Nokia Research Center

Professional Activities

Lifetime member of Delta Sigma Pi, The Business Fraternity

• Held offices as Chapter President, Sr. Vice President, VP Pledge Education and pledge class president

Research Interests

1. Culinary Arts
2. Cultural Divesity
3. Table Tennis techniques
4. Champagne consumption

Research Projects

I have been involved in several cutting-edge research projects, many of which require a security clearance in order to be discussed. However, one interesting research project that was conducted in Beijing, PRC, was related to the construction, distribution and ignition of highly volatile Chinese fireworks. For the full story on that project, please go to http://6macadventure.typepad.com/macsinbj/2009/02/pyrotechnics.html.

However, the bulk of my independent research has been focused on the areas of entertainment and culinary arts. My life long ambition is to fine tune both the process of dynamically creating environments that are conducive to dissemination of joy throughout the target group, defined as guests in my home, or other venue where food and drinks are available, as well as the physical creation of the gastronomic delights.

In any area of research, it is important to ensure your data collection is both authentic and spans a large enough data set to be significant. To that end, I only engage in primary research, where the output is in my direct control.  As a first test case, I use small groups of 6-8 participants. These are sometimes colloquially referred to as dinner parties.  For these tests, I have complete control of the experiment, and can immediately analyze the empirical results.  In an attempt to prove one of my hypotheses, that creation of these food distribution events should not be limited to small groups, I created a large test group to inaugurate our new back garden.  For this case, the test subject base was increased, where N=150. The learnings from this experiment were innumerable, but the key learning was, with a sample size of 150, very little usable empirical data can be gathered from any individual test subject, and in come cases, it was not clear if certain test subjects had even participated in the experiment.  It was also very clear, that experiments of this size require significant administrative and laboratory support teams, as well as a very strong research assistant, who in this case, was my wife.

On the topic of breadth of participants, another annual experiment that I was invovled in while at home in the US, was the "Back to School" BBQ for our local elementary school.  Here, my hypothesis was much different.  The inspiration came several years prior, when I was attending the event, eating a cold hot dog, for which I paid $5, and which resulted in -0- <zero> profit for the school's "Home and School" club.  I was inspired to comment, "This food is mediocre, and the service experience is sub-par.  I think we can do better!"  And so, the experiement began.  We quickly determined that, rather than having one group of test subjects, we really had three distinct profiles of people involved, and therefore, the options needed to reflect that diversity.  The three groups we identified were, Children, Adults, and Adults who wanted a "lighter" fare option.  So, we then created the experiment parameters, starting with the desired outcomes; 1. Well fed and happy guests; 2. Profits to generate additional funds for helping the school; 3. An experiment that was repeatable annually.  We ended up with a fare menu consisting of Hot Dogs and Hamburgers for the first target group, BBQ Tri-Tip sandwiches on home made garlic bread with spicy salsa for the second group, and Chicken Caesar salad for the third group. The results were astounding.  With a subject base where N=650, we were able to create the desired experience, and all three test goals were acheived.

Personal Information

Marital Status: Very, and happily

Children: 4 (3 sons, 1 daughter)

Permanent Home: California, USA

Current Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA

Previous Locations Lived: Tokyo, Japan (1.5 years); Windsor, UK (2 years); Geneva, Switzerland (3.5 years), Beijing, PRC (1 year)