Data Scientist and MSc in Artificial Intelligence holder with an interest in research areas such as Data Science, Machine Learning, and Cloud Development with work experience across Switzerland and the UK. Aside from my work activities, I run a part-time consultancy business and I am a technical writer for Towards Data Science (an online publication with two million annual readers).
My Mentoring Topics
- - Data Science
- - Machine Learning
- - Data Analytics
- - Solution Architecture
- - Product Management
- - Technical Writing
M.
5.January 2024Il mentoring con Pier Paolo è stato molto proficuo. Pier Paolo ha ascoltato la mia storia professionale e le domande che gli ho posto riguardo le scelte di carriera da compiere. Grazie alla sua esperienza ho fatto luce sui miei dubbi e ora ho un'idea più chiara su quali strategie adottare. Lo ringrazio e consiglio a tutti di prenotare una sessione con lui.
A.
19.December 2023R.
17.November 2023Pier was welcoming and answered my questions in a detailed manner and provided me with guidance to proceed in the data science field.
K.
14.November 2023Pier was to the point, easy to communicate. He understood my problem and recommended a solution and gave me material for me to check later. 10/10
T.
6.November 2023I had a very short time with Pier, but in that time he gave some great advice about a transition from academia to industry, along with some knowledge about his connections also in the space. I ended up with some great actionable steps and I feel so much reassured now! Thank you Pier!!
A.
3.November 2023
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Key Facts/Insights from "Atomic Habits" The Power of 1% Improvement: Small, incremental improvements or changes can have a significant impact over time. This is known as the "aggregation of marginal gains." Habits vs. Goals: Clear argues that focusing on systems (habits) rather than outcomes (goals) is more effective for long-term success. Four Laws of Behavior Change: The laws of cue, craving, response, and reward are essential for habit formation and breaking. Habit Stacking: This is a concept where you link a new habit to an existing one, which helps in making the new habit stick. Environment Design: Changing your environment can make it easier to cultivate good habits and get rid of bad ones. Identity-Based Habits: Your habits shape your identity, and vice versa. Changing your habits can lead to profound changes in your self-image. Delayed Gratification: Good habits often have delayed rewards, while bad habits often offer immediate pleasure but long-term pain. Golden Rule of Habit Change: Make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. Breaking Bad Habits: Clear provides practical strategies to break bad habits, such as making them unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying. Habit Tracking: This is a simple way to measure your progress and keep yourself accountable. Never Miss Twice: If you miss a day, make it a point to get back on track the next day. This prevents you from spiraling into a cycle of repeated failure. Detailed Summary and Analysis "Atomic Habits" by James Clear provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how habits work and how they can be changed. The book's core message is the concept of the power of 1% improvement. This concept, also known as the "aggregation of marginal gains," is about making small, incremental changes consistently over a long period. This aligns with the well-established principle of compound interest in finance and the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement in Japanese manufacturing. Clear distinguishes between habits and goals. While most self-help literature focuses on setting and achieving goals, Clear argues that it's more effective to focus on the systems (habits) that lead to those outcomes. This is a significant shift in perspective that has profound implications for personal growth and development. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change (make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying), which are essential for habit formation and breaking. These laws provide a practical framework for understanding and manipulating the habit loop, a concept first introduced by Charles Duhigg in "The Power of Habit." Habit stacking is a powerful strategy for habit formation. It involves linking a new habit to an existing one, thereby leveraging the existing habit's cue and reward to reinforce the new habit. This concept is akin to the psychological principle of classical conditioning, first proposed by Ivan Pavlov. Environment design is another key element in habit formation. Clear argues that by changing our environment, we can make it easier to cultivate good habits and get rid of bad ones. This is consistent with the field of environmental psychology, which studies the interplay between people and their physical surroundings. One of the most profound ideas in the book is the concept of identity-based habits. Clear posits that our habits shape our identity, and vice versa. By changing our habits, we can effect profound changes in our self-image. This is a powerful psychological insight that has been validated by numerous studies in the field of social psychology. The book also discusses the importance of delayed gratification. Good habits often have delayed rewards, while bad habits often offer immediate pleasure but long-term pain. This concept is closely related to the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment, a famous psychological study on self-control. The Golden Rule of Habit Change is a practical guideline for implementing the Four Laws of Behavior Change. It provides a simple, memorable way to remember and apply these laws in everyday life. Clear provides practical strategies for breaking bad habits, such as making them unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying. These strategies are grounded in the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, a well-established psychological approach to changing behavior. The book also promotes the use of habit tracking, a simple way to measure your progress and keep yourself accountable. This concept is supported by the field of behavior modification, which emphasizes the importance of self-monitoring in behavior change. Finally, the book introduces the rule of "Never Miss Twice". If you miss a day, make it a point to get back on track the next day. This prevents you from spiraling into a cycle of repeated failure. This rule is a practical application of the psychological principle of resilience, the ability to bounce back from failure or adversity. Overall, "Atomic Habits" provides a comprehensive, science-based framework for understanding and changing habits. It combines insights from various fields, including psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics, to provide a practical guide for personal growth and development.
ViewThe Almanack of Naval Ravikant - A Guide to Wealth and Happiness
Eric Jorgenson
Key Insights from "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant" True wealth is the absence of a compulsive need to work - What matters more than having material wealth is having the freedom to choose how you spend your time. Embrace long-term thinking - Success comes from patiently putting in consistent efforts over a long period. Importance of specific knowledge - Specific knowledge is knowledge that you cannot be trained for. If society can train you, it can replace you. Leverage is a force multiplier - Capital, labor, and products with no marginal cost of replication (like software and media) are leverage that can amplify your output. Learn to sell and learn to build - If you can do both, you will be unstoppable. Embrace a growth mindset - Believe that you can improve with effort and learning. Skill acquisition is the best investment - The best investment you can make is in yourself, in acquiring new skills and knowledge. Happiness is a skill and a choice - Happiness is not something that happens to you, but something that you can cultivate. Meditation is a meta-skill that improves all other skills - By enhancing focus and reducing stress, meditation makes you better at everything else you do. Life is a single-player game - You are playing against yourself and your own standards, not other people. In-depth Summary and Analysis The book, distilled from Naval Ravikant's wisdom and insights, presents a refreshing and profound perspective on wealth and happiness. It emphasizes that true wealth is not just about accumulating money but about gaining the freedom to live on one’s own terms. This perspective aligns with the concept of 'Financial Independence, Retire Early' (FIRE), which I have been exploring in my research. Both Ravikant and the FIRE community espouse the idea that wealth should provide freedom, not tie you down to a lifestyle of conspicuous consumption. Ravikant's idea of embracing long-term thinking reflects the principle of compounding, a concept I often discuss in my lectures on economics and finance. It suggests that small, consistent efforts, when compounded over time, lead to significant results. This is applicable to wealth creation, skill acquisition, and even personal growth. The book's focus on the importance of specific knowledge and the power of leverage provides a valuable framework for understanding the dynamics of today's knowledge-driven, technology-fueled economy. As I often emphasize in my discussions on modern economics, in a world where automation and artificial intelligence are rapidly advancing, possessing unique, non-replicable skills and knowing how to leverage them is more essential than ever. One of the most potent ideas in the book is the notion that happiness is a choice and a skill. This aligns with the findings from positive psychology and the science of happiness, fields in which I have a keen interest. It rejects the common belief that happiness is a by-product of external circumstances or genetic predispositions. Instead, it argues that happiness can be cultivated through habits and practices like meditation, gratitude, and mindfulness. The book also asserts that life is a single-player game, a concept that resonates with the teachings of stoicism, a philosophy I frequently draw upon in my work. It argues that our main concern should not be how we compare with others, but how we measure up against our own standards and potential. This promotes a healthy sense of self-competition and personal growth. Overall, "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant" is a compelling guide to wealth and happiness in the 21st century. It combines timeless wisdom with modern insights to provide a roadmap for personal and financial success. Whether you are a student, an entrepreneur, or a lifelong learner, I believe there is much to learn and apply from this book.
ViewZero to One - Notes on Start Ups, or How to Build the Future
Blake Masters, Peter Thiel
Key Facts and Insights Monopoly vs. Competition: Thiel asserts that monopolies - not competition - drives progress in business and society. The Power of Secrets: Thiel encourages us to look for hidden truths and untapped potentials, which he refers to as "secrets". The Last Mover Advantage: Thiel introduces the concept of "last mover advantage". This is the idea that being the last to innovate in a specific market can be more beneficial than being the first. The Role of Luck: Thiel suggests that luck plays a smaller role in success than is commonly believed. Four Essential Start-Up Ingredients: Thiel identifies a clear vision, the right timing, a solid team, and a superior product or service as the four key ingredients for a successful start-up. The Importance of Sales: Thiel stresses the importance of sales and distribution, not just product development, for a start-up's success. Future-Oriented Planning: Thiel encourages long-term, future-oriented planning rather than short-term, reactionary decision-making. Vertical vs. Horizontal Progress: Thiel distinguishes between vertical progress (doing new things) and horizontal progress (copying things that work). Seven Questions Every Business Must Answer: Thiel presents seven critical questions that every business must answer to achieve success. Thiel's Law: Thiel proposes his own law, stating that a start-up messed up at its foundation cannot be fixed. An In-depth Analysis and Summary "Zero to One," authored by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters, is a comprehensive guide to starting and running successful start-ups. Its main thesis is that start-ups should aim to create new things, rather than competing in existing markets, to achieve monopoly-like status. Monopoly vs. Competition Thiel argues that monopolies are preferable to competition both for the company and society. A monopoly can afford to think about more than its immediate survival, can plan longer-term, and can invest in its workers and products. Monopolies also drive progress as they have the resources and motivation to innovate. This is a stark contrast to the common belief that competition drives innovation. The Power of Secrets Thiel encourages us to look for "secrets," or untapped potentials and hidden truths, in our world. He believes that many areas are ripe for innovation, and it's the entrepreneur’s job to uncover these secrets. This pursuit of secrets leads to innovation and the creation of monopoly-like businesses. The Last Mover Advantage Thiel introduces the "last mover advantage" concept. He argues that being the last to innovate in a specific market can be more advantageous than being the first. This is because the last mover learns from the mistakes of those who came before them and has the chance to create a superior product or service. The Role of Luck Thiel downplays the role of luck in business success. He suggests that attributing success to luck undermines the importance of hard work, strategic planning, and innovation. Four Essential Start-Up Ingredients Thiel identifies a clear vision, the right timing, a solid team, and a superior product or service as the four essential ingredients for a successful start-up. Without these components, a start-up’s likelihood of success is significantly reduced. The Importance of Sales Thiel emphasizes the importance of sales and distribution. He argues that even the most superior product or service will flop without effective sales and distribution strategies. Future-Oriented Planning Thiel encourages long-term, future-oriented planning. He believes that start-ups should not be reactionary but plan for the future. He also argues that a long-term vision is critical to a start-up's success. Vertical vs. Horizontal Progress Thiel distinguishes between vertical progress (doing new things) and horizontal progress (copying things that work). He suggests that start-ups should strive for vertical progress to create new value and achieve monopoly-like status. Seven Questions Every Business Must Answer Thiel presents seven critical questions that every business must answer to achieve success. These questions are related to engineering, timing, monopoly, people, distribution, durability, and the secret question. Thiel's Law Thiel's Law states that a start-up messed up at its foundation cannot be fixed. This law highlights the importance of getting the basics right at the start of a new venture. In conclusion, "Zero to One" provides a unique perspective on start-up success. It challenges conventional wisdom and offers innovative ideas for creating and running successful start-ups. This book is a must-read for any entrepreneur or business leader looking to make a lasting impact.
ViewThe Simple Path to Wealth - Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life
Jl Collins
Key Facts and Insights from "The Simple Path to Wealth" Financial independence is attainable for everyone, regardless of income level, through disciplined investing over an extended period of time. Investing in low-cost, broad-market index funds is a simple and effective strategy for wealth accumulation. Avoiding debt and managing money wisely is essential for financial independence. The power of compounding is a key element in wealth building. Planning for financial independence involves more than just investing, it requires understanding one's lifestyle choices and expenses. The stock market is inherently volatile but historically, it has always trended upwards over the long term. Having a clear understanding of one's financial goals is crucial in making investment decisions. Seeking financial advice is beneficial but one must be vigilant about the advice they receive and who they receive it from. It's important to have a plan for one's wealth, not just in the accumulation phase but also in the withdrawal phase. Financial independence gives freedom of choice, time and flexibility, which contributes to a rich, free life. Deep-Dive Analysis of "The Simple Path to Wealth" "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins offers a comprehensive guide on how to achieve financial independence and a rich, free life. The author emphasizes that financial independence is a realistic goal for everyone, regardless of their income level. This notion challenges the common misconception that only high earners can achieve financial independence. The key to achieving this, according to the author, is disciplined investing over a prolonged period of time. JL Collins advocates for investing in low-cost, broad-market index funds as a simple and effective strategy for wealth accumulation. This aligns with the Modern Portfolio Theory, which posits that diversifying investments across a broad market index reduces risk and maximizes returns over the long term. Debt avoidance and money management are also emphasized in the book. The author advises against the accumulation of debt as it erodes wealth and diminishes the power of compounding. The power of compounding, where earnings are reinvested to generate their own earnings, is a fundamental concept in finance and a key element in wealth building according to Collins. Collins also stresses the importance of lifestyle choices and expenses in financial planning. He argues that understanding one's spending habits and making informed lifestyle decisions can significantly impact one's journey towards financial independence. The book also tackles the volatility of the stock market. Collins acknowledges the market's inherent instability but maintains that historically, it has always trended upwards over the long term. This perspective aligns with the Efficient Market Hypothesis, which posits that market prices reflect all available information and that consistent above-average returns are almost impossible to achieve. A clear understanding of financial goals is crucial in making investment decisions, according to Collins. He suggests that having clear and specific financial goals can guide investment decisions and help avoid common financial pitfalls. The author also discusses the importance of seeking financial advice. He cautions readers to be critical of the advice they receive and to carefully consider the credibility of their sources. Planning for wealth in the withdrawal phase is also highlighted in the book. Collins emphasizes the importance of having a plan for one's wealth, not just in the accumulation phase but also in how it is used or distributed in the future. Finally, the author highlights the freedom that comes with financial independence. Financial independence, according to Collins, offers freedom of choice, time, and flexibility, contributing to a rich, free life. In conclusion, "The Simple Path to Wealth" provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to achieving financial independence. It highlights the importance of disciplined investing, debt avoidance, and sound financial planning, while also emphasizing the freedom and opportunities that financial independence can bring.
ViewThe Obstacle Is the Way - The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
Key Facts and Insights Perception is Power: Our view of the world shapes our reality. The way we perceive events and obstacles determines how we respond to them. Action Over Inaction: Standing still and doing nothing is not an option. The book encourages taking action to overcome obstacles, rather than avoiding them. Stoicism as a Guiding Philosophy: The book heavily relies on Stoic philosophy, emphasizing the idea of focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot. Turning Obstacles into Opportunities: Every obstacle presents an opportunity for personal growth and learning. The challenge lies in recognizing and seizing these opportunities. The Power of Persistence: Persistence and resilience are key to overcoming challenges. Giving up is not the way to handle obstacles. Embracing Failure: The book encourages embracing failure as a part of the learning process, rather than fearing it. The Importance of Perspective: Maintaining a broad perspective helps in understanding the bigger picture and not getting bogged down by momentary setbacks. Acceptance and Adaptability: Accepting the reality of the situation and adapting to it, is crucial in overcoming obstacles. The Power of the Present: Focusing on the present moment, rather than worrying about the past or future, can help in effectively dealing with challenges. The Role of Humility: The book emphasizes the importance of humility in overcoming obstacles. Overconfidence can blind us to potential solutions. Value of Discipline: Discipline, both in thought and action, is key to turning trials into triumphs. An In-depth Analysis and Summary "The Obstacle Is the Way" is a profound exploration into the art of turning obstacles into opportunities. Drawing heavily from Stoic philosophy, the book presents a roadmap for dealing with challenges in a positive and constructive manner. The book begins by addressing the concept of perception. Ryan Holiday asserts that our perception of obstacles often determines our ability to overcome them. He posits that by altering our perceptions, we can change our responses. This idea is deeply rooted in Stoic philosophy, which emphasizes the power of perception in shaping our reality. Next, Holiday underscores the importance of action over inaction. The book argues that obstacles aren't to be avoided but rather confronted head-on. This approach aligns with the Stoic idea of focusing on what we can control, like our actions, and accepting what we can't, like the existence of obstacles. Turning obstacles into opportunities is a central theme of the book. Each obstacle, Holiday suggests, can offer a chance for personal growth and learning. This perspective shift is a powerful tool in overcoming challenges and achieving success. The power of persistence is another key insight from the book. Overcoming obstacles often requires a sustained effort, and giving up is never the solution. This aligns with the Stoic virtue of endurance, where persistence in the face of adversity is highly valued. Embracing failure is also crucial, according to Holiday. He views failure as a part of the learning process, rather than an end in itself. This perspective can help us to view setbacks as stepping stones towards success, rather than as insurmountable obstacles. The book also emphasizes the importance of perspective. By maintaining a broad perspective, we can avoid getting bogged down by temporary setbacks and understand the bigger picture. This aligns with the Stoic teaching of viewing life from a broader perspective, focusing on the long term rather than the immediate. Acceptance and adaptability are also key elements in overcoming obstacles. Holiday suggests that accepting the reality of the situation and adapting our approach accordingly can lead to success. The power of the present is another crucial concept. Holiday advises focusing on the present moment and dealing with current challenges, rather than worrying about the past or future. This is reminiscent of the Stoic teaching of living in the present and focusing on the here and now. Holiday also highlights the role of humility in overcoming obstacles. He warns against overconfidence, which can blind us to potential solutions. This aligns with the Stoic virtue of humility and the understanding that we do not have all the answers. Finally, the book underscores the value of discipline, both in thought and action. Discipline is key to transforming trials into triumphs, according to Holiday. This aligns with the Stoic emphasis on self-control and disciplined thought and action. In conclusion, "The Obstacle Is the Way" offers a powerful framework for dealing with challenges. It leverages Stoic philosophy to provide practical strategies for transforming obstacles into opportunities. The book's insights can be invaluable for anyone seeking to navigate life's trials with resilience, persistence, and positivity.
ViewEssentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Greg McKeown
The concept of Essentialism revolves around focusing on what truly matters, and eliminating all distractions and unnecessary commitments. Essentialism is not about getting more done in less time, but about getting the right things done. The Essentialist mindset dictates that 'less is more'. It's about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy. Essentialism is not a time management strategy or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential and eliminating everything else. The Essentialist uses a more selective criteria for what is essential. The way of the Essentialist is the path to being in control of our own choices. Essentialism is about making the tough trade-off between lots of good things and a few great things. It's about exploring multiple possibilities to make sure you're on the right track. Essentialism requires us to replace 'I have to' with 'I choose to'. Essentialism is a mindset; a way of life. It is about living by design, not by default. In the world of Essentialism, there are no quick fixes or easy answers. The journey to becoming an Essentialist involves hard work, discipline, and tough choices. Essentialism is about creating a life that really matters by investing in the right activities. The Concept of Essentialism In his book, Greg McKeown presents the concept of Essentialism - the disciplined pursuit of less but better. He argues that in today’s fast-paced and complex world, being busy is not necessarily being productive. Instead, productivity and fulfilment are gained by focusing on fewer tasks that are truly essential and eliminating the rest. The key to Essentialism, according to McKeown, is not in managing our time better, but in simplifying our lives, operating from a clear sense of purpose, and rejecting everything that doesn’t align with it. McKeown's philosophy echoes the teachings of prominent thinkers like Thoreau who advocated for leading a life of simplicity and focus. Less is More The underlying principle of Essentialism is that less is more. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with information and demands, the Essentialist seeks to cut out the noise and focus only on what really matters. This is not about being efficient or squeezing more into our day. Instead, it's about making a deliberate choice to focus on what's truly important, and letting go of everything else. The Essentialist Mindset The Essentialist mindset is not a one-time decision, but a continuous process of deliberate and conscious choices. An Essentialist is not driven by external pressures or a desire to please others, but by a deep conviction of what is truly important. The Essentialist doesn't react to every distraction, but creates space for critical thinking and reflection. Trade-offs and Choices Essentialism involves making tough trade-offs between many good opportunities and a few truly great ones. It's about not just reacting to life's demands, but proactively shaping our lives. The Essentialist doesn’t just recognize the reality of trade-offs; he or she embraces them as necessary and even desirable. Living by Design, Not by Default Being an Essentialist is about living by design, not by default. It's about making the conscious decision to invest your time and energy in the things that truly matter. It's about rejecting the myth of 'having it all' and recognizing that we can't do everything. Instead, we need to focus on where we can make the biggest difference. The Journey to Essentialism The journey to becoming an Essentialist is not an easy one. It requires hard work, discipline, and tough choices. It's about learning to say 'no' to the non-essentials so we can say 'yes' to what truly matters. It's about recognizing that we have a choice in where we invest our precious time and energy. Overall, Essentialism offers a refreshing perspective on life and productivity. By focusing on less, we can achieve more – not by cramming more tasks into our day, but by investing in the right activities. It's about living a life that is meaningful and fulfilling, not one that is simply busy and stressful.
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J.
19.February 2024He helped me with what I needed, which was getting feedback on my CV. He made suggestions and gave some advice.