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Huawei phone news
Huawei Ascend Mate 7S event invites go out for IFA in September
Luke Edwards | 13 August 2015
Best Apple iPhone XR deals for July 2019: 30GB for £37/m on O2
Huawei has begun sending out invites to a launch event at the IFA trade show in Berlin on 2 September.
The invites feature a 3D "S" along with details of timings. What this "S" represents is still unclear. This could be an entirely new line called Ascend Mate S or it may be an incremental update to the Ascend Mate 7 dubbed Ascend Mate 7S.
From the way the 3D "S" model was made, with variations in force, it's been suggested this is a nod to a Force Touch style control system appearing on the new handset.
What's thought to be the handset itself has already leaked in photos that appeared on the Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center. From the photos the handset appears to have a metal build and the rear features a dual LED flash camera, rumoured to be 13-megapixels, and fingerprint reader.
Rumours specs suggest the handset should come with a 5.7-inch display that should have a 480ppi resolution. Powering the device should be a Mali octa-core processor. Few other specs have been revealed at this stage.
How this new Huawei handset will fit in with the competition is difficult to judge based on the specs leaked so far. We may have to wait until the IFA event on 2 September before we know more. Check back for our coverage live from the event to find out everything.
READ: Huawei Ascend Mate 7 review
Source: MyDrivers
Via: 9to5google.com
Sections Huawei Phones
Xiaomi's latest pure Android One phone has a 48MP AI-powered camera


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Google AI Forum 10th Round: AI Innovation and Computational Photography
Published : Tuesday, December 25, 2018, 9:26 pm
ACROFAN=Hyung-Keun Kim | hyungkeun.kim@acrofan.com | SNS
On February 28, 2018, Google hosted 'Google AI Forum 10th Round: AI Innovation and Computational Photography' at its office in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. At the conference, Marc Levoy, Distinguished Engineer of Google, gave a video lecture on how AI technology is integrated into a photograph that can record our everyday lives and memory.
▲ 'Google AI Forum 10th Round: AI Innovation and Computational Photography' was held.
According to the announcement, Google presented a 'portrait mode' that combines machine learning and computational photography technique with a new Pixel smartphone. This 'portrait mode' automatically applies a soft out-focus effect to the background so that the person can be highlighted. This helps the camera focus more on the subject than on the cluttered background and allows the photographer to take more artistic pictures. This 'portrait mode' greatly improves the photographs through four steps. By using each process efficiently through AI, it shows better results to users.
The first step is to create an HDR+ image through a photo shoot. HDR+ is Google's computational photography technique to improve the quality of photographed pictures. The way to prevent losing highlights, HDR+ captures several under-exposed images, aligns, averages and merges the frames of the captured images to reduce noise in the shadows.
As a method of reducing global contrast while preserving local contrast, it also amplifies these shadows to get pictures with high dynamic range, low noise, and sharp details even in dim lighting. The idea of aligning frames to reduce noise has been known for decades, but Google introduced that its implementation is a bit different as it is achieved on a photo by handheld camera.
▲ HDR + is Google's computational photography technique to improve the quality of photographed photos.
The second stage is 'machine learning-based foreground-background segmentation'. Generally, which pixels belong to the foreground, typically a person, and which belong to the background are decided. Here, there is a tricky problem, because the background cannot be assumed as a certain color such as green or blue, unlike the chroma keying (a.k.a. green screening) in the movie industry. Instead, Google applied machine learning.
Google has trained the process of estimating which pixels are human and which pixels are not human by using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) written in TensorFlow. 'Convolution' means that the learned components of the network are organized in the form of filters (sum of weights of neighboring pixels around each pixel), so you can think of networks as simply filtering images, then filtering the filtered images.
The 'skip connections' allows information to easily flow from the early stages in the network where it reasons about color and edges up to later stages of the network where it reasons about high-level features (faces and body parts). Combining stages like this is important when you need to not just determine if a photo has a person in it, but to identify exactly which pixels belong to that person. CNN was trained on almost a million pictures of peoples with hats, sunglasses, and ice cream cones.
The third stage goes through 'calculation of depth using stereo algorithm'. The Pixel 2 doesn't have dual cameras, but it does have a technology called Phase-Detect Auto-Focus (PDAF) pixels, sometimes called dual-pixel autofocus (DPAF). It works in a way of splitting every pixel on the image sensor chip into two smaller side-by-side pixels and reading them from the chip separately. Unlike many cameras including DSLR that use PDAF technology to focus faster on video recordings, it uses to compute depth maps.
PDAF pixels give you views through the left and right sides of the lens in a single snapshot and uses left-side and right-side images (or top and bottom) as input data to a stereo algorithm like that used in Google's Jump system panorama stitcher. This algorithm first performs subpixel-accurate tile-based alignment to produce a low-resolution depth map, then interpolates it to high resolution using a bilateral solver.
▲ It goes through 'calculation of depth using stereo algorithm'.
Lastly, the fourth stage 'puts all together to render the final image'. This step is to combine the segmentation mask computed in the second step with the depth map computed in the third step to decide how much to blur each pixel in the HDR+ picture from the first step.
The rough idea is that the subject considered to be a person stays sharp, and the subject considered to be the background is blurred in proportion to how far it is from the in-focus plane, where these distances are taken from the depth map. The application of blur is replaced with translucent disks with various sizes. By compositing all these disks in depth order, it is possible to get the approximation to real optical blur.
On the other hand, engineer Marc Levoy presented tips for shooting a nice portrait. First, close enough to the subject that head fills the frame, and for group shots, the subject must be placed at the same distance from the camera. Also, for the blur effect, you should put a little distance between the subject and the background, and you should take off dark sunglasses, a wide brim hat, and a big scarf. In addition, when taking close-ups, the focus should be adjusted so that the subject of interest remains sharp.
After the lecture, Marc Levoy said, "It is true that mobile phones are yet impossible to completely replace professional cameras due to technical and mechanical limitations, but it is possible to show users a certain level of photos. This is important for widening the user's choices, and the machine learning and computational photography technique are at the center."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Duke University and Stanford University launched the Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement Program (ACE) in Spring 2015 to provide student-athletes with opportunities for immersive civic engagement experiences. Recognizing the challenge for student-athletes to fully participate in many of the offered campus programs, Duke and Stanford are meeting this need together by offering student-athletes greater access to civic engagement and service opportunities through ACE.
Funded by the support of David Rubenstein, Peter and Helen Bing, and Duke Athletic ticket sales, ACE enables partner organizations to work with student athletes to create projects that serve community needs while providing full funding to student-athletes for these endeavors. Each summer, 40 Duke-Stanford ACE student-athletes — 20 Duke and 20 Stanford — will participate in one of four international service programs.
Want to know more about ACE? Read more about the ACE program history and mission.
Civic engagement is action undertaken at the request of a community partner that is designed to identify and address issues of public concern. This definition may incorporate everything from traditional service work to non-partisan political participation and includes both direct service — or "hands-on" work — and "capacity building" activities.
What types of opportunities are available through ACE?
Student-athletes are eligible to participate in one of four international programs with diverse service themes and geographic locations. While each of the programs will focus on working with youth around coaching and sports enrichment, student-athletes will also have the opportunity to serve in areas such as health outreach, education, environmental conservation, social enterprise, and more. Volunteer-sending organizations (VSOs) collaborate with ACE staff to develop all programs.
What costs are covered by ACE?
All program-related expenses are covered for ACE participants. These may include: travel, meals, accommodations, gym facilities (if available), vaccinations, visas, and incidentals. Please note that ACE does not cover the cost of applying for student-athletes' passports.
Are there specific start and end dates for each program?
Each ACE program will have its own respective start and end dates that apply to participating student-athletes. Specific departure and return dates for each group program will be announced as soon as they are known. All ACE programs run for approximately three weeks each.
What types of training facilities can I expect? How much time will I have for training?
Access to training facilities will depend on the program location. Please refer to each individual program profile for more information about is available at a particular site. If you have further questions, you can email the program contact listed on the profile page. While your primary purpose on the program is serve with your community partner, you can expect to have some time before your work starts or at the end of the day to train. Please be mindful that some program sites have expectations around culturally appropriate dress when exercising. You are encouraged to talk with your coach about what training facilities you will need and how to modify workouts if needed.
What should I be aware of when I write my application?
You will need to present a compelling case for yourself, including your past work and volunteer experiences, your classwork, and goals. It will take you several hours to develop your thoughts and answer all of the questions. We do not recommend waiting until the last minute to start your application; ideally, you should start your application as soon as you have determined the program(s) to which you would like to apply. As with any other written assignment, starting well ahead of the deadline will give you time to organize your thoughts, draft, revise, edit, and submit your best work. Applications are not accepted after the deadline. You should prepare to submit your application ahead of this time and not wait until the last minute.
To complete your application, you will need to provide some additional information. You will need your health insurance card, your passport, the name and contact information of your head coach, and contact information for your parent or guardian. Gathering these documents and this information before you start your application can help streamline your application preparations.
Finally, ACE staff is not able to help students with applications generally. We are pleased to help you if you have a questions such as "what is an example of an experience that demonstrated flexibility?" but we cannot appraise or edit the content of individual student applications. If you would like an outside opinion on your application, we recommend making an appointment at the Thompson Writing Center (Duke) or the Hume Center for Writing and Speaking (Stanford).
Learn more about preparing to apply to participate in an ACE program.
What commitments should students consider when applying?
ACE programs take place throughout the summer and last approximately three consecutive weeks. Program dates are set well in advance and must be adhered to by student-athletes. As you decide which program(s) are the best fit, we encourage you to consider any summer school obligations, team or training requirements, potential competitions, etc. that might have an impact on which dates you can participate. All students are required to participate in pre-departure trainings and meetings.
Do I have to submit a coach's recommendation with my application?
Yes. You must submit one coach recommendation with your application. Your recommendation can come from your head coach or position coach. You will be asked to provide your coach's name and email address.
To how many programs and how soon can a student apply?
A student-athlete may apply up to two programs as early as the freshman year.
How can I learn more about specific ACE programs?
From November to January, ACE will hold information sessions. Notifications will be announced on our website, our ACE Facebook page and via Duke and Stanford Athletic Department communication channels.
May I cut text from a document and paste it into my ACE application?
If you'd like to draft your application outside of the ACE application portal, we highly recommend that you use a text document like TextPad (in Microsoft). Using Word may create copy-and-paste issues with punctuation and quotation marks. We still recommend that you save your work regularly, and that you allow ample time ahead of the submission deadline to transfer your application. You may not submit a text document in lieu of an application.
Does every student-athlete who applies to ACE have an in-person on-campus interview?
Due to the number of applications that ACE receives, not every student athlete who applies will be invited for an interview. Interviews can take place any time during the application review period and may be conducted in person or via phone/Skype. Not all programs will conduct interviews at the same time, nor will they send out all of the interview invitations at the same time.
Who is eligible to participate in ACE?
Any Duke or Stanford active NCAA varsity student-athlete who will have completed two semesters or three quarters of classes by the time his/her ACE experience begins is eligible to apply and participate. All participants must be in good standing at their respective university to participate. Because one of the primary goals of the program is for the campus community to benefit from the shared experience of participants, student-athletes must have at least one semester or quarter back on campus after they complete their ACE experience. Student-athletes may participate in only one, funded ACE experience.
Are there prerequisites or language requirements for ACE programs?
ACE staff and program leaders will determine suggested language or other applicable prerequisites, which will be identified in program descriptions.
If I am returning to Duke or Stanford for only one semester or quarter after ACE, am I still eligible to apply to ACE?
Yes. Student-athletes in good standing who have completed two semesters or three quarters before the start of their ACE program, and who will complete at least one semester or quarter at Duke or Stanford after ACE are eligible. This includes student-athletes enrolled in study abroad before or after ACE.
If I am accepted to ACE and decline, am I eligible to reapply?
Student-athletes accepted to ACE are asked to submit a binding statement of intent within a week of receiving notification from the ACE office. If you are accepted and chose not to participate, simply decline the offer, and you will be eligible to apply again in the future. If you do submit a statement of intent to participate and later withdraw, you will be ineligible to re-apply.
I'm studying abroad. Am I eligible for ACE?
Yes, student-athletes studying abroad may apply. If needed, your interview will be conducted via phone or Skype.
I do not have a passport. Can I still apply?
You should apply for a passport before submitting your application, however, your application will be accepted without the passport in hand. If you are accepted, you will be expected to submit your passport to ACE in mid-March to register for your program. ACE does not cover the cost of applying for student-athletes' passports.
What are my chances of being accepted? What factors most affect my chances of being accepted?
Your chances of being accepted increase when you apply to programs that match your skills and interests. Do you have the skills needed by the community partner you would be serving with? Have you demonstrated through coursework, athletic participation, and/or co-curricular activities that you will be a strong contributor? Are you a good team member of upstanding character? Come to advising and ACE information sessions to help inform your choices.
How and when will I be notified if I have been accepted to ACE?
Each year, all deadlines and dates are advertised on our website. ACE sends acceptance notifications to student-athletes via an email to their duke.edu or stanford.edu address approximately one month after the application deadline.
If am I accepted, do I need the written approval of my coach to participate in ACE?
As part of the application process, you will ask your head coach for a reference. As you are thinking about applying, we encourage you to talk with your coach(es) about your decision to apply and any other factors you should take into consideration. Once you are accepted into ACE, your head coach will be notified.
If I am accepted, what pre-departure activities am I required to complete?
You are required to complete all paperwork, visa, and vaccination requirements. You must also complete all online trainings, pre-departure meetings, and ACE surveys by the posted deadlines.
May I defer my acceptance to ACE to next year?
No. If you remain an active NCAA varsity student-athlete in good standing, we welcome you to re-apply the next year.
I wasn't accepted to the program to which I applied. Who can I talk to? What are my options?
You may email ACE program staff to ask how you might be able to build a better application for the future.
If I am a Duke student-athlete, am I eligible to participate in ACE and DukeEngage?
You may not participate in ACE and DukeEngage during the same summer. If you have participated in DukeEngage between 2011 and 2017, you are eligible to apply to ACE for summer 2018.
If you accept an offer from DukeEngage to participate in a summer 2018 group program or independent project, you are ineligible to participate in ACE in 2018. Conversely, if you accept an offer to participate in ACE for summer 2018, you are ineligible to participate in DukeEngage in 2018. Please refer to the DukeEngage website for specific eligibility and application requirements and key program dates.
If I am a Stanford student-athlete, does my participation in ACE preclude me from participating in another university-funded summer opportunity (Impact Abroad, BOSP seminar, other fellowship, etc.)?
If you have already done an Impact Abroad program or BOSP seminar, you are still eligible for ACE and vice versa; however, the primary challenge may be timing. Please refer to the Haas Center for Public Service or the Bing Overseas Studies Program websites for specific requirements, dates, and eligibility.
Still have questions? Contact us–we're here to help.


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Heloise Ardley
Transformation Programme Manager, Oxford University Press
In her native French, you would say Heloise is a 'touche-a-tout' or maybe she is just curious to learn new things. She started as a travel editor and then followed the path of Digital Transformation in the Media and Education industry. Passionate about building diverse and happy teams, and improving equity in access to learning opportunities, she joined OUP in March 2022 to drive the Digital Growth programme. Before that, she's held senior roles in Technology, Product Management and Customer Experience across a range of companies and industries, from FinTech start-up to Pearson, and not for profit, as well as running her own business. She is also a school governor and founder of School for Rebels, an after-school club for curious activists.


Voted the best luau in Oahu, your night at Paradise Cove begins with a tropical Mai Tai greeting and traditional Hawaiian music to set the festive mood. You'll then learn more about Hawaiian culture with arts and crafts, games, fishing demonstrations and even the delightful shower of flowers. Not to be missed.
And of course, you'll want to bring your appetite to enjoy the Paradise Cove Luau menu, which tastefully blends the best of traditional Hawaiian dishes, local favorites, and continental cuisine.
With the Hawaiian sunset as a backdrop, performers will entertain you with an unforgettable display of songs and dances of Hawaii and Polynesian culture.
Menu is set but may vary based on availability or seasonality of dishes.
All events and times are weather permitting and subject to change without notice.
No refund or credit for unredeemed, unwanted, or unused package inclusions, amenities, or activities including drink tickets.


Auto pilot should have saved it..
Where you playing pubg mobile while the car was in auto drive..? Hmmm hmmmm..... Lol.
I always speed up when I'm next to trucks.
This car has multiple cameras but still they didn't put a video recorder camera in it. And you are one of biggest tech youtubers but still you didn't install a dashcam in your car.
Please give Marques a dashcam!
I can imagine how long it's going to take a Tesla to fix that it's the same thing with Volkswagen if you get in a car crash your screwed because it takes a long time for the parts to come in and that's just a Volkswagen.
Yo I like that t shirt!


Hello. Welcome to Friday Favorites. We had a lot of great summer recipes linked up last week, but I decided to focus this week on one of the foods of he season: Berries! Hope you enjoy the picks!
Also, while you're here today, please take a look at some of the posts in my ongoing Summer Health & Beauty Series. And check out my sidebar for a link to my new Beautiful skin care giveaway!
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecakes Bars from Frugal Mom Eh!
Good Morning Jerri! I love the featured berry desserts. They all look so amazing! Thank you for the link party!
Thanks for hosting! I'm sharing my take on Tahdig—it's basically nightshade-free hash browns. I've also shared my decadent Lemon Mousse Tart my très magnifique Chocolate Profiteroles that are also allergy-friendly.


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The story of Cristin Sposa, like all the most beautiful stories of love, began a long time ago, thanks to the creative inspiration of a designer who in the golden years of Italian Haute Couture knew how to create with her hands in her splendid authentic jewel atelier masterpieces of style that made the happiness of every bride in love. But every good story that is fortunately respected today no longer reports the words "The End" at the end, indeed continues to be told today by the one who in that magical atelier has grown, surrounded by fabrics, colors, embroidery and lots of creativity.
So from mother to daughter, the atelier of Alta Moda Cristin Sposa continues to be a splendid business reality all Italian and all female, in the sign of a continuity of style and style that really makes the difference in the world of wedding.
Only here you will find clothes designed to make every bride not only the most beautiful, but also the happiest. The smile is in fact the most precious jewel that a woman in love can exhibit in the most romantic day of her life and feel as beautiful as a princess just in the dress that has always dreamed since childhood. Little women grow, in fact, and what was the distant and passionate desire of a child is transformed into the magical and unrepeatable emotion of a woman ready to swear eternal love to her lover, wrapped in a special creation and one of a kind, designed on fit for his body and his personality. Because, if the silhouette of the dress is perfect, so it is also the mood of the bride who will feel perfectly at ease in a creation designed specifically to make her feel the most beautiful among the beautiful. Today Cristin Sposa in the city of Potenza combines his creations with a romantic and rigorous allure, in which everything is harmony and beauty, a special collection of high fashion bridal dresses designed to be unique in an absolute sense just as true haute couture requires: no other bride will wear the dress chosen by this collection will be hers and only his forever, as everything is his and only his forever on that day so unique and special.
Precious Italian fabrics, refined embroideries executed strictly by hand, perfect cuts and stitching as well as surprise effect details capable of making absolutely stunning even the most rigorous and minimal tailored dress, give the bride who relies on Cristin Sposa the certainty of finding the perfect dress to enhance its forms, making it feel beautiful at the same time and at ease and, naturally, seducing at first glance the future groom and striking sensational all the audience of guests.
Cristin Sposa's designer wedding dresses represent true love and love, you know, is rich in nuances so deep and complex as feeling and just to express this idea, in addition to the classic white, ivory and pastel shades of rare beauty and femininity like wisteria, Cristin Sposa does not hesitate to propose to her brides wonderful fire-red dresses, the color par excellence of passion.
In the Atelier Cristin Sposa for every bride there is the perfect dress because every bride is, first of all, a woman with completely personal tastes.
Respecting the uniqueness of each woman is the true mission of the quintet Atelier Cristin Sposa whose young designer, with her hands firmly holding the reins of her brand, shows, from the collection to the collection, not only class and savoir faire, but also a lot of amber for women tout court who only want to make them happy.
In fact, thanks to her innate experience and sensitivity, she knows very well that in her atelier there will always be many different women entering, all united by a dream of love.
From the romantic and bon ton bride, who prefers classic lines to those who love to play with seduction and glamor, thanks to studied transparency games up to those who want to feel like an authentic princess or a Hollywood diva without forgetting all those spose that, thanks to the latest iconic inspired collection in the eighties, they loved to exhibit sculptural and important volumes like a grand soirée. And the list could go on, because every woman is unique and unique is every creation by Cristin Sposa, modern, elegant and firm.
Cristin Sposa - Channel
strada provinciale 83 Baragiano PZ
info@cristinsposa.it
Copyright 2015 uFashOn | All Rights Reserved | Designed By Farm


What is HypnoBirthing®? Having a baby is one of the most precious moments in life for many couples, and how and where the baby is born is an important part of this experience. Learning to be in control of the labour and birth, to be relaxed and calm helps the mother to really enjoy the process and HypnoBirthing has been taught for over 20 years to achieve just those goals.
Originally developed in the UK, HypnoBirthing has been brought to Spain by Juliette Brookes after her own experience having her second child at home using the Hypnobirthing techniques. HypnoBirthing® is a complete education programme for mothers and birth companions. It is not a new concept, but most people do not really understand what it is all about and feel that things may be taken out of their control. HypnoBirthing® techniques are designed to actually increase awareness allowing the mother to stay calm and in control at all times.
Using HypnoBirthing techniques allows the woman to discover that severe pain does not have to go hand in hand with labour and it can actually be an incredibly enjoyable experience. It helps to release anxieties and fears about childbirth and overcome any previous traumatic experiences to allow for a more enjoyable birthing experience. "Another wonderful thing about Hypnobirthing® is that babies tend to be calmer, feed better and sleep better," Julie concluded. Something all prospective parents wish for.
This entry was posted in Healthy Living and tagged eco kids, natural childbirth. Bookmark the permalink.


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Showing What Dedication, Teamwork and Invention Can Do
Big Elk Energy SystemsBy Jesse Doehler-Knox
An Oklahoma sun reflects off the rooftops of giant facilities. Inside, sparks fly as massive machinery is designed and fabricated to be shipped across the country. Big Elk is a much-awarded explosively-growing company that is making the pipeline industry sit up very sharply.
It's a tough industry, and this company, along with its CEO, Geoff Hager, has fought tooth and nail to reach its present status in an expanding and fiercely competitive sector.
Based in Tulsa, OK, Big Elk Energy Systems builds precise measurement systems for the natural gas industry. The company specializes in engineering, systems design, piping layout, drafting and electrical control systems. It fabricates meter skids, pressure/flow control skids, main line valve settings and EMF/GC buildings all built to customer specifications. Occupying over 140,000 square feet of fabrication space, twelve acres of storage, it offers on-site x-ray, hydro testing, painting, NDT and heat treatment.
Nevertheless, despite all it offers, Big Elk has to continuously improve its facilities for clients that need a lot of servicing. And no wonder – the USA has the largest network of energy pipelines in the world, with over 2.4 million miles of pipe. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2018 this natural gas pipeline network delivered nearly 28 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to about 75 million customers across the country.
This commodity is sold between large energy companies, where each year, billions of dollars are transferred. When gas switches from one pipeline to another, a meter reads the volume to ensure a fair transaction. Inaccuracies in these readers can cost millions over the long run. The companies that dominate this industry are mostly large multi-billion-dollar businesses.
Establishing itself in this industry is no easy feat, but Big Elk Energy Systems has lived up to its name and has done exactly that.
Entry with a splash
After just three years of existence, Big Elk earned three first-place finishes in Inc. Magazine: number one manufacturing firm nationwide; number one company based in Oklahoma; and number one company based in Tulsa. When the company won the award in 2018, it had achieved $20.6 million in sales and a growth rate of 3,152 percent.
A big part of the company's growth can be attributed to its inspiring CEO, Geoff Hager. Hager founded Big Elk after working almost a decade in the industry. Right after graduating with a degree in industrial engineering and management, he started working in the pipeline industry.
At the time, Hager had no ambitions to start his own company, but he had a great passion for working on teams and helping them thrive.
"My mantra is that all life is based on relationships. When I would go to an industry conference, I'd make friends with everyone," recounts Hager. Seeing commonality instead of competition, Hager began building networks within the industry. At conferences, Hager networked with his competitors.
Growing up with parents who were pastors, Hager internalized values of community, collaboration and commonality. For him, it was natural to build community, but once he started Big Elk, those connections were essential to its success.
Creative relationships
"We've got many people on the team who were competitors, but it's because I spent a career forging great relationships regardless of who worked for whom." This allowed Hager to recruit the best people he could, who were highly skilled. "Everybody knew the greats were the ones that were going to be on this team and so the other greats wanted to be on this team as well. It snowballed," he says.
"Our culture is contagious. You can feel it when you walk onto the property. It's a special thing we have here. We treasure it, we protect it at all costs. When we interview folks, we interview for culture first and skill-set second."
This work culture helps to promote creative individuals, such as his engineering manager, Dennis McClintock.
"He's got a beautiful noggin on his shoulders and he's a true inventor," says Hager. "I don't think anyone ever really gave him the opportunity to just sit around and think stuff up. I tried to create an opportunity where he could spread his wings and fly a little bit. His name is on the patent of a lot of our innovations," he explains.
"He's surrounded by a team of people that support his efforts and that have been able to add to and speak into a lot of the initial concepts that he's come up with. So we're able to take it to the finish line with a final design that's really going to be revolutionary for our industry."
M3 breakthrough
This innovative team created the world's first mobile meter-reading tester, called Mobile Master Meter (M3). Before the invention of M3, companies wanting to test the accuracy of a meter would have to pull the whole meter out of the pipeline and send it to a lab. This process could take days, which is equivalent to millions in lost revenue. Most companies, therefore, don't get them tested. And many meters are decades old.
"Lots of people have tried to develop this over the years. It turned out Big Elk was the one that figured it out," explains Hager. "M3 is a giant rig we can take out to the site and run a meter prove on a large gas meter. It's huge, it's truly revolutionary."
At the time M3 was being developed, Big Elk was struggling because the entire natural gas industry was in a downturn. But as with so many aspects of Big Elk, Hager had faith. "It was despite all logic. It was difficult talking to my own board through some of those times because we didn't really have the money to be doing projects like that. But sometimes you believe that something is there and you need to be willing to sacrifice everything to make it happen."
Struggle is something Hager is very familiar with. He and his wife invested their life savings of $140,000 to help secure the initial investment to get Big Elk started. When the investment fell through, they lost their savings, and had no company. It was a dark time for Hager, but he didn't stop knocking on doors, searching for investment.
"I drove this BMW that looked nice, but the truth is it had a cracked windshield and I couldn't afford another car… I had one suit with buttons that were falling off, but it was all I had. So I would hold my arm in a certain way so that people couldn't see the broken buttons because here I am, trying to recruit investors, and I'm thinking, oh gosh, I need to look like some picture of success. Because if they could see the rag style I was living behind the scenes nobody would want to put the money in."
Like the buttons, his entire life was hanging by a thread, until finally a perceptive banker put up the backing. "I would jump in front of a bus for him because he basically wrote me a check for $5 million when I was nothing but a piece of paper."
Hager bought a parcel of land he'd had his eyes on for over a year, and the seller actually threw in an extra $140,000 after hearing about Hager's personal financial loss on his first investment. "What multi-billion dollar corporation that size has compassion on a single person? They gave me my money back – and that's how the Hager household survived the next 18 months."
As soon as the funding was secured and the property built, the entire industry was hit by a massive downturn. For a small startup, this is usually the first signal of imminent demise. But for Hager, it was just another challenge that faith, persistence, and teamwork could solve.
Forging the team
Hager continues: "The team that I have is united because we've been through something together and it just makes us an unstoppable. All of the people that are with me have had a front row seat and seen what that sacrifice means in my own life."
He led his team through the struggle not only with words, but by example. He didn't collect a paycheck for two years. While he hid his own struggle to secure initial investments, he shared in every moment of the struggle to get his business off the ground, securing the trust of his workers.
"When you go through a fire together, there's something about the furnace of affliction that purifies. It burns off the impurities. It burns off all the junk that has been holding you back and affliction can just be one of the greatest experiences if you will embrace the suffering."
"There was no other way to do it – everybody's got to be all in. You can't have it where some people have to be all in and then other people aren't. We succeed together. We rise and fall together."
And the blood sweat and tears have proven to be fruitful. With $30 million in revenue, Hager predicts it will grow above $100 million over the next four years. Other sure signs of the company's promise are already making themselves obvious. "We have the people that everyone wants to hire," says Hager, "because people genuinely believe we are building something special and they want to be part of that."
This bond his team has, and the passion, along with the accolades from Inc. Magazine and others, means all industry eyes are on Big Elk. But Big Elk is looking to the future.
"That's why I say, looking over these next five years, we're going to do something that's really crazy, because we paid the price required to get these things off the ground. And the next five years are going to be us reaping the benefits of those investments."