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2024

  • in podcast
  • 4 min read

Beyond Technical Expertise

Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we delve into the strategies and skills that can help you thrive in today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape. I’m your host, Victor Leung, and today we’re going to explore the essential skills that set high-caliber talents apart.

In a world where change is the only constant, possessing technical and functional expertise is no longer enough. High-caliber professionals have a well-rounded skill profile that allows them to adapt, lead, and excel amidst constant disruption. So, let’s dive in and take a closer look at these key categories of skills.

First, let’s talk about adaptation skills. In our fast-paced world, staying aware of external trends and continuously evolving is crucial. High-caliber talents exhibit several capabilities that ensure their relevance and resilience.

The commitment to perpetual learning and self-improvement is a hallmark of successful professionals. This involves staying updated with industry advancements, pursuing new knowledge, and regularly acquiring fresh skills. Think of it as being a student for life, always curious and ready to learn.

Being comfortable with change and uncertainty is essential. High-caliber talents embrace change, viewing it as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. They understand that change can open new doors and provide unexpected benefits.

The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work is pivotal. This mindset fosters a love for learning and resilience that is indispensable in the face of setbacks. It’s all about seeing challenges as opportunities to grow and improve.

The ability to think outside the box and devise innovative solutions to complex problems is a critical skill. It enables professionals to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in novel ways. Creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s a vital part of problem-solving in any field.

Next, we have core critical skills. These are the bedrock of effective collaboration and leadership, extending beyond technical know-how.

The ability to make sound, informed decisions swiftly and confidently is essential. It involves weighing options, considering consequences, and choosing the best course of action. Good decision-making can set you apart as a leader and a trusted professional.

The capacity to analyze information, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions is crucial for problem-solving and strategic planning. Being able to break down complex issues into manageable parts is a key to success.

Working effectively with others, fostering teamwork, and building strong professional relationships are vital for achieving common goals. In today’s interconnected world, collaboration is more important than ever.

The skill of conveying ideas clearly and persuasively, whether in written or spoken form, is indispensable for influencing and inspiring others. Good communication can make or break a project.

Leading by example, motivating teams, and driving organizational success through vision and strategy are the hallmarks of effective leadership. It’s about inspiring others to follow your lead.

The ability to plan, execute, and oversee projects to ensure they are completed on time, within scope, and budget is a critical skill in any professional setting. Good project management keeps everything on track and ensures success.

Moving on to next frontier skills, these are about preparing for the future by mastering emerging trends and technologies poised to disrupt the workplace.

As sustainability becomes a key focus, skills related to environmental stewardship, sustainable practices, and green technologies are increasingly valuable. Being green isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for your career too.

Understanding and working with generative AI, which includes creating, implementing, and managing AI-driven solutions, is becoming essential as AI technology continues to advance and integrate into various industries. AI is the future, and understanding it will give you a significant edge.

Finally, let’s discuss self-management skills. These enable professionals to understand and manage their strengths, weaknesses, and daily work effectively.

Being cognizant of one’s own abilities, emotions, and impact on others is fundamental for personal and professional growth. Self-awareness helps you understand how others perceive you and how to improve.

The ability to handle stress in a healthy way ensures sustained performance and well-being. Managing stress effectively is key to maintaining your health and productivity.

Effective personal planning involves setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and managing resources to achieve desired outcomes. It’s about being organized and strategic in your personal and professional life.

Efficiently managing one’s time to balance work and personal life is crucial for maintaining productivity and avoiding burnout. Good time management allows you to do more in less time and enjoy a balanced life.

In conclusion, the most successful professionals today are those who cultivate a broad array of skills that extend beyond their technical expertise. By developing adaptation skills, core critical skills, next frontier skills, and self-management skills, high-caliber talents not only enhance their own careers but also contribute significantly to their organizations' success. Embracing this comprehensive approach to skill development is essential for thriving in the dynamic and ever-changing world of work.

Thank you for joining me on this episode of Continuous Improvement. I hope you found it insightful and inspiring. Remember, the journey to improvement is continuous, and every step you take brings you closer to your goals. Until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep improving.

Thanks for tuning in to Continuous Improvement. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. I’m Victor Leung, signing off.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

超越技術專業知識

在今天迅速變化的專業環境中，高素質人才的標誌遠遠超出技術和功能專業知識。這些人擁有全面的技能網絡，使他們能夠在不斷變化和中斷中蓬勃發展。以下是這些頂級表演者的關鍵技能類別的更詳細的介紹：

1. 適應的技巧

適應技巧對於保持對外部趨勢的了解和持續進化至關重要。在變化是唯一不變的世界裡，高素質的人才展現了確保他們的相關性和復原力的一系列能力：

  • 終生學習技巧：對不斷學習和自我提升的承諾是成功專業人士的標誌。這涉及到與行業進步保持同步，追求新知識，並定期獲取新技能。
  • 變化容忍度：對變化和不確定性的舒適感至關重要。高素質的人才接受變化，將其視為增長的機會，而非威脅。
  • 成長思維：相信能力和智慧可以通過奉獻和努力來發展的信念至關重要。這種心態培養了對學習和面對挫敗的不可或缺的愛好和復原力。
  • 創新問題解決：對於複雜問題提出創新解決方案的能力是一項關鍵技能。它使專業人士能夠以新穎的方式應對挑戰並抓住機會。
2. 核心批判技巧

除了適應性，高素質的人才在交叉功能和人際方面的核心批評技能上表現出色。這些技能是有效協作和領導的基石：

  • 決策：迅速且自信地做出明智，有根據的決定的能力至關重要。這包括衡量選擇，考慮後果，並選擇最佳行動方案。
  • 分析思考：分析信息，識別模式，並得出有意義結論的能力對於問題解決和策略規劃至關重要。
  • 合作：與他人有效地工作，促進團隊合作，並建立強大的專業關係對於實現共同目標至關重要。
  • 演示：清楚且有說服力地傳達想法的技能，無論是書面還是口頭，對於影響和激勵他人都是必不可少的。
  • 領導能力：示範為主，激勵團隊，並通過願景和策略推動組織成功是有效領導的標誌。
  • 項目管理：規劃，執行和監督項目以確保其按時，範圍內，預算內完成是任何專業環境中的關鍵技能。
3. 下一代先鋒技能

為未來做準備涉及掌握下一代的先鋒技能，應對即將打擾職場的新興趨勢和技術：

  • 綠色技能：隨著可持續發展成為關注焦點，與環保，可持續實踐和綠色技術相關的技能變得越來越有價值。
  • 生成AI：理解並使用生成型AI，包括創建，實施和管理AI驅動的解決方案，隨著AI技術的進一步發展和融合到各種行業中，這變得越來越重要。
4. 自我管理技能

最後，自我管理技能使專業人士能夠理解並管理自己的優點，弱點，和有效地進行每日的工作：

  • 自我認識：對自身的能力，情緒，以及對他人的影響有所認識，對個人和專業的成長至關重要。
  • 壓力管理：以健康的方式處理壓力確保持續的表現和良好的身體狀況。
  • 個人計劃：有效的個人規劃涉及設定目標，優先安排任務，並管理資源以實現期望的結果。
  • 時間管理：有效地管理自己的時間以平衡工作和個人生活對於維持生產力和避免燒傷至關重要。

總之，當今最成功的專業人士是那些培養了廣泛技能的人，這些技能超出了他們的技術專長。通過開發適應技能，核心批判技能，下一代技能，以及自我管理技能，高素質的人才不僅提升了他們自己的職業生涯，還對他們的組織的成功做出了重大貢獻。對於適應動態瞬息萬變的工作世界，接受這種全面的技能發展方法是必要的。

  • 3 min read

Key Principles to Lead in the Digital Age

In the fast-paced digital age, effective leadership requires a transformative approach that adapts to the evolving landscape. Here, we explore six essential principles that leaders must embrace to navigate and thrive in this dynamic environment.

1. Customer Focus

Putting the customer at the heart of everything: In the digital age, customer expectations are higher than ever. Leaders must prioritize understanding and meeting these needs. This involves gathering customer insights through data analytics, direct feedback, and market research. By fostering a culture that prioritizes customer satisfaction, organizations can build loyalty and drive continuous improvement.

Case in point: Amazon's obsession with customer satisfaction has driven its innovation and operational efficiency, making it a global leader in e-commerce.

2. Output Orientation

Focusing on results, not just activities: Output orientation means concentrating on the outcomes rather than the processes. Leaders should set clear goals, measure performance based on results, and continuously adjust strategies to meet objectives. This principle emphasizes efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that every effort contributes to the overall mission.

Case in point: Google's OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework exemplifies how focusing on specific outcomes can drive significant achievements and innovation.

3. Rapid Experimentation

Embracing agility and innovation through experimentation: In a rapidly changing digital landscape, the ability to quickly test and iterate on ideas is crucial. Leaders should create an environment that encourages experimentation, tolerates failure, and learns from it. This approach allows organizations to innovate continuously and stay ahead of the competition.

Case in point: Netflix's experimentation with different content types and distribution models has enabled it to become a dominant player in the streaming industry.

4. Cross-Boundary Collaboration

Breaking down silos for integrated solutions: Digital transformation often requires collaboration across different departments, geographies, and even industries. Leaders must foster a culture of teamwork and open communication, enabling diverse perspectives to come together and create holistic solutions. Cross-boundary collaboration leads to more comprehensive and innovative outcomes.

Case in point: The collaboration between Apple and various healthcare providers to develop HealthKit and ResearchKit showcases the power of cross-industry partnerships in driving innovation.

5. Adaptability in Uncertainty

Navigating change with resilience and flexibility: The digital age is marked by constant change and uncertainty. Leaders must be adaptable, ready to pivot strategies, and resilient in the face of challenges. This requires a proactive mindset, continuous learning, and the ability to foresee and respond to emerging trends and disruptions.

Case in point: Microsoft's transformation under Satya Nadella's leadership, embracing cloud computing and AI, demonstrates adaptability in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

6. Empowering Team

Fostering a culture of empowerment and trust: Empowering team members involves giving them the autonomy to make decisions, encouraging innovation, and providing the resources and support they need to succeed. Leaders should build trust, offer mentorship, and create opportunities for professional growth. Empowered teams are more motivated, engaged, and capable of driving the organization forward.

Case in point: Spotify's squad model allows small, autonomous teams to work on different parts of the product, fostering a culture of empowerment and rapid innovation.

Conclusion

Leading in the digital age requires a shift from traditional leadership models to a more dynamic and responsive approach. By focusing on customer needs, emphasizing output, embracing experimentation, promoting collaboration, adapting to uncertainty, and empowering teams, leaders can navigate the complexities of the digital era and drive their organizations toward sustained success.

  • in podcast
  • 3 min read

Key Principles to Lead in the Digital Age

Welcome back to "Continuous Improvement," the podcast dedicated to exploring strategies and insights for personal and professional growth. I’m your host, Victor Leung. Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for anyone leading in our fast-paced digital age – effective leadership principles for thriving in this dynamic environment. Let’s explore six essential principles that leaders must embrace to navigate and succeed in this digital era.

In the digital age, customer expectations are higher than ever. As leaders, putting the customer at the heart of everything we do is paramount. This means prioritizing understanding and meeting customer needs through data analytics, direct feedback, and market research. By fostering a culture that prioritizes customer satisfaction, organizations can build loyalty and drive continuous improvement.

Case in point: Amazon's obsession with customer satisfaction has driven its innovation and operational efficiency, making it a global leader in e-commerce.

Effective leadership is about focusing on results, not just activities. This principle involves concentrating on outcomes rather than processes. Leaders should set clear goals, measure performance based on results, and continuously adjust strategies to meet objectives. This emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness ensures that every effort contributes to the overall mission.

Case in point: Google's OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework exemplifies how focusing on specific outcomes can drive significant achievements and innovation.

In a rapidly changing digital landscape, the ability to quickly test and iterate on ideas is crucial. Leaders should create an environment that encourages experimentation, tolerates failure, and learns from it. This approach allows organizations to innovate continuously and stay ahead of the competition.

Case in point: Netflix's experimentation with different content types and distribution models has enabled it to become a dominant player in the streaming industry.

Digital transformation often requires collaboration across different departments, geographies, and even industries. Leaders must foster a culture of teamwork and open communication, enabling diverse perspectives to come together and create holistic solutions. Cross-boundary collaboration leads to more comprehensive and innovative outcomes.

Case in point: The collaboration between Apple and various healthcare providers to develop HealthKit and ResearchKit showcases the power of cross-industry partnerships in driving innovation.

The digital age is marked by constant change and uncertainty. Leaders must be adaptable, ready to pivot strategies, and resilient in the face of challenges. This requires a proactive mindset, continuous learning, and the ability to foresee and respond to emerging trends and disruptions.

Case in point: Microsoft's transformation under Satya Nadella's leadership, embracing cloud computing and AI, demonstrates adaptability in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

Empowering team members involves giving them the autonomy to make decisions, encouraging innovation, and providing the resources and support they need to succeed. Leaders should build trust, offer mentorship, and create opportunities for professional growth. Empowered teams are more motivated, engaged, and capable of driving the organization forward.

Case in point: Spotify's squad model allows small, autonomous teams to work on different parts of the product, fostering a culture of empowerment and rapid innovation.

Leading in the digital age requires a shift from traditional leadership models to a more dynamic and responsive approach. By focusing on customer needs, emphasizing output, embracing experimentation, promoting collaboration, adapting to uncertainty, and empowering teams, leaders can navigate the complexities of the digital era and drive their organizations toward sustained success.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Continuous Improvement." If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Until next time, keep striving for continuous improvement!

I’m Victor Leung, and this has been "Continuous Improvement." See you next time!

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

在數字時代領導的關鍵原則

在快節奏的數字時代，有效的領導需要一種能適應不斷變化環境的變革型方法。在這裡，我們將探討領導者必須接受的六大關鍵原則，以便在這個動態環境中駕馭並繼續繁榮。

1. 以客戶為中心

把客戶放在一切的中心： 在數字時代，客戶的期望比以往任何時候都高。領導者應該優先理解和滿足這些需求。這涉及到通過數據分析，直接反饋和市場研究來收集客戶見解。通過培養一種將客戶滿意度放在首位的文化，組織可以建立忠誠度並推動持續改進。

典型案例： 亞馬遜對客戶滿意度的迷戀推動了其創新和營運效率，使其成為電子商務的全球領導者。

2. 著重產出

專注結果，而非僅僅是活動： 著重產出意味著專注於成果而非流程。領導者應該設定明確的目標，基於結果來衡量績效，並不斷調整策略以達成目標。這個原則強調效率和效果，確保每一份努力都能為整體使命作出貢獻。

典型案例： Google 的OKR（目標和關鍵結果）架構體現了如何專注於特定結果可以驅動重要的成就和創新。

3. 快速實驗

透過實驗接受敏捷和創新： 在一個快速變化的數字環境中，能夠快速測試和迭代想法是至關重要的。領導者應該創建一個鼓勵實驗，容忍失敗並從中學習的環境。這種方法讓組織可以持續創新並保持領先競爭對手的優勢。

典型案例： Netflix對不同內容類型和分發模型的實驗使其成為了串流媒體行業的主導者。

4. 跨界合作

打破壁壘，尋求綜合解決方案： 數字轉型通常需要不同部門、地理位置甚至不同行業之間的合作。領導者必須培養團隊協作和開放溝通的文化，讓不同的觀點可以聚在一起，創造全面性的解決方案。跨界合作導致更全面且創新的成果。

典型案例： 蘋果與各種醫療提供商共同開發HealthKit和ResearchKit的合作，展現了跨行業夥伴關係驅動創新的力量。

5. 對不確定性的適應性

以韌性和靈活性應對變化： 數字時代的特點是不斷變化和不確定性。領導者必須具備適應性，隨時準備修改策略，並在面對挑戰時保持堅韌不拔。這需要主動的心態，不斷的學習，以及預見和應對新興趨勢和破壞性變革的能力。

典型案例： 在Satya Nadella的領導下，微軟的轉型，擁抱雲端運算和AI，展現了在不斷變化的科技景象中的適應性。

6. 賦權團隊

培養 empowerment 和 trust 的文化： 賦權團隊成員包含給予他們做決定的自主權，鼓勵創新，並提供他們需要成功的資源和支持。領導者應建立信任，提供指導，並創造專業成長的機會。被賦權的團隊更有動機，更有參與感，更有能力推動組織向前。

典型案例： Spotify 的 squad 模型讓小型，自主的團隊可以在產品的不同部分進行工作，培育了一種賦權和快速創新的文化。

結論

在數字時代的領導需要從傳統的領導模型轉變為更動態和反應性的方式。通過關注客戶需求，強調產出，擁抱實驗，推動合作，適應不確定性，並賦權團隊，領導者可以在數字時代的複雜性中航行並驅動他們的組織邁向持續的成功。

  • 4 min read

Memory Management and Concurrency in Go

Go, developed by Google, is known for its efficiency and simplicity in handling memory management and concurrency. In this blog post, we'll explore how Go manages memory, how its garbage collector (GC) works, and the fundamentals of goroutines that enable Go's powerful concurrency model.

Memory Management in Go

Effective memory management is crucial for any programming language, and Go handles it with a combination of efficient allocation, dynamic stack management, and garbage collection.

Memory Allocation

Go uses a heap for dynamic memory allocation. Here's a closer look at how memory is allocated:

  • Small Objects (≤32KB): These are allocated using a technique called size classes. Go maintains separate pools for objects of different sizes, which helps in reducing fragmentation and speeding up allocation.
  • Large Objects: For objects larger than 32KB, Go maintains a free list of large objects. Allocation and deallocation of these objects are handled separately to optimize performance.

In Go, you can allocate memory using the new and make functions:

  • new: Allocates zeroed storage and returns a pointer to it. It’s used for value types like integers and structures.
  • make: Used for slices, maps, and channels. It initializes the internal data structure and returns a ready-to-use instance.
Stack Management

Each goroutine in Go has its own stack, starting small (e.g., 2KB) and growing as needed. This dynamic sizing allows Go to handle many goroutines efficiently without consuming too much memory upfront.

When a stack needs to grow, Go creates a new, larger stack and copies the contents of the old stack to the new one. This process is seamless and ensures that goroutines can continue to run efficiently without manual intervention.

Garbage Collection in Go

Garbage collection is a critical component of Go's memory management system. Go uses a concurrent garbage collector, which minimizes pause times by running alongside your program. Here's a breakdown of how it works:

Mark-and-Sweep Algorithm

Go's GC uses a mark-and-sweep algorithm, consisting of two main phases:

  1. Mark: The GC starts by marking all objects that are reachable from the root set (global variables, stack variables, etc.). This process identifies all live objects.
  2. Sweep: After marking, the GC sweeps through the heap to reclaim memory occupied by unmarked objects, effectively cleaning up unused memory.
Tri-Color Marking and Write Barriers

To manage the marking process efficiently, Go employs tri-color marking. Objects are classified into three colors:

  • White: Unreachable objects that can be collected.
  • Grey: Objects that have been found but whose references have not been processed.
  • Black: Objects that have been fully processed and are reachable.

Write barriers are used to handle new references created during the GC process. They ensure that any changes to the object graph are correctly tracked, maintaining the integrity of the GC process.

Triggering the Garbage Collector

The GC in Go is typically triggered automatically based on memory usage and allocation patterns. However, it can also be manually invoked using runtime.GC(). The automatic triggering occurs when:

  • A certain amount of new memory has been allocated since the last collection.
  • The heap size exceeds a specified threshold.
  • The runtime's heuristics determine it’s necessary to balance performance and memory usage.

Goroutines: Lightweight Concurrency

One of Go's standout features is its lightweight concurrency model, built on goroutines.

Creating Goroutines

Goroutines are created using the go keyword followed by a function call. For example:

go myFunction()

Goroutines are much cheaper to create and manage compared to traditional OS threads, enabling the creation of thousands of concurrent tasks without significant overhead.

Execution and Scheduling

Goroutines are scheduled by Go's runtime scheduler, which uses M:N scheduling. This means multiple goroutines (N) are multiplexed onto a smaller or equal number of OS threads (M). The scheduler efficiently manages goroutine execution, ensuring that system resources are used effectively.

Communication via Channels

Goroutines communicate and synchronize using channels. Channels provide a way to send and receive values between goroutines, enabling safe and efficient data sharing without explicit locks or shared memory.

Dynamic Stack Growth

As mentioned earlier, goroutines start with a small stack and grow as needed. This dynamic growth helps manage memory more efficiently compared to fixed-size stacks, allowing Go to handle large numbers of concurrent goroutines.

Conclusion

Go's memory management and concurrency model are key factors in its performance and simplicity. The combination of efficient memory allocation, a sophisticated garbage collector, and lightweight goroutines makes Go a powerful choice for building scalable and high-performance applications. Understanding these core concepts will help you leverage Go's full potential in your projects.

  • in podcast
  • 4 min read

Memory Management and Concurrency in Go

Welcome back to another episode of "Continuous Improvement," the podcast where we delve into the latest trends, tools, and techniques in the tech world. I'm your host, Victor Leung, and today we're going to explore a topic that's essential for anyone looking to build high-performance applications: Go's memory management and concurrency model.

Go, developed by Google, has gained a reputation for its efficiency and simplicity, particularly when it comes to handling memory and concurrency. So, let's dive into how Go achieves this.

Effective memory management is crucial for any programming language, and Go handles it with a combination of efficient allocation, dynamic stack management, and garbage collection.

Go uses a heap for dynamic memory allocation. Here's a closer look at how memory is allocated:

  • Small Objects (≤32KB): These are allocated using a technique called size classes. Go maintains separate pools for objects of different sizes, which helps in reducing fragmentation and speeding up allocation.
  • Large Objects: For objects larger than 32KB, Go maintains a free list of large objects. Allocation and deallocation of these objects are handled separately to optimize performance.

In Go, you can allocate memory using the new and make functions:

  • new: Allocates zeroed storage and returns a pointer to it. It’s used for value types like integers and structures.
  • make: Used for slices, maps, and channels. It initializes the internal data structure and returns a ready-to-use instance.

Each goroutine in Go has its own stack, starting small, typically around 2KB, and growing as needed. This dynamic sizing allows Go to handle many goroutines efficiently without consuming too much memory upfront.

When a stack needs to grow, Go creates a new, larger stack and copies the contents of the old stack to the new one. This process is seamless and ensures that goroutines can continue to run efficiently without manual intervention.

Garbage collection is a critical component of Go's memory management system. Go uses a concurrent garbage collector, which minimizes pause times by running alongside your program. Here's a breakdown of how it works:

Go's GC uses a mark-and-sweep algorithm, consisting of two main phases:

  1. Mark: The GC starts by marking all objects that are reachable from the root set (global variables, stack variables, etc.). This process identifies all live objects.
  2. Sweep: After marking, the GC sweeps through the heap to reclaim memory occupied by unmarked objects, effectively cleaning up unused memory.

To manage the marking process efficiently, Go employs tri-color marking. Objects are classified into three colors:

  • White: Unreachable objects that can be collected.
  • Grey: Objects that have been found but whose references have not been processed.
  • Black: Objects that have been fully processed and are reachable.

Write barriers are used to handle new references created during the GC process. They ensure that any changes to the object graph are correctly tracked, maintaining the integrity of the GC process.

The GC in Go is typically triggered automatically based on memory usage and allocation patterns. However, it can also be manually invoked using runtime.GC(). The automatic triggering occurs when:

  • A certain amount of new memory has been allocated since the last collection.
  • The heap size exceeds a specified threshold.
  • The runtime's heuristics determine it’s necessary to balance performance and memory usage.

One of Go's standout features is its lightweight concurrency model, built on goroutines.

Goroutines are created using the go keyword followed by a function call. For example:

go myFunction()

Goroutines are much cheaper to create and manage compared to traditional OS threads, enabling the creation of thousands of concurrent tasks without significant overhead.

Goroutines are scheduled by Go's runtime scheduler, which uses M:N scheduling. This means multiple goroutines (N) are multiplexed onto a smaller or equal number of OS threads (M). The scheduler efficiently manages goroutine execution, ensuring that system resources are used effectively.

Goroutines communicate and synchronize using channels. Channels provide a way to send and receive values between goroutines, enabling safe and efficient data sharing without explicit locks or shared memory.

As mentioned earlier, goroutines start with a small stack and grow as needed. This dynamic growth helps manage memory more efficiently compared to fixed-size stacks, allowing Go to handle large numbers of concurrent goroutines.

Go's memory management and concurrency model are key factors in its performance and simplicity. The combination of efficient memory allocation, a sophisticated garbage collector, and lightweight goroutines makes Go a powerful choice for building scalable and high-performance applications. Understanding these core concepts will help you leverage Go's full potential in your projects.

That's all for today's episode of "Continuous Improvement." If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. Join me next time as we continue to explore the tools and techniques that drive success in the tech world. Until then, keep improving!

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

在Go中的記憶體管理與並行性

Go，由Google開發，以其處理記憶體管理和並行性的效率與簡單性而聞名。在這篇博客文章中，我們將探索Go如何管理記憶體，其垃圾收集器（GC）如何運作，以及Go強大並行模型背後的goroutines基本原理。

Go中的記憶體管理

有效的記憶體管理對於任何程式語言都至關重要，而Go通過有效的分配、動態堆疊管理和垃圾收集的組合來處理它。

記憶體分配

Go使用一個堆來進行動態記憶體分配。以下是記憶體分配的更詳細的介紹：

  • 小型對象（≤32KB）：這些使用一種名為大小類別的技術來分配。Go為不同大小的對象維護單獨的池，這有助於減少碎片化並加快分配速度。
  • 大型對象：對於大於32KB的對象，Go維護一個大型對象的空閒列表。這些對象的分配和釋放獨立處理以優化性能。

在Go中，你可以使用new和make函數來分配記憶體：

  • new：分配被清零的存儲區並返回一個指向它的指標。它用於整數和結構等值類型。
  • make：用於切片，映射和頻道。它初始化內部數據結構並返回一個可用實例。
堆疊管理

Go中的每個goroutine都有自己的堆疊，從小（例如，2KB）開始，並根據需要增長。這種動態大小讓Go能夠有效地處理許多goroutines，而不需要提前消耗太多記憶體。

當堆疊需要增長時，Go創建一個新的、更大的堆疊並將舊堆疊的內容複製到新堆疊。這個過程是無縫的，確保goroutines可以繼續有效運行，無需手動干預。

Go中的垃圾收集

垃圾收集是Go記憶體管理系統的關鍵組件。Go使用一個並行垃圾收集器，它通過與你的程式並行運作來最小化暫停時間。以下是其運作的分解：

標記和清除演算法

Go的GC使用一個標記和清除演算法，主要由兩個階段組成：

  1. 標記：GC從標記根集（全局變量，堆疊變量等）可達的所有對象開始。這個過程識別出所有活躍對象。
  2. 清除：標記後，GC掃過堆來回收未標記對象佔用的記憶體，有效地清理空閒記憶體。
三色標記和寫入屏障

為了有效地管理標記過程，Go採用三色標記。對象分為三種顏色：

  • 白色：可以收集的無法到達的對象。
  • 灰色：已找到但其參考尚未處理的對象。
  • 黑色：已完全處理並可達的對象。

寫入屏障用於處理GC過程中創建的新參考。它們確保對對象圖的任何更改都被正確跟踪，從而維護GC過程的完整性。

觸發垃圾收集器

Go中的GC通常根據記憶體使用和分配模式自動觸發。但是，也可以手動使用runtime.GC()來調用。自動觸發發生在以下情況：

  • 自上次收集以來分配了一定量的新記憶體。
  • 堆大小超過指定的閾值。
  • 運行時的啟發式法則確定需要平衡性能和記憶體使用。

Goroutines：輕量級並行性

Go的一個突出特性是其輕量級並行模型，基於goroutines建立。

創建Goroutines

Goroutines使用go關鍵字後跟一個功能呼叫來創建。例如：

go myFunction()

與傳統的作業系統緒相比，Goroutines的創建和管理成本更低，使得可以創建數以千計的並行任務，而不需要顯著的開銷。

執行和調度

Goroutines由Go的運行時調度器安排，該調度器使用M：N 調度。這表示多個goroutines（N）被復用到較少或等同數量的OS緒（M）上。調度器有效地管理了goroutine的執行，確保有效地使用系統資源。

通過頻道進行通信

Goroutines使用頻道進行通信和同步。頻道提供了一種方式來在goroutines之間發送和接收值，實現了安全有效的數據共享，無需明確的鎖或共享記憶體。

動態堆疊增長

如前所述，goroutines以小堆疊開始並根據需要增長。這種動態增長比固定大小的堆疊更有效地管理記憶體，使Go能夠處理大量的並行goroutines。

結論

Go的記憶體管理和並行模型是其性能和簡單性的關鍵因素。有效的記憶體分配，精緻的垃圾收集器和輕量級的goroutines的組合使Go成為構建可擴展和高性能應用程序的強大選擇。理解這些核心觀念將有助於你在你的項目中充分利用Go的潛力。

  • 3 min read

How to Sell Software Products

Selling software products effectively requires more than just knowledge of the product. It involves understanding the customer’s needs, building genuine relationships, and continuously improving one’s approach. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between mediocre salespeople and successful top salespeople and provide insights into how to elevate your sales game.

The Journey to Consistent Success

Top salespeople achieve consistent results through a relentless focus on improvement. They recognize that success is not a final destination but an ongoing journey. Even if they are the best within their company, they understand that there are more successful individuals outside their organization. This realization drives them to continuously strive for the next level. They apply scientific methods to refine their sales strategies, constantly learning and adapting to new challenges.

In contrast, mediocre salespeople often fail to meet expectations. They lack a systematic approach and rely on methods they believe to be effective without validating their assumptions. This results in inconsistent performance and missed targets.

Customer Needs: The Core of Successful Sales

One of the most significant distinctions between mediocre and successful salespeople is how they approach customer needs.

  • Mediocre Salesperson: Focuses on introducing the software product.
  • Successful Top Salesperson: Investigates and understands the customer’s needs.

The most critical aspect of the sales process is the interview and investigation phase, especially in solution-based sales. Top salespeople prioritize the customer’s perspective, spending most of their time understanding their concerns and expectations. This deep understanding allows them to tailor their pitch and demonstrate how their product can solve the customer’s problems.

In contrast, mediocre salespeople are often in a rush to introduce their product without fully understanding what the customer wants. This approach is unlikely to lead to success, as it fails to address the customer's unique needs and concerns.

Focus and Perspective
  • Mediocre Salesperson: Focuses solely on reaching sales targets.
  • Successful Top Salesperson: Strives to understand the customer’s concerns.

Thinking from the customer’s perspective might sound simple, but it’s challenging to achieve in practice. Many companies blindly pursue sales targets without considering the customer’s viewpoint. Successful salespeople break this mold by genuinely seeking to understand and address their customers' issues.

Tools and Methods
  • Mediocre Salesperson: Relies on their memory to recall customer concerns.
  • Successful Top Salesperson: Uses notebooks or digital tools to document and remember customer concerns.

Building real relationships goes beyond socializing over drinks. It involves working together to solve problems. Successful salespeople focus on collaborative problem-solving, which strengthens the relationship and builds trust.

Problem-Solving Approach
  • Mediocre Salesperson: Focuses on selling the product.
  • Successful Top Salesperson: Starts with the problem statement.

Understanding the problem is the first step towards providing a solution. Successful salespeople begin by identifying the customer’s problems and then demonstrating how their product can address these issues.

Partnerships and Relationships
  • Mediocre Salesperson: Views partners as vendors.
  • Successful Top Salesperson: Respects partners and considers them important relationships.

Treating partners with respect and valuing their contributions is crucial for long-term success. Successful salespeople understand that building strong partnerships can lead to better outcomes for their customers and their company.

Expanding Horizons
  • Mediocre Salesperson: Stays within their comfort zone of familiar customers.
  • Successful Top Salesperson: Reaches out to new, challenging prospects.

Successful salespeople are not afraid to step out of their comfort zones. They proactively seek out new opportunities and strive to engage with customers who may seem out of reach.

Learning and Adaptation
  • Mediocre Salesperson: Repeats the same mistakes.
  • Successful Top Salesperson: Learns from mistakes and continuously improves.

Learning from mistakes is a hallmark of top salespeople. They not only achieve success but also analyze their failures to avoid repeating them in the future.

Conclusion

Selling software products effectively requires a customer-centric approach, continuous improvement, and a focus on building genuine relationships. By understanding and addressing customer needs, using systematic methods, and learning from mistakes, you can elevate your sales performance and achieve consistent success. Remember, the journey to becoming a top salesperson is ongoing, and there is always room for improvement. Keep striving, keep learning, and success will follow.

  • in podcast
  • 4 min read

How to Sell Software Products

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Continuous Improvement. I'm your host, Victor Leung. Today, we're diving into a topic that resonates deeply with sales professionals: selling software products effectively. It's not just about knowing your product inside out; it's about understanding your customer’s needs, building genuine relationships, and continuously honing your approach. So, let's explore what sets successful top salespeople apart from the mediocre ones and how you can elevate your sales game.

Let's start with the journey to consistent success. Top salespeople achieve consistent results through a relentless focus on improvement. They recognize that success is not a final destination but an ongoing journey. Even if they are the best within their company, they understand that there are more successful individuals outside their organization. This realization drives them to continuously strive for the next level. They apply scientific methods to refine their sales strategies, constantly learning and adapting to new challenges.

On the other hand, mediocre salespeople often fail to meet expectations. They lack a systematic approach and rely on methods they believe to be effective without validating their assumptions. This results in inconsistent performance and missed targets.

One of the most significant distinctions between mediocre and successful salespeople is how they approach customer needs. A mediocre salesperson focuses on introducing the software product. In contrast, a successful top salesperson investigates and understands the customer’s needs.

The most critical aspect of the sales process is the interview and investigation phase, especially in solution-based sales. Top salespeople prioritize the customer’s perspective, spending most of their time understanding their concerns and expectations. This deep understanding allows them to tailor their pitch and demonstrate how their product can solve the customer’s problems.

In contrast, mediocre salespeople are often in a rush to introduce their product without fully understanding what the customer wants. This approach is unlikely to lead to success, as it fails to address the customer's unique needs and concerns.

Now, let's talk about focus and perspective. A mediocre salesperson focuses solely on reaching sales targets. A successful top salesperson, on the other hand, strives to understand the customer’s concerns.

Thinking from the customer’s perspective might sound simple, but it’s challenging to achieve in practice. Many companies blindly pursue sales targets without considering the customer’s viewpoint. Successful salespeople break this mold by genuinely seeking to understand and address their customers' issues.

Tools and methods also play a crucial role. A mediocre salesperson relies on their memory to recall customer concerns. A successful top salesperson uses notebooks or digital tools to document and remember customer concerns.

Building real relationships goes beyond socializing over drinks. It involves working together to solve problems. Successful salespeople focus on collaborative problem-solving, which strengthens the relationship and builds trust.

Next, let's discuss the problem-solving approach. A mediocre salesperson focuses on selling the product. A successful top salesperson starts with the problem statement. Understanding the problem is the first step towards providing a solution. Successful salespeople begin by identifying the customer’s problems and then demonstrating how their product can address these issues.

Partnerships and relationships are another key area. A mediocre salesperson views partners as vendors. A successful top salesperson respects partners and considers them important relationships. Treating partners with respect and valuing their contributions is crucial for long-term success. Successful salespeople understand that building strong partnerships can lead to better outcomes for their customers and their company.

Expanding horizons is also essential. A mediocre salesperson stays within their comfort zone of familiar customers. A successful top salesperson reaches out to new, challenging prospects. Successful salespeople are not afraid to step out of their comfort zones. They proactively seek out new opportunities and strive to engage with customers who may seem out of reach.

Finally, learning and adaptation set top salespeople apart. A mediocre salesperson repeats the same mistakes. A successful top salesperson learns from mistakes and continuously improves. Learning from mistakes is a hallmark of top salespeople. They not only achieve success but also analyze their failures to avoid repeating them in the future.

In conclusion, selling software products effectively requires a customer-centric approach, continuous improvement, and a focus on building genuine relationships. By understanding and addressing customer needs, using systematic methods, and learning from mistakes, you can elevate your sales performance and achieve consistent success. Remember, the journey to becoming a top salesperson is ongoing, and there is always room for improvement. Keep striving, keep learning, and success will follow.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Continuous Improvement. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. Until next time, keep pushing forward and improving every day.