If you can’t see the potential and don’t believe what you’re doing in Bangladesh is going to change anything, then this article is exactly what it is like in Dhaka today. If you think of the city this way, you won’t want to stay; if you think of what it could really be, you know the only direction to go is up.
Until tomorrow… -bag
Posted in Uncategorized
My first journey to Dhaka, Bangladesh is nearing its completion and soon I’ll be landing in snow covered and frigid Columbus, Ohio. But today, while I’m still in Dhaka, I want to share with you some interesting socioeconomic rickshaw arithmetic. You’ll have to bear with my assumptions, but humor me, please.
In the metro Dhaka area there are approximately 12.8 million people (according to Wikipedia), let’s assume that half of those people are male. Every rickshaw driver I’ve seen in almost 2 months has been male, so I think it is a fair assumption. Let’s also assume that the ages of those 6.4 million males are distributed evenly from ages 1 to 60 (60 is the average life expectance of a male in Bangladesh). Most rickshaw drivers are between the ages of 16 and 35 (based solely on my observations and conversations with these gentlemen); I know I’m stretching here, but just go with me.
So what does all this mean? Well based on a recent number I read, there are approximately 500,000 rickshaw drivers in Dhaka. That means that 23.4% of the working males, ages 16-35, are contributing to society by peddling a rickshaw. Even if my math is dramatically off the mark, assign a significant margin of error and the number is staggering.
Now ask yourself, with the proper education and the “luxuries” we have access to in the developed world, how many of these men should have been engineers, doctors, poets, teachers, or consultants in the energy industry. Now imagine a nation with gender equality and think about the societal contributions that would be recognized as human capital is maximized.
I’ve discussed these thoughts with a few people prior to writing this blog and some have said I’ve painted a pretty bleak picture. I however, argue that there is a very bright future for all of us.
For me it is a simple reminder that the world has come a long way; and we have a long way to go.
Until tomorrow… -bag
Posted in All that other stuff, Politics, Travel
The days are flying by here in Bangladesh, and for me that means one very important thing – I needed a haircut! The white man’s afro is rapidly approaching and I had turned to many for advice on where I should go. Among many suggestions on where to go I learned that a person’s head should not be touched by the opposite gender; therefore, men will cut men’s hair and women will cut women’s hair. Off to the recommended barber I went…
Upon arrival, the person from my office here in Dhaka introduced us and promptly left me in good hands (or so we thought). The haircut went well and the barber informed me I had a dry scalp, I said okay and he proceeded to spend the next hour working away. Having been here for a few weeks, I should have known that nothing was quick, but what I didn’t know was that my simple okay, was apparently a green light to provide as many services as human possible until I absolutely insisted that I needed to leave.
Once I was past the point of trying to accept that this must be a cultural thing with ones haircut; I informed them I really needed to be going. They swiftly finished up and informed me that my 100 Taka haircut ($1.30) had turned into 3000 Taka ($40.00). Angry and ready for a fist fight, I realized there were eight of them, one of me. I also noticed how quickly their English vocabulary vanished. Realizing I didn’t have many options other than causing a scene, I decided this $40 would be a learning experience and a wise investment in my healthy future.
Back at the office, I was complimented on my new cut. My reply was, “it is amazing how good you can look for a mere 3000 Taka.” Shocked, appalled, and ready for retaliation they wanted to march back and set things straight; I thought otherwise. I informed everyone that it is a learning experience and that I would have a hard time recommending them for future work; with a smile on my face. The news spread rapidly and they now have a running joke at the office that I’m the financier for the greater Dhaka area association of barber shops.
Lesson learned.
It’s my goal to get my next haircut here for 50 Taka or less; wish me luck!
Until tomorrow… -bag
Posted in Travel
It has been two weeks since I first arrived and what a fantastic experience so far. My primary task as a consultant is to improve communications among electric cooperatives (PBSs) throughout the country. I spent the first week of my trip working in the headquarters office here in Dhaka and adjusting to the many changes. The second week I spent on the road and in rural areas outside of Rangpur, in the northern part of the country.
The people of Bangladesh are incredible and the majority struggle on a daily basis. A densely populated country, approximately the size of the state of Iowa, with nearly 160 million people, this country has great human capacity potential. I hope to blog more regularly now that I’ve started to settle into my daily routine and look forward to hearing from all of you.
If you have questions, please ask. If you have comments, please leave them. I look forward to sharing stories of the people, their culture, and hopefully many successes.
Until tomorrow… -bag
Posted in Energy Industry, Travel
This blog is a response to the following question posed by Lloyd S. Foight on LinkedIn: Will the Electric Vehicle Revolution really happen now, with the advent of the Chevrolet VOLT in 2010?
My response:
The industry is primed for a dynamic shift. Short-term hurdles in energy regulation could give the green light for other manufacturers to swiftly enter the market. Softening sediment on nuclear power could provide national infrastructure improvements for clean and affordable power, while a distributed battery storage system has the potential to advance smart-grid initiatives.
The reality, though, is that markets are fickle and change is slow; if the benefits don’t have immediate payback, the VOLT might become a car collector’s prize. For now, I’ll lease mine!
Your thoughts?
Until tomorrow… -bag
Posted in Energy Industry, Technology
At an event last week I was a listening ear during a brief conversation regarding social media best practices. I didn’t give it much thought until I was processing things on my long drive home in the rain and I began to wonder if social media and best practices could really work together.
The speed in which social media is changing, growing, evolving, and replacing itself with newer and greater technology seems to disregard the essence of an overplayed concept: best practices. Best practices certainly have a place, but in my opinion it is a much more limited deployment than where we see the concept being applied in today’s business atmosphere. Best practices belong in a world of mature business practices that experience limited technological or other forms of change.
In a rapidly evolving environment, leaders have the opportunity to weigh risk and reward, while constantly driving their organization forward. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh recently Tweeted “following ‘best practices’ is a great way to stifle innovation & ensure that your business is average and behind the times”. I couldn’t agree more. In the dynamic world of social media, average and behind the times isn’t where I’d want to be.
When it comes to social media; lead, don’t follow.
Until tomorrow… -bag
Posted in Social Media
I was afraid I might grow out of it, being over 30 now, but thankfully my family still asked me for a Christmas list this year. The question isn’t what do I need; I’m blessed with good health, an amazing and loving family, and more material possessions than billions of people around the globe. That’s certainly more than enough.
But… they asked, right?! It would be rude to ignore such a request and the little kid in me still lights up with anticipation of Christmas morning. Some say I should be embarrassed by my child-like behavior; but it reminds me of the miraculous feeling of being filled with a spirit only Christmas bears. And unlike my childhood years, the pleasure I get from giving gifts is even greater than opening any package.
So, what’s on my list this year?
If you’ve got any great suggestions for giving this Christmas, please pass them along!
Happy shopping… -bag
Posted in All that other stuff
Many, some not admittedly, will be dancing through the malls later this week. On a day that we’ve come to identify as “Black Friday,” credit cards will be swiped, cash will be spent, and gifts stowed and hidden. Getting caught up in a marketing and advertising frenzy isn’t necessarily all that bad; many argue that the best deal has been had, all the while friends and family unite for the festivities. Not to mention all those Thanksgiving Day calories are certainly burnt away in the feverish dashes from store to store.
What amazes me about Black Friday is actually the following Monday. Inexplicably, by the open of business on Monday, Wall Street is anxious to report the heartbeat of retail across America. Some years markets will jump, other years they’ll sag, and sometimes they’ll flat-line. I’m not sure what to expect in 2009, but it won’t keep me from making a prediction: Rebound.
My economic intuitions say people have been holding back, while retailers have been saving the savviest of advertising and promotions to woo the eager spenders. While big purchases like cars and houses have slowed, many are ready to leave their homes and ignore the stress of the past year to savor the eggnog, Christmas music, and shopping.
Will you be shopping November 27, 2009? And, more importantly, will you be spending some of that hard earned cash? I’ll anxiously await the results in Monday’s financial analysis.
Happy Thanksgiving… -bag
Posted in All that other stuff
I’ve learned to surf, on the computer and on the beaches of Maui, but this wave is something brand new. I’ve only been a member of Google Wave for approximately a week, but I’ve been reading blogs and watching YouTube on this awesome web integrated application and I’m wowed!
The power of the software definitely comes in the number of avid users and so far, for me, that includes only the one friend that invited me to join – thanks, Anthony. I’m anxious to see how it could integrate into a work environment and would love to hear from any of you out there that have already adopted it for a work group or organization. It appears that Google Wave is a real-time collaboration tool via a thin web client. Collaborate through text, documents, video; I’m not sure what limits it really has for a cooperative setting.
And for the younger crowd that chat and text, I’m sure you’ll soon drop your MSN or AIM account and catch a wave with your friends. For those of you interested check out this link to learn more http://wave.google.com. And to Google… Keep rocking it out!
If anyone is interested in joining Google and riding a wave or two with me, leave me a message. I think I can invite new users to join. For more information try this resource: http://completewaveguide.com/.
Until tomorrow… -bag
Posted in Technology
For those doubters out there, I think electronic books have got it right this time. My Kindle arrived just over a week ago and it has quickly found its home in my man bag. The model I went with is the KindleDX (larger screen and PDF capabilities).
The initial use of this device is work related and the pilot process has begun as a way to stay green and reduce costs. So far, it’s got immense potential; I’ll keep you posted.
The readability, battery life, and ease of use are incredible. Whether you’re a tech savvy computer guru or a continued fan of the typewriter you’ll be able to navigate and consume the intuitive features of the Kindle.
Hot on the heels of the Amazon.com Kindle is the Barnes and Noble Nook. More similar in size to the standard Kindle, the Nook appears to be packed full of other features. For personal use I’d give it a really good look as you evaluate your future reading options.
HappE-reading!
Until tomorrow… -bag
Posted in Technology
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at the BAG 