Recently in General Interest Category

We have seen any number of articles, ads, vendor write ups, etc., touting how we can make IT more green. Well, according to a number of reports, IT creates only about 2% of the overall carbon footprint of enterprises. So even if we made massive changes to IT and reduced the carbon footprint by 50% (nearly impossible), it would reduce the overall footprint by a measly 1%...

How about doing something radically different -- how about using all our vast BI resources to analyze our processes and procedures to determine where we can truly make a difference? Gee, how about if we used our analytics to:

1. Analyze transportation routes -- couldn't we reduce our CO2 emissions more by analyzing our transportation routes, determining which routes would be the shortest, which ones could be consolidated, which ones could be eliminated? Seems like that would go a long way toward reducing the giant CO2 paw prints our enterprises make.

2. Analyze supply chain logistics -- how about analyzing suppliers for proximity to inventory depots, efficiency in shipping, consolidation of supplier routes, etc.? Maybe we can really get a handle on our supply chain management and eliminate unnecessary shipments (e.g., "emergency" and inefficient shipments because we did not manage the inventory correctly). Seems like this is an area that is rife with potential green savings.

3. Analyze employee travel -- I believe we could greatly reduce the carbon footprint of many enterprises by eliminating a lot of unnecessary travel. We should be able to determine the effectiveness of virtual technologies over the more expensive and environmentally unfriendly physical events. Do employees have to fly to meetings are could they attend via video conferencing? Perhaps conference providers should offer virtual attendance in addition to physical attendance. Not only will these actions reduce an enormous amount of CO2 from all the transportation devices involved (cars, airplanes, etc.), it cuts down on lost resource time due to travel, minimizes the waste that occurs (missed airplanes, lost baggage, etc.), and ultimately, saves money for the enterprise.

OK -- rant over. Now it is your turn. Please enter your suggestions for how a company can use its BI prowess to really make a dent in its carbon footprint. Not only will the environment benefit but, in these troubling financial times, these efforts can reduce costs, improve overall corporate efficiencies, and ultimately contribute beneficially to the corporation's bottom line. What do ya know, a win-win...

Yours in BI (and CO2 reduction) success.

Claudia

Technorati Tags: Green IT, BI, carbon footprint, Business Intelligence,

I recently received something from a friend of mine -- the email from the friend was ordinary enough -- the link in the email to a website was ordinary enough -- the site content was far from ordinary. I leave it up to you to draw your own conclusions...

Click here and view Running the Numbers if interested. I think it will be worth your time.

Claudia

Last year, Jody Gilbert wrote an excellent article titled "10 flagrant grammar mistakes that make you look stupid." If you don't know when to use one word or the other, then read the article:

1. Loose versus lose -- Loose change versus lose my mind (a short trip sometimes).
2. It's for its -- think apostrophe for missing letter (It is to It's).
3. They're for their -- I admit it -- this one seems hard to mix up but I guess people do.
4. i.e. for e.g. -- These two are mixed up all the time. These are Latin terms -- i.e. means "that is" and e.g. means "for example."
5. Effect for affect -- another common error -- effect is a noun; affect is a transitive verb unless you are talking about someone's belongings (their affects).
6. You're for your -- see number 3
7. Different than for different from -- This one is easy -- never use different than.
8. Lay for lie -- Lay is to place something; lie is to recline. You don't lay down and you don't lie a book on the table...
9. Then for than -- Then refers to a time frame; than is a comparative word.
10. Could of, would of, should of for could have, would have, should have -- Bottom line, you never put of after these verbs.

Now on to this year's entry. Jody Gilbert struck again with "10 wording blunders that make you look stupid".

1. All intensive purposes -- yikes! Do people really use this term instead of "for all intents and purposes"?
2. Comprise -- nothing is comprised of something. For example, a correct sentence is "the team comprised seven people". Comprise is misused so much that we have actually come to think that "comprised of" is correct. Use "consisted of" if you must use the "of".
3. Heighth -- There is no such word. The word is height not heighth -- unlike its sister words, width or length. Don't you just love English?
4. Supposably -- yes, this one gets me going. The correct term is "supposedly".
5. One of my favorites -- irregardless -- is this a double negative meaning to regard something?
6. Infer or imply -- When do you infer something versus imply something? The rule of thumb is that imply means you are suggesting something and infer means you are interpreting something. That sure clears it up -- not.
7. Momento -- this is a Spanish word for moment not a word for something you bring back from your trip. The correct term is memento -- as in, "I brought my daughter a memento from the conference I attended".
8. Anticlimatic -- The correct term is anticlimactic -- as in a letdown. The other term means you are against the climate...
9. Tenant versus tenet -- One is a renter; the other is a principle as in a list of ethical tenets. But then again, maybe you have ethical renters...
10. Moot versus mute -- You may argue a moot point (meaning it is abstract or irrelevant) or you may remain mute on the subject meaning you have nothing to say.

So there you have the quick lesson for the day. Now here is a list of words that I would really like to see stricken from our vocabulary (most come from my teenage daughter).

1. Like -- as in, "I am, like, really tired of, like, having my teacher's assign, like, all this homework".
2. Whatever -- Example -- Mom: "You can't go out until you finish your homework'. Daughter: "Whatever..."
3. ad hoc -- We use it a lot in BI conversations and rarely get it right. The definition of "ad hoc" is done for particular purpose: done or set up solely in response to a specific situation or problem, without considering wider or longer-term issues (from Microsoft® Encarta® 2007). For example, an ad hoc meeting.
4 "It is what it is" -- what the heck does that mean, anyway? My contractor used it many times during our renovation. It was followed by a statement that we were either going to have to redo something or live with it...

So there are my pet peeves. I can't wait to read your favorites. Just list them in the comments and you will feel much better, I promise.

Yours in BI success.

Claudia

Technorati Tags: Correct Grammar, word errors, Pet Peeves, communication

Dog Days are thought to be times of great evil - stuff rotted, everyone became listless or crazy, animals got nutty or sick, and so on... The time frame consists of the 40 days from July 3 to August 11.

So -- what does this have to do with BI? Well... How about the following:

1. Probably is a bad time to start a project
2. Explains why your team/users/sponsors/vendors are at each other's throats
3. Explains the sudden dip in utilization of your environment
4. Should be avoided for your performance evaluation
5. Can have negative effects on user acceptance
6. Stops requirements gathering because no one shows up to meetings
7. Features for the next release should not be determined by vendors during this period
8. Confrontations with your (fill in the blank -- boss, spouse, user community, co-worker, neighbor, etc.) are likely.

Yes -- all sorts of bad things happen until August 11. So my advice to you is to go on an extended vacation for the next three and a half weeks. You can tell your boss that it is mandatory or else you run the high risk of catastrophic failure. That should get his/her attention and permission! (Right...) I plan to have a low profile until August 12...

By the way, this does not apply to those of you living in the Southern Hemisphere. When you know the answer to what the Dog Days are, you will understand why it doesn't work in Australia. Sorry, mates.

Yours in BI success

Claudia

Technorati Tags: Dog Days of Summer, BI, evil time

Here is a video of a killer bunny going after a snake again and again... The bunny is one determined critter eventually driving the snake to actually climb a tree to get away from the rabbit. I am not making this up...

Kind of reminds me of all the bright new BI technology start-ups out there taking on their more established competitors. You have be a quick, fast, and agile rabbit to avoid getting eaten or driven off by these big companies.

Could this be another analogy for the -- um -- uber-snake company and all of its recently "meals"?

But -- then again, maybe it is a warning to another large reptilian-like company to watch out for all those open source rabbits who who won't be trampled!

Yours in BI success --

Claudia

If you are like me -- a bit challenged in this area -- you may find the following YouTube vignette explaining Web 2.0 useful. Not only is it entertaining but -- golly gee -- even I can understand it.

Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us. It is by Michael Wesch, Assistant PRofessor at Kansas State University.

Yours in BI and Web 2.0 success,

Claudia

Technorati Tags: Digital Ethnography, Web 2.0, XML

Been getting funny looks from co-workers? Odd glances from the CEO? Asked if you enjoy your time off? Been given a box and told that personal items are not allowed in your office? Yes, CIO, you may be about to lose your job.

Meredith Levinson has written an article for CIO magazine on the subtle and not-so-subtle indicators that a CIO may have an imminent meeting with the Director of HR soon. Also included are some "job-saving tips" with each warning sign. Here are just a few of my favorite ones. For a complete list, go to her article. And I'll throw my own color commentary along the way...

1. Your company gets sold. Pretty obvious one here. The first thing the acquiring company does is get rid of any redundant job positions -- usually from the acquired company. The job-saving tip here? "Always have your slide deck ready that shows the value you are providing to the firm... so that you are johnny-on-the-spot ready to explain your value." so says Karen Rubenstrunk, a recruiter with Korn Ferry International. Who the heck has that ready? But what is true -- if you wait until the fateful meeting with new management, you are probably too late and your future with the new company has already been decided.

2. Your company is not making money -- well, duh. Something's gotta give unless you have endless angel backing or VCs who have taken on charity cases. Job-saving tip: I dunno -- do you really want to continue working for a company that is going down hill? Here is the suggestion from the article: Pay particular attention to the way your department is viewed by the rest of the company. If it is thought of as a bunch of losers or as a commodity service, you could be looking at being outsourced or replaced by a new CIO. In either case, blow the dust off your resume and get familiar with Monster.com -- your job is short-lived.

3. Your company pursues a strategy that your didn't support. Oh yeah, you are done for. If your recommendation was not chosen regardless of what it was, you can bet that your job is done for. Job saving tip: Make a list of companies that are going your way -- centralization or decentralization, grow through acquisition or from within, whatever direction you advocated.

4. Your span of control just got reduced. Yep -- reduction in responsibility is a sign that you are on your way out. Think Peter Principal. Job saving tip: None -- just start looking for a new job.

5. You have to fight like crazy to get anything done. If your peers and colleagues ignore your suggestions, rebuff your ideas, or simply don't listen to you, you are in trouble. Job saving tip: start or renew a subscription to TheLadders.com.

6. You can't hire top-flight IT resources. If so, your reputation may precede you... In addition, if your best people start leaving in droves, you can bet it's because they are frustrated, angry, or see the writing on the wall better than you do. Job saving tip: Ask current and departing employees what gives -- what can you do to be a better boss. Oh yeah, and take their recommendations VERY seriously.

7. You screw up big time. Enough said. Job saving tip: I suggest a name change and moving to another country.

8. You run afoul of the head of the best revenue-generating department -- say the VP of Sales -- who starts squawking to the CEO. Kiss that job goodbye! Job saving tip: Fix whatever problem is preventing the sales guy from meeting his numbers -- ASAP!

9. Your boss asks you to work on "special projects". OMG -- you are cooked. Job saving tip: None -- it's too late to save face. The best you can do is milk the special project until you land another job...

10. And my favorite one -- You see a confidential search ad that describes your job perfectly. Job saving tip: Apply for the job and see what happens...?

There are 8 other warning signs in the article that may be of interest to you. Here are a few that I think should have made the list:

1. Your office just got moved to a closet in the basement.

2. The locks to the building got changed and no one gave you a new key.

3. Your "Executive" parking spot is now located in the convenience store lot next door.

4. You report to the facilities manager now.

5. And finally -- you find a pink slip in your suggestion box.

If any of these sound familiar, you could be in trouble. Time to start blowing the dust off the resume, becoming friends with the executive search companies, and familiarizing yourself with the job websites. And good luck!

If you have your own set of warning signs, by all means, share them with the rest of us through the comments.

Yours in BI (and job hunting) Success!

Claudia

Technorati Tags: Job Hunt, Executive Search, career

Ah -- the holidays. Time of good cheer, egg nog, mistletoe, and the trauma of finding just the right gift for the technologically savvy person on your holiday list. Man, I hate this time of year...

If you are like me, you end up tearing your hair out around December 23 because you just can't find THE gift -- the one that everyone would just die to get. You begin to hyperventilate and buy something -- ANYTHING -- just to get it over with!

OK -- here are some suggestions (IMHO). I am depending on you to come up with the rest of the list of "must-haves" this holiday -- PLEASE!

1. First on my list has got to be the latest from Apple Computer. Yes, they have done it again with the iPod -- this time it is the ultra-small iPod Shuffle. Here is what Apple has to say about the newest member of the family: "The world’s smallest digital music player and just $79, the 1GB iPod shuffle lets you wear up to 240 songs on your sleeve. Or your lapel. Or your belt. Clip on iPod shuffle and wear it as a badge of musical devotion." I visited my local Apple store this weekend to see the shuffle first hand. I have to say, it pegs my "cool meter" -- only 1.62 inches long, about half an ounce -- and you can listen to music for up to 12 continuous hours.

2. Powers of 2 Clock - $24.50. A gift for the programmer-type geek. The Powers of 2 clock tells time using binary code -- yes, binary code. You have just got to see it to understand it. Granted, it not for the non-programmer like me but I have friends that would love it. I found the silver and blue version quite fetching.

3. Now here's one for the times -- The USB Missile Launcher (you may know it as the USB Rocket Launcher, USB Air Dart, or USB Powered Air Darts). This little gem is a "state-of-the-art deterrent against those bored and aggravating individuals that loiter around your desk when there’s nothing better for them to do." I am not making this up. The Missile Launcher holds three foam missiles -- which the manufacturer keeps reminding us are completely harmless. You adjust the direction and angle of the launch by either moving the arrows on your keyboard or moving the cursor of your mouse. They also suggest that you crank up the volume on your computer-- apparently the sound effects are pretty impressive... Once you have located your target (e.g., the guy that wants your job), the Missile Launcher fires the three foam missiles one after another when you hit the 'Fire' button! All this fun for just $55.

4. And for those of you that really want to go to the extreme (I am not making this up either) - For a mere $3,899, the James Bond 007 TX Spy Gear bundle VGN-TXN007. Sony's tribute to James Bond can be used to "Gather intelligence on your next assignment with the limited edition, serialized James Bond 007 TX Spy Gear bundle". The bundle consists of (according to the web site): a sleek, portable Vaio TX, a Cybershot DSC-T50 camera, an aluminum carrying case and display privacy filters. Just to top it off, it also comes with a unique welcome letter and serialized glass photo certificate that corresponds with the Vaio notebook. Now all you need is the spy coat and sunglasses...

OK -- now your turn -- what's on your list this holiday season? Cameras, video games (Halo 3 won't be out until next year), computers, PDAs? All are fair game and I need help!

Yours in BI and gift-giving success.

Claudia

Technorati Tags: techo-gadgets,techno-gifts

If you are NVQ or CC, these little gems could save your job. Here they are directly from the article. (My personal favorites are BHNC and PURE.)

1. A2O (Apples to Oranges): A comparison of dissimilar things; an inappropriate comparison. "I think we should ignore Smith's suggestion; the analysis is totally A2O."

2. B2B (Business to Business): Marketing-speak for a business supplying another business, as opposed to consumers or government. "They're strictly B2B, so you won't find their products in retail stores."

3. BHNC (Big Hat, No Cattle): Adapted from cowboy parlance. Used to describe someone who is all talk and no action, full of self-importance, and/or a poser. "She brags about her 'fabulous' job all the time, but she's BHNC."

4. CLM (Career-Limiting Move): A move that blocks your career path, or gets you fired, as in: "Wow, he made a real CLM when he showed up an hour late for the big pitch meeting."

5. CTD (Circling the Drain): Something that is on its last breath and about to die. Possibly related to disposing of a dead pet goldfish or a similar flushing-something-down-the-toilet scenario. "We all know the project is CTD, so most of us have started looking for new jobs."

6. FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt): A marketing tactic used by companies (often computer-related), FUD is used to scare consumers into staying with their product instead of trying the competitor's new product. "You could go with Company B, but their servers might crash on you."

7. MEGO (My Eyes Glazed Over): A sign of extreme boredom. "I had a serious case of MEGO after that accounting presentation."

8. PEBCAK (Problem Exists Between Chair and Keyboard): Tech-speak used when the "problem" is within hearing range. "I took a look at her machine and it's clearly a PEBCAK situation," said one technician to the other.

9. PURE (Previously Undiscovered Recruiting Error): A new employee who isn't working out as well as expected; an employee who looked good on paper but isn't cutting it on the job. "The new assistant buyer is definitely a PURE. Her qualifications are stellar, but she's so rude!"

10. WIIFM (What's In It for Me?): A key question in communication. People aren't going to be interested in hearing your pitch if they can't see what's in it for them. "Jones completely failed to sell the new PR campaign. The client just didn't see the WIIFM factor in his pitch."

Oh -- don't know what CYA, NVQ or CC stand for? Why, Cover your A--, Not Very Qualified and Completely Clueless, of course...

Got any others? That's what the comments section is for.

YIBIS,

Claudia

Technorati Tags: Business Acronyms

I just got back from Spring Break vacation with my family. I was amused that my daughter could not wait to get back in the US after a week out of the country. Why, I asked? "Because I need to talk to my friends", she responded. Huh?

OK -- I know instant messaging is popular. I use it all the time but I use my computer not my cell phone. Therefore I have access to a full keyboard and use English to communicate -- how outdated. Turns out that teenage girls in particular love using their cell phones to "chat". They have a language all to themselves due to the limited keypad. It mostly consists of consonants, abbreviations, shortened slang, etc. I peeked over my daughter's shoulder at her (now flattened) thumbs rapidly moving over her phone's keyboard as she communicated with her best buddy. The "conversation" went something like this:

My daughter: RU home?
Response: No - CJs
Daughter: LOL UR 2 good
Response: U talk

And on it went until the end:

Daughter: CU LTR
Response: TTFN

So -- how good is your IM talk? Here are the translations plus some of the more interesting abbreviations:

U -- You
R -- are
UR -- Your or You're depending on context
2 - too, two or too depending...
TTFN -- Ta ta for now
LTR -- Later

Less obvious ones:

ROFL -- rolling on the floor laughing
JK -- just kidding
GAG -- get a grip
ER -- eye roll

You get the idea...

So, I propose that we come up with a set of BI-related IM messages. I welcome your input on these. Come up with your own and post them... The funnier -- the better! As an incentive, I will send the person who comes up with the funniest or most unusual IM message one of our books for free. I, of course, will decide who the winner is -- blog prerogative. Here are a few of my own to get you started:

AH -- Analytics hack
DD -- DBA demigod
PH -- Performance hog
CQ -- Clueless query

I await your responses with great expectations.

TTYL and YIBIS.

Claudia