Breaking in a ball glove Max Effgen, March 15, 2012 I clipped this article from Forbes in 2001 thinking that someday, I would get a new glove or have to break in a glove for my future kids. The future came to be the other day. I tried this one second hot water dunk on my son’s glove in preparation… Continue Reading
Making the switch to Vibram Five Fingers Max Effgen, February 21, 2012December 1, 2013 At the start of the year, I made the switch to the iconic, near-barefoot toe shoe. This has been a gradual process. Moving to a minimalist trail shoe about 2 years ago and ditching my orthotics about 18 months ago proved to be easy. I had come across Chi Running… Continue Reading
Think Max Effgen, February 20, 2012 Originally conceived to be part of another work, Rodin’s Thinker changed the way we look at modern sculpture. Like most things disruptive, this was not the intent but the result. Something to think about. Continue Reading
Urban Orcas Max Effgen, February 5, 2012December 2, 2013 Puget Sound is home to a couple of orca pods, but until yesterday I have never seen them near Seattle. These whales usually hang out in the San Juan Islands and will make trips down to the south Puget Sound. These whales were headed towards West Seattle. I was able… Continue Reading
The Art of War and the Blue Ocean Strategy Max Effgen, January 29, 2012June 14, 2023 I found myself recently referencing a post from 2 years ago on these two works. Here is an update. The Blue Ocean Strategy has become a staple of business strategy and most MBA programs. At its core, the Blue Ocean strategy is about value innovation. “Red” oceans are known industries… Continue Reading
Kalakala close to the end Max Effgen, January 23, 2012June 14, 2023 The Kalakala Ferry leaves Seattle, March 2004 A piece of Seattle history is likely to finally meet its end in what has been a long and sad decline. The Kalakala, a beautiful art deco ferry, served the Seattle to Bremerton route for decades. After being rescued from live as a… Continue Reading
Steve Hall, Rock Star Venture Capitalist Max Effgen, January 20, 2012June 14, 2023 Big thank you to Steve Hall for speaking at a pre-Snowpocalypse Rock Star Venture Capitalist on Tuesday, January 17. Steve brought a fresh perspective and practical advice in his “A VC’s Guide to Joining the Right Startup” presentation. After a brief introduction, Steve jumped in with why joining a startup… Continue Reading
Lessons from Kodak Max Effgen, January 15, 2012June 14, 2023 This is a Kodak Brownie No 2A, Model B that my great-grandmother purchased sometime around 1920. It still works. I was able to find some 116 film for it a few years ago and took this timeless picture of the Space Needle. Much has already been written about the demise… Continue Reading
A tale of two customer experiences Max Effgen, January 7, 2012June 14, 2023 In the past 24 hours, I have had two diametrically opposed customer experiences. One was delightful, the other made me cancel my account. I used to bank with a large national bank. When the wife (Disclosure: the wife works for Amazon but does not read my blog) and I married,… Continue Reading
New Year Polar Bear Swim Max Effgen, January 1, 2012June 14, 2023 Water Temp: 48, Air Temp: 46. Clear and sunny weather at Golden Gardens this morning. This was much warmer than my Thanksgiving swim. Could have done some yardage if I had brought goggles. Lots of people out there today, so my kind of crazy has company. Just remember this can… Continue Reading