Technical (Installment) Advise Week #43/45 - Tough Economic Times

Well we thought that doing a weeking piece would be easy. However, as we discovered it isn't and therefore we end up skipping weeks. So although we are still going to do our best to meet with this objective we have decided to properly label these pieces as 'Installments'. This way we don't have to count how many we have missed and can simply provide another in sequential order.

Max & I feel compelled to discuss the tough economic situation we are in. While many point to the present laments, like gas prices or housing market slump, as the precipitating factors, it is in our humble belief that these are simply 'tipping' factors (those things that illuminate systemic problems that exists). We heard yesterday that there have been discussions of GM filing for bankruptcy. Obviously gas prices have has some effect but is anyone asking questions about the frameworks that inhibits their ability to change, the excessive assessment maze that they undertake to qualify a supplier (with little value effect), or the inability of the company to be innovative and adaptive? Obviously GM is or may be in the forefront, but we can assure you that there are 1000's of companies that are in a similar situation. The talk about stockholder value yet they are depriving shareholders of value through diminished ROI (and to compensate ravage the workforce to generate increased income, when the workforce isn't the problem, their framework for operations is). Then someone, with great scholarly abilities, draws aim on outsourcing and laments about job loss. Outsourcing is about making a business decision, just like buying hard commodities. Yet, the ROI that outsourcing affords is lost when operational problems here are pass along to the service provider. Then the contracts are carried out in a very hands off fashion and then the organization points to outsourcing being the problem. We are the problem! We are the problem because we speak a good story about our abilities and our accomplishment, yet with a brazen attitude we point to other surrounding factors as the cause. This leaves us at the doorstep of innovation. Are we innovative? We are deer in the headlights when confronted by challenges, and to go one step further we don't even see the signs. Did the housing boom expect to last forever? People were like drunken soldiers grabbing up whatever they could, at insanely high prices, and became self-indulgent with the feeling of being someone special. We heard a recent news account of a mortgage banker, who formerly worked at a fast food chain (does this give rise for question) who was making a six figure income. Now he was faced with selling of his guitars he had collected when working as this mortgage expert and can't find a job. Not to put him down but as some would say, "you can dress them up but that doesn't make them who they think they are". He is, for all intensive purposes, still a fast food cook. To expect that he's going to land another six figure job is a stretch and if accomplished it's a matter of luck and not a matter of ability. Where is the innovation? People fail because they rely on others and lack the basic ability to live outside the box (and I'm talking about going beyond just thinking outside there). We want innovation but lack the ability to do anything once it's presented. Often it's met with reluctance, reservation, or simply rejection. If this country and others (including outsourcing countries) want to be successful you have to break from tradition, you have to inject a level controlled innovation and stop relying on frameworks and processes that lack the ability to be comprehensive enough to cover all conditions. Frameworks and processes are great for the commonplace events, and even then they are limited. Let's make a pledge to throw open the age of innovation as the solution to our problems. Maybe we ought to consider the elimination of foreign aid to those oil producing countries that are (if we wish to blame them) directly assaulting us at the pumps? Is this innovation or opening our eyes? Till the next installment we remain INNOVATIVE!!!!!

Technical Advise Week #36/41 - Lost Count

It's not always appropriate to start this way but allow us to apologize for our absence. We simply haven't been on top of our game and we profusely apologize to our readership. On the other hand we kind of hoped that someone would have written to voice concern, complain or inquire... but sadly we got zip. Oh well, we hope that everyone is doing well, ready for summer holiday and have been able to get their projects to a point where they can be left for a brief moment in order that some much need relaxation can occur (much like the bit that Max & I had!).
We noticed upon our return a bit of a malaise in the IT community. What is that all about? Have we run out of steam, lost our innovation or have we move offshore our enthusiasm? Optimistically we hope that this simply reflect deep contemplation, while we are thinking that it's more a case of frustration and confusion. We hear laments ranging from organizational direction, or horribly founded projects, to wholesale movement of IT project development (without much cause other than a few choice people loving to make an occasional exotic trip to a country where they can enjoy the local cuisine). Only too soon do they realize that offshore project management is different, that problems that exist domestically contribute to failures offshore (and don't get resolved offshore either), and that 'high touch' PM is required to bridge gaps in application/business understanding, culture, communications and technological delivery. We often hear that the outsourcers don't understand, but they are technically capable (but are they or is this simply a kind gesture). If they were truly technically capable would they accept sub-standard work from us, or start working without confirmation, or set the tone for development rather than adopting practices that we have that may not fit (in context) the project that is being pursued? One of the reasons why Certellus Corporation formed the International Institute for Outsource Management (www.Int-IOM.org), was to develop the delivery source and guide the buyer through it's professional trade partners like the Outsourcing Institute, Frost & Sullivan and others. Outsourcing can be fruitful if approached with a solid foundation, utilizing viable & qualified service providers and setting realistic expectations. It can be good, but not as bad as it's been when using guided talents in a responsible way.
- Mabel & Max

Technical Advise Week #35 - We Have Arrived

We hope that you haven't been waiting too long for us. Dad has returned from pretty extensive travel and has is now able to capture our thoughts that have accumulated over the last few weeks.

During his travels we have been reading and researching business topics. How companies engage opportunities, develop the relationship and provide service. We thought everyone thought the same way as we do but there appears to be a gap. Companies outside of the US, possibly because of culture or country isolation have a very different view of how business is engaged. We thought we would list some of these thoughts with the hopes that we can get everyone on the same page in terms of thinking.

1. Businesses seldom buy via the internet, they use the internet to gather information and gain knowledge. Therefore the investment in websites, unless consumer driven, should be kept reasonable.
2. .PPT only works IF there is a person accompanying the presentation (face-to-face).
3. NO ONE will work for commission only sales services. The upfront investment of time and travel is prohibitive. In addition, most service providers will not pay until after they have been paid and based on satisfactory service delivery, these factors are too risky for commission only sales service providers.
4. Commission based rates are higher than normal ones since outsourcer service rates are lower and therefore the commission rate return is diminished . In addition, currency variations can also negatively impact commission rates.
5. Companies who outsource sales & marketing services need to understand that in order to promote them they need to be promotable. What does this mean? Viable, high quality staff resources, delivery capable, and credible. You can't simply boast about your abilities you must provide this information in an objective fashion.
6. Be realistic. One person's success (as of a point in time) does not mean that the same formula will produce success for you. If it was that easy why wouldn't everyone be successful?

We thought to start of we would give you something to think about. Next time we will discuss how to approach making a difference in generating business. - Mabel & Max

Technical Advise Week #34 - The Hills are Alive

Did you ever wonder what the tipping point of life is? What monumental event that would take place that would impact your life, your job, or your contribution to the 'world' that is most important to you? Maybe our thoughts are provoked by a movie we recently saw, "The Bucket List". It's about two guys, from two different ends of the spectrum in terms of social status who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. They decide to make a list of things to do before they die, but to not just dream about it but do it. The backdrop is their families who either have turned away from them or view this as a selfish act. We wonder whether this is a bit like our technology/work contribution. If we knew that we only had a little bit of time (in the job, before retirement, or in life) would we have a list of things that we might wish to accomplish? Are they centered on us, or are they centered on our families (aka 'our business stuff'). While we have done any extreme thinking about this, because this was provoked by the weekend movie, we feel that we are living the 'bucket list' daily. For us, we live today as though there is no tomorrow. What is wonderful is that when there is tomorrow we are not only thankful for this but also are encouraged to continue our pursuit. Do you feel this way, or do you simply look at your today plate? In looking back, do you get discouraged with the path? Is this path because it wasn't driven by the immediacy of the work. For many organizations we need to renew our enthusiasm, drive and innovation. We need to learn to think, and not just look for a cook book answer to life (or business). I am sure that we could construct a cookbook that would cover 80% of the conditions, but we know deep down inside that it doesn't contribute to the betterment of our society. Canned answers are to easy, and when confronted with new unknowns that the cookbook will not work (and you need to rely on thinking). We hope you create your 'bucket list' and that it involves the seeking of information for feeding your knowledge. Off to the airport where we will be visiting Dusseldorf-Stockholm-Kiev-Tianjin. All the best, Mabel & Max.

Technical Advise Week #33 - Over-the-Edge

Have you ever wondered why people hang on so strongly to things that only a slight moment ago we were so quick to cast aside. Some would argue that this is the direct result of moving away from our safety zone, whereas others would contend that it's man's (or woman or pug...) nature to complain. Yes complain, not with cause but because it is so much easier to take the negative then to employ the positive. Yet... why is that when tests are built, or special efforts are exercised to do stellar development, that we turn a blind eye to preventative steps or negative testing (a trait for the purpose of bullet proofing an application)? We guess we would complain and deduce it's laziness, legitimized by time, than a concerted effort to do right engineering. So what do you think? Why do we over produce tests and work that has low yield yet turn a blind eye to potentially rich opportunities? Let us know.
We want to also give you a head's up that we will be quiet for the next three weeks but will return with lots of exciting news. So don't turn away... we will be back very very soon. - Mabel & Max

Technical Advise Week #32 - Proof

Hi and post-Happy Easter. We ate too many eggs and now we are feeling a bit slow today.
We decided that it was time that we talked about PROOF. Proof is one of those things that we all look for. We look for proof of delivery, proof of concept, proof of value, etc., etc. etc. Our desire is to make us feel that there will be certainty, and it doesn't materialize we use our proof to try and add reason as to why. The reality is that no two things are the same. No matter how hard we try, conditions change. With condition change so do the many things that we can't control. PROOF starts with trust. If you expect to force PROOF from a person the trust opportunity that you have quickly turns sour. We can think of allot of situation where proof is asked for:
- Proof of Employment
- Proof of Employment Work Habit (probably the worst thing to ask since most only give positive recommendations; when the most truthful are those companies who thought the employee was stupid when it was the other way around).
- Proof of Work/Work Relationships (most contracts prohibit discussions in this area) and
- Proof of Concept (actually this is a controlled experiment).
What we have experienced and found is that it starts with people-to-people (or pug-to-pug) relationships, if you don't have that... there is no need to seek proof. If you are looking for certainty, do it yourself (or take the risk and establish a collaborative effort to reach a goal). But don't try to turn proof into certainty! Till next week. Mabel & Max..... Out!

Technical Advise Week #31a - Balance & Harmony (Addendum)

We wanted to mention that our fellow technical advisor, Dexter, has moved and taken up permanent residency in PonteVedra, FL with a physician and a fellow technical advisor (we don't know the name). Max and I wish Dexter the best of luck and prosperity, his time with us was invaluable.