Quod me nutrit, me destruit

In some reason, I couldn't stop writing about Chicago tour when I responded Young's message. I am copying what I wrote to Young to here just because I've never written anything like this, it is quite a long article, and just in some people ask a same question to me in the future.

 

If your colleagues are available after 10 PM only, then I would recommend the following places.

 

1. Signature Lounge at the 96th (John Hancock bldg.)

This is a must-go for a tourist. The cocktail is notexpensive, and it opens late. The best part of this place is the night view ofthe downtown Chicago. Sears has agreat view, but I personally prefer the view from here. The best view of thebar is ironically the view from women's restroom! The building has observatory,but you don’t need to be there since Signature Lounge is only a floor belowfrom the observatory and free to enter. You can order some light meal, too ifthe kitchen is open.

 

2. Webber Grill

If you are a meat-lover, you will enjoy the food here. Allfood in this restaurant is made by using a Webber Grill, the America’smost loved grill brand. A little bit expensive (about 20 to 30 dollars perperson), but it is worth. It is not as oily as most American food, but you willenjoy good quality and amount of meat. It opens by midnighton Friday and Saturday.
http://www.webergrillrestaurant.com/locations/chicago.html

 

3. Café Ba Ba Reeba

If you are willing to go farther and try Spanish food, thisis the restaurant you want to go. Spanish food was quite a hit in Chicagoin a couple years ago, and this restaurant is one of the top restaurants here. Theatmosphere is great, its Tapas are good, Paella is better, and Sangrais isrefreshing. It is not oily and if I haven’t met any Korean who does not likePaella although it tastes a little salty to me. It opens by midnight on Friday and Saturday.

http://www.cafebabareeba.com/chicago/about/

 

4. Famous Chicago-style Pizza
For a well-known Chicago-style pizza (or dip-dish pizza), I would recommend Gino’sEast or Uno Chicago Grill. The original store of both restaurant chains islocated in the downtown and easily accessible. They do not serve pre-made pizzaand it takes about 30 minutes to prepare for dip-dish pizza, so I recommendpre-order by phone or online. You can order online for Gino’s East. For UnoChicago Grill, I recommend the one in Ohio streetbecause it is the original store.

http://featuredfoods.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/a-store/gino_p2.shtml?L+scstore+nmvm3217ginosff958e95+1273153611

http://www.unos.com/

For other options, Lou Malnati’s one is quite okay, too. http://www.loumalnatis.com/

Chicago-style pizza is not what many Korean guys like most,but since you are here, you should try it, right?

 

Places to see

-        Millennium park: Awesome place.You should see the BEAN and face fountains, too!

-        Art of Institute of Chicago Museum(you can see most drawings we learned in the Art class in middle-/high-school.Their collection is amazing. I strongly recommend it!)

-        Chicago Architectural Cruise orskyline boat tour: Highly recommended to the first visitors. You will be amazedespecially if you are interested in architecture. Chicagohas so many historic and beautiful buildings.
http://www.chicagotours.us/?event=offer.type&productType=ARCHITECTURE&mpt=441&name=Architectural%20Tours%20in%20Chicago
http://www.wendellaboats.com/experience/lakeandrivertour.aspx

-        The Magnificent Mile: If you love shoppingluxuries, then you should be there.

-        Navy Pier: It is okay, but somepeople think it is just so-so.

-        Lake Shoredrive: good place to drive or walk.

 

Tips! Brunch Place: Yolk

I know the hotel would give free breakfast, but there is agreat brunch restaurant closed to the conference place. Their egg benedict—any kindof egg benedict tastes good to me, at least—is quite good and famous.  

http://www.yolk-online.com/

[SHMC] Women's Pannel

Presence & Credibility
- Practice power gesture
- Practice deeper and louder voice
- Be good at excel
- Be data analytic
- Be prepared
- Use the white board; make the white board your friend to control the dialogue
- Ask so-what question: What should we do with the knowledge?
==> What would we do differently with the knowledge is 1) A by Monday, 2) B by Tuesday, and 3) C by Wednesday.
- Ask the opinions: Tell me what's missing here. Tell me how I structure this. Tell me the process is right.

Challenges
- Manage rock stars
- Adapt different communication settings
- Exercise power

2-cents Advice
- Follow your heart
- Support the idea with data
- You are being a roll model of somebody
- Develop relationship
- Develop a piece of masculine interest

The Take-away
- To be honest & Do not compromise yourself
- Gran the data and provide a structure
- Develop & Network people. Find varied qualities from different people



Women's Panel

Anne Martinelli:
MBA: Stanford
Current position: General Manager/Director, International and Sears.com/español, Online Business Unit
Previous position: Director, Online Strategy and Multi-Channel initiatives; Customer Strategy team
Previous work experience: The Boston Consulting Group, Gap Inc., Tea Collection

Michele Khim:
- MBA: Kellogg
- Previous Work Experience: Best Buy, Dell, Ford
- Current SHC Position: Director, HA Merchandise Strategy
- Previous SHC Position: Customer Strategy

Chaneice Brown:
- MBA: Kellogg
- Previous Work Experience: McKinsey, Kelloggs, Booz Allen & Hamilton
- Current SHC Position: DVP, Format Renewal, mygofer Joliet lead
- Previous SHC Position: Customer Strategy team

While I was reading a book, I couldn't stop but having two questions: 1) whether Pixar culture can or should be applied to a company in other industrie sand 2) when the author would talk about the hard work. Although I appreciate the optimistic, fun and dream-comes-true contents, I have to admit that I could not accept as what the book describes work environments in Pixar as it is. I found myself, questioning that this book might lack the realistic observations as well as sharp insights to the company.

I might be jealous since I am not working for Pixar and too stubborn and stiff to accept that there might be an fun, happy and productive work place.

I think that the Harvard BusinessReview's 13-minute interview with ED Catmull, co-founder of Pixar,gives more real sense of how people in Pixar work differently than this224-page book.

HBR interview: Pixar's Collective Genius
HBR article: How Pixar Fosters Collective Creativity