Its So Hard To Say Goodbye......

Here we are at the end of the semester. We have discussed so many topics, and studies cases of a number of companies in order to address their deficiencies and make recommendations in order to meet their needs. One major takeaway for me is the Business process re-engineering versus the more incremental and small scale redesign process. This is something that we can all apply directly as IT execs or just as managers. I will take these lessons with me and hopefully apply them for positive outcomes.

As we look back on the lessons learned this semester, I would like to ask that you all apply them to a scenario for me as a parting gift. IT is not as widespread as could be across the globe till date. Not everyone has access to the internet and the immense possibilities it holds. How do we encourage the spread of technology and jump start the use of technology in order to tap into the potential of the developing world?

Can You Do This?

As if the Nintendo Wii was not enough, Microsoft is coming out with its own interactive system called the Kinect. The Kinect has cameras that capture motion in the room and allows you to wireless interface with your XBOX360 console. Similar to the Wii, it will allow you to play games designed for exercise and weight loss.

I am curious as to the way forward from here. I always tried to imagine the way forward for the gaming industry. So what is next? We can work out using these consoles already. What sort of innovations would you like to see attached to these gaming consoles? Stock apps? Interactive cooking shows?

Thoughts?

I'll Take Outsourcing for 200 Please

So we've spent the last few weeks talking about outsourcing. Where, when, why, who and so on. Now I have a question about outsourcing. What is the criteria in determining who to outsource to. IT functions are continually being outsourced to India because of the know-how of the workforce and certain cost efficiencies.

Well what other factors would influence the selection of the locations and destinations. The answer to this question could lead to the opening of new business in the 3rd World in order to create jobs and spur technological advances.

Thank You Come Again

So outsourcing. As a tune in the political game this election season, we are hearing candidates talk about removing tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. Apparently these CEOs and decision makers are the scum of the earth second only to people who kick puppies and hate babies. These people though are making the decisions that we discuss in class on a daily basis. Can cost efficiencies be gained by outsourcing whatever these jobs are? Is this responsibility part of the company's core competency? These are the kinds of questions that these CEOs have to use when making decisions.

They are demonized regularly but is outsourcing wrong? If I have to pay $100 for labor, taxes, regulations and shipping to get a product on the market, whereas I can make the same quality of product and have it delivered for $60 in China, this seems like a great deal. Is this approach wrong? Is there more to the equation that we are discussing? When something is outsourced, people are probably going to lose their jobs. What should a CEO do in this condition? Should the move be made anyway? Are they the devils they are painted to be even though they are just doing what they feel is necessary to keep their business running smoothly?

Please share your thoughts.

Please Swipe Your Card in this Slot

Ok so being the foreign guy that I am, I'm going to look at an issue facing my country. As many people know Nigeria is very high on the list of corrupt countries (you nod and I will hunt you down and tickle you with a feather!) in the world. People suggest all the time that someone does something to crack down on corruption. So I want to look at two initiatives: a national id card with id number, and voter registration and electronic ballots.

We have ID cards at home but they really serve no purpose except to show to a police officer at a traffic stop if you are suspicious looking. We don't have SSN like the USA or Canada so its really hard to keep track of individuals. There is no database that we store information in about the individual citizens. I am of the opinion that in order to keep track of births, deaths, population and other demographic info, we will eventually need to add some sort of system. So how should the government go about doing something like this? What scale of infrastructure would be required to carry out the registration of over 130 million people? Should the government outsource the operation to a company outside of government in order to accomplish it or should it focus on executing the process locally.

Through this registration process above, we can actually also register voters to vote. So when the time for elections roll around, keep the current basic corrupt system where soldiers are paid to confiscate and destroy ballot boxes or find a new way? I believe we should move towards electronic voting booths. But how do we implement this? Do we outsource the development of the machines to companies outside the govt or does the government create these machines? (This is a not a discussion of bigger government or whatever so keep the politics to yourself :-)). How should a company structure the systems in order to effectively run the polling stations?

Just some food for thought.

If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time

Here we are in 2010, with the ability to do so much with technology. We can order movies online, submit pictures via the web to be printed and ready in an hour, send a text to the smoothie king and order a smoothie before we ever show up. We can do so many things in the interest of luxury and convenience that we could not do many years ago. I still remember the days when I was using the "Mario Teaches Typing" program to learn how to type on a computer. Tough to imagine going back to that point.

But lets do that for just a second here. Technology has in some way, shape or form affected our lives either positively or negatively. Instead of writing about the pitfalls of technology, or the strain on the workforce, I want to look back to a time where we were not so tech oriented. I would like you to share something you believe you could not have achieved without technology that you consider a big deal.

I'll start off with mine. In 2002, when the US decided to invade Iraq, my father was posted to Iraq for work. I was worried because of the impact of the war and there were serious safety concerns. We did not want him to go, and then at one point we tried to get him to quit so he didn't have to go. He eventually did leave to go to Iraq and left us at home. We were worried sick about the impact of the war. Our concerns were eased when my father purchased a Thuraya. Here is a link if you don't know what it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuraya. This was basically a satellite phone that allowed him to cal us from wherever he was in Iraq or any neighboring country he was in at the time. Truly a lovely bit of technology to address the needs and concerns of a family with a loved one in harm's way.

Looking forward to hearing your stories.

After Further Review, The ruling on the field stands

Providian Trust decided to adopt a new system in order to make their business more efficient and streamline operations to achieve consistency. This would enhance their core competencies and alleviate customer concerns which could in turn expand their customer base and drive profit upward. An amazing idea in principle, but when put into practice, it can be described as......chaos. Employees were resistant to change and the rollout attempt was dreadful in terms of strategy.

To contrast this phenomenon, lets take a look at the sports world for just one second. I'll spend more time on football since its the greatest sport on the planet (put that oblong thing down, I'm talking about real football with a round ball). If you watched the England vs Germany game, Germany was leading 2-1 when Frank Lampard charged toward the 18yd box and unleashed a thunderous strike. The ball hit the cross bar and clearly crossed the line. The referee waved play on because from his vantage point the ball had not crossed the line. This was at a time where England, who had been dominated for most of that half had snatched the momentum with a first goal. A second would have changed the game but they were denied the goal, and went on to lose 4-1. There have been calls that a microchip be placed in the ball, so that once the ball crosses the goal line, there will be a way of noting that and awarding the goal to the scorer. FIFA (soccer governing body) president Sepp Blatter is very much against this change, whereas the players and many of the fans are for this change. Hence, it will not happen.

In the NFL and College football, plays are run and the ball is spotted by a human being who is standing on the sideline. This person tells us based on his perspective where the ball is supposed to be. Why not put a chip in the ball, and that way we can have technology tell us where the ball should be spotted and if its 4th and inches or 1st and 10. I know I personally would like to see that. Will it happen? probably not. Why? Because some people want to keep the historical traditions no matter how stagnant. A similar case can be seen in baseball with the refusal to expand the use of instant replay.

I bring this up because I am now wondering, when the employees and customers are calling for change, should management make this change in order to continue to satisfy the customers and foster and environment where employees feel they are being heard. The answer to this question should be yes.....or should it?