In this article, I will cover the various ways that IT can enhance the holiday season and perhaps we can start a discussion on the topic below as well.
1) Shopping
In general, the percent of online shoppers has been increasing and therefore has decreased the level of stress on holiday shoppers on the whole. Not only are we able to review potential purchases and recommendations online, but most people now feel confident in ordering items online. While this is a shift from the near distant past, many people still go to stores to shop when they can still buy the items online with the same discount levels as those that went to the store at 5am or even midnight. For those of you who didn’t hear in the news, a 34 year old Walmart employee died on Black Friday this year at 5 am in Long Island, New York as shoppers rushed into the store to save money on their purchases. Despite this very sad issue, it does make me think about why those same shoppers didn’t shop online for the same discount levels. Perhaps they were looking to buy larger ticket items which would have larger shipping costs, but I assume the volume would be changed based on IT capabilities and JIT production. Holiday shopping online has improved peoples living standards on the whole compared to the pre-internet era.
2) Holiday Cards
While I was writing out holiday cards this year Monday night, I stopped to think about to whom and why I would be sending these people these cards when they could just receive a free email or online card. Generally speaking, I found that I was sending the cards to family members that were not on the social networking sites and to those I didn’t see in a long time. While many people have stopped sending cards due to being time consuming, I found that IT has enabled me to order the customized cards online through Kodak, organize my directory of contacts through excel or Microsoft Outlook and therefore significantly reduce the amount of time needed to complete the task to just under two hours. Therefore IT has enabled me to provide a personalized touch in a very efficient manner.
3) Holiday Party Invitations
Online sites can also organize those invited even down to whether or not people are attending and status of requested gifts or foods. I find this capability efficient not only for the organizers, but also for the attendees. We definitely wouldn’t want a run on egg nog…
Perhaps we can have a discussion on how we can leverage IT capabilities in other ways to enhance our holiday season. Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Happy Holidays!!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
My 2 Cents: Knetwit Leads to Student Drop-Outs
Knetwit: Understanding Napster from the other side � Prof Kane on Computers in Management
In response to Jerry’s Blog on “Knetwit: Understanding Napster from the other side”, I have two additional key points that I wanted to raise in class:
1) In the long-run, short cuts will not create a competitive advantage for students or workers.
I could write a white paper on this in an hour, but I will assume you know how the story goes. I would obviously take the side that students need to develop the skill to synthesize information quickly as learned through hard work instead of taking the short route. Eventually they too will learn too late that corner cutting catches up with everyone including the college kids who tend to think they are invincible.
2) Institutions that support these gorilla study tactics are inherently ethically questionable and therefore raise moral questions on the companies willing to advertise with them through association.
What kind of company would pay for advertising on this ethically questionable website? Marlboro, Exxon Valdez, or perhaps those Viagra pop-ups? In the drive to appear concerned more on a capitalistic point of view than a moral one due to my belief in free speech (and typing), I too don't expect the website to be profitable based on the non-receipt of ad revenues versus expenses to keep the website running with law suits in red hot pursuit.
In response to Jerry’s Blog on “Knetwit: Understanding Napster from the other side”, I have two additional key points that I wanted to raise in class:
1) In the long-run, short cuts will not create a competitive advantage for students or workers.
I could write a white paper on this in an hour, but I will assume you know how the story goes. I would obviously take the side that students need to develop the skill to synthesize information quickly as learned through hard work instead of taking the short route. Eventually they too will learn too late that corner cutting catches up with everyone including the college kids who tend to think they are invincible.
2) Institutions that support these gorilla study tactics are inherently ethically questionable and therefore raise moral questions on the companies willing to advertise with them through association.
What kind of company would pay for advertising on this ethically questionable website? Marlboro, Exxon Valdez, or perhaps those Viagra pop-ups? In the drive to appear concerned more on a capitalistic point of view than a moral one due to my belief in free speech (and typing), I too don't expect the website to be profitable based on the non-receipt of ad revenues versus expenses to keep the website running with law suits in red hot pursuit.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Typical IT Department is Not Trying to Make a Profit
IT Needs to Run Like a Business - IT Management
The "IT Needs to Run Like a Business" article above from the Baseline website discusses the issue of Make vs. Buy vs. Rent. While they do not discuss the Free category, they do state several "given truths" about companies that did seem a bit counter-intuitive.
Key findings:
1) Buying is better than Renting, but full cost saving advantage is not being made as "typical (internal) IT department is not trying to make a profit"
- This is because they are viewed as a nonprofit service organization for good of the whole company
- IT departments never really learned to operate as businesses (though they should), and therefore they operate as cost centers
2) Internal IT organization can always beat an external provider on pricing
- Because internal pay costs less than external cost plus service
- This argument seems economically counter-intuitive because it misses scale, expertise or technological advantages of third parties
- 3rd-party companies wrap IT services into pricing system that creates an illusion of their value (cost + service = price)
Therefore Senior IT Management must act more "business-like" and "financially-minded" than currently do.
While I do not have experience in an IT environment, it would appear to be a write-up based on driving down costs through doing things internally and over-simplifying the expertise level needed to do IT functions internally.
While many of the Web 3.0 functions are making things easier for the mainstream group, I still tend to think that at least certain parts of IT can be successfully outsourced so long as technology is not a key success factor.
The "IT Needs to Run Like a Business" article above from the Baseline website discusses the issue of Make vs. Buy vs. Rent. While they do not discuss the Free category, they do state several "given truths" about companies that did seem a bit counter-intuitive.
Key findings:
1) Buying is better than Renting, but full cost saving advantage is not being made as "typical (internal) IT department is not trying to make a profit"
- This is because they are viewed as a nonprofit service organization for good of the whole company
- IT departments never really learned to operate as businesses (though they should), and therefore they operate as cost centers
2) Internal IT organization can always beat an external provider on pricing
- Because internal pay costs less than external cost plus service
- This argument seems economically counter-intuitive because it misses scale, expertise or technological advantages of third parties
- 3rd-party companies wrap IT services into pricing system that creates an illusion of their value (cost + service = price)
Therefore Senior IT Management must act more "business-like" and "financially-minded" than currently do.
While I do not have experience in an IT environment, it would appear to be a write-up based on driving down costs through doing things internally and over-simplifying the expertise level needed to do IT functions internally.
While many of the Web 3.0 functions are making things easier for the mainstream group, I still tend to think that at least certain parts of IT can be successfully outsourced so long as technology is not a key success factor.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Online vs. Newspaper: A World of Difference
Pimco spreads its wings and looks beyond its strengths - InvestmentNews
I was sitting at my desk on Monday when a coworker walked over in a huffy manner and proceeded to slam an “Investment News” newspaper on my desk. I was a bit confused until she proceeded to read aloud the article for the whole group, including the portion of where I was quoted. We then laughed it off because coworkers actually do this in my company to see if they can read your quote before you have found it. She caught me. I didn’t read it until she pointed it out. Mondays…
Anyways, this quote in the press felt different and I couldn’t pin point it until several minutes later.
It then dawned onto me that the pride came from being quoted for the first time in an actual physical newspaper instead of the online publications as in the past. This seemingly small difference struck me as something noteworthy for the CIS course and therefore my blog.
In a Web 2.0 world where anyone can voice their opinion, does it make sense that the joy of contributing to a hybrid (physical and web) publication would feel different than a web-only publication?
Or perhaps it is just my own generation x bias...
I was sitting at my desk on Monday when a coworker walked over in a huffy manner and proceeded to slam an “Investment News” newspaper on my desk. I was a bit confused until she proceeded to read aloud the article for the whole group, including the portion of where I was quoted. We then laughed it off because coworkers actually do this in my company to see if they can read your quote before you have found it. She caught me. I didn’t read it until she pointed it out. Mondays…
Anyways, this quote in the press felt different and I couldn’t pin point it until several minutes later.
It then dawned onto me that the pride came from being quoted for the first time in an actual physical newspaper instead of the online publications as in the past. This seemingly small difference struck me as something noteworthy for the CIS course and therefore my blog.
In a Web 2.0 world where anyone can voice their opinion, does it make sense that the joy of contributing to a hybrid (physical and web) publication would feel different than a web-only publication?
Or perhaps it is just my own generation x bias...
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Stop Sending Emails You Later Regret
Official Gmail Blog: New in Labs: Stop sending mail you later regret
Gmail has added a new feature that helps to prevent inadvertent late night emails by having you complete math problems before it allows you to send the email. One of the key characteristic differences between web 0.0 (i.e. the phone) and web 2.0 tools are that what you emailed is forever etched in stone in someone’s inbox and therefore cannot be reversed. While this has not occurred to anyone in this class, I am sure that there are some undergraduates at different schools and perhaps certain divorcees that now wish they had this functionality.
What if there was an extra feature that slowed you down from emailing late at night over the weekends such as making you complete math problems? On the whole, I would assume that people that need this function know they need one and would therefore install the feature (i.e. Undergraduates). Perhaps this feature can be added to Evening MBA students before submitting papers such as “Did you include your name, class, title, page numbers and note in the email section to the professor before sending?”
Therefore while the initial intention was built for undergraduates, perhaps product modifications and alterations can be made to help other target segments as well.
Gmail has added a new feature that helps to prevent inadvertent late night emails by having you complete math problems before it allows you to send the email. One of the key characteristic differences between web 0.0 (i.e. the phone) and web 2.0 tools are that what you emailed is forever etched in stone in someone’s inbox and therefore cannot be reversed. While this has not occurred to anyone in this class, I am sure that there are some undergraduates at different schools and perhaps certain divorcees that now wish they had this functionality.
What if there was an extra feature that slowed you down from emailing late at night over the weekends such as making you complete math problems? On the whole, I would assume that people that need this function know they need one and would therefore install the feature (i.e. Undergraduates). Perhaps this feature can be added to Evening MBA students before submitting papers such as “Did you include your name, class, title, page numbers and note in the email section to the professor before sending?”
Therefore while the initial intention was built for undergraduates, perhaps product modifications and alterations can be made to help other target segments as well.
Jenni From the Blog: Why eBay is Stuck
Jenni From The Blog: Why eBay is Stuck
Perhaps it's because I'm generation X, but I don't use eBay due to the need to set up a Paypal account. While I know people swear by Paypal, Amazon.com's direct deposit into your bank account is more efficient as its takes an extra step out the process. Therefore eBay can improve traffic, marketing and listing quality, but i still wouldn't use it.
I am though just one of the many potential generation X customers though.
Perhaps it's because I'm generation X, but I don't use eBay due to the need to set up a Paypal account. While I know people swear by Paypal, Amazon.com's direct deposit into your bank account is more efficient as its takes an extra step out the process. Therefore eBay can improve traffic, marketing and listing quality, but i still wouldn't use it.
I am though just one of the many potential generation X customers though.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
"Blgga Blogga Bills Ya'll" Follow-Up
GDW Blog
I would imagine that the larger blogging sites are a combination of good writers looking to gain temporary side money or to shift the public views on the item of their choice. There are actually books on how to quit your full-time job to become a freelance writer such as for blogs, newspapers and other institutions.
Your guess on why and how gossip blogs do so well confuse me as much as why and how the TV shows "Extra" or "Entertainment Tonight" shows get any viewers at all. I'm just not sure why anyone would want to know what kind of cereal Brad Pitt eats.
It is nice to know the numbers on what the top bloggers make for their effort. Thank you for the original post.
I would imagine that the larger blogging sites are a combination of good writers looking to gain temporary side money or to shift the public views on the item of their choice. There are actually books on how to quit your full-time job to become a freelance writer such as for blogs, newspapers and other institutions.
Your guess on why and how gossip blogs do so well confuse me as much as why and how the TV shows "Extra" or "Entertainment Tonight" shows get any viewers at all. I'm just not sure why anyone would want to know what kind of cereal Brad Pitt eats.
It is nice to know the numbers on what the top bloggers make for their effort. Thank you for the original post.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Congress Endorses OPEN SOURCE For Military
Slashdot | Congress Endorses Open Source For Military
Presto Vivace (2008), 'Congress Endorses Open Source for Military', Slashdot. 26 September [Online]
In a federal funding bill, Congress has recently included the term “open source software” as a potential source of “procuring manned or unmanned aerial vehicles.” This use of the term “open source software”, and therefore documentation, lends itself to a high level of prestige and therefore credibility to the term and use. Typically larger institutions, and especially ones that previously sought to push down the open source movement, do not seek the help of newer trends until they are well established and main stream. This issue is pushed even further as the open source will be used in the national defense industry and specifically for the U.S. Military in the procurement of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. In general, if the U.S. Government has found a method to embrace its capability, I would expect many companies that previously shunned such routes to follow suit. Perhaps the Fortune 500 corner offices and “war rooms” of certain web 1.0 companies will state, “If it’s good enough for the U.S. Government to give their seal of approval, then it is good enough for us.”
While it remains to be seen if the U.S. Government will use the end product of such a process, I would agree that they have made the first step in the right direction.
Presto Vivace (2008), 'Congress Endorses Open Source for Military', Slashdot. 26 September [Online]
In a federal funding bill, Congress has recently included the term “open source software” as a potential source of “procuring manned or unmanned aerial vehicles.” This use of the term “open source software”, and therefore documentation, lends itself to a high level of prestige and therefore credibility to the term and use. Typically larger institutions, and especially ones that previously sought to push down the open source movement, do not seek the help of newer trends until they are well established and main stream. This issue is pushed even further as the open source will be used in the national defense industry and specifically for the U.S. Military in the procurement of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. In general, if the U.S. Government has found a method to embrace its capability, I would expect many companies that previously shunned such routes to follow suit. Perhaps the Fortune 500 corner offices and “war rooms” of certain web 1.0 companies will state, “If it’s good enough for the U.S. Government to give their seal of approval, then it is good enough for us.”
While it remains to be seen if the U.S. Government will use the end product of such a process, I would agree that they have made the first step in the right direction.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
New Facebook for CIOs Surges as Markets Rock
New Facebook for CIOs Surges as Markets Rock by Scott Johnson, fundfire.com
www.fundfire.com/articles/20080919/facebook_cios_surges_markets_rock
www.fundfire.com/articles/20080919/facebook_cios_surges_markets_rock
BACKGROUND: The U.K. based GDS International has launched a social networking site for CIO’s and technology executives at MeettheBoss.com. This free “facebook like” website allows the exclusive members to utilize the forums, webinars, and contact one another directly with any pertinent questions on the topic of technology.
As a test of its 66% rejection rate for member applications, I have recently tried to sign up as a member and am awaiting its response. The 15 minute application included multiple background questions including my job title, job skills, current company name, company logo, professional photos, areas of IT interest and educational background such as the name and degree from my graduate school, college and high school.
While the popularity and usefulness of the website remains to be seen, the overall usage has been booming as people seek solutions and comfort in the ripples of today’s marketplace.
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION: Despite the vetting process to ensure that only top executives are members, should companies allow their top executives to use social networking sites to potentially improve the company if it also discloses key IT strategies to potential competitors?
Ubiquity…case in point. � Prof Kane on Computers in Management
Ubiquity…case in point. � Prof Kane on Computers in Management
Introduction: I concur that Ubiquity is a helpful mash-up style steroid that can and will eventually help many issues for the masses.
Tool 1: For example, the ability to add a map in emails will reduce confusion and save time for users. In London for example, there are 5 Gap stores on Oxford Street. By including a map in the email on where to meet, people will have less confusion over which store you have planned to meet your friend at.
Tool 2: I also agree that it will save time in the hunt for new apartments on Craigslist. When I moved to Davis Square, I had to click on each listing to find the location and compare the location individually. By being able to highlight all of the locations on a page, the users will be able to compare locations and a brief description in less time.
Conclusion: While other users will find different uses for Ubiquity, these two functions will be able to save a considerable amount of time.
Google: As for Google, I feel that they would also want to launch a similar product in order to drive customers to Google Maps and other Google related products. Based on this, I feel that Google’s delay is only temporary.
Introduction: I concur that Ubiquity is a helpful mash-up style steroid that can and will eventually help many issues for the masses.
Tool 1: For example, the ability to add a map in emails will reduce confusion and save time for users. In London for example, there are 5 Gap stores on Oxford Street. By including a map in the email on where to meet, people will have less confusion over which store you have planned to meet your friend at.
Tool 2: I also agree that it will save time in the hunt for new apartments on Craigslist. When I moved to Davis Square, I had to click on each listing to find the location and compare the location individually. By being able to highlight all of the locations on a page, the users will be able to compare locations and a brief description in less time.
Conclusion: While other users will find different uses for Ubiquity, these two functions will be able to save a considerable amount of time.
Google: As for Google, I feel that they would also want to launch a similar product in order to drive customers to Google Maps and other Google related products. Based on this, I feel that Google’s delay is only temporary.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Managing IT in a downturn: Beyond cost cutting
Information Technology: Not your typical department
In September 2008, the McKinsey Quarterly posted in its free website content area an article with the title “Managing IT in a downturn: Beyond cost cutting.” I found that signing up for the free online access was quick and full of insightful articles for IT and many other sectors. In any case, the article makes an unconventional argument to increase spending on IT when the market takes a downturn, such as the market we are in now. By increasing expenditure and thereby improving several key areas such as sales, sourcing of inputs, operations and performance management, companies can create higher levels of efficiency and revenues for other departments. One of the more interesting strategic management portions of the article shows where IT investments can make the most impact such as in using data to generate new operational insights and improving processes. Once the operations is executing in a more efficient manor, the company will also be in a better long-term position for when the economy bounces back. Therefore increasing investment in IT during market downturns instead of viewing IT as a typical corporate department in cutting its expenditure will generate the highest net margin in the long run.
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Information_Technology/Management/Managing_IT_in_a_downturn_Beyond_cost_cutting_2196
In September 2008, the McKinsey Quarterly posted in its free website content area an article with the title “Managing IT in a downturn: Beyond cost cutting.” I found that signing up for the free online access was quick and full of insightful articles for IT and many other sectors. In any case, the article makes an unconventional argument to increase spending on IT when the market takes a downturn, such as the market we are in now. By increasing expenditure and thereby improving several key areas such as sales, sourcing of inputs, operations and performance management, companies can create higher levels of efficiency and revenues for other departments. One of the more interesting strategic management portions of the article shows where IT investments can make the most impact such as in using data to generate new operational insights and improving processes. Once the operations is executing in a more efficient manor, the company will also be in a better long-term position for when the economy bounces back. Therefore increasing investment in IT during market downturns instead of viewing IT as a typical corporate department in cutting its expenditure will generate the highest net margin in the long run.
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Information_Technology/Management/Managing_IT_in_a_downturn_Beyond_cost_cutting_2196
Test - Paul Curley - After De-Register from Technorati
Test - Paul Curley - After De-Register from Technorati
Saturday, September 13, 2008
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