#8 My Nightstand
On a busy travel week, I reflect on air travel, a book on the story of Sam Walton and thinking about the first birthday of ChatGPT.
Welcome to “My Nightstand”!
This newsletter plays around the concept of three things that I have on my nightstand when I go to bed: 1) a book, 2) a piece of content that inspired me 3) a reflection on self-improvement, life or work.
Note: this edition comes a bit later, as this week I had to travel for work, 4 flights, more than 8.500 miles (or 13.600km), approx. I traveled more than the distance from Miami to Tokyo…anyway:
WHAT’S IN THIS EDITION: In this edition, we're diving into:
1) One of the best business books on Sam Walton’s story.
2) Reflecting on ChatGPT 1st birthday.
3) Reflecting on how air travel transformed our cultures.
Let’s get into it!
1. Book Spotlight: "Made in America" by Sam Walton (Amazon link)
This book is the official memoir of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, the biggest retailer, grocery chain in the United States, and the number one company in terms of revenue (over $611 billion/year) and employer (it employs over 2.3 million people).
The memoir tells Walton's journey in building Walmart into a retail giant. The book also emphasizes the values of frugality, creativity, confidence, and putting the customer first. Walton's practical wisdom and his willingness to learn from his competitors are highlighted as well:
Key lessons:
Belief in People: Sam Walton trusted and believed in people, regardless of their background. He valued the willingness to work and gave individuals opportunities based on their dedication rather than their history.
Balance in Life: Walton recognized the importance of balance in life, even amidst the demands of starting and managing a business. He emphasized the value of pursuing passions outside of work, such as sports, hobbies, and reading.
Frugality and Customer Focus: Walton's commitment to frugality and customer satisfaction was evident throughout the book. He understood the significance of customer loyalty and the essential role of customers in the success of any business.
Value of Imitation: Walton acknowledges the reality of imitation in business and the potential for success it offers. He highlights that it can be easier and more profitable to improve an existing idea when starting a company, rather than creating something entirely new.
MY TAKE:
I loved this book, and how inspirational and insightful it is. The book is easy to read, and it sheds light on how hard it is to build a business, especially one like Walmart, and how important it was to 1) constantly focus on the customer; 2) always observe and learn from other businesses to incorporate best practices. Too often companies lose track of their customers’ needs, or become a closed loophole of processes and bureaucracy that kill innovation.
2. Article spotlight: ChatGPT turns 1 year young
This week, one year ago, ChatGPT launched officially. Since then, over 1.7 billion users have used it, and it has basically changed the world forever. It is hard to think how fast this has happened, and how relevant it now is to the technology and innovation world:
OpenAI's AI chatbot has achieved significant milestones in its first year, including widespread adoption and usage across various domains such as writing, content generation, and even business applications.
The chatbot has disrupted traditional writing practices, with its technology being integrated into internet search and evolving to provide more nuanced and accurate responses, leading to both excitement and concern about its potential impact on the future of work and human-AI interaction.
Despite the achievements, there are concerns about the maturity and potential risks of AI platforms like ChatGPT, leading to calls for regulation and careful consideration of its ethical and societal implications.
3. A reflection on air travel: the busiest day in the U.S. history
The same week I travel more than 13.600km across the United States, it also happen to be happen that on November 26th, it was recorded to be the busiest day of air traffic in the U.S. history, with over 2.9 million air travelers across the country.
As I walked through airports and different cities, I reflected on how important air travel has become for our cultures and lives:
Increased Accessibility: The evolution of air travel has made it more accessible to a larger portion of the population, leading to a significant increase in the number of people flying. This has resulted in a more interconnected world, with people from different cultures and backgrounds having the opportunity to travel and interact with each other.
Cultural Exchange: Air travel has facilitated greater cultural exchange and understanding between different societies. It has allowed people to experience and appreciate diverse cultures, traditions, and ways of life, leading to a more interconnected and globalized world.
Economic Impact: The growth of air travel has had a profound impact on the global economy, leading to increased trade, tourism, and business opportunities. It has also contributed to the development of new industries and the growth of existing ones, leading to greater prosperity and economic development in many parts of the world.
I think the transformational impact of air travel will increase even more in the future, and it will help us connect even more with different cultures, stay connected to our families, and discover new opportunities. What do you think?
Closing Thoughts
As always, hope you enjoyed the read and let me know what you think in the comments!
For me, the nightstand represents a space where I leave many of the things that are on my mind when I go to bed, and I started this newsletter to share some of those reflections and content with readers.
If you like this newsletter, please subscribe and share it with friends!
Stay curious, stay open.
Gianluca