Category: Uncategorized

Eric Eggertson has some thoughts on Elizabeth Albrycht’s post describing how companies with rigid, hierarchical job titles can’t cope with people who know a lot about many things.
I couldn’t agree more. When asked for my title, I tend to give a vague response, rather than my job title. I don’t want people to think that they can only discuss certain topics with me. As well, I don’t want to be restricted in my opportunities simply because of my job title.
I have had the benefit of spending 6 years in jobs that allowed me a great deal of latitude in expanding my areas of knowledge, while still challenging me with interesting internal projects.
I look at those people who get stuck with “she’s a programmer”, “he’s a creative”, or “she’s in sales” tags as having their entire life experience boiled down into a sound byte.
My life is not a sound byte (or bite); my life is a large canvas, and I am constantly adding to the picture. My life is a library that is always adding new volumes.
Remember that the people you work with are people.

Just for giggles…my desk.

Phil at geekyinfo is another OneNote fan. [here]
Like I said before, my Moleskine habit covers my note-taking needs quite well.

Oh…wow! This Origami is insane!

Thanks to the Frog for the link…an Origami moose?

Ok, maybe I am only partial digerati. I cannot understand the love and passion generated by podcasts.
And after flaming him, I have to come down hard on the side of Charles Cooper. I can’t see how podcasts will change the world.
I did amateur radio in the 80s at CFUV at UVic. Many weird “aaahhhhh…uhhhhh….ummmm…” moments, followed by obtuse humour and loud music.
I have also been recorded and have heard my own voice. Wouldn’t want to share that with anyone….[shudder!]
Maybe I am just having a post-customer presentation stupid moment…maybe I will get flamed as well…but if I want amateur radio, I’ll hit up a college station.

I flamed Charles Cooper in a spur of the moment post a few days ago, and he burned me back this morning.
I pulled the post, because in 20/20 hindsight, and to quote Michael Keaton, “I sir, am an ass!”.
Charles, you didn’t deserve it; just two smart people coming to the same conclusion at about the same time.
Shake?

Now, pair this up with Adblock in Firefox and poof! Web goes bye-bye!
Via John Battelle

Mike McLaughlin lists ten things that all consultants need to understand bout solution selling.
I see many of these at work in the sales processes that my company is involved in. These rules/concepts are the same for any complex sale, but #7 and #9 are the ones that affect me the most.

Michael O’Connor Clarke has started a series that I will be following, especially adter some of the feedback I got over the Fire your PR Firm post last week.
Today’s episode in the Seven Deadly Agency Types: The Sweatshop. A very informative read.

Brad Feld helps me extend my list of meaningless phrases that should never be used to include World Class. [here]
Since I consciously started considering every word that I say, and making a very conscious effort to try and use the simple instead of the complex, I find that I am much more aware of what I used to say, and how ridiculous it sounded.
So, when you could say “We have a Best Practices process that is World Class”, translate into the Feld-ese: We suck less, and we will help you suck less.
What other phrases are there that we all use to try and fit in? What other crap have we polluted our language with?