uber serious
Siemens day number 2 was fantastic. (This occurred yesterday but my studying for a test this morning has delayed me in mentioning it until now). The Senior Director Emeritus Dr. Peter Olfs of Siemens spoke on the industry/engineering perspective of the importance of multi-cultural preparedness. His talk was fantastic and a shade more enthralling, for me, than Nolen’s likely because it was more easily applied in my case.
So, listening to these two guys, hearing two insider’s (and well-experienced) mindsets on the future of business and industry, I am now motivated to do something to prepare myself for the new future. Both Nolen and Olfs mentioned that in the same way that people in their late 40s or 50s today are only able to slowly adopt the instant access to information available (a Google search I could make on “George Nolen” right now would turn up more information in the 0.19 milliseconds it took to index those files than in five months of research in the largest libraries in Virginia during the 1970s), in just a decade or more it will be difficult for up-coming employees to adapt to the truly multi-cultural world unless we immerse ourself in their perspectives and cultures. Trying to summarize a point Olfs made - there are too many talented engineers, so many that they are no longer the desired ones; what is needed are those who can cross cultural boundaries and make effective contact.
So, I’ve decided to learn German. Considering what I am adamant about getting into with a career, it would be best to seek a learning outlet to benefit that aim. I’ll look into books around here and also online, but, as Olfs reiterated, it will ultimately be best for me to just spend time there.
I’ve posted the two lectures for anyone to download. The Nolen one is a mediocre recording and sometimes partially audible. The Olfs one is a much better recording, but his presentation style was to sometimes let the slides speak for himself; so at times, people may laugh or he may indirectly address a point he had listed on a slide. The last line of his presentation was not spoken and it is, “You might spill your drink.” You’ll understand it when you hear it. Enjoy.
George Nolen - One Step Ahead
Peter Olfs - Making A Fast Career In Industry