The Annoyance List

We all have things that annoy us about our job. Perhaps it's the smell of a co-workers lunch, or the sound of the copy machine, or perhaps a software program that takes too long to load or has too many clicks to get to the screen you really need. If someone could fix one of those annoyances what would that be worth to you?

I recently had a phone call with a friend of a friend (let's call him Steve), who was experiencing some difficulties with an ERP implementation. During the conversation we both admitted that a successful ERP implementation isn't when the technology meets all the requirements, it's when the END USERS adopt the software and are (mostly) happy with it.

Wacky Wednesday - Crazy Old Inventions

There are some interesting pictures in this video. The very first may have been the concept for a mode of transportation in Men In Black III. The cattle catcher for pedestrians was an idea I actually smiled at. There's a vest heated with electricity that I know Dewalt and Milwakee are making for their portable tool batteries, and the TV glasses remind me of the Oculus Rift. So, what ideas here might have been nice to have?

Leadership Quote of the Week - Joshua J. Marine

Special Thanks to Erin Morey

Human beings love their comfort zone. We like things to be consistent, constant, and unchanging, even if we KNOW that what we really want is just outside that comfort zone. So this, particular quote is something most of us need to remember; not only because we love our comfort zones, but when we leave them, those that give up do so way too early.

If you've read Think and Grow Rick by Napoleon Hill, then you know the story of the miners who gave up 3 feet from gold. Don't miss your mark because of 3 feet. The Challenges are what makes life worth living!

Morey's Law #16: If You Complete More Than Your Fair Share Of Work...

From 1-22 INF page

In the summer of 2004, I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and transitioned from the Armor Branch (Tanks) to the Signal Corps (Computers / Communication). Shortly after I transitioned, I was pulled aside from a training exercise by my new commander, Lieutenant Colonel B (LTC B from here on out).

LTC B: "Matt, I know you just arrived here, but I need to have a conversation with you."

Me: "Sir?"

LTC B: "We have a lot on our plate right now... with another deployment coming up. I need your best, and in six months time, I'll make sure you get a Company XO (executive officer) or Battalion S6 (Battalion Communications Officer) position to help your career. Can you do that for me?"

Wacky Wednesday - Turtle Wax?

From the London Zoo

Is this where turtle wax came from?

My wife told me last week that excessive puns can be a sign of brain damage. Do you think I'm in trouble? I'm not even sure that the question would count as a pun. Thoughts?

Leadership Quote of the Week - Howard Gardner

Special Thanks to Erin Morey for the Meme. 

Howard Gardner shares a statement that most people understand instinctively, but may not realize it intellectually. Throughout human history, stories are used to share morals and examples of lessons, in order to teach and grow people. In fact, many of the ways we teach children is through stories and fables.

Today, leaders should know that one of the strongest ways they can influence people is to provide stories that share the vision, morals, or decisions you want your team to buy into. Most people don't realize that they make decisions based on emotions, and then rationalize those decisions.  Stories provide an emotional context, and often we remember stories more effectively than straight facts.

Morey's Law #14 - Risk Management Is A Risk Itself

Over the last 3 weeks, we've discussed the process and tools of the Risk Management Process. The Steps, the Risk Matrix, and the Risk Register, all valuable tools for the Risk Management Process. While I haven't covered everything, there is enough for a good start; but now comes the note of caution. There is a reason why a Morey's Law exists for the Risk Management Process.

In the first post I indicated that you needed to avoid Double Jeopardy, where risks are identified as happening in sequence (i.e. "if a generator fails, the sensor fails, and the bypass circuit fails... then the whole facility can be lost."). In the event of this happening, each of the risks should be identified and dealt with individually, rather than treating it as a cascade failure. However, that is only one part of the risk inherit in Risk Management.

Unfortunately there are other risks beyond "cascade failure." While performing Risk Management, you could find yourself dealing with a variety of situations, which you should be aware of before starting the process: