B2B Data Integration and Transformation Blog

Logic versus Syntax – Different Approaches for Different Phases.

Here are two quick thoughts to consider the next time you need to hire an EDI professional.

Screen for Syntax

In the early stages of the hiring process someone within your organization will likely conduct initial screening calls of applicants for a position you need to fill.   Sometimes this can be done by HR and sometimes, based on the complexity of the role, it will need to be conducted by someone with a technical EDI or Data Integration background.    During these initial calls, screening for a meaningful command of relevant syntax is important.

In his June blog article Kelly Nichols discussed the importance of staff retention to avoid the high cost of replacing key talent.  Today, let’s focus on a couple of aspects that every employee seeks from management, whether they know it or not.   Do these two things well, and you’ll have a head start on avoiding the catch

“I have some bad news to share”.

In the consulting business I have worked for only two organizations and yet a number of different supervisors.  Most were fine managers, but a few were terrific leaders.    In your mind you are probably already mentally categorizing the people you have worked for into camps of those who were managers versus those who were leaders.

Today I’d like to share a couple of gems two leaders I have had the privilege to work for shared with me.  One is new, and the other is familiar but with a twist.

Pendulums make for pretty good employment cycle analogies because they both have a recognizable arc, apex, and return path. Regardless the size, pendulums typically aren’t dangerous unless you turn your back on them. That’s when you don’t see “it” coming until…..Wwhhhaaack!

Getting caught flat-footed because your top candidate accepts a role elsewhere (or worse, a better offer from one of your competitors) can be sobering, leaving you with quite a headache.

If you are a gadget geek like me, this article will be right up your alley. 

This weekend I picked up a gadget called the “Nest”.   Little did I know at the time that it would find its way into my article this week. 

Nest is a learning thermostat for your home HVAC that identifies your heating and cooling patterns and habits and “learns” to program itself.   I thought this would be a neat gadget to have since it would save me money on my heating and cooling bills.  But then I discovered all of the OTHER gadgets that Nest interfaces with.