Just because you move it online doesn't make it more efficient!

My generation learned to compute on Apple IIc's. We wrote tiny programs using Basic computer language. It was so cool to write a line or two of code and then watch on the screen as a line was drawn. At that time, I'm sure Al Gore had already invented the internet.....it's just that we did not know much about it yet. We watched as dial-up slowly rolled out where we lived. I still hear that noise in my head that modems make when they connect.........for us, we'd finally connect and check a few e-mails and then you'd hear that dreaded noise again and know immediately that you have been booted and are having to reconnect.

Over time we have collectively watched as the internet has grown into a huge information monster. Most of our jobs would slowly grind to a halt in the absence of internet access. The question I have repeatedly asked of myself is, "Does moving your information into an electronic format make you or your company more efficient?" Is the act of 'moving the information' the thing that generates efficiency?

I contend, that yes having information in an electronic (or maybe even an online format) is a part of the puzzle but many times we simply drag already 'burdened & lame' processes into the electronic world and wonder why we did not see immediate efficiency jumps. We must also consider the process. I encourage business leaders to consider your processes. Before transferring any information into electronic formats be sure that the process itself is currently operating in an efficient manner.

Feel free to add your thoughts or comments here on the blog. Just click the comments tab.

kl

2009

Does poor health impact job performance?

You know, I never really took into account just how large an impact poor health had on job performance. Until a couple of months ago I was on track to gain approximately 30 lbs. over the period of 1 year. For a guy of my 'frame size' this is a pretty nice amount of weight to add on. I went to my Doc a while back and he says, "Son, you need to take better care of yourself. Primarily, you need to manage your stress and EAT HEALTHY. Don't focus on losing weight, focus on being healthy."

Wow, for the first time in my life (at 36 years of age) I have approached my life from a balanced and healthy point of view. My diet has changed and yet I eat a smaller lunch and feel satisfied. Being from the Southeastern portion of the United States most family bylaws state that the sin of 'not sweetening your ice tea with sugar' is punishable by excommunication from the family tree. That was probably the kicker for me but you know what? Now that I have kicked the habit of drinking 3/4 gallon of sweetened tea every night when I come home, I don't even miss it. Holy cow, and I no longer feel those 'heavy meal' body swings.

How did this impact my personal job performance? I tired easily. Everyday after lunch was a battle to keep focused. Eventually I would have been a strain on the healthcare system. Ironically, I held the keys to the solution. This is a tough one........especially in the winter months. Wish me luck. Anyone else have success stories or good advice. Comment here.

kl

2009

Business Update.......

How many of us screamed the last few years because Microsoft released updates that were an insult to the 'common man's' intelligence? Can I get a show of hands? I love gadgets and software......and hardware.......etc. etc.

I have followed the trends. Do you remember when the Palm device was a black and white screen? (or maybe a weird yellowish) How about the old 'bag phones' for your car? or even the early cell phones that looked as if you were speaking into a small satellite dish?

The trends are as plain as the nose on your face. While most companies were offering cloud based documents, Microsoft continued to sell office packages for $400.00 and up. They made a lot of cash but did they cut their own noses off to spite their face? Time will tell. I suspect Microsoft will suffer......in the short term and possibly in the long term without some major changes. See below article.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/28/technology/Microsoft_stock.moneymag/index.htm?CNN=yes

Remember, good business and innovation know no bounds. No matter the type of business, sound principles always apply. Keep your head facing into the winds of innovation. If you are truly daring, create your own winds of innovation so that others may feel it and be persuaded to participate in the free market!

kml

2009

American Taxpayer Funded Healthcare & Welfare - Part 1

You know I hate to be the one to do it but I think I have some great fixes for American Taxpayer Funded Healthcare & Welfare. I'll spend a few days on some of the details. Feel free to add your modifications in the comment section.

1.) All persons seeking American Taxpayer Funded Healthcare or Welfare MUST show proof that they legally reside in America. (I hate to be the bad guy but someone has to make the tough calls.) If you can not show you legally reside here (in America) then you receive emergency medical care based on the 3 strike rule. Your DNA will be taken and placed in the national database. You get 3 shots (chances) at emergency care before your luck runs out. This way both you and I know that you are not legally residing within America but you also get critical treatment. This gives you time to prepare your paperwork and the government time to process you out if you show back up the 4th time.

2.) Persons drawing American Taxpayer Funded Welfare checks must also do a little legwork. To me this falls into 2 broad categories with possible subtitles.

a.) Persons who are legally determined to be mentally or physically handicapped in America (in my opinion) are the folks who really should be at the core of our Welfare system. We owe it to these folks to make sure they have food and shelter!! I have great compassion for the many thousands who can not physically and mentally fend for themselves.

b.) Persons who have shown to be dependable employees but have lost their jobs deserve some assistance until they get back on their feet. This amount of assistance, the $$$ amount and the duration, should be tied directly to the number of days, months or years employed. The maximum length of benefits should not exceed 2 years in any case. Period.

We're almost done today with Part 1.

***However one side note that we will address in greater detail later.*** No person deemed fit to work in this Country that refuses to do so in some capacity after a period of 2 years without showing substantial proof that that person has requested employment at least 5 times at 5 different places within each work week for at least 45 weeks per calendar year is penalized and will not even be allowed to request benefits for a period of at least 5 years.

I know this is a new blog for me.......I hope you dig it. I love providing the service! Have a great Saturday.

kml

2009

Is Social Networking here to stay?

I contend that the world will never be the same. We depend on the digital age to retain the non-essentials so that we can focus on the essentials. We link to those we care about and those that we want to learn from or about. Knowledge will increase exponentially as time goes along. We now have these more secure methods of retaining knowledge.

We are not invisible by any stretch of the imagination but we have socially adapted in a new age. The planet Earth has become smaller......not physically but certainly in terms of instant information access and flow.

What do you think? Here to stay.........or one microwave bomb takes us back to caveman status one day?