Thinkronization Newsletter - December 2009
Happy Holidays from REMEDI. Here is the third edition and December release of "Thinkronization", the thinking person's E-newsletter for business and data integration / synchronization professionals. The newsletter is for those who are focused on the integration of systems and collaboration with business partners. Published bi-monthly the content contains news, articles, research, trends, blog posts, and consulting service and placement pieces, related to Business-to-Business Integration (B2Bi) and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI).
2010 Initiative Planning?
REMEDI offers complimentary assessments to those with EAI, EDI, or other integration initiatives. If you would like assistance in getting your initiative off the ground, call us for your initial assessment.Examples included in this no obligation offer include the below...
- issue identification and analysis
- project planning approach consultation
- project sizing - resource/time/cost quotes
- training analysis and approach
Contact us now and see how REMEDI may be of assistance.
All Good Things Must Come To An End
It is in the eyes of the viewer if our "Scenes from a Server" video clips were deemed "good". However, feedback indicates people appreciated the series and analogy between business/data integration, and the problems the SYSTEM character had with integrating the DATA character throughout the videos.
By linking to the microsite page thousands viewed the videos, were provided with information concerning business integration (EAI, EDI, etc.), and received a (re)introduction to REMEDI. If you have viewed the videos and business/data integration resources, we would like to thank you for your time and interest. If you have not, we urge you to take a look as we think you will find the videos humorous, and the articles enlightening.
Here is the last of the four-part series entitled "Scenes from a Server", depicting the "challenges" of integration. For those that have viewed the preceding videos, this one will not disappoint.
This video may be put in context by viewing prior videos in succession at our videos page on our website.
Enjoy!
Caddies And Consultants, Who Knew The Similiarities?
The duties of a caddie (Consultant) are often overlooked. Of course the caddie carries the golfers (Client) clubs, but knowing the player (Client), the multi-faceted bag of tools for the game (Business/System Integration), and the course (Client Industry) with its subtle nuances, are also primary duties of a caddie.With knowledge of the game, player, tools, and course, the caddie is always in service to the golfer mapping the entire territory (Business Environment) and marking shots (Client Initiatives) where they land. Good caddies have the ability to keep their golfer focused on the game and not concerned with outside issues.
A caddie that can positively impact the confidence of their client can be extremely valuable. A crucial factor in building confidence is the caddie must know both the client and the terrain very well. This is typically only possible if the caddie is on the pro tour (Niche Consulting Firm), has seen many different situations, or works regularly for the same golfer.
The caddie often talks out exactly how the client might hit the next shot because positive visualization can be the difference between a birdie and a bogey. Also, they are often skilled enough to discuss slight swing corrections that can make the golfer aware of something they did not even realize they were doing.
Caddies who carry the rank of "Pro" are the most experienced and generally considered the best. "Pro" caddies are generally given the privilege of caddying in important club tournaments (High Profile Projects). Some are even assigned the title of "Senior Honor", a rank reserved for an elite number of caddies possessing the highest knowledge of the game.
The perspective that sets good caddies a part from the great ones is that caddies are always in service to the client and must make them feel very comfortable that their knowledge and experience is reliable and offers great value.
If you think about it, it is amazing how similar the Caddie and Consulting professions really are. You can utilize your Caddie and Consultant as just a bag carrier, but as you can see they are capable of so much more. And the great ones can really help elevate your game!
For a related blog piece see "Utilizing an EDI/EDI/Other Consultant - When, Why, and How?"
Staffing - Sweeten The Lemonade
Reading the newspapers or watching TV can certainly make the employment outlook seem pretty bleak. Especially if you happen to be among the 1 in 10 U.S. workers seeking employment. While the unemployment rate for highly skilled information technology professionals generally runs about 50 percent of the general unemployment rate nationally, no sector in today's market place has remained completely untouched by the downturn.However, even in challenging times it is possible to make lemonade out of a tough situation, both for employers and for workers seeking opportunities. Take a look at the entire blog article for a few reasons why now appears to be the right time for both sides to be optimistic.
Who Does Your IT Department Sell To?
While it is not likely your IT group has sales people, it is likely that IT resources and business sponsors are required to sell the cost/benefits of project initiatives (capital projects or otherwise) to the CFO, CEO, COO, or project committee.The CFO is by nature from a financial background, and odds are most other CXO types are as well since they also have a fiduciary responsibility to the organization. In terms of reporting structure the CIO, and staff, most likely report to one of these "C" positions. According to the CIO Magazine 2009 State of the CIO Survey, CIOs report to the CEO 47% of the time and to the COO and CFO each 16% of the time.
If selling financial folks is key to getting your project funded, it pays to speak their language. I was recently reminded of this while reading a sales blog about how to sell the CFO. This blog claimed that CFO speak is different than pitching the CEO, which I would argue is inaccurate since both have very financial minds and orientation.
Regardless of organizational structure and reporting structure, most projects route through the CFO, whether they have final approval power or not. So it pays to have a CFOs endorsement concerning your project. Below you will find 6 rules for the IT professional (or any person) to follow when selling the CFO.
#1 Talk the numbers.
#2 Keep it simple.
#3 Make it measurable.
#4 Keep it real.
#5 Get some objectivity.
#6 Set the benchmarks.
For the full article see 6 Rules for Pitching to the CFO, get your business sponsor, and go sell that initiative!!
