tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28447928611286703452024-02-02T18:56:01.175-05:00CoolSparkCommentary that Encourages Life Long Learning on topics of Personal and Professional InterestChuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-40011814086644209392016-07-29T05:54:00.000-05:002016-07-29T05:54:10.790-05:00Business of Software Conference talks - recordings<strong id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469788398191_2905" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiNjA0MjY1OCIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiMjIzNDczMzEzIiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cDovL2J1c2luZXNzb2Zzb2Z0d2FyZS5vcmcvMjAxNi8wNy9hbGwtdGFsa3MtZnJvbS1idXNpbmVzcy1vZi1zb2Z0d2FyZS1jb25mZXJlbmNlcy1pbi1vbmUtcGxhY2Utc2Fhcy1zb2Z0d2FyZS10YWxrcy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1kcmlwXHUwMDI2dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbFx1MDAyNnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1hbGwtZW1haWxzLWluLW9uZS1wbGFjZS1lbWFpbFx1MDAyNl9fcz1uaTEyNXpyZmd1eGNuOXRrbmptOSJ9" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469788398191_2904" rel="nofollow" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">All the talks from previous Business of Software Conferences together in one place.</a> </strong>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-39197249572219127622014-06-09T12:48:00.002-05:002014-06-09T12:49:45.701-05:00Top Cloud Computing Experts compiled by Huff Post Tech<br />
Cloud Computing Experts on Twitter:<br />
<br />
1. Werner Vogels, @Werner CTO & VP of Amazon.com<br />
2. Krishnan Subramanian, @krishnan Director, OpenShift Strategy at Red Hat<br />
3. Marc Benioff, @benioff founder, chairman and CEO of salesforce.com<br />
4. Ray Wang, @rwang0 Constellation Research Founder, author<br />
5. James Staten, @Staten7 Forrester industry analyst<br />
6. Randy Bias, @randybias Co-founder & CEO of Cloudscaling<br />
7. David Linthicum, @DavidLinthicum SVP at Cloud Technology Partners<br />
8. James Governer, @monkchips Principal Analyst and founder of RedMonk<br />
9. James Urquhart, @jamesurquhart Director of Product, Cloud Management at Dell<br />
10 George Reese, @georgereese Author, developer former Dell Exec Director, Cloud Management<br />
<br />
<br />
See the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vala-afshar/the-top-100-cloud-computi_b_3756172.html" target="_blank">entire list of 100</a> compiled by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/vala-afshar/1/2/303" target="_blank">Vala Afshar</a>, CMO and Chief Customer Officer, Enterasys Networks<br />
<br />Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-86725558938027966142012-12-30T21:19:00.000-05:002012-12-30T21:19:31.778-05:00Removing distractions to improve focus<b><a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-neurochemical-self/201209/how-end-the-distraction-saps-your-productivity" target="_blank">How to End the Distraction That Saps Your Productivity</a></b> <br />
<br />
from <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/loretta-graziano-breuning-phd" target="_blank">Loretta Graziano Breuning</a>, Ph.D., author of "Meet Your Happy Chemicals"<br />
<br />
Personal-productivity guru <a href="http://www.davidco.com/about-gtd" target="_blank">David Allen</a>, says that an un-distracted mind is the key to productivity.<br />
<br />
In 2013 I will:<br />
<br />
1) Click unsubscribe<br />
<br />
2) Reduce clutter in manageable chunks instead of seeing it as an intimidating mountain. If I faithfully repeat the ten-minute task of clearing the junk off my desk for 45 days, it should become a wired-in habit. <br />
<br />Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-104725575529294562012-12-20T12:31:00.002-05:002012-12-20T12:31:45.883-05:00Pricing Strategies: thought leaders & articlesAndreas Hinterhuber <a href="http://sloanreview.mit.edu/the-magazine/2012-summer/53413/is-it-time-to-rethink-your-pricing-strategy/" target="_blank">Is It Time to Rethink Your Pricing Strategy</a>? MIT Sloan Mgmt. Review<br />
<br />
Jim Saunders <a href="http://www.pricingsolutions.com/pdf/the_journey_to_pricing_excellence.pdf" target="_blank">The Journey to Pricing Excellence</a> Pricing Solutions <a href="http://www.pricingsolutions.com/index.php/en/more-about-joomla/the-newsletters" target="_blank">Newsletters</a><br />
<br />
Tim Smith <a href="http://www.iveybusinessjournal.com/topics/the-organization/pricing-strategy-piercing-the-veil-of-value-exchange#.UNNHwXeW9S4" target="_blank">Piercing the veil of value exchange</a> <br />
<br />
Stephan Liozu: <a href="http://weatherhead.case.edu/degrees/doctor-management/blog/post.cfm/managing-complexity-in-value-and-pricing-management" target="_blank">Managing Complexity in Value and Pricing Management</a>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-3119538380309011972012-07-06T10:36:00.001-05:002012-07-06T10:36:39.950-05:00The paradox of choice why more is lessBarry Schwartz:
<embed id=VideoPlayback src=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=6127548813950043200&hl=en&fs=true style=width:400px;height:326px allowFullScreen=true allowScriptAccess=always type=application/x-shockwave-flash> </embed>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-49891982857701144832012-07-06T10:29:00.000-05:002012-07-06T11:57:34.839-05:00Good Strategy / Bad Strategy<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/UZrTl16hZdk?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Professor Richard Rumelt Chair: Professor Gordon Barrass Recorded on 20 October 2011<br />
MP3 PodCast <a href="http://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.lse.ac.uk%2FnewsAndMedia%2FvideoAndAudio%2Fchannels%2FpublicLecturesAndEvents%2Fplayer.aspx%3Fid%3D1205&session_token=fHMxe22oBH5dCnDJZbxxQcY0gGB8MTM0MTY3NDQ2N0AxMzQxNTg4MDY3">here</a> Bad strategy / Good Strategy:<br />
<br />
Strategy doesn't just set goals, it defines the major problems and how you will deal with them. <br />
It's a bad strategy if it's all fluff. Fluff is not a strategy.
Identify and analyze the challenges.<br />
A bad strategy is a laundry list of too many items.<br />
A strategy is a coherent mix of policy & action designed to deal with a high stakes challenge. It has an essential kernel with 3 components.<br />
Diagnosis- what is the nature of the problem<br />
Guiding Policy- decisions that guide solutions<br />
Coherent Action- Strategy coordinates the predictable nature of life<br />
<br />
Strategy is about insight.<br />
<br />
Create proximate objectives. Get to the future by doing something now. Achievable in the near term. (Not blue sky)<br />
<br />
Ride the wave.<br />
<br />
Links matter. To achieve excellence, a bunch of things need to work. Each piece has to work right.<br />
<br />
Expect entropy & inertia. The world is a mess and it's hard to get things to change.<br />
<br />
Bad strategy is saying where we are going without saying how we are going to get there.<br />
<br />
The primary element of good strategy is to focus energy on a proximate objective.<br />
<br />
Don't rely on the 3 secrets of success:<br />
1) aim high - if you aim low you won't succeed.<br />
2) Never give up - if you give up, you won't succeed.<br />
3) Don't think too much becasue you might start to question #s 1 & 2<br />
<br />
http://www.strategyland.com/ Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-63318657156643498842012-06-04T11:46:00.000-05:002012-06-04T11:46:01.819-05:00Your Brain at Work Google Talk by David Rock<br />
55 minute video:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XeJSXfXep4M" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
Coach David Rock depicts the story of two people over one day at the office, and what's happening in their brains that makes it so hard to focus and be productive. Not only does he explain why things go wrong, but how you can train your brain to improve thinking and performance at work.<br />
<br />
The four surprises:<br />
1 The rational is overrated<br />
2. We've got emotions backward<br />
3. Social issues are primary<br />
4. Attention Changes the brainChuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-81285625128021653412011-12-28T12:55:00.002-05:002011-12-28T12:55:56.122-05:008 Business Rules For People Who Don't Believe In RulesRonen Shilo the CEO of Conduit, described as one of Israel's largest Internet companies compiled these rules for in a FAST Company blog. <br />
<br />
1. Partner with people you’ve worked with before. <br />
2. Believe in your core but don’t be afraid to change.<br />
3. Don’t be shy about telling people they won’t fit.<br />
4. Build your organization around the skills of talented individuals, rather than trying to find the right skill for a predefined job.<br />
5. Try really hard not to give VCs control.<br />
6. Leave your ego at the door.<br />
7. Be honest about the consequences of growth.<br />
8. Sharing success creates more of it. <br />
<br />
go <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/1803950/business-rules-for-those-who-dont-believe-in-rules" target="_blank">here</a> for the full story. <br />
Happy New Year!Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-87464392556670649182011-12-03T11:38:00.001-05:002011-12-04T17:15:25.033-05:00Is Sony 3D Blu-Ray compatible with passive 3D HDTV? YES!Updated Dec 4, 2011 - After my 2nd contact with Vizio tech support and my third contact with Sony Support and some additional trial and error, I was able to get the 3D blue ray to play with my passive Vizio 3D TV. See the Dec 4 update below for how to do it. <br />
----------------------<br />
Dec. 3, 2011 - I wasn't planning to buy 3D when I upgraded from by 10+ year old 32 inch (20th century cathode ray technology) TV, but the price and capability looked so attractive, I couldn't resist. Now I'm wrestling with the challenge of getting a Sony 3D Blu-Ray to work with a Vizio Passive 3D TV. <br />
<br />
I bought a Sony BVD-E780W 3D Blu ray home theater in a box from <a href="http://www.forums.bestbuy.com/t5/TV-Home-Theater/Is-Sony-3D-Blu-Ray-compatible-with-passive-3D-HDTV/m-p/392120#M13750" target="_blank">Best Buy</a>, but so far I can't play play the 3D Narnia Promotional Blu-Ray included with the home theater system on my Vizio E3D420VX passive 3D TV. The Blu-Ray plays fine in 2-D, but won't play 3D. After talking with tech support at both Vizio & Sony, and not getting a definite answer from either, I'm thinking that the Sony home theater requires an active shutter sync signal before it will play 3D Blu-Ray content. I can play 3D content using the Sony online apps included with the home theater, so I think this limitation is associated with the integrated 3D Blu-Ray player.<br />
<br />
It would be great to hear from anyone who has experience interfacing Sony 3D Blu-Ray to a passive 3D HDTV to find out if and how you got it working.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is what happens when I try to play a 3D Blu-Ray: After the introductory sequence and copyright notice the Blu-Ray menu says "play - set up - scene select". When I choose play, I get two choices, 3D or 2D. The default choice is 3D, but there is a pop up window that says: " This feature requires a Blu-Ray 3D player connected to a 3D display. Your Blu-ray player has not detected that it is connected to a 3D display. Please consult your Blu-Ray 3D player manual or player support website for more information."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwARVcla6N7TSZZvlPMdt7Tq-j17CJdZ95rD23aK2vdu-HeGqFJ5xGz3iN7F5XCtNRusWOmWzMievsDN1vKA2VQpVny2PNeR44QJJHO2WzypUZ07vgWreNhcDldbb7tNw4adzdZC3QObM/s1600/IMG_20111203_082844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwARVcla6N7TSZZvlPMdt7Tq-j17CJdZ95rD23aK2vdu-HeGqFJ5xGz3iN7F5XCtNRusWOmWzMievsDN1vKA2VQpVny2PNeR44QJJHO2WzypUZ07vgWreNhcDldbb7tNw4adzdZC3QObM/s320/IMG_20111203_082844.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
At this point, if I am blocked from using the menu on the TV to select 3D mode. The 3D mode is visible as shown below, not selectable at this point. When I use the arrows on the remote to navigate the cursor highlight won't move to the 3D box. <br />
<br />
There seems to be a communication stand-off between the TV and the Blu-ray at this point. Vizio tech support told me that as soon as the TV senses 3D input, it will switch to 3D mode, but Sony says the player will not play 3D unless it detects a 3D TV. Here is what the TV menu looks like at this point, but 3D is simply not selectable. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QLz5kXHWWzU2rsgz4ysGjSBrhYJvgjDwozxyMyWzJSayMsbm5ffwzrD1JJeGmNwbs-wpfF0LohgmfRRqyryimCS5Ue59M4vXEPXtkVVkE6FWB5gHLXeWKpiHBxZS-Npak5jB9qD0If0/s1600/IMG_20111203_082947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QLz5kXHWWzU2rsgz4ysGjSBrhYJvgjDwozxyMyWzJSayMsbm5ffwzrD1JJeGmNwbs-wpfF0LohgmfRRqyryimCS5Ue59M4vXEPXtkVVkE6FWB5gHLXeWKpiHBxZS-Npak5jB9qD0If0/s320/IMG_20111203_082947.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My firmware is up-to-date on both the TV and home theater, and they are connected with a 10.2 Gbps HDMI cable. I think the 3D TV & HDMI connection are OK because I <u>can</u> display 3D content from the Sony 3D Experience online app which is also part of the home theater system. Here are a couple of screen shots from the Sony 3D Experience online app. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGrO5evy_q92Ll5goJ6uJlqutMGW12J8OYTUr9b_xMKGtKjQjnmSIVfVWW3lceZmQNbATdaO5j4KGxvaMi6NEtLrUPG8h4MQXrDJpQ4QrZJ-BjmP_p90qMBnqz-7Gk6MZjq0rwKquU7s/s1600/IMG_20111203_100601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGrO5evy_q92Ll5goJ6uJlqutMGW12J8OYTUr9b_xMKGtKjQjnmSIVfVWW3lceZmQNbATdaO5j4KGxvaMi6NEtLrUPG8h4MQXrDJpQ4QrZJ-BjmP_p90qMBnqz-7Gk6MZjq0rwKquU7s/s320/IMG_20111203_100601.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sony 3D Experience online App</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQ7385aCnojoRPpLAxhHamklwvOL-xVF0rX8ylIM_t1cGFb0K-FB-aNUmHdcpXRnuPsUZVV08UWta1TdG04QXuqqljV3MKrwK5qKS2LpRJDPkRqv9YEG2akSggCjkc1xq9oGzifFuqkU/s1600/IMG_20111203_100638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQ7385aCnojoRPpLAxhHamklwvOL-xVF0rX8ylIM_t1cGFb0K-FB-aNUmHdcpXRnuPsUZVV08UWta1TdG04QXuqqljV3MKrwK5qKS2LpRJDPkRqv9YEG2akSggCjkc1xq9oGzifFuqkU/s320/IMG_20111203_100638.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3D content detected by the TV from the Sony 3D Experience App</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I select yes (switch to 3D) on the above screen using the remote for the 3D TV, I can put on the 3D glasses and view Sony's 3D demo clips. <br />
<br />
The integrated 3D Blu-Ray player seems to require a signal from the TV before it will play 3D. The only signal I can think of that my TV isn't delivering is the active shutter sync signal, because it is a passive system. <br />
<br />
<br />
I'm no expert on home theater or 3D TV, but here are the reasons why I think the Sony 3D Blu-ray player may not be compatible with some passive 3D TVs: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
1. The Sony support website provides <a href="http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=C1017148&sliceId=2&docTypeID=DT_KNOWLEDGEARTICLES_1_1&dialogID=382010569&stateId=1%200%20382026776">instructions on How to set up a 3D TV</a> <br />
Sony 3D TVs use an active shutter to synchronize the glasses. I wonder if the Blu-Ray player is looking for the shutter synchronization signal before it will play 3D content. <br />
<br />
<br />
2. The box for the Sony BVD-E780W home theater does have a note that says: "3D viewing requires 3D content, 3D HDTV and a high speed HDMI cable (supporting at least 10.2 Gbps) connection. Other 3D accessories (including <b><u>active</u></b> 3D glasses) also required." <i>[emphasis added on active]</i></blockquote>
If this is the case, it seems like a simple firmware update could provide another setting on the Blu-Ray player to select support for a Passive vs. Active 3D TV. If the passive TV setting it selected, The Blu-Ray player could bypass the synchronization check before playing 3D content. <br />
<br />
Other notes: Tech support ratings. <br />
<br />
I think Vizio Tech support is very responsive. They seem to have an adequate number of knowledgeable techs available to answer questions in detail by online chat. <br />
<br />
I give Sony Tech support lower ratings than Vizio. Submission of online questions is limited to 450 characters. The wait is longer. Answers so far were more general and haven't addressed my specific situations. <br />
<br />
I followed up with a sales person at Best Buy, who: <br />
a) Offered to sell me home theater installation, but said they are not familiar with Vizio because they don't carry that brand. <br />
b) Put me in touch with Sony phone support, which was more responsive than online, but not much more helpful or knowledgeable. <br />
<br />
So far I didn't get definitive answers from anyone, which is why I'm posting this in hope that people out there have already solved this problem. I'm considering returning some (or all) of this stuff if I can't get it working so your input/ideas would be helpful. <br />
<br />
Thanks! <br />
Chuck<br />
<br />
---------------------<br />
Added Dec 4, 2011<br />
<br />
Here is the support request I sent to Sony Support (my third contact with them on this case - <i>with personal info removed for privacy</i>) <br />
<br />
Product Group: Sony<br />
O/S : Select Your Operating System<br />
Model : BDVE780W<br />
Question
: ref EventID #E####### I can't get 3D on a Vizio E3D420VX passive 3D
TV from the 3D Narnia Promo blu-ray provided with my BVD-780W home
theater. I think the 3D TV & 10.2 Gbps HDMI connection are OK
because I can display 3D content from the Sony 3D Experience online
app. The integrated 3D blu-ray player seems to require an active shutter
synch signal from the TV before it will play 3D. Is there a firmware
upgrade planned to fix this limitation? <br />
<br />
Here is the response received from Sony - which is very close to providing the answer, but not quite right, and not enough to solve the problem. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Thank you for contacting Sony Support.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry that there in no
3D when playing back the 3D disc in the 3D Blu-ray Disc Home Theatre
System. Based on the information you have provided, I suggest that you
set BD output to 1080P. Please follow the steps mentioned below to set
BD output to 1080P: <br />
<br />
# Press the HOME button.<br />
# Select Settings .<br />
# Select Screen Settings .<br />
# Select BD/DVD-ROM 1080/24P Output.<br />
# Select Auto.<br />
# Press Enter.<br />
<br />
If
the issue is unresolved, please contact our telephone support staff who
will be happy to provide further diagnosis and assistance at: <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1323035457_0">(800) 222-7669</span> or <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1323035457_1">(239) 768-7669</span> Intl<br />
<br />
Currently, I do not have any information on future firmware upgrade.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your time.<br />
<br />
If
you would like to be the first to know about our latest products and
receive exclusive offers, please sign up for our newsletter: <br />
<br />
The Sony Email Response Team</blockquote>
I looked at this setting when I received the above response, and found the BD/DVD-ROM 1080/24P Output was already set to "auto" . It didn't occur to me immediately to try setting it to "off", however, after 24 hours with no solution I decided to try turning that setting off to see what would happen, and guess what? <b>PROBLEM SOLVED</b>! Here is what the setting looks like on the screen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJjmHdDRp6bPpLbUcNcxXX6HfomfdsrAdqGVx8-XnfdR5ychQoi-xOi7LMj6VuI8FG7ijOLrso-vnQjulx2l_liERXckpE5ByYE-9MG1n-0iwMXu_ZMitujvfGV4F0x3ZQ62Y5YV_xwo/s1600/IMG_20111204_163910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJjmHdDRp6bPpLbUcNcxXX6HfomfdsrAdqGVx8-XnfdR5ychQoi-xOi7LMj6VuI8FG7ijOLrso-vnQjulx2l_liERXckpE5ByYE-9MG1n-0iwMXu_ZMitujvfGV4F0x3ZQ62Y5YV_xwo/s320/IMG_20111204_163910.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now when I play the 3D Blu-Ray, the menu comes up with 2-D or 3D. I can select 3D, the TV auto detects 3D mode and I confirm. I get a message to put on the glasses and I'm watching 3D Blu-Ray on my Vizio! Next I'll to send this info off to Sony & Vizio to help the next person who runs into this issue, and I'll update my product review.<br />
<br />
Ho Ho Ho!<br />
<br />Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-71857332274890479312011-09-15T22:18:00.000-05:002011-09-15T22:18:56.985-05:00when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismountLeonard Fuld at BPMA Sept. Meeting on <u>Envisioning your Competitor's Strategy Map</u><br />
<br />
Dakota tribal wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
However, in business we often try other strategies with dead horses, including the following:<br />
1. Buying a stronger whip.<br />
2. Changing riders.<br />
3. Saying things like "This is the way we always have ridden this horse."<br />
4. Harness several dead horses together in an attempt to increase the speed<br />
<a href="http://www.tysknews.com/LiteStuff/riding_a_dead_horse.htm">more</a>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-48377978956307752152011-06-25T07:10:00.000-05:002011-06-25T07:10:49.150-05:00SAP Mastering The Cloud in 8 Easy Steps recorded webinarsSAP Mastering The Cloud in 8 Easy Steps webinar series.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX_SpYBt_uskccwRLb5-AQpVM6Vtf24TD7Knv1XZ5zif5CBLzGT8wOPNwiHKMhgaxXEo4fiNbxuZFA-DjO8uqRgv7SOS75e7B0_10eQ4S2ntpH1GL_nHuOx_C3l3wcBbi2l4VqUfIE4o/s1600/fair+weather+clouds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="268" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX_SpYBt_uskccwRLb5-AQpVM6Vtf24TD7Knv1XZ5zif5CBLzGT8wOPNwiHKMhgaxXEo4fiNbxuZFA-DjO8uqRgv7SOS75e7B0_10eQ4S2ntpH1GL_nHuOx_C3l3wcBbi2l4VqUfIE4o/s400/fair+weather+clouds.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Over the eight sessions, you heard cloud experts Kamesh Pemmaraju, who demystified the cloud with critical research insights, and Jeff Kaplan, who interviewed companies already leveraging the cloud to achieve their business goals. <br />
<br />
To help you continue to benefit from this timely information, use the links below to access the recorded sessions and white papers. Please share this content with your colleagues.<br />
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Session 1: April 13, 2011 <a href="http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=300480&s=1&k=6979A8C09A1B9CF7A3D2B985CA49F142">Beyond the Hot Air: What's really in the cloud?</a> Hear Kamesh Pemmaraju of Sand Hill Group define the cloud and learn how companies like yours are already leveraging the cloud. <a href="http://wcc.on24.com/event/30/05/80/rt/1/documents/player_docanchr_1/sap_masteringthecloud_step1_beyondthehotair.pdf">White Paper<br />
</a><br />
Session 2: April 20, 2011 Cloud Insider: <a href="http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=300489&s=1&k=AC9029C74E18A255D536505142E48105">Beyond the Hot Air:</a> Jeff Kaplan of THINKstrategies talks with Sina Moatamed, former CIO of BendPak Inc. <a href="http://wcc.on24.com/event/30/05/80/rt/1/documents/player_docanchr_2/sap_masteringthecloud_step2_cloudinsider_bendpak.pdf">White Paper<br />
</a><br />
Session 3: April 27, 2011 <a href="http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=300497&s=1&k=A0CCB91B1C4A9FCB2C1E334791C26B78">Cloud Benefits 101: What's in it for you?</a> Kamesh Pemmaraju explains the cloud benefits in store for your company. <a href="http://wcc.on24.com/event/30/05/80/rt/1/documents/player_docanchr_3/sap_masteringthecloud_step3_cloudbenefits101.pdf">White Paper<br />
</a><br />
Session 4: May 4, 2011 <a href="http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=300505&s=1&k=3B945157256F861FD016105B90E8F997">Cloud Insider: What's in it for you?</a> , Jeff Kaplan presents implementation success strategies from Eric Brown, CEO of Johnson Products Company, who achieved his start-up mandates within 90 days - in the cloud. <a href="http://wcc.on24.com/event/30/05/80/rt/1/documents/player_docanchr_3/sap_masteringthecloud_step3_cloudbenefits101.pdf">White Paper<br />
</a><br />
Session 5: May 11, 2011 <a href="http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=300578&s=1&k=6D486EAD4925E17C9ED35A44BF3388A4">Roadmap to Cloud Success: How to get there?</a> Kamesh Pemmaraju defines eight mission-critical steps for mapping your route to success in the cloud. <br />
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Session 6: May 25, 2011 <a href="http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=300579&s=1&k=E9C5B64CEE548DD70E93C11495C31AA9">Cloud Insider: Roadmap to Cloud Success</a>. Neil Briggs, CFO of WL Plastics, shares his roadmap to cloud success with Jeff Kaplan. <a href="http://wcc.on24.com/event/30/13/12/rt/1/documents/player_docanchr_1/sap_masteringthecloud_step6_roadmaptocloudsuccess.pdf">White Paper<br />
</a><br />
Session 7: June 1, 2011 <a href="http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=300580&s=1&k=967B2D9433B2484D4F624BC7A7CD1F95">Competitive Edge in the Cloud: Is the sky the limit?</a>. Kamesh Pemmaraju recaps Steps 1- 6 and advises that a long-term cloud view is your ticket to riding this next massive economic and technological wave to ongoing growth and success. <a href="http://wcc.on24.com/event/30/13/12/rt/1/documents/player_docanchr_2/sap_masteringthecloud_step7_competitiveedgeinthecloud.pdf">White Paper<br />
</a><br />
Session 8: June 8, 2011 <a href="http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=300581&s=1&k=979F463EDA2B380F05CFEC63C9FDB892">Cloud Insider: Competitive Edge in the Cloud</a>. Jeff Kaplan asks Greg Dunn, CFO of Sambazon, about the innovative strategies that are enabling Sambazon to surpass business boundaries in the cloud.Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-944448460452539382011-06-13T20:03:00.005-05:002011-06-13T21:43:47.814-05:00convience strore pricing at the supermarket drove me online<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmU41_RS16IM7S20-dAMwHGIQbvx4GILQle1E5FlHbsff_OsrIPkycVFVoyk3ZKbedL-7qcUKHTCWVLoXdfA-aOjIUoqoZ_OYDzZOIPpOBLoP41du5UPKGskXCkyCr69g-TO_aoCNNAs/s1600/IMG_4308.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmU41_RS16IM7S20-dAMwHGIQbvx4GILQle1E5FlHbsff_OsrIPkycVFVoyk3ZKbedL-7qcUKHTCWVLoXdfA-aOjIUoqoZ_OYDzZOIPpOBLoP41du5UPKGskXCkyCr69g-TO_aoCNNAs/s400/IMG_4308.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617885981892988050" /></a><br /><br />I never would have guessed that an offer for free shipping on a trailer hitch would have been the straw that motivated me to buy chili powder online rather than from my local supermarket. <br /><br />I make a wicked mexican chili bean salad. The <a href="http://icoolspark.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-healthy-mexican-black-bean-salad_27.html">recipe has been available </a>on this blog since 2007, although it's been refined over time. I never make it twice exactly the same, but chili powder is always a key ingredient, and a large batch takes 1 to 1.5 ounces of chili powder. <br /><br />Did you ever wonder why you can buy 2 liters of soda at the supermarket for the same price as a 12 oz can from the cooler at a convienience store? Convienience. Convienience stores know that most of us are willing to pay more when we want it cold and ready to drink. I almost always buy soda from the supermarket, and keep a mini - fridge stocked in the basement. I rarely buy it from a convienience store, but that is a different story. <br /><br />Since I go thorugh a lot of chili powder, I realized a while ago that my local grocery stores have been making huge profits by charging rediculous prices for small jars of cooking spices, including my beloved chili powder. I started shopping around a while ago, and found much larger containers are available, at very reasonable prices but, not where I shop. My store used to stock a 4 oz container of chili powder, which were priced just a little more than the 2.5 oz, and I bought them whenever they were available, however they must have realized the larger containers were cutting into their profits and eliminated them. I've asked about larger containers at the grocery store from time to time, but was told they don't stock them. For a long time, I wasn't inclined to order a monster size chili powder online. I didn't want to pay the shipping, and it just wasn't on my mind until I was making bean salad and found I was out of chili powder, so I just kept running out to the store and paying the rediculous price. <br /><br />Then something happened. I bought a new vehicle, and needed to order a trailer hitch for it. While shopping at Amazon, I was offered a free 1 month trial of Amazon prime, with free 2nd day shipping for a year at a fixed fee of $79. I figured, with the price of gas, it wouldn't take long to make up the cost of running around shopping, and the savings on shipping the trailer hitch alone were substantial, so I went for it. <br /><br />It happended again this week, I went to make bean salad, and found only about half an ounce of chili powder in the house. I finally said enough it enough. I ordered 2 16 oz jars of Durkee chili powder for $13.58, with free 2nd day shipping from Amazon and it showed up here 2 days later. My wife, VJ, stopped in the grocery store yesterday, and told me the usual 2.5 oz jar of chili powder was just under $5, and this was for the store brand, not some fancy gourmet brand, so I was pleased that she left it on the shelf. <br /><br />I can't wait to taste the bean salad with the sweet taste of my bargain priced chili powder. I bet it will be much better than the rip-off grocery store powder becasue at less than a fourth of the cost per ounce, I won't be choking on the price. <br /><br />Now that I'm over the online grocery hurdle, who know what additional business my local supermarket will lose? And all becasue of a trailer hitch...Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-66571175417359210472011-04-17T20:11:00.002-05:002011-04-17T20:42:45.390-05:004 key Steps to PricingNice overview of pricing methodology from Jim Schuchart on the MIT Entreprenurship Review. <br /><br />1. Identify Alternatives: What is the next best competititive alternatiive? Sometimes the compeition is not making any investment in this issue. <br /><br />2. Quantify Your Superiority: Use simple math. (the simpler the better) Apply basic, but conservative assumptions that are easy to understand and difficult to refute. Don’t worry too much about perfecting the numbers, just be conservative. Roughly right is better than precisely wrong. As you move forward, customer conversations, annual reports, pilot programs, and field tests will help refine the inputs. The important thing is to understand how we are driving value, and roughly how much it is worth.<br /><br />3. Acknowledge Your Deficiencies: Your story must be fair and believable to gain traction, and a key step is to acknowledge that the next best competitive alternative may have some advantages. The analysis looses credibility if the audience thinks we didn’t look at the entire picture. Consider the cost of switching from the incumbent solution as a deficiency. <br /><br /><br />4. Put it Together and Capture Your Value: In most cases, you’ll have multiple positive and negative drivers to consider, but for now we’re keeping it simple. So now what?<br /><br />If we are more valuable than the competitive offer, their price is a hard floor for our offer. Anything below this number leaves money on the table and can lead to dangerous price wars. Our ceiling is that differentiation plus the price of the next best competitive offer. Above this price you are asking your customer to make an economically irrational decision.<br /><br />This approach creates a pricing band – from floor to the ceiling, and the range may be quite large. Decisions on how to share that value creation band with your customers (e.g. where to set your price) depend on company strategy, industry dynamics, and degree of innovation. In mature and highly competitive markets where innovation happens on the fringes, companies typically capture 10% of the differential value. More aggressive companies who focus on profit or operate in younger markets often captured roughly 30% of the net differential value. In some cases, such as highly innovative products where psychological drivers are in play or unquantifiable pain points exist, nearly 100% of that value can be captured.Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-48757673121590882232011-03-26T15:48:00.006-05:002011-03-26T17:11:22.314-05:00Kohl's Kiosk - interesting idea, many issues remainI've been a fan of <a href="http://www.kohls.com/">Kohl's</a> for a quite a while,. They've been my primary source for sneakers for many years. Their quality and selection are way above Walmart, without the pricey "brand attitude" of say Macy's. I've been reluctant to buy sneakers online because I really want to try them on before buying. Recently however, as the inventory seems be more tightly managed, I've had trouble finding my size and style, especially during promotions, when stock gets depleted quickly. I've never ordered online from Kohl's because I don't like to pay shipping, so I've often delayed footwear purchases until I find my size during a sale. When I do find them, I've been known to buy more than one pair, because I don't mind stocking up when I'm getting a good deal. Recently, our local Kohl's store introduced a <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/business/94635994.html">kiosk</a> where you can order online and have it shipped to your home (or anywhere) with no shipping charge. Frequently I shop online from home and take advantage of free in-store pick up to avoid shipping charges. <br /><br />I was shopping for sneakers today at Kohl's and found a style that I liked at a good price. Unfortunately, there was no 1o.5 wide available. I tried on size 10 wide - it was not bad, but a little short. I tried the 11 wide, it was definitely loose in the heel. I decided I would give the kiosk a try to get my usual 10.5 wide. I had a little trouble with the responsiveness of the touch screen, and finding the wide sizes wasn't completely intuitive, but I managed to get them into my cart. I navigated to check out, and realized I had 2 pair in my cart, a 10.5 regular, and a 10.5 wide. I deleted one and then scanned my Kohl's charge card; however, I then realized I had deleted the wide, and was about to order the regular, so I tried to go back before completing the check out, and got this:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-UJJ1AhaI5_dKSavP7hLQnbp4yqtclnPLLcJl_sdoYGl-P1nwUHeH5MYrm338JnQFGnEIEdCEMYHuDSWAZL7kdcBcEH9zKmxv2WI1VlFZ3vrSc_hei8mDXehfds15bD39vCVdIxP6vo/s1600/Kohls+Kiosk+exeption.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-UJJ1AhaI5_dKSavP7hLQnbp4yqtclnPLLcJl_sdoYGl-P1nwUHeH5MYrm338JnQFGnEIEdCEMYHuDSWAZL7kdcBcEH9zKmxv2WI1VlFZ3vrSc_hei8mDXehfds15bD39vCVdIxP6vo/s400/Kohls+Kiosk+exeption.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588505466236230722" border="0" /></a>bluemartini anyone? I pressed the button for assistance, heard a page, "Customer Assistance to the Kiosk in shoes." Reassured, I waited...., and waited. The page repeated. "Customer Assistance to the Kiosk in shoes." I waited some more. While waiting, I tried the home button, which was still visible at the bottom the screen. I tried the exit button. Neither responded. So I used the brick and mortar exit.<br /><br />Closing thoughts. I would be a lot more inclined to buy from Kohl's online if I could do it from home with free or low cost shipping. Shipping to the store is preferable to me because I can pick up the order at <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">my</span> convenience. I certainly wouldn't wait in line to use their in-store Kiosk. I'm sure they figure if they can get people into the store many will buy something else while there. Have you ever waited for someone to pick a movie from Redbox? How long would you stand there waiting to use the in-store kiosk, while a clown like me tries to figure it out? Do you want an audience of fellow shoppers looking over your shoulder at the big screen while you shop online? <span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you tried in-store online shopping? What did you think?</span> <br /> best,<br />ChuckChuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-15189575194088446202011-02-23T12:22:00.006-05:002011-02-23T22:24:25.314-05:00Where does pricing power come from?<div>Warren Buffet was <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-18/buffett-says-pricing-power-more-important-than-good-management.html">quoted</a> recently as saying:<br /></div><br /><blockquote>The single most important decision in evaluating a business is pricing power. If you’ve got the power to raise prices without losing business to a competitor, you’ve got a very good business... The extraordinary business does not require good management.</blockquote><br /><div>So what is pricing power? The ability to raise prices without loosing business.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Where does it come from? Pricing power derives from many sources. Bloomberg cited Buffet's holdings in railroads and utilities, which derive pricing power from their dominant market position. Buffet also has stakes in consumer companies like Coca-Cola Co. and Kraft with powerful brand appeal that attracts and retains customers. Businesses that serve value oriented customers who demand more than brand appeal and those without high barriers to entry rely on innovation, quality, extraordinary customer service, operational excellence, and value to achieve pricing power.<br /><br />Bottom line: Pricing power is an indicator of a good business, but isn't the cause which makes a business great. History is replete with stories of titans laid low by disruptive upstarts, so I wouldn't discount the need for good management even in extraordinary businesses. </div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-66114208406859407192011-02-21T21:19:00.005-05:002011-02-21T21:35:01.361-05:00How NOT to label productsI hate it when I buy something, take it home, and find I have to struggle with irremovable product labels. Note to Boise Cascade, Home Depot, and anyone else who is listening... If you are going to sell AB Plywood, put the <span style="font-weight: bold;">#%&@</span>! label on the B side, not the A side. <br /><br />I'm paying extra to get a clean finish for my project. Do you think that means I want to spend 15 to 20 minutes scraping off your UPC that seems permanently glued near the <span style="font-weight: bold;">middle</span> of the sheet of plywood?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqs5Tkvcu3Z0n7rT-y99D2eKywVZFIDoZWrPOyzk2If_qXCCJvHLLN0ceqovI1p_RnvDi5SLBsYrGbYwYPOlasW7fsMa4TzCnFlRhgEZtBV05ZUfDNw8VBYyWeA_6szGNWsggCMdo1SM/s1600/IMG_20110221_191729.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqs5Tkvcu3Z0n7rT-y99D2eKywVZFIDoZWrPOyzk2If_qXCCJvHLLN0ceqovI1p_RnvDi5SLBsYrGbYwYPOlasW7fsMa4TzCnFlRhgEZtBV05ZUfDNw8VBYyWeA_6szGNWsggCMdo1SM/s400/IMG_20110221_191729.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576334600853704994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0f8jRZdT5i0/TWMe8zsPMPI/AAAAAAAAAw4/mt4D276UouA/s1600/IMG_20110221_191914.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0f8jRZdT5i0/TWMe8zsPMPI/AAAAAAAAAw4/mt4D276UouA/s400/IMG_20110221_191914.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576334793631543538" border="0" /></a><br />You would hope they would know better!<br />Now I feel better.Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-54484782887524955052011-02-20T08:36:00.001-05:002011-02-20T08:43:48.062-05:00Diane Rheme interviews Eduardo Porter, author of "The Price of Everything" listen<a href="http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-01-06/eduardo-porter-price-everything">Diane Rheme interview</a> with Eduardo Porter, member of The New York Times's editorial board, and author of "The Price of Everything" Podcast - I bought the book becasue of my interest in pricing, but it's much more about value and values. [~ 50 minutes of great listening]Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-72394178572552747572011-02-12T22:54:00.002-05:002011-02-12T23:01:34.158-05:00Advice on Freemium Software PricingAndy Singleton, founder and CEO of Assembla a SaaS provider gives an in-depth summary of experience with software pricing terms. <br /><br /><a href="http://onstartups.com/tabid/3339/bid/37737/Secrets-Of-Freemium-Pricing-Make-The-Cheapskates-Pay.aspx">Secrets Of Freemium Pricing: Make The Cheapskates Pay</a> <br /><br />The post provides practical priorities for pricing, and many other pricing nuggets.<br />The number one goal: Maximize Revenue<br />The number two goal: Reduce Cost of SalesChuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-25313277066425812642011-02-03T20:52:00.002-05:002011-02-03T21:02:04.714-05:00Recovering from information overload: McKinsey QuarterlyAlways-on, multitasking work environments are killing productivity, dampening creativity, and making us unhappy.<br />JANUARY 2011 • <a href="https://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Organization/Talent/Recovering_from_information_overload_2735">Derek Dean and Caroline Webb</a> <br /><br /><br />My favorite quote from the article:<br />"Multitasking is not heroic; it’s counterproductive."Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-56911795569175328592011-02-01T22:53:00.003-05:002011-02-01T22:57:37.602-05:00Ann Deavere on hope & determination (heard on NPR)Philosopher Cornell West, according to Ann Deavere: Hope and optimism are different. Optimism, you look out the window, you say it looks pretty good out there. Hope says it doesn't look good at all. It doesn't look good at all. Evidence doesn't look good at all, but I'm going to go beyond the evidence, and create new possibilities based on vision, become contagious to allow people to engage in heroic actions always against odds, no guarantee whatsoever, that's hope.<br /><br />Ann Deavere on rodeo bull rider Brent Williams" Think about it, we shouldn't be able to stay on top of bulls trying to buck you off cause we weigh like a hundred fifty pounds bull weighs over 2,000 pounds. but I think what keeps you on top of that bull is determination, something in side you. <br /><br />Toughness is when you meet that thing that is going to defeat you, how do you ride that bull? The thing that keeps you going is this understanding that we are small, that we weigh a hundred fifty pounds, but the bull... What keeps you going is determination. And the determination is hooked into a belief that if you keep going, if you struggle, something really beautiful is going to happen. <br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.npr.org/v2/?i=133410095&m=133414780&t=audio" height="386" wmode="opaque" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" base="http://www.npr.org" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-78651943049049287862011-01-26T13:35:00.002-05:002011-01-26T13:45:57.339-05:00Duncan Jones of Forrester on Pay-per-use Software PricingDuncan Jones of Forrester Research focuses on software pricing and licensing and helps clients understand and address the effect of technology changes on software contracts.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.forrester.com/duncan_jones/10-03-24-pay_per_use_software_pricing_no_thanks">Pay per use</a> provides flexible, on-demand services, suitable for temporary needs, but is not suitable for regularly used applications. Jone's concerns include:<br /><br /><ol><li>Complexity to define and track. How to measure time-based or transactional usage reliably? </li><li>Unpredictable and uncontrallable. How to prevent an unexpected, unbudgeted bills at the end of the month? </li><li>Expensive. Some people assume that it'll be cheaper if they only pay for what they actually use. That's an incorrect assumption. The per hour rate will always be sufficiently more than the per year rate to push customers to the latter. Price is driven by negotiation leverage and competition, not the licensing model. </li><li>Counter-productive. Software vendors want people to use the tools you've made available, so why create a cost disincentive by making customers wonder, before starting an application, "How much will this cost?" </li></ol>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-46495338260776513172011-01-01T23:13:00.002-05:002011-01-01T23:20:37.813-05:00Jim Collins Good to Great<a href="http://www.jimcollins.com/index.html">Jim Collins</a> is a student and teacher of enduring great companies — how they grow, how they attain superior performance, and how good companies can become great companies. Having invested over a decade of research into the topic, Jim has authored or co-authored four books, including the classic <em>BUILT TO LAST.<br /><br /></em>Executives spend too much time wordsmithing vision statements, mission statements, values statements, purpose statements, and aspiration statements—and nowhere near enough time trying to align their organizations with the values and visions already in place.Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-23137764121777511032010-12-28T16:15:00.002-05:002010-12-28T16:23:11.392-05:006 Principles of InfluenceFrom the <a href="http://www.insideinfluence.com/">Inside Influence at Work Blog</a>:<br /><br /><strong>Reciprocity</strong><br />People are more willing to comply with requests (for favors, services, information, concessions,etc.) from those who have provided such things first.<br /><br /><strong>Commitment/Consistency</strong><br />People are more willing to be moved in a particular direction if they see it as consistent with an existing commitment.<br /><br /><strong>Authority<br /></strong>People are more willing to follow the directions or recommendations of a communicator to whom they attribute relevant authority or expertise.<br /><br /><strong>Social Validation</strong><br />People are more willing to take a recommended action if they see evidence that many others, especially similar others, are taking it.<br /><br /><strong>Scarcity</strong><br />People find objects and opportunities more attractive to the degree that they are scarce, rare, or dwindling in availability.<br /><br /><strong>Liking/Friendship/Attractiveness</strong><br />People prefer to say yes to those they know, like and find attractive.Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-43336768842403747762010-11-30T12:20:00.003-05:002010-11-30T12:25:00.758-05:00The next step in online IP management: ZmagsInteresting white paper about how to manage your brand image by preventing your content from being pulled apart by bloggers .<br /><br /><a href="http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/bd479139?page=14">Zmags Social Media Whitepaper Series</a><br /><br />As you can see below, it's not completely foolproof.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixSKv5EG1n40Wtm67xjg3-OnBe-KAhJDXGCK_9aVG9OW45s6kYl8y_4EX59NJFhOXAXr6jnG8GZIozlljcnx9mI7p8OJquSvOiFJkiiZhTTaArrFaY5lE7C2I8_CLZIr8jV2mORFKyNM/s1600/Zmags.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545394605228444130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixSKv5EG1n40Wtm67xjg3-OnBe-KAhJDXGCK_9aVG9OW45s6kYl8y_4EX59NJFhOXAXr6jnG8GZIozlljcnx9mI7p8OJquSvOiFJkiiZhTTaArrFaY5lE7C2I8_CLZIr8jV2mORFKyNM/s400/Zmags.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I really didn't like the blinking bullets embedded in the white paper.Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844792861128670345.post-55505111315682377352010-09-25T21:21:00.011-05:002011-03-21T16:38:49.156-05:00Honoring fallen military and keeping facts straightI first saw this on facebook and then found it replicated all over the web, where it has been re-posted thousands of times in the last few days. I agree with the sentiment, but found the facts less than 100% accurate.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Lindsay Lohan, 24, is all over the news because she's a celebrity drug addict. While Justin Allen, 23, Brett Linley, 29, Matthew Weikert, 29, Justus Bartett, 27, Dave Santos, 21, Chase Stanley, 21, Jesse Reed, 26, Matthew Johnson, 21, Zachary Fisher, 24, Brandon King, 23, Christopher Goeke, 23, and Sheldon Tate, 27 are all Marines that gave their lives this week, no media mention. Honor THEM by reposting.</blockquote><br />I rarely re-post something like that, but I felt this was compelling so I checked it out in more detail. It turns out that all 12 were killed serving in Afghanistan between July 10 and 16, not this week, all were Americans except Brett Linley, of Birmingham UK, who served in the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment,The Royal Logistic Corps. Nine of the 12 served in the US Army, not the Marines. Extensive searching found no record of <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Justus Bartett</span>, but I was able to find an obituary for 27 year old Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt , of Polo, Ill, and I concluded that his name was likely transcribed incorrectly at some point.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Here are more details on each individual with references. God Bless them and their families for their courageous self sacrifice.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Justin B. Allen</span>, 23<br />Sgt. Justin B. Allen, 23, of Coal Grove, Ohio, died July 18, 2010 in Zhari, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was shot by insurgents while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.<br /><br />refs: <a href="http://forums.lutzkicksass.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1279640438/">Warriors' watch Riders Forums</a><br /><a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-justin-b-allen/4716076/">militarytimes.com database</a><br /><br />//////////<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Brett Linley</span>, 29<br /><br />Staff Sergeant Brett George Linley of Birmingham, from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment,The Royal Logistic Corps, serving with the Counter-IED Task Force, died in Afghanistan Saturday 17 July 2010.<br /><br />Staff Sergeant Linley was 29 and from Birmingham. He and his team were working to clear Improvised Explosive Devices from a vital route in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province when he was killed by an explosion.<br /><br />Sources <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-10890275">BBC</a>: July 22, 2010<br /><a href="http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/5913068">http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/5913068</a><br /><br />////////////<br />JACKSONVILLE - Staff Sergeant <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Matthew W. Weikert</span>, 29, of Jacksonville was mortally wounded on Saturday, July 17, 2010, while serving with the U.S. Army near Orgun, Afghanistan.<br /><br />He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in August of 2001 serving three tours in Iraq over four years. He later joined the U.S. Army serving with the 101st Airborne completing a tour in Iraq and was currently deployed in Afghanistan. As a military team leader, Matt was adamant that his personal mission was to properly prepare the soldiers under his command and keep them safe from harm.<br />refs: <a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sj-r/obituary.aspx?n=matthew-w-weikert&pid=144232829&fhid=9059">legacy.com/obituaries</a><br /><a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-matthew-w-weikert/4716077/">http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-matthew-w-weikert/4716077/</a><br /><br />////////////<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Justus Bartett</span>, 27 >> extensive searching produced no results for Justus Barett; however, there was a <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt</span>, who Died July 16, 2010 serving in Afganistan<br /><br />Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt 27, of Polo, Ill.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.<br /><br />The Associated Press<br /><br />Justus Bartelt was born on the Fourth of July and decided roughly a dozen years later that he would to serve the country whose independence that day celebrates.<br /><br />“He was a best friend to those who knew him as a friend,” she said. “He was a true and loyal family member and he was a true and loyal marine.”<br /><br />Bartelt joined the Marines after graduating from Polo Community High School in Polo, Ill., in 2001.<br /><br />When he was deployed in February, he instructed his mother not to worry.<br /><br />The 27-year-old died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province during his third tour of duty. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.<br />ref: <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/marine-staff-sgt-justus-s-bartelt/4716080/">militarytimes.com</a><br /><br />////////////<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Dave Santos</span>, 21<br /><br />Marine Cpl. Dave M. Santos died July 16, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom<br /><br />21, of Rota, Marianas Islands of the Pacific; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.<br /><br />Ref <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/marine-cpl-dave-m-santos/4716075/">Military times database</a><br /><br />////////////<br />Army Spc. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Chase Stanley</span> died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom<br /><br />21, of Napa, Calif.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.<br />Army Specialists, Stanley, Reed, Johnson, and Fisher were killed in the same IED attack on July 14.<br />ref: <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-spc-chase-stanley/4714164/">Military times database</a><br /><br />////////////<br />Army Spc. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Jesse D. Reed</span> died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom<br /><br />26, of Orefield, Pa.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.<br />ref: <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-spc-jesse-d-reed/4714165/">military times database</a><br /><br />////////////<br />Army Spc. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Matthew J. Johnson</span> died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom<br /><br />21, of Maplewood, Minn.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.<br />ref: <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-spc-matthew-j-johnson/4714169/">military times database</a><br /><br />////////////<br />Army Sgt. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Zachary M. Fisher</span> died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom<br /><br />24, of Ballwin, Mo.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.<br />ref: <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-zachary-m-fisher/4714170/">military times database</a><br /><br />////////////<br />Army Pvt. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Brandon M. King</span> died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom<br /><br />23, of Tallahassee, Fla.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 14 at Combat Outpost Nolen, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire.<br />ref: <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-pvt-brandon-m-king/4714157/">military times database</a><br /><br />///////////<br />Army 1st Lt. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Christopher S. Goeke</span> died July 13, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom<br /><br />23, of Apple Valley, Minn.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.<br />ref: <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-1st-lt-christopher-s-goeke/4714159/">military times database</a><br /><br />///////////<br />Army Staff Sgt. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Sheldon L. Tate</span> died July 13, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom<br /><br />27, of Hinesville, Ga.; assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.<br />ref: <a href="http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-staff-sgt-sheldon-l-tate/4714162/">military times database</a><br /><br />///////////<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">updated : Sept 27</span>, closing the loop. Further searching seems to confirm my conclusion that the name of Justus Bartelt was misspelled somewhere along the way. Here is a very similar comment posted July 26 on a TMZ website. This version has 10 of the 12 names, with the correct spelling of Bertelt's name, and no reference to which branch of service they served.<br /><br /><br /><p></p><blockquote><p style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Lindsey Lohan who? I cant believe the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20-something yr old. Here are a few 20 yr-olds worth knowing about: Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matt Weikert 29, Justus Bartelt 27, Dave Santos 21, Chase Stanley 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew King 23, Christopher Goeke 23, & Sheldon Tate 27. These 20-somethings gave their lives for you this week. Repost if you support the Military</p><p class="comment-byline">Posted at 10:33 AM on Jul 26, 2010 by tara at:</p><p class="comment-byline"><a href="http://www.tmz.com/2010/07/26/lindsay-lohan-rehab-facility-california/4/">http://www.tmz.com/2010/07/26/lindsay-lohan-rehab-facility-california/4/</a></p></blockquote><p class="comment-byline"><br /></p><p class="comment-byline"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">updated : Sept 28'10: </span><span style="font-size:+0;">Fixed a typo in my Sept 27 update identified by an anonymous commenter. Thank you for pointing that out! </span></p><p class="comment-byline"><strong>ed 2-12-2011</strong> corrected a typo and refined formatting.</p><p class="comment-byline"><strong>updated: Mar 21 '11</strong>: Moved the note regarding the July 14 IED attack which was incorrectly positioned under Dave Santos name. Thanks to commenter Sara who pointed this out.</p>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18369259126147172905noreply@blogger.com119