Bryce weeks Pet Peeves
"Never trust a person who has not experienced at least one vice president (eg, drinking, smoking, takeover). "
– Bryce's Law
INTRODUCTION
On August 1 last year, my "Visions Management "(MV) first broadcast on the Internet. MV is a free Internet broadcast (also known as" podcast ") that is updated days a week (Monday) and is available in MP3, WMA file formats and RealPlayer (RealPlayer is accompanied by graphics). During the show, we discuss issues related to resources Management Information MRI) examination of events of interest, and consideration of e-mails from listeners. I can also describe my "Pet peeve Week ", which represents irritants me yet. This has become a neighborhood of the series and, as such, hereby, including rules that lost the broadcast. Hope you can relate to some of these hobbies. It aims to provide an overview of humorous topics. Hope you like them. Note note that these are my personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of my company or any other group.
August 8, 2005 – TRADE BOUNTY
My "Pet peeve of the week" is a commercial Bounty Recently I listened to the radio while driving to work the other day. However, As many of you know, Proctor & Gamble Bounty "Accelerating Picker Upper" paper towel padded, has no problem as such. Bounty we use in our home. However, the new radio ad was described as "a new point blue-blanket", which translates into a luminosity high resolution. " Frankly, when I heard this I laughed. The people in the cars next to me must have thought I had lost my mind. "Shine Resolution "? I suppose it seems funny for me to see something as mundane as the windshield-go" high "technology. Ah, gotta love Madison Avenue I guess.
August 15, 2005 – Microsoft Windows
My "pet peeve of the Week Windoze is the operating system from Microsoft. I recently bought two computers for the office, a laptop and one desktop computer, both equipped
the latest version of Windows XP. I had migrate a large amount of data on both machines casual, should not be a big deal. It was. Now, I consider myself a technical guru by any stretch of the imagination, but I would consider myself a "power user" who knows his way around a computer.
I installed a large number of systems Operating over the years, both production and beta versions. Now many of you know me as a defender of the old IBM OS / 2 Warp operating system that I always see best operating system 32-bit in the block. However, my experience of being able to plant a Windows operating system remains intact, for I had no end of problems and find a very frustrating experience. I think I was spoiled by OS / 2 for the purpose of the office, the object model of the system and preemptive multitasking. I'm always a loss to know why IBM has been abandoned.
But in my mind, I can not imagine why anyone would bother to waste time inventing worms and viruses when you have something like Windoze there. The only thing Microsoft is going uninterrupted cash flow. And no, Virginia, there is no OS monopoly is not there?
August 22 Software Testing – 2005
My "pet peeve of the Week What software testing. As I mentioned in my essay, is a simple way from the bottom up to test and install the systems. But I am worried about the way software vendors test their products these days, if necessary. Industry has fallen into the bad habit to let customers try the product. For example, it is not uncommon for most people to "beta" releases software products, play with him, and to report to the manufacturer about problems with it. In addition, major versions of software products come with manufacturers to know
Full products are buggy. To placate customers, offering free upgrades for the next version (which actually represents the version final).
This approach to software testing is offensive to me.
I used software products in beta for sellers, but neither time nor the inclination to do the job for most of the manufacturer. Besides, I in no hurry to buy the latest version of "all software" I've been burned many times by the sellers. In my case, the software really needs to clean up its act when it comes to the test. If you really want to test their products for them,
know where we should send the bill.
August 29, 2005 – micromanagement
My "Pet peeve of the week" is something a little different: the micro-management. There is a general trend in the workplace for managers today to try to control "everything" that nothing happens without the seal director's personal approval. I've also seen this phenomenon that occurs within nonprofit organizations, businesses of any computer, associations owners, garden clubs, minor league, and even, yes, the Masonic lodges.
Micromanagement is a style of management theory X, which means that the organization is essentially run by a dictator. However, in certain situations, I can understand the need for this. However, for the place work, in general, and our volunteer organizations, I am at a loss to know why people do that. A byproduct of bad micro-management is that people be complacent and will do everything they said and nothing more. They work in robots with little loyalty to the institutions they work for.
After playing football Grilled years ago, I learned about the concept of teamwork. In a team environment type you have many players, but only a coach who is responsible the game plan. However, trying to control the actions of each player in the field is not only impossible, it can be counterproductive. I have always considered more effective than people can make decisions and hold them accountable for their actions. People do not seek the responsibility and not put forth the minimal effort if you give them some freedom. I always liked a comment from Ronald Reagan in his management style, saying: "Surround yourself with the best, you'll find, delegate authority, and not interfere time that the policy has decided to make. "
In other words, micro-management facility to give its people, give them a meaning, but not tell all in meticulous detail.
Conclusion: Do more management and less supervision.
September 5, Academic Programs – 2005
My "Pet peeve of the academic programs that are offered to profess Week program systems study, but in reality, focus on nothing more than software development. I am often asked to give an overview of "pride" in universities, normally at the MBA, and I'm appalled by the superficial schools hide the fundamentals of real systems work. Normally, the program offers an introductory course to systems, but little else. Instead, they tend to focus on programming languages, systems, and computer trends. Not surprisingly, when I start to talk about "Pride" with its concepts of production and manufacturing engineering, students look at me in astonishment. Terms such as "Product Structure" "Blue", BOM, MRP and production control are concepts foreign to most students of the systems. Therefore, our universities People are spitting on the software you really need. A large number of clients I'm looking for are students who can understand business concepts, and users of the interview, know basic math to prepare proposals, understand the workflow and the measurement work, and write effectively. Frankly, for people cry older systems from the candidates fought for the software universities.
September 12, 2005 – The death of Courtesy
My Pet peeve of the week "is the death of civility. The other day we had a FedEx driver making a delivery of our new office in Palm Harbor. Since I became by the main door, opened it and looked approach. He had a smile on his face like it was a bad day. I opened the door, greeted him warmly, shook hand and asked how his day went. As I signed for delivery, the driver looked at me strangely. I asked if there was a problem. He replied: No, it's just that I was the first person that day to be kind to him and ask him how he actually did. He said most businesses on his visit, he is well taken for granted and treated rudely.
I asked him if he thought it was unique to him as an individual. He said: No, the other drivers talk the hardness of their customers. Now I think I saw evidence of this somewhere else. For example, when I go to a restaurant, waiters and waitresses are often surprised when child with them and ask about their day. Often look at me as if I might have some ulterior motives. But once past, warming to me and have a good relationship work.
It made me think about the work of today. Have we become so jaded and callous, without taking into account the interpersonal relationships of our employees, our customers and suppliers? Have we become so selfish and the gap does not matter how we treat others?
You know, I learned long ago heckova time that can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar can be. A little courtesy and hospitality can go a long way with people. For example, I learned the virtues of a firm handshake while ago. I just give them soft handshake and look through the person. I look into your eyes, shake their hand and say how happy I am to see them. Something as simple as a sincere handshake can work miracles.
We must remember that we conduct our business with inanimate objects, but for humans. Sharpening our skills of people is very important to achieve anything worthwhile in life. Simple common courtesy is a big part of it. Try it. The next time you come FedEx or UPS driver
your door or a waitress at your table, look at them, they are greeted with a smile and ask how they do it, heck, even often a handshake. You pleasantly surprised by the service they receive in return. I will say this: we have no problems with delivery or deliveries to our office. Do you?
September 19, 2005 – Press Information
My "black beast" Week of the press. No, not the mainstream media as biased, it may be, but rather, the computer trade press. Some years ago we had many publications could be counted on to print a picture impartial industry. Publications such as "Infosystems", "Datamation," Computer Decisions, "and" EDP Analyzer "have been able to provide balanced, while generating enough advertising revenue to support
himself. But something happened on the way in the decade 1990s with the spread of PCs in the work place. All stroke, new interests and loyalties are formed and the press essentially sold his soul to vendors reached the market control. This has led to reports tired and unfortunately, the credibility of several publications have declined. So much so that the flow of these publications are at historically low. Even "InfoWorld" and "Computerworld" are mere shadows of themselves.
What is missing is integrity in press. Instead of trying to invent the next ADF, what honest reporting about what is really is happening in this industry, right and wrong. I have news for you, not everything is as peaches and cream in this sector, regardless of what the media tells you.
September 26, 2005 – Solutions
My "pet peeve of the week is the word" solution "has been used as in the field of IT in the past ten years. I tried to look up "solution" in both Webster's and The New Heritage Dictionary and, of course, I could not find it. As
we all know, came to mean finding a way to circumvent a technical problem. This does not mean its a correction to a problem, but a means to solve a problem. But no mistake about it, "solutions" are finally errors or failures in the system and as such should pose. Am surprised when developers proudly proclaim they have found a solution, "in opposition to admit they have a problem and do not know how to fix it.
A department that avoid the term "solution" because it tends to irritate end users and cause them to lose faith in the ability of the development team to solve their problems. A mistake is a mistake, I do not what you say, do not try to embellish it, fix it.
As an aside, I finally found "Resolution" as defined in the dictionary, the Redneck Dictionary. It is usually used to determine the location of employees. For example, "Hey Do all solution here? "
I do not know, guess I'm tired of the language if neglected.
October 3, 2005 - MICROSOFT
My "Pet peeve of the Week" by Microsoft, which I refer to the Howard Johnson of the computer industry (with apologies to HJ). The so called because they offer products that are not state of the art but are not the worst either, just very mediocre and predictable.
I recently read that Microsoft announced Windows Workflow Foundation (WWF – which sounds remarkably like the World Wrestling Federation). However, the WWF is a Windows technology that allows developers assemble applications and MS Office software applications developed workflow. This is another example of "bottom-up design of the system. Instead of first determining requirements and designing the overall system architecture, offer a way to capture bottom-up programs. Microsoft Vintage. Frankly I think you should stick to the fight.
October 10, 2005 – BUSINESS DRESS CODE
My Black Beast weeks' codes dress of the company. Already in the 1970s was generally expected that the man wears a suit and tie to work and well-dressed women. During the 1980s, this code has been relaxed and you'll see "undressing" day on Friday. In the 1990s suits and ties have been replaced by shirts and pants. But now in 2005, we T-shirts, jeans and shorts in the middle work.
Ben Stein recently wrote an interesting piece in The New York Times complaining about neglected appearance of U.S. companies I agree with. I think it went too far. Dress codes have an impact on the corporate culture of any company. If we wear strong, we tend to think smart. If sloppy dress, we tend to be lazy in our work habits. Show me a workplace without a dress code and I'll show you a pig that produces questionable results. I know that we want to promote
individualism in this country, but there is nothing wrong with a little consistency and teamwork is.
When we started our company in early 1970, our casual dress code is "business", unless we knew that customers enter the office where it was expected then spruce and professional clothing. Over time, we gave up and charged at least shirt and tie, business casual for appropriate clothing for men and women. This had a positive effect, especially in our staff. What I found interesting that while we as a small business, have been learning to "dress", U.S. companies have begun to "dress bottom."
Ben Stein is right to criticize codes today's business dress. After all, who prefers to do business with someone who looks like a tramp or a man dressed for success and to act together? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
October 17, 2005 cell phones –
My "Pet peeve cell phones" Week. It will be recalled, first cell phones became popular among physicians and other members of the medical community, which rightly that as a vital link between patients and themselves. Then there are business people who need mobility to talk to their offices and clients. Real Estate Brokers including, sales and service personnel. But then he fell into the hands of housewives and children under the clever ruse was an excellent way to get into contact with our loved ones during an emergency. That was when all hell broke loose. Now it seems that everyone has one, not just the hips or in his ears, but in their cars on their bicycles. I even saw some children talking about them, while skateboarding, biking, and even, yes, tricycles. Now it's a annoying habit of a work tool or status symbol.
What I find curious is how it has affected our social skills. Its now common to find people walking alone on a street or in a store that seems to be talking to himself. Maybe they are and the cell phone is just a clever ruse. But what bothers me most nothing is like the people jabber away on the phone while they are in circulation. Now you know very well that not everyone has something vital to communicate all the time. It is now common to see girls of 16 years to talk to friends and make plans for the weekend, mothers talked to their girlfriends, guys talk to their buds, and so on. We do everything but watch the road. Have we become so bored with our lives that we need to talk to someone to kill time traffic? I think so.
In 1967, James Coburn starred in a movie called "an analyst said the President", which became a cult classic. If you have not seen the photo, discovers a plot Coburn phone company to a microchip implanted in the minds of all those with whom one can send and receive phone calls (which I would like to see how they react for faxes). However, the film is very prophetic in terms of where they go cell phones. I'm just concerned about the social consequences.
Please do me a favor so small, if it is absolutely necessary to talk someone on the phone while driving around, please pull to the side of the road and talk to the person as a rational human being. And yes, I am very supportive of legislation regulating the use of cell phones.
October 24, 2005 – bloatware
My "pet peeve of the week" is "bloatware." Have you noticed when you have a new computer how fast it goes, however, over time, begins to decrease to a crawl. This is mainly due to
called "Bloatware" in the industry. A few years ago, programmers have been very careful in how it developed Software. Code was very tight and he was concerned about the effective use of machine resources. But since the disk space, memory, processor and higher capacity developers became less and less concerned with the efficiency of the machine. I remember years ago, I can install the IBM OS / 2 on a PC with 50 MB of space disk, and it was very good with plenty of room to spare on my hard drive. But times have changed, the team improved and the Internet have seen this. But programming is most neglected and most neglected. If you tried to install a word processor or graphics software lately you know what I mean.
I can not believe this is a great project to build into disuse in our computers. slow software means buying additional hardware. Understanding this an old computer is considered a when he turns three years. More likely is that to keep our equipment and if so bloatware running on them. But I suppose it would be good for the economy.
October 31, 2005 – guestimate
My "Pet peeve a week" is the word "guestimate". I involved in the field of MRI for a long time and has always bothered me how people try to invent new words in an attempt to appear cute and smart. One of these words is "Guestimate" trying to imply that the implementation of a budget is only a proposal, I have to take a big DUH. The estimate is essentially an effort to launch the future. Like all projections, the facts and information available, the estimate will be more, but rarely perfect. There is a tendency man's natural to do estimates because the estimates are expressions of commitments, and people tend to move away from the commitments and responsibility, especially when are not facts. Look, lets keep things simple, an estimate is an estimate and a proposal is a proposal not going to create more words third year as a "guestimate".
Another word that bothers me is "recovery" and is heard everywhere these days. Think about it, what does this mean? The word refers to an iteration of the repetition of something. So what do we mean when we say it again? An infinite loop? The language in the IT sector is rather neglected without we have to add new words to our vocabulary. But I reiterate guestimate.
November 7, 2005 – COMPLICATIONS
My Pet peeve for the week is entitled "Why do we make things more complicated than they really are?" Over the past 30 years, I the opportunity to travel the world, are seen
Many customers of the company, and provide with the gurus in the field. One thing I always found fascinating is the way including IT industry tends to make things more complicated than they really are. For example, systems and software is really not as complicated as it seems. They consist of processes business, procedures and programs. We also have tickets for the collection of data, products for the transmission of information to store data files, documents and data elements. Period. It has always been and always will be. But the IT industry seems to reinvent themselves every five years or more. Now lets talk about applications, agile programming, data mining, SOA, business rules, metadata, and things that go bump in the night. The only explanation I can give in return vocabulary so often that they have to sell lots of books and magazines. Or use it to be more intelligent than they are. The saddest thing is that this new vernacular is creeping in college and then we have to spend the next years of reports, children. I do not know that I'm older, I think the best things in life are simple. I guess I'm surprised more people do not deny unnecessary complexity.
November 14, 2005 – Snowbirds
My "Pet peeve of the week is titled "Snowbirds." November marks the beginning of the migration of the Snowbirds. This is where the northerners, mostly retirees, are beginning to make his annual trip down here in Florida. Of course, your money is good for our economy, but we have to deal with some terrible drivers of God. There New Yorkers who think they hold the road SUV, the people of Ontario who still believe in driving a school zone, and others from the Midwest who are simply lost. You would well if we had a national driving standard. Heckova would much easier and safer for everyone if we did it ourselves.
21 November 2005 – Smoking
My "Pet peeve of the Week" is the Great American Smokeout sponsored by the American Cancer Society Last Thursday, 17 November. As many of you know I enjoy a good cigar. I never acquired a taste for cigarettes, but certainly enjoy a good cigar When I take my business. To me, do not bother anyone with it. It's just something I do in my spare time. Yes, I am aware of the dangers of smoking, I am sure that all Smokers are. And, no, I do not consider myself an advocate of smoking. That said, I would say to all anti-snuff is: Please come back! Being a smoker does not mean that walk demons and fools, but it gets that characterized this way. The fight against smoking, it is more difficult to find a place for us to enjoy our leisure, all aircraft and airports, restaurants and bars, workplaces, including vehicles. Then our houses where definitely draw a line and say your mind own business. I will continue to enjoy a cigar intimidating as I can take anti-smoking lobby. I do not think they realize, they become more odious his campaign began tense my decision to enjoy a good smoke.
It also reminds me of one of the most memorable Bryce Laws said: "Never trust a person who has not accumulated a known defect (eg, drinking, smoking, swearing). "I always find that this person always has a dark side white lily or something they are trying to hide. As for me, I will continue to enjoy my cigar and keep my vices aboveboard.
November 28th, 2005 - micromanagement
My Week "pet peeve" is "micromanagement." Today, we live in a world where the Theory X managers to dictate the details of any task which is often called "micro-management." Employees were told what to do and when do, no interest for their contribution. This approach amounts to saying that the worker: "Hey, you're not smart enough to do this what I'm going to tell you how. "Therefore, micro tends to annoy and alienate people. More recently, I noticed this same phenomenon occurs in voluntary organizations to nonprofit, as homeowners associations, clubs, school organizations, sports associations and even religious groups. People involving these groups may have the best intentions, but rarely know how to manage effectively. Unfortunately, some people involved with these organizations play a little power trip they are. They have little respect for the organization and implementation of policies and rules. Instead, they try to micromanage everything. The people, especially volunteers, have a natural aversion to micromanagement and quickly lose interest in their work.
Instead, I recommend approach to delegate responsibility and hold people accountable for their actions. I mean what management the "bottom up" versus
"Top down ". By treating employees as responsible adults, we tend to accept responsibility and see a task to fruition. As President Reagan said: "Surround yourself with the best, you can find, delegate authority, and do not interfere until the criteria you've decided you do."
Basically, Reagan said: "Do not micromanage; give your staff and off the road."
December 5, 2005 – Webcast
My Black Beast Week "is" Replay. Last week it was announced that the Rolling Stones performed the half-time show for the 40th Super Bowl in Detroit next February. I found this ad a bit funny that Paul McCartney of the Beatles provided the halftime entertainment in the past Super Bowl. Not that I have nothing against these rockers, as I've been a fan of the Beatles and the Stones greatest of the past 40 years, I wonder where new talents, or if there really is no substitute for talent for the music of my generation. We hear a lot of Rap Hip-Hop, and country, but who are musicians who have actually define this generation? Frankly, there are our there. Oh, I'm not saying that talent is not because I think so, but is tightly controlled by traders every note engineer being recorded today.
In the old days, it was not unusual for artists to write their own music, sing their own songs and play their own instruments. This is not the case anymore. Instead of developing a generation of craftsmen, like the Beatles and the Stones, the current wave of musicians are simply marketing "flash straw "that have no power to stay. The Beatles and the Stones are great, but ultimately, his music is that repetition is the sign of artistic vacuum which was created by the media moguls. Advantage in Hollywood, for example, how many times we go to the reconstruction of King Kong, the Pink Panther and almost all programs TV in the 1960s? Instead of computer graphics, how about some creative plots and well-written scripts? I can not believe we run out of ideas in Hollywood, so it is necessary for translation of old stories. Is this really the younger generation does not have any creativity? I have serious doubts. Just can not afford to put it and, instead, we watch replays. I worry more about the effect of this stagnation in our culture last instance, from us. For me, it signals complacency and the decreased ability to fight. There is also another indication micromanagement "that occur in the business world. Consider this, if the Beatles and the Stones were to emerge in the world today, they probably would not be able to exercise their profession.
Well, I think I go home, turn on the television and listen to Led Zeppelin to sell Cadillacs.
December 12, 2005 – Service (lack of)
My "things that annoy me this week is "Service" (the lack thereof). Recently I passed a new cigar store to buy cigarettes. I went into his basement and controlled inventory. There were several cigars rolled by the local custom and the usual commercial cigarette Republic Dominican Republic and Honduras. I spent to find my favorite (which is a Hoyo de Monterrey, Sultan / Maduro) and took a dozen of the cashier of purchase. Before I was a knight online also buy a dozen cigars all of the same nature. I noticed that the cashier was very slow in the exploration and recording of each cigarette. Next to her was at the counter store owner he was worried by reading a magazine. There were other customers in the store, all of which were of concern to the fund or the holder.
What could have been a simple operation for the guys in front of me took at least ten minutes. Fortunately I was in no hurry, but I am impatient, however, only a simple purchase. When he finally completed the transaction, the cashier greeted me, took my cigar and began the laborious task of scanning and recording my order (again, a simple transaction in a long distance). As we have processed the last cigarette, pulled out my wallet and gave him my credit card. He looked and said, "Oh, sorry our credit card machine has been reduced at this time, is it effective?
Well Naturally I did not and I suddenly realized that, after waiting twenty minutes for a single purchase I came to knives learned more with the purchase.
I said, "Is there something that can be done? "
"No, Lord, we need money."
Interestingly, the shop owner had been listening to our jokes just kept turning the magazine.
I asked, "You can not take an imprint of my card and try later, when the machine is a backup? "
"Oh, No, sir, we can not do that."
"In other words, instead of trying to find a way to make this sale happen, you say that I have lost twenty minutes of my time in his tent."
She looked stunning, and the owner has another page of the magazine.
I told them what was the last time that I frequent their establishment and closed the door without cigarettes. Frankly, I do not care about the least.
I'm sure we've all seen similar situations where there is a lack of decent service, either in a store, restaurant, auto repair, in the business world or elsewhere. People are becoming less responsive customer service. It is as if coming down with a bad case when it comes to difficult clients.
Since I was young I was always taught that the customer was king, if you take care of customers would return the favor to repeat purchases and provide your business sparkling references to other people. But of course, times change and customer service Education has become a rarity. For those of you who do not really care about customer
remember that everything begins with the sale and the customer never has to wait to pay the bill. Instead of finding ways of not making a sale, here's an idea: why not try to find ways to get there. But I guess that requires a little personal initiative is something that is these days default.
December 19, 2005 – HOLIDAY MADNESS
My "beast black of the week "is entitled" Holiday Madness. "December is the month where we celebrate many things:
- Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, but the exact date of his birth is questionable.
- Jews celebrate Hanukkah, which represents a long battle in which the Syrians were driven of Israel.
- Kwanzaa has existed since 1966 and, unlike Christmas and Hanukkah, likely religious, Kwanzaa celebrates African culture.
- Then celebrate the end of one year and the birth of a new one.
There is much to celebrate in December, I always felt sorry for those born during this month and usually gypped parties and they deserve this.
Comedian Lewis Black has recently commented on the progress of the other parties Christmas, like Thanksgiving and Halloween, as retailers will not be happy until the Christmas season include Labor Day and July 4. Lewis has a point. It's simple economy that drives the frenzy of the holiday season and almost everything. You did not think these people really struggling at the Wal-Mart on a DVD player, digital camera iPod or are thinking about "peace on earth, goodwill to man" and you? penalty. The holidays bring out the best and worst us, which is a shame that this is not what they were intended. Is supposed to be a moment of reflection and renewal no, the jams and chaos in the shopping aisles. Wondering As the holidays end of the year would be like exchanging gifts were removed from the formula? They probably also sober and respectful Veterans Day or Memorial Day. But it will never happen as long as retailers and the media keeps us in power. Now we will spend the next 90-120 days to pay everything off. I'll be happy when the tinsel comes down, cleaned the house, the parents return home, and everything returns to normal. At least until April 16 is Easter Sunday and the cycle begins again the sales.
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About the Author
Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida, a management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management (IRM). Mr. Bryce has over 30 years of experience in the field. He is available for training and consulting on an international basis. His corporate web page is at:
http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/
He can be contacted at: timb001@phmainstreet.com
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