Cable in the Car

Over the holidays, I invested in a Sirrius Sportster for my wife’s car. My wife not being a big sportsfan, I convinced her that the Sportster’s functionality as a mobile sat receiver was useful. Great sound, many channels, low monthly fee, commercial free-take anywhere music. I liked it. She loves it. It made for a [...]

E-Christmas

I was never alive for Christmas. Well, Christmas the way it should have been. Maybe Christmas the way it was. Perhaps the way we all wish it were. Here’s what I’m trying to say: Christmas should resemble more Norman Rockwell and less “Christmas with the Cranks”. Christmas should be more about caroling in a front [...]

Repost: The Power of Perceptions (9)

The Power of Perception (9) – Leadership Originally Posted: Wednesday January 21, 2004 It is said often enough that I might sound trite to reiterate that no one inherits the ability to lead, and poor leaders are often the beneficiaries of what might be perceived as leadership in the vestiges of rank and position. The [...]

Repost: The Power of Perception (8)

The Power of Perception (8) – Physical Appearances Originally Posted: Monday January 12, 2004 I realize that this subject may strike a chord with many. Thus, please forgive should I offend but exonerate if you realize I’m right. Although I have it on good authority that girl geeks run contrary to conventional opinion (http://www.igeek.com/articles/Career/FemaleGeeks.txt), I [...]

Repost: The Power of Perception (7)

The Power of Perception (6) – Constraining Emotions Originally Posted: Friday January 9, 2004 Interestingly enough, the Portland area has suffered a most severe snowstorm. It’s prevented me from updating this blog and from attending regular work. Apologies – time to move on! It is needless to say that technical projects create tension. Technology is [...]

Repost: The Power of Perception (6)

The Power of Perception (6) – Perceptions and Technical Planning Originally Posted: Monday January 5, 2004 Happy new year to everyone! Continuing this thread, I’d like to skip what I promised in the last entry. For now, I would like to briefly touch on the importance of perception to preparing and executing a technical plan. [...]

Repost: The Power of Perception (5)

The Power of Perception (5) – Perceptions and Contractors Originally Posted: Wednesday December 31, 2003 Indeed, most managers will handle a relationship with a contractor differently than a relationship with an employee. Unlike a normal employee, the contractor is expected to perform at a high level of competency – why else would they be paid [...]

Repost: The Power of Perceptions (4)

The Power of Perception (4) – The Consequences of Ignoring Perception Originally Posted: Monday December 29, 2003 There are varying degrees of risk associated with ignoring perception and some of them have already been addressed in this thread. Primarily, setting perceptions aside in some idyllic effort to consider your actions above public scrutiny is bound [...]

Repost: The Power of Perception (3)

The Power of Perception (3) – The Importance of Buy-In Tuesday December 23, 2003 I often underestimate the power of buy-in. Not sure about you, kind reader, but when considering a project, I’ve already worked out its technical and design merits, resource requirements, and impact on the larger information system in my head. Processing these [...]

Repost: The Power of Perception (2)

The Power of Perception (2) – Traditional SDLC’s Avoidance of Perception Originally Posted: Monday December 22, 2003 Traditional software development lifecycle (SDLC) processes have four general phases: investigation, design, implementation, and maintenance. Technology managers coordinate events within these cycles, preparing deliverables in accordance to a project plan. The plan outlines specific roles and responsibilities, milestones, [...]