My Christmas Wish List
Every year Christmas rolls around I have no clue what I want for Christmas! I usually say, just get me socks & underwear. You can never have enough of that stuff, they grow legs! The reality is, whenever I need or want something, I just go and buy it. I know, I take away the opportunity for someone to bless me with something I actually want. This year though, there a couple things I would like to have for Christmas, let me share.
1.) New iPhone or Blackberry – my cell phone died a very quick death from three stories high : ) slipped out of hand..ooooppps!
2.) An External 1 TB Hard Drive
3.) A MinoHD Camera
4.) Flat Screnn TV ( 42″)
5.) PS3 or XBOX (I have PS2 & WII)
6.) Maybe some cool reading material
7.) And maybe one of my Vision / Goals for 2010 : ) ( My Vision / Goals )
What about you, let’s be kids again and dream & wish for something, what do you want for Christmas?
I.T. Strategic Plan – Who Is It For?
I have been thinking about this question for some time, because there appears to be a gap between IT Departments / Leaders and the rest of the organization. IT departments tend to think in icolation when it comes to the I.T. Plan. I’m generalizing but, this is normal because IT departments believe that the rest of the organization couldn’t possibly understand the complexities of technology let alone know how to implement it. That’s no longer the truth today, everyone has stepped up and learned more and do infact understand far better what technology means and what it can do. That’s not what I want to share with you right now, lets talk about who the I.T. Plan is for.
If the CIO or the person charged with the technology needs of the organization builds an I.T. Plan without consulting all departments and subject matter experts first, should be relieved of duty. The secret to a successful I.T. Strategic Plan is to ensure you have talked with all areas of the organization. It’s a MUST! If you don’t, you have no way of knowing what they struggle with, what they would like to be able to do, and what things they would like you to fix. The subject matter experts in the organization are your greatest allies, they can help you execute incredible customer service. The organization will know you care about each person, that makes buy in much easier when change takes place in systems they use.
Your responsibility is to deliver the right solutions, the right technology and above the best customer service to your organization. It has nothing to do with technology, it’s about people and always will be. The I.T. Strategic Plan is a road map for the IT Staff, it lays out the years work, and how you will serve the organization on a daily basis.
So, who is the I.T. Strategic Plan for? Who do you think and why?
A Message To Business Owners
Most business owners implement systems that solve problems, sometimes they do it without looking into who they ask to help solve this problem or problems. It happens because there is a precieved urgency, something that just can’t wait and must be solved immediately. So let me ask you, is that any different than impulse shopping? Yes & No.
I’ve learned over my 50+ years that most things can be solved by slowing down and thinking through the challenges rather than making a knee jerk reaction to something that is most likely not that urgent. Sometimes the problem or need isn’t urgent at all, it’s just a need and you fill it without making sure that the person or thing is actually qualified to fill that need. Worse yet, how far in the future are you looking when you do hire someone to fill a role or fulfill a need?
Most business owners don’t look past their own sphere of influence when hiring or solving a problem, I’m generalizing of course but you know business owners that do just that everyday. A problem I see and have yet to figure out a solution is, how to grab the business owner before they make these kinds of decisions. If you have influence, credibility and you know how to help them, then you have a chance. The bigger problem, how do they find out about you? That’s another topic of discussion.
So business owners, please take the time to look more closely, so you actually solve the precieved urgency and or hire the right people. Hasty decisions cost you, how you make decisions in your business speaks volumes to the outside world and your accountant.
What do you think?
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Owen Greaves Consulting.
Twitter Tweeples in My Community
It’s that time of year where I want to give credit to those who are due, if you haven’t looked at the Top 5 to watch in 2010, take look and be sure to keep an eye on them. In this list I want to recognize some people that are right here in my community, they are special people and are a complete joy to be with. You would be blessed by them should you decide to follow them, please take the time to get to know them.
I have had the privledge of meeting these fine folks at TweetUp’s or private meetings held over 2009, so here we go:
1.) @rickrake
2.) @kathleenrake
3.) @chrispenner
4.) @curtismchale
5.) @rondapayne
6.) @arnoneumann
7.) @keldiejamieson
8.) @rickshatto
9.) @tim_steeves
10.) @andrewkamphuis
11.) @drdavecurrie
12.) @ajdjservices
13.) @concept9
14.) @donners5
15.) @hshomestaging
16.) @flash
17.) @licesquad
18.) @kaerusgrp
19.) @BMGAuto
People in my area that I haven’t met, but would love too!
1.) @typefaster
2.) @frsrvalleypulse
3.) @miss604
4.) @artsyshell
5.) @compasscoaching
6.) @seanfunk
7.) @adrianeden
8.) @rossfbrown
9.) @bobsongs
10.) @fraservalleyEMN
11.) @GalaxyBowlAbb
12.) @kyegrace
There are more, Twitter and well, Social Media is not as popular up here in my Community but I’m working on that everyday. The most popular or most recognized person in Social Media circles in Vancouver is Rebecca Bollwitt (miss604), she is #4 on my Top 5 to watch in 2010.
I want to share these cool, no…great people with you, I hope you get to know them and maybe even meet them one day.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Top 5 People To Watch for in 2010
I recently took a small poll on Twitter and asked who you thought were THE people to keep eye on in 2010. People that are bubbling under and don’t have status or a high profile just yet in Social Media. Who do you keep going back to for information and help, they aren’t as popular as Gary Vaynerchuk, Chris Brogan and the Jeff Pulver’s of the Internet.
So for fun, I have listed for you 5 people I keep a close eye on and I think they are going to make the jump from bubbling under to making a huge contrinbution to how we use, measure and interact in Social Media Networks. These people are not only smart but a lot of fun to chat with, hang with and I suspect do business with, I’ll let you be the judge of that though.
My Top 5 for 2010
1.) Olivier Blanchard – @thebrandbuilder – his website is packed with how to’s on figuring out Social Media ROI.
2.) Trey Pennington – @treypennington – He is making an impact through his work and his podcasts keep me coming back.
3.) Scott Gould – @scottgould – he is one of many responsible for the Likeminds conference in the UK, doing awesome work.
4.) Rebecca Bollwitt – @miss604 – A Canadian gal out of Vancouver, she is everywhere and shares a ton of great info.
5.) David Spinks – @davidspinks – Another sharp young man making inroads here online with a fresh look into Social Media.
If you have a Top 5 please leave a comment and tell us who you think we should watch in 2010!