End of year stock take

December 17, 2009 — andrewnim

There are plenty of sources which are busy providing end of year advice and check lists for things you need to do over the next few weeks in preparation for the new year. I have one much simpler piece of advice.

Relax enjoy the year end.

What? shock horror, did he say that?

Yes I did, now is a time to concentrate on family, customers, and staff. Now is a time to end the year on a good note. It is not the time to try and plan strategic goals and sales targets for next year. That should have been done last month, or better yet in the new year when those plans are a reality. If you try to do it now,  you are increasing your work load and will not truly be concentrating. You will make plans which have detail missing. Now is a good time to gather the reports you will need in January. You will make plans and then go off to enjoy Christmas, when you come back the plans will have faded and not seem quit so vital. This means that when you start the new year you will fall back into the pattern of dealing with the immediacy of the moment. Not actually working to your plan.

So wrap up what need to be done, spend time talking to clients and customers. Spend time with your staff. But most importantly take a break and spend time with friends and family.

You will find your self refreshed and full of ideas for new opportunities. Now is the time to sit down with you people and do some serious planning. Planning which will kick off the spirit of the year, planning which will be much more effective because you are concentrating on it. Set your goal of where you want to be next Christmas. Stick it up where every one can see it and create the plan to remind people and your self of the priorities. Plan in ways to avoid getting pulled into ruts and directions which don’t fit the plan. Review in an honest manner what were the good and bad points of the past year. What worked, what did not.

Break the planning into sessions over a day.

First: review, general discussion,

Second: lay down the outcomes for the planning, lead the discussion,

Third: make the plan,

Fourth, review, tidy and put it on the wall.

For the rest of the year, spend time once a week to review the plan and make sure you are keeping to it. But don’t be scared to change it if the situation needs it. But do be sure to understand and explain why you are making the change. Be sure it is a strategic change and not just a side alley.

So now that we have that all figured out,

Merry Christmas to all.

Posted in Collaboration, Doing Business, Ideas. Leave a Comment »

Seth Speaks about engaging innovators

December 2, 2009 — andrewnim

Interesting and useful list from Seth Godin

It is a great list below are a few items which jumped out at me,

  • Simplify the problem relentlessly, and be prepared to accept an elegant solution that satisfies the simplest problem you can describe.Hire the right person. Don’t ask a mason to paint your house.
  • Part of your job is to find someone who is already in the sweet spot you’re looking for, or someone who is eager and able to get there.
  • Pay as much as you need to solve the problem, which might be more than you want to. If you pay less than that, you’ll end up wasting all your money. Why would a great innovator work cheap?
  • Cede all issues of irrelevant personal taste to the innovator. I don’t care if you hate the curves on the new logo. Just because you write the check doesn’t mean your personal aesthetic sense is relevant.

That last one is great, don’t tell the person you hire how to do the job you hired them for.

But you should read the full list over at Seth’s

Posted in Collaboration, Doing Business, people. Leave a Comment »

The emperors new content

November 30, 2009 — andrewnim

I attended a launch party for a new search application the other day. Pingar is an enterprise search platform or should I say research platform. I was totally wowed by the method they have used to produce the results. Pingar is aimed at the enterprise and specifically Sharepoint users at present and it is here that one of its unique strengths lays. Pingar does not produce a list of a zillion links for you to follow. It goes inside the resulting documents and extracts the relevant information. Which it compiles into a human readable report. So say the Chairman of a large corporation does a search on financial reports by sector. He has an overall view of how his company is doing. He can share this with his directors and it can be seen by the sales managers. However, and this is the neat bit for the enterprise, the sales managers can only see those parts of the results for which they have clearance. Pingar connects to the company permissions system and applies its restrictions.

At the party someone stated “journalists may be redundant”. My reply was that as gatherer’s on information they are, but as analysts of information, they are in more demand than ever. It is okay having all this data but, someone needs to make sense of it.

This took me back to a subject which has been on my mind of late. The nature of the content on the web. Can it be trusted and how can business know the validity of the facts on which it is basing its decisions? You see there is a method to research which academics, journalists and “researchers” should use. They should record and verify the sources of the facts they are placing in their content. There is a huge swathe of content (like this statement) which has no factual backing and no references against which it can be checked. I cannot give you a reference or source here because I can find no study on the issue. Its based on observation and may be flawed. But I don’t think so.

Take for example slideshare.com. They provide a great resource, an easy to use method for sharing power points. You go to a conference and the presenter can make his power point freely accessible to all to re watch later. But how many of those power points contain references. I looked at 20 the other day on a particular sensitive subject and only one had any form of reference. Yet people are using these as sources. But they may be the emperors new content. Without substance, without research or references to research, to back them up. Or notice that they are opinion. They may well be created using sources which where created using sources which had no factual basis at all. Yet it is regurgitated and used by the misinformed or the under-pressure  and may well be presented as facts upon which business and political decisions are made.

There is an old adage, “if it is in the paper it must be true”. It seems that this has now become “if its on the web……”

This is one of the things I really likes about Pingar, it produced a report based on the search request using contextual matching. But it also then gave all its sources and with the click of a link would pull the data in to supply me with the deeper perspective as needed. Being built from an academic research perspective, it needs to prove the veracity of the data it is supplying. I am not totally sure how this will work in the web as opposed to an intranet. But then maybe this is actually the tool for the deep web. Finding the real source rather than the conversations about it. Or it may cause a change in the way results are supported with others providing better meta data to support the authenticity of what they are supplying.

That can only be a good thing.

Posted in Collaboration, Doing Business, Knwoledge. 3 Comments »

Google Social Search

October 27, 2009 — andrewnim

Its all the rage this week as its due out for the masses on Monday. Sites all over the web are discussing it and telling us all how it will work and how great it will be. Google have released videos telling us how they envisage it and how it will build us a circle of “friends” around our Google Profiles. Each time you search and are logged in to your Google profile it will begin matching and building your network. Connecting with your other social media activities.

I see a glitch, user names and email addresses are often very different. My twitter name is not the same as my Google account name and my business email is not @gmail.com. As a freelancer I work under other email addresses as well, reflecting the branding of the client.

So the picture which Google social search is going to create is not going to have me at its true center. It is more likely going to look like a Venn_diagram . Now this may turn out to be very valuable in the long run as the connections who reside within the overlap are possibly identified as the most meaningful. But how will they get their if you are not logged in to a specific Google account at the time?

It will be interesting to see if it works in practice and proves to be more than a gimick to get us all building our Google profiles. Which is the only way it is really going to work, with Google as the center of our online lives.

Posted in Collaboration, Marketing, people. Leave a Comment »

Communicate before starting

August 7, 2009 — andrewnim

I was recently helping a client who has an issue with their web developer. As usual a big chunk of the issue was caused by poor communication, which in turn was caused by shortage of time.  But this problem cuts both ways. The client did not take the time to fully think out what they wanted and get help to define this and the developer did not take time to fully understand what was needed and what was expected. This was compounded by no ongoing dialogue, no project tool and no updates supplied to the client or asked for. Then suddenly the deadline was close and the site was only partly done and did not look as the client expected. Now both parties have a problem. For the developer, they may loose the commission and receive bad press, or go over their budget fixing things. For the customer, the whole project has created stress and they are now faced with paying a second time to get what they wanted done.

All of this could be avoided by actually setting aside some time to sit down and get some agreement on expectations. This works for any project: draw up the process; explore the issues; draw some wireframes and create some lists. Set some milestones. But most importantly get to understand each other and what you need to provide. This is all basic stuff really and there are books galore written about it, but nearly always from the perceptive of the project manager. The trouble here is that small business owners are so busy project managing their business and don’t or wont take on the new project. They expect the developer/ supplier to do that. Only often they are a small business too and concentrated on doing what they do. They also have their way of doing it and often “know” best.

If both side have a check list before they sit down they can then easily see on which parts they agree, and then on which parts they need to spend time discussing. And that is were you need to spend your time, because these are the points which will eventually cause a falling out.

So if you are hiring, either get someone to help scope the project and spend time putting it together for you, or spend that time yourself and find examples and ask questions.

If you are the prospective developer, remember your client may not understand what you do and take time to explain it to them. Have a method and check list to reach an agreement. Then provide  a fairly detailed scope. Get this signed off and then ensure you spend 20 minutes a week updating the client. It will save you time in the long run.

I really am not saying anything new here, but it needs to be said again and again. It’s been talked about by plenty of people and will continue to be. In fact while I was writing this someone else was posting this check list for a Drupal Design Brief. I suggest you grab it and keep it, then use it both as a supplier and as a client.

Posted in Collaboration, Doing Business. Tags: , , . 1 Comment »

Free range ideas

July 29, 2009 — andrewnim

One expression I really don’t like hearing is people extolling others to “think out side of the box”. It’s often too late for that by the time this is being requested. It’s usually said to people who have actually been trained by school, parents, work and their peers to think in certain ways and do certain things. Fit in, do as you are told, be part of the gang, do it this way, do it our way. Some of this is needed, it gives us grounding and allows us to achieve as a society. But it needs to be offset by encouraging freedom of inquiry and analytical skills. We need to encourage young people to do what comes naturally: to question.

But that’s for the future, that may help our companies in a few years, but not now. Now we need to think about the staff both present and future. When you are next looking to hire a new employee what will you be looking for? Someone who will just fit in or someone who will stir things up a bit? I don’t mean hire a work place psycho, I mean someone who is free- range rather than battery reared. Some one who does not want to be a wall flower, but who is actively going to suggest new ways of doing things and is going to challenge when it is needed. Some one who is not afraid to say NO!

Not every organization wants or needs a blue sky thinker and i’ts the last thing you need in a small close knit organization. But you need someone who is happier with open fields and green pastures. However, and this is an important however, this one person is not going to be a catalyst for change unless you allow and encourage it. Which means you also need to encourage your other staff to do the same. It will not happen over night and does not need trips away for team building. You just need to get them to start thinking about how they do their jobs and give them incentives  if they come up with an idea that boosts your business. People generally are happy to tell you what is wrong with a process they are involved with, if it is one they have been given to follow. They are quiet happy to make improvements. You just need to encourage them. When people criticize see it as constructive.

If you want free range ideas you have to create a free range enviroment, not a box you then have to get them to think outside of. It means meetings which are informal and without hierachy; it means subtle continual changes in the way you interact in your company. You have to be brave and you have to learn to listen- really listen, in the same way you should be listening to your customers; customers you will get more of as your staff start solving customer problems and giving great customer service.

Posted in Collaboration, Ideas, people. 1 Comment »

What is IT?

July 1, 2009 — andrewnim

Here is something to think about: When someone says Information Technology, what do you think of? Computers? The Internet? Mobile phones? Do you think paper and pen?

I doubt it. But paper and pen are information technology, they may be old now but they are still valid means of passing information from one place or person to another. Which is at it’s fundamental, what Information Technology is all about. The Sumerians were the first to use codes or language to pass information, so in a sense they created Information Technology. But before them our stone-age ancestors painted on walls and invented language; the means to pass knowledge verbally. The Egyptians improved it by using paper rather than lumping rocks around and the Romans came up with the first PDA A wax tablet which could be used many times.All of these methods were constrained by time and distance. Information could only travel as fast as a man, running or riding. Until flags, fire, bladders (yes bladders), the telegraph and then the phone came along in that order. Finally news and knowledge could travel faster than a man.

As much as this was great for those in power it also caused problems. Not only did they know of unrest in the provinces, so did the other provinces. Rulers have always sought to limit access to information technology. But it has always found a way to get away from them. The printing press was the first real expression of citizen knowledge and power. People were empowered by the knowledge contained and more easily disseminated in a little book. No more asking permission to read a great tome in the chain library ( so called because the books are held captive by chains).

The telephone and the radio gave the next huge leaps in passage and engagement. But then the television arrived. Dictators rejoiced and knowledge slowly sank under the bilge called “reality TV”.Then came the internet. Rather than just viewing, people began using information. It has been said that this is a new age, with people creating as much as digesting information. That is not really true, people have always done this and found many ways to pass on that which they have created. The difference now is the potential reach for what they have created and how fast it can travel. Once again those in power find them selves troubled by the ease with which people create, receive and use information. Look at the recent events in Iran.

The downside to all of this is that there is so much information we cannot deal with in meaningful ways. This makes it as useless as if it it did not exist. Worse it makes us miss that which we need to pay attention to. Information technology is about the information. The rest is just the delivery, its not important. Wether you get the message via email or letter is not important, its that you get the message. More it’s that you act on the information contained in the message. So take a few minutes, have a think about what you do and how you do it. Before you grab hold of the latest fad or upgrade, ask your self, “ does this help me deal with my information any better, does it improve my decisions and my outcomes?”. Be honest, because if it does not, you may just be about to save a lot of money and time.

Posted in Collaboration, Ideas, Random thoughts. Tags: , , . 1 Comment »

Three Pillars of collaboration

June 7, 2009 — andrewnim

It is my view that there are three pillars on which good collaboration sit. Without them it is destined to be, if not a failure, a very uphill struggle. Which may explain why so many projects suffer from drift and over complexity. It is my experience that applying agile methods to any collaborative project does in deed help support the three pillars. You could say it becomes the bracing which holds them straight.

Communication

First rule of collaboration involves actually talking to each other. If you are not talking, you are not collaborating. The problem here is  more often how you are communicating. By what means and how often, this depends on the nature of the collaboration. Email is suitable for some efforts and a disaster for others. I would not suggest trying to build a website or working as a team on a  marketing campaign  via email. Nor would I suggest doing a sale that way. It’s fine for delivering the invoice but not the discussion.

Now I have worked on projects which had people in different parts of the world and different time zones. Trust me when I say that such projects can be a nightmare without good rules and one person coordinating. Some  vendors of software and services will tell you how easy it is to “remote” work with their product. Well some of these products do help you communicate in “better ways”, but really the only way you are going to create good communication is to actually spend some time sat in the same room learning something about each other.

Honesty

Goes without saying right? Wrong! Honesty requires taking the blame for your mistakes, it requires being truthful to yourself, your colleagues and your customers. You are not going to know how honest someone is until the chips are down, or the cash has to be paid. The only way you can find out about someone’s lack of integrity is the hard way: through experience.

But there is some good news, you can take precautions such as  creating a strong team, who communicate well. That will create the required empathic connections to overcome problems. Respect each other and things should fall into place.

Consistency

This is not to be confused with boring or unimaginative. For example, if part of the team supplies creative services you want to know that they will keep supplying the same levels of creative output not have off days at an inconvenient time. Unfortunately we don’t always work at 100% so, when one person is working at a low, other team members should be able to spot it and help out by being supportive and encouraging. If your team has these abilities consistency will flow.

Consistency is about supplying an expectation to your customers, an expectation of supply and quality. Customers don’t like suprises, except nice ones. And neither do people involved with collaborative endevour, although they often get them. Which is when good communication and honesty come to the fore to save the day.

Posted in Collaboration, Ideas. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

Virtual workers

May 28, 2009 — andrewnim

Virtual workers, but real work.

It’s funny but we talk about virtual workers, virtual systems, virtual this and that but what do we mean? According to my dictionary  the word virtual means: almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition.  But whose “strict” definition? The use of the word ” virtual” at present is being derived from virtual reality: “a simulacrum environment, make believe”.

So when we talk about a virtual secretary, what we actually mean is that she/he is a remote secretary, not a virtual one. She still works and carries out the functions of a secretary. She exists and the work she does exists. It has value to the person who employees the virtual worker. I may be considered a virtual worker. I am independent, not part of my clients direct business structure. I appear when needed and vanish when not.

But does that make  a virtual worker a less valued  part of a business or a team? I hope not and to be honest, if a client views me that way then we need to think about our relationship. As I said, there is nothing virtual about the results I or any other “virtual worker” should provide.

Not long ago the term was teleworkers. But do the people who need to use such resources really understand what it is they need or are getting? Do the words get in the way? When hiring a virtual worker a good question to ask would be: would I hire them as part of my company? Most businesses use a virtual worker and always have: the accountant. They are integral and important to the very running of your company. You sourced them through other business owners or other recommendations. I imagine that you did not pick up the big yellow book and called a few at random. So, would you do that with a virtual assistant or project manager?

Just as you cannot afford to keep an accountant full- time you don’t need to keep any other virtual worker full- time. As a business owner you get to tap into great skill sets as and when you need them. These people tend to hone their skills in order to provide services to multiple clients. I am not saying you should replace all your staff for virtual staff, that would make no sense. But there are tasks you need people to do which are not part of the day to day running of your business. Just like your accountant, they are people you should build a good, solid and valued long term relationship with. Become a preferred customer  of theirs and show them their value by offering referrals; in return you make them part of your team.

As  I said in a past post,  build a good team around you and it will help you through the tough times. Include some skilled outsiders in that team and increase the odds in your favour.

If you are thinking of hiring a virtual assistant I suggest reading this article on allbizanswers by Tracy Collins on selecting and engaging.

Take care

The author

andrewnim

Posted in Collaboration, Doing Business. Leave a Comment »

Team work and a process which works.

May 21, 2009 — andrewnim

How I write

I always remember a teacher telling my mother that my handwriting was terrible because my hand could not keep up with my thoughts. I always thought this was a great compliment. Now I recognize it for what it is, a problem. What it actually means is that  I rush and have to go back over things carefully when writing. I have had to learn to always do that and when I am busy it is hard to find the time. Normally the writing I do is of a reporting or proposal nature and I have time to go back over it and check it twice. Yes I learned the importance of that from Santa.

But because writing for this blog is more of an informal thing I did not approach it with the same rule. I should have. Reading back I can see little mistakes. Nothing important really, but not right. This blog is about providing thoughts for peoples information and to promote Point Concept. As I have said else where, every piece of literature, every interaction with your customers is an opportunity for marketing, for creating your brand and supplying customer satisfaction. Its about reminding your customers why they use you and not another company.

So where had I gone wrong?

It was something very basic. For most of the material I write I always try to remember the audience, often that audience is not as interested in the technology and systems which I am writing about as am I. So I get my wife and business partner to proof the things I write. You see my wife is a self confessed technocynic. It is not that she dislikes or even distrusts (that much) technology, she just believes it is not the answer to everything, and wants to know  ” if we can put a man on the moon, why cant  I surf the web by talking to my TV” Her view is that for it to be effective and usable it should be like Star Trek. I cannot argue with her logic. It does however make her my perfect companion and proof reader. Not only is her grammar fantastic ( She teaches our two boys) she forces me to explain more clearly. She is my audience, or at least a fine representation of it.

So my mistake was leaving her out of this loop, something I will not be doing in future.

Quite simply we make a great team and we have a process which works. It is simple and productive.

So here is some advice, its not just from me but, from people who help start ups and small business all over the world. Build a good team, they will develop good practice and habits. When you face bad times it may well be those habits which see you through, it will certainly be that team which keeps your customers. And because the best practice is always the simplest one, its also the one which can change the fastest to suite your changing needs.

Collaboration has been and will continue to be the main theme of my posts for a while. So I am going to finish this post, then get my proof reader to collaborate with me and get it to public view. I suggest that you have a look at your working patterns and see if a little simple collaborative activity would not reap some big rewards.

Have fun out there.

Posted in Collaboration. Tags: , , . 1 Comment »
« Older posts