Bryce weeks Pet Peeves
"Never trust a person who has not experienced at least one vice president (eg, drinking, smoking, takeover). "
– Bryce's Law
INTRODUCTION
On August 1 last year, my "Visions Management "(MV) first broadcast on the Internet. MV is a free Internet broadcast (also known as" podcast ") that is updated weekly (Monday) and is available in MP3, WMA file formats and RealPlayer (RealPlayer is accompanied by graphics). During the show, we discuss issues related to Information Resources Management MRI) examination of events of interest, and review of listeners emails. I can also describe my "Pet peeve of the Week" irritants representing me yet. This has become a neighborhood of the series and, as such, hereby, including the rules for who missed the broadcast. Hope you can relate to some of these hobbies. It aims to provide an overview of humorous topics. Hope you like them. Note that these are my personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of my company or any other group.
August 8, 2005 – TRADE BOUNTY
My "Pet peeve of the week" is a commercial Bounty Recently I listened to the radio while driving to work the other day. However, as many of you know, Proctor & Gamble Bounty "Accelerating Picker Upper" paper towel padded, has no problem as such. We use Bounty in our house. However, the new radio ad was described as "a new point blue-blanket", which translates into a high-resolution light "." Frankly, when I heard this I laughed. The people in the cars next to me must have thought I had lost my mind. "Shine Resolution "? I suppose it seems funny for me to see something as mundane as the windshield-go" high "technology. Ah, gotta love Madison Avenue I guess.
August 15, 2005 – Microsoft Windows
My "pet peeve of the Week Windoze is the operating system from Microsoft. I recently bought two computers for the office, a laptop and one desktop computer, both equipped
the latest version of Windows XP. I had migrate a large amount of data on both machines casual, should not be a big deal. It was. Now, I consider myself a technical guru by any stretch of the imagination, but I would consider myself a "power user" knows his way around a computer.
I installed a large number of operating systems the years, both production and beta versions. Now many of you know me as a defender of the old IBM OS / 2 Warp operating system you always see the best operating system 32-bit in the block. However, my experience to plant a Windows operating system remains intact, because there was no end of trouble and took a great experience frustrating. I think I've been spoiled by OS / 2 for the purpose of the office, the object model of the system and preemptive multitasking. I'm always a loss to know why IBM has abandoned.
But in my mind, I can not imagine why anyone would bother to waste time inventing viruses and worms when you have something like Windoze there. The only thing Microsoft is going uninterrupted cash flow. And no, Virginia, there is no OS monopoly is not there?
Tests August 22 Software – 2005
My "pet peeve of the Week What software testing. As I mentioned in my essay, is a simple way from the bottom up to test and install the systems. But I am concerned by the software to test their products these days, if necessary. The industry has fallen on evil used to allow customers to sample products. For example, it is not uncommon for most of the people to "beta" releases of software products, play with him, and to inform the manufacturer about problems with it. In addition, major versions of software products are supplied with manufacturers to know
full products are "buggy." To placate customers, offering free upgrades for the next version (which actually represents the final version).
This approach to software testing is offensive to me.
I used software products in beta for sellers, but the time or inclination to do the work of the top manufacturers. Besides, I in no hurry to buy the latest version of "all software" I've been burned many times by the sellers. In my case, the software really needs to clean up its act when it comes to the test. If you really want to test their products for them,
know where to send the bill.
August 29, 2005 – micromanagement
My "Pet peeve of the week" is something a little different: micromanagement. There is a general trend in the workplace for managers today to try to control "everything" that nothing happens without the director's personal seal approval. I've also seen this phenomenon that occurs within nonprofit organizations, businesses of all computer owners associations, clubs gardening, minor leagues, and even, yes, the Masonic lodges.
Micromanagement is a management style of the Theory X, which means the body is mainly led by a dictator. However, in certain situations, I can understand the need for this. However, for the workplace in general and our organizations volunteer, I am at a loss to know why people do that. A byproduct of the micro problem is that people become complacent and do what they said and nothing more. They work in robots with little loyalty to the institutions they work for.
After playing football field years ago, I learned a lot about the concept of teamwork. On a type of environment you have several players, but only a coach who is responsible for the game plan. However, trying to control the actions of each player on the field is not only impossible, it can be counter-productive. I have always considered more effective than people can make responsible decisions and keep of shares. People are not looking for responsible and do the minimum effort if given some freedom. I always liked a comment Ronald Reagan in his management style when said: "Surround yourself with the best, you can find, delegate authority, and do not interfere in politics you have decided to make."
In other words, easy to micro, giving his people, give them a meaning, but do not tell everything in meticulous detail.
Conclusion: To make management and less supervision.
Academic Programs September 5 – 2005
My "Pet peeve of the programs that academics profess to offer a Week program are school systems, but in reality, focus on nothing more than software development. I am often asked to give an overview of "pride" in universities, usually in the MBA, and I'm appalled by the superficial schools hide the fundamentals of systems actual work. Normally, the program offers an introductory course in systems, but little else. By contrast, tend to focus on programming languages, networking, and trends in the computer. No wonder when you start talking about "pride" with the concepts of production engineering / manufacturing, students look at me stunned. Terms such as "product structure", "blue", "BOM", MRP and production control are concepts foreign to most students of the systems. Therefore, our universities are spitting on people we really need software. A large number I am looking for customers are students who can understand the concepts of business, users of the interview, know basic math to prepare proposals, understanding workflow and work measurement, and write effectively. Frankly, I cry for people over systems from software candidates beat out by the universities.
September 12, 2005 – The death of Courtesy
My "Pet peeve of the week" is the death of civility. The other FedEx day it was making a delivery driver for our new office in Palm Harbor. Since I came to be through the door, opened it and looked approach. His frown on his face like it was a bad day. I opened the door, greeted him warmly, shook his hand and asked how his day. As I have already signed for delivery, the driver looked at me strangely. I asked if he has been a problem. He replied: No, it's just that I was the first person in the time of friendly and ask how he was. He said that most companies in your visit, is well taken for granted and treated rudely.
I asked if I thought that was unique to him as an individual. He replied: No, the other drivers often speak of the harshness of its customers. Now that I think I saw evidence of this elsewhere. For example, when I go to a restaurant, waiters and waitresses are often surprised when a boy with them and ask about their day. I often look as if I could have some ulterior motive. But once they are gone, I was hot and we have a good working relationship.
It made me think about the work of today. Have we become so indifferent and callous, without taking into account the interpersonal relationships of our employees, our customers and suppliers? Have we become so selfish and the gap does not matter how we treat others?
You know, I learned long ago that heckova can take a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar can be. A little courtesy and hospitality can go a long way with people. For example, I learned the virtues of a firm handshake, while ago. I just give them soft handshake and look through the person. I look in your eyes, shake their hand and tell you how happy I am to see them. Something as simple as a handshake honest hands can do miracles.
We need to remind us that we conduct our business with inanimate objects, but for humans. Sharpening our skills of people is very important to achieve something worthwhile in life. Simple common courtesy is a big part of it. Try it. The next time you come FedEx or UPS driver
your door or waitress at your table, look at them, they are greeted with a smile and ask how they do it, heck, even often a handshake. You will be pleasantly surprised by the service they receive in return. I will say this: we have no problems with delivery or deliveries to our office. Do you?
September 19 2005 – Press Information
My "pet peeve" Week of the press. No, not the mainstream media distorted as it may being, but rather the computer trade press. A few years ago we had many publications could be trusted to print an impartial view of the industry. Publications as "Infosystems", "Datamation", "Computer Decisions" and "EDP Analyzer" were able to provide balanced, while that generating enough advertising dollars support
themselves. But something happened on the way in the 1990s with the spread of PCs in the place of work. Suddenly new interests and loyalties are formed and the press essentially sold his soul to the sellers market where command. This has led to reports tired and unfortunately, the credibility of several publications have declined. So the circulation of publications are at a historic low. Even "InfoWorld" and "Computerworld" are mere shadows of themselves.
What is missing is a bit of integrity in the press. Instead of trying to invent the next ADF, the that honest reporting about what is really happening in this industry, right and wrong. I have news for you, not everything is as peaches and cream this area, regardless of what the media tells you.
September 26, 2005 – Solutions
My "Pet peeve of the Week is the word "solution" as it has been used in the field of IT for the past ten years. I tried to look up "solution" so in Webster's New Dictionary and The Heritage and, of course, I could not find it. As
we all know, has come to mean finding a way to circumvent a technical problem. This does not mean its a correction to a problem, but a means to solve a problem. But do not misunderstand about "solutions" are finally errors or system failures and should be cited as such. I was surprised by the developers when they proclaim proudly that they have found a solution "instead of admitting they have a problem and I do not know how to fix it.
A department that avoid the term "solution" because it tends to irritate users end and causes make them lose faith in the ability of the development team to solve their problems. A mistake is a mistake, do not like giving, do not try to embellish it, fix it.
As an aside, I finally found a "solution" is defined in a dictionary, the Redneck Dictionary. It is usually used to determine the location employees. For example, "hey y'all solution here?"
I do not know, guess I'm tired of sloppy language in this case.
October 3, 2005 – MICROSOFT
My "Pet peeve of the Week" by Microsoft, what I mean Howard Johnson on the computer industry (with apologies to HJ). The so called because they offer products that are not state of the art, but are not the worst either; mediocre very predictable.
I recently read that Microsoft announced Windows Workflow Foundation (WWF – which sounds remarkably like the World Wrestling Federation). However, the WWF is a Windows technology that allows developers to build applications and MS Office software applications developed workflow. This is another example of "design bottom-up "system. Instead of determining the requirements first and design the overall system architecture, offer a way to build programs from the bottom up. Microsoft Vintage. Frankly, I think we should stick to the fight.
October 10, 2005 – BUSINESS DRESS CODE
My "pet peeve Week dress codes of the company. Already in the 1970s was generally expected that a man in a suit and tie work and well-dressed women. During the 1980s, this code has been relaxed and you'll see "undressing" day on Friday. For the costumes of the decade 1990 and the links have been replaced by shirts and pants. But now, in 2005, we see T-shirts, jeans and shorts in the workplace.
Ben Stein recently wrote an interesting article in The New York Times complaining about the sloppy appearance of U.S. companies I agree with. I think it was too far. Dress codes have an impact on the corporate culture of any company. If we dress sharp, they tend to Smart thinking. If sloppy dress, tend to be weak in our work habits. Show me a workplace without a dress code and I'll show you a pig that produces questionable results. I know that we promote
individualism in this country, but there is nothing wrong with a little consistency and teamwork is.
When we started our company in early 1970 Our dress code was casual "business", unless we knew that customers come into the office where it was expected then to fix and professional attire. With the time, we gave up and ordered business casual at least a shirt and tie for men and appropriate attire for women. This had a positive effect, especially in our personal. What I found interesting that while as a small business, have been learning to "dress", U.S. companies have begun to "undress."
Ben Stein is right to criticize today's business dress codes. After all, who would you rather do business with someone who looks like a tramp or a man dressed for success and to act together? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
17 October 2005 CELL PHONES –
My "Pet peeve cell phones Week. It will be recalled, the first cell phones has become popular physicians and other members of the medical community, which he rightly regarded as a vital link between patients and themselves. Then there are business people mobility needed to talk to their offices and clients. This included real estate agents, vendors and staff. But then he fell into the hands of housewives and Children under the clever ruse was a good way to get into contact with our loved ones during an emergency. And that's when all hell broke loose. It now appears everyone has one, not just the hips or in their ears, but in their cars on their bicycles. I even saw some children talking about them as skateboarding, cycling, and yes, even tricycles. Now it's an annoying habit of a work tool or status symbol.
As Sports is how it has affected our social skills. Its now common to find people walking alone on a street or in a store that seems to talk about themselves. Maybe they are and the phone cell is not just a clever ruse. But what bothers me more than anything is how people jabber away on the phone while they are in circulation. Now you know very well that not everyone has something vital to disclose all the time. It is now common to see girls of 16 years to talk to their friends and make plans for the weekend mothers talk with their friends, guys who talk to their buds, and so on. We do everything but watch the road. Have we become so bored with our lives find that we need to talk to someone to kill time in traffic? I think so.
In 1967, James Coburn starred in a movie called "The analyst said President," which became a cult classic. If you have not seen the photo, Coburn discovers a plot by the company phones a microchip implanted in the minds of all those with whom one can send and receive telephone calls (to see how they react to the faxes). However, the film is very prophetic in terms of where they go cell phones. I'm just concerned about the social consequences.
Please do me a favor so small, if it is absolutely necessary to talk to someone on the phone while driving around, please pull to the side of the road and talk the person as a rational human being. And yes, I am very supportive of the legislation regulating cell phone use.
October 14, 2005 – bloatware
My "pet peeve of the week" is "bloatware". Have you noticed when you have a new team speed with will, however, over time, begins to slow to a crawl. This is mainly due to
so-called "bloatware" in the industry. Years ago, developers have been very careful in how they developed the software. The code has been very tight and he was concerned about the efficient use of resources of the machine. But as disk space, memory, processor and ability to increase developers became less and less concerned with the efficiency of the machine. I remember a few years, I had the opportunity to install IBM System OS / 2 in a PC with 50 MB of disk space, and it was very good with plenty of room to spare on my hard drive. But times have changed, the team improved and the Internet have seen on this issue. But programming is most neglected and most neglected. If you have tried to install a word processor or graphics software lately you know what I mean.
I can not help thinking this is a great project to build into disuse in our computers. slow software means buy additional hardware. Understanding this, a computer is considered an antique when he turns three years. More likely is that to keep our equipment longer as if we had not bloatware that run on them. But I suppose it would be good for the economy.
October 31, 2005 – guestimate
My "Pet peeve of the week" is the word "guestimate". I was involved in the field of MRI for a long time and has always bothered me how people try to invent new words in an attempt to appear cute and smart. One of these words is "guestimate" trying to imply that the implementation of a budget is only a proposal, I have to take a big DUH. The estimate is essentially an effort to project the future. Like all projections, the facts and the information available, the estimate will be more, but rarely perfect. There is a natural human tendency not to make estimates because the estimates are expressions commitments, and people tend to move away from the commitments and responsibilities, particularly when they are made. Look, lets keep things simple, an estimate is an estimate and a proposal is a proposal not going to create more words third year as a "guestimate".
Another word that bothers me is "recovery" and you hear everywhere these days. Think about it, what does this mean? The word refers to an iteration of the repetition of something. So what we want mean when we say it again? An infinite loop? The language in the IT sector is quite sloppy without us having to add new words to our vocabulary. But guestimate Repeat.
November 7, 2005 – COMPLICATIONS
My "Pet peeve of the week is entitled" Why I we can make things more complicated than they really are? "Over the past 30 years, I had the opportunity to travel the world, they visit
Many customers of the company, and provide with the gurus in this field. One thing I always found fascinating is the way including the IT industry tends to make things more complicated than really are. For example, systems and software is not really as complicated as it seems. They consist of business processes, procedures and programs. We also have tickets for the collection of data, products for the transmission of information, to store data files, documents and data elements. Period. It has always been and always will well. But the IT industry seems to reinvent itself every five years or more. Now let's talk about applications, programming, agile, mining data, SOA, business rules, metadata, and things that go bump in the night. The only explanation I can give vocabulary change so often that they have to sell a lot of books and magazines. Or use it to be more intelligent than they are. The saddest thing is that this new vernacular is creeping into college and then move briefing the next several years, the children. I do not know, I'm older, I think the best things in life are simple. I guess I'm surprised more people denied not unnecessary complexity.
November 14, 2005 – Snowbirds
My "Pet peeve of the Week" is enabled Snowbirds. November marks the beginning of the migration of the Snowbirds. This is where the northerners, mostly retirees, are beginning to annual trip here to Florida. Of course, money is good for our economy, but we have to deal with some terrible drivers of God. Some New Yorkers who think SUVs own road Ontario's population who still believe in driving a school zone, and others in the central region have simply been lost. You would be nice if we had a standard of national leadership. Heckova would much easier and safer for everyone if we did it ourselves.
November 21, 2005 – Smoking
My "Pet peeve of the Week" is the Great American Smokeout sponsored by the American Cancer Society on Thursday, 17 November. As many of you know I enjoy a good cigar. Never acquired a taste for cigarettes, but certainly enjoy a good cigar when I take my business. Do not bother anyone with it. It's just something I do on my own time. Yes, I am aware of the dangers of smoking, I am sure that all smokers are. And no, I consider myself a consumer advocate of snuff. That said, let me say to all anti-smokers is: Please get off my back! Being a smoker does not mean they are lost demons and fools, but you get characterized that way. The fight against smoking, it is more difficult to find a place for us to enjoy our leisure, all aircraft and airports restaurants and bars, workplaces, including vehicles. Then our homes where they finally draw a line and say their mind their own business. I will continue to enjoy how intimidating my cigar I can take anti-snuff lobby. I do not think they realize they are becoming more hateful in his campaign, he stiffened my decision to enjoy a good smoke.
It also reminds me of a memorable laws Bryce said, "Never trust a person who has not experienced at least one vice president (for such as drinking, smoking, swearing). "I always thought that this person always has a white lily dark side or something they are trying to hide. As I, I will continue to enjoy my cigar and keep my vices aboveboard.
November 28, 2005 – micromanagement
My Black Beast weeks "is" micromanagement. "Today, we live in a world where Theory X managers to dictate the details of any task data is commonly called" micro-management. " Employees were told what to do and when to do it, no interest for their contribution. This approach the worker has to say: "Look, you're not smart enough to do this well I'm going to tell you how. "It is therefore likely to irritate the micromanagement and alienate people. More recently, I noticed this same phenomenon occurs in the non-profit volunteers, and homeowners associations, clubs, school organizations, sports associations, and even religious groups. The people involved in these groups may have the best intentions, but seldom know how to manage effectively. Unfortunately, some people involved with these organizations to respond to a small power trip they are. They have little respect for the organization and implementation of policies and rules. Instead, try to micromanage everything. People, especially volunteers, have a natural aversion to micromanagement and quickly lose interest in their work.
Instead, I recommend an approach to delegate responsibility and hold people accountable for their actions. I mean that the management of the "inferior" in comparison with
"From top to bottom." By treating employees as responsible adults, we tend to accept responsibility and to see a task through completion. As President Ronald Reagan said: "Surround yourself with the best, you can find, delegate authority, and do not interfere until the policy is decided you did. "
Reagan essentially said: "micromanagement, give your staff and off the road."
05 December 2005 – Relay
My "Pet peeve of the week" is "Replay. Last week it was announced The Rolling Stones make the halftime show for the 40th Super Bowl in Detroit next February. I found this ad a bit funny that Paul McCartney of the Beatles provided the halftime entertainment at the last Super Bowl. Not that I have nothing against these rockers, as I have been a Beatles fan and large stones over the past 40 years, I wonder where new talent, or if there really is no substitute for talent for the music of my generation. We hear a lot of Rap, Hip-Hop, and country but who are musicians that really define this generation? Frankly, there are our there. Oh I'm not saying that talent does not exist, because I think so, but it is tightly controlled by traders engineer of each note is currently registered.
In the old days, it was not unusual for artists to write their own music sing their own songs and play their own instruments. This is not the case anymore. Instead of developing a generation of craftsmen, like the Beatles and the Stones, the current wave of Musicians are just marketing "flash in the pan" that were not able to stay home. Beatles and the Rolling Stones very well, but ultimately his music represents repetitions that is the sign of artistic vacuum that was created by the media moguls. Hollywood Take, for example, how many times we go to reconstruction of King Kong, the Pink Panther and almost every television show in the 1960s? Instead of computer graphics, how about some creative plots and well-written scripts? I can not believe that we have short thoughts on Hollywood, which is required to play their old stories. Is this really the generation younger did not have any creativity? I have serious doubts. Simply not be allowed to express themselves and, instead, we should pay attention reruns. I increasingly concerned what effect this lack in our culture ultimately us. For me, it is complacency and signs of declining our ability to fight. It also represents another indication of the micromanagement "happening in the business world. Consider this, if the Beatles and the Stones were to emerge in today's world, you will not be allowed to practice their profession.
Well, I think I'm going home, turn on the television and listen to Led Zeppelin to sell Cadillacs.
December 12, 2005 – Service (lack of)
My "Pet peeve of the week" is "Service" (Lack of it). Recently I stopped at a new cigar store to buy cigarettes. I went into his basement and controlled inventory. There were several custom rolled cigars in facilities and commercial pure standard of the Republic Dominican Republic and Honduras. I happened to find my favorite (What is a Hoyo de Monterrey, Sultan / Maduro) and took a dozen of them to fund the purchase. Before me in line was also a gentleman buying a dozen cigars similar. I realized that the cashier was very slow in the exploration and recording of each cigarette. At his side at the counter was the owner of the shop he was concerned to read a magazine. There were other customers in the store, all of which were not relevant to the content or the holder.
What could have been a simple operation for the guys ahead of me took at least ten minutes. Fortunately, I was in no hurry, but I can not wait, however, more than a simple purchase. When he finally completed the transaction, the cashier greeted me, took my cigar and began the arduous task of scanning and recording my order (again, a simple transaction in a long distance). As processing The last cigarette I gave him my wallet and my credit card. She looked at him and said, "Oh, sorry our credit card machine has been reduced at this time Did you change?
Of course, I did not and I suddenly realized that, after waiting twenty minutes to make a single purchase had a dispute with its more than the purchase.
I said, "Is there nothing I can do?"
"No, Sir, we need money. "
Interestingly, the store owner who had been listening to our jokes just kept turning the magazine.
I asked, "You can not take an impression of my card and the process later, when the machine is a backup? "
"Oh, No, sir, we can not do that."
"In other words, rather than trying to find a way to make this sale would take place, they tell me I've lost twenty minutes of my time in his shop. '
She looked stunning, and the owner has another page with your journal.
I told them this was the last time your frequent setting and shut the door without cigarettes. Frankly, I do not care what least.
I'm sure we've all seen similar situations where there is a lack of decent service, whether in a retail store, restaurants, repair car in the world of business, or elsewhere. People are becoming less responsive customer service. It's like coming down with a severe case of the clumsy when dealing with customers.
Since I was young, I was always taught that the customer was king, that if you take care of customers who would return the favor with shopping sparkling repeated references provide your business to others. But of course, times change and customer service education has become a rarity. For You do not really care about the customer,
remember that everything begins with the sale and the customer never has to wait for the bill. Instead of finding ways not to make a sale, here's an idea: why not try to find ways to get there. But I guess that requires some personal initiative is something that is sorely lacking these days ago.
December 19, 2005 – HOLIDAY madness
My "pet peeve of the week is entitled" madness of the holidays. "December is the month where we celebrate many things:
- Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, but the exact date of his birth is questionable.
- Jews celebrate Hanukkah, which represents a long battle in which the Syrians were expelled from Israel.
- Kwanzaa has existed since 1966, and unlike Christmas and Hanukkah are religious, Kwanzaa celebrates African culture.
- Then celebrate the end of one year, and birth a new one.
There is much to celebrate in December, I always felt sympathy for those born during this month and usually gypped parties and deserve this.
Comedian Lewis Black has recently commented on the invasion the Christmas holidays of others, such as Thanksgiving and Halloween, as Retailers will not be happy until the Christmas season including Labor Day and 04 July. Lewis has a point. It is simple economics that drives this holiday season and frantic about everything. Do not really think these people who fight in the Wal-Mart on a DVD player, digital camera or iPod are thinking of "the Peace on earth, goodwill toward man and you? penalty. The holidays bring the best and worst, in us, which is a pity that this does not is what they were intended. Is supposed to be a moment of reflection and renewal, no traffic jams and chaos in the shopping aisles. Wondering what this years holiday end would be like exchanging gifts were removed from the formula? Probably sober and respectful of Veterans Day or Memorial Day. But it will never spend time retailers and the media keeps us in power. We now spend the next 90-120 days to pay everything off. I'll be happy when the tinsel comes down, cleaned the house, the parents return home, and everything returns to normal. At least until 16 April which is Easter Sunday and the cycle begins again sales.
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About the Author
Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida, a management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management (IRM). Mr. Bryce has over 30 years of experience in the field. He is available for training and consulting on an international basis. His corporate web page is at:
http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/
He can be contacted at: timb001@phmainstreet.com
Copyright © 2006 MBA. All rights reserved.
Tricycle Tour of Trek Bicycle Corp.
