1. As usually lovely animation of Google’s new Priority Inbox - just browsing around the new features now - looks great!

  2. I am a member of Life Time Fitness and periodically they send me emails from the club. It’s a national company so they have multiple locations across the US and about 5 branches in Chicago area. I used to just trash them, but over time I began to open more of them. Why? Primarily because they are relevant and they have good content - they’ll update me on new programs at the gym (specifically my local gym), or upcoming major events. It’s amazing…. It is amazing because it provides context and it’s targeted.  But here’s another thing they do really well. I’m sure that comes at a high cost to them, but they’re constantly improving their website. From class schedules, to registration for classes and events, etc - it can all be done on their website. Community forums, ability to find people to play your sport or do some activity together - just great! Now, I must admit that my schedule is irregular so I don’t take advantage of many of these services, but I still think they rock at it. Do they need to do it? Not at all - they don’t need to invest tons of money into a really friendly and useful website - they’re a gym and spa company so they could just focus on doing a good job at that (which they do excellently by the way). Their focus however is beyond just a regular gym experience, they’re up to speed with technologies and they want to make it really convenient and easy for you to use and enjoy the membership for which you pay. So while I pay more for Life Time than I would for Bally’s or other gym - I see my money at work. I see it at work beautifully so I just commend their efforts and for going beyond my expectations - that is a trait for any great company. It’s in the small things, in the details. Other examples of such companies are Apple (for example, among thousands of other things they do super well, a simple call to their customer support at a local store will keep updating you with number in line on hold)  or REI. But hopefully more about them at some other time. 

    I am a member of Life Time Fitness and periodically they send me emails from the club. It’s a national company so they have multiple locations across the US and about 5 branches in Chicago area. I used to just trash them, but over time I began to open more of them. Why? Primarily because they are relevant and they have good content - they’ll update me on new programs at the gym (specifically my local gym), or upcoming major events. It’s amazing…. It is amazing because it provides context and it’s targeted. 

    But here’s another thing they do really well. I’m sure that comes at a high cost to them, but they’re constantly improving their website. From class schedules, to registration for classes and events, etc - it can all be done on their website. Community forums, ability to find people to play your sport or do some activity together - just great! Now, I must admit that my schedule is irregular so I don’t take advantage of many of these services, but I still think they rock at it. Do they need to do it? Not at all - they don’t need to invest tons of money into a really friendly and useful website - they’re a gym and spa company so they could just focus on doing a good job at that (which they do excellently by the way). Their focus however is beyond just a regular gym experience, they’re up to speed with technologies and they want to make it really convenient and easy for you to use and enjoy the membership for which you pay. So while I pay more for Life Time than I would for Bally’s or other gym - I see my money at work. I see it at work beautifully so I just commend their efforts and for going beyond my expectations - that is a trait for any great company. It’s in the small things, in the details.

    Other examples of such companies are Apple (for example, among thousands of other things they do super well, a simple call to their customer support at a local store will keep updating you with number in line on hold)  or REI. But hopefully more about them at some other time. 

  3. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

    — 

    A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson (via 3rddegree)

    Wise words. I need to read this every morning!
    Thanks JY

  4. Facebook Places (Checkin) is NOT available in Chicago. Good one Facebook!

    Facebook Places (Checkin) is NOT available in Chicago. Good one Facebook!

  5. More creative and more eye-catching than any other “80% off” email I’ve gotten. Nice touch Adobe! (did I admit that I didn’t click the link though?)

    More creative and more eye-catching than any other “80% off” email I’ve gotten. Nice touch Adobe!

    (did I admit that I didn’t click the link though?)