I think I may have been vilified in this class a bit, but it's all good. Doug shared a relevant article I sent to him last week about the Facebookers of the world. And, like we always do in this class, I had to defend these narcissistic Facebookers against an opposing viewpoint. My defense of Facebook was not good -- not articulate nor logical, because I didn't really have a defense for it. Facebook is clearly a rising star in the world of the net and the social fabric of the information superhighway, but I still think the concept is a sad commentary on who we are (as a population) today. The fact that we are all too busy to write a letter (some kids don't even know how to read cursive anymore -- or write it) or make a phone call seems a little surreal to me. I imagine my grandmother is rolling in her grave since she loved postcards and letters. Oh well. Sign o the times?
The more compelling question Doug asked us was what 3 albums would we have with us if stranded on an island with no hope for rescue EVER? That question has been eating at me a bit, and I don't have a final answer. I do have one of them:
Full Moon Fever -- Tom Petty
I'm sorry, but Petty is probably the best mix of rock and laid back roll that you can get. That album is timeless (aren't all the good ones?) and I have many many memories associated with that music.
I'm thinking of adding Counting Crows -- August and Everything After but I can't push myself to do that just yet. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Class #9 -- Actual application
So I was at a car dealership in St Louis Park yesterday and, as usual, the experience was ok. The moment I walked in the door, I felt like I was entering some sort of prescribed "process" that you really don't have much control over. But I was bound and determined to be the master of my own fate, so maybe I came across a little defensive.
Anyhow, I was proud of myself when these sales guys started talking about all the customer service aspects of their dealership and how they integrated it into the car buying experience...I found myself thinking back to this class as I told them, "Look, after I buy this car, I won't ever see you guys again (esp since we're moving to CO next year). I don't need any customer intimacy from you. I don't care if you're total A-holes, I just want a fair deal on a car. I want an efficient transaction."
As it left my mouth, I realized that Doug's intimacy vs efficiency had worn off on me and that I was actually using it and thinking of it in real life application! What a deal.
Anyways, I didn't buy a car and they seemed to let up a little on the used-car schtick, so it helped. Thought I would randomly write about that in the blog from Thur's class (I was a bit late with this one). The speaker last week was good...interesting insight on the world of e-commerce.
Anyhow, I was proud of myself when these sales guys started talking about all the customer service aspects of their dealership and how they integrated it into the car buying experience...I found myself thinking back to this class as I told them, "Look, after I buy this car, I won't ever see you guys again (esp since we're moving to CO next year). I don't need any customer intimacy from you. I don't care if you're total A-holes, I just want a fair deal on a car. I want an efficient transaction."
As it left my mouth, I realized that Doug's intimacy vs efficiency had worn off on me and that I was actually using it and thinking of it in real life application! What a deal.
Anyways, I didn't buy a car and they seemed to let up a little on the used-car schtick, so it helped. Thought I would randomly write about that in the blog from Thur's class (I was a bit late with this one). The speaker last week was good...interesting insight on the world of e-commerce.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Class #8 -- Service Oriented?
Like most of the class, I spent the latter half of this class trying to digest Doug's explanation of SOA. It was actually entertaining -- a group of fifty half-way intelligent people were trying to get a grasp on Doug's topic. Not easy. Especially considering Doug's background and career are immersed in the latest IT topics.
But I tried. It's all tied back to information and (I hear this all the time) trying to get rid of the ubiquitous "silos." Different steps in a process require different amounts/types of information and nobody can seem to get what they need. Enter service-oriented architecture. I could write all day on this, but I probably wouldn't do it justice.
We had some good articles on trusted info as well. With all the information we've created (and has yet to be created), you knew a whole career field would pop up related to this topic. Proving once again, all these newfangled systems and advanced information systems are only as good as the content inside them.
But I tried. It's all tied back to information and (I hear this all the time) trying to get rid of the ubiquitous "silos." Different steps in a process require different amounts/types of information and nobody can seem to get what they need. Enter service-oriented architecture. I could write all day on this, but I probably wouldn't do it justice.
We had some good articles on trusted info as well. With all the information we've created (and has yet to be created), you knew a whole career field would pop up related to this topic. Proving once again, all these newfangled systems and advanced information systems are only as good as the content inside them.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Class #7
So class #7 was all about services. Defining a service and figuring out how it all fits into today's big picture. It's funny...as Doug was talking about service, I immediately thought of my role in the Air Force. Talk about service -- I guess my current situation is about as "service oriented" as you can get. I don't tend to think of me flying around the world as a providing a service, but it is. Go figure.
As we put service into the context of this class, Doug's slides pounded home the point that we are all service providers and service consumers. As time goes on, the world will be more and more about service versus physical assets. It's definitely a more abstract way of thinking about business. I have to digest this topic more before I come to any sort of conclusion.
The next point I wanted to make was an article I found on the role of the CIO. Talk about a changing of the guard...CIO's are the new, chic position to be in! They are not put in a windowless office and ignored. CIO's are hip and sexy! What a sign of the times. Doug emailed the article, so maybe the class will be able/interested to view it.
As we put service into the context of this class, Doug's slides pounded home the point that we are all service providers and service consumers. As time goes on, the world will be more and more about service versus physical assets. It's definitely a more abstract way of thinking about business. I have to digest this topic more before I come to any sort of conclusion.
The next point I wanted to make was an article I found on the role of the CIO. Talk about a changing of the guard...CIO's are the new, chic position to be in! They are not put in a windowless office and ignored. CIO's are hip and sexy! What a sign of the times. Doug emailed the article, so maybe the class will be able/interested to view it.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Class #6 -- Efficient or Intimate?
I would be remiss if I didn't blog about business models and the optimal balance between efficiency and intimacy. I was surprised at how passionate some people got when Doug posed this classic question about conducting business.
I didn't chime in at the time (b/c I was trying to figure out how I really felt), but now I have my head around the concept...and even though Doug hates this answer, it really DEPENDS on what product or service you're talking about. And I really believe this is where most people sit on the subject. Doug won't let us answer with "depends" so you don't hear that in class too much.
So let's talk examples. The guy who picks up my trash -- I really want a high level of efficiency with that service. I don't care about intimacy at all. In fact, given a choice, I don't want any intimacy with my trash hauler. He/she is there to do a job (remove my trash) and that's what I pay for. I have zero expectations that my trash hauler will come to my front door with a cup of coffee to chat by the fireside.
Now let's talk about something like a medical provider. Clearly, intimacy is much more desirable when you're talking about health. I want some level of efficiency (i.e. don't take 3 months to cure my common cold), but intimacy is probably just as important. Medical care is inherently intimate (in more ways than one) and you can't simply remove the human element from medicine like you can with hauling trash.
In the end, these are obvious answers. The truth is that I think people want to know and understand the people behind the Blackberrys. I think there will be a backlash against the "gotta have it now" concept that seems to dismiss the intimacy/human element that technology has provided to us. We are all human and intimacy will always be important...more important to some than others, but relationships will continue to be paramount even as IT expands beyond our own visions.
I didn't chime in at the time (b/c I was trying to figure out how I really felt), but now I have my head around the concept...and even though Doug hates this answer, it really DEPENDS on what product or service you're talking about. And I really believe this is where most people sit on the subject. Doug won't let us answer with "depends" so you don't hear that in class too much.
So let's talk examples. The guy who picks up my trash -- I really want a high level of efficiency with that service. I don't care about intimacy at all. In fact, given a choice, I don't want any intimacy with my trash hauler. He/she is there to do a job (remove my trash) and that's what I pay for. I have zero expectations that my trash hauler will come to my front door with a cup of coffee to chat by the fireside.
Now let's talk about something like a medical provider. Clearly, intimacy is much more desirable when you're talking about health. I want some level of efficiency (i.e. don't take 3 months to cure my common cold), but intimacy is probably just as important. Medical care is inherently intimate (in more ways than one) and you can't simply remove the human element from medicine like you can with hauling trash.
In the end, these are obvious answers. The truth is that I think people want to know and understand the people behind the Blackberrys. I think there will be a backlash against the "gotta have it now" concept that seems to dismiss the intimacy/human element that technology has provided to us. We are all human and intimacy will always be important...more important to some than others, but relationships will continue to be paramount even as IT expands beyond our own visions.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Class #5 -- Mortenson
So Class #5 was a welcome change of pace...we had a presentation by the CIO of Mortenson (major player in construction industry in MN and across the nation).
He was an entertaining guy and (I think) had a good story to tell. I like the fact Doug brought in a "real life" person in an under-represented industry to the Carlson School to talk to us. Being the CIO of a major corporation, this guy carries like 3 laptops and 2 PDAs at all times. He detailed how technology can help (or hurt) Mortenson in huge projects like the new Twins stadium.
What I found most fascinating was Mortenson's dedication to cutting edge technology...it seems that the CIO is an integral part of daily operations instead of a consulting position when it comes to decisions within Mortenson.
I think Doug's purpose in bringing in Mortenson's CIO was to drive home the idea that technology is more than just lip service...the bottom line is impacted by technology...and it's so easy to forget that. Most rank-and-file employees are happy as long as their email works and they can access the internet. Cole's speech revealed that information (and the appropriate use of it) is so much more than just email and internet.
He was an entertaining guy and (I think) had a good story to tell. I like the fact Doug brought in a "real life" person in an under-represented industry to the Carlson School to talk to us. Being the CIO of a major corporation, this guy carries like 3 laptops and 2 PDAs at all times. He detailed how technology can help (or hurt) Mortenson in huge projects like the new Twins stadium.
What I found most fascinating was Mortenson's dedication to cutting edge technology...it seems that the CIO is an integral part of daily operations instead of a consulting position when it comes to decisions within Mortenson.
I think Doug's purpose in bringing in Mortenson's CIO was to drive home the idea that technology is more than just lip service...the bottom line is impacted by technology...and it's so easy to forget that. Most rank-and-file employees are happy as long as their email works and they can access the internet. Cole's speech revealed that information (and the appropriate use of it) is so much more than just email and internet.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Class #4
Most of this class was spent on what the future looked like...what does the enterprise of the future have in store for us?
It was funny watching each group come up with their thoughts. With 50 students in the class, we probably had 50 different ideas on what the future enterprise would look like. If I had to pick a common thread among them, it was the concept of speed AND information.
Information and learning is a hot topic these days -- and rightfully so. Doug has stressed day in and day out that the world has essentially become one big blur. Books are outdated the moment they hit the shelf, data/information management has become it's own industry...and somewhere in between the deafening sound of everything becoming obsolete in record time, humans sit at their desks and try to deal with the breakneck speed at which life comes at them.
I had a get away this past weekend with my old high school buddies and (as usual) the group had different thoughts and opinions on the speed of life. Some of the guys refused to wake up everyday wondering how they would lead the pack...they were happy just being in the middle. Some of the guys insisted they had to be on top or at least well on their way. And a couple others were indifferent. We all agreed on one thing though: information and what you do with it (how you use it) is the new game changer in this world. Resisting the cell phone/internet age is useless...you're powerless against it. I hate to say the world is flatter (a cliche waaaay overused now), but it's just so true. Can't deny it.
It's funny, but the MBA experience has almost tended to confuse my world more than organize it. I now see (or am at least aware) of the "real world" of business...as much as an MBA student can be aware anyway. In business, if you're not leading the pack, you're probably bringing up the rear. Ironically, they two HS buddies that couldn't understand why people woke up everyday to compete were teachers. Different dynamics between public education and private sector business, that's for sure.
It was funny watching each group come up with their thoughts. With 50 students in the class, we probably had 50 different ideas on what the future enterprise would look like. If I had to pick a common thread among them, it was the concept of speed AND information.
Information and learning is a hot topic these days -- and rightfully so. Doug has stressed day in and day out that the world has essentially become one big blur. Books are outdated the moment they hit the shelf, data/information management has become it's own industry...and somewhere in between the deafening sound of everything becoming obsolete in record time, humans sit at their desks and try to deal with the breakneck speed at which life comes at them.
I had a get away this past weekend with my old high school buddies and (as usual) the group had different thoughts and opinions on the speed of life. Some of the guys refused to wake up everyday wondering how they would lead the pack...they were happy just being in the middle. Some of the guys insisted they had to be on top or at least well on their way. And a couple others were indifferent. We all agreed on one thing though: information and what you do with it (how you use it) is the new game changer in this world. Resisting the cell phone/internet age is useless...you're powerless against it. I hate to say the world is flatter (a cliche waaaay overused now), but it's just so true. Can't deny it.
It's funny, but the MBA experience has almost tended to confuse my world more than organize it. I now see (or am at least aware) of the "real world" of business...as much as an MBA student can be aware anyway. In business, if you're not leading the pack, you're probably bringing up the rear. Ironically, they two HS buddies that couldn't understand why people woke up everyday to compete were teachers. Different dynamics between public education and private sector business, that's for sure.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
