When I sat down at my laptop on Wednesday, I had no idea what “fairy chimneys” were or why people would build caves into the sides of mountains to hide temples and homes. Credit Windows with that and one of its better, largely underutilized features: Windows Spotlight.
Windows Spotlight rotates your desktop background on a regular basis, providing a backdrop of nature photography culled from Microsoft Bing’s licensed archives. You can download tons of free wallpaper themes directly from Microsoft. But those themes just cycle through a small collection of backgrounds.
Spotlight opens up your options even more. What I love about it is two things. First, Spotlight doesn’t restrict itself to certain images. I’ve seen duplicate images, but Microsoft lately has done a good job of cycling through a wider range of backgrounds. You’ll see a variety of nature photography, which is right up my alley. The famous “Bliss” image from Windows XP was just a bucolic image of California’s Wine Country. Spotlight provides access to hundreds if not thousands more.
But the other thing I really enjoy about Spotlight is the opportunity to learn. I’m not always inclined to wonder what the heck I’m looking at, as I did for the photo of Turkey’s Cappadocia that I captured from Windows Spotlight on my Windows PC. But Spotlight places a small “Learn about this picture” shortcut on your desktop. Naturally, clicking it opens a Bing page that provides more information about the subject of the photo. I’ve not only started by day with an interesting photo, but I’ve learned something too!
How to turn on Windows Spotlight
Windows Spotlight can be found inside the Windows Settings menu. Click Personalization > Background and you should see a drop-down menu with options that range from a specific picture to a color to a slideshow. Windows spotlight hides at the bottom. (Alternatively, you can download the Bing Wallpaper app directly from Microsoft, especially for older PCs). With Windows 11, it’s built right in.
Mark Hachman / IDG
The only thing I don’t like about Windows Spotlight is that there’s no obvious way to set the number of times that the wallpaper refreshes with new images. If you leave a portion of your desktop visible, the changes might be distracting.
It would be nice if we could have some controls to change the images hourly, say, as a sort of clock or with some controls to suggest images of beaches during the dark winter months. Microsoft surely has the ability to tag or understand and provide suggested content; it just hasn’t. I really don’t want Microsoft to replace its natural imagery with AI-generated art, but others might disagree.
Most of the time my windows are maximized and whatever photo Bing and Windows provides are hidden behind Outlook, the Web, and various other applications. But there’s enough opportunity to get a glimpse of something cool when I close a window or application. When I do, Windows Spotlight rarely fails to brighten my day.
When I sat down at my laptop on Wednesday, I had no idea what “fairy chimneys” were or why people would build caves into the sides of mountains to hide temples and homes. Credit Windows with that and one of its better, largely underutilized features: Windows Spotlight.
Windows Spotlight rotates your desktop background on a regular basis, providing a backdrop of nature photography culled from Microsoft Bing’s licensed archives. You can download tons of free wallpaper themes directly from Microsoft. But those themes just cycle through a small collection of backgrounds.
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Spotlight opens up your options even more. What I love about it is two things. First, Spotlight doesn’t restrict itself to certain images. I’ve seen duplicate images, but Microsoft lately has done a good job of cycling through a wider range of backgrounds. You’ll see a variety of nature photography, which is right up my alley. The famous “Bliss” image from Windows XP was just a bucolic image of California’s Wine Country. Spotlight provides access to hundreds if not thousands more.
But the other thing I really enjoy about Spotlight is the opportunity to learn. I’m not always inclined to wonder what the heck I’m looking at, as I did for the photo of Turkey’s Cappadocia that I captured from Windows Spotlight on my Windows PC. But Spotlight places a small “Learn about this picture” shortcut on your desktop. Naturally, clicking it opens a Bing page that provides more information about the subject of the photo. I’ve not only started by day with an interesting photo, but I’ve learned something too!
How to turn on Windows Spotlight
Windows Spotlight can be found inside the Windows Settings menu. Click Personalization > Background and you should see a drop-down menu with options that range from a specific picture to a color to a slideshow. Windows spotlight hides at the bottom. (Alternatively, you can download the Bing Wallpaper app directly from Microsoft, especially for older PCs). With Windows 11, it’s built right in.
Go into the Windows 11 Settings menu and then to Personalization/Background to access this screen.
Go into the Windows 11 Settings menu and then to Personalization/Background to access this screen.Mark Hachman / IDG
Go into the Windows 11 Settings menu and then to Personalization/Background to access this screen.Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
The only thing I don’t like about Windows Spotlight is that there’s no obvious way to set the number of times that the wallpaper refreshes with new images. If you leave a portion of your desktop visible, the changes might be distracting.
It would be nice if we could have some controls to change the images hourly, say, as a sort of clock or with some controls to suggest images of beaches during the dark winter months. Microsoft surely has the ability to tag or understand and provide suggested content; it just hasn’t. I really don’t want Microsoft to replace its natural imagery with AI-generated art, but others might disagree.
Most of the time my windows are maximized and whatever photo Bing and Windows provides are hidden behind Outlook, the Web, and various other applications. But there’s enough opportunity to get a glimpse of something cool when I close a window or application. When I do, Windows Spotlight rarely fails to brighten my day.
Amazon’s Leadership and Corporate Culture: Lessons from Jeff Bezos
Amazon, one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world, has a corporate culture and leadership philosophy shaped largely by its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos’s approach to leadership and his vision for Amazon have set the company apart in the highly competitive tech and retail sectors. This article explores the key elements of Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture, and the lessons that can be drawn from Bezos’s unconventional methods.
The Bezos Leadership Philosophy
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his leadership philosophy has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. Central to Bezos’s approach is a relentless focus on the customer. He famously emphasized, “We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.” This mantra has guided Amazon’s product development, customer service, and innovation strategies.
Bezos’s customer-centric philosophy manifests in various ways. For instance, Amazon’s customer service policies are designed to maximize customer satisfaction, often going above and beyond industry standards. This includes offering easy returns, fast shipping, and a broad range of products. The commitment to customer experience is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of Amazon’s operations.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Another hallmark of Bezos’s leadership is a strong emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. Bezos has been known for his willingness to experiment and embrace failure as part of the innovation process. His approach is encapsulated in the principle that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” This mindset has led to the creation of groundbreaking products and services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, and Alexa.
Bezos encourages employees to think big and explore unconventional ideas. Amazon’s “Day 1” mentality, as described by Bezos, means treating every day as if it were the first day of the company’s existence. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, where employees are motivated to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Two-Pizza Rule
Bezos’s leadership style also emphasizes the importance of small, agile teams. The “Two-Pizza Rule” is a notable example of this principle. According to this rule, teams should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The rationale behind this is that smaller teams are more effective at communicating and collaborating, which leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions.
The Two-Pizza Rule has influenced Amazon’s organizational structure, promoting a decentralized and flexible approach to management. It encourages teams to be autonomous and take ownership of their projects, leading to a more dynamic and responsive organization.
Long-Term Thinking
One of the defining features of Bezos’s leadership is his long-term thinking. Bezos has consistently prioritized long-term goals over short-term gains, a strategy that has often led to criticism from investors focused on quarterly results. However, Bezos believes that focusing on the long term is essential for building a sustainable and successful business.
This long-term perspective is reflected in Amazon’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent. For example, Amazon’s substantial investments in its fulfillment network and cloud computing services were made with the expectation of significant long-term returns. Bezos’s willingness to forgo immediate profits in favor of future growth has been a key driver of Amazon’s success.
Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles are a cornerstone of its corporate culture and reflect Bezos’s values and vision. These principles guide decision-making, employee behavior, and company policies. Some of the most notable principles include:
Customer Obsession: Always start with the customer and work backwards. Work to earn and keep customer trust.
Invent and Simplify: Seek out new solutions and simplify processes to make things easier for customers.
Hire and Develop the Best: Raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognize exceptional talent and help them grow.
Deliver Results: Focus on the key inputs for your business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.
These principles help create a unified company culture where employees are aligned with Amazon’s mission and values. They also serve as a framework for evaluating performance and making strategic decisions.
A Culture of High Standards
Bezos is known for his insistence on high standards, which is reflected in Amazon’s corporate culture. He believes that maintaining high standards is crucial for driving excellence and innovation. This approach has led to a demanding work environment where employees are expected to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve.
While this culture of high standards has contributed to Amazon’s success, it has also been a point of contention. Critics have pointed to the intense pressure and high expectations placed on employees, leading to concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being. Bezos and Amazon have addressed these concerns in various ways, including investing in employee benefits and programs aimed at improving workplace conditions.
Lessons for Other Organizations
Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture offer several valuable lessons for other organizations:
Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer can drive innovation and create a competitive edge. Companies should continually seek to understand and meet customer needs.
Embrace Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can foster innovation and resilience. Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking can lead to breakthroughs.
Small Teams, Big Impact: Smaller, autonomous teams can be more agile and effective. Empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership can drive productivity and creativity.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing short-term pressures with a focus on long-term goals can lead to sustainable growth and success. Investing in future-oriented projects can pay off over time.
High Standards: Setting high standards and striving for excellence can drive performance and improvement. However, it is important to balance this with consideration for employee well-being.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos’s leadership and Amazon’s corporate culture have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and influence. Bezos’s focus on the customer, innovation, long-term thinking, and high standards has created a unique and powerful organizational environment. While there are challenges associated with this approach, the lessons from Amazon’s leadership can provide valuable insights for other organizations striving for excellence and growth.
