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Maria Bezaitis: The surprising need for strangeness
Maria Bezaitis: The surprising need for strangeness
In our digital world, social relations have become mediated by data. Without even realizing it, we’re barricading ourselves against strangeness — people and ideas that don’t fit the patterns of who we already know, what we already like and where we’ve already been. A call for technology to deliver us to what and who we need, even if it’s unfamiliar.
A principal engineer at Intel, Maria Bezaitis focuses on how constellations of personal data can form new business models.
WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO HER?
Maria Bezaitis examines the social and cultural landscape, charting new directions for technology innovation within it. At Intel, her work focuses on personal data and how it develops relationally – and what this will mean in terms of new business models, the development of new devices and interfaces, and the creation of better security technologies.
Maria joined Intel in June 2006 to direct the People and Practices Research Group. She also played a leadership role at the cutting-edge social research and design organizations, E-Lab and Sapient Corporation. A longtime literature student, Bezaitis finished her Ph.D at Duke University in French Literature.
How to Cope with the Death of a Parent
How to Cope with the Death of a Parent
Counselling Psychologist, Michelle Bassam, offers advice on dealing coping grief surrounding the loss of one or both parents. She discusses emotional coping strategies, how to find grief and bereavement resources, and deal with anniversaries.
Tools for Grieving Children with Lynea Gillen, MS
Tools for Grieving Children with Lynea Gillen, MS
Published on Jan 7, 2013
Children carry grief in their bodies, hearts and minds in the same way that adults do, but they process it in different ways depending on their age level. In this powerful lecture, Lynea Gillen discussing how to create an environment for children that allows them to express their grief through movement, art and story. Yoga Calm activities and children’s books that help with loss, including Lynea’s new book, will also be explored.
The Greatest Weapon against Stress – William James
The Greatest Weapon against Stress – William James
Saks CEO Steve Sadoves Outlook on Luxury Retail
Saks CEO Steve Sadoves Outlook on Luxury Retail
You’ll have a whole eternity to think inside the box
You’ll have a whole eternity to think inside the box
British Luxury Shops Training Staff in Mandarin
British Luxury Shops Training Staff in Mandarin
Published on Jan 4, 2013
Chinese tourists have made a splash on the international shopping scene, especially in Britain.
The Daily Mail reported that a quarter of a million Chinese tourists visited the UK in 2012. Together, they spent almost $500 million at high-end stores.
[Sue West, Selfridges' Operations Manager]:
“We have Chinese local customers and we have Chinese tourists. So they fall into two camps. But what I can tell you is the international customer has been increasing dramatically over the last two or three years. Last year we saw over a 40-percent increase on the previous year of international Chinese tourists. So it’s by far our highest growing category of international customer.”
Luxury retailer John Lewis reported a 70% increase in Chinese customers for the last 12 months. In response, the store is training its staff in Mandarin to better serve their Chinese customers.
Post-Christmas deals on Boxing Day have made Britain a destination for many mainland Chinese. Back home, they face high taxes on luxury items. That, along with the risk of buying a fake product, makes a trip to the UK worth taking for many.
British businesses are loving it. Some are now letting Chinese customers pay in yuan or with their Chinese credit cards without additional fees.
Harrods department store has also started offering its catalog in Mandarin.
The trend is only expected to continue growing. Luxury brands are the purchase of choice for status-conscious Chinese. Along with their role as gifts in the culture of bribery in China, luxury items on display are a must to those eager to climb up the business or political ladder.
