to start your own movement and gives you the tools and information to get involved at the ground floor of the New Industrial Revolution. Chris Anderson calls this movement the Maker movement.  

The Maker movement is:

·        About being small and global.

·        Its high-tech meets low-cost.

·        The power of being innovative by using the Web to spread ideas.

·        Collaborating with others on ideas and projects that could develop entire industries or movements.

Makers: The New Industrial Revolution focuses on the techniques to bring a product to life such as 3D printing. The world of 3D printing is a fascinating technology. Anyone with CAD software, a file and a 3D printer can design and create a product using plastic, or metal. Other raw sources will be developed as technology keeps advancing.

Chris Anderson covers the basics of 3D robotics and desktop 3D scanning, the Arduino platform which eliminates the need for a middle man in the entire process. He writes about Web-based manufacturing featuring on-demand products to alleviate the need of a physical inventory. Open-source hardware and software is also an exciting progression of the Web initiative.

Mr. Anderson gives us examples of new open-source companies such as: Local Motors, Tesla, Sparkfun, Arduino, and Hibaba. Buying stock in these businesses may be a lucrative investment. The phenomena of “crowdfunding” are presented through discussions of Kickstarter, RocketHub, Crowdfunder and Lancht.

Whether you are an inventor, designer or ever had the idea of starting your own company, Makers: The New Industrial Revolution is bound to open your eyes to an exciting world of technology never dreamed possible, where anyone can be a manufacturer merely with a credit card and laptop.

Chris Anderson has given us the tools, power and assistance to enter a new era. It’s up to us to take the blueprint of Makers: The New Industrial Revolution and bring America back to being the leader in the manufacturing industry, once again!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

McDonalds - Where's the Beef?

I often write suggesting the need for organizations and individuals to stand-out, go beyond expectations in their business, career and life. Companies should strive to reward employees for providing that “wow” factor. Unfortunately at McDonald’s it’s a dismissal to go the extra “sprinkle.” Suddenly, those golden arches aren’t so golden.

McDonalds was the original fast food restaurant for the masses. Be it your first or 1,000 visit at any McDonalds in the world the look, taste of the food or building specs was built on consistency. The uniformed fast-food business assured everything sold was identical, no variation what-so-ever.

Those were the days, when fast-food was quick. Taking the family out to eat was a cheap form of entertainment and for the factory worker or businessman it was a quick source for lunch. It gave Mom a chance to get away from cooking and you never knew who you might see at the restaurant to socialize with.  

 Ray Kroc pioneered the future of fast-food as a corporate entity marketed towards kids, young families and fun. Ray was the first to offer a drive-through service and uniquely identified his locations with those famous visually attractive (at the time) golden arches. Later he promoted the clown, Ronald McDonald, while building child playgrounds on location for the kids.

In later years, McDonalds marketing has focused towards young teenagers targeting lower income groups. Creating the McCafe` drink island has proved a successful competitor against the pricing at Starbucks.  The corporation has donated millions of dollars through charity with its Ronald McDonald Houses and other associated charities and should be commended for their fine work.

The firing of an employee for simply providing extra sprinklings of chocolate pieces on a desert is outlandish. Providing that little “happy meal” by adding a little extra scoop of toppings shouldn’t have been reason for a firing, it should be encouraged to provide a customer with a “wow’ experience. At maximum a verbal warning to the employee would have been more appropriate, since it involved a dastardly low-paid co-worker (pun intended).

After all, let’s not allow those employees to think on their own or outside-the-box. No sir- let’s make sure they conform to the sameness of the organization like its 1955.

If the cost is too expensive to rationalize freebies then notate on the menu, the cost per extra scoop. Perhaps raise the price (slightly) of a McFlurry and offer free extras.  What’s next rationing salt and ketchup?

Perhaps this is why I ask for an extra-sweet Latte and rarely receive the extra additives. I don’t mind paying for it either. But this isn’t about the money, it’s about something Ray Kroc understood well-

It's about giving the people what they want!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Failing, Losing and Winning

We don’t encourage people to be creative. Rarely, do we ask people to do something meaningful.

We spend far more time telling folks:

·        No- you can’t.

·        You have no experience.

·        Somebody else has already done it.

·       Nobody's ever done it.

·        You don’t have the money, education or time.

·        It won’t work.

·        You better get permission.

·        I’d talk with a lawyer first.

And the ultimate sabotage responses:

·        You’ll fail.

·        You’ll never make it.

·        You’ll go broke and starve.

·        You won’t be able to survive.

·        You’ll die.

How often do we say- “That’s a great idea, I think you should go for it?”

That’s what I thought.

We shoot someone’s hope, dream and possible future down quickly. If everyone followed our own fearful advice, there’d be no electricity, surgeons, automobiles, medicine, clean water or technical device to read this blog.

Somehow, I believe we can do better. We allow fear to keep us from doing the very things we need to do. Persuading others through our own inadequacies and lack of insight to do nothing ensures we never step out of our comfort zone, make progress or change the world.

Failing is a far better gift than doing nothing.

Losing is a lesson in improvement.

And winning is the opportunity to start over again!

Don’t listen to the advice of naysayer’s, family members or best friends. Live your dreams. Seek out those who encourage your goals. Surround yourself with positive people who transcend hope, imagination and fuel your passion to persist with excellence.

 We’ve only got today and it’s our chance to do-

 Something Meaningful that Matters!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Newtown, Connecticut- We feel your loss!

Words can’t describe the numbness felt upon hearing the news of the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 first-grade students and 7 adults mercilessly gunned-down by pure evil. Innocent children taken from their families and loved-ones.

What kind of sick individual guns down his own defenseless mother, school children and teachers?

 Some were hero’s laying down their own lives attempting to stop the carnage and save the children. Other school personnel did save many lives, unscathed from gunfire, but emotionally scarred from something so evil, no child should ever witness.

Our heavy hearts, prayers and thoughts are with the children, family and friends of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Your grief is our grief. Your loss is our loss.

May the Lord grant you peace, comfort and wisdom in your healing process. Those hearts and little souls are in a far better safe place. A place that is safe from pain, sorrow, sickness and death. Rejoice in the fact you will one day be united again!

My wife and I extend our deepest sympathy to all of you in Newtown Connecticut.  

Sincerely,

Jim and Jane Carver

10 reasons- Why You Should read This Book!

10 reasons why you should read the book:

1.  It was written from the heart.

2.  It is a success story. We get bombarded daily with bad news stories; it’s time to read something positive!

3.  It was written to honor a friend and outstanding organization.

4.  It is an enjoyable, interesting read of winning, losing, pride, joy, sweat, laughter, and tears.

5.  It is a timeless story of visionary leadership and motivation.

6.  It provides key principles for any individual or group to become successful and improve their lives.

7.  It will make you want to read it again and again.

8.  It has pictures of pretty girls and students wearing funny shaped hats.

9.  It's something you owe to yourself to read.

10.  It's- Something Meaningful that Matters!

 

25% Christmas Discount

 Send a check or money order for $24.00 (includes snail mail delivery) to:

Paradiddle Publishing

PO Box 984

Mansfield, Ohio 44903

or

 Order from this website (on the right side of page)!

This book is the perfect gift for a current music student, ex-band member or simply anyone who wants to be inspired by motivation, perseverance, innovation and success. Most importantly, it’s about the impact one person can make within other’s lives.  

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Surveys- The Art of telling a Story?

For decades we wondered why survey results were somewhat hidden criteria. We scratched our heads wondering why the obvious issues weren’t addressed. Why employ consultants to be the middle man, wouldn’t a standard form with the right questions be quicker, accurate, cost effective and worthy? If some glaring issues needed to be resolved surely management could correct the situation.

Being naïve was the first mistake when we bought into the purpose of the survey.

The truth is surveys are a tool to gage how effective the organizations marketing campaign is perceived. Identifying what works and what needs tweaked. Surveys aren’t designed to identify your likes or dislikes. They don’t value your opinion, care about you or your needs.

It’s about perception and persuasion and buying into a story. It’s never been about fair, right or wrong.

The questions are skewed based on the marketing agenda. The consulting firm can offer suggestions on how to improve the organizational message. After implementation this ensures the same consultant group is brought back to follow-up with the next survey. Chances are improvement will be part of the results, once again ensuring the effectiveness of the organization and the consulting firm.

If the consultants can show desired output it’s a win-win situation for everybody.

Well not quite everybody.

When organizations settle for the outcome addressed on a typical roadside billboard, newspaper advertisement or media commercials the real story is never conveyed.

This is the reason most people forego Internet online marketing surveys- it provides no usefulness to the individuals needs.

Besides, we already know it’s a waste of time.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Connect the Dots!

 

The Industrial Age was always about control. Control has kept us fighting in every conceivable way to enforce their will over humanity. The MC, Ringmaster, referee and manager were hand-picked to manipulate the desired results for the “Big Kahuna”.

Control allows no compromise, variation or opportunity to pick door #3. No chance to stand-out, raise the bar or do great things. The sooner you comprehend this message; the sooner you’ll stop feeling like the ball inside a pinball machine.

Take risks, challenge the status quo, think outside the box and don’t settle for rhetoric, quick fixes or mediocrity.

Embrace this time knowing we are on the cusp of change. In the post-industrial age you have a responsibility to create something remarkable, significant and inspiring.

Connect the dots.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com 

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.