February 1, 2010

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on February 1, 2010 11:10 AM |
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Comfortably I-Brow

So why do we need a computer-like device that is merely a different shape? The answer is in the ability to use the iPad in a different way to a PC/Laptop.

One thing you can't do with a desktop or laptop is relax with it in an easy chair. There's trhe world of difference between using a computer and watching TV. When was the last time you watched TV from an office or dining chair?

TV is a 'lean-back' medium and now we have a lean-back computer. It's a big change to the way we interact with computing technology. - We've moved from lab coats to dressing gowns and it could have a effect. Will this lead to 'lean-back' presentations, music, etc or will it leasd to falling asleep with an ipad over your face?

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January 28, 2010

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on January 28, 2010 1:15 PM |
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Did you know that..?

Advised by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Professor Nigel Shadbolt and others, government are opening up data for reuse. The www.data.gov.uk site seeks to give a way into the wealth of government data and is under constant development.

Designed for people outside of government who have the skills and abilities to make wonderful things out of public data. The site is a first step in building a collaborative relationship with the private sector

For example, Under Accidental Fires, did you know that....

The United Kingdom Fire and Rescue Services attended 722,000 fire and false alarm incidents in 2008/09 - a 10 per cent decrease on 2007/08. In England, 562,000 incidents were attended (also a 10 per cent decrease).

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January 26, 2010

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on January 26, 2010 11:43 AM |
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Wise heads - Grey hairs

Interesting debate on Radio 4 about how organisations shouldn't ignore the 'wisdom and experience' of older workers. My experience is that most enterprises -- public and private -- are like the armed forces. It's best to have young people in the ranks who are not experienced at the vicissitudes of war and will blithely crack-on regardless of the consequences.

Older heads know the risks - and too often know where the bodies are buried. Politicians, potentates and power-players don't want their kind around.

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January 22, 2010

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on January 22, 2010 12:00 PM |
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Don't mind the quality - feel the width

In a world obsessed with measuring things and trying to predict the future on a quantitative basis, recent events have shown it's a flawed strategy. In most organisations the mantras of "Show me the numbers" and "If you can't measure it, it doesn't count." form the basis of management practice.

With an economy wrecked by people that knew the price of everything but the value of nothing, we need to stop obsessing about measurement. We now know that the most important aspect of the problem we're working on just might be something we can't measure. It's time to kill off  management by spreadsheet.

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January 21, 2010

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on January 21, 2010 7:15 AM |
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So last decade...

A sister-in-law -- who's a Mac User -- used my wife's (protected) PC over Christmas and downloaded a Trojan that took over a week to remove. I had to use all my old DOS and under the bonnet skills.

While railing against the vulnerability of the PC (despite the years of soft and hard upgrades) a young nephew flashed his iphone at me "that's the future old timer" he gloated. He's right. This decade will be defined by devices and the cloud services that support them. PCs are so last decade. Smartphones, slates, smartbooks, and eBooks are taking their place. Are you ready? I can't wait.

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January 20, 2010

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on January 20, 2010 1:34 PM |
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The last task in a project is to...

The cost of failed Government IT projects was a news headline last night highlighting the naivete with which politicians thought technology was the panacea for ills. It again begged the question "Should IT projects exist?

When I was managing the IT for a large Government initiative I tried never to have a IT project - just projects that had an IT element. After all what we should be doing is helping organisations develop agile business processes to help them succeed rather than burdening them with costly, cumbersome technology infrastructures. However, while I laboured to get the point across the finger of blame for any failure - regardless of the reason - was neatly shifted to IT.

As the golden rule for protecting your backside demands - The last task in a project is to find someone to blame. In the politicians case it will be the IT never their own gullible selves.

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January 13, 2010

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on January 13, 2010 1:00 PM |
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The First Hundred Days

I've just been asked what new CIOs should do in their first hundred days, or even those review their straegy for a new decade

For 30 days, do nothing -- except listen. Talk to your staff, customers, vendors, management and consultants. Review audit management issues; learn the status of systems and new initiatives.

Days 31 to 60. Choose whom to trust, develop a plan of action based on all you have learned. Carefully share parts of the plan as you go along by communicating the firm parts while testing otrhers befor finalising.

Days 61 to 90. Share your plan with all. Get feedback and modify it. Then let your team know that once the plan is "done" these will be their marching orders.

Days 91 to 99. Share the completed plans with everyone who will listen -- vendors, staff, peers, senior management. People need to know where you're going if you want them behind you. On 100, publish a high-level plan showing the sequence of all the major initiatives and begin to execute and communicate as appropriate.

From there on lead -- don't be like the French Revolutionary, Alexandre Ledru-Rollin who on seeing the storming of the Bastille said "There go the people. I must follow them, for I am their leader."

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November 23, 2009

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on November 23, 2009 11:00 AM |
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Decrease Your Technology Dependence

"What did we do before mobile devices?" One answer is that we used our memory. Now, because we rely on technology, few people can rememberl phone numbers or meeting dates anymore. Studies show that using memory improves reasoning and creativity. Try using your memory more often by dialing numbers by hand or picturing your weekly calendar in your mind. It will not only help keep your mind healthy but may save you when you loose your phone.

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November 22, 2009

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on November 22, 2009 11:45 AM |
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You won't make a dent in it

Met up with an old friend, Count Suckle last week . We were talking about "work". In his breezy Jamacian patois he said, "Dont worry about work. There'll still be plenty of it around after your gone. In fact, no matter how hard you try, you wont even make a dent in it."

Told that to a workaholic over the weekend. They took it to heart and have decided to retire. You've been warned.:-)

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November 19, 2009

Michael Pincher Posted by Michael Pincher on November 19, 2009 1:00 PM |
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Men and Multi-tasking

I've just finished a complex project. As the PM I started out thinking I'm going to be able to juggle a few other balls while the task is running. Everytime, the project gradually takes hold to the exclusion of everything else. Big or small, activities take on a life of their own and demand your full attention. Anyway the task is complete; on time and under budget. Now I've the freedom to get back to blogging.

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