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?

I'll Leave the Door Open for You

I'm sure by now many of you have seen your friends checking in on their facebook pages via their iphones. Some of you might have actually checked in too which is pretty cool and all. But lets slow down for just one second and think about it. You have posted pictures of your 1 bedroom/1 bath apartment on facebook, your address is posted on your page as is your class schedule, and where you work among other things. Lets say you then, I don't know, take a trip to the lovely tropical island Seychelles. You check in on your iphone is Amsterdam as you fly over. Now me the ever so clever crook that I am is sitting at my computer and i realize this (this is from my past life. I have changed my ways :-)) while sipping on a beverage. In the words of Stewie Griffin, "Victory is Mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Your 50 inch plasma tv, your money and valuable and even your puppy bubbles that Ashley is 304 was supposed to be watching for are all mine!!!!!

Technology is allowing us to do things we never thought possible. Last week I discussed the downsides as far as the impact on the employment of human beings. This week I'm going to talk about the potential for crime and mismanagement. Lets think just for a second about cyber crime. I'm sure by now you have gotten an email from a Nigerian Prince or Princess (I swear I don't know those people lol) whose dad was the king of somewhere but was assassinated for political reasons. He had so many millions that the family needs to move out of the country before corrupt bureaucrats get their hands on it and they want your help and bank account info in order to help in exchange for several millions. Not only is the person falling for this scam a greedy, blithering idiot, but it exposes the negative potential of IT advancements. As technology continues it advancements, many new uses emerge. Counters and remedies for loopholes are not dealt with until a problem is detected. The criminal mind is always looking for people and processes to exploit and that is visible in the area of the world wide web. Cybercrime continues to evolve as the technology evolves, while detection and prevention continues to trail 3-4 steps behind.

Are these acceptable and unavoidable consequences of IT development and advancement? By the way, if you are checking in via your Iphone, just beware of that creepy stalker person who is waiting in the bushes outside CTK because you checked in at mass instead of listening to the sermon. Shame on you!!!!!!!

I was replaced by a watch??????

We consistently discuss the numerous possibilities that IT presents to the business world. Mrs Fields Cookies in 1987 had a system that took into account a number of factors such as weather and time of day to instruct the store staff on quantity to bake, when to throw them out and so on. In 1987??? Wow. Kinda like discovering fire with the cavemen huh? For something so sophisticated to be in use at that time is remarkable. Now lets fast forward a few years (ok 23 years). Look at all of the things that technology can do for us now. Pandora figures out what I might like to listen to because I type in Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon. Match.com can tell me who I might be compatible with because I say that I love women with a fiery personality and a love for skittles. On a more serious note, some auto companies and factories run completely automated systems because of the advancements in IT that allow us to program these robots and systems. The upside to all this is the convenience that we enjoy as human beings. What about the drawbacks?

Advancements in IT have been significant in the development of the world of business and technology but at what costs? If we continue making processes and systems more efficient, what does that do for human beings? Imagine a world where all things are done with IT. What then is the role of human beings? IT will probably maintain itself and some point (maybe Terminator had a point) so we won't even be needed to maintain it. When then are we reduced to? What jobs will be available to us? What opportunities will we have in the market? We are getting our MBAs now in order to make business decisions using IT. What kinds of decisions will we have to make in 20 years when IT is even more developed? All of our work will be done for us. Imagine sitting at a console with information being uploaded to your brain by a system. I'd never have to read another book again so that might be a plus. But that means teachers are now no longer needed, schools are not needed so construction is unnecessary. The examples are endless. Personally i'd like to still be relevant in the future and not a second fiddle to some pentium 16 or iMac12. A friend just told me a joke but because I want to pass this class I'm going to keep it quiet. Ask me when you see me. So what will work and society look like when IT becomes even more relevant? Care to share?

What Would It Look Like

Let’s picture this for just a second. A world where we have managed to get 65% of the world population on the internet. What exactly would that world look like? How would we shop? What would we buy and sell? Who would do the buying and selling, and how we these processes be carried out?

The Impact of technology can be seen in the far reaches of the globe. Let me start with a little (well not so little) city called Lagos, Nigeria. In 1999, I would go to my mother's office after class and i discovered this lovely contraption called the internet anew. I had used it a few times but had no real reason to be on it. Mom created my first email address for me, and I immediately discovered chat rooms, online games, and tons of information at my disposal. Not too long after, Cyber cafes began to sprout up. People were going to offer internet services at a cafe for an hourly few which would allow individuals to look up whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Now naturally when you give people such opportunity, the first thing some people run to is www.#%(&%)$#^).com to watch whatever kinky videos they could find. Most people with an email address have received an email from a Nigerian prince or princess whose parent died and needs to move millions out of the country and will give you 40% for helping him/her move the cash out of the country. On the other side of the coin are people like me who started to look at colleges, applied, reserved accommodation, were notified of my admission and began to plan my trip to LSU using the internet. Now the internet business is an avenue for significant growth as telecommunications companies are now offering a wide range of services to consumers at prices previously unheard of. Cybercrime is thriving, as is the use of this technology for legitimate, innovative and practical uses.

Now I am talking about a city of a few million people. A heavily urban area with its high rises and slums. Now imagine spreading this technological innovation to the monk in Tibet, or the Inuit in Alaska. The aborigines in Australia or the pygmies of southern Africa may not have any use of the tech now. But think about the potential we hold in our hands simply by using the internet. The ability to connect, learn and experience other cultures at the click of a button. The exposure to a wealth of information and diverse cultures would serve all those involved. For some it would be like rediscovering fire. What magic that would be. The internet has a long way to go before it becomes truly a widespread tool across the globe. The possibilities however are endless and are truly a marvel to fathom.