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Tim Bryce - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
Tim graduated from Ohio University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications (BSC) from OU's College of Communications, School of Communication Studies (formerly School of Interpersonal Communications). Upon graduation, he joined MBA full time and served in a variety of capacities, including both sales and consulting. As Director, his responsibilities include product development, implementation, training and on-going support of all MBA customers on a worldwide basis.
Because of this, he has traveled ... [More]
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- The Problem With "Man Hours"
[Business:Management] I've never been comfortable with the concept of "Man Hours," not that it's a gender issue, but rather it implies ignorance of how time is used in the work place and fumbles away some simple management concepts needed to run any business, namely accountability and commitment. Actually, I thought the "Man Hour" concept disappeared with the passing of the 20th century, but it appears to be making a comeback.
- Software Versions and Releases
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Are the words synonymous? Can they be used interchangeably?
- Humor in the Work Place
[Business:Management] I have been a fan of NBC's popular sitcom "The Office" for quite some time. More than anything, the secret to the show's success is its ability to develop a humorous parody of true life office situations, such as boring meetings, an irrational boss, office politics, competition, even romance. One of the areas the writers work on is humor in the work place.
- Information Systems Theory 101
[Computers-and-Technology] Provides a conceptual foundation for all Information Systems work. Systems work is not as hard as you might think. However, we have a tendency in this business to complicate things by changing the vocabulary of systems work and introducing convoluted concepts and techniques, all of which makes it difficult to produce systems in a consistent manner.
- Herd Management
[Business:Management] Some time ago I commented on how people tend to behave in group settings (see "The Stupids"). This led to a series of e-mails I received from people asking me where they could find more information on what I called, "Herd Management." Unfortunately, there isn't a lot to be found, not unless you are talking about the management of cattle, horses or swine. Then again, maybe that's not a bad place to start as their objective is essentially the same as moving the human animal.
- Big Fish in Small Ponds
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Do you remember the Dr. Seuss classic, "Yertle the Turtle"? In it, Yertle was the king of the turtles in a pond who demanded his subjects elevate him higher than the moon. The story was intended to make a mockery of ultimate power. There are still a lot of Yertles out there living separately in small ponds and I'm sure we all know a few of them. You can find them in companies, nonprofit groups, schools, even in our neighborhoods. They may not have been officially anointed king, but they very much try to play the role. It is what we commonly refer to as the "Big Fish in a Small Pond" phenomenon...
- Remembering Names
[Business:Customer-Service] The importance of remembering names. It's just good business.
- Credit Scores - What's Yours?
[Finance:Credit-Tips] Whether we like it or not, our lives are greatly impacted by our financial credit scores. If you have a good credit rating, lending institutions are more than happy to loan you the money to buy a house, a boat, a car, help you start a business venture, or whatever. If you have a bad rating, you're basically stuck in Nowheresville.
- Why America Succeeds - By Accident Or by Design?
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] These are indeed strange times. We now question not only America's future, but its very existence. This is not the first time we have questioned our ability to carry on. The 1860's, 1930's and 1960's were strange times in our country's history, but somehow we held on and succeeded in spite of overwhelming odds against us.
- Our Changing Vernacular
[Reference-and-Education:Languages] I'm told that English is the hardest language to learn, probably because of the idioms and slang we use. I don't know which is worse, "American-ese" or our counterparts in the UK. Nonetheless I find it interesting how our language changes over time.
- Alaska - Our 49th on Their 50th
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] During my summer sabbatical I took a tour of Alaska, our 49th state who is celebrating their 50th anniversary of statehood in 2009. My two week tour took me to Katchekan, Juneau, Scagway, Valdez, Copper River, Denali, and Fairbanks. Often touted as the "Final Frontier," I half-expected Alaska to be an extension of the American Wild West, complete with cowboys, horses, buffalo, etc. It's not.
- Today's Luxury Cruising - How Good a Job?
[Travel-and-Leisure:Luxury-Cruising] I went on an ocean cruise last month. My wife and I have been taking cruises since we were married in the early 1980's and have sailed on various lines in different locales. I know a lot of people will argue with me on this, but I find most of the cruise lines to be fundamentally the same in terms of operation. Maybe it's because all of the major lines are now owned by Carnival Corporation & PLC under the tutelage of Micky Arison in Miami.
- The Price of Ethics
[Business:Ethics] We all want to believe that practicing good ethics in both our personal and professional lives is the right thing to do; that we should not wrong, cheat, or defraud others. The reality though is we have allowed unscrupulous ethical practices to creep into our lives like a vine that starts at the root and, if left unchecked, slowly climbs the tree and eventually strangles it.
- How People Judge Us
[Business:Career-Advice] Ever wonder why people treat you the way they do? A lot has to do with how you are perceived by others. Let me give you an example, years ago when I lived in Cincinnati, Ohio I would often drive up to Canada to visit customers along The King's Highway 401 in lower Ontario.
- The Absence of Electronics
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] While I was driving home one night, I was stopped at a traffic light and began to imagine what life would be like without the many electronic conveniences we enjoy. Hmm...
- Show Me the Proof!
[Business:Productivity] On more than one occasion you have heard me express my skepticism on the beneficial effects of technology on our culture. Proponents obviously claim it has a positive effect, and proudly point at the capacity, speed, and sizzle embedded in such things as computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices, but I'm still not convinced. For example:
- The Bright Side of Getting Fired
[Business:Career-Advice] Time for some soul-searching. People get fired from their jobs for a lot of reasons, such as a company struggling in today's economy, poor job performance, corporate politics, or even petty jealousies. Being fired is a real shot to the ego regardless of the reason. The first question one asks is, "Why?" Unfortunately, we don't always get the answer, maybe because companies are afraid of possible litigation resulting from the dismissal or they believe they are trying to let the worker down easily. Consequently, employees are dumbfounded as to why they were fired or are left with a fabricated excuse, which, to me, can be more damaging than the actual firing itself.
- Pussyfooting Diplomacy
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Every now and then the English language produces an interesting word filled with imagery. One of my favorites is "pussyfooting" as it describes how someone or something behaves cautiously or timidly like a cat before making a commitment to action. It's also a great way of describing American diplomacy in the 21st century, representing politicians who are afraid of committing themselves to a course of action.
- Obi-Wan Management
[Business:Management] Recently I've been getting a lot of compliments on my style of management. People seem to think I am able to move mountains with ease; that I make it look effortless. Jokingly they have started to refer to me as "Obi-Wan" to recognize my expertise. While I appreciate the accolades and mystique, I really don't understand what the hubbub is all about. I think people are confusing brilliance with experience. I just see myself as an ordinary Joe who has been around the block a couple of times and has learned a thing or two along the way.
- Why Do We Trust Politicians?
[News-and-Society:Politics] I was looking over some political polls recently and noticed the approval ratings of Congress are dismally low, 13-37% depending on the poll you read. Offhand, this would indicate we do not believe they are doing the job we elected them to do, and a violation of our trust. But America is not alone in this regards; in the reports I read, politicians around the world are generally not trusted. In one report I read, used car salesmen were judged to have better integrity than politicians, and they may very well be on to something here.
- Confounded Customer Service
[Business:Customer-Service] I was recently shopping for a new cable service. I find it is necessary to change cable operators every so often in order to keep the vendors competitive and to lower costs. In my area, I am fortunate to have three major vendors offering comparable service at competitive rates.
- Brainwashing 101
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] In the past you have heard me lament about the erosion of our moral values, and it is my contention that our religious institutions have dropped the ball on this one. Their message may be good, but it is not generally turned into practice anymore. I've seen way too many people go to church to absolve themselves of their sins for the past week, only to continue unethical business practices on Monday morning.
- The Problem With Job Interviews
[Business:Careers-Employment] Something that really irritates me in the corporate world today is how companies interview candidates for a job. Instead of having you describe who you are, what you've done in your professional life, and what skills you know, Human Resource types today ask questions like:
- Count Your Blessings in Today's Economy
[Self-Improvement] It's difficult to maintain a positive perspective in these troubling economic times. People are frustrated, despondent, even angry. But I have learned over the years, that no matter what disaster I may be faced with, there is always someone in worse shape than I am, such as a starving, uneducated third-world child who doesn't have a roof over his head, or his father who earns pennies a day to support his family. So, we should actually count the blessings we have got as opposed to banging our heads against the wall.
- Finding a Recession-Proof Business
[Business:Entrepreneurialism] Finding a business that can endure today's economic recession can be tricky. People are tightening their belts more today than in the past fifty years. We are seeing businesses close down, CEO's being replaced, and some rather substantial cost-cutting measures, including salaries and employment. So you have to ask yourself what companies are thriving? Which ones are going to make it and which ones won't?
- The Problem With Defining Information Requirements
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] As many of you know, I have been active in the Information Technology (IT) industry for a long time now. It's a strange business and, frankly, sometimes I wish I had never gotten involved with it. Nonetheless, there are a lot of problems associated with IT, such as computer performance, capacity planning, security, networking, disaster recovery, but probably the biggest problem is requirements definition. In other words, accurately defining the information needs of the end-user.
- Our Right To Fail
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] As a youngster, one of the things I learned early on was that winning and losing was a natural part of any game I played, be it baseball, football, hockey, Monopoly, cards, you name it. Somebody wins, somebody loses. Nobody likes to lose, but as I have written in the past, there is nothing to be ashamed of if you have tried your best, but still failed.
- Conservative Stereotypes
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Following the release of one of my more politically inclined columns, I was accused by a reader of being an ultra conservative. The reader based his comments on established stereotypes of conservatives which I personally find distasteful. Such images have become rather old and tiresome, but were still effective in last year's elections.
- The Problem With Surcharges
[News-and-Society:Economics] Last year when we were paying about $4.50 for a gallon of gasoline, you may remember companies started to add a surcharge to their bills. I saw it in our bills for garbage collection, pest control, irrigation maintenance, pool service, delivery men, etc.
- Cancer - The "Big Kahuna"
[Cancer] The World Health Organization recently reported that by 2010 cancer will replace heart disease as the number one global killer. I was a little surprised to learn this as I had always thought of cancer as number one for a long time. I realize other diseases such as heart disease, AIDS, Diabetes, Obesity, and Alzheimer's are bad in their own right, but to me cancer has always been the "Big Kahuna" of them all.
- The Problem With Procrastination
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] I think we're all pretty much guilty of some form of procrastination during our lives. I know I am. The word itself comes from the Latin word "procrastinatus": pro- (forward) and crastinus (of tomorrow).
- Consumer Confidence
[News-and-Society:Economics] As we are now embroiled in a major economic recession, we are hearing a lot about plant closings, worker layoffs, restructuring of companies, tightening of credit, and government stimulus packages. But as you listen to the news and talking heads on television, everything seems to come back to "consumer confidence" or the lack thereof to purchase anything. It appears our disposable income has been disposed of. I don't hear anyone addressing this problem, so I'll take a shot at it. I may not be an economist, but as a businessman who has been around the block a few times, I would do the following:
- The Problems With Resume Writing
[Business:Resumes-Cover-Letters] I've read a lot of resumes in my day. Coming from the Information Technology sector I have seen some pretty crazy ones filled with a lot of gobbledygook involving technical acronyms and programming jargon. Here's an example, "Proficient in the following languages and operating platforms:
- Social Networking Tools
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Social-Networking] Social Networking Tools are nice, but there is nothing better than the human touch. Not long ago I was asked by a young man about what he should be thinking about as he started his career in the business world. We talked about a lot of things, but more than anything I emphasized the need to network with his professional contemporaries. I recommended he join some industry groups, attend conferences, and basically start to interact with different people in his industry.
- Our Changing Sense of Humor
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humor] Everyone seems to be grousing about how bad things are today, and maybe they are right, but I wonder how much our sense of humor contributes to our mindset. If you listen to the late night comics on television, everyone is an idiot. Sure we might chuckle now and then, but I find this to be more cynical and destructive than positive and beneficial.
- Some Lessons on Home
[Home-and-Family] This is not so much a pet peeve as it is an observation about the concept of "Home." I don't think we really appreciate home until we leave it for awhile, whether it is to go off to school, the military, or we simply grow up and move away.
- Managing A Nonprofit Organization
[Business:Non-Profit] Managing a nonprofit organization is not exactly rocket science, but can be fouled up through simple incompetence, regardless of the best of intentions. Here are ten simple tips for managing such organizations.
- Matrimonial Territorialism
[Relationships:Marriage] I've been married for over a quarter of a century now. This doesn't necessarily qualify me as an expert in marriage, but I have learned a couple of things along the way. For example, the marriages that have endured over the years seem to be those based on situations where the couple have learned to compromise on a variety of things, such as food, music, sleep, driving, work, relaxation, conversation, family, religion; the list is actually quite extensive.
- Moral Decay
[Business:Ethics] I recently went out to dinner with a business friend who owns a medium sized manufacturing company with just over 50 employees. Over a couple of cocktails he started to express to me his frustration with his people. He claimed to pay them well, provides a comfortable work environment, and offers a respectable benefits package.
- Going It Alone?
[Business:Entrepreneurialism] As we enter the workforce we inevitably have to make a difficult decision; do we go to work for big business or do we take a chance on a smaller company, perhaps even start our own? Whereas one seems to offer safety and security, the other appears to be more risky.
- Recognizing the Peter Principle
[Business:Management] The Peter Principle was introduced back in 1969 by Dr. Laurence J. Peter in his book of the same name. In a nutshell, the principle contends that in a hierarchical organization a person will rise to the level of their competency, and trouble arises if the person rises above it. Along with Parkinson's Law, it is one of the most well known principles in the world of management. Unfortunately, young people are unfamiliar with the concept which is perhaps why we are seeing more people lately rising above their level of competency.
- Socialistic Management
[Business:Management] "Manage from the bottom up; not just from the top down; this creates personal commitment and accountability." - Bryce's Law There's a new management philosophy underfoot in this country, spurred on by young I.T.
- Why We Resist Planning
[Business:Management] People tend to resist gazing into the crystal ball and prefer to react to life as it passes them by. Some people believe planning in today's ever changing world is a waste of time, that you must be more "agile" and accommodate changes as they occur. As anyone who has designed and built anything of substance knows, this is utterly ridiculous. We would not have the many great skyscrapers, bridges, dams, highways, ships, planes, and other sophisticated equipment without the efforts of architects and engineers.
- Why IT Standards Fail
[Computers-and-Technology] Not long ago Shane "Locutus" Shields wrote an interesting blog entitled, "What is the use of standards?" whereby he expressed his disillusionment with standards in the Information Technology (I.T.) field. His discontent is not without precedence. Most of us have at one time or another yearned for standards in our work effort, only to be thwarted by the grim realities of an industry that doesn't like to embrace standards. We all admit standards are a good idea and we should all be heading in that direction, someday... but that day never seems to come because there are forces at play deliberately resisting such efforts.
- Change - What Lies Ahead?
[News-and-Society] "If anything is constant, it is change." - Bryce's Laws. As I have written in the past, Americans are great reactionaries. There are numerous examples to illustrate the point including Pearl Harbor, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina just to mention a few.
- Covering For Incompetence
[Business:Management] "When it comes to working for an incompetent manager, you basically have three alternatives: fight, quit, or work; all of which are no-win situations." The pointy haired manager in Scott Adams' "Dilbert" cartoon has become an icon for management incompetence. Although Adams' character may seem like an extreme, we have all encountered various examples of the Peter Principle whereby people have risen above their level of competency.
- Suffering From Tunnel Vision
[Business:Management] Back before I was married and lived up north, I had a good friend who I would pal around with. We were somewhat of a "Mutt and Jeff" team whereby I was the tall one and my friend was the short one. Nevertheless, he came over to visit my condo one day and as we were leaving he happened to notice a light switch in my patio area.
- The Problem Of Office Politics
[Business:Management] When we join a new company, we're all hoping for a fresh start and clean slate. The last thing we want is to get embroiled in political intrigue, regardless of how petty it might seem. Most of us just want to do our work and move along with our lives.
- Who Makes The Best Systems Analysts?
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] "Systems are logical, programming is physical." - Bryce's Law - Over the last four decades I have met a lot of Systems Analysts in a lot of different industries. Some impressed me greatly by their knowledge of their business and the systems they designed, but I have also met a lot of duds along the way.
- The Problem With Vacations
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Something I think Americans have a problem with it's vacations. Although most of us feel lucky to take a week off or a few days here and there, it's rare for Americans to take vacations like our European or Australian counterparts who may take as much as a month off at a time. Sure, we enjoy some time off to recoup from work, but I think the problem here is that Americans don't know how to relax.
- The Elements Of A Good Feasibility Study
[Business:Management] "Those who do not do their homework do not graduate." - Bryce's Law - In its simplest form, a Feasibility Study represents a definition of a problem or opportunity to be studied, an analysis of the current mode of operation, a definition of requirements, an evaluation of alternatives, and an agreed upon course of action. As such, the activities for preparing a Feasibility Study are generic in nature and can be applied to any type of project, be it for systems and software development making an acquisition, or any other project.
- Resisting Change
[Business:Change-Management] I have been fortunate to have visited a lot of companies in my lifetime as a consultant. I have also participated in several nonprofit groups, many of which are well established and steep in customs and tradition. Interestingly, a lot of these organizations operate on autopilot when it comes to executing procedures.
- The Problem With Office Gossip
[Business:Management] I have a problem with gossip in the office but I think we are all guilty of some infraction of it at some time or another. Petty gossip is one thing, viscous slander is something else altogether. Not surprising, there is a lot of misinformation floating around in an office regarding people and corporate direction.
- Is Systems Development An Art Or A Science?
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] This is an important question which is ultimately at the heart of a lot of the problems in systems and software development. There is one camp that believes development to be an art form requiring free-spirited creative types of people, and another camp believing it to be a science requiring people that are more disciplined and organized. The difference between an art and a science is subtle but significant.
- Office Noise
[Business:Management] Back in 2003 the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) conducted a survey of the most common complaints of office workers. Office temperature, which we have discussed in the past, topped the list. But there were also others, including office noise which many workers found to be very distracting.
- Craftsmanship In Business Systems Analysis
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Recently I wrote a paper on the general state of craftsmanship which was geared more for public consumption as opposed to any specific industry. To my way of thinking, craftsmanship is a universal concept that touches all industries, regardless if they are product or service related. This resulted in a flurry of e-mails to me questioning how it pertains to specific types of work, including Business Systems Analysis (BSA) which, of course, is applicable but I question whether we have truly realized craftsmanship in this field.
- Generation Gap
[Business:Management] I'm hearing a lot about the generation gap in business; that young people are not working well with their elders, and there may very well be a lot of truth in this. Following World War II, the "Greatest Generation" took over and dominated business like never before. The 50's and 60's were the go-go years that propelled the American economy.
- Has IBM Become Irrelevant?
[Computers-and-Technology] Is IBM still a viable force in the I.T. Industry? Years ago the technology industry was defined by IBM and the "BUNCH" (Burroughs, Univac, NCR, CDC, and Honeywell). One by one, the BUNCH slowly evaporated and have either been merged into other entities or taken a back seat to others, such as Digital, Wang, Data General, and others, all of which have also ridden off into the sunset.
- Finding A Good Mechanic
[Automotive] Years ago we used to use the local "service station" for basic car repairs, such as tune-ups, lube jobs, tire rotations, oil changes, etc. There was usually a senior guy there who you trusted to take care of your car, and if he didn't know how to take care of a problem, he would know someone reliable who could. But local service stations disappeared as the price of gasoline escalated and replaced by mini-marts that also happen to sell gasoline.
- Office Clutter
[Business:Productivity] Is there too much clutter in the office? Does it affect productivity?
- Craftsmanship - Its Cultural And Managerial Implications
[Business:Management] The purpose of this essay is to review the state of craftsmanship in the 21st century, determine if it still has merit in today's corporate culture, and if so, devise recommendations for perpetuating it.
Although there are no definitive numbers to prove so, there is a general consensus that craftsmanship has been in decline in North America since the 1980's. This era marked the beginning of stiff worldwide competition in just about every industrial sector, led predominantly by Japan and Germany. Since then, the European community has been unified and become a formidable foe, as has the rest of Asia.
- Standard System Structure
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] There has been a lot of discussion in I.T. circles the last couple of years regarding system architecture, yet there appears to be general confusion over the inherent properties of an information system.
- Office Temperature
[Business:Workplace-Communication] One of the touchiest subjects in any office is the room temperature. This has probably touched off more arguments in the office than just about anything else. It may seem like a small thing but people tend to be passionate about the temperature.
- Proactive Vs Reactive Management
[Business:Management] "Beware of your 'firefighters,' they are probably your chief arsonists." - Bryce's Law I have been thinking a lot about micromanagement lately. It seems the corporate world is consumed with mini-dictators who are bent on directing the activities of others.
- Small Business Owner Concerns
[Business:Small-Business] Are the problems experienced by small business owners any different than their corporate counterparts? I was recently at a gathering of independent consultants from around the Tampa Bay area and we got around to talking about the concerns of owners of small businesses. From this, we devised a list of pet peeves commanding the attention of small-to-medium sized business owners, to with:
- Keeping Down With The Jones'
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] "Keeping up with the Jones'" has been a part of our vernacular for many years now. Basically, it implies we are trying to emulate, if not compete, with others of a higher social status. It is this train of thought that powers the purchase of the latest high-tech toys, fashions and automobiles because we don't want to seemingly fall behind, which is somewhat understandable to a degree, but I fear this has become an overpowering mindset in a lot of what we do today.
- Being Taken For Granted
[Business:Customer-Service] Nobody likes to be taken for granted, but I'm starting to see more and more of this from a consumer point of view. For example, consider magazine and newspaper subscriptions where you are not rewarded for longevity; instead, you carry the load as rates go up and up with each passing year. It seems the longer you are a customer, the less you are appreciated and the more you are taken advantage of. I guess seniority and tenure doesn't carry much weight anymore.
- Who Controls The Work Environment?
[Business:Management] Discusses who controls the work environment, the worker or the manager? Good question. For years, controlling the work environment was considered management's responsibility.
- Personal Advertising
[Business:Advertising] Questions why we find it necessary to personally advertise other companies. We may not be fully aware of it, but advertising has crept into the American psyche. For example, we used to name sports stadiums after prominent citizens and Presidents, now they are named after the highest bidder, usually a company involved with financial management, energy, or telecommunications. It wasn't good enough for them to just have the largest billboard in the park, but instead companies found it necessary to hijack the name and turn it into a trademark.
- Who Really Assumes Risk?
[Business:Management] Discusses who really assumes risk in a company; the employer or the employee? Not long ago I was meeting with some software developers from a small company who expressed their concern about the risk involved with a project they were working on. They weren't so much concerned about the viability of the project in terms of its impact on the company as they were with the potential effect it might have on their professional careers.
- Lifetime Warranties
[Business:Customer-Service] Explains why lifetime warranties make good business sense. Let me begin by saying I genuinely believe Zippo Lighters and Cross Pen and Pencils are the best products of their kind in the world today.
- Rearranging the Deck Chairs on the Titanic
[Business:Management] Questions whether we are working on the right priorities or not. This has been a favorite catch-phrase of mine for a number of years and I have used it to describe the state of management in many of the companies I have consulted with over the years.
- The Cost of Technology
[Computers-and-Technology] Not long ago I was cleaning out my files and shredding bills from years ago. Each year I dutifully box up my bills and income tax statements and store them away in case I ever need to reference them. Periodically I dispose of them after sufficient time has passed and they no longer serve any purpose. On this particular occasion I was examining what I had been paying for over ten years ago.
- Do's And Don'ts In The Workplace (Part III)
[Business:Careers-Employment] The following is an excerpt from my new book, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. The book offers considerable advice regarding how to manage our personal and professional lives. As a part of this, I found it necessary to discuss the legal ramifications of employment.
- Do's And Don'ts In The Workplace (Part II)
[Business:Careers-Employment] The following is an excerpt from my new book, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. The book offers considerable advice regarding how to manage our personal and professional lives. As a part of this, I found it necessary to discuss the legal ramifications of employment.
- Reinventing The Wheel
[Business:Management] Examines the human compulsion to reinvent the same things time and again. I'm a big believer or reusing things, particularly if I know something has already proven itself to be a viable solution.
- The Passing Of Punctuality
[Business:Careers-Employment] One thing that really sets me off is when someone is late for an appointment (you'll probably remember me ranting about "Doctor's Offices" not long ago). And it really drives me bananas when the person is unapologetic for being late.
- On-Line Banking Systems
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online] Describes how I feel about the latest generation of banking systems. Let me preface my remarks by saying I've been involved in the I.T. industry for over 30 years now and have seen a lot, particularly banking systems.
- The Secret To Success
[Business:Ethics] Describes the attributes of success. I think I finally figured out the secret to success. It came to me as an epiphany one night as I was driving home from work.
- Labor Fakers
[Business:Management] My Pet Peeve this week is "Labor Fakers" and how to spot them. I have met quite a few labor fakers in my day. Most dress the part quite well with sleeves rolled up,
- Panaceas
[Self-Improvement:Success] I have seen a lot in my +30 years in the Information Technology field, everything from mainframes, minis, PC's, to the latest line of gadgets we seem to be enamored with. I've also met a lot of people in this industry, everything from serious professionals who made noteworthy contributions to charlatans peddling the latest line of snake oil.
- The Death of Romance
[Relationships:Sexuality] Describes how the media has replaced romance with sex.
- Sisters
[Home-and-Family] Coming from a male dominated family, I missed out on having a sister. I always found the discourse of men and women to be rather interesting. They are entirely different.
- Apathy & Bonus - Today's Writing Habits
[Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] Here I describe how apathy affects us and how we are being conditioned to be so. Also, I have a Bonus section on "Today's Writing Habits."
- Screamers
[Home-and-Family:Parenting] Discusses children in public places. This is one I think just about everyone will relate to. I sat down in a restaurant recently to enjoy my lunch. As I was about to lift the first forkful of my meal to my mouth, a blood curdling scream from a child erupted causing me to drop my fork and snap my head around to see a three year old throwing a temper tantrum two tables away from me.
- Everybody's Got One (A Black Sheep In The Family)
[Home-and-Family] Discusses how everybody has at least one Black Sheep in the family.
- The Driving Top Ten
[Travel-and-Leisure] Ten driving habits that drives me nuts. We all have our own little idiosyncrasies for driving; for example, older people tend to move more slowly and cautiously than younger people who race pell-mell down the highway; and people tend to drive according to the customs of the geographical region they come from regardless where they currently are. Nonetheless, I have assembled a "Top 10" list of the basic driving habits that really irritates me and, if corrected, would make driving a lot more bearable for all of us.
- The Adverse Effects of Technology - Part II
[Computers-and-Technology] A continuation of an earlier piece, "Adverse Effect of Technology."
- You Can Put Your Eye Out That Way
[Home-and-Family] A favorite expression among mothers.
- Doctors' Offices
[Health-and-Fitness] Describes why patients want to stay away from them.
- Sending The Right Message
[Business:Workplace-Communication] Discusses how we transmit messages in the work place.
- The Adverse Effects Of Technology
[Computers-and-Technology] Discusses the effects of technology on our socialization skills.
- Missing Sam Kinison
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Reviews what might have been had this "heavy metal" comedian survived.
- How Well Are We Preparing The Next Generation?
[Self-Improvement:Organizing] In a word: Lousy!
- Verizon
[Communications:Telephone-Systems] Discusses customer service problems at Verizon.
- Empty Nests
[Home-and-Family] Article considers what happens when the kids finally leave home.
- Leadership - Two Extremes
[Business:Management] Article considers two extreme interpretations, neither of which works.
- Micromanagement
[Business:Management] Recently, I had some business friends complain to me how their employees cannot follow directions. But on the other hand, I also know a lot of people who wonder why management doesn't trust them to do their job properly. You see this not only in the corporate world but in nonprofit organizations as well. Today, managers are spending more time supervising the work of others as opposed to actually managing them.
- Graduations
[Home-and-Family] May and June are the big months for graduations, be it high school or college, and I find it interesting how students today take it for granted. True, most understand that it marks a passage from one stage in their life to another, but most do not seem to grasp the significance of their diploma and what it represents.
- Fast Food
[Food-and-Drink:Restaurant-Reviews] I find people tend to be embarrassed visiting a fast food restaurant. Nobody wants to admit they eat there knowing there is a sleaze factor involved.
- Tattoos
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Tattoos] I've never understood the need to paint the human body with tattoos, Some say its nothing more than an example of self-expression. Actually, I think its more of a cry for attention than anything else.
- Spring Cleaning
[Home-and-Family] Describes the necessity of this ancient custom, both at home and in the workplace.
- The Moral Minority
[News-and-Society:Pure-Opinion] Reviews the causes for the decline of morality and some suggestions as to what to do.
- The Brutal Reality of IRM
[Computers-and-Technology] Even though IRM is a beautifully simple concept, its only weakness is the management needed to implement it. If you are considering the acquisition of an IRM Repository for your development efforts, consider your management skills first.
- Entering The Twilight Zone
[Computers-and-Technology] I am often asked by younger people as to the direction of the I.T. industry and what they should be thinking about. I tell them three things; first, this is an illogical industry devoid of commonsense. What was logical in my day will not be the same in theirs. Second, I tell them if they are going to stay in the I.T. industry, they should find a solid niche and immerse themselves in it. And third, be prepared to change and evolve.
- Implementing a Methodology
[Business:Management] The use of organized methodologies for the development of systems and software have been around for 35 years. Today, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of methodologies available for use. Regardless of what methodology you elect to use, there are some serious implementation considerations to ponder and it would be foolish not to look before you leap into one.
- Effective Interviewing
[Writing-and-Speaking:Public-Speaking] The interviewer must be one part detective, one part lawyer, and one part translator. The interviewer must be a detective in order to know how to investigate a problem and know what to look for; he must be a lawyer in order to know how to ask the right questions, and; he must be a translator to interpret what the user is saying.
- Rebuilding Loyalty
[Business:Management] Due to the corporate changes implemented over the last twenty five years to remain competitive in a world economy, workers now typically live in a state of paranoia and think short-term employment as opposed to long-term, thus affecting their perspective on loyalty.
- Are I.T. Workers Blue Collar?
[Computers-and-Technology] Interesting question. I was recently asked this by some executives who were concerned with improving the productivity of their I.T. departments.
- What Price Quality?
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] f we lived in a perfect world, systems and software would be developed rapidly and inexpensively, they would effectively satisfy business needs, and would be easy to maintain and modify. There is only one problem with this scenario: it is a fantasy.
- The Mini-Project Manager Concept
[Business:Management] Unlike Theory X, the MPM concept seeks to empower workers and make them more responsible for their actions. It promotes more management and less supervision. Actually, under the MPM concept, the individual is expected to act professionally and supervise themselves.
- Putting The Boomers Out To Pasture
[Computers-and-Technology] "The Baby Boomers will be more remembered for the problems they left behind as opposed to anything they accomplished during their tenure."
- Bryce's Law
- The Dichotomy of Systems Development Management
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] In order to be a Systems Development Manager, you have to be a lot of things: front man, educator, mentor, sage, politician, etc. Oh yea, something else, you also have to be a hypocrite.
- The IT Director's New Tools
[Computers-and-Technology] An updated version of "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Andersen.
- How "Effective" Were You Today?
[Business:Management] Okay, you believe you had a great day at work today; that you accomplished a lot. And maybe you did. Then again, maybe you didn't do as much as you might think.
- Managing Virtual Project Teams
[Computers-and-Technology] These are interesting times for managing systems development projects. In the old days (as late as the 1980's), whenever a development project was initiated, it was necessary to form a project team at a centralized geographical location in order to expedite communications between project members. But now we live in an age of electronic communications that provides greater flexibility in terms of allowing workers to work just about anywhere.
- Boxes and Lines
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Until such time as we can master the Vulcan "mind meld," whereby we can transfer knowledge telepathically, there will always be a need for documentation. Its an inherent part of the design process and the principal deliverable produced by engineers and architects. Don't deny it, accept it.
- The Problem with Being Ahead of Your Time
[Computers-and-Technology] Not too long ago Panasonic's corporate slogan was, "Just slightly ahead of our time." It was catchy and it inferred their products were on the cutting edge of the industry. There was only one problem with this, as Panasonic found out, people feel uncomfortable using products ahead of their time.
- The Ratio of Analysts to Programmers
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Whether you call them Systems Analysts, Business Analysts, Systems Engineers, or Enterprise Architects, it is very encouraging to see this vital function being reintroduced to companies. As far as I am concerned, it was inevitable.
- Parkinson's Law in IT
[Computers-and-Technology] Ever wonder why our computers typically last no more than three years? Many contend it is because of the fast pace of technological advancements. Maybe. But I tend to believe there is a little more to it than just that, namely "Parkinson's Law."
- Diagnosing System Problems
[Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] Okay, you've run your program debugger repetitively and everything checks out fine. But for some unknown reason, the whole system is inoperable.
- Project Management System Evaluation Checklist
[Business:Management] I have developed the following checklist for evaluating a PM package it its pristine form. I hope it will be of benefit to you.
- A Tale of Two Projects
[Business:Management] The following is a true story; a vintage "Dilbertism." Because
of this, the names have been changed to protect the innocent (as
well as the guilty). Interestingly, I do not believe this story
to be unique and similar stories can be found in countless IT
shops around the world.
- Why Does Project Management Fail?
[Business:Management] I often run into companies who ask the simple question, "Why can't
we get our act together? Why does Project Management routinely fail in our company?"
- Understanding the Vicious Circle of Complexity
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] The issue of managing complexity is not simple. As our information systems continue to grow in magnitude, so do the costs associated with maintaining and updating them to suit the current requirements of the company.
- Managing Design Complexity
[Computers-and-Technology] Whereas foreign competitors talk in terms of enormous systems with hundreds of programs and millions of lines of code; large integrated systems tend to intimidate the most ardent of American developers. But this is not so much a story about competition as it is about understanding design complexity.
- Understanding Information
[Computers-and-Technology] Many think inf is nothing more than a set of data or output
specifications; others see it as nothing more than a programming spec. Rarely, does anyone want to take the time to truly understand information requirements and prefer, instead, to get down to the business of programming where they feel more comfortable.
- What is a Good Program Spec?
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] So, what is a good program spec? Anything that eliminates the guesswork for the programmer. Consider this: if the up-front system design work was done right, programming should be less than 15% of the entire development process.
- Managing from the Bottom-Up
[Business:Management] In this bottom-up approach, employees are treated as
professionals and are expected to act as such in return. This
results in far less supervision as found in micromanagement.
- Creating Universal Systems
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] In this day and age of "globalization" more and more Information Systems are crossing geographical boundaries. Because of this, serious consideration should be given to making systems universally applicable to any country. Some might consider this an impossible task, but it is actually easier than you might think.
- Individualism vs. Teamwork
[Business:Team-Building] As you travel around corporate America these days, you hear a lot about "teams"; that groups, departments or whole divisions are trying to behave more as a team as opposed to a group of individuals. Its the latest catch phrase du jour.
- Managing Crunch Time
[Business:Management] Okay, you are under the gun to produce something by a given date;
you do not have a lot of time for a robust methodology, nor are you
interested in being encumbered with a lot of bureaucracy; you want to
get the job done quickly and you want few problems; its "Crunch Time."
- Beware of the 'Changing of the Guard'
[Business:Management] It seems IT organizations go through cycles, such as from bad to good, and back to bad again (as in the case in Toronto). Others seem to go from bad to worse; and some from bad to outsourcing.
- Effective Screen Design
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Designing a computer screen is essentially no different than designing a paper form. But since most of today's developers have little experience in forms design perhaps it is time to review some of the basic elements of good design.
- Implementing Business Ethics
[Business:Ethics] Bottom-line, ethics is about people and trust. Consequently, we should be sharpening our people skills as opposed to avoiding it.
- Protecting Intellectual Property
[Legal:Intellectual-Property] Devices such as copyrights, trade secrets, patents, trade/service marks are very helpful for preventing the unauthorized use or distribution of your products. However, if someone really wants to pirate your products, they will.
- The Ten Common Myths of I.T.
[Computers-and-Technology] You've heard them all before. They particularly arise whenever
quality work is required or when organization and management control
is imposed. Of course, I'm talking about the ten common myths of
I.T. Ten common rationalizations people in the Information
Technology world turn to whenever their authority or professionalism
is challenged. They are neither new or limited to a specific
geographical location. They have been around as long as the modern
computer and they transcend all cultural and industrial boundaries. What's
worse, they have proven to be effective.
- Managing Consultants
[Business:Management] There is nothing magical in managing consultants. It requires
nothing more than simple planning, organization, and control. If you
are not willing to do this, then do not be surprised with the results
produced.
- Understanding Corporate Culture
[Business:Management] The perceptive manager understands the importance of
establishing and controlling the work environment, including both
logical and physical considerations. Unfortunately, many
managers do not appreciate the concept of corporate culture and
how to use it to their advantage.
- Methodologies versus Techniques and Tools
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] There are essentially two interpretations for the term "methodology" in
the IT industry. One interpretation is as a disciplined process for developing information resources, from inception to conclusion. Another is as a technique for performing a specific task of work. These are subtle but significant differences, particularly if a company is analyzing their development environment.
- Understanding the IRM/MRP Analogy
[Computers-and-Technology] Information Resource Management is the design, development, implementation,
and control over all of the resources needed to produce information. Its
intent is to share and re-use resources where appropriate. Sharing
represents the interchangeability of resources, thereby promoting the
standardization and integration of parts in products. By doing so,
development time and costs are reduced by simply re-using parts.
To those of you in manufacturing, this will all sound very familiar
as this is the same objective of Materials Resource Planning (MRP).
- Creating an Information Factory
[Computers-and-Technology] It is possible to employ the same concepts and techniques as
used in mass production towards the development of information
resources. But creating a "factory"-like development environment
takes more than simply calling yourself one. It is a significant
reorientation effort. Fortunately, it is not without precedent
and the concepts have already been introduced to devise an
"Information Factory" based on other engineering/manufacturing
disciplines.
- Is Software Hard?
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] For something that is supposed to be "soft", software exhibits
some pretty "hard" characteristics.
- Craftsmanship: the Meaning of Life
[Business:Management] Many believe Craftsmanship is in decline due to the general apathy found
in today's society. Maybe. I tend to believe it is due to an erosion
of our moral values. Let me give you an example.
- Why We Resist Change
[Business:Management] Change is a fact of life and as such, we must either learn to
adapt to it or perish. In fact, it is our duty to change, to
aspire, to progress, to seek perfection and evolve. Change is
natural.
- Firing Employees Isn't for Sissies
[Business:Management] We live in a strange time where managers are afraid to fire
employees in fear of possible litigation. Instead, there is a
great temptation to transfer or promote the misfit to another
department, thereby transferring your problems to someone
else. This is horribly irresponsible and does your company a
disservice by allowing the employee to screw-up elsewhere (and
badmouth you to boot). Do not prolong the agony. Get on with
it.
- The Death of Management
[Business:Management] Now and then, I like to make an analogy between management and dieting. There
is nothing magical about losing weight; you simply watch what you eat and get some
exercise. However, millions of dollars are spent on the latest diet craze, usually to
no avail. The same is true with management; you simply need some leadership,
organization and follow-up and you will get the results you want. However, it
seems companies today do everything but manage.
- The Need for Critical Thinking
[Business:Management] By allowing employees to discuss
pertinent issues, we promote communications and teamwork, establish
trust, and conquer the pressing problems of the day. But to make this all
happen, critical thinking must be channeled in a structured and positive way.
- The First Thing We Do, Let's Kill all the Bean Counters
[Business:Management] Under the bean counter approach we have lost the personal touch for
conducting business. Companies have become cold and calculating,
certainly not the types of businesses we want to work for or with. Always
remember that bean counters believe conducting business is simply
manipulating numbers, not in building products or servicing customers. Yet,
for some unfathomable reason, we have put them on a pedestal and expect
them to competently guide our companies. But the only thing I see them
guiding is our foreign competitors who take over our market share.
- The Art of Persuasion
[Business:Management] Key to speech is the art of persuasion which is needed in order to lead
people, sell ideas or products, conduct negotiations, and to simply argue
a point.
- Parenting Management
[Business:Management] Companies today are at a loss coping with the newest generation of
workers. What they don't realize is, it will get worse before it gets better. Since
most biological parents are content with allowing others to teach their children
the necessary values in life, teachers, the military and corporations are forced to
pick up the slack, like it or not. The sooner we admit this, the sooner we can address
how to remedy the situation.
- Our Growing Dependency on Mass Mediocrity
[Business:Management] Like it or not, we are being conditioned to accept mediocrity and are becoming more dependent on it each passing day. It seems the more high-tech we go, the more problems we encounter, and the lower our expectations get.
- IRM: Putting all the Pieces Together
[Business:Management] In this industry, we tend to worry about the wrong things. This is like rearranging the
deck chairs on the Titanic. Instead, we should take a more global perspective on
the problem, organize ourselves accordingly and conquer it.
- Increasing Brain Power
[Self-Improvement] How a manager manipulates his worker's brain power is analogous to
a mechanic fine-tuning an automobile. He is simply trying to get the
most out of it. Hopefully, we can give the mechanic something to work
with; if not, we'll be scrapped.
- How Productive are your Meetings?
[Business:Management] We've all been involved with such meetings where the person running it is
either insensitive to the needs of the attendees or the subject matter is painfully
boring. It should come as no surprise that excessive or pointless meetings are
probably the number one cause for decreased productivity in organizations, be
it corporate or nonprofit (as Dilbert has pointed out to us time and again).
Understand this, unless someone is looking for an excuse to duck a work
assignment, nobody wants to attend an inconsequential meeting.
- How do we Manage?
[Business:Management] The three theories of management are based on perceptions, e.g., how we perceive the character of our workers. If we believe people will act or react to certain situations in a specific way, we will use this in our management philosophy, be it brute force, carrot-and-stick, or permitting freewill.
- 10 Tips for Improving Social Intercourse
[Business:Workplace-Communication] Ten commonsense tips to help you develop better relationships with
your coworkers, your vendors, and your customers.
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