It has been a while since my last post, busy end of the year, which is good to say the least. While the recession has still been a hot topic, I have been asked my many people in the technology industry, "How have I maintained a steady flow of projects?". The answer is simple and yet many do not seem to understand the angle if you will of purposed technology. I have talked in previous posts about how to drive adoption of solutions, what type of impact the user experience has and how to leverage business challenges to create opportunities. So this, as like other posts, will follow along the same train of thought, though a turbulent ride...it should provide some clarity in to how one creates a solution that not only addresses critical business issues, but does so in a way that the end users would be left paralyzed without it. First, strip out everything you know of a technology from your head, easy right? Before we look at how we can create a compelling solution, we must first become solution agnostic. Many find this difficult as we have been educated by the Microsoft's, Oracle's, IBM's and HP's of the world to identify solving a problem with a given technology. However, I make my living by forgetting as much as possible about these platforms, CRM's, xRM's and CMS's as possible. The reason being, when you do not identify a platform to a problem, you are thus removing the limitations of the technology from the start.
When company ABC needs a powerful content management system that can also publish content outside a firewall, say, to an Internet site, one would be equally right as well as equally wrong to propose a technology like Kentico or WordPress. The reason being, company ABC is only identifying two scenarios in what may be, thirty scenarios that the technology may improve business operations. However, if prior to proposing or thinking about what type of platform may be used, you are able to walk through with the client all of the different scenarios, work flows and use cases, the end result is going to be a much more refined and focused discussion around technology and development thereof to achieve the true business needs. Not all technology can do everything, in fact, the best platforms are one’s that can be customized and designed from a much broader base. When looking at the technology itself, if it has been purposed for one thing it may not do something else quite as well. You may not be able to develop certain components as easily as a platform that has been “designed to be designed”.
Look at the issues a company is facing, look at what they are trying to achieve and understand the initiatives long term. Once you have done that, then ask why, ask who it affects, ask when they plan to incorporate future builds, ask questions that pertain to long term growth of their technology all while hiding your eyes from focusing on a particular technology. Rather, look at the best technology to develop, if you try and make it fit, it will not, if you architect it to fit, it will. By becoming solution agnostic and focusing on the real challenges, your projects will increase in value, drive a higher rate of adoption and promote technology growth with less limitations within the clients infrastructure. Not to mention, you will be designing some killer solutions that promote your companies brand as being a leader in what they do, and who doesn’t want to be at the front of that movement!
11/23/2010
9/01/2010
Booming Business The Social Media Way
Most companies today are looking at ways of doing more with less, driving revenue with existing resources and freeing up budget for operations. All are factors that play in to a profitable business in any economic times. However, with the demanding business climate that has all but weeded out organizations that were not fully prepared to "ride out" the recession most look to innovation to address these challenges. Prior to the Social Network boom, while MySpace was in its infancy and Facebook was just a college campus buzz word most companies looked at becoming proactive in their outreach through traditional methods such as direct contact, phone calls, marketing, advertisement and the all popular PR campaign. Now, with the evolution of technology as it happens with all ITIP Social Media has become much more of an integral role for businesses. This trend is becoming a legacy, one in which we may never be able to look back and say "that was a good idea" but rather, it will become the standard in modern business. The ability to connect people with products, customers to buyers even consumers to consumers. This platform of connected information, dynamic user experiences is becoming more and more prominent. Not because everyone is using it, that may be one factor of a hundred but rather the user experience. A technology has emerged in front of everyone that simplifies interactions. It defines how users experience information and collaborate with one another. A photo share may seem simple, post, edit and publish but with these types of interaction comes an expectation that all tasks similar in function should be as simplistic as the rest and, it is. Leveraging what we know about Social Media or Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace allows us to understand how people want to use and distribute information which in the end is what makes the world go around. I have been involved in developing compelling user interactions and experiences for some time now, and, it has never been more exciting than the past year. People are beginning to understand that by applying simple design and smooth interactions, users are more adept to learning and using the tools they are provided. Social Networking has done much more than provided a way to connect with friends; it is allowing us to redefine business infrastructure and how economically we go about sharing information. What started as a nice to have is becoming an integral role in must have to survive
3/25/2010
Actionable and Adoptable Adoption
While focusing on a user centric solution for most is a very different way of thinking, outside of the broke fix methodology most businesses utilize. Technology can be used in many different fashions, we can replicate processes to become more efficient, utilize powerful API's to aggregate data from disparate systems or legacy applications or merge old with new to create cutting edge systems that streamline the overall business infrastructure. However, most organizations fail to see past the "what it will do" example; many only look at the how as opposed to whom. Who will be using these applications, what departments will also benefit from the launch and how can you create an adoption plan that both articulates the importance but also guides users to understand technology with limited training or resources?
Design your solutions from with a user centric or user driven purpose. As opposed to focusing on how the technology will be built focus your efforts on how the technology can be designed to replicate existing user interactions. Understand how the user experience affects the day to day lives of your workers. While most see design and aesthetics as an additional expense, one that can reduce the total cost of ownership, long term it can be devastating to your investment. Here is a real scenario I walked in a few months back, a certain telecom company located here in Seattle, spent $345,000 for an initial launch of SharePoint 2007 with many tools and departmental platforms attached. In the early stages of discussions, I had advised them that design must be incorporated to reflect the experience of the solution and enable employees to rapidly adopt the technology in to their everyday lives, this, was 11 months ago and; they did not see it as being a driving factor for them to roll out an effective solution.
The goal, 2,300 employee’s companywide utilizing SharePoint for infrastructure and operational purposes.
The end result, 20-30 employees a week logging on and using it for document management after a 6 month period. The solution, we were able to apply the initial design, user experience and interface a top their existing platform to help drive adoption.
After a companywide re launch, 5 months later, our daily log count is well over 2,100 employees daily. The spend you ask, 25% of the initial solution. Now, does it make sense to take action on adoption if it will make you technology adoptable? It is financially irresponsible to say no...
Design your solutions from with a user centric or user driven purpose. As opposed to focusing on how the technology will be built focus your efforts on how the technology can be designed to replicate existing user interactions. Understand how the user experience affects the day to day lives of your workers. While most see design and aesthetics as an additional expense, one that can reduce the total cost of ownership, long term it can be devastating to your investment. Here is a real scenario I walked in a few months back, a certain telecom company located here in Seattle, spent $345,000 for an initial launch of SharePoint 2007 with many tools and departmental platforms attached. In the early stages of discussions, I had advised them that design must be incorporated to reflect the experience of the solution and enable employees to rapidly adopt the technology in to their everyday lives, this, was 11 months ago and; they did not see it as being a driving factor for them to roll out an effective solution.
The goal, 2,300 employee’s companywide utilizing SharePoint for infrastructure and operational purposes.
The end result, 20-30 employees a week logging on and using it for document management after a 6 month period. The solution, we were able to apply the initial design, user experience and interface a top their existing platform to help drive adoption.
After a companywide re launch, 5 months later, our daily log count is well over 2,100 employees daily. The spend you ask, 25% of the initial solution. Now, does it make sense to take action on adoption if it will make you technology adoptable? It is financially irresponsible to say no...
3/18/2010
SharePoint 2010 Search
After talking with several clients today I was suprised at how much attention the Search capabilities of SharePoint 2010 is getting. While rolling many components of 2007 and the Enterprise Fast Search together, many knew it was going to be a big feature point. However, listening to many mention it will be a driving factor for them to engage in an EA with Microsoft, kudos to Microsoft.
While many organizations utilizing SharePoint for document management and information retention will be pleased by all it has to offer, it encourages me even more that the Technology Space we are in is among one of the most widely revered, anticipated and appreciated Microsoft has to offer. It is always great to hear excitement from businesses about a platform and realizing how beneficial the impact will be for their operations.
A bit off topic
So, I know the majority of my posts relate to Technology, Business, Politics and my one of a kind views, but, an important day is coming up and I want to share some of the moments my family is sharing. My daughter is turning 2 and I can't believe how quick it has gone by. I remember not that long ago when she was 8lbs 7oz, bald and first stole my heart, took her first breath and at the exact same time took mine away from me. It has been an amazing 2 years, so much has changed, so many moments we have shared from the laughs, the crys, the smiles, the kisses, her first words, the first steps and now, her first pets. While she loves my dog Kodiak, I think an Alaskan Malamute may be a bit much for her. So we have decided fish may be a good start, especially since her first movie she really got into and still loves is Finding Nemo. That being said, of course we can't go with a typical Goldfish, we need to step it up a bit for her I mean it's her big 02 birthday. So, we successfully set up a 30 Gallon Saltwater Reef Tank. So far we have some Fiji Fire Coral, Purple Live Rock, Haitian Purple Bulb Anemonie, True Percula Clown Fish (Nemo), Valentini Puffer (Bloat), Blue Hippo Tang (Dori) and some various Starfish, Crabs and Shrimp, a sort of Finding Nemo/Spongebob Squarepants crew. I will update pictures as we progress along, the water is cycled, pH good, Nitrates excellent, Salinity and Specifc Gravity spot on and ready to start adding some fish and more coral. I am assuming after a year or so we will move to a bigger tank but this should get things started and some coral frags growing nicely. We are now in Day 4 and everything looks good so far, the fish will be here tomorrow, let's hope the FedEx ride isn't too much for them from California.
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3/17/2010
Uncover Profitable Faults
By understanding faults within your business, rather it is in the processes or the model itself, one is then able to accentuate on the positive outcomes of making changes to those challenges.
However, getting to the understanding can be a daunting task. When most organizations pass down review methods or task individuals with uncovering areas that need improvement, even if it is done so in a non threatening manner, and by non threatening I mean in a way that employees do not feel their career is at risk by divulging information, it is still difficult to get truly penetrating information about business related matters.
Today, I had a revelation while in a meeting. During this meeting, while discussing opportunities around SharePoint, I guided my clients to think about ONE thing they would like to change, ONE process that needs improvement, ONE workflow that they see as being inefficient, and ALL of them pointed to a process, workflow or item that was not related to internal structure. They ALL pointed to information gathering and transfer within their partner structure. Keep in mind, I was not talking to non decision makers, I was sitting down with the President, Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Sales. It was at this moment, I needed a way to guide the discussion in a manner that allowed them to confront challenges without feeling as though they were not doing their function properly.
What did I come up with you ask? Simple, I took the one area they mentioned, the process involving information transfer outside of their business and expanded. I proposed we focused on that and also developed a discussion/wiki forum for employee’s companywide to anonomously post concerns and improvement suggestions that can then be voted on and reviewed by executive teams quarterly.
Guess what, it was not only welcomed but struck up a conversation that lead to us agreeing to meet next week to discuss how soon we can kick it off. By removing the threat of having to exploit areas of fault, it allowed us to find a way to in turn exploit all areas of fault and make corrections that prove to be profitable and positive in many different aspects.
So, if you are looking for ways to determine what needs to be done, do it indirectly direct, find ways that allow people to speak their minds without feeling tied to their response. I believe if you look at challenges everyone faces in your company, and they are identified on an open podium, a vast and very positive outcome will occur.
However, getting to the understanding can be a daunting task. When most organizations pass down review methods or task individuals with uncovering areas that need improvement, even if it is done so in a non threatening manner, and by non threatening I mean in a way that employees do not feel their career is at risk by divulging information, it is still difficult to get truly penetrating information about business related matters.
Today, I had a revelation while in a meeting. During this meeting, while discussing opportunities around SharePoint, I guided my clients to think about ONE thing they would like to change, ONE process that needs improvement, ONE workflow that they see as being inefficient, and ALL of them pointed to a process, workflow or item that was not related to internal structure. They ALL pointed to information gathering and transfer within their partner structure. Keep in mind, I was not talking to non decision makers, I was sitting down with the President, Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Sales. It was at this moment, I needed a way to guide the discussion in a manner that allowed them to confront challenges without feeling as though they were not doing their function properly.
What did I come up with you ask? Simple, I took the one area they mentioned, the process involving information transfer outside of their business and expanded. I proposed we focused on that and also developed a discussion/wiki forum for employee’s companywide to anonomously post concerns and improvement suggestions that can then be voted on and reviewed by executive teams quarterly.
Guess what, it was not only welcomed but struck up a conversation that lead to us agreeing to meet next week to discuss how soon we can kick it off. By removing the threat of having to exploit areas of fault, it allowed us to find a way to in turn exploit all areas of fault and make corrections that prove to be profitable and positive in many different aspects.
So, if you are looking for ways to determine what needs to be done, do it indirectly direct, find ways that allow people to speak their minds without feeling tied to their response. I believe if you look at challenges everyone faces in your company, and they are identified on an open podium, a vast and very positive outcome will occur.
3/14/2010
New colors of old technology
Think back to the (dot) com boom. Technology was changing in drastic ways, new ideas, new platforms and innovative applications. Think back even further to the launch of the web when connecting millions of devices to a single over arching platform was still incipient. Long ago was the last time we as consumers have seen something as game changing as the Internet introduced. All too often the new gadget, technology or innovative "must have" is simply a reincarnation of an already existing device or function of technology branded to appeal. In a sense, the design and application for existing technologies is what drives a large majority of consumer based products.
The idea of technology innovation slowing may seem ridiculous, and while in some industries that may be true, such as in healthcare, biotechnology for instance which is making epic progress.
However, in the consumer world while focusing on the (265 Billion dollars) per year spent on technology gadgets, wireless devices etc. I find it more and more difficult to abdicate a "wow" when I see a new product, gadget or wireless device coming out. In fact, over the past few years, even though more and more are being sold, profits are up and the market continues to grow, I feel as though we are trending backwards from where we were pre 2005. While I could spend hours writing out comparisons, let’s look at a few of the larger companies and where they were and are now.
Of course, with all the hype around the (iPad), you already knew I would have to mention Apple. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think what Apple did with the iPhone was fantastic. They opened up the world of multi touch, App Stores and media all within a mobile device. However, that was probably the largest advance in the consumer market for wireless devices in many years. Of course, after the iPhone came replications for Windows, RIM, Palm and now, Android. This is a prime example of altering the design a top the same technology and branding to appeal I mentioned earlier. The iPad in all aspects is a large iPhone. It is an iPhone that Apple said, “how do we make the iPhone to appeal to a different group, the baby boomers”? As a young guy myself, I have personally seen my parents, who are in the 45-55 age group go crazy when they learned about the iPad, for the simple reason that the screen on the iPhone is too small for them to really do any web browsing. Here we have the same technology, the same platform, made larger with a different design but same capabilities.
This example ties directly in to my next topic, wireless devices. While mobile phones have become the most typical device in everyone’s pocket, it was not that long ago that the brick sized, 6” pull out antenna phones were first introduced. That is our “Internet” scale introduction; it was at that point the designs would drive the market forward. From the candy bar to the flip to the slider and touch screen. Simple device design changes paired with minor alterations in the network operations and applications have driven a consumer market that makes up more than half of that large figure mentioned earlier, each year.
Now that manufacturers have all but exhausted the different ways to package the inner workings of mobile device it is time to explore the user design. How we interact with the phone, how we as consumers manipulate the same applications on the same technology in a more intuitive fashion. Touch screens have become more colorful and robust. Navigation has become nothing more than an extension of our appendages. Intuitive interactions is now what drives this commodity and it is the operating system with more speed, quicker touch controls and higher resolutions that wins our business. It is the phone that has more applications available in an app store, the device that has more customization capabilities and gives the consumer that sense of “my device” that wins the market. Yet, with all these “changes”, all these factors, how much of this is really about the technology itself? Anymore you can find a laptop, a PC, a gadget or device that is comparable to the next. So what is the real selling point? It is the personal association to the device itself. iPods in different shapes and colors, laptops with skins and gadgets which are sleek and sexy. All with the same inner workings as the next, but designs that reflect us as consumers in a way that we can associate our personalities to, but when will it be about the technology? When will we as consumers once again be amazed at capabilities versus the aesthetics and fabricated branding of the next big thing? I anxiously await the arrival of something new, something never before seen, a device that truly explores and intimidates innovation amongst rivals. While I myself will continue to welcome the new colors of technology, the new designs of old gadgets and will be a part of the consumers across the globe for the next “must have” device. I only hope, one day, innovation lives again in the consumer technology world.
The idea of technology innovation slowing may seem ridiculous, and while in some industries that may be true, such as in healthcare, biotechnology for instance which is making epic progress.
However, in the consumer world while focusing on the (265 Billion dollars) per year spent on technology gadgets, wireless devices etc. I find it more and more difficult to abdicate a "wow" when I see a new product, gadget or wireless device coming out. In fact, over the past few years, even though more and more are being sold, profits are up and the market continues to grow, I feel as though we are trending backwards from where we were pre 2005. While I could spend hours writing out comparisons, let’s look at a few of the larger companies and where they were and are now.
Of course, with all the hype around the (iPad), you already knew I would have to mention Apple. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think what Apple did with the iPhone was fantastic. They opened up the world of multi touch, App Stores and media all within a mobile device. However, that was probably the largest advance in the consumer market for wireless devices in many years. Of course, after the iPhone came replications for Windows, RIM, Palm and now, Android. This is a prime example of altering the design a top the same technology and branding to appeal I mentioned earlier. The iPad in all aspects is a large iPhone. It is an iPhone that Apple said, “how do we make the iPhone to appeal to a different group, the baby boomers”? As a young guy myself, I have personally seen my parents, who are in the 45-55 age group go crazy when they learned about the iPad, for the simple reason that the screen on the iPhone is too small for them to really do any web browsing. Here we have the same technology, the same platform, made larger with a different design but same capabilities.
This example ties directly in to my next topic, wireless devices. While mobile phones have become the most typical device in everyone’s pocket, it was not that long ago that the brick sized, 6” pull out antenna phones were first introduced. That is our “Internet” scale introduction; it was at that point the designs would drive the market forward. From the candy bar to the flip to the slider and touch screen. Simple device design changes paired with minor alterations in the network operations and applications have driven a consumer market that makes up more than half of that large figure mentioned earlier, each year.
Now that manufacturers have all but exhausted the different ways to package the inner workings of mobile device it is time to explore the user design. How we interact with the phone, how we as consumers manipulate the same applications on the same technology in a more intuitive fashion. Touch screens have become more colorful and robust. Navigation has become nothing more than an extension of our appendages. Intuitive interactions is now what drives this commodity and it is the operating system with more speed, quicker touch controls and higher resolutions that wins our business. It is the phone that has more applications available in an app store, the device that has more customization capabilities and gives the consumer that sense of “my device” that wins the market. Yet, with all these “changes”, all these factors, how much of this is really about the technology itself? Anymore you can find a laptop, a PC, a gadget or device that is comparable to the next. So what is the real selling point? It is the personal association to the device itself. iPods in different shapes and colors, laptops with skins and gadgets which are sleek and sexy. All with the same inner workings as the next, but designs that reflect us as consumers in a way that we can associate our personalities to, but when will it be about the technology? When will we as consumers once again be amazed at capabilities versus the aesthetics and fabricated branding of the next big thing? I anxiously await the arrival of something new, something never before seen, a device that truly explores and intimidates innovation amongst rivals. While I myself will continue to welcome the new colors of technology, the new designs of old gadgets and will be a part of the consumers across the globe for the next “must have” device. I only hope, one day, innovation lives again in the consumer technology world.
3/12/2010
Success in problems
They say in good times, challenges are overlooked. In bad times, challenges are accentuated. Why are we not looking to improve our business processes when revenues are up and work streams are running optimal?
This goes back to the broke/fix method of thinking which so many of us have engrained ourselves with. When we break a bone, we go to the doctor. When we are sad we look for comfort. But what if we were able to avoid the broken bone by proper planning? What if the comfort we seek at desperate moments were already surrounding us?
While these examples may seem extreme, they are all within reason. Many organizations I talk with are all in break/fix mode. It is difficult to budget for unforeseen issues in business just as it is within your personal finances. However, proper insight in to how processes are handled, what areas they effect and the understanding of what can go wrong will alleviate most if not all of the breaks in the future.
While looking back at the past few months, it became clear to me that a large majority of companies are looking to improve a process which you would assume should have already been one of the most efficient and effective processes they had. However, the breakdown of the economy, the flex in hiring and the lack of revenue caused businesses to go through numerous layoffs. Now, while the slashing and cuts are over, companies are in hiring mode once again and while under even more scrutiny they have realized that the hiring and on boarding processes they have in place are among the most inefficient and ill effective ones within their organization.
The amount of time it takes to train and educate employees is enormous. The paper process for filing and contracts is manually intensive and cumbersome and the amount of time one spends just to go through the process internally chews up easily a half a day of work. This is a “broken bone” that could have been avoided if this process had been looked at in good times when revenue fell from the sky like rain in Seattle.
However, why would you? Why would you look at a process that “Get’s the job done”? Why would you analyze the cost of on boarding an employee and training them when it is predictable and change may cause a learning curve for employees in their current role? Because a reduction of cost, the streamlining of a manual intensive process and reduction in time consumed getting an employee ramped up is a positive, even if your margins are high and profits good. Oh, and not to mention, the learning curve will be welcome and small, even for your non technical users.
The driving factor for solutions is no longer the implementation time, the ROI, the upfront costs. It is the UI/UX, the User Experiene and companies which focus on this, enable technology to be functional in ways it has not been before. It is how people will interact with the technology. It is how well the solution will be adopted. We are now in a time where compelling interactions and experiences make technology respected and used by all. No longer should there be acceptable reasons why looking at how a business operates in good times or bad. Businesses have learned over the past year how they can be affected by challenges much larger than ones internal to a department. It is time to be forward thinking, proactive and innovative about all aspects of your business. While tradition has its place, technology is not one of them.
This goes back to the broke/fix method of thinking which so many of us have engrained ourselves with. When we break a bone, we go to the doctor. When we are sad we look for comfort. But what if we were able to avoid the broken bone by proper planning? What if the comfort we seek at desperate moments were already surrounding us?
While these examples may seem extreme, they are all within reason. Many organizations I talk with are all in break/fix mode. It is difficult to budget for unforeseen issues in business just as it is within your personal finances. However, proper insight in to how processes are handled, what areas they effect and the understanding of what can go wrong will alleviate most if not all of the breaks in the future.
While looking back at the past few months, it became clear to me that a large majority of companies are looking to improve a process which you would assume should have already been one of the most efficient and effective processes they had. However, the breakdown of the economy, the flex in hiring and the lack of revenue caused businesses to go through numerous layoffs. Now, while the slashing and cuts are over, companies are in hiring mode once again and while under even more scrutiny they have realized that the hiring and on boarding processes they have in place are among the most inefficient and ill effective ones within their organization.
The amount of time it takes to train and educate employees is enormous. The paper process for filing and contracts is manually intensive and cumbersome and the amount of time one spends just to go through the process internally chews up easily a half a day of work. This is a “broken bone” that could have been avoided if this process had been looked at in good times when revenue fell from the sky like rain in Seattle.
However, why would you? Why would you look at a process that “Get’s the job done”? Why would you analyze the cost of on boarding an employee and training them when it is predictable and change may cause a learning curve for employees in their current role? Because a reduction of cost, the streamlining of a manual intensive process and reduction in time consumed getting an employee ramped up is a positive, even if your margins are high and profits good. Oh, and not to mention, the learning curve will be welcome and small, even for your non technical users.
The driving factor for solutions is no longer the implementation time, the ROI, the upfront costs. It is the UI/UX, the User Experiene and companies which focus on this, enable technology to be functional in ways it has not been before. It is how people will interact with the technology. It is how well the solution will be adopted. We are now in a time where compelling interactions and experiences make technology respected and used by all. No longer should there be acceptable reasons why looking at how a business operates in good times or bad. Businesses have learned over the past year how they can be affected by challenges much larger than ones internal to a department. It is time to be forward thinking, proactive and innovative about all aspects of your business. While tradition has its place, technology is not one of them.
3/11/2010
March Madness and the huskies
While I would absolutely enjoy watching U.W take the PAC 10 tournament and make the cut. I believe there may only be 2 teams selected from the PAC 10 to enter the NCAA Tournament with such a low RPG.
With that in mind, and knowing what CAL and UCLA are capable of against the Huskies, one can only hope that tonight Oregon State succumbs to Pondexter and Thomas. While being weak in the conference, I think the huskies would give us a couple good games going forward. They have the heart and determination to make spectacular things happen, the chance, has just not been there. I say give them a game, see what they can do!
With that in mind, and knowing what CAL and UCLA are capable of against the Huskies, one can only hope that tonight Oregon State succumbs to Pondexter and Thomas. While being weak in the conference, I think the huskies would give us a couple good games going forward. They have the heart and determination to make spectacular things happen, the chance, has just not been there. I say give them a game, see what they can do!
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